Mammy Stitches Selling Blog

New Doll Blog

2010-01-13T13:17:00.004-05:00

Today is an exciting day and you want to know why? Well I have a new blog and it is dedicated to Dolls. Through my Journey of creating and learning. I will also be using my blog to list new dolls and show previews of exciting new dolls I have been working on. I would like to invite all my followers to please follow me there, here is the link

http://mammystitches.blogspot.com/

I will continue to have this blog but it will be used for personal blogging. I am so excited about my new blog I look forwarded to seeing you there soon. Grab yourself a cup of coffee or some tea and come relax and read all about Mammys Tales she always have alot to say.
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!~

Lazy Lazy Sunday

2010-01-03T17:32:00.002-05:00

Today was just one of those days it is so windy and cold outside I dare not even think about venturing out. I am having one of those pain days every joint in my body seems to ache it gets like that I just kinda learned how to live with it for now the cold just doesn't help it much. I thought I share some dolls I am working on today, I am trying to add faces to some but not all I still love my dolls with out a face seems like the faces take them into another direction. I am working on some dolls to have ready for a black history month show in February along with doing a few valentine dolls something a bit different from what I normally do.

I also have to comment on all the beautiful blogs I have been traveling to see lately it is so many some make you dream others almost intimidate me lol really some people are so darn creative it just leaves me breathless. Just gorgeous homes and not to mention those who do the table scape wow how beautiful the settings are. In the upcoming months I will attempt to try and do a table scape here and there *thinking I must be nuts* but hey it's worth a try. I am so stuck on red and red transfer ware doesn't leave much room for too many place settings. I will definitely have to do one for my birthday in a few weeks gosh January 15th I will be 53 years old whew hmmm yanno some days I don't feel it and then there are other days I could add 20 more years to my age.

Well I have another one of those doc appointments tomorrow I don't even bother mentioning those anymore and since my Mum passed I really try not to reflect on anything sad these days I just want to keep my spirits up. Speaking of which I must send out a special surprise to my Friends Deb and Cindy and right now I feel Deb could really use something to boost her spirit. What do you do to lift up someone spirit that is down? I am open for suggestions. I hope that everyone had a Wonderful New Year until next time I wish you all Peace and Many Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~!

I Have So Much To Be Thankful For

2009-12-28T19:59:00.003-05:00

This is part2 of my earlier post. I wanted to post pictures but I am having a hard time with my camera. I first have to give thanks to the wonderful people who have been so kind to me over the holidays. This is a list of ornaments I received from some very nice Ladies, I want you to know I love every single one I cannot thank you all enough for your giving hearts and your talents.
lavender seahorse--Cindy
little brown haired lady in long dress--Cindy
green vintagey looking ornament with old looking picture on front--Jess
Pouncil
two wonderful bear angels--Debbie Mikesell
Largish collagey looking ornament--Kathy Lowry
Largish woodeney snowman--Kathy Lowry
Primitive candy canes and another primmy one: Kim Robinson
Old fashioned looking ball ornament with pink rose on it--Cindy
Christmasey tag-Vivian Neroni
Peace ornament--Awtemnymf
Little wooden snowperson--Awtemnymf
wooden snowflake--Awtemnymf
Silver glitter shoe --Deb
Deb I also must thank you for the beautiful Christmas box and the chocolate yum. I hope that you will enjoy your gift as well. This was the first Christmas I have had in about six years and it was a Beautiful one. On Saturday I had a few friends come by we sat around and talk, ate and sang songs and just had a wonderful time. The funny part was just before everyone got here the power went out in our neighborhood and the last of the cooking I was doing had just finished in a nic of time whew. So for about an hour we all sat around in candle light and start talking about how in the olden days this was have been the way it was. Thank God for electricity lol it was still dark to me even with all the candles I had going. The pictures you see are not very good and as I stated my camera just doesn't want cooperate at the moment. The doll was one that an 84 year old lady called me up and ask would I make a doll for her great grand daughter, I almost said no it was at a time I really wasn't into making dolls or doing pretty much of anything but I went ahead and gave it a shot and she just loved it. Sam she wanted pink and as you can see her dress is done in polka dots lol. I really hate my camera didn't take good pictures of it and at the time I took this one the lady was here at the house to pick it up and so I just hurried up and took a picture. But after making that doll it gave me new ideas on doing other ones. I have never made a doll for a child before and don't really know if I will again but as they say never say never. I actually have done another doll since that one and she looks even better than that one. I love my dolls. They may not sell online but at shows I do pretty good.

I am not sure if I am doing this right I never can seem to get the hyper link but please go over to Cheryl's blog Prims from Scratch there you can see my swap package from her and what I sent to her.
Another new blog friend. You know it is so wonderful how blogging can bring so many new people into your life. Last year I met Deb from Vintage Soul during a Easter Swap we have been in touch ever since.

I know I am going on and on but there is so much I want to share and say but I guess I need to close now and pray that by tomorrow I can get that camera of mines to work I do want to share at least a few of my Christmas pictures. I hope I haven't left anyone out if I did please know I do appreciate all of you. Until next posting
Peace and Many Blessings to all
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

HELLO AND THANK YOU

2009-12-19T14:45:00.003-05:00

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE THIS IS GOING TO BE A TWO PART POST
First let me say Thank you Cindy!! and I will soon try to list all the people who have been so so kind to me over the past weeks. For my Christmas swap partner Cheryl a million thanks to you. For everyone and I do mean Everyone who participated in Cindy's Ornament Swap I want to thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. It brought so much Joy to me to have received the package of beautiful ornaments and to see all the talent everyone displayed. Deb I also want to thank for the Sympathy card you are so sweet. Through the pain I have been going through I have met some wonderful new friends. I cannot express in words how moved I am over the kindness everyone has shown to me. *Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus* lol that is how I am feeling right now. I have mention a few times how much it meant to me to have a Christmas this year and Yes!!! I have a tree. Like I said this is a two part post I will post the pictures of all my goodies and the tree and so much more. Sam you are such a doll I thank you for your friendship I see that you also have been a busy bee.

Do you know over the past few months it was hard for me to post but I want all who travel and visit my blog that your blogs gave me inspiration and oh my gosh your homes are all decked out so Beautiful. I will try to be a better blogger in the future and I also want to thank everyone who shares a little of their JOy with all of us each day. Char I must also thank your kindness how you take out time each day to give up tips and inspiration you motivates me in to doing when I just dont want to move I thank you. I will be back later on until then everyone
SNATCH JOY!!!

The Passing of a Grand Lady

2009-11-07T18:11:00.004-05:00

Today November 7, 2009, My Mummie passed away. I sit here thinking how should I feel why am I not breaking out in uncontrolable tears. Yet I feel at peace for her and myself. I try to remember her and all that comes to my head are times of when I was a very young girl. As an adult I didn't get to spend alot of time with my Mum but an occasional phone call to let each other know we are alive and well.

She held her illness from me for what reason I will never know. My Mum died of colon cancer. The many times I would go visit for her it pained me to watch her deal with pain that never would get better her cries for more medication only for the nurse to say it's not time. No longer will she have to deal with this she is gone on home now. I wont even say goodbye to her because I know I will someday be with her again. I will be away for awhile in preperation of celebrating her home coming.

Dropping In

2009-10-28T18:33:00.005-04:00

Thought I drop in and share something a friend sent to me in a email. Most times I don't bother with forwarding emails. Gosh let's just say I hate them. You know the ones if you don't respond and pass on you will have bad luck or something. This time I read one and I found it informative so I will share it with everyone.

~Something to think about!
HANDBAGS :

Have you ever noticed girls who set their handbags on public toilet floors, then go directly to their dining tables and set it on the table? Happens a lot! It's not always the 'restaurant food' that causes stomach distress. Sometimes 'what you don't know will hurt you'!

Read on.............

Mom got so upset when guests came in the door and plopped their handbags down on the counter where she was cooking or setting up food. She always said that handbags are really dirty, because of where they have been.

It's something just about every woman carries with them. While we may know what's inside our handbags, do you have any idea what's on the outside? Women carry handbags everywhere; from the office to public toilets to the floor of the car. Most women won't be caught without their handbags, but did you ever stop to think about where your handbag goes during the day.

'I drive a school bus, so my handbag has been on the floor of the bus a lot,' says one woman. 'On the floor of my car, and in toilets.'

'I put my handbag in grocery shopping carts and on the floor of the toilet,' says another woman 'and of course in my home which should be clean.'

We decided to find out if handbags harbour a lot of bacteria. We learned how to test them at Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake , and then we set out to test the average woman's handbag.

Most women told us they didn't stop to think about what was on the bottom of their handbag. Most said at home they usually set their handbags on top of kitchen tables and counters where food is prepared.

Most of the ladies we talked to told us they wouldn't be surprised if their handbags were at least a little bit dirty.

It turns out handbags are so surprisingly dirty, even the microbiologist who tested them was shocked.

Microbiologist Amy Karen of Nelson Labs says nearly all of the handbags tested were not only high in bacteria, but high in harmful kinds of bacteria. Pseudomonas can cause eye infections, staphylococcus aurous can cause serious skin infections, and salmonella and e-coli found on the handbags could make people very sick.

In one sampling, four out of five handbags tested positive for salmonella, and that's not the worst of it. 'There is faecal contamination on the handbags' says Amy. Leather or vinyl handbags tended to be cleaner than cloth handbags, and lifestyle seemed to play a role..People with kids tended to have dirtier handbags than those without,with one exception.

The handbag of one single woman who frequented nightclubs had one of the worst contaminations of all. 'Some type of faeces, or possibly vomit' says Amy.

So the moral of this story is that your handbag won't kill you, but it does have the potential to make you very sick if you keep it on places where you eat. Use hooks to hang your handbag at home and in toilets,and don't put it on your desk, a restaurant table, or on your kitchen countertop.

Experts say you should think of your handbag the same way you would a pair of shoes. 'If you think about putting a pair of shoes on your countertops, that's the same thing you're doing when you put your handbag on the countertops.'

Your handbag has gone where individuals before you have walked, sat, sneezed, coughed, spat, urinated, emptied bowels, etc! Do you really want to bring that home with you? The microbiologists at Nelson also said cleaning a handbag will help. Wash cloth handbags and use leather cleaner to clean the bottom of leather handbags.

THIS IS WORTH SHARING!!! PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO YOUR GRANDMOTHERS, MOMS, DAUGHTERS, GRANDDAUGHTERS AND GIRLFRIENDS !! !!

After reading this I never looked at my purse the same. So I also looked for places that even sold hooks to hang your purse on and I found this site and a few more
http://www.chattgifts.com/
I am going out to buy hooks for gifts this Christmas and they will make great stocking stuffers.

Until Next Time I wish Peace and Many Blessings
Cheryl ...Snatch JOY!~

Busy Wednesday

2009-10-21T14:48:00.006-04:00

Today has been one busy busy day with all the sewing I have been trying to get done and not to mention making holiday orniments Whew I am tired. I have also done some listing in my Esty Shop I refuse to give up on that.

Yesterday my Primitive tree arrived that I am going to put in a corner in my dinning room I will list some pictures as soon as I have everything all put together I am very pleased how it looks. Also had a Doctors appointment yesterday yuck but I have to do what I got to do. I am doing better but as time goes on I will be back to my old self again. I just wish I didn't stay so tired. Here are a few pictures of things I have listed in my shop.
Why not go take a look around you might see something you like and if you have a shop save me to your favorites I will do the same. Samm I have given thought to your suggestion about making some smaller dolls I will give it a try. I just wish I wasn't so stuck on making these dolls in this size the pictures make them appear much larger than what they are but as you can see the old lady sitting there in the chair she is not that big lol. I also have decided to make two bride dolls using some of the wedding dress, I am real excited about that can't wait to see how they turn out. Well time to fix dinner have no idea what I am going to fix
Peace and Blessings to all
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

What's A Woman To Do

2009-10-15T15:41:00.004-04:00

The dress you see here
I brought one day while out thrifty shopping, I know what your thinking what on earth would make me buy a wedding gown from a thrift store. When I first seen it my head was dancing with ideas and all kinds of possibilities of what new life I could give to what I am now calling the dress of tears. Sure would love to know the history of how such a beautiful dress ended up in a thrift store. It was listed for 140.00 bucks wow no way was I going to pay that for a dress that my head was doing up and down flips of ways to pull it apart. So as always miss can I get a bargain I asked the store manager could he consider lowering the price. First he tells me that I could wait till Wednesday when everything is half price and purchase it then but even at half price I wasn't willing to pay that for the dress. So I gave Victor my sad sad look and told him of how I don't have a way to travel here on Wednesdays and that Joyce always bring me shopping on Saturday. Not to mention I also threw in who else was going to come to a thrift store in search of a Wedding Gown, and beside Victor look there is a rip right here. He looked a me with a smile and said ok how much are you willing to pay Ha!@!!@! I had to laugh ummm Victor I only have 25.00 bucks and I am also trying to purchase these other items. Well sweet ol Victor sold me the dress for 20.00 dollars and the promised that I would bake him one of my Chocolate Cakes lol.

After getting the dress home it sat on my sofa for a few days before I even bothered to bring it upstairs. Then it sat on a chair in my bedroom for another few days. The more I starred at the dress the more it almost made me sad. Yesterday I removed a sleeve but couldn't get up enough nerve to do anything else to it. (by the way I found a straight pin in the seam of the sleeve ouch!) So now it hangs on the door of my sewing room. Oh what should I do with her.

Also on another thrift store venture I purchased this awesome chair for my bedroom.
Oh how I love love this chair it sits better than any chair in my house and for 30 bucks how could I have left it sitting there. I have already fallen asleep in it a few times. I love thrift store shopping do you?

Here is another doll I am going to list in my Esty Shop

I am starting to wonder why do I even bother I have not sold a doll yet. I guess it is either poor pictures or the lack of understanding my dolls, I love them though lol. She will list for 70.00 dollars and free shipping I have a few items that I have listed for free shipping. You see her vintage pan and rolling pin. I love how she turned out.
Until Next Time
Peace and Many Blessings
Cheryl....Snatch JOY!

Taking Time Out

2009-10-09T14:08:00.002-04:00

I have been so very busy lately, that I thought I take sometime out today and blog. So much has been going on my Mum has become very ill and has been in the hospital for months. I Went to see her last weekend and I was so happy to see that she is coming along. It just delighted me to see her finish almost all her food. My Mum has colon cancer but the power of prayer she will pull through it all. I am in Maryland and she is in a hospital in DC so it is a bit of a commute for me since I don't drive anymore. So between going to see my Mum and going to the Docs for myself whew I am tired.

I have been slowly working on making new items for my Etsy shop along with my big project of making sure Christmas will visit my house this year. It came to me as a thought I would like to have a online Christmas ornament exchange. If anyone is interested in doing this please leave me a comment. I think that would be alot of fun. I will work on my details about this weekend. Until then I wish you all
Peace and Many Blessings
Cheryl... Snatch JOY~

I'm Dreaming and Plaining

2009-09-14T19:15:00.002-04:00

Lately, I have been focous on Christmas with everything that is going on in my life thoughts of my one and only holiday that I love so much keeps my mind busy. It has been some years now since I even had a Christmas. Not to mention not even a tree so I am on a mission to make sure this will be the year that Christmas will return to my home once again. I lost almost all the Christmas decor I had collected over the years and with just a few pieces here and there I grab what I can when out and spot a bargin.

I am also making some Christmas items as well and these snowmen are a sample of things to come I am going to list these in my Esty shop but working more, along with some santas and angels. The snowmen will be selling for 15.00 dollars made from cloth. So anyone else having that early Christmas bug itching at them?

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

SHOW OFF YOUR ROOSTERS PARTY!

2009-08-28T06:51:00.006-04:00

Today is the Big Day Everyone is showing off their Beautiful Rooster collection. Barb at Bella Vista is hosting the party I have a small growing collection. Here are a few of mines. My memory card keeps acting up so I wasn't able to get pictures of all mines. Please click on the rooster on the side post to check out all of the fun over at Bella Vista. I have seen so many beautiful collections so far. Happy Friday Everyone!
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

.

Hello Wednesday

2009-08-26T11:55:00.004-04:00

Wednesday what a beautiful day it is. I can see the weather slowly creeping trying to change even though it is suppose to be in the 90's today. The mornings are simply crisp and cool. It is dark now at 6:00 am but I love it just the same I sit outside on my front porch while the neighborhood sleeps sipping on a cup of coffee while a ponder away with thoughts. I guess you can say that is a little part of my Joy. What gives you Joy? I use to ask myself that question and then one day I sat down and decided each day I would find Joy and snatch it up like it was my last breath. Therefore, is where I came up with the saying Snatch JOY! just grab hold of it and don't let it go. Often times we loose site of the small simple things in life not realizing it is our Joy!

I have been doing lots of thrifty shopping lately keeping myself busy it won't be long now before I go in for surgery I am ready to face this monster and soon it will be a distant memory. Tell me what you think of my latest thrifty finds also I need some help on deciding what color sofa to get. I found one I am so in love with at JC Penney just can't decide between red or gold maybe even white.

I love this sofa but I am not sure if I get it in red if that will be too much

Love to hear your suggestions also Nancy at Victorian Whimsies is having a giveaway for a Beautiful Victorian Cone please stop by her blog http://nancymalay.blogspot.com/2009/08/i-havent-done-giveaway-for-awhile-so-i.html
I can't remember how to hyper link her web address. Belle Vista is having a Rooster Party this weekend you can click on the Rooster on my side post. Until my next post I wish you all Peace and Many Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Relaxing Sunday

2009-08-09T15:48:00.003-04:00

Today is one of those calm relaxing Sundays even though the temps outside is crazy hot. Last week I went to see the neurologist and things are coming along pretty good. So now it will be up to my primary care doctor to go ahead and give the oncologist the ok for my surgery. I just will be one happy woman when all this is behind me.

Each week I am still struggling more and more to get motivated to do some sewing I look at the piles of fabrics and sit there dreaming not moving not taking a step to even begin cutting. I guess everyone goes through a stage like this. The ideas are all there in my head but I guess with everything else my mind just wont allow me to do it right now and that is ok!

I am shame to say how much time I spend on here just drooling over so so many blogs I must say it is a HUGE amount of creative people out there. I discovered one blog the other day Barb at Bella Vista I was stuck in her blog for hours just gorgeous ideas so much talent. I decided to even join a Rooster Party she is having, I had laugh but for some reason I thought I was alone for my love of Roosters. So on the August 28, all that joined in on the fun will be showcasing their Roosters, I cant wait. I need to get a new memory card for my camera for some reason the darn thing just stopped working I keep getting a memory card error every time I turn on the cam. Oh well that is on the to do list for this week.

Most of you know about my love for PEPSI now I have found something else it's not a replacement but for now I am loving the Canada Dry Ginger Ale Green Tea DELICIOUS

Well time to fix dinner!
Peace and Blessings all
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Today Was a Good Day

2009-07-18T16:21:00.006-04:00

Today was a fantastic day even after a few stumbling blocks it turned out wonderful. I went thrifty shopping and I think I got some pretty good bargins. You never know what you will find in a thrift shop. Joyce called me early telling me about these ladder back chairs she saw the day before. They were gorgeous I didn't get them just yet because I am not sure if they have a spot in my home for them. They are black with the heavy straw woven seats and have hand painted flowers on the ladder part of them with bits of gold trim. Well this here is the chair I am buy from target to put on the bare wall by my steps, that Joyce thought the chairs in the thrift shop would be better and you get all four for 79.00 dollars it just not the same. This is the picture of the settee I am buying

Even though the ladder back chairs are really nice I just don't see a place right now in my small house to place them. But I did however buy these two chairs I just couldn't leave them in that cold lonely drabby thrift store they was calling out my name over and over begging me to please don't leave them behind.

I love them! I got them both for 45.00 dollars I am not sure if that is a bargain or not I just knew I had to have them. I also brought two lamps one for 12.00 and the other for 5.00 dollars, a black metal tray for 2 bucks and a wicker laundry basket for 1.50 So I think I did pretty good for the amount of money I spent.

And last but not lest I am a huge lover of red transferware and TOILE! well I found two nice pieces on etsy and I can't wait for them to come in the mail

Well that's it for now I need to get some rest whew I hope everyone has had a wonderful as well
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

What a Saturday

2009-07-11T13:41:00.005-04:00

Today I decided that I would try and paint the furniture on my front porch ugh. Well here is a before and a half finished after lol. I had two cans of spray paint and only to find out it takes 2 cans of paint for each chair so until I can go back to Home Depot and get more paint this is the results for now. I know my neighbors are saying why she even bothered those chairs are not done. I also want to paint the white wicker chair that use to be a rocker I have had now for 16yrs. That's my son I was pregnant with him when I gotten the rocker.

I found out I don't have as much strength in my hands as I use to it was really hard trying to hold trigger tight to spray the paint. I welcome any ideas anyone have that can help me cozy up this porch a bit.

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl... Snatch Joy!

THANK YOU

2009-07-09T14:11:00.002-04:00

Today I wanted to take time out to thank all the bloggers who have read my blogs over the past months. I want also thank everyone who has kept me and my sons in prayer. Sometimes life can get a little ahead of you going so fast that you have to stop and Breath. I just didn't want it to go unsaid that I don't appreciate my blogging buddies.

Over the past months I have enjoyed reading your blogs and learning new things along the way. Even when I was not able to sit down and type out a blog of my own I enjoyed each of you sharing your life and talents. For those who have been asking about my son I want to let you know that he is doing Wonderful. He is working out more and more with his weights I am a very proud mom. Slowly I am doing a little bit of sewing here and there stil not able to sell any dolls lol but oh well I enjoy them. Now if anyone reading this can give me some tips on how to turn fingers using osnburg fabric. I am having a hard time whew my stuffing tool poking holes in it lol well until I can find out a easier way of doing this I guess I will go back to making mitten hands lol.

Have a Beautiful Day Everyone
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY

Something Just To Make You Smile

2009-07-07T15:08:00.005-04:00

Yesterday my Best Friend Joyce went out shopping and I told her that I needed a larger trash can. The city that I live in now is suggesting that everyone have large trash containers at least 35 gallons ones. I told her the type I was looking for I wanted the lid to be attached. Well the first Home Depot she went to did not have any, so from that store she made a call to another store which they told her that they did have them. She went there to grab one only to find out they did not have them after all. So from that well the type I wanted which she seen was close the woman rang up 70 dollars!! Joyce said she screamed and aske to speak with the woman who she had spoken with on the phone well to make a long story short, Joyce got me a 45 Gallon 70 dollar trash can for 26 bucks!!

Now here comes the funny part ok I don't live in the subs nor do I live where everything is always peaches and cream lol. So with that being said I gave my new trash can a look all it's own to distract it from suddenly growing feet and leaving from out my yard lol and here it is

Have a Great Day Everyone
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl ... Grabbing Hold to JOY!

It's Been Awhile

2009-06-27T23:16:00.002-04:00

It has taken me forever to get the urge to blog. So much has been going on I felt it was maybe time for me to sit back and express how I am feeling. Over the past months I have been in the hospital 3 times now I am facing going back in again for surgery. Funny how at a blink of an eye your life can suddenly change. I never once thought I would be saying the big C word yes Cancer. Me who did not learn until last year that I was diabetic now being faced with the thought of having Ms C I will call it.

Depression has set in I struggle daily trying to fight it some days are not so great it just has a big hold on me. Funny that I should call my blog Peaceful Blessings I don't even know what that is anymore. I pray all the time that God would bless me with Peace. I guess I just have to pray a little harder and a little longer. I know some who may be reading my blog is saying here Cheryl goes again with another one of her sad sad blogs. Sorry but right now this is all I have to offer. I can make you laugh about one thing I am starting to journal maybe I should include bits and pieces here about my life as a Fat Girl yup that's me. Doctors even suggested that I lose 150 pounds wow who knew I would turn out like this so my journal starts off as The Confessions of a Fat Girl. Doesn't that just keep ringing in your ears I know it does mines. I find myself more and more starring into mirrors that only I can see the dead ugly truth. Now Fat Girl what are you going to do about it! Well I have done a few things but right now my health is not letting me do as much as I would like. Cutbacks lots and lots of cut backs just can't seem to kick the Pepsi habit so I now treat myself to one of those a week instead of the massive 6 pack out of a week. They say confession is good for the soul then why do I feel like pure crap right now lol. Hmmm maybe that is another reason I have had two strokes in the last few months thank God they were mild but it was another alarm ringing and banging in my head that it is time for this Fat Girl to get rid of her Big Bloomers and tame them down to pannie size. Until another day as this Fat Girl Always says
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl....Snatch JOY!
P.S. If anyone want to share some of their joy please do I could use it!

Manic Monday

2009-03-30T11:30:00.003-04:00

Manic Monday I thought I take a few minutes and blog on things I am working on. This is one of my dolls I am almost finished I am not too sure about the green buttons. The cheese cloth she is wearing comes from the packaging of my WinterBasic Swap thanks again Kim for such lovely gifts. I need to stop being so picky I guess lol. I have on the hunt for more vintage hats. I have found some great ones on Etsy. Some I just can't see paying the price they want only to know I will be using them on dolls. But then again they are a few I run across that I almost dont want to part with. Before I had locked my hair I was a big hat wearer. Now it is almost impossible to find a fancy hat to go over all this hair, but non the less I love my locs.

I am off to run some errands and maybe even run pass the one and only thift shop in my area. Everyone be blessed!
Cheryl...Snatching JOY~

It's The Weekend

2009-03-27T23:15:00.002-04:00

Well the weekend is here and my week has been busy busy and down right demanding. I am still working on more dolls. But the sun shined on me I won the Life Maker Over Contest! Ok I have to say I really didn't think I would win. I am still shy bit confussed about it. I am excited to see what happens next. Thank everyone for choosing me!

I had been very bad with blogging and not to mention even with my emails I am going to get better with the both. Right now I have projects going, 1. Makeover for the dead zone that is what I call my laundry room, 2. Trying to come up with a better way of being oragnized in this room I call office/studio aka multipurpose room. 3. Lastly trying to learn how to operate my digital camera to take better photos of my dolls. I have been listing more n more dolls in my etsy shop but the pictures just do not do any justice for them at all nothing to grab your attention not mention all the detail and work I put into each doll. Anyone have any pointers that could help me out with this? I am also behind in listing my doll collection but I took a few pictures of some that are stuffed away in a curio lol. I will try and get back with that again next week.

Have a great weekend
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

Life and Style Makeover

2009-03-19T16:53:00.002-04:00

Today I decided that I would sit back and basically tell the world why I deserve to win this makeover. I am a little shy about doing this but at the same time I thought it is also a way for me to get out a lot that is going on in my life. That is part of what blogging is about.

I don't want to come off appearing depressing. My reasons for the makeover is to be able to once get the joy and peace back in my life that has been missing for so many years. For almost Seven years I have been depressed because of life situations first starting with my home burning down in Washington, DC which is how I ended up living in Baltimore, MD (I hate it here). At the time my house caught on fire I soon learned so many valuable lessons one get insurance, two never trust anyone, three Red Cross only puts you up for one night after that you are on your own. So began my life nightmare. My boys were in elementary school at the time of all this and my father-in-law at the time lived out here in Baltimore and knew of a Person who rented homes without a down payment. Pressed with needing a place to live my husband and I rented the home for the low low price of $575.00 for a three bedroom town house front and back yard and all the mice you could ever want. Yes I said mice come to find out after settling in the place was infested with them. There is no short to this story in order for me to just bring out all the details. I am terrified of mice and don't like anything that has any relation with mice right down to even a shall we say cute picture of one those things.

The first day we walked into the house I almost cried another thing I truly cannot stand is paneling well guess what every last room in this place had paneling. The house of gloom. No Fridge I asked the landlord where is the fridge he just laughed and said you have to get your own. Not mention no way could use the stove that was in this place. My husband soon broke down and cried screaming how he didn't work this hard to end up living this way. I did all I could to try and make the place a home but nothing worked. Now what I also didn't mention I know I am bouncing all over the place with this story but the house that burned only burned the bedroom upstairs which was our room. Everything downstairs was fine but the problem was the owner of the house which by the way we was renting with option to buy stole everything from us he locked us out of the house not even the police would help us told us we had to file a civil suit. My husband lost his job the next day after the fire he is a flooring installer and the company told him they couldn't let his problem become their problems after he asked to not be on the schedule because his house had just burned down.

After living in this hell hole mice infested place Baltimore began the down fall of my life. Never did I stop to realize that this had also taken a mental affect on my kids. They also hated living here. So to start naming the things that has occured in my life of living in Baltimore maybe I should list them before I go on, but instead for the first time instead of talking about everyone else I am going to talk about myself for a change.

I have had 3 what the doctors call mini strokes not even knowing that I had them. My health just started going down hill actually it took a nose dive. I have the worse teeth in my mouth that anyone could imagine because of past things that had happened to me (ex husband abused me and eventual tried killing me) not having a dental plan to get the necessary care my mouth needed, so I dont smile a lot I really don't like talking to anyone in public. At one point I felt as though my life was just over literally everything that gave me any type of joy seemed to have been snatched away. I learned not to buy nothing that I will not use so those days of buying pretty linens and nice dinnerware is just a no no. I don't have anything I call *that is for when company comes over* lol company never comes here nobody comes here except the one friend I have living out here that is Joyce other than that nobody visit. We long moved from the mouse house into a much better place actually I love this house just never had the money to buy the things I would love to have to really make it home starting with a sofa, I am a person who finds ways to make do with what I have. But it would really be nice for once to have a nice cozy place again.

I said I wouldnt talk about anyone but me this time I can't do it. My life I guess revolves around my kids which at this point in my life has been filled with heartaches. Most know the story about my youngest son being beaten, I only mention my other son and him joining the church but there is more to him that I just nevered talked about. It just pains me I guess some days I just dont feel much happiness right now most have stopped reading this and that is ok too. I am just rambling letting out my feelings doesn't much matter about a contest for a makeover those things only happen for other people. I watch extreme makeovers a few times on tv and would wish that could happen to me. That I could have my teeth fixed and have nice clothes to wear. Not mention to take away a ton of pounds I have collected over the years. Some days I just want to grab a bag throw some clothes in it and head for the door and keep going not looking back. I always tell folks to snatch joy I even try finding some to grab hold to just that it seems everytime I get a piece of it something finds a way to snatch it away. Maybe I might try later on with this right now none of what I am saying is making any sense.

I guess that is another reason I surf and read so many of you blogs. Your lives seem so wonderful and family life seem just peaceful and happy.

Monday's Doll of The Week

2009-03-16T14:29:00.002-04:00

Peddler Doll This is one of My Favorite Dolls in my collection she is a reproduction China Head Doll. I purchased this doll in 2000 at a Doll and Teddy Bear Show in Washington, DC. The artist who created her name is Annie. I have a small collection of China Head dolls two which are Antique. The History of China Head Dolls.

China head dolls were made by various companies from 1840-1940. The vast majority of china dolls were made in Germany. China head dolls are usually found on a wood, cloth or a kid body and some have partial limbs of china too. May have molded hair or have a wig over a solid bald dome. Their sizes range from a tiny 3" to a big and heavy 40" tall.

Many of the china head dolls are unmarked, or may have a mold number; it can be impossible to pinpoint the manufacturer, so most dolls are described and identified by their hairstyles. As hairstyles changed the dolls reflected this and changed too.

The Peddler Doll
The few dolls of the eighteenth century which may still be found are either of wood or wax mostly wood. Of these the peddler dolls are the most interesting. In the eighteenth century, women traveled about the countryside as packpeddlers did a generation ago in this country selling needles, pins, and other small articles. These women were called Notion Nannies, and were familiar figures in English country districts.

The peddler dolls commemorate a social custom. They are of carved wood and usually carry a basket containing numerous miniature articles. Such a doll, from the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum appears as a frontispiece. Some of these old peddler dolls have found their way to America. Mrs. DeWitt Clinton Cohen of New York has a wonderful collection of them, one of which has 125 articles on the tray. The author owns one that was found for her in northern England during World War II. It dates from 1780 and had been bought by an antique dealer at a farm auction in Nottinghamshire.

Summary ...I guess what I love so much about China Head dolls are, The size, costumes, and accessories. Dolls can be a teacher of history.

Until next time
Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY~

A Lazy Sunday

2009-03-15T19:46:00.003-04:00

It has been sometime now since I have blogged. I have been so busy trying regroup after my shows. Which I am happy to say turned out great! I took a break also from sewing but haven't stopped buying fabric. I don't believe I could ever stop doing that. Few weeks ago I took a trip to Williamsburg, VA one of my favorite places. If nothing more it was to relax clear my head for a few days and enjoy the company of a great friend.

I do have something special to show off my package from Heidi at Foxgloves "Winters Basics Baubles Swap. That was a lot of fun I had a Wonderful Partner as well.

Everything is just wonderful and wrapped so pretty right down to the box she mailed it in. Swaps are a lot of fun and they also can be somewhat risky. So far I have done 3 swaps and only one was questionable. I thought it was a great way to meet new friends. I would like to know your opinions about swaps the pros and cons. Also in the next few days I have decided to start taking pictures of my doll collection and posting a picture a week maybe two post a week about the doll and how I came about having her. I feel it is also a great way for me to be able to start making a journal of my collections. You will be surprised at how many dolls I have in my collection lol. I have sold off a large amount of them on ebay, but for now the ones I have left I will hold on to them a little while longer. Also, I have listed two dolls in my Esty Shop. More to come.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl....Snatch JOY!

I Can Now Breath

2009-02-23T22:20:00.004-05:00

Whew! It has been awhile since I had time to sit back and take a small break. Thank you all for prayers my son is doing Great!! He has healed up nicely, last Thursday I was so happy when the doctor said they wouldn't have to wire his jar. Whew that made me extra happy out of knowing that wiring his jaw meant they would have to cut him on the side of his face to place a plate in there I was more than happy to hear he would not be needing that. Now he has a dental appointment to fix the chipped teeth.

I have done two shows in the last week and to my surprise I did very well! As you can see the one picture was from the first show is very blurry............sigh I left the memory card at home to my camera and tried using my blackberry to take pictures. The other pictures are of some happy ladies with their new dolls. But the BIGGEST NEWS of all is I have been asked to do two pieces for the Reginald Lewis Museum (very nervous) not too sure what I will do but will keep you posted on that. Funny how things happen just a short conversation with someone not having any idea who the person is. Wow one of the members of the museum. So now I am going to focus on getting my work area back in order, hunting down old vintage handbags, hats and anything else I can use for my dolls. I love rabbits and had a black cloth one someone gave me many years ago and during one of my moves it was lost. So I am going to take time later on to make myself one fine fancy rabbit lol.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Just a Little Note

2009-02-17T15:33:00.002-05:00

I can start seeing a little more sunshine along my path. Tomorrow is my big day for the Black History Month Show. I have been working on dolls for weeks now and through all the clutter I have created I can sit back after tomorrow and breath a little before going back at it again.

My Son is healing more and more each day again, Thanks everyone for your prayers I will keep yall updated on the progress of finding the people responsible for this.

Did anyone catch the sales at Jo Ann's I did. Joyce came by and took me out shopping yesterday I was a bit hesitate about going but she felt I needed to be out and grab some fresh air. I was also out of white thread major problem matter fact a crisis being without white thread. I use more white and black thread than any other color. So with coupons in hand off we went. I grabbed a bolt of black muslin, a bolt of onsaburg and only paid 40.00 dollars for the bolt of onsaburg I tell you having coupons is the best thing since slice bread. Not to mention a lot of the grocery chains now are doing double coupon savings on coupons up to 1.00 off. I have done some major damage in the grocery store with those. I even splurged and brought a gingher seam ripper was on sale 30percent off sale price 17.49 plus 10 percent off coupon. Now before I start on anymore dolls I must clean up the mess I have made that some how I just don't know trailed into my bedroom I dare not show pictures of that. Let's just say I am a phone call away from clean house showing up.

Speaking of clean house how many of you watch that show? After watching it a few times I can honestly say it has made me look at things I have at home a lot different. I don't think I could stomach how some of those people homes look. Gosh how on earth could you see stuff just piled up and not even try to get rid of it. Shame of it all but I guess like they say it takes all kinds. I will take pictures of the show and share. I need to start dinner before Mista gets in which is going to be a quick fix meal.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY

2009-02-14T21:43:00.003-05:00

I know I am a little late and today it took everything in me to have a Beautiful

day. Today was also my 16th Wedding Anniversary. Mista had to work but he surprised me with a strawberry shortcake, some flowers and a hook rug I have been wanting for sometime.

I am still hurt and upset over my son and trying to keep my head up for the show I am doing on Tuesday. I am truly drained, My son is doing as best he can right now his face is still swollen and with bruises they look worst as they start getting better I just have to do all I can to have him mentally and spiritually right now he doesn't want anyone to see him and I feel his pain. Thank you all again for your prayers and kind words.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Valentines Day

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

A Mother in Tears

2009-02-13T08:54:00.002-05:00

Today I don't have good things to talk about and really I don't even know how to express what I am feeling. I am so hurt right now that I figure the best way to help it was to just blog about it. If this blog seems a bit confusing it's ok because I am. My son was brutally beaten yesterday the worst of my nightmares.

My youngest son goes to school across town, he attends a school for gifted kids he is a high honors student and I am so very proud of him. We call him Beasley a nick name given to him before he was even born funny little story maybe one day when I am not in tears I will explain it. He gets home from school everyday like clock work no later than 6:30 if he goes to the gym. Like I a said very good child. Some maybe can relate to my story but many I know can not. But it is very hard trying to raise a Black Male today so many many obstacles in the way. You feel like before you let your child out of the house you must arm him with all kinds of weapons. I arm mines with Prayers and asking God to keep him safe. Some how I was feeling a bit let down and that maybe the devil thought it had a more powerful weapon than the shield my son was carrying.

6:30 came and no sign of my son I kept calling his cell no answer I remember getting a call from a kid around 4:30 which was strange asking for him but I only told him that he hadn't come home from school yet. 7:45 my heart began to beat fast I knew definitely something was wrong trying not to think the worst I called the number back and the kids mom answered I asked had my son maybe dropped by there on the way home from school and that's when she broke the news to me. Her response was *You don't Know*!! OMG WHAT your son was involved in a altercation he was taken to the hospital. Tears began falling and right now I can not stop crying. I began trying to find what hospital no one called me she didn't know that I was not aware she said she would have called and told me at the time her son was calling to check on Beasley. Finally after making 4 calls I get the number to the dispatch for the ambulance service and they told me they had a call around 4:54 and took my son to John Hopkins Hospital. I didn't want my husband driving I called a cab we arrived I rushed through the emergency room trying to find him. A nurse spotted me and told me he was ok but hurt. My baby laid there broken jaw, chipped tooth, blacken eyes bruised all over. I broke down, I felt helpless i WAS not able to save my child from this. I have never in my life felt so helpless I can only just thank God he was not killed. I was told that he was assaulted by more than 12 youths all this happen in the so called Beautiful Downtown Baltimore Harbor. NO one tried to help my child and all this happened to my son because he heard a cry from another child much smaller than him who was also beaten by these same youths and which my son tells me the kid bike was stolen. He went to help the kid up and the gang came over to him and said oh so you wanna help him and began beaten on my son to the point he was knocked unconscious.

I am just in disbelief that a public area such as that no one called the police no one offered to help my son. I called the police station that is suppose to man that area but only got shot down as if I was bothering them. I just need answers he sits in anger and says to me *See Mom this is what happens to Good People* I don't want to send my son back to that school but it is not the schools fault the travel to and from is what has always been the fear to me. The hospital sent him home with a broken jaw I am to make an appointment for him with a specialist today. He screams that they stole his cell and ipod I tell him they are material things and they can be replaced. He looks at me and says mom we don't have money for those things, some how I will find a way. It just burns me up that my child had to go through something like this I don't want this to change him and make him into one of these kids out here. I just only wish life was different that our situation was different that we could live in a better place. But how do a mother heal from this how do I stop the tears from falling how do I convince my child that it is going to be ok when I look at him so badly beaten. I can't type anymore and I am still going to keep on snatching JOy

Cheryl

OMG! She's ALIVE

2009-02-05T15:11:00.003-05:00

Dragging what is left of my one leg that is not tied to the sewing machine I decided to sit down and take a short break from sewing. I have just been totally drained the other day I woke up at 3:30 AM and started sewing and for 14hours what is wrong with me? I feel like I lost in ideas that for some reason is slow into making their way out of my head onto cloth. Last Saturday I did my weekly shopping with Joyce and as always she gets me buying more and more things that sometimes I have to ask myself now do you really need it or are you just buying on impulse and the answer is always of course I need it lol.

Well I was in such a hurry to make to Joann's that I got the sales mixed up and the quilter fabric didn't go on sale till the next day which was Sunday so you guessed it I will be back there this weekend shopping again. I truly have an addiction of many starting with my obsession with buttons gosh I need to find a place to check myself in just for help with that alone but nooooooo I keep hording buttons like a person with serious drug illness. Then my selfish ways when it comes to Lace shame on me I hunt, seek and find all bits and pieces of Lace I can get my hands on and not to mention the lace that so many kind and thoughtful souls who have graciously given me to add to my addiction. I sit there and just drool as I pacify myself with each piece at times dreaming of the things I could make from them then there are pieces I just can't find a way to part with them. What just what am I going to do with it? Nothing just sit and stare at it laying in my stash box. One I keep hidden away for only my eyes to see out of fear someone may suggest that it is a good piece to add to some doll laying over to the side patiently awaiting for more embellishments.

Here is a peek of the dolls I have been working on getting them ready for the Black History Month Show I will be doing at the State Department in DC on February 17. I never seem to satisfy with how my dolls look once they are finish I will take pictures of a few of them so far I have made 14 dolls in the past few weeks. I also must start on their little stories each one has a story to tell or a love letter tucked away some where that been hidden until someone can come along and mail it off for them.

Well this chain is starting to get tight meaning I need to get back to sewing. Until later

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl........Snatch Joy!

Warning The Queen Has Arrived

2009-01-25T14:57:00.011-05:00

Greetings, Greetings, Greetings I Queen Cheryl want to send out Warm hugs to each and everyone of you. Oh sometimes I just cracks myself up. I am dedicated this day to myself and all the Ladies as Queens for a Day. I don't know how many of you remember that tv show. It aired back in the late 50's and ended in 1964. Host Jack Bailey

I can remember sitting glued in front of the tv set watching as one lucky woman got picked to be Queen for the Day. Somone needs bring that show back. I have been so busy these past couple of days that I haven't posted anything. I have made a few comments on a few blogs and some I have tried but for some reason wasn't able to leave comments. Not sure if the program is having problems, I will try again later I seen some fantastic blog give aways.

Now on to first order of Queen buisness...I HAVE TO SCREAM THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU TO MY VERY VINTAGE VALENTINE SWAP PARTNER DENISE of http://koffordsincolorado.blogspot.com/ OMG!!! >still in tears<>Koolaide SMILE<

Here are a some pictures of dolls I am working on Char suggested that show the size of the dolls lol they don't have any hair yet and still more finishing touches and so many more dolls to go. I dare not show the mess I have made in here lol.

Carlotta of Mahogany Blue awarded me two awards http://mahoganyblue.blogspot.com/ Also Michelle has given me an award http://fromhousetocozyhome.blogspot.com/ I want to extend my awards to EVERYONE who visit me. It is hard to just pin point anyone I enjoy each of you and I can not just designate an award to just a few. Blogging is fun, relaxing and also informative not to mention a place to even vent when needed. I want to have stress free blogging and I just enjoy the calm. I have also notice that some people have opt not to receive awards but I am not going to go that route. Instead I rather pass my awards on to everyone, so if you please Ladies ~ Queens for a Day accept these awards.

I will put the awards on my sidebar later but you can right click and also save them from here. Receiving these awards mean a lot to me. Just think out of all the millions of bloggers there is out there. Someone takes the time to read what you have to say spend a moment in your world. From that they who most are complete strangers think enough of you to show gratitude for you sharing a part of yourself. So no I will speak for myself I will never turn down an award. Again Thank you Carlotta and Michelle. Ok Queens I must get busy again with my sewing everyone has a Blessed week ahead

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl....Snatch Joy!

An Unofficial What The Heck Am I Doing Wednesday lol

2009-01-21T10:37:00.002-05:00

I haven't posted in a few days just been busy trying to catch up on everything from life to reading, sewing and not to meniton the never ending housework. I have often said I would give up one thing that I truly love to treat myself to maid service once a month.

Yea yea I know that seems a bit much but think about it. All those little jobs you hate doing there can be someone who with a smile will come take it all away. My annerversary is next month on Vday can you believe it, well on our second anneversary my husband gave me a antique silver service set.

I abousolutely love it. Only one problem you guessed it keeping it cleaned. I am afraid to do too much to it because I heard that takes away from the character of it. But I have been plainning this romantic weekend just the two of us (throwing boys out for that day) >evil grin<

Now I know there are many out there who may use their sets on a regular basis and I have even heard that using them often keeps them from tarnishing. Might have to consider doing that for Sunday mornings. When you put together romantic evenings or special occasion's with your significant other what kind of things do you together? Would love to get some ideas.

Also, I have been sewing again next month I will be selling my dolls at the State Department in DC for Black History Month. I really don't get into talking a lot on this topic because it just make some feel a bit uncomfortable. I can remember how hurtful a few people had made me feel in the past about my use of the Word Mammy which none of them took the time to even ask me why. Right down to one woman actual was having a all out protest to try and have my esty shop shutdown. How pitiful on her part, I love mammy and I don't see anything wrong with calling myself MammyStitches. Well let me get off that for now here is one of my dolls in progress I should be finished with her later on today. Need to cut out more bodies so glad Joyce brought over another box of polyfil I was running low.

I need more wool, thought about using yawn just not sure I may go ahead and do her and another one with yawn hair until I can find someone selling some dark brown and black wool. Anyone know of a reasonable place to purchase please let me know. Well the silver wont get polished with me sitting here dreaming.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch Joy!

Wonderful Sunday

2009-01-18T19:17:00.006-05:00

Greetings to those out there taking time to read my blog today. I really didn't know what I wanted to blog about. First I must express how happy and filled with Joy I am today that my son who is 17 walked down the aisle of church today and decided to give his life to Christ. Oh how wonderful it made me feel. You see there is a story with my son but I will not get into that right now I am just thankful that he is on a new journey in his life. Praises to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

I must say I had one beautiful weekend. Yesterday I spent most of the day shopping and came across some great finds. One purchase I brought was a craft stand, right now it is sitting on this shelf but for some reason it is suppose give me more space but hmmm to me it seems like it is taking up more space.

It's pretty cool though it spins around I even thought about using this in my kitchen to hold spices. The price was 12.99 it regularly sold for 35.00 bucks now if it was still 35.00 I would not have brought it. The pictures did not come out to great I used my web cam. I also brought you guessed it more fabric lol. I don't believe you can never have enough fabric. Hi my name is Cheryl and I am a Fabricholic. I do not want help with my addiction I only want more of what I crave more and more fabric lol. I did some more shopping to purchase things for a few of the swaps I am can not wait for my swap partners to receive their boxes. How many of you participate in swaps? How did they turn out? Do you enjoy swapping? These are my first and I am real excited about it. I never had luck with gift exchanges in the past but this seem different. Would love to read what yall think about them.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl....Snatch Joy!

OOOOOOOOH Somebody Please Find The Heater

2009-01-17T08:09:00.004-05:00

I know I really shouldn't complain about how cold the temperature is. Many of you are dealing the record lows. So I figured today let's think summer hot scorching sun, warm summer breeze, fan blowing, kids playing under fire hydrant and the sounds of the ice cream truck in the distance bringing ice cold Popsicle I take a grape one please. Before long we will be experiencing this savory moment winter chills will soon be only a memory in our minds of the past.

We all will be heading to the beaches and planning backyard barbeque's, ahhhh can you smell the food coming from the grill. Ice Cold Lemonade to quench your thirst ahh refill please, so today as I travel out there to brave the cold another day I will keep in my head that the warm sunny days are not far away. Everyone enjoy your Saturday and please stop by Beverly for Pink Saturday http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch Joy!

WE HAVE A WINNER

2009-01-15T07:57:00.007-05:00

Greetings everyone well today is my Birthday yea! I am 52 years old today..Which means I have Picked a Winner for the Dolly Drawing. This person gets to go to my etsy shop and pick 1 Doll from my shop. I am so excited for them to win, I can't wait for the doll to arrive at their door step. 15 participants Ladies thank you all who entered.

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHAR!!
Please email me your information. Everyone please stop by The Pickled Pepper Patch and congratulate her. I will be back to post her pick.

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch Joy

Creativity

2009-01-13T09:39:00.003-05:00

Blessings everyone, I been so busy these last few days. I don't know whether I am coming or going. Before I forget I want to remind everyone that the give away deadlines ends tomorrow at 12am eastern time. I will be drawing a name on my Birthday, January 15th. Good luck to all who have participated.

Lately, I have been working on some new ideas for my dolls and trying to make better use of my work space. Who knew one person needed so much stuff in making dolls. I never seem to have enough fabric, sometimes I have fear of going into a fabric store knowing the damage I can cause in there. Once I can remember going into JoAnne fabrics with my 50 percent off coupon only to grab a bolt of white muslin, well by the time I left there after spending 220.00 bucks geeze where is the control. Joyce went along with me and ummm well let's just say she wasn't much help. Right now I am suffering from a creative block, I have all these ideas just floating around but for the life of me I can't seem to get them to surface. looking at stacks of cloth and have visions of what I would love to see done with it. How do I over come this? Where is the light at the end of my creative tunnel? I see so many of you that always have your creative juices flowing like wild fires! How do you keep those juices going? What motivates and inspires your creativity? Hey can I get some here lol. Until Later

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl....Snatch Joy

WOW I Got An Award

2009-01-08T06:26:00.005-05:00

Ok yall can stop clapping now thank you thank you...KD of Southern Whimsy gave me my first award yesterday (The Lemonade Award)and it made me feel like a million bucks! I know a few maybe saying oh it's not no big deal, well it is to me. Just the fact that someone thought enough of me to present me with this Award. I now have to pass this on to 10 others who fits the description for the Lemonade Award. The rules are as follow:

1) put the logo on your blog
2) nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude and/or gratitude.
3) have your 10 pass it along to 10 more!
This is the hard part because I want to give this to every person whom I have sat back and read their blogs, these blogs have captured my heart, some have made me laugh, cry, gave me insights, taught me and others have shared so much of themselves. Thank you Ladies for allowing me to take a peek into your world, so here are my picks for the Lemonade Award ~~~ Drum Roll Please ~~

http://stormeesewgoods.blogspot.com/

http://charsethman.blogspot.com/

http://foxglovesfabricandfolly.blogspot.com/

http://thenoblewife.blogspot.com/

http://honeysucklelane.blogspot.com/

http://kklprimitives.blogspot.com/

http://tinkeredtreasures.blogspot.com/

http://koffordsincolorado.blogspot.com/

http://thinkinofhome.blogspot.com/

http://nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

http://suecottageinthecedarsbellsouthnet.blogspot.com/

http://wwwhappytobe.blogspot.com/

http://april-georgia.blogspot.com/

http://walnuthavencottage.blogspot.com/

Thanks again KD

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

For The Love of Music

2009-01-06T12:18:00.002-05:00

How many of you listen to music as you go about doing your day to day missions. I am a BIG music Lover. No matter what kind it is, it all depends on my mood at the time. When I was a lot younger I played the cello and drums. I was in the DC Youth Orchestra boy I can remember back on those days of draging my cello on the bus the ride across town on Saturdays for practice. Now days I enjoy listening to other artist delight my ears. Sometimes I just want to sit back and mello out and then other times I want to jump to my feet and just let it all go dance like there is no tomorrow. We all have our favorites but I just have way too many, but here is a video I want to share of one of my Top favorite artist and her song which has so much meaning to me. Listen to the words because it is a tear dripper so grab your hankies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5ILIjRTjZY My Anneversary is comming up soon that's right I am one of those who got married on Valentines Day. What can I say I am just a romantic soul. I want to do something very special this year so far I haven't come up with any ideas. This song expresses how I feel about my Mista he was truly sent by God. Need to learn how to post the videos on my blog I hope the link works. Today is table scape Tuesday I didn't participate but please click the link on my sideboard and check it out. What beautiful place settings everyone has ok I am rambling now let me finish sewing I have to get these dolls finished soon. Friday I will be baking up cupcakes if anyone has a way that I can transport 150 cupcakes safely with icing please let me know! I am makig cupcakes for everyone after service in Church on Sunday to celebrate the January Birthday people it's 18 of us including myself and 3 with the same birthday as mine January 15th!!

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl..Snatch JOY!

Blue Monday

2009-01-05T08:26:00.005-05:00

This is my first Blue Monday I almost decided not to do it. Then shame on me I remembered a few weeks ago Joyce my Best friend gave me this Beautiful Plate.

Joyce has the best luck on finding things when she goes thrift store shopping. My mom would really want to snatch this up from me she loves blue. I have alot of Red transfer ware and Black and White Toile but this little beauty I am going to hang on to. I haven't found a place for it yet and I have even thought about mixing blue and white dishes and few other things in blue and white with my Red Transfer ware.

Right now I am just killing time waiting on the carpet cleaners to show up. I will be so happy when I am able to replace that carpeting. You never would have guessed that my Mista is a flooring installation mechanic. He has been doing this now for 30 some years. It sometimes worry me just how long will he be able to continue to do this. But for now he is the BEST installer out there. If you haven't yet don't forgot to signup for the Give Away!

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Sunday Morning JOY!

2009-01-04T06:50:00.003-05:00

Sunday Morning Joy! Giving Honor and Praises to God for waking me up this morning. Pretty soon I will be off to Church. Sitting here sipping on my first cup of java and I really couldn't think of what I wanted to blog about today. I spend so much time reading every one's Beautiful blogs some make me dream others get my creative juices raring to go. One blog in particular is Susan at Between Naps on the Porch she is starting Metamorphosis Monday, I am still not great with doing hyper links but here is the link to her blog http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ Please stop by and check it out. I have a long long list of Blogs I want to give recognition to. So the idea came to me every Sunday I am going to Give Recognition to Blogs that Inspire me. There are so many, you never know how much expressing your thoughts and ideas to people out there in blogging world can touch so many. I am one of those who your blogs have touched me and I thank each of you for sharing something of yourself to me. I also want to thank all who have taken time to come by and read my Blog. I am just so happy that I didn't give up.

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

JOY

2009-01-02T15:52:00.003-05:00

Today I thought about how could I explain what so many ask me concerning my signature *Snatch Joy*. Close your eyes and just relax, now think of all of the things in life that make you smile.... Now Snatch that Joy! The Dictionary Meaning of this

Intense and especially ecstatic or exultant happiness.
The expression or manifestation of such feeling.
A source or an object of pleasure or satisfaction: their only child, their pride and joy.

v., joyed, joy·ing, joys.

v.intr.
To take great pleasure; rejoice.

v.tr. Archaic.
To fill with ecstatic happiness, pleasure, or satisfaction.
To enjoy.

Now think about this there are people who live day to day and not even have a clue to what JOY is or feel like. Sometimes we loose site on the small and simple things in life that can bring us so much Joy. Times are so hard right now for many of us but there is still that moment of Joy capture it hold on and just savor it's moment for being in your presence. Walking to the store earlier I saw two elderly men standing on the corner laughing and having good converstation with each other. It made me smile as I thought to myself how wonderful it was watching them hearing most of their conversation was about the good ol days long gone by. But, for them that moment it gave both of them Joy. Now take a second because that is all you need look around you be aware of your surroundings Joy is there waiting for you to snatch some up! There is a Gospel song and I don't know all the words to it but there is a verse along with a saying that Joy comes in the morning. I believe Joy starts in the morning and continues on throughout the day.

Peace and Blessings

Cheryl.........Snatching up so much JOY it's over flowing!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

2009-01-01T01:44:00.000-05:00

What You Working on Wednesday

2008-12-31T09:41:00.006-05:00

Today is starting off BUSY! One accomplishment made I finally covered this tired brown leather office chair of mines. Joyce my BEST of friends is always on the look out for a great buy. She came across a bolt of tapestry woo hoo and she knows how much I love tapestry. For months now that bolt sat in a corner waiting for me to decide just what could I do with it. I didn't want to ruin it and get this I forgot to mention that she only paid $7.00 for it! That's right SEVEN BUCKS! To me it is worth millions. A bit timid about using it for fear of like I said messing it up. First I cut a small piece and covered my Bible... Taking a Deeeeeep Breath I called in for help and got Mista to give me a hand with taking about my chair. Well here is it is not a professional job but hey I LOVE IT and what can I say I have a Gorgeous Chair now for less than $7 bucks because I have more left over fabric lol. Now if only I can figure out what I am going to do with it.

My next big project is to work on these wood floors in here. Such a shame someone would destroy wood floors like this. Having a flooring Business this is a no no! I have this piece of vinyl that I am going to try my hand at making a floor cloth out of it wish me luck. Now on to cleaning up this room as best I can how do anyone keep a work room clean someone please give me some pointers on this. Tonight's menu will be meatloaf I need also get that out of the way too. I will be in Church tonight. Don't forget to pass along about the Give Away! Until Later

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl......Snatching up JOY!

Starting off The New Year With A Bang!

2008-12-30T13:44:00.003-05:00

Well this morning I pondered around in my mess of a Studio/Office and thought what could I post today. Looking at the mounds of fabric and after talking to my Best Friend Joyce, it all came to me I am going to start my New Year off with a GIVE AWAY! I have been making my cloth dolls for sometime now and so far none of them have found a home. I am in the middle of working on some New dolls something a tad different from what I have been doing in the past. Well this is how the give away is going to work. For everyone who comes and make a comment here on this blog I am going to enter your name for a drawing which will end on my Birthday January 15th!

Now your wondering what will be in the give away? Well that's up to the Winner to decided. That's right the Winner gets to pick any one(1) doll from my Etsy shop. Crazy Cool huh? Well you tell me what you think about it.

Now how many of you have New Years Day traditions, such as eating Black Eye Peas, or like my mothers demanding thing about having a man enter the door first to bring you good luck for the year. Well good luck to all who leaves a comment here and please pass this on to your fellow blogger.

Peace and Blessings
Cheryl...Snatch JOY!

Reflections

2008-12-29T18:35:00.001-05:00

A time to reflect back. How fast this year has gone by, how often do we say this every year as it all comes to a end. Refreshing with a start of a new. I myself don't personally like making New Year's resolutions but this year I am making a few exceptions to my rule. Besides, rules are made to broken lol. The first change is to my Blogging I will let more of my personal side show the side of who I am, my likes and dislikes along with my ups and downs. I am Claiming 2009 as MINE. With that being said my second Change is to be even more Positive than I have in the past, which only can make for a better me. If you are out there and taking time to read my Blogs give me some insights on your views about New Year Resolutions.