Thursday, September 8, 2016

Bad Day

Will it ever end!

Have you ever had a day that nothing just doesn't go right. Well boy I did I ever! It started yesterday, I had washed my work clothes on Sunday and forgot to put them in the dryer. In the mean time my boyfriend washed some of his clothes and set mine aside wet! Now it would only be expected that he would of dried them. He apologized and said he would wash them. (nice man) So I was up late and threw them in on Monday night and was going to dry them when I got up Tuesday afternoon. (I work nights so that would of been my morning) Anyway when I got up I went down to put them in the dryer and low and behold they were in the washer being washed again! Now don't get me wrong I appreciated the thought, and he was doing what he said he would. But now they are on their third wash and I don't have any work clothes!

So on Tuesday I went to work in jeans and a t-shirt. I work in Paint Department and it is very strict on what you can wear and you have to wear a lint free coveralls over your clothes. IT WAS 90 THAT DAY OUTSIDE! In side our shop it gets to be at least 10 degrees hotter. Needless to say I stripped out of those jeans!

Now at home I have been working on a baby quilt for a friend of mine. I have had nothing but trouble! not enough fabric, have sewn and ripped it out at least 3 times. All I had left was the binding. So I got home Wednesday morning and worked 2 hours on it and finished it up. Hooray ! Then I went to bed. Got up after a good sleep and got ready for work. We were running a little late so I didn't stop and get gas. After all it said 29 miles till empty.

Went into work with the baby quilt and was showing it off! And someone says to me "2012?' She says the baby was born in "16"! OMG another screw up I put the wrong year on it! So I packed it up to take it back home and fix it.

So I started to work, As I 'm working my boyfriend texts me. "Can you go home?" Ok I'll go home with him and fix the quilt. I'm on my way out and he calls me now he can't go. GREAT I need to stay and work and now I'm going home! I get out to my car and it won't start!

Out of gas! I got lucky a couple of friends were in the parking lot and took me to the gas station to get gas. I had to buy a gas can and a gallon of gas and they brought me back to my car. Now the gentleman he was he preceded to put the gas into my car. It sounded like it was going into the tank but we could hear it splashing onto the ground. There must have at least a 1/2 gallon on the ground! So I thanked them and got into my car and prayed it had enough gas to start. Thank you lord it did and got me to the gas station. Needless to say I did get home and I have fixed the quilt and now getting ready to go back to work and pick Dan. Wish me luck!

Thanks for listening me vent

Penny

Saturday, August 6, 2016

Lay off time

Hi ,
Iwas just sitting here thinking. We just started a 2 week lay off and I'm going to be spending my days working on my projects. I have been trying to expand my inventory, I will be selling my wreaths and quilts at Girls Just Wanna Crop Weekend.It's in October. We have such a good time. They supply lodging, food, and fun! I think of it as my adult PJ party. LOL They still have some openings if you care to join me.

I have been working hard I finished the Cancer Awareness Quilt.
I am taking orders for this one. I have some of this fabric left. But as I run out I will have to substitute othr comparable fabrics. This quilt will take me a little longer to finish with the special quilting I ave to have done. They start at $150.00. and can be fond at my web site www.pennysprecioustreasures.com

I have also started making my Fall Wreaths. This one has a cast iron welcome sign on it.I have one more sign like this to make another one.And this one runs $50 on my site.

I have purchased skeletons (they are so cool) all their joints move, I will be adding some of these to my wreaths. I also bought some tin sign and spider webs too. Can't wait to start on these.

A friend of mine suggested Harley Davidson wreath also I just may do that too.

I'll post some more pic as I Finish I hope you-all like them
Penny

Monday, July 18, 2016

Goodbye Vacation

Well Vacation is Over-

I hope everyone had a wonderful Vacation. I spent one weekend at Traverse City in Michigan. I had went to there before, but this time we went and seen some of the wine country. It was so beautiful.
As we stopped at the wineries you could look out over the bay, you can see all the fruit and grapes growing on the hillsides. They grow more than grapes. We saw rows and rows of cherry trees, pear, and other assorted fruit. They also grow different herbs and other flowers they put into some of their wines.

The second week I spent it with my mom. She has a broken wrist for playing Corn Hole. Yes you have to laugh, it's funny now! She was learning how to play, lost her footing and landed on her butt and hand. Since then she has had surgery and three different casts. She is feeling pretty good now. She keeps trying to do things she shouldn't but if you know her like I do you can't keep her away from her sewing.

We have been working on a Mystery Quilt by Bonnie Hunter it is called Double Delight. I am fallowing her instructions and made it the colors she lists. But my mother wanted her own colors of Purple, Green, Yellow, Polka-dot, and butterflies! Nice and bright. We still don't know what it will look like, we are only on step 4. You can find it in her free patterns on Quiltville's Quips & Snips!! I'll post pics when were done.

We also went through her stash. She has a tendency to start a project and not finish it. We found multiple quilts and a few jackets she hasn't finished. She gave me a few to finish. Wish me luck most of them don't have the patterns anymore. LOL She has a tendency to make very vibrant quilts.
It's going to take me a while, but watch for them. I will post them as I finish them.

That's all for now. Back to the Ford I go.

Penny

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Vacation - Kalkaska, Mi

Vacation Time -

Hello,
Having a good time. We first stopped at my parent's house in East Tawas. It's such a nice quiet town. Took a long walk through the beach and downtown. Has several little shops. Ice cream and fudge seems to be my boyfriends favorite. Spent the night playing cards and lots of laughs. So nice having a relaxing night.

We left the next morning for Kalkaska It's a little bigger town. We are staying at the All Seasons Resort. It's a very nice, clean and they have an awesome breakfast. I've been to a few hotels that provide breakfast but not like this one. Goes far beyond cereal and doughnuts. We have friends up here and a graduation party to attend. Real enjoyable day. Met some great people and seen some old friends.

Saturday, I wanted to go to the Cherry festival (Traverse City). But to my disappointment it is over.So we opted to visit the local wineries. One of the ones we visited was the Black Star Farms. I tasted so many, they were all very good. I prefer the dessert wines and purchased 4 bottles. If you ever come to Traverse City it was such a beautiful ride around the Old Mission Tour. We also stopped at the Woodland Creek Pizza and Ice Cream shop. They carry MOOmers Ice Cream. It's voted top 10 best Ice cream parlor in USA Today. They have great pizza too. We spent the night snacking on cheese (Williams Cheese), Traverse City Cherries, Black Star Wine and crackers. Oh and you can't forget the Mackinaw Island Fudge. Michigan has some great food.

Planning on leaving in the morning, Heading for home. Hoping the traffic isn't too bad.

I hope everyone else are enjoying your weeks off. I sure am.

Penny

Thursday, July 7, 2016

Breast Cancer Awareness

Breast Cancer Survivor -

As you are growing up and becoming an adult. There are always things your parents teach you and preach to you. You don't really realize how important some of it is until your an adult.

My mother had always stressed that we get our yearly check ups and as we matured get or breast exams done. I don't quite remember when we found out she had cancer. It was quite a shock! She found out and things went so fast she was having surgery what seems like the next day. She chose to have implants put in the same time as her surgery. I really can't tell you how she felt, she holds everything in and it seems she dealt with it very well. I think that is a conversation I need to have with her.. I think she has been cancer free for at least 25 years now. She didn't need chemotherapy, they caught it in time. She was one of the lucky ones.

I have a friend at work that didn't have it so easy. I think she needed chemo. She now volunteers for many things through the UAW. She has told me a few things I would never have believed. We don't think that children aren't able to eat for days at a time. Or that all they have are Ramon noodles all weekend. She has seen people fighting over a meal! They only live a city away so close but so far away.

She approached me and asked me to make her a Breast Cancer Throw. I am so glad she gave me the opportunity to make it for her.

I have the top done now I have to quilt it. But I wanted to give you a sneek peek. I have never embroidered on a machine before. And I used my Silhouette to cut out the butterfly.

Thanks for
letting me
share

We have a winner

The free wreath is gone. Watch for or next giveaway.

Thanks Penny

Saturday, July 2, 2016

Codependent No More

Just a thought-

As a person who is codependent I come to believe that this will always be with me. As I matured and with all my many experiences. I have learned that it never goes away. My first experience with it, I was in a relationship that was very unhealthy. I became involved with a drug user when I first came across this book. It is taught me many things and want to watch out for but it doesn't fix me. I realized I must do that myself. Since then I have been through four relationships with all the same symptoms. Mind you for each one of my codependencies worked in a different way. Each one had a different problem and it's made me realize that I have my own problems. In a way I am the one thats addicted. It's a constant struggle to try to change my ways. I hope that one day I can fix myself.

Penny

Friday, June 24, 2016

Givaway The treasure hunt is still going on! Winner gets a free wreath!

Free Wreath who finds the hidden word-----"Found it ________"
Saturday is almost here. Everybody ready for the prize? I have done something different this time. Hope you enjoy looking. You will find it as usual on my Etsy web page:https://www.etsy.com/shop/PensPreciousTreasure Good luck and have fun. I did.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Free wreath

Give away
The free wreath has not been found yet. The hunt is still on.
(It has been found) come back next weekend for a new prize

Sunday, June 19, 2016

Givaway

Free wreath made the way you like it

I'f you live outside of the united states you are responsible for shipping

Hi Guys,
I want to thank all of you for the support and all the advertising you have been doing for me. I am now on my third batch of Flag Wreaths. I have ordered enough for 12 more. I want to make sure everyone gets one if they want one. If not I will be posting them on Etsy. To show my appreciation I'm going to have another give away. I will make you one of your choice. If you can find the hidden message on my Etsy Page. You can find it at pennysprecioustreasures.com (Pen's Precious Treasures)

Thank you all again
Penny

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Update Flag Wreath

It's Done

Well I made it!! Lets celebrate with one on your door! Doesn't look exactly the same, but it does have it's own personality LOL. The finished size is 24" and they are selling for $40 ($30 for materials and $10 labor)

You can find them on my web site link at the top of the page.

Saturday, June 11, 2016

New Ideas

Great Ideas From My Friends

Good Evening,

I just received my shipment of Paisley Handkerchiefs. I special ordered for a 4 of July wreath my friend has asked me to make. They are cute and totally different than what I have been doing, Oh but I like a challenge. Well since she has shown me the pic or should I say a couple people have. I have done some research and found several ways to make them. I'm not real sure where the original photo came from but I have now seen them all over the web and in my local Joann's store. I will be making a few of them tomorrow.

I have received several more ideas. The very first one was a snowman wreath. I had seen them on the web too. They have been made all different ways. After some hesitation I made one of my own. I really didn't care too much about working with the plastic mesh. It is very scratchy and was hard to get it the size I desired. When making it I was also worried it wouldn't fit between door and screen door. Several customers have also voiced their concern. This was my result. And let me mention after all the postings on the net, It was nearly impossible to find the white mesh.

Now here was my newest wreath request I had received. I loved the tulips, they are put onto a grapevine wreath. I really did have a very hard time making it, but keep in mind it was my first one. After I made it I hadn't taken into

consideration on the size of it. It was kind of big to fit between the two doors. Let alone she didn't quite get the affect she wanted. The colors didn't show up as well behind the screen. I'm going to change it up so it's not quite as bulky.

When I took this order I keep running into the same problems It seems everyone has the same Idea. I had to hunt down those tulips. I'm so glad I decided to make it on my scrap booking trip. I stopped at every store possible on my way up. The most I had found at one store was 6 bushes! But by the time I was done I had enough for 2 of them. After I got back home I found some online and plan on making a few more.

As you can tell I don't mind special orders. I enjoy the new challenges they bring. If anyone else have any great ideas I would appreciate them.

Good bye for now I'll be back soon

Penny

Thursday, June 9, 2016

If Only

Monday, June 6, 2016

4th of July Wreath

Updated Projects -

Hello everyone,

I just thought I would bring you up to date. I recently posted some pictures of a couple of Holiday Wreaths I have Been working on. Do you remember this one -----------------

Well this is how it looks now. Just a couple of decorations and I think now it looks finished.

Now for the next one remember I had started out with this pile --------------

And Ta Da here is the finished product ------

I ended up not using the stars and one of the ribbons, but I added the sign.They both were tied onto a 16" wire frame, which made the finished Wreath 20". You can find both Wreaths on my web sight. The link is at the top of my page.

I hope you all enjoy the Fourth if July. I'm sure I will.
Penny

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Fireworks

The Fourth of July

The Fourth will be here soon, for all of us in the U.S. It's time to get ready, bring out those flags, buy the fireworks, and plan our vacations. I get two weeks this year, I think it's a mini trip time. I love going up north here in Michigan. My sis has a place on a lake and every year they have there own little fireworks display. (Lets say everyone takes the opportunity to light them off over the water) It can be a beautiful sight with the reflections and all the fun that comes with it. You can here everybody parting clear across the lake, It echos as the sparks fly.

But right now it's time for me to get busy. I've just started making wreaths to decorate those front doors. Haven't made them before but I think the first one turned out pretty good.

It has a little rustic flair with the burlap and a few rusty stars. I will be posting this one on my shop. It's finished size is 20" And I will be charging $50 American money
You will be able to find it on my shop. The link is at the top of my page.

I am starting another one tonight, with a little sparkle added. It will be made with brighter colors. This picture did not turn out the true colors.

I've been waiting for the chance to use these stars, I hope everyone likes it.

Well it's time for me to get busy ,hope everyone has a good day.

Penny

Friday, June 3, 2016

Pinching Pennies or should I Say Dollars!

Something Everyone Should Do

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

Today was the day. About 6 months ago my insurance company decided I wasn't paying enough! They sent me a letter stating that they were adjusting my rates because they hadn't done it in a while and they were going to bring up to the going rate for my area. They said that at my age and the amount of time I've had my insurance through them the odds I will get into an accident in the next 2 years have increased so my price had to go up 50%. I went from paying $350 to $550 per month.

So needless to say it's just too much! I realize we do have a teenager on the policy, but it had already went up for him. There was no additional reason for them to raise it again! I started looking for new insurance. So of course bright Idea I went online. I filled out a standard form to search for a cheaper rate. Guess what they don't just give you an estimate, they broadcast your phone number, email, and every way they can contact you out there for grabs. Then I called State Farm out of Bradford MI. They emailed me an estimate. In my opinion it didn't seem cheaper, so i kind of put it on hold. Meanwhile rejecting the phone calls and emails on a daily bases. I didn't want to use up all my time answering question multiple times. I just gave up.

Well now it's 3 months later and State Farm has been really patent. They must of called me at least 4 times. I know some people would consider it frustrating but when I told them to wait till I was ready I would consider them for my insurance, they waited.

Yesterday I made a date and time to my liking, and I talked to them. I am now and very happy with them. They are now saving me $2000 a year. And we now have several new coverage's and perks.

Thank You State Farm I hope you can continue to be my insurance company for the next 15 years as my previous one was.

** Quick note I prefer looking for insurance offline especially if you don't want your info all out there and all the calls. Talk to them in person!

**Another note I got some advice from one of my friends. It pays to check around for a cheaper rates about every 3 years.

I hope my experience will help someone. Happy Hunting

Have a nice day

Penny

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Back to Work on Assembly Line

Vacation Over

Well back to work on the Focus Assembly Line, I came home with several orders from my friends at Boyne. I can't wait to make them. If only my real job wouldn't get in the way.
It's been very frustrating at the plant these days, or should I say most days. You see we have been told by 2018 the Focus will be manufactured in Mexico. Lets just say between the media, Ford and the uncertainty of or jobs staying at the plant, it has become a very stressful place. Since the announcement that they were moving the Focus we have lost a shift (stress). People have pretty much had to decide to stay or move to another plant.(stress). Then we finally have gotten word we will be building the new Ranger and Bronco at my plant in 2018!. (Yay) Still stressful!! Our hours are always changing and will continue at least till the Ranger is settled in.
Some people say "I could work on a assembly line, It's not that hard." A lot of the work is hard, and it takes a special person to work there. I may not be speaking for every one, but almost all of us have to start at the bottom. (and it's not fun). The first year I was there I worked 11.5 hour days and on some days I would stay over to help out. I have used 7 lb air guns, lifted 6 ft parts 2 at a time, there were times when my hands would go numb and swollen I thought my fingers would fall off. When I first started I would get bruises till I could do my job properly. I spent most weekends re- cooperating so I could go back on Monday.
Now that brings up my home life. Being a single mother at the time, between driving to work and actually working I was away from home 13 hours. I thank god I didn't start there till my kids were teenagers. The guilt and worry I went through almost made me quit. Most of you don't have to let other people raise your children or miss a lot of their school activities.It was so hard getting ready for work and your children begging you to stay home so you can spend time with them. Now as I sit here typing this It just occurred to me many families have this problem.
The new problem the US is having is that a lot of people can't get a decent job. It costs so much now days just to survive let alone to raise a family. The jobs now days are all considered part time. 39 hours a week at $10 an hour? And now it's hard to find a decent job like the one I have. But I've been there for 20 years. I was a lucky one to get the job at the time. Now a days you have to start around $10 and it takes twice as long to reach my pay. (IF you make it that long) Many people are working 2 Jobs just to get by today. I pray things get better for our children.
Have you noticed what our children are doing in their spare time? When my kids were home the technology and video games were just starting. I swear my son never put the Nintendo controller down! I literally had to unplug him to get him outside! And that was in 1990. Now days my stepson goes into his room and I don't see him the rest of the night. Between the games, Facebook, Snap Chat, texting and whatever else they do on the phone now days, we don't see him with out his phone in his hand! What are our kids really learning? Who is teaching them Morals, Manners, Discipline ,,,,? Are they going to be ready to survive in the world? Not everyone of them can play games for a living.

I rambling , Thanks for the ear,

Penny

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mothers Day

To all the wonderful moms! I takes a special person to be a mom. Once a mom always a mom, you take care of your children always and in different ways as they grow up. Even when they have their own. It's never ending.

This is a day well deserved.

Happy Mothers Day

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Girls Just Want to Crop

Great weekend, got to see all my scrap-booking friends. I spent the weekend at Boyne Highlands Crop weekend. My sister and I go up there twice a year to scrapbook all weekend. We get a lot of new Ideas for our scrapbooks. But the last two years I've been creating different kinds of wreaths. This year I made tulip wreaths. They are pretty but I don't know how you can make a beautiful thing ugly.

Everything was great at Boyne, can't beat the food and the hospitality. Had a really good nights sleep. The beds are really comfortable, they have down comforters and your toasty all night.
The mountain still has snow on it but it was sunny all weekend. It is a great vacation spot with lots of activities. Can't wait to go back in October.

Happy Blogging
Penny

Saturday, April 16, 2016

PensPreciousTreasure

Favorite shop

23items

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Request a custom order and have something made just for you.

This 20" wreath is hand tied personally by me. I take pride in my work and want it to last a lifetime. It is made with blue and cream flowered fabric. I put touches of blue silk ribbon and gold ribbon to grab the light. I included white lace to give it that chic element. It is made entirely with new fabric.
I used a 16" inch frame so as a result the finished wreath measures 20".

I am giving everyone the option to have flowers or not. The flower can be taken off.

It will look good anywhere you decide to hang it. If you like blue this ones for you.

Thanks for looking Happy Shoping

Penny