Yes, I love to send home-made cards. And guess who gave me the ideas I use—You!

Thanks for all the great tips you give us.

Take care.

Emily

And it was so much fun! And delicious! Used a handmade card this week to send my sil a Thank you note. It’s so fun to have a stack on hand.

I WANT to but seem like I need a shot of creativeness in the card area:)

Sadly, I don’t make them (that’s gonna change now!), but I do love sending them. It’s a lost art. I love finding pretty vintage postcards with sweet sentiments written on them from way back when, especially holiday ones.

I have making cards for about 20 years now. A friend and I used to go to large stamping conventions and glean wonderful ideas and of course BUY. Consequently I have 3 large vintage picnic baskets full of stamps and a rolling set of craft drawers with all the papers, stamp pads and accessories. And shame on me – lately I have been buying cards! Perhaps with the inspiration you have provided I will get back to making!!

I do send notes of encouragement cards but never have made my own. This is something I do believe that I would enjoy doing and may have a night of crafting with my mentor ladies! Thank you for sharing!❤️

Yes, I make cards. I love making them. I made 16 Valentine’s cards and sent them to friends. My grandson had to make Valentine cards for his classmates, it was a fun day together creating cards.
Marie

I use to make cards with my 2nd graders but haven’t done the creative ones you do. Need to come see you!

We do make cards, especially for Valentine’s. I think handmade Valentines are much more special than ones you find at the store. I will be teaching a class to our homeschool group this spring on how to make your own cards. I think it will be a lot of fun!

Hi Dori, this post really hit home for me. I spend most of my free time making and sending homemade cards. I believe you even received one from me. This is such a rewarding as well as super fun hobby. You always need cards, so why not enjoy making them yourself. I also agree that collecting card making supplies is part of the fun and so easy to get carried away with…but you can never have enough and there is always going to be that really cute stack of paper that you MUST have! Thanks for sharing your party….it looks like it was so much fun!

my sister and I enjoy getting together to make cards – the laughter and time together is as important as the cards we end up making!

Love your party ideas! Homemade cards are the best & I try to make them as often as possible.

Yes, I love sending cards in the mail!! Mostly birthdays, and thank you cards! Cute giveaway!

Such a fun post!! Thank you for sharing….what a neat idea for a gathering!! I have raised all my girls that a simple Thank You note or Birthday note is very important and I have pointed out that the recipient appreciates the time and effort put into to it. I love the handmade cards and you have given us such great fun ideas. We have a Hobby Lobby close and I need to remember to get in for the 50% sale! Thanks for the info and thank you for sharing your excitement!!

I love to send cards, although they aren’t always homemade, I try to write a note in each card I send.

I adore the personal touch of handmade cards (and any item handmade honestly) I firmly believe in writing letters & cards. I think everyone should open their mailbox and find a smile on a regular basis (not just bills & junk mail) I have collected quotes for years that I use to add a personal touch when sending a card, gift or letter

I must do like you have and get all my supplies collected into one container! Loved this post–a great ladies get-together idea!

Homemade cards are so much nicer than store bought cards. Thanks for the giveaway.
Joan

I have been scrapbooking for years & just started making my own cards. So much fun! I love sending them to my kids who are away in college. I am actually going to a card making party this weekend.

Oh what fun! Would love to be your neighbor and friend! I enjoy making and sending homemade cards. It’s my winter project to brighten up the dreary weather and long nights in the hills of Idaho. Thanks for the giveaway! Blessings!

Looks like a ton of creative fun! Love the idea and I just might copy it someday!
I have been a papercrafter for years, making cards, tags, journals and whatever else I could come up with. I have sold many of the papercraft things I make, have gifted them and use them myself.
I take great pride in sending my own cards! But I love to use other handmade cards too!
I’d like to enter your giveaway and thank you for the opportunity!
CJ

Oh my, Dori! You are truly inspiring! You have the BEST ideas. Love everything that you put together. Wish that I was there! 🙂 You know that I loved your original posts and that I started to make our own and sent them to family and friends during my cancer battle last year. Thanks so much for sharing your heart, sweet friend.

I love sending cards! I used to buy store bought until two years ago when I realized I had paid $4.99 for ONE card! Mama on a budget started making her own! It’s been fun. And now my babe is 3, so he “helps” with the art and decorating. Too fun. Love the look of your cards and LOVE the idea of a card making party! Too fun. I’ll have to gather my girlfriends for a day of fun like this! Thanks for the inspiration!

I think we should re-introduce card sending. It is so special to receive one in the mail from someone you know in the midst of all that impersonal junk mail. And when it is hand crafted it is over the moon. I don’t make many cards. Wish I did. They are lovely. I do send some handmade thank-you cards after our clown troupe has performed for a group. I hand-craft a simple envelope in a bright colored paper and put a clown sticker on the back. I think that sets our brand as special. Please keep up all your good work and inspiration.

I love it. Looks like so much fun. I love geting cards in the mail and sending. They just mean so much more than an email or electronic card. 🙂 Great job! Neta

I’m up for the challenge and have many yards of fabric just waiting to be used!

Your blog is just right up my alley. I love making quilts. I am going to start on Lori Holt’s vintage farmgirl designs. I am also designing and will be making the 125th Anniversary quilt for the Minnesota State Parks and Trails. I’ll keep you posted.

I like this challenge! Thank you.

Good luck with your quit. I would love to learn to make a quilt. Jillian is a talented young lady. Her quilt is lovely. Thanks for this post. I will be looking forward to your future posts and your progress.

I’ve made a couple of simple baby quilts but not having a clue what I was doing, I didn’t consider myself a “quilter”. Then I finished my first full sized, start to finish quilt at Christmas – made for a dear friend as a thank you gift. It took much longer than anticipated, I am easily distracted, but I put the sewing machine pedal to the floor and did it. Thankfully, in one of the many quilting tutorials I watched, the host said something that became my mantra: “It’s better finished than perfect”. Yep. I’m gonna pull that out again and take this challenge. Ha! There are going to be a few imperfect (but finished) quilts out there before long… I hope.

Sounds like fun. Count me in. May not be as fast as you though.

Typo error in my email. I corrected. Thank you.

I want to become a Ranch Farm girl at Mary Hanes Farmz.

Dori, this blog is fascinating! But I must say I now know more about calving than I previously thought I wanted to know. After all, I am – or was a city girl. Thank you for my education!!!

Loving country life!
Kris

Here I am in Anchorage, AK wishing I cd see the new baby…really enjoyed the blog, Dori!! I’ll bet Jillian and Rosetta love it!! Thanks for sharing with us city girls who have country hearts!!

Dori, I remember calving season while growing up. First of all, as a girl, I could not go in the barn if a cow was calving – really?! It was sex ed on the farm, but my Dad sheltered me from it! But oh, I got to clean up all the shi#??. Poopy rugs to shake, coveralls that smell like they’ve been walked and pooped on by the cows themselves, etc. Would I change those experiences? Not for a million bucks. Seeing the calves’ cute faces and antics on a sunny day were so much fun. Enjoy!

Aww, this city girl has only seen lambs, pigs and a lot of puppies born. So, i too, would be pretty anxious to witness a calf. On a side note, i delivered each baby with a storm.

Hi Dori! We were waiting for our “CC” (Christmas Carol) to calf earlier this week and I was so worried she would wait for this blizzard! She was born on Christmas Day herself several years ago, and has had her calf every January since since she turned two! What a good cow! Anyway, she was wise and calved on Thursday morning, and has kept her baby bull in the run in shed since the snow started! Smart girl since we are expecting over two feet of snow! So I totally understand your stress! So glad your 88 did her job well too and has a lovely baby to show for it! Stay safe in this awful weather! ❤️

Dori, thank you for sharing. I have never seen any animals being born. This was very interesting to learn. My husband helps out on his uncle’s farm so I quizzed him on your signs! I asked if he knew how to tell when a mamma cow was going to have her baby and he listed them all! Looks like I need to take a field trip out to the farm and see some mamma cows!
I hope baby gets here soon and safe!

Yep, I’m certain of it ~ if I had the good fortune to live the true farm life, I would be just like you. Worry, stalk, worry some more, stalk some more. Hope, hope, hoping that the storm doesn’t stop you from being able to personally welcome little #88.1!

Oh Dori, does this bring back memories. Several years ago I lived on a little farm in Idaho. Had my darling, precious Jersey milk cow, Nancee. What a sweet, gentle spirit she was. I obsessed over that cow consistently. Yes…especially when she was getting ready to calve. I had forgotten how nutty I was and all the “signs” I would look for. Thanks for bringing those precious memories back to me. Yep..like trudging out to our little barn to milk at 5:00 a.m. and it’s -15. Wouldn’t change it for the world!!

You have no idea how much joy you bring me. I look forward to your blog posts, and I am continuously inspired by your creativity. Thank you!

How delightfully creative! You are blessed with talent and the time to be creative. Thank you for sharing your wonderful work.

I’m with you! Everyone got super warm slipper sox from me this year. We sure need them, the snow and cold have been relentless here in Colorado. I love your posts! Thanks for sharing with us!

Dori,
It is I who thanks you for blogging. You are always an inspiration. I must admit I’ve borrowed many of your ideas and this blog has a couple I will also borrow. Thanks for your creativity. God bless.

Love to read your blog Dori. It’s always informative and well written. I love hand made gifts also. Something doesn’t have to be elaborate to be from the heart. Love the picture of you two. It’s always fun to make new friends. Happy New Year.

I love this post as I do all of yours in the past. It is such a joy and treat. One of my goals in 2016 is to try to learn to sew. i admire your talent and ingenuity. Thank you for the posts you put on this blog. Wishing you and yours a Happy,Healthy New Year full of blessings.
Marilyn

Dori, I totally agree that handmade gifts are truly gifts from the heart. I was fortunate enough to receive your handmade dish cloths and think of you each time I use them. My gifts are almost always handmade or homemade and most everyone is so appreciative.

The towels you made for your grand-girls are absolutely adorable! Thank you for sharing so much of your talents and creativity with your readers…it is almost as good as a handmade gift!

Yesterday, my husband asked for my ‘Mexican Lasagne’ which I haven’t made for a couple of years – very similar to yours … and I must try the springform pan. We’re all craving comfort food at this time of year !

Happy Holidays, Dori, to your family from ours!
Probably one of our favorite comfort foods is Shepherds Pie, topped with cheese and a layer of ketchup. 🙂
Take care and stay warm!
Love,
Colleen

I will definitely try this recipe…we love Mexican!
Susana

We had ham and turkey for our Xmas meat. My sons wife and grandsons wife brought the rest of the food. I did bake 2 pumpkin and 1 pecan pie for dessert

Her Dori, my best friends mom was from Mexico, and she taught me a lot about cooking, so I too like mexican for my go to whenver I am sick or just get home from vacations, I always go to my mexican food. I make my own tortillas, and tamales. Growing up, we always had pinto beans and cornbread like Deb, so I turn to that alot. Raising my boys their early years as a single mom, we turned to those beans and cornbread a whole lot. 🙂 My boys are not so crazy about them anymore but I still love them they give me comfort knowing that they were something I could always afford to feed my boys. Hope you had a Merry Christmas and now I gotta try your recipe. Be Blessed. Neta

looks so good, I’m going to give it a try soon! thanks!

What a project that turned out to be! Life on a farm is like that, isn’t it? Anyway, you had a very special day with your grand-daughters, and one they will never forget! Merry Christmas to you and yours!

These are adorable snowmen. What a fantastic project and I love that you included your grand daughters. Merry Christmas, enjoyed!

Oh, these are definitely Pinterest-worthy. I love, love, love them!… If I were the girls, I’d be so excited to show “everyone” the project after it was finished!

Love this post! Even though you have discovered what I suspected when I first saw this project, I’d still like to make some. Yours most certainly ARE ‘Pinterest-worthy’!

Oh how darling and what fun!

super idea and good looking snowmans..
HUgs

Thanks for sharing this experience. What a clever idea concerning the wooden snowmen. Your granddaughters are beautiful young ladies. I enjoyed this post tremendously. Wishing you and yours a blessed and Merry Christmas.
Marilyn

They are adorable, and so are your grandgirls!

Dori, These are adorable! My pastor’s wife is a high school teacher who has a huge collection of snowmen. She decks out her house throughout with these little fellows right after Thanksgiving. She would love these. Merry Christmas!

LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! I so wanted to make some too but — well maybe next year. The girls snowmen are really spectacular!!! great job cutting a wowzer the painting is superb.
Merry Christmas and God bless.

Hi Dori,
Those adorable snow men most certainly are pinterest worthy! Love the story and your day with the girls!
You made some great memories that day!
Merry Christmas to you and yours my dear!
Big Hugs,
Deb

What a wonderful project, Dori!! I love the way these snowmen turn out and the little ones the Grandchildren made are just precious. It looks like it was all such an adventure! And yes, I do believe these snow friends are Pinterest worthy!!

Never heard of frost flowers! Lucky for you when your summer flowers die you can look forward to frost flowers!

Never heard of frost flowers but they are beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!

That is amazing Dori I’ve never seen any thing like that before!

Thank you so much for sharing these photos. I’ve never heard of frost flowers. God’s world is so incredible. Did you see the full moon last night? I just can’t seem to get enough of a look of our beautiful moon when it’s full.

THAT is sooooo cool. And I thought one inch ice on the water dishes was cool when the temperatures dipped. You definitely have a neat sign of winter is coming!!!!!
Nancy from Ontario.

Hi Dori,
I so enjoyed your photos and article about the frost flowers!
I’m 60+ and have never heard of these flowers.
Your writings are always very interesting!
Thank you!
Linda

I have never seen these tissue flowers but they are absolutely stunning! Wow, the close up photos are just incredible. What a beautiful gift to your farm from Mother Nature to someone who had been growing bundles of bright and lovely flowers only a few months before and was feeling a bit sad to see the season end!

I have never had the good fortune to see a frost flower but I will look for them from now on! Lovely photographs!

I hear people talk about hoarfrost, could that be what that is?

We have Frost Flowers in our Missouri woods. I was blown away the first time I saw them. Great photos!

WOW Dori, your pictures are spectacular and the information is so good to hear. When I was growing up on a farm in Nebraska 1940’s – 60’s – we had them but of course we didn’t have the internet to investigate. I love the name – we just called the ‘ice pods’, my Grandfather said they had been there all his life so they were a natural happening. Thanks so much for this great post – always something interesting to read. We did have a grateful Thanksgiving and hope you did too. What’s the quilt you are starting? Merry Christmas and God bless.

………………Just WOW!!!!! Lovely!

I love doing trips like this with my girlfriends. Sounds like you all had a great time. I loved the pumpkins that you made, but I didn’t see the pattern or how to make them. Can you please send this to me? I saw the dishcloths and that looks like another great, quick project for my train commute every day to the Big City of Manhattan! Have a great day!
Diane

I am an Administrative Assistant for a great Actuarial company here in midtown Manhattan. I work across the street from Madison Square Garden. OK – are you ready – my commute is 2.5 hours in the morning and the same at night (door to door). In the morning I usually sleep on the train and at night we have a group of ladies that either crochet, knit, cross stitch, beading, etc. We are all part of another group called Home Bureau and we love CRAFTS and to make things to give back to our community. If you can provide any more easy projects for the train – any would be welcome! Have a great day! Diane

It looks like a good time was had by all. Lovely exchange of gifts.
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO LUANN,MICHELLE AND DORI
Marilyn

So happy you got to enjoy ‘my’ state – well it is where I live now. Love Estes – and the Peak is beautiful from my ‘ranch’ view – but going up there is not on my agenda – especially now that we have had 10″s of snow – BLOWING drifts to 6′ – so your pic’s are reminders of what was so recently. God Bless.

Dori

My mother and my aunt always ironed the sheets. It somehow makes them more comfortable and if they were washed and then hung on a line outside to dry and then ironed, the smell of them was heavenly, and the feel was crisp and clean when you crawled inside. Heavenly, just heavenly. I may start ironing my own now that I have been reminded of this special feeling. Thank you for bringing to mind wonderful memories.

Your guest bedroom is absolutely gorgeous! I am in love with your rug. I must admit that I fall into the category of younger people that hardly iron anything unless it’s absolutely necessary!! So I have never ironed sheets before. But, the way you girls explain how wonderful the sheets feel once they have been line dried and ironed sounds so inviting. I may just have to give this sheet ironing a shot. And in no way do I feel that you are crazy for doing it. Keep up your passion, its inspiring!

Your granddaughters are adorable and beautiful. They look so cute and contented snuggled in bed together.
Marilyn

You did great Dori with your first crochet efforts!! Your dishcloths turned out so pretty and bright. My first crocheted dishcloth pattern came from MaryJane’s Ideas book. Then, like you, I added some shell borders. Over at the Chatroom, I joined the monthly dishcloth swap for about two years. The, I got the idea from one of MJF magazines to have them made into an afghan. Last winter, I had someone, who can crochet way better than me, put them all together into an afghan. Now I have my Farmgirl dishcloth afghan to wrap around me any time I need a Farmgirl Hug. Crocheted or knitted dishcloths have so many uses!! I would love to toss my hat in the ring for the drawing of your dishcloths.

Dori,
thanks for the post. I too grew up never knowing how to crochet, my mom on several occasions tried to teach me, but the directions would never make me understand how to. I can do a basic stitch now by learning on my own and have tried a wash cloth pattern (which did not turn out like I like them). I plan on taking your directions and try again. They are so pretty in bright colors.
Thanks for sharing

I love these! I don’t have any crochet dish towels but would love to try them and I may try to learn how to make them too!!!! Thank you for sharing!

I love crocheted dishcloths. I’m so impressed that you taught yourself to crochet! Until she developed arthritis, my mother crocheted all sorts of wonderful items from sweaters to afghans. She was very talented. I enjoy all that she made but never picked up the needles myself. I might just try your pattern!

Dori: I think it so awesome that you taught yourself crochet. Those dish cloths are beautiful and so practical. They make really great gifts too. Congrats farmgirl!

Hi Dori – I love every thing you do! My grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl. I remember sitting with her and trying to crochet, and listening to her stories. Thank you for the memory. Wendy

Dori, I love the fact that you didn’t like the “plain old square” and added your own scalloped border. Lovely! I will be trying your pattern soon.
I have been making a really simple crocheted potholder for years that you might like to compliment your dishcloths. Here’s the link:

http://www.mielkesfiberarts.com/diagonal-hotpad

I usually use more than one color yarn to make it pop and I use Sugar ‘n Cream for them also. They wear like iron and wash up well. Hope you give them a try.

Bonnie

Thank you so much for sharing. Looks like you’ve learned to crochet beautifully.

I have not used them but I know a lot of people who do and love them. congrats on teaching yourself to crochet!! I used to a long time ago but haven’t not done so in years.

I’m anxious to see if I can learn to make these! I love these dishcloths…I try to find them every year at the bazaar’s in my hometown. By the end of the year, I’ve worn them out! Thanks for sharing the pattern. I enjoy your blog!

I learned to crochet the basic stitch when I was about twelve but that is all. I put down my needle and got about being a teenager. When my son was born, I was determined to make him a blanket. I was overwhelmed! So I decided that a little sweater would work better. I made one but the stitches were so tight that he couldn’t wear it. By accident, it got into the laundry basket. When I pulled it out of the dryer, it was the size of a Barbie sweater. My daughter who came next, played with that sweater for years with her dolls. I never did another stitch that didn’t end in disaster. I would love them! Thanks!

Oh, bless you, Dori! I am encouraged by this post! My favorite dishcloth is a crocheted one my aunt made, but I have been wanting to learn to crochet and make some dishcloths myself, plus other things! We have to remember that just because our mother or grandmother didn’t teach us these things, we CAN learn for ourselves, and it’s never too late to learn! Thank you!

This is for me, maybe. Since my philosophy is much like yours I tried learning to knit at a craft group that met at my local library. The first project was a cotton dishcloth. Well either there were too many enthusiasts there or I’m not very dexterous. It was an horrible experience.
I really want a couple of cotton dishcloths. The relative who used to keep me supplied is no longer available. You may feel I should have asked her to teach me when she was available, but at the time I wanted her to feel a vital part of my life.
So I promise to get back to learning. This time I’ll try crochet.

Hi, I just found your magazine within the last few months & joined your email. I enjoy reading your blog full of info. I’m an older lady & live in a fairly large city. I did start out living in the country. I crochet but not like I use to. My mother and I are left handed, so she taught me. It’s not fancy but nice. I think your dishcloths are pretty in design & color.

Hi Dori….I’m inspired that you are learning a new skill!! Maybe, just maybe, I can learn too!! As I come upon my retirement I’m looking for something new to try. I’m not a television watcher and I can only read so many books in a given week before my eyes glaze over :-). Keep inspiring me to get out of my comfort zone! Happy autumn!!

Those dishcloths are adorable. I would love to win them. Also, I am like you, even when I am relaxing I feel like I need to be doing something with my hands.

I have tried to knit and crochet several times. I am left-handed so I have a difficult time following patterns. You have inspired me to try again. You dish clothes look really pretty, so I am going to download your pattern and try again. Thanks.

I think these dish towels are so pretty. Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Marion

What a wonderful post, Dori. I have always wanted to learn how to crochet and your pattern looks great. I am going to try my hand at them…thank you.
My Aunt Helen used to make these for me and I really miss them as they were so useful. I can totally relate to Rosetta’s attraction to them. When my girls were young, they loved it when Aunt Helen gave me a new set and used to use them for doll blankets and tea parties. A few of mine were always in the toy box, too!

Hi Dori! I think I need to learn how to crochet these dishcloths, and since I knit only in squares and rectangles, they are right up my alley! I would love to win a dishcloth, but if I don’t I will learn how to make one! I love the colors you chose!

What lovely dish cloths!
I never was very good with a needle, but my bad wrists and hands have retired me from crocheting… Very pretty, though! (I will pass your beautiful pattern on to my niece). Thank you!

I love your crocheted dish cloths. Beautiful colors and I would love one or two of my own. I don’t crochet and miss having homemade ones like I’ve had in the past. All the best to you as you enjoy some down time.
Sherri

Dori, I really love your posts and I, too, am not a sitter, so I understand the need to make sitting time productive! I’m a recently retired teacher and one of my colleagues would buy yarn for her Mom, who has Alzheimer’s, and her Mom would knit dish clothes that were then donated to certain causes. This gave pleasure to many people as well as my friend and her Mom. Thank you for such constant inspiration and love of family!

Great job! Last fall, I took a class at a local church called ‘Arm Knitting’. Nope! I don’t knit OR crochet…I got so confused and mixed up, I think that my eyes were really crossed by the time I left! I came home and watched a YouTube video and started and stopped it MANY times. TaaaaDaaaa! I know know how to make an eternity scarf. I am now collecting simple projects involving crochet! Who knows?!? I might even try to make a dish cloth 🙂

Hi Dori, I am like you(were), I can’t crochet either. My sister is good at all that but I don’t seem to have that gift. I would love to win some of your dishcloths.
….an who knows…maybe I’ll check out YouTube and see if I can’t learn the craft too.
Just because I’m 60 doesn’t mean ALL the gray-matter is dead. Right?lol
Thanks for your encouragement Dori!