Entry way Mural nears completion....

Finally I took some time to work on my house. The entry way really needs to be finished and that is what is finally happening. It is still not finished. I am going to put a blue heron in the pond on the right side. I love seeing them in the area. Again, the buildings are very similar to the buildings that were on our farm at the turn of the century.

The doors are the stall doors that were from the days when the barn was actually a barn. Fun stuff!!!!

Talk to you soon!!!!
Barb

What a Summer!!!

Family always comes first and maybe soon I will be able to work on new projects in sewing and painting. As soon as Dave graduated, Ted went back to school for the summer session. Then Annie had her orientation at the University this last Monday. Every mom should have a daughter like her. Incredible person! And Ted is bringing home a friend for this weekend! A girlfriend!! I like her.

The top pic shows my daughter with Representative Manzullo. She played at a meeting he was a speaker at earlier in the year. Next she is shown at her last Phi Theta Kappa meeting which is the National Honors Society for 2 year colleges. She was president. The lower picture shows her not wanting her picture taken at summer event. She can get crabby when her picture is taken.

She also got a call from the University asking her if she was interested in applying for the honors program. cool!!!!!!

She is a great farm girl also. She can do almost anything here and is a wonderful equestrian and is nearly a botanist with all that she knows about the plants in our garden.

I think one of the greatest gifts a parent can give their child is the desire to work hard and living here on the farm is a way of doing that. The 4 grown kids here can bale hay, fix fencing, ride and gentle horses, study hard and have fun with family and friends. Not bad.

Its been more than a busy summer, its been a lifetime and a great one at that!!!!

Hugs from a tired but happy mom,
Barb

Our friend returns to China today

The last couple of weeks have been very full. Dave graduated and then invited one of his friends from China came to spend some time with us. It was a wonderful time. Our guest was so sweet and we will miss her a great deal. We wish her all the best on her return to her home and want her to know that she will always have a another home here when she returns to the U.S. She is on the plane now and on her way.

Now that things are maybe retuning to a dull roar, I am looking forward to getting back to swing of sewing and painting. Today I will clean my studio as therapy and prepare to get back to work.

Life is an adventure and I love it!
But I could use a little more energy right now!!!!!!

Etsy Shop of the week!!!!!

Rabbithollowprims is a great place to shop!!!!!! Love this cabbage that has so much personality. This would look great in a kitchen, dining room, porch or sun room all year round.'

Made from muslin and up for your consideration are cabbage heads. They roughly measure 10 inches across and vertically also. They can be made in green or red. Each one has a sculpted face and hand-painted eyes and mouth with separately attached eyelids. Great as bowl fillers or cupboard tucks and more. Pattern by R & K Creations.....

You can see this item and more at the Etsy store by Rabbit Hollow Prims:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22115528

Sue does great things, You will enjoy your visit.

Hugs,
Barb

I'm back and Graduation is Over-A wonderful Week!!!!

Dave's graduation ended up taking the whole week. It was a strenuous and exhilarating week. We drove back and forth the whole week because we had to make sure all the animals here at the farm were taken care of. That went well.

The ceremony was on Saturday. It rained buckets but it went well anyway. I posted a picture of Dave. He has the red stole on because he was one of the students that studied abroad in China. He had to make the cut which was difficult.

It is funny to think of him showing his cattle in the show ring (won Midwest champion for his breed) and also remember how much time he spent with his horse. We will keep that horse forever. Stormy and Dave have been such a team. There are so many great memories of him growing up. He is adventuresome and I am sure there will be many more wonderful memories to come.

He is back on the farm for the summer! Yea!!!!!! Then he will be off on a new adventure. Dave is that way. He has always been great at setting a goal and reaching it. I'd like to think part of it comes from living here and working so hard.

We are so proud of him. He worked hard for this and earned it.
Now back to work here on the farm and looking forward to getting more things done around here.

Big and happy hugs from the Midwest,
Barb

Thank You, Thank you to Blockhead Radio!!!!

A big thanks for Block Head Radio for making this blog the featured Artisan of the Week on their site.
Please take time to visit them at http://blockheadradiolive.com/

It is a wonderful site and you can spend a lot of time exploring there.

Again A hugs thanks to Blockhead Radio.

Hugs Barb

What ya workin on Wednesday!

Today, will work on another prim doll, try to finish another pattern for the ocean series. Need to work on the garden, and plant some trees, pick up the suburban---so need that thing here on the farm.

Will try to post pics of everything soon!!!!

Hugs, Barb

My etsy fav of the week......

These stars looked like something I would have in my home. Love them. Simple, colorful and always appropriate.

They are made by homespunannie who is also a member of OFG or Olde Farmhouse Gathering, a group of folk and primitive artists on Etsy.

They are described as:
Three large Americana stars in coordinating cotton prints. They have been stained in a coffee/spice mix and baked. Each has rusty wire with stars garland wrapped around them. Measures 7 inches by 7 inches. Set of three. Caramel scented.

All my ornies and tucks are made to order, taking 3-5 days to ship. They all stain and bake up differently and no two are ever the same. All my items are handmade in a smoke-free environment!

See them at: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=25844513&ref=sr_gallery_5&&ga_search_query=ofg&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=5&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title

Happy Tuesday and Hugs,
Barb

Winner of the Name the New Kids on the Farm Contest

The winner is in!! I truly wish everyone could have won..... The names submitted were all wonderful!!!!

We put the names in a wooden bowl and my daughter pulled out the winning name. I didn't want to touch them. I really felt bad only one person would win.

Drum Roll......The names pulled out of the hat are Hope and Faith. Cheryl please let me know what your address is and then they will be in the mail.

You can email me at: prairieharvestarts@yahoo.com

Thanks everyone for entering. A new contest starts in a couple of days so stay tuned.

Hugs,
Barb