A Great New Giveaway at Barb's Heartstrokes

Bar over at Barb's Heartstrokes is having a great giveaway for a set of four little Prim Tom Turkey Magnets. Check out the details at: http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com

So get on over there and join in the competition----I did!!!

Hugs
Barb

The entryway continued....

The mural is finished until I think of something else to add to it. I wanted to keep it somewhat true to the farm that existed on this property at the turn of the century. The barn that sits at the right hand side is now our home, as the farmhouse was destroyed in a tornado in the 1940's or 1950's ( according to a neighbor).

The carriage house that sits lower on the mural was destroyed years ago when a fire enveloped that building and almost destroyed the barn. The carriage house was so old and such a loss. It had the square nails in it and also some wooden pegs. I thought it was a treasure waiting to be restored. I think I was just one of a very few. The modern garage is nice but the charm just isn't there. But that's me. I love old pieces of history and workmanship.

The top picture is a gathering of items I sometime put together in the entryway, just because I like them. Things move around the house, as I just sometimes want a change.

The doors still need to have the knobs put on--but this is an idea of the mood that the rest of the house will have continued--I hope. The blue wainscoting was aged by applying a glaze of cinnamon on top and ragging it off.

You can see the old stall door at the left hand side of the picture. I just love them- kinda different.

So many things to do-----better get to work and have a nice week.

Hugs
Barb

It's another Great Monday Marketplace with the Olde Farmhouse Gathering!

This weekend was a wonderful treat after the wild weather of the previous week. It was good to spend time with my horses and check my sheep and goats without being blown into the next field.

This Market place Monday is dedicated to the farm animals I raise and those around the area. Check my other blogs for great Etsy stores that have merchandise that celebrates the wonderufl animals that are a part of our lives.

Here I am featuring Mulberry Lane Folk Art. She moves wonderufl signs and there is one right for every home or office--great gifts!!!!

Everyone has to have a lucky horseshoe--even the birds in your yard.
I would love to put the fresh eggs sign outsife my chicksen hut! But it would also be great for the kitchen. sun room, porch and even the living room. Great sign!

And since one of my children always bet the sun up the "Early Bird bird house has a plave in my heart. He is still an early riser and gets so much done in his day.

Please visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/mulberrylanefolkart and enjoy some wonderful time spent with a great craftswoman.

Hugs
Barb

What a storm here at the farm-and over the country!

Wow! What a storm! Granted this tree was old and not in the best of shape but--wow did it come down. No damage to the fencing. Lost a lot of the shingles on the barn roolf. Hope everyone was safe. That is some way to bring in winter.

Stay warm and safe
Hugs
Barb

You have to see this one!!! An Incredible Etsy Treasury!!!!

These are just a few--great collection--see it and it speaks for itself!!!!


http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4cc777a194fd8eef7ecd5d05/brr-brrrrr-brrrrrr-wintery-shivers

The entryway continues!!!!

This has been a work in progress for a while. Here is where we are so far.....

When you step into my home I would like you to feel welcomed and hugged in the warmth of memories that days gone by can give.

The plastered top of the entryway was painted a wheat color---appropriate for a farm. The wainscoting was painted a traditional blue/gray and then a glaze of cinnamon brown was added to give it that old, weather look. The doors that are hard to see, but roll on the black tracks you see near the top of the wall are actually the stall doors to the barn in the days it was a barn. Super idea for the bathroom!!! lol (a real stall door for the bathroom!)

THe goose makedo as well as the veggie patterns are available at PrimPatternEmporium: http://primitivepatternemporium.com/shop

The Faith Hope and Love sign as well as the candlesticks are available at: http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop



Next week- the other end of the entryway---the mural is finished!!!!!! Hurray!!!!!--Now onto anther home project! What will it be?

Hugs
Barb

A Marketplace Monday with I Sly Pond Primitives

Winter is coming and we will all be spending more time than we want to indoors. Time to make it more welcoming and comfortable.

I Sly Pond Primitives offers so many wonderful items to help make your house a home--a welcoming home.Each sign is handcrafted one at a time in our shop using the highest quality materials. We only use authentic Olde Century Milk paints on all of our signs and furniture. Most of our signs have a routed edge to create a framed look. Each sign and piece of furniture is then put through a antiquing process and finished with protective sealant. The backs are finished with stain and sawtooth hangers.

Your sign, peg racks and furniture can be done in your choice of Milk paint colors:

Barn Red
Cranberry
Saratoga Blue
Dark Mallard Blue
Old Clay Red
Fenwick
Old Parchement
Linen
Petwer Grey
Black
Brierwood Green
Revere Green
Old Forge Yellow


Take some time to see the many items that could make your home is nice at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/lslypondprimitives


Relax and enjoy
Hugs

Barb

Giveaway at Holly Ridge creations!

Please stop by Jody's Blog and find her post on a giveaway. When she reaches 100 followers- she will celebrate by having a giveaway.

Blog: http://hollyridgecreations.blogspot.com/

Have a great Wednesday.

Hugs
Barb

Prim Decorating my Barn!

I am fortunate to live in a wonderful old - nearly 100 year old dairy barn. The construction is incredible. Now it just needs to feel like home.

It apparently was the site of many an old barn dance, as people have driven up the driveway and told me of the fun times they had here. It is good to know that it has been the site of good things.

This barn is a work in progress and I will try to share some of it here. It has not always been easy but it is worth the trouble.

The entry is nearing completion.

Here I took a new table, painted it black, distressed it and put it into action. One thing this old barn does not have is storage. I added baskets on the bottom shelf for storage of hats, mittens and work gloves, and scarves.

Each of the drawers has been assigned a purpose. One has emergency candles and matches (for the those power outages which occur often in the winter), one with electric fence testing equipment for those time when you want to make sure the fence is at full strength or to ease your mind after a storm, and the thrid hold flashlights- both hand held and head mounted ( for when you need those hands free- as for working on the fence). My grown kids like the head mounted - especially Ted---an electrical engineering major. He grew to have an understanding of electrical things as he was the go to guy here on the farm for everything electrical. lol!!!!!

p.s. The lamp on top of the table is a functioning gas lamp---always thinking of those power outages they we seem to have too many of here in the winter.

Here we attempt to combine looks and function--everything has a job!!!!!

Still trying to catch up!!!

This week the great work from Judy Baily is featured here. She is a wonderful artist from the Olde Farmhouse Gathering group on Etsy.

Take some take to get to know her and the beautiful things she creates.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
I have had the name of 'Foxglove Folkart' for about 12 years or so now, ever since I began to sell my hand painted items. The reason I chose Foxglovefolkart' way back when, is because I love gardening, and Foxgloves are a flower I just love, but never had much luck with. Well, if I can't have the flower every year, I got the name ,lol!
2. How long have you been on Etsy?
Ummmmmmmm, for about a year or so.
3. What type of items do you offer?
I offer my hand painted and usually one-of-a-kind items. Everything from Shabby Chic Roses to Prim crows and Salt Box Houses. I like painting different styles, and I love painting on glass!
4. How long have you been crafting?
I've been crafting since I was a kid. I learned to sew in school, fell in love with that and ever since have made my own and others clothing. I have also at one time or another, done ceramics, macrame, embroidery, doll making, cross stitching, played with Polymer Clay (Sculpy), and I still am an avid knitter and crocheter. I also used to do A LOT of quilting, and still have a fabric stash to prove it,lol! I need something to do with my hands when watching the 'boob tube' at night with hubby. I taught myself to paint about 13 years ago, soon after a car accident. I'm an x-truck driver by profession, but after the accident, I couldn't drive my personal vehicle any distance, let alone the Highway trucks we used to own. One day, I don't know exactly where, or when, I saw some decorative painted ornaments, and I think it may have been in a magazine I seen them in, but I was intrigued. Since then, I've bought tons of pattern books, paints,packets, brushes, supplies, and my own scroll saw and sanders. I was worse for bringing home new power tools than my husband!!! ANyways, since learning to paint, it's been my main focus and a source of added income for us.
5. Who or What inspires you?
There are a few designers I just love,which include Terrye French, Ros Stalcup, Renee Mullins, Holly Hanley, Renee Mullins and more. But I've also created my own designs from time to time. As for inspiration, I suppose leafing thru my paint magazines or pattern books makes me drag out the brushes. But in general, I can't point a finger to anything definitive that inspires me, and I can't say I'v ever given it much thought, truth be told.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I would have to say my Sap Bucket Angel is my favorite. She is my own design, and done on a 're purposed' maple syrup sap bucket. Painting on used items is a hand down fav of mine!
7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)
Just in 2 local shops. One is a make-your-own-wine shop, and I sell my hand painted wine glasses there. The other is seasonal, and called 'Cabin Savy', and located near Bala Ontario. One of the KEWELEST gift and garden shops around.

Please stop by her Etsy store and do some shopping for the holiday season.

Yesterday's Market Place Monday is today!!!

Usually The members of the great group OFG or Olde Farmhouse Gathering share the work of our talented friends in the group.
But yesterday a dear friend came over and we spent the whole day talking and sharing things about our families, animals, gardens, canning and more. It was a wonderful treat! We started chatting around 10 in the morning and realized at 3:30 that we each had errands to do. While she went to the feed mill for grain, I went to the post office to pick up and drop off packages. It was a wonderful day!

So today I will attempt to do "catch-up." The Etsy OFG member I would like to share with you is The Country Store.




1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

I chose The Country Store because I had a business that was called Quilted Critters & Things but evolved into other things and so The country
Store was born.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?

I have been on Etsy since February 1, 2010

3. What type of items do you offer?

I offer primitive items that are handmade by me. A lot of my items are stained for that primitive worn look.
4. How long have you been crafting?

I have been crafting for most of my life. In high school I started making hearts from a antique quilt and have been doing some kind of craft since then. I have my grandmother to thank for the crafty gene.

5. Who or What inspires you?

The primitive look in all forms inspires me. Especially the make do’s that were made when something broke or wore out and you make do with what you had.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

I love the wool owls that are made from vintage wool. I like to use vintage wool and fabrics.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

My blog is http://wwwthecountrystorepvks.blogspot.com/ my website is http://www.thecountrystorepvks.com and my Etsy is http://www.etsy.com/shop/Thecountrystore.

Susan at The Country Store

Thanks to the Rusty Thimble !!!!

Thanks to the Rusty Thimble for putting my black cats into a treasury on Etsy!!!!

Take a look--many great black cats!!!!!



http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c88d1b9f5ba8eef264ae277/the-cats-meow

Summer is over, the garden is almost all in and it's time to get back to work

It's that time of year again and I am getting back to work by offering these great black cats. They are really cute and I really enjoyed doing them!

You can see them at either:

http://prairieharvestarts.com/shop/ornies/autumn-ornies/primtive-black-cat-ornies-bowl-fillers/prod_202.html

or

http://www.etsy.com/listing/55847108/primtive-black-cat-ornies-bowl-fillers


It's good to be back

Hugs
Barb

In An Etsy Treasury!!!!!!

What a wonderful surprise! Woke up this morning and found out one of my patterns was featured in a Treasury on Etsy!!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4c58c97b2db26d91ddbfacf1/apple-orchard-time

RetroActiveTreasures was the Etsy storeowner who created this wonderful treasury! Please take some time to see her store also. Some wonderful finds!!!!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/RetroActiveTreasures

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!!!!!!

Hugs
Barb

Check out the new giveaway from Raspberry Lane Primitives!!!!!!!

Please go to my Giveaway pages and see how to win this wonderful giveaway from Rapsberry Lane Primitives................ Don't miss it!!!!!!!

Market Place Monday is on Tuesday!!!!!

Due to the exciting weather the Midwest recently had, Market Place Monday is on Tuesday this week. Power outages, lightning strikes, flooding and more made things just a bit too exciting to get things done on time. Besides, the internet just wasn't working. The joys of country life.

Rabbit Hollow Prims is the shop this week.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
Rabbit Hollow Prims because my mom had the name for her shop when it was open and wanted to carry on the name.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
About 2 years
3. What type of items do you offer?
primitive dolls. vintage patterns, fabrics and turkey calls
4. How long have you been crafting?
17 years
5. Who or What inspires you?
All the other doll artists out there.
6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I couldn't pick just one but I love Halloween the most.

7.. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

http://www.rabbithollowprims.blogspot.com
http://www.spookyspells.blogspot.com
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/rabbithollowprims_W0QQ_nkwZQQ_armrsZ1QQ_fromZQQ_ipgZ
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5125705
http://www.lemonpoppyseeds.com/shoppes/psrabbithollowprims/
http://www.countrycraftshowonline.com/craftbooth489/

This is a great Odg Farmhouse Gathering Artist!!!!! Check our the items in her store!!!!!

Hugs
Barb

Check out the Giveaways

Just added three great giveaways on the the giveaway page. Time is running out for one of them!!!!!!!! Scoot on over to that page and try to win some wonderful prim items for your home!!!!!!

Hugs
Barb

Prim Decor Tuesday

One more try. This part of my blog is dedicated to my prim decorating journey through my home. The kids are grown and nearly gone. This is not necessarily good. I miss them, but it gives me the opportunity to finally put some time in on my home. The home is a 100 year old barn that has withstood a tornado ( which I was told destroyed the house on the proporty).

The lower level of the barn had few walls when we moved in-one long, large cavern, which was great for 4H meetings. But we decided to put a wall and double doors in the front to create a more definite entry way. This is the start. You can see the doors. The baskets are meant to store, hats, mittens and gloves and scarves. There is never enough storage.

This old barn has a nice history. Though most of the critters here are horses, I do have some sheep, which seems appropriate since in the early 1900's this farm was home to a sheep farm.

Hopefully, I will share the progress through the house from room to room. The entry was started earlier, but got side tracked. That is easy to do here-which kids, horses, sheep, a couple of goats, a garden and so much more. Life is never dull and I like it that way.

So we will continue to share the progress though the entry way and then on to who knows what.... Hopefully we will all see a great deal of progress.


Hugs,
Barb

Another wonderful Market Place Monday at the Olde Farmhouse Gathering!

Ashley's Trinkets s the shop everyone must make a visit to this week!





1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?
My Etsy shop name is Ashley's Trinkets. The reason I selected that name is that "Ashley¨ is my daughter's name, and I offered a variety of items from primitive stitcheries, ornies, key fob wristlets, and a few vintage items. Thus, the word "trinkets¨ came to mind when coming up with the name.

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
I've been on Etsy since January of 2009.


3. What type of items do you offer?
Primitive stitcheries, ornies, key fob wristlets, vintage items.

4. How long have you been crafting?
I've been crafting practically all my life, but I¡¦ve been selling online since 2005.


5. Who or What inspires you?
Everything it seems. I love looking through magazines, searching online websites and blogs, and of course browsing through Etsy. I love browsing for fabric! I see a pattern in a fabric, and I think, ¡§That would make a great doll dress, or key fob!¡¨ It just gets me to excited to get a new fabric and make something from it.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
I would have to say my favorite item in my shop is actually ¡§items¡¨, and they are my key fobs. You can take a piece of fabric and make as many key fobs as you want from that one piece, and you rarely make any two that are alike. Each key fob is different, but the same too.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)



www.ashleystrinkets.com
www.homespunandrust.com
www.ashleystrinkets-connie.blogspot.com

Another Great Marketplace Monday!!!

Every Monday, is Marketplace Monday here on the farm. It is a time to share the wonderful creativity and skill of the people of the Etsy artisans group, the Olde Farmhouse Gathering. It is a fun and caring group, and often it does seem as if we are sitting on the porch, sipping tea and sharing thoughts, ideas and just being friends.

So this morning, sitting here on the porch, I am featuring wonderful wares from Cave Creek Studio.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/cavecreekstudio
Enjoy your cup of tea and take some time to enjoy a conversation regarding this fun Prim shop.

1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

I chose Cave Creek for my shop name because we live in an area of KY that has a lot of caves, and Cave Creek itself is very close to our home. It also seemed to fit well with the primitive style.


2. How long have you been on Etsy?

I opened my first Etsy store (which I still have) in March 2008, but my Cave Creek store is new. I opened it in Feb. 2010.


3. What type of items do you offer?

Cave Creek Studio offers primitive and folk art dolls, witches, make-do's, and ornies, all made by me. I also feature handmade bags and wristlets in historic and country fabrics - a crossover from my LauraOh! Designs handbag shop.


4. How long have you been crafting?

Practically my whole life. My parents owned a fabric store while I was growing up, and I've been sewing for half a century!


5. Who or What inspires you?

Almost anything can inspire me. I love looking at work done by talented artisans. I observe things in Nature and I'm always people watching and paying attention. Sometimes I have no clue whatsoever where the inspiration comes from.


6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

I'm really having fun creating some Halloween witches, and I think its hard to name just one favorite. I think my favorite is usually the item I'm working on at the moment. Hmmm - that can get complicated because I often have more than one going. You know, I just don't know the answer to this question!


7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

I have just launched a new website: http://cavecreekprimitives.com, and I have a blog at http://cavecreekstudio.blogspot.com.

Vacation is Over and It's Marketpalce Monday At the Olde Farmhouse Gathering

So many talented people at the Ole Farmhouse Gathering. It is a wonderful group of talented artists and craftspeople at Esty. Today the featured artist is Maria from A primitive Season.


Maria chose the name, “Primitive Season” for her shop because she love making primitives for every season or holiday of the year.

She has been on Etsy since November 2009 and offers a wonderful variety of prim items for your home.

As she says, “I love textiles and could live in a fabric store! The texture of wood also inspires me and just the thought of all the possibilities it poses. I’ve always looked at things and thought, “what else could I make out of this?” OR in a store, I would look at an item and see how it’s made and often try to make the item on my own instead of buying it.”

Now her favorite item in her shop are the Love Birds.

"I like them because they're simple in design and can

match any home decor.  I can make them in any color that

a customer requests.  I've even sold two sets as cake toppers

for weddings!"

Her work can be found at:www.primitiveseason.etsy.com
www.primitiveseason.blogspot.com
Stop by and see her wonderful creations.....
Hugs
Barb

A New Marketplace Monday!!!!

What can be better than beautiful and practical at the same time. Baskets by Rose offer the best of both. A wonderful member of the Etsy group, OFG, or the Olds Farmhouse Gathering, Rose is a great artist and craftswoman.

Enjoy her creations at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/basketsbyrose





It’s a great way of promoting other Etsyians as well as
giving your blog readers something new to look at:)

So Here's the Questions:
1. What is the name of your Etsy shop and why did you choose that name?

My shop name is Basketsbyrose My name is Rose and I weave baskets. To easy!

2. How long have you been on Etsy?
I have been on Etsy a little over one year.

3. What type of items do you offer?
Hand woven baskets, quilts, stitchery, and some other items that I love to make.

4. How long have you been crafting?

I started sewing at age 5, made my wedding dress many many years ago. In 2008 I made over 150 baskets for my sons wedding.

5. Who or What inspires you?
Everyone inspires me I love to look at the work everyone does.

6. What is your favorite item in your shop and why?
Now it would be the mantel basket or the broken dish quilt with all the colors. Early this year it would be the sunflower baskets, but I’m happy to say that I sold them.

7. Other places where you can be found (Ebay, webstore, blog)

http://basketsbyrose.artfire.com
http://basketsbyrose.com