A Super Giveaway!!!!!!

From A Primitive Place!!!!!

In order to celebrate having met and passed the 700 mark in followers, Tammy is having a great GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!

For details please visit: http://aprimitiveplace.blogspot.com

The last day to enter the giveaway is, May 31, 2011.

She will announce the winner on:

June 1st.

700 Followers Celebration Giveaway!!

p.s. Hope I win!

Finally another Marketplace Monday!

Things have been so busy here--hard to explain. Dear son who loves to ride elephants in the Cambodian jungle came home --who knows for how long---an dear Daughter gave her Junior Recital for Harp performance at school. Plus we had a terrible computer virus hit the house and that has been an uphill battle to recover from- But all is well now. lol Or should I say for the time being! lol

Today's Etsy shop that I would like to acknowledge is: Lucy's Garden Shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/LucysGarden
at and the owner shares her story-----

Art has always been a part of my life. I live in a 235 year old farmhouse and my furnishings reflect the age of my home. I love to work with wood and distress it with different finishes. The older it looks the better.

Lucy's Story

Lucy came into my life14 years ago. One warm June morning my husband had left for work and I was about to let the dogs out when from behind a flower pot a fluffy kitten scurried across the yard, through the fence and into the field. My son heard me and when he saw it was yet another cat in the yard (we rescue many) convinced me it was probably from a neighboring farm and looked pretty big to him. That night sitting on the porch with my husband I heard a kitten crying desperately. After a couple of hours we coaxed the little thing close enough for my husband to pick up. She was as small as his hand and beautiful. My love story begins here. I lost my grandfather that week and on one particularly bad day Lucy curled up on my shoulder under my hair and stayed there with me for hours giving me the comfort I needed. She took this same position with me many times until the day we lost her, 3 years ago.


Lucy loved to watch me work. She would sit wherever I was just to be a part of me. I named my shop for her and I feel her with me every time I work.

We have always brought rescue or lost animals into our lives and they have all been special but Lucy was unique, she was my heart.

We support many animal shelters, small and large, but the best support you can give is to bring a misplaced pet into a forever home.

A percentage of all of my sales from Lucy's Garden and my sister shop WickedFaerieQueen is donated and divided between several shelters we support in Lucy's name.

Another Wonderful Giveaway!

Starting the the year right, Barb at

Barb's Heartstrokes

Is having a new giveaway!!!!!
As she says in her blog,

"It is a saying that needs to be placed everywhere!! If all of us in the world would only speak "LOVE" what a great world we would live in.

I found this lettering on the Internet and adapted it to this 10 x 7 screen. It is hand painted in 4 different colors of pink with the lettering on the frame done in White. Glitter paint has been applied to the heart. The frame is a dark pink and the hearts are stenciled on with a lighter shade of pink. It has been sprayed with a matte finish. It has a saw tooth metal hanger on the back."

To enter this great giveaway please hurry over to:

http://barbsheartstrokes.blogspot.com/

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