Production Line....

Hi Folks!
~~~~~~::~~~~~~

I am in the throes of work!

...kneep-deep in creating and having a blast!!!

I truly am happiest when my hands are busy,...

{{{below you can see a sneak peek at some of my paper mache ornaments and necklaces}}}

I am playing with paper mache, needle and thread, wool and hook
and punchneedle too...

...my always humming sewing machine has been put to the test and I have fabric scraps
at least an inch deep in my little studio ~

but it's all good,
as I want to be able to offer my friends a variety of my folk art
both on-line and at the show...

...I will have a few harvest wreaths, some unique garlands and of course,
my one-of-a-kind folk art
{... in many mediums!!...}

I've been talking with my sister, Louisea
{who, along with her husband Tom will be vending at the show !! woohoo!}
and they both have been busy crafting & creating...
Tom makes AWESOME wooden benches & carvings from different kinds of beautiful wood
native to CT, and Louisea makes ornaments, dolls and other unique items...
( I can't wait to see everything they have!! )

~~~~~~~::~~~~~~~

Robin & I will be taking a day "off" and heading over to Bedford, VA on Thursday,
{shop will be closed here}
where she has a booth in another shop...then we'll do a little antiquing and such.

{I'm looking forward to having a fun-filled day off :) }

I can't believe that it is already September,
but really ~

I'm ready for Fall and everything that comes with it!
and as you can see by this blog,
I love the colors of Autumn and the more whimsical side the Holidays
so I've coined the term "PRIMSICAL" to describe my folk art...

I am a true primitive lover...down to my bones.
BUT
I love the vintage graphics of our Victorian past and German antiques,
so I'm trying to combine the two!!!

I hope you'll like what is to come!

well it's time to wash the paper mache and paint from my worktable,
head to the bathtub then settle down with a nice bowl of ice cream...
it's still extremely hot here in VA and the ice cream helps a little!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Just Playin'

No...this is not how this blog will look....

I'm playing around in between projects....

It will be much more primitive & folk-y looking....

just have to find the right 'look' to combine both this blog and my midnight farm blog....

I want to incorporate some altered vintage photos that I have,
and get my color scheme just right...

my goal is a sepia-toned, grungy/witchy/primitive look!

(whew...that's a mouthful!)

We will begin to start the Fall decorating in the shop this week,
bringing in the colors of the coming season and getting ready to set up for the show...

{which btw, I cannot believe is a little over 2 weeks away...*gasp* !!!}

We'll be here in the shop this week on friday & saturday, closed thursday this week,
so if you're in the area, stop on in for a visit and see what's new at the shop!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Working away....

...and loving every minute of it!!

I'm the type
(if you haven't yet noticed)

that has to have my many irons in many, different fires....

but
always being busy, active & working,
keeps my mind & skills sharp...
(well,...somewhat.)

Right now I'm working on paper mache characters and figures
for our show and for Christmas...

speaking of which,
there is a NEW SHOW coming !!

"Ole Thyme Christmas"
Antiques & Handmades
December 4th, 2010
9:00 - 3:00
$5.00 adm.

PREVIEW
Friday evening, December 3rd
6:00 - 8:00
w/ refreshments
$10.00

at Expoland in Fishersville, Virginia
exit 91 off I-64

( www.picturetrail.com/southernstarantiques )

Robin & I will have a booth there,
so c'mon down & visit!!

I'm in the shop today,
working on flyers for shows, and many other things...

Hope you all have a creative Saturday!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

little pumpkin pin-head

I've been working on items for our Gathering show...

below is a snap of a little pin-head on a bobbin base.

under it sits a fabric covered box that I finished yesterday
and I really love how it turned out...
you'll be able to purchase these and more at the show in September~

I'm going to be closing my Midnight Farm blog,
and merging it here with this one,
so you'll see quite a change in the way this looks now...

{{{I know I am forever playing with backgrounds
and header photos and I will continue to do that!}}}

I want to incoporate my love for halloween/holiday folk art into this blog,
since it really is what I do the most of...
You'll still see my 'everyday' prims and be able to read the daily goings-on of farm life,
but you'll notice a definite new look!!
(I think you'll be pleased...)

cross stitch, paper mache' folk art, hooked rugs, needlepunch, paintings...
even some primitive mixed-media thrown in for goode measure!!

I'll be working on the blog this weekend,
and I hope to share it with you this coming week...

My thanks to all who purchased the new patterns...
...they are being shipped off tomorrow (Thursday)
as I haven't had a chance to get anywhere with the family visiting this week....

Hannah started her first day as a Junior in Nelson County High School today.
I can't believe how fast time flies...

I'm off to work on some more projects...
have a relaxing evening!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

New Punch Needle Patterns are READY!

Better late than never, and so sorry for the delay...
I have my in-laws here this week, and last night our beautiful Peacock-boy,
"Indigo"
was killed and taken by a murderous, blood-thirsty Fox...
(not a good night/morning)

anyhoo....

here is
"Eke & Zeke"

finished size is approx. 6 1/2" x 8"
a combination of wool applique', ebroidery and punch needle....

pattern price $8.00

below is
"Olde Hallow's Eve"
a sweet little tombstone shaped design with a winged Jack...

finished size measures approx. 5 3/4" x 5 1/2"

pattern price $8.00

and below is
"Harvest Tyme Banner"
4 patterns in one to complete a wreath-project;
2 banners, a JOL and an Oak Leaf~
(I have mine on a wreath made from rusty old barbed-wire)
finished size measures approx. 7" across the 'harvest' portion
pattern price $8.00

If you'd like to place an order, please email me at
not4got@aol.com
I'm happy to combine shipping on all three patterns...

these will also be available in my Etsy shop, and on Ebay today as well...

Thanks my friends...
{{{{ sorry to share that yucky news about my Indie with you...
Farm-life isn't always smiles-and-giggles...
sometimes it's cruel and heartbreaking too....
...Peter is heartbroken, please keep him in your thoughts today?}}}}


Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Saturday Musings....

Don't forget, today is our informal

grand Re-Opening...

Robin has brought in wonderful needfuls for your primitive home,
benches, boxes, dolls...and she makes amazing room sprays, soaps and wax items too!
10:00 - 3:00
today.

on another note;

the last of the punch needle models WILL be finished today...
...i'm working on
"Harvest Tyme Banner"

and have finished
"Eke & Zeke"

&
"Olde Hallow's Eve"

They will be released tomorrow, Sunday August 22nd ~
watch this blog for the update...

heading into the shop now, hoping you all have a wonderful weekend!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

,

and the winner is......

the winner of my LUMEENA doll giveaway is.....

{drumroll}

DIANE of dkspins !!!!

congrats to you Diane, I've sent you an email and will wait for your reply...

I want to thank everyone again for your friendship and warmth...
the friendships I've made through the blogging community have been
so rewarding !!!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

7 Years...

7 years ago today,
an eight year old little girl stood
crying in the driveway...

7 years ago today,
my Mom & Sisters waved good-bye

7 years ago today,
a huge box truck and a white Winstar
were loaded to the gills with a small family's earthly treasures
not knowing exactly where they were going or what they'd find once they got there...

7 years ago today,
3 chickens and a rooster, 2 ducks, 3 cats,
a somewhat terrifed Mother and her young daughter
piled into a van and drove for 13 hours straight

while listening to the radio, quacking, clucking & meowing...

7 years ago today,
a Husband and Father guaranteed us a new life in a
humble little farmhouse in a beautiful
new comminuty

I can't believe it's been that long already...
seems shorter,
but
seems longer too...kind of surreal...

What I do know is that in these past 7 years,
we've watched our daughter absolutely blossom into a fine young woman,

have made life-long & deep friendships,
have learned to work the land and watch the weather,

and appreciate the little things in life that make is so very special...

SO many changes have occurred since we've been here,
from renovation a farmhouse to building a shop,
bottle-feeding lambs and raising baby opossums

...to burying our fur & feathered friends that have passed,

along with saying goodby to a Sister...
& watching a husband turn into a Farmer and Volunteer ~

Ups and Downs, In's and out's but ALL threads that tie our little family together....

We're glad we're here!!!!

so happy 7th-Virginia-Anniversary to US!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Oh Deer !!!

This is a rug hook that Peter made for me

from a found deer antler...

it isn't what I call a
"primitive" hook, as I am used to hooking with my big fat Hartman...
but
I know that some of you out there do hook with ones like these....

the smoothness of the antler feels so good in my hand
and it is
very balanced, too...

The antler was found by our black Lab, Lazy
when he and Peter were out walking last Fall....

he came running out of the woods with it
in his mouth and brought it right over to Pete.

{{I've had it for almost a year now, setting on one of my cupboard shelves and finally the thought struck me as to what to do with it instead of just displaying it!!}}

I have a nice collection of antique hooks,
some with make-do handles of wood and bone,
~ some with just a bent nail as the actual hook....

Do any of you collect old rug hooks?
what is your most unique one?
>>><<<

I'm off to the PO and bank today, drop Hannah off at Band Camp
then over to Felicia's to help her set up an Etsy shop...
she has some really beautiful items to offer those
who collect Cottage/Shabby Chic decor & accessories,
so I'll let you know once her on-line shop is open...
she'll also be offering some of her handmades too...

Hoping your day is full of creativity & friendship!!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Thrift Shop Find....

I found this "what-not" shelf
at a local thrift shop yesterday...
it was 10.00.

I like how architectural it is,
but not sure I wan't to keep it white.
should I comb paint it & distress it?
what color?
it will be hanging in my shop's office, and will be used to hold my little treasures...
hallowe'en stuff, primitive knick-knacks, pincushions, etc....

I'll think a little more on what I should do,
but I welcome any & all suggestions!

I'll post pics of the big 'finish' soon!!

in the meantime,
please visit
www.midnightfarm.blogspot.com
to see two more of my finished dolls!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

oh Brother.....

I'd be lost without my Brother....

{sewing machine that is...}

I have had this Brother sweing machine for about 11 years...
it has never failed me, and whirs & purrs like new.

I keep it cleaned & oiled and at-the-ready
here in my sewing room...

right now it is going constantly ~

working hard at finishing new dolls & such
for September's show here...

yes, most of my stitching is by hand...
I love the 'finishing' aspect of my work,

and I love to see hand stitching...mine or someone else's.

I sew on a machine not because it makes work faster, but makes my work stronger...
as I have a habit of hand sewing OVER the machine stitching to hide it....

don't ask....
I just love doing that~

I also have my old PFAFF treadle that I use occasionally,

(right now she needs some work on her feeder dogs, so she's resting...)

SEW...
um, I mean Soooo...

back to work I go.

What kind of machine do you own/use/wish you had?

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

P.S
THANKS for all of the comments on my last post!
wishing you all great luck on winning Lumeena
{and, sister....thank you from the bottom of my Heart for your special comment...

I Love You & wish you were here with me everyday!!}

500th post!! ...GIVEAWAY ~ 2 ways to win!

In appreciation:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

for the kind words

encouragement

new friendships
positivity

comments
criticism

support

&

for your emails, phone calls, visits....

I am blessed to have such Friends!!!

I would never have imagined that I would have so many followers,
or would have been able to touch the lives of so many through my folk art...

you all let me know constantly how much I mean to you,
and this,
...this is only a small way of offering my thanks....

The doll that you see above, is named
"Lumeena"

she is an original, ooak doll made by me...

I don't make that many dolls anymore
(but would love to start back at it!)
so you'll know that she is never to be reproduced...

Do you like her?

Would you like her to come live at your House?

my gift to you....for being a follower and visiting this blog....
just post a comment on this post & I will randomly draw from the entries one winner

I will announce the winner of Lumeena,
one week from today!!!

you are all special to me,...
I wish I could give you all a little 'something'...

so I WILL!!!!

any orders placed tomorrow,

Saturday, August 14th,
will be reduced by 25%...

visit my etsy shop, or picturetrail
(both links on sidebar)
place your order,

and I will total you up,
...then reduce the total
(before shipping)

by 25%...
(that is a big savings!)

I am truly blessed to have a following,
and want you all to know that I value all of you ~

Best of Luck on winning Lumeena!!!

and,

a HUMBLE THANKS again....

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Dog Days....

my Poor Lazy....

...he has been underneath this hydrangea bush for a week now...

he told me he can't find the zipper on his fur-suit,
and he really would like to take it off now.

aside from that, having no thumbs,
he wouldn't be able to work the zipper if her did find it,
so there has been much frustration around these parts as-of-late.

Where's Buddy?
he's been under the porch.

He just can't stand this heat at all...
forget finding his zipper,

we just went ahead and shaved him, and now he looks like a
huge, wonky Poodle...

(he's embarrased, so that is why no pic of him)

This heat has us all miserable.
the only thing keeping me going is seeing my Black Walnut trees laden with nuts,
knowing that means cooler weather is not too far off...

Isn't it funny how I'm wishing this season away?
this is really the first time that I would not have minded if Summer never came...
straight from Spring to Fall
...& back again...

I'll be in the shop today,
Robin & Felicia will be here too...
going to finally clean up the office and then get back to working on my punch needle models!!

(hoping to have them finished & the patterns released on Sunday)

Hoping you all have a cooler, more comfortable Friday the 13th!!
(go visit www.midnightfarm.blogspot.com for more on that!)

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

New Curtains....

Here is the fabric that I'll be making the new shop curtains out of...

it is a brown/cream ticking and will be just one panel

... pulled back on the tension rod by simple string...

I'll take pics today and share them later...
in the meantime,

please visit Robin's blog to see updated shop pics from yesterday...

why haven't I been taking pics and posting them you ask?
'cause she's had her camera with her, and she beats me to it!!!
:)

we do appreciate all of the emails & comments on the transition...
thanks SO much for all of the positive feedback!

the OFFICIAL opening will be on Saturday Aug. 21st..
SO

If you get a chance, come on in for a visit
we'll have sweet treats and cold drinks for you!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

What's New?

Everything.

EVERYTHING is new!

the shop, the stuff, the sweat...
well, not the sweat, been doing that for what seems like months now with this crazy heat!

you can see progress of the shop on Robin's blog
http://www.millstonemercantile.blogspot.com/

...it's coming along nicely, and we
SERIOUSLY
put a dent in it yesterday...

Lookin' Good!!!!!

We're looking forward to bringing in a bunch of fresh, new primitives & folk art,
as well as offering the 'usual' supplies for hooking, needle punch & needlework~

we are carrying a wonderful selection of antique wooden boxes, benches and stools too!
(don't forget, boxes make great make-do cupboards on your walls)

I'll be adding a new line of reproduction civil war-era quilting cottons to the shop,
along with Robin's candle's, soap & wax goodes...

...this really is going to be a 'destination' shop...one you'll want to come to often!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here's the watercolor that was supposed to be listed on the
Ehag Emporium
(still haven't heard from them as to why it wasn't added)
BUT
it will now be offered on Ebay today,
along with two little flat dolls~

I have one model finished and 2 more to start for my new
Hallowe'en Needle Punch patterns,...
look for them to be released next week!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Road Detour......

If you want to see pictures of yesterdays' moving adventure,
please visit Robin's blog
www.Millstonemercantile.blogspot.com

as I, as usual
forgot to bring my camera yesterday....

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

A Banner Day!!

Our monthly hook-in here at the shop was a nice one today...
Jane, Rachel & Joan came by for a visit...

Jane, below...
brought with her 3 BOO-tiful hooked
Hallowe'en Banners for show'n tell....

the one above, she calls "Bats & Cats"...

I think this one is called Tricks & Treats?
(Joan bought this one from Jane on-the-spot!!)

and this one is Pumpkins & Crows...

I love them all!!!
I suggested to Jane that she create a blog,
... so she can 'show off' her hookings and punchings.

I promise to help you Jane, just let me know when!!!

A little bit cooler today (thank the stars)...

I have had houseguests
(in-laws)
here since last Tuesday,...and it has been SO hot...
I'll bet they never want to come back down South again!!

Tomorrwow Pete & I will be heading out to Robin & Lee's house, then shop~
to load up goodes for the shop here...

I'll try to take pics of us moving her HUMONGOUS front counter...
if it doesn't kill us first!
I'm sure it will be like a scene from I Love Lucy....

Have a relaxing Weekend!!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

I'm Ready......

The shop is all set...
ready, waiting patiently
{or not}
for Robin to bring her wares into the shop....

we talked last night,
about meeting up this coming Sunday
to bring a load from her old shop to here.

as you can see from the pictures,
I've kept the shop open & airy...

creating space for her,
and making a cozy little spot for the
Men Folk, or perhaps
just a quiet place to stitch or hook...

Speaking of Hooking,
please don't forget that
the first Saturday of Each Month

is
Open Hooking
here in the shop....
10 - 3

the Classroom is back where it should be,
as are all of the pattern models...

all needlework supplies can be found in the Classroom...

the picture below
shows a nice view of the Classroom ~

Robin is bringing in her "Old Tyme" front counter
that we'll put in the space shown in the pic below.

and I'll be sewing up some primitive swag curtains for the windows...
a brown/cream homespun ticking that will be one panel,

and tied back on one side with string....

...just Farm-Fresh and Simple!

(I'll share more pics soon of the progress)

Until then, keep thinking "Crisp & Cool".....

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Refreshing....

Susan & Rachel came to the shop yesterday for a
refresher/crash course in
hooking, needlepunch and braiding...

{ Susan, above, chooses just the right color for her needlepunch}

{ and just look at the intent look on Rachel's face !
she's new to hooking, but hooks like she's an old pro!}

Thank you, girls, for your laughter & friendship...
I so enjoy your company!

you can see a little peek of the newly-redesigned shop in the backgrond of the pictures above...

it is so light & airy, yet has such an old-time country store feel to it!!

I can't wait to get Robin in here and start decorating it for
Autumn and the show in September...

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

ch-ch-changes.....

I worked ALL DAY in the shop yesterday,

hence, no Sunday post!!!

I totally rearranged, re-did and re-moved!!!
a nice, clean slate for when Robin & I will brainstorm
the upcoming addition of Millstone Mercantile into the shop...

Today,

I have two sweet gals coming in
for private needlework lessons....
rughooking, needlepunch and rugbraiding...
all in one day!
Woohoo!!!!

~AND~
I absolutely have NO IDEA
why my offering on the Ehag Emporium is NOT there!!!!!!!
(I guess I'll have to offer it on Ebay then!)

and SPEAKING of Ebay,
have you seen the Flat Doll's I've listed yet?
oh, they're way cool.....
check them out here:
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/notforgottenfarmprimitives

they are whimsical, colorful and just plain FUN!!!

I will be offering more, as soon as the np models are finished,
which are coming along nicely, indeedy.

well, folks, I'm heading out to the shop to get things in order for today's class...
I'll post some pics later for you.

Have a great day
(isn't this cooler weather perfect??!!!)

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori