Tuesday, November 30, 2010

A Christmas Kitchen....

...on my kitchen counter sets woodstove roasted chestnuts,
JUICY ripe pomegranates
and
my signature
Loaded Hot Chocolate ~

first, boil fresh water
(no microwaving ~ it really doesn't taste the same.)
next, open up a packet of Swiss Miss instant Hot Chocolate with Mini Marshmallows
(and you thought I was going to drag out my double boiler?)
dump the packet into the cup and fill 1/2-way with boiling water...
next, drop in a mini York Peppermint Patty and stir until melted.
now, fill up glass with hot milk
(ok...this you can microwave)
and dollop some wipped cream on top...
to finish,
sprinkle Peppermint Flavored Sugar all over the whipped cream...
(like we use for sugar cookies)
and lastly,
drop in a peppermint stick for a stirrer!!!!!
now, go grab the latest issue of your fav magazine,
or put on your favorite Holiday Movie,

~sit back and enjoy!!

~ Lori ~
p.s.
I am not to be held responsible for ill-fitting clothing,
fits of sugar-induced mania
...or cravings that wake you up at night!

Monday, November 29, 2010

Cyber Monday!!

Good Monday Morning Folks!!

hoping you are all rested after the long holiday weekend~
I know I am, & I NEEDED it!!
Today is Cyber Monday:
the day to support all of your online Merchant Friends!!

I know I will be visiting many Etsy & Ebay shops today,
as I truly do support my Folk Artisan Friends
and Hope you will do the same!



PLEASE don't forget to visit
http://www.earlyworkmercantile.com/
on Wednesday, December 1st
for your chance to purchase
wonderful Colonial Creations
....from Awesome-ly Creative Folks!

~ Lori ~

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Saturday, November 27, 2010

a great day !!!!

Oh what fun it is to be with Friends!!!

(Cindy, Felicia, Robin & Me)
Happy shoppers ~
.........................................................


Hustle-Bustle
..........................


Which one should I buy??
.....................................................


O Christmas Tree
.................................................................

the Stockings were hung
.................................................


a perfect day!!

Many thanks to those that helped to make our
~ Farmhouse Christmas Open House ~
a fun-filled & joyous time!!

XOXOXOXOXOXOX

~ Lori ~

Friday, November 26, 2010

Getting Ready!!!

Good Morning to you Folks!
...since I have a Turkey-hangover,
this will be a short post...

I'll be in the shop today attending to
last-minute preps for tomorrows'
Farmhouse Christmas Open House
3530 Tye River Road
Amherst, VA 24521
434-263-6508



... hope to see you!

~ Lori ~

Thursday, November 25, 2010

In Retrospective ~

looking back to last years' Thanksgiving,
I realize there's so much more today to be thankful for:

a warm home filled with people who love me for who I am~

friends that give freely of themselves~

family that is so very supportive~

a community that is relitively small,
...but humongous in spirit & heart~
each day that I am given,
I cherish for it's gift...
creativity, simple abundance, busy hands
and a schedule-full of surprises...
now don't think that my life is perfect by any means,
but it is perfect for me...
I know I complain about the printer, the cat-boxes,
the un-finished-doo-dads around the house, etc...
but at least I have something that needs to be fixed,
as my dear husband reminded me today.
Wishing you all a warm & reflective Thanksgiving!!
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Time for something NEW ~


my newest venture..
by clicking on the little Etsy Gift on the top of my sidebar,
you'll be taken to my gallery of folk art paintings!

(or click here: www.studionotforgotten.etsy.com)
many, MANY more little works of art
to be added within the next week, just in time for the Holidays
...so please check back often...

...if you have a special request for a painting for a gift or for yourself,
I now have a little time to take on a few commission pieces!!
email me at painterlythings@aol.com
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Give-Away Winner !!! & other things...

Good Morning Folks!
I've drawn the name for the
Candy Cane Santa Painting,
& the winner is...
Congratulations to you!
please email me here at not4got@aol.com
with your shipping address so I can get your painting out to you asap~
MANY THANKS to all who entered the drawing...
look for another give-away soon!
~::~
Here are two paintings that I did last night,
some-what primitive, but more folky than my usual style ~
doing something a little different at times helps me to keep my creativity sharp and fresh!


their dresses are copies of old calligraphy paper that I have in my collection~
These will be offered in my Etsy shop today
Hoping you're all getting ready for Thanksgiving ,
I will have the in-laws here, they'll be coming down from CT tomorrow eve~
we'll feast on
turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean cassarole, baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows,
and pecan pie with fresh whipped cream!
&
thanks for your orders for my Jingle Bell Potpourri...
all orders will be going out today!
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Ya Know?????

...the whole reason I do this bog,
is because ~

*I love to share
* I think what I have to say might be important to Someone
*I think what I have to say may help Someone
*I have FUN doing so
*You have told me you enjoy it
*You have asked me for more of me...
and i Gladly Give....
*it is Good
*it gives me Pleasure
*There's no better way to let you see Me ~
*I Have Fun.
*We CONNECT.
~ it helps me to sort my thoughts~

and for all of that,
I am Grateful & Thankful for each & every-one of you
that still takes time from their day & routine to visit me here....

I am humbled by your emails,
softened by your words
and
forever in gratitude for your support
throughout
the past years...
& I wish for Thee,
Abundance
Time
Patience
Wisdome
Truth
Softness
and
Learning;
I may not be an educated Woman,
{{I only have a Ninth-Grade Education ~}}
but I know this:
I am who I am because of my Friends, Family & Loved-Ones...
I continue to do-what-I-do because of my following,
and I will continue,
in the New Year to bring you more
of
my
Heart
&
Hands ~
We are Connected,
through Threads,
Linen,
Wool,
and Fiber~
and I am forever Thankful for the ties that Bind.....
Wishing you ALL a Blessed Thanksgiving
& a Merry Yuletide....
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Friday, November 19, 2010

My auctions....




Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Felicia's New Pattern!!

Hello Stitching Friends!

hop on over to Felicia's blog
(Blue Martin House ~ on my blogroll below)
to see her new pattern for a really sweet
wool applique runner and a simple little hooked mat~

she's calling it
"Merrie Bells"
I had the pleasure of watching her work on them, and let me just say they are SO much fun!
we'll have the models and pattern here in the shop,
but you can place your order directly from her on her blog ~

it is such a blessing to have friends who not only are creative,
and share our passions
but supportive of our sometimes-wonky behavior...
when all is said-and-done at the end of the day, I can sincerely say:
"My Treasure was I had such Friends..."
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Thursday, November 18, 2010

In progress....

this wonky little tree is turning out better than i first thought...

i really had every good intention of stitching a tree
that was more straight than this one is,
but you know about good intentions, don't you?

So I've added some rustly jingler-bells and now it is seemingly coming together...
{{Hmmm...I'm sure Charlie Brown might appreciate this one.}}

I'll bind it with homespuns and show you ther finish soon!
it is a wonderfully cold, gray day here at the farm today...
the woodstove is warming our little farmhouse
and the cats are snug in their favorite nesting-places around the house...
Felicia & I went out to Ben Franklin's (crafts) to purchase some MORE fabric
(that's right. because we can never have enough fabric. EVER.)
and then went on over to Cross Stitch Station to see what's new...
they had their Christmas Open House on Saturday
(sorry we missed it!)
Felicia will be releasing her new pattern
for a sweet hooked wool mat & matching wool applique runner...
it's got christmas bells on it as the main motif and I think you'll all love it...
very primitive & simple ~
we'll be working on the packaging tomorrow,
...so watch for the release in the next few days!
Hoping you all have a nice, quiet evening
working on your favorite needlework projects!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

New Blog to Visit !!!

((just a little wool-applique tree I'm working on))

Howdy Folks!
There's a NEW BLOG in town!!

and see what they're up to!!

these are the gals that are publishing the much anticipated & much needed
magazine for us primitive needleworkers....
I can't wait to see the finished magazine...
I've been sketching up designs for my submissions!
Jeni & Gretchen (Woolen Willow & Painted Cupboard)
would love for you to stop in for a visit to their shop too...
Robin, Felicia & I were there on our way to the Simple Goods show and always love to stop in and see what they're up too....oh my stars & garters!! the shops are FABulous!!!
(you can see jeni's blog on my blogroll, as well as the new one too)

have a great evening (& I'll show you my finished wool applique tomorrow)

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

....a Give Away for my sweet Friends ~

in Thanks for all of your kindness,
...continued support and friendships,

I am giving you a chance to win this little primitive painting of
"Candy Cane Santa"

it measures 8" x 10"
painted with acrylics onto stretched artists canvas
and is signed and dated on the back ~

to have a chance to win,
all you have to do is leave a comment for me on this post,
and in one week I'll draw a name from the comments posted...
so Good Luck & Have fun!

AND in other news....
the printer is FIXED
(and I say that with trepidation, for fear it will hear me and go bonkers yet again)
so this evening will be spent in the shop printing orders for you and my distributors...
then i'll be off early to the PO with the boxes to ship...
*sigh*

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Monday, November 15, 2010

BAD news.

Please bear with me here folks...I'm venting a bit.
I am so flippin' mad I could spit nails.
last week, (wednesday) my commercial printer went down.
I called the tech to cokme out and fix it, he couldn't come out till friday.
he "fixed" it, then saturday when I went to print out all of the orders for the newly released patterns, (yes, the ones that I just released) the damn printer was down again.
I pay almost 600.00 per month for a lease/maintenance contract for this thing.
I NEED it, to print the volume of ordfers that I receive monthly...and it just isn't monitarily feesible to have them printed at Kinko's or Office Max, etc...so that's why I lease it.
BUT, the amount of DOWN time that I have been dealing with is killing me, and now I found out that I can't even get out of the lease agreement for another 4 yrs without being HEAVILY penalized ....

so here I am,
with tons of orders on hand & no way to print them out.
the tech said he'll overnight the parts to be here tomorrow & then fix it.
I'm hoping I'll be able to print everything & ship out by the end of the week...
PLEASE accept my apologies beforehand if your order doesn't reach you as fast as it should this time...I know that you expect to receive your goods in a timely manner, as well as I do...but this is out of my control for just a little while...
IN the meantime, I will be looking into E-patterns and PDF files to give you other choices of receiving your orders...
thanks in advance for your continued support, and for understanding...
I value each & every one of you as Friends and Customers ~
I'll post tomorrow with whatever new I have,
please keep your fingers crossed that it will be good news...
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Sunday, November 14, 2010

on Ebay this week ~

oh my little fingers are SORE from all that stitching!
but this doll set was SO worth it~

please visit my auctions this week
... to see more of this swell Santa & Boy Doll set ~

let me know what you think?
now I'm hooking some small mats this week for the upcoming shows...
nice & cozy by the woodstove tonight, but I sure wish it would get cold & stay cold already!
...I just like the Autumn/Winter seasons more than the heat...
I'm such a homebody that I love being in this old farmhouse, cooking & decorating!
(& I'm pertty sure you do too, so I know I'm in good company!)
love being comfy & cozy and spending time with my handwork...

have a great evening ~

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Good Sunday Morning!

this is what greets us every morning here at the farm...
(excluding the cacophany of chickens, of course...)

Pinocchio, Daisy & 'Mommy' Esther...


waiting {read: begging} to be fed...


"Mommy' Esther (on right) with her son, Bobby
{Baaaa-bee...get it?}


and who could this be?
how could we ever forget the most loyal,
loveable character here on the farm?
why little Buddy of course...
all 212lbs of him...
{such a tiny thing, no?}

every morn, a chorus erupts from the barnyard...
brightening our day with the sounds of our life here ~
Sunday mornings are especially choral,
as the animals know that Peter is here & will be feeding them today...
(I get the other 6 days)
Pinocchio is as spoiled as a pure-bred chihuahua in a pink mink tu-tu,
and literally waits for Pete to bring him an apple,
or persimmon, or perhaps the best treat in the world,
a little soft peppermint candy...
oh, life is good.
Hoping your Sunday is filled with sweet treats,
... & friends that love you!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori
p.s. look for another post later today
when I auction of a FANTASTIC Santa Doll on ebay!

Friday, November 12, 2010

As promised ~

Good Morning Friends~
here are the 2010 cross stitch designs as promised:
first is
"Nick"
worked one thread over two on 32ct Light Examplar (evenweave)
from Lakeside Linens
stitch count = 140w x 128h
finished size (over two threads) = 8 3/4"w x 7 1/2"h
(over one thread) = 4 3/8"w x 4"h
pattern = 10.00

next is ~
"Christmas Farm"
worked one thread over two on 28ct linen
stitch count = 180w x 178h
(0ver two) = 12 1/2"w x 12 1/4"h
(over one) = 6 3/4"w x 6 1/4"h
frame courtesy of East Side Mouldings
pattern = 10.00
and lastly, here is
"Christmas Band Sampler"
worked one thread over two on 28ct linen
stitch count = 109w x 192h
(over two) = 13 1/3"w x 7 1/2"h
(over one) = 3 7/8"w x 6 3/4"h
frame courtesy of East Side Mouldings
pattern = 10.00

if you'd like to place an order,
please email me at not4got@aol.com
I gladly combine shipping!!!
I'll also be listing these on my picturetrail & in my etsy shop....
will be shipping to my distributors first thing next week ~

ok, now I'm off to the attic of the shop,
where I have to climb the ladder & bring down Christmas stuff!
woohoo!!!
Felicia, Robin & Cindy are here, putting up with me and my antics...
(bless them)

talk soon!
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Not quite ready yet...

well...here I sit ~
waiting for some clothes, hair, beard & accessories.
Lori created me yesterday
while waiting for that printer-guy to show up...
(her hands are never idle!)

she told me to tell you that
her new cross stitch patterns
will be released Friday morning,
because today was spent taking Hannah to get her braces removed
(after 3 long years), and to get her hair cut...
(they cut a 15" long ponytail off of Hannah's head!!)
which will be donated to
Locks of Love
Lori said Hannah looks so grown up and mature,
I know I can't wait to see her...
um...well I'll have to get some eyes so I can see her....
anyhoo, Lori said that I will be a Santa Doll, dressed in a wool coat
(right now I'm in my britches, and freezing)
and I'll have raw sheeps wool hair & beard...
& I'll be carrying around a sack with some toys in it...she said that I'll be displayed sitting in an antique child's wicker chair...
Oh, and some little kid-doll will be sitting in my lap with his Christmas Wish list...
I'm sure she'll take pictures of me when I'm done so you all can see..
ok...I just told her to get back to sewing, cause I'm half nekked!
make sure you see her new designs in the morning!

Blessings from the Farm,
Santa

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

on Ebay this week:


...are you Naughty or Nice?

...the last one ~

...Hi Folks!
here's the last of my new designs for this year...
this is
"NICK"
a simple, but folky design~

Felicia has done a fantastic job on all my models and this one is no exception....
Unfortunately, my laser printer is down (again) and I can't print yet.
I'm waiting for the repair man to come as we speak...
actually, I don't want this printeranymore...it has been nothing but trouble for months..
keeps jamming, poor quality, you-name-it.
SOOooo..tomorrow's post will have all three new designs,
with the measurements and stitch count and such...
so watch for the release in the morning~
in the meantime, I'm painting, stitching, cleaning & cooking...
Hope you are all enjoying your day!!!
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Tuesday, November 09, 2010

the whole truth....

Howdy Folks!!!!

...you may have read Felicia's post,
and you may have read Robin's post....
BUT
here's what really happened:
a little stray kitty in line at the Simple Goods show...


one of the outside vendors....


some of the folks in line in front of us...

Ok folks,
I know you've been chomping at the bit to know,
so here's what REALLY happened at the Simple Goods show:

we had an absolute blast, but please know when three nuts gather together in one room,
after a 10 hour drive, in a car that talks to you (CONSTANTLY), driving through a freak snowstorm, getting bombarded by a humongous flock of blackbirds and almost running over an Amish buggy...
you tend to get a little,
um...punch-y.
we arrived at the hotel on friday eve ~ to find our friend Sherry, waiting patiently
(right Sherry?) for us...as our drive took longer than expected.
we got our room, went to dinner, then headed back to the room cause we were road-worn & nutty by 7:00...
Felicia decided to sleep,
I mean snore...
and Robin decided she needed coffee before bed.
so I layed in bed with Flea sawing ZZZZ's and everytime my eyes went shut,
Robin would start talking again...
now mind you, we needed to be up early, but Robin said she was getting up at 5:00 am~
okeedokee then, YOU go girl!
and she did.
by 5:15, she had started the gurgling/maniacal coffe pot, and was talking to it.
Felicia was now up and rarin' to go, having snored, i mean slept almost 12 hours ~
SOOOoooo
we headed out to breakfast & then got in line.
we froze our patooties off for a good 2 hours
as we waiting in line with the ever-growing throng of people...
we had a fire-pit, and hot spiced cider...we brought hand-warmers with us, but they didn't activate until after we were indoors, and in the throes of a hot-flash.
Robin headed east, Felicia headed North & I just kinda got lost in the middle somewhere~
aaahhhh...PRIMITIVE HEAVEN!!!
everyone's booths were (as usual) beautifully decorated...
we saw Jimmy, Stephanie, Tiffany, Angela & Bobbette, Jackie & Derek, Kathy & Jack and Rachel, too...
we hunted and gathered & horded
and said "excuse me!, I'm Sorry & Ooopps!"
more times than I could count...
we bumped elbow, purses and fannies,
and Sherry ran over toes and re-arranged booths while she zipped around on her super-charged
scooter...
let me tell ya folks~
Sherry is truly Hell on Wheels!

Robin & Sherry & I stayed at the show, and won door prizes (woohoo!)
and Flea went to town to an antiques show to buy more stuff
that we already couldn't fit into the now overloaded talking car...
we stayed at the show, circling the booths like already-fed-but gluttenous-sharks,
picking over the last remains of one terrific buying frenzy,
as the exhausted vendors simply humored us with,
"are you still here?"...
afterwards, John came to pick up Sherry~
we stuffed her goods and scooter into their van and wished them well on their journey home.
and after what seemed like a thousand trips up to our room, carrying our plunder,
we stood in front of what was our beds to find piles of stuff...no...mounds of stuff.
we ordered pizza, salad & cinnamon-dough-things...ate too much, got in our jammies and sat in our now cleared beds watching "Mayberry RFD" reruns while stitching....
Aaahhh...Life is Good!
The next morning we woke, showered,
dressed and left what was a perfect time with my friends in my book...
on our way home we stopped at more antiques shops and crammed more into the backseat of the car where Flea was....
so much fun!
Robin is a Professional Shopper, no doubt...
she could buy the pants off the Preacher if she wanted to...
Flea is a Professional Packer and can fit anything anywhere, anytime...
...and as for me?
I'm blessed to have such friends that I can laugh with, sleep with and create such wonderful memories.
and you can bet your woolen britches we'll be at the show in April....
~together again~

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Thursday, November 04, 2010

Putting Paint to Canvas ~

Good Evening Folks!
this will probably be my last post until after I get back home from Ohio~
so I thought I'd post tonight....
I've been painting, as I'm sure you've noticed~ and am really enjoying it...
I have so many ideas for more Folk Art!
this is
"Nantucket Christmas"
it's 11" x 14", and painted in acrylics...
it will be available, along with many more folk paintings, at our upcoming shows...
I know I tend to flit from medium to medium,
and I surely hope you don't get boggled or bored with me doing so~
but if I didn't change things often, I would get terribly burned out,
and we don't want that to happen, do we?
I will be releasing the three new
designs for cross stitch
next week when I get home...most likely on the 8th~
and I'd like to share that I think these are my best designs yet!
and thanks to my wonderful stitcher for bringing them to life for me in record time~

Well, I'm off to make supper, then start packing...
Felicia has been packed & ready for 2 days,
and Robin has no idea what she's in for!!

Remember, if you want to meet up with us to say HI,
meet us in the front of the show
(indoors) about 11:00 am...
we'll be the ones with all of the packages!!
neener neener neeeee-ner!!
Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

...tis (almost) the season ~

after devouring my recent "A Primitive Place" and "A Simple Life" magazines,
I am so ready to decorate for the upcoming Holiday/Winter season,...
I definitely will not be going overboard~
but instead keep it extremely primitive & simple.

a couple of real twig trees from our property will serve as a backdrop for more primitive decor such as dried orange-slices, cranberry & popcorn swags & simple ornies made from cloth.
I've started to get into the mood just a bit, as I know once I come home from the
Simple Goods show this weekend, I'll want to completely decorate!
below is a sweet little tobacco stick and barbed-wire tree that I got from
Barb & Giles (NC Cabin in the Woods) Pyatt
a couple of years ago ~
on it are simple crow ornaments from friends and a few ball & wire candle holders:


here's a little hooked mat I did the other day,
of some simple holly leaves & berries...
below is a line-up of some of the finished dolls
I'll be offering at our upcoming shows:

and here is another primitive painting of a Belsnickel,
that will be heading out to a new home soon~


the best part of the Holidays is the excitement we all feel as it approaches...
the hustle-bustle and hectic-ness all but fades away
on a cozy Christmas morn spent with family.

hot chocolate
fesh greens
cinnamon
snowflakes
wood smoke
old memories
dear friends
red woolens
heavy quilts
tattered dolls
candle-light
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Remember where your heart is,
and your holiday home will reflect it!!
I want to wish one of my bestest galpal's ~ Robin ~ a very Happy 50th Birthday today~
www.millstonemercantile.blogspot.com
go on over and wish her one too!!

{{Love you! ~ we'll see you this evening for Filet Mignon!!}}

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

on Ebay this week ~

Here's another extreme primitive folk art painting ~
from Notforgotten Farm

{{as always, starting bid is just $1.00 with no reserve!}}

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Make this day count.....

I will not bore nor infuriate you with my political views...
instead,
I'd just like to remind all that
we are blessed to live in the
United States of America
and have the freedom and right to
VOTE
so do it!


'nuff said...

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Monday, November 01, 2010

So Long for Now ~

well the last batch of this season's Tyme in a Bottle
is being packaged & shipped out today ~

If you ordered and haven't received yours yet,
it most likely will be in today's shipments...
((please remember that I ship out according to
when your order
was placed and payed for...))
thanks from the bottom of my little stained & primitive heart for the orders!!
til' next year, it is now officially
SOLD OUT!
~
the remainder of my day will be spent at the bank, PO &
then off to shop for some new sweaters, jeans & clogs!!
can't wait till the coming weekend, we're getting SO excited about the
SIMPLE GOODS SHOW and all of the other great places we'll visit while we're there!
(Robin is positive that we'll need to rent a U-haul truck back home)
hoping your day is filled with creativity & peace!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori