Monday, October 31, 2011

Merry Samhain! Happy Hallowe'en!




~ Samhain ~
(pronounced SOW-in, SAH-vin, or SAM-hayne)
... is the third and final Harvest.
The dark winter half of the year commences on this Sabbat.
It is generally celebrated on October 31st,
~ but some traditions prefer November 1st.
It is one of the two "spirit-nights" each year, the other being Beltane.

Originally the "Feast of the Dead" was celebrated
in Celtic countries by leaving food offerings on altars
and doorsteps for the "wandering dead".

To Witches, Samhain is one of the four High Holidays, or Greater Sabbats.
Because it is the most important holiday of the year,
it is sometimes called 'THE' Great Sabbat.
Pagans consider Samhain the most magical night of the year.
...It occurs exactly opposite of Beltane on the Wheel of the Year.

It is a night of glowing jack-o-lanterns, tricks or treats,
and dressing in costume.
A night for telling chilling ghost stories by the fire.
And a time for seances, tarot card readings and scrying with mirrors.

It is upon this night,
that the veil which seperates our world from the Otherworld is at its thinnest,
...making it a Night of Power.

As Witches, we observe this day as a religious festival.
We consider it a memorial day for dead friends and family.
It is still a night to practice various forms of divinitory arts such as scrying and rune casting.
{{ One could never hope for a better Tarot reading than on this night!}}
Samhain is considered a time to wrap up old projects,
take a good look at one's stock in life,
and consider new projects and endeavors for the coming year.

Bonfire, hearth fire, candle -
gaze into the flame and revisit our ancient heritage.
Draw friends close and leave an offering for the whispering ghosts.
Samhain is here.
Let the Samhain BONFIRE burn high & bright!!

Symbols of Samhain:
Gourds, Apples, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, Besoms(Brooms).
Herbs of Samhain:
Mugwort, Allspice, Broom, Catnip, Deadly Nightshade, Mandrake, Oak leaves, Sage and Straw. Foods of Samhain:
Turnips, Apples, Gourds, Nuts, Mulled Wines, Beef, Pork, Poultry.
Incense of Samhain:
Heliotrope, Mint, Nutmeg.
Colors of Samhain:
Black, Orange, White, Silver, Gold.
Stones of Samhain:
All Black Stones, preferably jet or obsidian.

Remember your loved ones passed.
Count your Blessings.

Make positive Changes.
Celebrate the Gift of Life.
Have fun...EVERYDAY!



...blessings from the farm,

Lori

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Sleepy Sunday ~

We arrived home after midnight last night, from Hannah's final band competition ~
they placed SECOND in their division!!! WOOHOO!!! congrats to Hannah & Skyler for their hard work (Skyler is in Drum Line) we are SO proud of you both & LOVE YOU!!!


so today, we slept in ~ until about 9:30!!!
most of you know I'm a very early riser, between 5:30 & 6 everyday...
...but today was different.
even Mr. Iggy is still tired!
>^..^<


Below is a preview of what I'll be offering on Tuesday November 1st's
Early Work Mercantile
~ along with a few other items...

~AND~
below is a sneak of a new little Christmas sampler in the works, almost finished
that will be a pattern ~


I'm hoping to release this pattern and the needlepunch patterns early this coming week so you can get a head start on your Merry Making & crafting ~

it is a chilly day today here on the farm...

we woke to frost on the pumpkins ~ a beautiful sight ~ but by the time I grabbed my camera, the warm sun had melted the sparkling frost...oh well, just for my eyes I reckon.

I know that the Northeast has gotten alot of snow for this time of year,
so please be careful out there...stay warm & cozy!!!


oh, & some of you had emailed regarding not being able to 'see' my blog ~
I had to remove that wonderful Hallowe'en background so now it is 'naked' again except for the sweet header...hoping you can all see my blog now?

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Sing a Song of Sixpence...

a pocketful of rye,
four and twenty blackbirds.....


well, I won't be baking any pies today ~
...but here's what was happening out my back window!

a ginormous, crackling, squawking & chortling
mob of blackbirds (starlings) gathered on my cluster of ancient black walnut trees....



I guess they are preparing for the weather-to-come?
they always gather this time of year. but never have I seen such a large bunch before...
drove my poor cats absolutely over the cuckoos nest!



we have "falling weather" here yesterday afternoon, last nighnt & today, a mix of rain & sleet...
the shop will be open only until 2pm today, so if you're venturing out
~ Please Be Careful ~
we also have to drive to Powhatan for Hannah's last band competiton in this mess...
it won't be cancelled unless it is truly undriveable, they will hold it indoors if possible...

(I'll bring my earplugs if that's the case!)
so wish us all luck!

Wishing you all a beautiful day, no matter the weather!


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Friday, October 28, 2011

T.G.I.F

Happy Friday Friends & Folk!
oh it has been a busy week...
...I've been finishing up frame orders,
working on new Xmas/Winter needlepunch designs,
stitching some wool applique's that may-or-may-not become patterns...



readying the woodstoves for the predicted SNOW tomorrow!
{{yes, I said a four-letter-word....}}
the little woolen mittens remind me of things to come :)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

here is a preview of one of the new designs:
yes, it is a donkey!!
Hmmm,....I wonder who the inspiration for this design is?

and here is an almost finished wool applique':


I'm thinking of adding some stitching to the background,
but not sure exactly what yet,..any suggestions?

I have to thank ALL of you who are 'playing' in my giveaway game...WOW!
I had no idea there were so many bear & pincushion-lovers out there!
well...maybe I did, but I'm honored that so many of you have left such sweet comments~
AND
Verizon & AOL are giving me fits lately...
IF you have emailed me in the last couple of days and I haven't replied,
it may be because I haven't received your email...so PLEASE resend it!

Tonight is Hannah's last football game of 2011 as Drum Major...
it is also Senior Night, where all of the seniors & their parents are recognized by the school~
then tomorrow is the Nelson County Marching Governors last Band Competition
in Powhatan VA...
please keep your fingers crossed for Hannah that she will bring her band to the
Best in their Class awards!!!

Go GOVS GO!!!!!


Hoping you all have a beautiful day~


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

A Giveaway ~

I'd rather sit alone on a pumpkin
and have it all to myself
than be crowded on a velvet cushion....
~ Henry David Thoreau


In the Spirit of Generosity & Friendship ~

this little bear setting on his pumpkin
will be offered as a Giveaway!


he is made from German mohair, stuffed with cotton batting...
his pompion (pumpkin) is made from beautiful hand dyed wool ( it is stuffed with clean sawdust)
and I've stuck in little white headed pins for you too...

measures approx. 5" tall and 5" across ~
...one of a kind and original.


would you like him to come to live with you?
then all you have to do is leave me a comment here on this post...
I will draw a name on Wednesday, November 2nd and announce the winner ~

Best of Luck to those who play along!


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Holly & Mistletoe...Already???

I know, i know...believe me, I KNOW!!!!
I realize it's not yet Hallowe'en...
but being a designer & folk artist, I have to be ahead of things...
I am in the throes of Holiday Merry Making here in my little studio!!!!
plus, all of the magazines out are Holiday themed, and well,
I guess I just have lots of Christmas Spirit this year, so I'm running with it!

Usually around the last week of October,
I get a hankering to create with mohair.

I love to offer a few one of a kind bears for the Holiday Season!!!
the red bear below is one that is in a private collection ~

her mohair was hand dyed (by me) in a 'cinnamon red-hot' color that I love to use!


Yesterday,
I gathered some mohair fabric and got out my dye pots ~
I want to make a couple "green-ish" colored bears
reminiscent of Holly and Mistletoe leaves...
in the snap below, you can see the light colored mohair I began with,...
a gold color on a brown backing:

I used Cushing's Khaki Drab acid dye
and got this result ~


one piece of mohair has a longer pile than the other,
...so that's why it came out lighter than the other ~
the pic above was taken outdoors in natural light,
the one below was taken indoors.



in the snap above, you can really see the mottling effect it has...
just perfect for a primsical Yuletide character!!

I will have a few bears & friends for my Christmas Open House on Nov. 26th,
my picturetrail update on Nov. 27th,
and for the O'l Time Christmas Show on Dec. 2nd & 3rd
(see "SHOWS" link at the top of this blog.)


How many of you have worked with mohair?
I was scared to death to work with it at first, being that it's SO expensive...
but, when you really want quality materials for your folk art,
NO OTHER fabric will do...
I have been bitten by the Wool Bug & the Mohair Bug!


I'll post pics of my work in progress soon ~
hoping you all have a wonderfully creative end-of-October day!!!


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Monday, October 24, 2011

an October Mornings' Walk ~

...thought I'd share a couple of snaps from this morning's walk ~

Gentle Friend


Pumpkin Patch

Sweet Companions



Quilts on the Clothesline


tea-stained Stitchings
drying in the Sunshine



Pumpkins on the Porch


Faithful Friend


Waiting to Warm our Home...

I hope you enjoyed the walk with me~
have a beautiful October Day...


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Early Morning Farmhouse ~

I love when our humble little farmhouse is still sleepy in the early morning hours...


the sun slowly brightens and awakens us ~
shining on my cherished posessions.

warming us with its' rays and comfort...


creating memories in each ray...


Hoping your weekend is a lovely one!


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Stuff ~

Mark your calendars AND
...come on out to Notforgotten Farm
for a little old fashioned Christmas shopping fun!


I have been working like crazy this past week,
painting, making dolls and bears, samplers
& other simple things for a truly primitive Christmas!

I'll have my homemade peppermint soaps, "dirty snowballs" & Winter Folk for sale too ~
I'll be baking scratch cookies and serving hot cocoa for you as you browse the Good Stuff!

Hope to see you then!


AND
ALL HALLOWEEN & HARVEST Items in the Shop ONLY
have been reduced 20%

(((this does NOT include web sales & purchases)))
come on by the shop Friday or Saturday 10:00 - 3:00
for some great savings on purchases for your Hallowe'en/Harvest decorating!!
{I'm making room for Christmas/Winter goodes}

and One More Thing~
I'm putting together my class schedule for Winter 2011-2012
if you would like to learn to hook primitive rugs, do needlepunch, paint a folk art picture,

stitch a schoolgirl sampler or make a pennyrug...then come on down!
I'll be listing the schedule on here asap
and Miss Stacy Nash will be BACK here next October for another wonderful class!
(dates to be determined soon)


Have a *SPARKLING* Autumn day, my Friends!!!

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Wednesday Musings & Inspiration ~

Good Morning Friends & Folk!


it is a loverly, drab & autumnal day here at the farm...
it is grey & drizzly ~ the leaves are so pretty set against the cloudy sky.

i was up early, about 6:00 and it was still dark out.
the farmhouse was still & quiet and I sat drinking my morning tea, looking through old magazines & books for inspiration and came across this:

don't you love this graphic?
it is an advertisement for the E. Ross Novelty Rug Machine & Patterns, the company was based in Toledo, OH and the advertisement was printed in the Lippincott's Monthly Magazine in 1887


I also chose some wools and here is my palette
that I'll be hooking and making penny rugs with ~



nice and muted, yet winter/holiday themed, no?
can't wait to get started with them!

~and~
of course,
I had to bring out my all-time-favorite magazines for the upcoming season...
Country Home magazine was and still is my absolute turn-to time and again for decorating & inspiration, no matter what time of year it is, but especially love LOVE my Autumn & Winter issues thee best!



and I've been updating my picturetrail website, and would love to have your banner to add to it.

If you have a picturetrail website and would like me to add yours to mine,
please email me your banner and i will do just that!

...if you'd like to exchange banners, just let me know & I'll send you mine too!

well I am off to run errands, bank, PO & AC Moore...
and I think I'll take a drive by that building in Lynchburg that I mentioned in yesterday's post ~
also
I want to let those of you who ordered while I was away,
that your goodes are being shipped in the order they were received.
Special Orders are being processed and will ship by the end of this week....


Have a beautiful, creative day my Friends!!

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Home!

Howdy Folks!!!
I am HOME...here in VA ~ :)
I had a wonderful week spent with family, especially with my Mom.
We didn't do anything too exciting, but that's exactly what we wanted to do...
spend time with one another.




I did visit the
Newtown Country Mill
a beautiful country/primitive shop located in Newtown, CT ~


it is owned by my sweet friend Linda, who had faith in me to suggest that I teach rug hooking at her shop...here are some snaps of my visit...



the pic below is of Linda & my sister Louisea at Linda's shop counter...





just look at all the goodies in this beautiful shop...
I'll take one of everything please!



colonial, primitive New England....

love the colors ...mustard, black & brick


Linda carries a wonderful selection for your decorating,
and also a great sampling of homespun fabrics...



you may remember Linda's shop, her home & her daughter's home in a recent issue of
A Primitive Place magazine...



if you're in the neighborhood, stop in & see Linda...you'll be thrilled that you did!!
tell her I sent you!



or visit her on the web at
http://www.countrymillprimitives.com/



In Other News...
while away, I worked on the new punch needle patterns for Christmas/Winter 2012...


look for their release (hopefully) October 26th.
I also will have a couple of items available on http://www.earlyworkmercantile.com/ on November 1st,
for our Early Cabin Christmas offerings ~
AND
I have HUGE news....
Peter & I are looking in to purchasing a shop in downtown Historic Lynchburg, VA!!!!
I will be moving my primitives/needlework shop there and will hold classes there as well...
we will offer RETREATS for rug hooking & needlework in the farm shop here, and continue to hold our annual Gathering of Primitive Friends show each September...
it is SO exciting, knowing that I will have a shop in the 'city', where folks can come to visit, shop, learn & purchase primitives & needlework supplies...a lot more 'foot' traffic ~ woohoo!
the building we're looking at is brick, has three floors ~ a shop with two apartments
(which Hannah & Skyler already say they're moving into)


I haven't seen the inside yet, but know that it is brick...I LOVE brick walls!!!


so, more news on that will come....

Well, I have tons of emails to catch up on,
so I'll leave you for now...


it's good to be Home again!!!



blessings from the farm,



Lori

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

A Picture is worth a Thousand Words...

Hello Friends & Folk!


I'm here is Connecticut ~
the drive up (approx. 8 hrs) was wonderful...
as I was driving It was a beautiful October day, blue skies & warm afternoons...
the drive brought me through VA, West VA, Maryland, Pennsy., Nj, Ny & finally CT...
each state has it's own rate of change for Autumn colors and the further North I headed, the more color of course...

I have my camera with me, and have snapped lots of pics, but my Mom's computer is an 'oldie' and doesn't have a card reader, so I can't download pics till I get home ~
BUT
here is what I'm experiencing on my daily journies and walks :

~stately OLD saltboxes lined up neatly on oak & elm tree lined streets ~
~winding rock walls that meander through fields of golden grasses~
~wild geese honking overhead~
~crisp white church steeples pointing to the heavens against azure-blue skies~
~trees on fire with the blush of Mother Nature ~

~the tang of woodsmoke hovering in the air~
~crunching leaves underfoot as I walk through the town green~
~pumpkins, cornstalks & decorations of every medium on porches to greet the Harvest~
~ clear ponds sprinkled with gemstoned hued fallen leaves ~
~ apple stands ~
~ saltwater breezes with a touch of summer still lingering ~

and so much more...
...my family & I are enjoy each other's companies ~
it's so strange to be 'home', but so comforting too...
I feel welcomed & loved, safe in my Mom's warm home.


I'll chime in again soon ~
:)


blessings from the farm,
(well, from CT right now!!)
Lori

Saturday, October 08, 2011

Antique Show Goodies....

Good Morning!

I didn't get alot of stuff from the show yesterday,
but oh boy was it a GREAT show!!!!

row after row of thee best quilts, textiles, samplers...

redware, baskets, old bears ~
and of course, children's clothing & toys
(my personal fav)


SO,
when I spotted these tiny wool mittens,
I knew I had to have both pair ~


they are just so sweet and will grace my mantle come the Winter Months...

I also picked up this little doll quilt:



my favorite colors, blue pink & brown calico & homespuns
all handstitched and worn to bits...

faded, soft and tattered is my preferrence for textiles like this!

Well Friends,
today will be spent getting ready for my trip to CT tomorrow...
I have errands to run and packing to do,
so please remember that my shop is closed today
& will NOT be open again until October 21st & 22nd ~

I will have my computer with me while I'm away,
so I can post the goings-on of my trip for you ~

Ill see you again in a day or so!


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Friday, October 07, 2011

About THAT frame....

Oh My....
have you all seen Stacy's new
Colonial Christmas Sampler & Pinkeep?

it is a beautiful, simple and elegant holiday design...

and

I'm thrilled that she has presented her model for her sampler
in one of my hand-comb-painted frames....


I've received several emails regarding 'that frame' !!!
I will have them made up for your enjoyment,

but not until my return from CT, the week of October 16th ~


IF you would like to pre-order yours, please email me at
not4got@aol.com
the frames are 5" x 7" (opening)
and no two are alike, although yours will be similar
in color and execution to the one shown,
to compliment Stacy's palette choice....
they are $22.00 each + $4.95 priority shipping shipping


Thank You sweet Stacy,
~ for bringing my little frame to life with your wonderful handwork!!
and Thank You Friends for your interest in my frames!!
~~~~~


blessings from the farm,

Lori

Mum's the Word ~

Good Morning Folks!

Miss Felicia & I are heading out for the
Fishersville Antiques Expo ~


hoping to find all kinds of needful things :)

but first,
here are some snaps of our black walnut trees
and our GINORMOUS mum plant (bush!)


I love the nuts while they're still on the trees,
but
hate to pick them up ~
something about rusty buckets, cornstalks and pumpkins
make my heart sing ~

and here is the mother of all mum's...

I affectionately call her 'mummy'...
yes, I talk to my plants ~
i talk to my gardens, the trees, and anyone else who will listen!

perhaps that's why she grows so big every year?

I'll post tomorrow with the goods from the show ~
Have a *SPARKLING* Autumn day my Friends!!


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Thursday, October 06, 2011

Thursday Musings ~

Hello Friends & Folk ~
a beautiful, sunny & mild Thursday here on the farm...
the clothes are washed & hung to dry,
the sheep and donkeys, chickens, duck & guinea hens are all fed
...and now I have a moment to visit with you...


I first wanted to show you this:


this little sewing pocket pattern
will be in the Winter issue of
Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine

and here is the cover of that issue...

any of you interested in subscribing you can do that on their website,
and if you subscribe now for one year, they are offering one free pattern,
if you subscribe for 2 years, they are offering TWO free patterns!!
{please tell them I sent ya!}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

and here is a little hooked mat that I finished....


small & simple, it will be available at our
Christmas Open House
here in the shop on November 26th...
along with many other handmades for the winter/holiday season ~


Have you seen my new link list on my sidebar to your left?
(under my favorite blogs)
I have so many that I would like to share with you all....so if you get a moment,
please visit those fine folks ~ you'll be happy you did!


Well, I am off to start on my winter needlepunch designs,
I have three drawn up and now they need to be transferred to cloth for punching....
I hope to bring them to CT with me and finish them while I'm there ~
And, speaking of CT,
I will NOT be taking the train,
instead I will drive myself...
(((that way I can stop in PA to do a little shopping & antiquing!!!)))


Hoping you all have a wonderful day,
...create something, go for a woodland walk
or visit an old friend...
do something just for YOU!

blessings from the farm,

Lori