Friday, January 31, 2014

New "Hookinpunch"© Gripper Frame from Notforgotten Farm

Howdeeee!!!

Hey! 
…the sun is out and it is actually above 10* today! 
{{YAY!}}

So, what have we been up to here in the workshop?


well, my BRILLIANT husband, 
(partner and cohort in all-things-fun)
...has done it again ~
burning the midnight oil to bring this to life:

the
"HookinPunch"© Frame 
...from Notforgotten Farm


ta da!!!!
 Peter built one for me a couple of years ago ~
and I get so many folks asking about it,
 that we decided to design one that could be used for both
Rug Hooking & Punch Needle…just like mine ~

gripper strips held on with industrial strength glue and strong staples


adjustable angle allows comfort for your hands and back ~ this is a 45 degree angle


view from the back ~ beautiful piano hinges on the sides

30 degree angle shown above ~ folds up and fits in your tote bag nicely!!


45 degree angle from the other side ~


inside dimensions are 8 1/2" x 9 1/2" (opening)
outside dimensions ~ 11 1/2" x 12 1/2"
height ~ 9"

this view shows the mechanical fastener that is used at all joints ~


this shows the 'spreader stick' that is used to hold the frame in the fully-open position, if you so choose...


top view

... and here is how it works:
like the gripper frames that are in use now, 
...this one holds the weavers cloth for your punch needle drum tight ~
the opening is a perfect size for punch needle projects, both large & small, 
(multiple smaller projects can be punched at the same time while on the same fabric on the frame)



showing the frame open fully with spreader stick inserted ~

... but here is where it gets a little different:
I like to use my frame in this position, below ~
at the 45 degree angle…




at this angle, I can use it comfortably in my lap and/or on a table…

I'm showing you how I wrap my threads onto our wooden thread winder for punching...


punching on the table ~

Our frames are hand crafted using the Poplar Trees from our woods
and milled right here at Notforgotten Farm ~


punching in my lap…
see how the "V" shape of the sides fit comfortably in my lap?
and still allows plenty of room for my hand underneath ~



here I'm showing how much room is underneath the frame
while it is in the fully open position with spreader stick in place.

...and here is how I hook on it:

in my lap, fully open position ~

big rug or small mat...
 perfect for rug linen, burlap or monks cloth ~
gripper strips holds it nice & tight.


~ in my lap, 45 degree angle position.

on the table ~ 45 degree angle position ~
... and yes, that is my "inspection" face!
{notice my humongous teacup with multiple teabags hanging from it? ha!}

hooking in my lap, with frame at the 45 degree angle…
when I need to turn my work, I simply flip the sides and frame around 180 degrees.
(my thanks to Dear Hubby for all of the measurements, angles, and technical terms…)

This frame is super-lightweight, yet very strong!
the design is perfect for how I work, and I think you'll be well-pleased with it.

busy busy...

These will be available for shipping in approx. 3 weeks
but we are taking pre-orders now.

you can order yours:
 for $120.00 + 16.95 shipping


When you purchase a frame
you will also receive a FREE carrying tote with your order.

to purchase please email us at Not4got@aol.com or call the shop
 at 434-263-6508

Check, Paypal & MC/Visa happily accepted :)

*These will also be available in our ETSY Shop*
soon!



White tote with our logo in black ink.

We would love to hear your thoughts on this!



* Blessed be * 
Lori

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

I've been thinking....


Well, that's something new!!

actually, it's not something new that I'ver been thinkin' about...
but it is new to me ~

I have been seriously thinking about offering my patterns in PDF format.

...there...I said it.
and I know some of you out there 
are sitting in front of your screens with your mouths open.
((you can close them now)).

WHY have I been entertaining this idea?

because the USPS has really gotten ridiculous with their shipping charges.
that's why.

I am embarrassed to charge my customers 1.96 for one pattern.
I do not like it one bit.
I cannot help charging the 1.96, for the size of the envelope they fit in...
but I do always offer combined shipping to help defray 
the exorbitant charges....
and I just cannot afford to offer free shipping on all of my items.

Yes, 
I have a very low overhead ~ 
printing out my own patterns, printing out shipping labels
and saving on gasoline by shipping twice weekly helps.
(I know I can also have the USPS pick up my packages at no extra cost to me
 and dagnabbit I may just start doing that too!)

I don't get it.
the cost of shipping goes up & up.
but the service remains the very same.
Lost packages. Missing packages. Late packages. Damaged packages.
*sigh.....*

I receive daily emails from folks wondering where their packages are ~
and I can track them too, 
but alot of the time the tracking on the USPS website 
isn't up to the minute, so that's really not very much help at all.

So, 
before someone out there that:
currently is working for the USPS,
at one time worked for the USPS,
 has family or friends that work for the USPS, 
or has any connection with the USPS ~

please know
I am not bashing the USPS.

I need it & use it on a daily basis for my business.
I'm just not happy with the USPS at the moment.

So let me know your thoughts about the PDF thing...
you know, instant, downloadable files of my patterns 
...that you can save time & money on.

If I decide to do this,
 it will be a huge undertaking on my part
because I will have to change the file format 
that all of my patterns are currently saved in....

...but that's ok ~ 
it might be worth it.

Please respect my right to voice my opinions about the USPS and I'll respect yours.
~ no throwing tomatoes please....
and if you can't be nice,
then at the least
...be quiet.
:)



* Blessed be *
 Lori

Monday, January 27, 2014

Quiet Monday ~

Hello!
...hoping everyone reading this has thawed out a bit?

we have been keeping our wood stoves piping-hot these past few days ~
Peter's been cutting & chopping wood,
{{I have been sweeping up the wood chips near said wood stoves.}}

aside from that,
the weekend was busy ~
although Saturday we had a some-what weird day in the shop:
seems as though the woodstove in there 
wanted to belch out woodsmoke 
...and fill up the shop while we were trying to work ~
I do apologize Ladies...*cough cough*

Sunday, Charlie came for his supper ...
he is looking frail to me again, somewhat more disheveled than usual and a bit more shaky.
I'll have to check with his nurses to make sure his sugar-levels are correct. 
{{remember that he is 83 and just a few months-ago 
was hospitalized with pneumonia, congestive heart failure & renal failure}}

Charlie enjoys jigsaw puzzles,
so while I'm cooking supper for us, he sits at the dining room table, drinks his sweet-tea
 and pieces them together ~
the one we're working on is a buster ~ 1000 pieces...but Charlie loves it.

So today I have a quiet day ~
I'll finally finish a couple of things that I've been working on...
like the bathroom curtains ~ 
...using the beautiful fabric below:


faded brick red with cream colored chain stitching

 { then I'll do a little more of that sweeping I mentioned... }




I'll wet my brushes and work on that little Robin-girl sketch too...


pretty watercolors

...then I'll pick up my needle and enjoy some quiet handwork
with a cat on my lap ~ 


antique quilt on my rack

 I think I may even go outside, visit our garden 
and ask permission (from said bush) to cut a few branches from our Forsythia bush 
and kindly force some flowers ~
...the ones below are faux,
but still they brighten my day :)


my old bicycle basket....really!

 more of the "faux-sythia" (good one! lol!!)
 in my big old ironstone pitcher below...


our little keeping room ~

 and then I will get back to the bathroom redux ~
Peter is working on the final painting of the window...
it needs to be reglazed and re-roped.

we've added some new (old, but new to us) things to the room too...

here is a peek at the curtain rods we've put up ~
they are beautiful,
a bit ornate but still simple to me and I cannot wait to hang the new curtains from them!!


one half of the pair ~ they swing open to let the sunshine in ~ LOVE the rust & paint...


here is a tease of an old wall-mounted oil-lamp holder below
that we picked up junking in Appomattox:
it will hold a candle or perhaps an ivy ~ not sure yet ;)


I'm mixing ornate with primitive for this old farmhouse of ours...and I'm loving it!

 below is an old hanging oak medicine cabinet
 that I bought at the Simple Goods show a couple of years ago...

...it had a new mirror in it,
 so Peter replaced it for me with old wavy-glass 
that we recycled from some windows 
...that we replaced here in the farmhouse ~

I've filled it up with bottles that we've dug from the grounds here at the farm, old shaving brushes, vintage tin containers and a few bars of Kirkman Borax Soap ~


the original stenciling reads: "Dr. Daniels WARRANTED MEDICINES"


 the photo below shows one of the comb boxes I collect ~
...this one was also found at the Appomattox Gallery 
and came with a small hand mirror and old tintype photograph of a handsome woman...


love the patina on the tin

So there you have it
(for now)
More snaps to come of the bath, painting and curtains!!



Hoping your day is a peaceful & productive one ~

* Blessed be * 
Lori

Friday, January 24, 2014

Closed Today!

Good Morning from 
"Frosty Bottom Farm!"
 LOL ;)

Wanted to pop in here early to say 
....that due to the extreme cold temps,
 the farm shop will be

C L O S E D
today (friday)

but 
O P E N 
tomorrow (saturday)

here are a few snaps I took outside in my pj's early this morning ~
Brrrrr!


icicle on the bittersweet vine



jack frost on my window




so pretty


sunshine but COLD!


forcing a few white hyacinth bulbs ~


...in my kitchen window.

I've added a (partial) Events & Classes list 
to my sidebar so you can keep track of what I'll be doing this year ~
this list will be added to/amended in time :)

I'll be keeping cozy by the wood stove today,
working on those curtains for the bathroom redux ~
{{can't WAIT to share the finished room with you all}}

Keep warm & please remember your outside friends in this extreme weather:
provide seeds and/or breadcrumbs for the birds & squirrels
make sure they have unfrozen water
throw some old towels or hay down for snuggling
OR ~ better yet, bring them all in the house!!!


* Blessed be * 
Lori

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

It All Begins ~

Mostly all of my work ~
needlework,
... or folk art

begins with a sketch...

I keep many (many) sketchbooks ~ 
in the farmhouse
in the shop
in the car
in my purse.

so that when inspiration strikes
or when my muse visits...
I am always ready.



the visions in my mind are very clear as to what needs to be applied to paper ~
and I can usually sketch out exactly what I see behind my closed eyes.
some of my sketches are quick and rudimentary...
others very detailed and sharp.

some sketches never make it out of the sketchbook,
others become alive with the help of paint, paper, needle or thread.




A couple years back
I designed a line of notecards based on my sketches.
..they sold very well and were even collected by some ~

I've decided to indeed get back to making more notecards,
as well as limited edition prints of my drawings, paintings & sketches...




I've opened an account at
where I will be uploading my artwork/photographs 
to create & offer different licensed products like:
notecards
postcards
coffee mugs
tote bags
...etc.




...this little Robin bird-girl
that I'm in the process of sketching
will be painted with watercolors and penned with ink ~

I'll be uploading her into the Zazzle shop soon
and she will be the first of many offerings there.

I'm thinking of painting her dress 
with inspiration from the fabric you see...
what do you all think?







my humble beginnings 
came from being a child with pencil & paper in hand ~

I can remember drawing at a very early age...
a new pad of paper, 
some new #2 pencils 
and a good box of crayons were enough to settle my little soul 
and busy my small hands back then...

~ and continue to do so to the present day.





although I work primarily with needlework and designing,
~ my heart will forever be found in my sketchbooks.

I hope my love for this shows in all of my work...




Keeping warm today by the wood stove ~
frigid temps and snow/ice today although sunny & bright!

*LSHC members:
kits have been mailed!!!
if you haven't received yours by the end of this week, please do let me know.


* Blessed be *
 Lori