Monday, December 14, 2009

Vintage Christmas


I just plain have a love of vintage things for Christmas decorating and had more fun making some displays in my home rather than decorating the tree this year. Guess it comes from my missing my retail store this time of year. I used to go "all out" for it and enjoyed it tremendously. Oh well, here's a little piece of my passion!
For those of you looking for HINTS on how to make a vignette in your home, please look at my photo as you read my talking points.

1. Use varying heights of items and objects to make the surface height vary. This adds a lot of interest. Everything sitting on one level surface is much less appealing, and if everything you use is the same size, it will appear flat and dull. Don't line things up like a shelf of items in Walmart for sale. They line up that way to max out their shelf space. Place items in an interesting way, you aren't trying to sell volumes of items.
2. Use items you have around for making some of your varying surface height levels. Here I used a boxed drawer my hubby made that holds CDs. You can even use cardboard boxes. Are you thinking ew??? Next step! :)
3. Use cloth pieces or scraps, afghans, quilts, dishtowels, pillow cases, whatever you have that goes with your display items to cover those cardboard boxes or non-matching items. (Homespuns are great with primitives any time of year.) Just cover them over. You don't have to buy anything special, especially if you are a crafter. You probably have something around you can use! I used this sheer fabric with gold stars because the color of the boxed drawer fit perfectly in the display and it was fine to let it show through. I could have turned the box around for the back and not see the knob since the back is painted, but I kinda liked the interest the knob adds. Actually, I could have used this wood box without covering it, but I love that fabric and I have been using it in all kinds of ways every year for about 7 years now. I have used it as a garland in a small tree, draping non-chalantly over a mirror, and more.
4. What pleases your eye? Experiment. Keep moving things around until you get the right look that pleases you. I often change placement and/or items in a display until it just clicks. Don't be afraid to keep trying!
5. Don't put your coverings on things evenly or smoothly. Use them on an angle, lumped up, make it look like it was just thrown there (you can even throw it on and see what happens). You'll be surprised how much difference that can make in your display. (I know there are people out there that can't stand that, but most of us find it attractive.) Again, keep moving it around until it looks just right.
6. Most of all, do what pleases your eye. It doesn't matter what others think. If you like it, go for it!
7. Having trouble with some items? Contact me with photos of your pieces you want to use, the space you want to put it in, and I can try to help you out.

Friday, October 30, 2009


This is my soon-to-be granddaughter, Trisha. My daughter & son-in-law are adopting her. It will be official with the judge in November. Trisha is counting the days down on her calendar. We are so excited to have her as part of our family!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

GOOD MORNING!
It's a chilly cloudy morning here in Ohio, but the trees are still gorgeous! I thought I'd put in a favorite yet simple recipe of mine that I love this time of year using those yummy apples in such abundance!

Apple Cake
CAKE
2 eggs                 4 c. diced apples                  
2 c. sugar            2 tsp. cinnamon                    
2 c. flour             1 tsp. vanilla 
1/2 c. oil             1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. nuts (optional)                   
Mix together all ingredients & bake in a 9" x 13" pan at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

FROSTING
2 c. powdered sugar       3 Tbl. butter
8 oz. cream cheese        1/2 tsp. vanilla
pinch of salt
Soften the cream cheese. Blend together all ingredients. Spread on cooled cake.



Saturday, October 24, 2009

Friday, October 23, 2009

OFG - Old Farmhouse Gatherings

Good Friday Morning! Today I'd like to introduce you to an Etsy Team! I am happy to be a part of this great group of gals! We are best described as:

A talented, professional group of artisans who create everything from Primitive to Shabby Chic, with an old fashioned flair! Please type-- ofg team-- into the search bar on Etsy --titles & tags,descriptions-- to see all their wonderful work. You won't be disappointed!


Autumn Splendor



We've had some gorgeous days here this week and I'm so enthralled by the colors that it makes me feel good all over. Excitement builds within me this time of year like no other. It's hard to contain the wonderful, warm feelings sometimes. So, here's a little bit of Ohio's beauty up close for all of my new blog friends to enjoy!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Getting to Know Us

Here on our 28 acre farm in Ohio, we have lots of buildings and creativity going on!


This is my 24' x 26' building where I spend many hours designing & creating primitive & cottage goodies of all kinds to sell. I use about half of the building for that, and the other half is set up with our items, antiques, and some other primitive items for sale to the public.

Tim, my hubby, has been making small furniture for a living for 10 years now. His most famous customer would be "The Country House" mail order catalog, with several items in their current Christmas issue. Also, he has a plate rack in "Irvin's Country Tinware" catalog now. They keep him busy! He occupies a building large enough for two semi-trucks to park inside.


Then there's the barn! My dream is to sell out of here one day, but that's not going to be any time soon. At least it's no longer occupied by beef cattle & hay and surrounded by fencing, so there's hope for some day! :)

More to come soon! Thanks for stopping in!