Monday Morning Not-So-Blue Market Place

Good morning! I've had a busy weekend, with a busy week ahead, but I want to take a couple minutes to feature the great work of one of our OFG Team gals!

OakLeafHollow loves to paint & her work is wonderful! She even paints on softballs! Here's a few examples of her work. Hope you'll visit her shop & find that perfect something for your home!

 http://www.etsy.com/listing/55032403/handpainted-softball-bowlfiller

  http://www.etsy.com/listing/55030171/handpainted-softball-bowlfiller

WEEKEND WONDERS - Helpful Hints

Would you like sparkly clean glassware?

Do you ever have an old bottle you'd like to clean? 

How about some stubborn, cloudy accumulation? 

To clean glass, soak in a solution of warm water mixed with 1/4 of clear ammonia. Rinse well & dry carefully. (It is a good idea to place a towel in the bottom of the sink first when washing delicate crystal or any valuable glassware.) Some old glass bottles can become clouded or discolored and can be treated by soaking in a mixture of one part ammonia to four parts warm water. Another method is to mix sand with denatured alcohol and swirl it around in the container until it looks clear. White vinegar and water may be used to soak off sediment that may have adhered to the inside of a glass container. Fill the container with this mixture and leave to soak for a few days.

My Baby

I haven't yet introduced my blogging friends to my "baby" Precious. She's a pomeranian poof ball, and all queen & all baby at the same time! Here she is with her "security" bear. She grip bites/licks on his snout. She's done this ever since she was a puppy and is 6 years old now. We say it's her way to de-stress her life, but it's only a guess. She has brought such joy to my life. Love my baby!

New Ornies Now For Sale!

OK ... I have finished making six of each of these, tied on homespun for hanging, and they are ready for a prim tree, peg, cupboard door, doll or just about anything.
I'm selling these in sets of two, you get to pick if you want one of each design, or two of the same, in each of the listings. 
Do you want a different mix of two? Simply convo me on Etsy or contact me here and I can make a listing custom just for you! :)

First, great for a fall theme, 
the pumpkin & cat tags:

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54363178/set-of-2-primitive-fall-pumpkin-and

Now some good ones for any time of year!

Sheep & Home

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54363448/set-of-2-primitive-sheep-and-home-wood

Crow & Star

http://www.etsy.com/listing/54327710/set-of-2-primitive-crow-and-stars-wood

WEEKEND WONDERS - Helpful Hints

 I can't think of a better way to relax on a summer evening than on a porch, lounging on a wicker chaise! Maybe you have one that's in need of a little help. Here's how to revive it.

First, hose off your item outdoors to remove loose dust. If needed for grime removal, use a small brush or toothbrush dipped in dishwashing liquid & water. Be sure to remove all dirt, loose paint, mildew, etc. Rinse & dry.  For best results, dry in the sun as you will not be able to towel/wipe dry in the weaving.

Using a sharp pair of scissors cut back any loose or frayed pieces of wicker that may have come undone. If any legs or arms are getting loose, be sure to tighten the strands and secure. If the wraps are fraying near the bottom of the legs, simply repair them using a plastic tie strap. Be sure to put the connecter on the back side of the leg. Due to the size of the tie strap they fit in perfectly and not be noticeable once painted.

Now you can varnish your item in a matte to gloss finish or spray paint with a thin coat of good quality paint. Repeat a second thin coat if needed. Varnish may also be applied over paint if desired.

For sagging woven cane seats, completely soak the caning with HOT water & leave to tighten & dry in the sun.

Dying Unfinished Wood

Lightly sand the bare wood item and carefully dust off. Apply a solution of liquid "RIT" dye with a sponge in a circular motion. Let dry completely. The color will be lighter when dry, so repeat the application of dye to obtain a richer color. You may wish to seal the finish with a coat of varnish.

Wood Tag Ornies!

I've been busy painting these wood tags. Posting them on Etsy real soon!

My Crafting World - Part 1

Blogging about my work areas couldn't have come at a better time. I just really cleaned my space where I sew a few days ago and haven't started on a new project since. So, it looks really good compared to normal! :)  I have to keep after it regularly anyway since I do operate a store out of it, so people walk in and see the mess, so I try to not let it get out of hand. I took a bunch of photos, but I guess I couldn't hold still 'cuz so many are blurred, so I'm going to make two installments in my pictures of where I work.

This is where I paint. It's in my new enclosed front porch in the house. A little messy, but could be worse!

This is the computer center where I meet the world on the web! This is also in my new office, former front porch.

Here's my embroidery machine, and also my needlepunch machine with its back to the camera, and my serger. I'm trying to decide what to embroider on those black & white placemats. This photo, and all those following, are from inside my shop where I sew & work in a portion, then have a store with things for sale in the rest.

Wardrobe (for sale) with doors closed, then voila . . .

Open!

This old wardrobe (from around 1900) is such a blessing for storage that I'm really not anxious for it to sell. I have no idea what I will do with all my old quilts & other things in there if it goes.

This is a little blurry, but not as bad as others I took. This is my cutting out table, my thread holders (which doesn't hold all my threads), and another sewing machine. The white kitchen cupboard base under the thread is full of supplies. The big black cupboard is packed full of fabric, which I'll show pictures of the next time. That cupboard is not for sale. The folding screen is hiding more stuff, too! Next installment! :)

Under that work table you'll find this:

I hate this because I cannot get my feet under the work table, but I need somewhere for all these containers with goodies I simply cannot go without! :) You can't even see all the containers from these two shots. You know, the biggest problem I have is remembering where I've put everything! Guess I need to make a cheat sheet! :)

My Porch Office

Here's another one of my hubby's creations. I'm still not happy with my decorating of this cupboard, but it will have to do for now, until I can find the "RIGHT" something else! Just used what I already had around. I've really gone to decorating in the primitive country cottage look in my house rather than the darker colors. This is hanging in my freshly enclosed front porch which is now my office. I'm struggling to decorate it to suit me perfectly, so as I get it done, I'll post photos of the different sections. (It's long and narrow and I'm using lots of cupboards for storage --- it's grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!)

P.S. Hubby won't let me put nails in the cupboard to hang the sign. :( So, I'm improvising the best I can. :)

For those of you who don't really know about us, my hubby makes items like this for a living, selling to stores nationwide. (We will sell directly to you, so if you are interested, please let me know.) Several of his items have been and still are in almost every issue of "The Country House" mail order catalog for the last 10 years.

BRAGGING ON MY HUBBY

My hubby made this for me a couple years ago when I was VERY sick & bedridden. Decided to "brag" on his work and show it off here. It's made of sycamore & coated in tongue oil rather than varnish. I love the low sheen of that finish, though it requires reapplication from time-to-time.

If only I could actually "REMEMBER" in which drawer to find what I want! I've only managed to memorize where to find postage stamps & mail stickers and the doggie brushes without hunting! Oh well ... maybe in another 2 years I'll figure out a couple more item locations without going on a treasure hunt!!!!!

More ACOFG Shining Stars!

This black sheep is F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! MotherlodeToad strikes again!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/33202883/mice-mouse-lamb-sheep-pumpkin-fall

From the Rocky Mountains we have this fun crow tied on to a pumpkin! Keep up the good work, KittredgeMercantile!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/27965065/handmade-cloth-pumpkin-harvest-thyme

Gobble, gobble, gobble! What a great gobbler for a table centerpiece this fall! Love this, Rabbithollowprims!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52827220/primitive-small-turkey

Fall Ornies!!!

I just added a set of two ornaments for sale on Etsy. Pick your combo --- one of each, or two crows, or two scarecrows!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53611805/set-of-2-you-pick-from-crow-and

Great Item, Great Price!

Don't miss out on your chance to purchase this wonderful shelf my hubby made at a great price, free shipping, too!!!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/44078567/sale-price-primitive-five-drawer-pegged

OFG Shines for the Fall

More super fall items from the gals at OFG!

This sunflower penny wool rug table mat is gorgeous! Nice job, HappyValleyPrimitive!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52839443/sunflower-penny-rug-or-table-mat-acofg

AppleTreeCottage does some wonderful tole painting! This is just one example.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53080444/prim-olde-crow-vintage-bromwell-sifter

Now this guy really should do the job of scaring away those old crows! What do you think? :) Lov'n it, CaveCreekStudio!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52856599/handmade-primitive-folk-art-scarecrow

Monday Marketplace - OFG Style

Some more great fall decorating items from the gals at OFG in their Autumn Celebration!

WVluckygirl made this fun pillow that would be perfect on a bench!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52748243/primitive-stitchery-long-bench-pumpkin

Love these primitive acorn bowl fillers from primgal62.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52891902/fall-gathering-prim-acorns

How about a pumpkin shelf sitter from tinsandtreasures?

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52828788/pumpkin-wooden-shelf-sitter-primitive

I have listed these star ornaments for the fall. More coming soon.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53411757/hand-painted-primitive-pumpkin-star

http://www.etsy.com/listing/53415556/hand-painted-primitive-sunflower-star

SCARING IT UP with OFG!

Here's just three SUPER SCARECROWS from the gals at OFG featured in their Autumn Celebration.

CatsDesigns is another very talented tole painter! This guy would make a great sign by the front door!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52820976/handpainted-scarecrow-harvest-thyme-sign

What a fun scarecrow in a clay pot from YorkiesPrimitives!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52792289/fall-thyme-scarecrow-flower-pot

Shelf sitters are great items to put here and there, just about anywhere! This adorable set from primitivehodgepodge is no exception.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52765597/scarecrow-wood-blocks

TUESDAY & TERRIFIC

Here's some more great stuff from the OFG Team for the fall!

Primgal's superb quality painting makes this piece a "must have" for the entire fall seasonl! This can would look great by your entry for decoration and then filled with goodies for the kids coming for treats and then for guests for Thanksgiving.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52804608/primitive-fall-paint-bucket-acofg

Motherlode Toad has done it again!!! This industrious mouse promises to bring you smiles and leave no mess in your house.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52447301/mouse-pumpkin-wheelbarrow-fall-mice

Miss Candy Corn from KeepsakeKorner has a great painted face! She would surely brighten your home this fall given the chance.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/31652733/primitive-harvest-miss-candy-corn-doll

OFG Team Opens "AUTUMN CELEBRATION"

There are quite a few of us gals on the OFG Team that have committed to keeping several items stocked in our stores for the next couple weeks for fall decorating. Be sure to check out all the great goodies we have to offer! I'll be showing you my items and a few from the other gals over the next few days. So, keep coming back & enjoy!

I like how my black kitty ornie looks peeking out from this cute little basket full of real dried florals. Would fit just about anywhere, too, since it's a small basket!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52854704/autumn-fall-small-basket-with-cat-and

Awww, look at this "Keeper of the Patch" from HarvestMoonPrims! Just loving it!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52856426/scarecrow-petekeeper-of-the-patch?ref=v1_other_1

Hahahahaha! This guy, "Tofu Turkey" is wonderful! I love whimsy, and this guy fits that to a T! Great job, Rabbithollowprims!

http://www.etsy.com/listing/52827382/primitive-tofu-turkey?ref=v1_other_1

Last, but certainly not least, item feature for today, is this practical item for the fall. It's a Primitive Wool Appliqued Camera IPod Cellphone Sleeve Case (just try to say that three times fast!).

Nice work there, TeresasPrimTreasures!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/52832691/primitive-wool-appliqued-camera-ipod?ref=v1_other_1