BUSY WEEK

Well I was busy, busy last week trying to get product finished for the summer market. I am going to be gone for a few days and the spring shows start when I get back! I think I am ready to go. I really want to be finished with the market merchandise because I would really like to get some quilting done. :)

A couple of years ago I started making these tote bags and people seem to really like them. They are fun to make so I have been making lots of them. I needed to add a few more to my stack of them so I finished these last week. 

I wanted something summery so I made this one with daisy. :)

Another big seller during the summer are my mug rugs/candle mats. Up here in the north country everyone wants moose and bears so I make lots of moose and bear things. 

What I like about making these little mug rugs is all the different fabrics I get to use from my stash. I like to match the colors and pictures of the fabrics.

So I am glad I have most of my stuff finished. It gets really hectic during the summer and the last two years I have spent most of my time in the sewing room trying to keep up with product so this year I was determined to have plenty of stock for the markets. Now.....let's hope it all sells or I will have to have a garage sale!!  So...what have you been working on lately?

Have a great week!  :)

FALL BUSY BUSY

So why is it that we always say how busy the summer is and maybe when fall gets here it will slow down??? So has it slowed down for you any????  NOT ME!!! I could say well when fall is over then it will slow down, but that won't happen either since it will be time for Christmas!!

I have been busy sewing for the local Christmas shows. Trying to get lots of my tote bags done as those seem to do the best. I have three designs right now, but I am working on getting a couple more patterns. This is one of the bags.

 

Hubby is working on his cutting boards also. We had such a great summer season with these that he is behind schedule on them.

 

 

 

Have you had time to visit the Old Farmhouse Gathering Fall Celebration yet? There are so many wonderful decorating items and gifts to choose from! You can see it all right here so come on over to see what is going on. :)

 

Here are a few items that you will see over there. Cute Halloween huh!  Well need to get back to sewing. I still need to show you guys how to make wild cranberry jelly don't I....well I will do that next time ok? Have a wonderful day!

 

 

                                           

Halloween Witch's Shoe ... barbsheartstro... $29	Halloween Jack Floral Center... PaintspotsnSpl... $18.95
Primitive Ghost with Tombsto... TheFrenziedFox $20	Halloween Boo Pillow by Happ... happyvalleypri... $24.95
Halloween Jack o Lantern Gou... HollyRidgeCrea... $24.95	Witchy Moon Cross stitched p... harvestmoonpri... $21.95
Witch Boot Lsca66 $18.99	Little Pumpkin Man FFCOFG WillowHollowCr... $22
Two Small Bowl Filler Pillow... HandmadeByBett... $9.99	Halloween Decor Spooky Word... PunkinSeedProd... $36
Halloween Jewelry Silver Cha... Warmth $19	The Witch is In AndersonGenera... $29.99
Living Art Picture for Fall ... TwistedKnicker... $30	Cat in the Purple Hat, hallo... loisling $12.5
Primitive Halloween Witch Bl... WickedlyCreati... $30	Jack-O Jack-O Lantern Doll, ... YorkiesPrimiti... $21.95

Sponsored by send bulk email from excel.

SUMMER MARKET STARTING

It is that time of year again. Can't believe it has been a year already! My local summer market season is starting this Saturday and the good old weather man says it is suppose to be sunny and 60 degrees which is unheard of for the opening day of the market. Normally it is cold and rainy and we are all sitting in our areas with coats, hats and gloves on. I sure hope he is right!

I will only have one market a week this year as the one in the nearby town is not happening this year. Last year the city said they were going to remodel the park that we used and we couldn't have the park this year and of course are they going to do that now.......NO! Too bad because that park was right by the river where all the salmon run so in July we had lots of tourist coming to fish and stopped by to see us. I did fairly well there. :(

I have a few new items I am taking this year. I need to come up with new stuff as the locals always stop by and if you have the same things they just walk by you as they already know what you have.



These bags did really well at the Christmas shows and I sold the few I had last summer so I thought I would make several different colors and see how they do.  



I did a few springs shows that weren't very good, but these really sold pretty good so I am hoping they will do good this summer.



Going to try some mug rugs also. I don't have the Alaska one's made yet, but that is my mission for next week. The tourist don't show up really good until the middle of June so I should have time. :)

My husband worked all winter to get his supply of cutting boards done as last year for the year (which includes the Christmas shows) he sold 178 cutting boards so he said he didn't want to spend all summer making boards like he did last summer. :)


My hubby does three different designs of boards. We call these "mutts" as there are several different woods in them. :)

 

 

So hopefully the season will be good. Will have a hard time topping last year as that was amazingly successful, but we will see.

 

 

Also wanted to remind you to visit the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team Summer Celebration that is going on right now. Just click here to join us. :)

 

 

 

 



Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend! :)

 

SPRINGTIME BAG

Well another day of snow up here in the north country. We have about 5 inches of new snow now. At least we can be grateful that we don't have as much as last year. Last year we had over 110 inches of snow!!

While looking at all the snow around here all the time I get real anxious for spring to come. Now we don't have the really nice springtime's that most of you all do, but at least the snow and ice are gone. I decided to make a pink tote bag with pretty pastel pink colors in celebration of Valentine's Day and springtime.

First I had to cut 44 4x4" squares





Then I had to line up 22 squares for each side

 

 

After sewing the two sides and cutting a pink lining to match the sides I attached fusible fleece to them, added handles and then walla........a bag!

 

I really like making these patchwork bags. I have finished lots of different one's. Think I will put them in my shop and do some more for the summer markets around here. Last year they sold really well. I could really use a new one myself for a new sewing bag.....hmmmmm.....which color should I make??

 

Also want to remind all of you that the EZCraftShow online is starting tomorrow!! So come join us for games, and chit chat and wonderful items to check out. It will go live tomorrow right here


Thanks for stopping. Got a new recipe for you on the left under Recipe Exchange. Sounds good...might have to try it.

Take care. :)

BACK FROM VISITING

I am back from spending some time with my daughter and her family, hence why I missed last week’s posting. I had a wonderful time seeing the grandkids playing football and basketball, going to the Halloween parade, walking all around an amusement park and the finale….trick or treating with them. I always enjoy spending time with them even if the air flight down is absolutely horrible!

So, what has everyone been up to? Did everyone have a fun Halloween? Well we are on to Thanksgiving now and then the Christmas rush. I have been busy getting everything tagged and finished for the local Christmas shows. They start this weekend. I have shows the next 3 weekends so November will be pretty busy. I made lots of new tote bags so I am hoping they do well. This is one of them.

 

I did have time recently to read an article about “kitchen shorties” that I thought I would share with you.

·         When you are making Rice Krispie squares, run your hands under cold water before pressing the mixture into the pan. The marshmallow won’t stick to your fingers.

·         To reduce the odor of cabbage, broccoli or cauliflower as it cooks, add a slice of lemon to the water

·         To wash odors like onion or garlic off your hands, scrub them with salt.

·         When making mashed potatoes, preheat the milk and butter so the potatoes stay hot.

·         When mixing bread or pastry dough, use a glass bowl. The dough won’t stick to the bowl making for easier clean up.

·         Keep a large shaker containing salt and pepper mixed at 6 parts salt to 1 part pepper.

·         Instant potatoes are good thickeners for stew.

I especially like the one about using salt to wash onion odors off your hand. Who would have thought this?

Speaking of cooking…for a lot of us it is starting to get colder and with that comes thoughts of cooking and baking all those wonderful holiday treats. One of the favorite treats is gingerbread men so I thought I would share this treasury with you. It includes wonderful items made from the OFG team on Etsy. There are so many talented people on this team I always enjoy sharing their creations. And be sure to check out the gingerbread granola recipe on the Recipe Exchange.

Primitive Gingerbread M... PrimitiveHart $12.99	Lil Gingerbread Man Chr... mycountrycotta... $5.95
Holiday GINGERBREAD MEN... BeyondTheAttic... $12.95	Salt Dough Gingerbread ... cookiedoughcre... $24.95
Gingerbread Sign, Round... ToleTreasures $14.95	Sweet Gingerbread Wood ... cherylweaver $9.00
Primitive Gingerbread M... CaneRiverCraft... $18.00	Gingerbread HandPainted... PublishedArtis... $12.00
Christmas Gingerbread M... NeedlesnPinsSt... $15.00	Christmas Ornament Cros... Stitchcrafts $16.00
Primitive Gingerbread M... primitivelymad... $10.99	Gingerbread pin Pippisdesigns $7.00
Gingerbread Kitchen Tow... SnowNoseCrafts $5.00	Gingerbread onTwig Star... Warmth $5.00
Christmas gift tags co... lizziebusyhand... $3.00	Gingerbread Primitive M... Primgal $13.95

Treasury tool supported by the dog house

 

So are all of you ready for Thanksgiving? What special plans and traditions do you have for the holiday?