for Marilyn.......

It's trimmed.....sorry it wasn't done when you were here the other night.

....now I need to deal with the Christmas cookies.

Barb

I found Mr. Whipstitch........

....and boy was he dusty. It's cleaning time here now that the sewing is done for a few weeks. I finally cleared my dining table which has been a work table 24/7 for the past 5 months and there he was. Hiding behind piles of wool and baskets of tool and boxes of patterns...it's good to see his face again. He's nice and clean now, however, I have been getting a few complaints from some of the other residents.
.

The little rag doll in the photo above seems to be having an asthma attack because the dust is so thick up there, the dogs look like they are turning grey. And then there is Jolly in the photo below who looks like he's got a frosting on his hat and shoes.....hold tight, kids. I'll be there with the vacuum soon.

The tree still isn't trimmed...the "Hookers" ( our little rug hooking group) are coming Tuesday night for our annual Christmas get together. Though I think I need another month to clean the way I want to , I only have another day to get it all done and bake a birthday cake. So, till I'm done...................
Barb

Candy Cane Santa

....my last special order and of course, I messed up the face so I'm starting from scratch. I'm not a very patient painter, I prefer to use a needle and thread. When I outlined the eyes last night I used a MicroPigma Pen and when I sealed the face it ran. I'll be happy when this is done and he's on his way. I'm itching to start making some new pincushion designs.

I guess I should get started on a new face, then maybe I can trim the tree which has been sitting in it's stand since the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.

Barb

To You and Yours

It's that Holly Jolly time again.....

I'm sitting here with a second cup of java waiting for some cotton batting to dry so I can finish my creation for the TEA Webshow November 24th. There are little bodies in the oven...I hope I don't burn them, I still have another show Thanksgiving weekend.

It's very cold here in the Northeast today, they say we may have some lake affect snow......the Christmas music is cranked up and I need to get back to the sewing machine.

So, til next time............

Home from Rhinebeck.........

We're back.....this post is a bit late but I came home to orders from The Primitive Gathering that needed to be made and shipped.

It was a beautiful and busy weekend. It was great to see old friends and make some new ones. Sarah posted great pictures on her blog...the Paisley Studio and on out other blog...Hallowed Hill Primitives. You can find the links at the right.

Speaking of old friends....a funny story from our first year at Rhinebeck, I sold a turkey similar to the one above to a very nice woman. When I got home a few days later there was a message on my answering machine from her......could I send a new set of wings for her turkey??? Seems her dog got ahold of it and chewed the original wings off. She stops by every year to add a new piece to her collection and this year asked if I had another turkey.I hadn't made any in a while but I told her I would make her one and ship it. While I had the pattern out I decided to make two, so I listed one for sale in my Etsy shop.

Well, it's on to Christmas.....one more show to go. Also, an update on The Primitive gathering on November 15th and our last webshow with The Eclectic Artisans on November 24th.

Barb

We're heading to Rhinebeck......

The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival is this weekend. We will be vendors there again for the 3rd year.Our booth is A29...same as before.

It is a great weekend for leaf peeping in the Hudson Valley and there is so much to do at the Fairgrounds it will take a full weekend to see it all. We hope you stop by to say Hello.


New York State Sheep and Wool Festival
October 18th and 19th
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Rhinebeck, New York
Saturday 9-6 Sunday 10-5



There is also an update on the Primitive Gathering October 15th....be sure to take a peak at all the new creations.

Barb and Sarah

Trouble in the mailbox.........

......the September/October issue of Victoria arrived today, just what I needed to get me off track. It's full of autumn....pumpkins...cranberry tartlets....apples....shops....quilts.......I had to put it down so I get something done today, like filling all the orders that came in over the weekend. I can't wait until tonight to pick it back up and savor every page.....the center spread sums my feelings....

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking successive autumns.
--George Eliot

Back to work....
Barb

Primitive Gathering Update.......

....new designs for Fall 2008 are available....take a look!!

http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/hallowedhills.htm

Enjoy,
Barb

A Goldilocks nightmare thought Brown Bear......

....as he continued to search for the perfect place to take up residence. He thought he would like the companionship of the wee bears that lived in the clock....so we went for a visit...."Barb, I might be able to wear that chair on my head but I don't think this is a good place for me." So, we had tea and a visit and will spend some other day looking at other options....the cradle? the top of the cabinet? We'll keep you informed of our travels.

Until we meet again.......
Barb and Brown Bear

Happy 4th of July !!

Can he come live with you??????????????

Several months ago this was the question my friend Kathy asked when I answered the phone. My reply.........excuse me???? I thought maybe she found some stray or maybe was trying to get rid of her husband. "He" is actually Brown Bear....a scruffy little mohair bear that belonged to her husbands uncle and is almost 100 years old. You see, Kathy and David are downsizing big time....the last of 3 children is off to college this fall and they are putting their house on the market. Kathy has been having some issues parting with some things.....well anyway, she thought he would fit right in here with all the other scruffy little things that reside with me and that he needed to go somewhere special.....

So, he finally arrived this week. Talk about sparse mohair.....I was hardpressed to find some on his little body, boy this guy was well loved. Both his ears look to have been restitched to his head at some point, maybe even a few times judging by the number of different threads. His right foot is missing most of the foot pad and excelsior...someone stuffed a piece of black and white silk in there and his pajamas and night cap are so faded and full of holes. His little nose is falling off, too.

He's been introduced to Mr. Whipstitch already and in the coming days will be escorted through town to meet the Thimblefolk and other forlorn toys and dolls. We'll keep you informed of exactly where he decides his permanent place of honor will be.

Until then.......

Happy Flag Day !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Stars and Stripes Forever Lyrics
by John Philip Sousa - 1897


Let martial note in triumph float
And liberty extend its mighty hand
A flag appears 'mid thunderous cheers,
The banner of the Western land.
The emblem of the brave and true
Its folds protect no tyrant crew;
The red and white and starry blue
Is freedom's shield and hope.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.


Hurrah for the flag of the free!
May it wave as our standard forever,
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with mighty endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.


Let eagle shriek from lofty peak
The never-ending watchword of our land;
Let summer breeze waft through the trees
The echo of the chorus grand.
Sing out for liberty and light,
Sing out for freedom and the right.
Sing out for Union and its might,
O patriotic sons.
Other nations may deem their flags the best
And cheer them with fervid elation,
But the flag of the North and South and West
Is the flag of flags, the flag of Freedom's nation.


Hurrah for the flag of the free.
May it wave as our standard forever
The gem of the land and the sea,
The banner of the right.
Let despots remember the day
When our fathers with might endeavor
Proclaimed as they marched to the fray,
That by their might and by their right
It waves forever.

Have a Great Memorial Day !!!

Enjoy the weekend everyone,the parades, the tributes and the picnics.

Barb

New for Mother's Day

My sister and I share a seller name Hallowed Hill Primitives.....we sell rug hooking patterns, wool and other supplies at shows and in our Ebay Store that we just opened. I also sell on The Primitive Gathering, a co-op website under the same name. We update on the 15th of each month with new items.........this month I have Mother's day items available. Stop by both places and our blog for a visit soon.

Barb

I'm dyeing for spring.....................

Well, actually for our upcoming rug show. We could use a little sun and some warmer temps, it has been the rainiest, dull and dreary winter I can remember and I've been around a few years .

We made a run up to Dorr last week for wool and I picked up a bolt of "Primitive Natural" to try. It's a bit heavier and coarser.....shrinks up a bit more.......but I love the way it takes color. I've been playing with some new recipes too. It certainly has helped to brighten up these dreary days.

Sarah and I will be vendors at the 48th Annual Hooked Rug Exhibit on Saturday, March 29th, 2008. It is presented by Fairfield Grace united Methodist Church in Connecticut. We'll have wool, patterns and other rug hooking supplies as well as needlepunch supplies. We hope you will stop by and see us if you are in the area.

Here is all the info...............

Fairfield Grace United Methodist Church

1089 Fairfield Woods Road Fairfield, Conn. 06825

203-374-6528

Saturday, March 29. 2008

Bag lunches, beverages and desserts

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

$5 Admission -- Door Prizes

We hope to see you then !!!

Barb

My fondness for pincushions..........

........goes back many years. I collect them, not the mint condition, pristine should be in a museum kind...........the much loved and well used are what I like. You know, the ones with character and history. The pincushions I use the most are wool, one was a pumpkin and the other an apple. They have since lost their leaves....but they are sturdy little workhorses....even held their shape after being thrown across the room in a fit of frustration when the sewing machine doesn't do what I want it to.(I prefer to stitch by hand with tiny needles) I colorize my pins and have been made fun of on numerous occasions for doing so.......there aren't many in the pincushion right now, they are holding little critters that are waiting to be sewn together.


So, imagine my joy while browsing through a local antique shop I found this old velvet tomato.............I pick it up and turned to my sister........."look, someone else colorized their pins". She rolled her eyes and continued to look at the antique books. I bought it and brought it home.....I have a kindred spirit somewhere in time, I thought. Not only did they colorize their pins, they arranged them by size..........


Yesterday the new Home Companion was in the mailbox. I brought it in and sat down with a cup of coffee and started to spend time doing something other than what I should have.............and lo and behold. I came across this ad and while it is a lovely ad and product, my excitement came from the pincushion..................another kindred spirit. It's nice to know you're not alone in the world

I guess I should get back to work so I can colorize my pins when I put them back in the pincushion.

Barb

The Eclectic Artisans Webshow

My sister Sarah and I belong to a select group of artists called The Eclectic Artisans.....we are Hallowed Hill Primitives together. Whendi Meagher of Whendi's Bears will be hosting a Webshow April 7th, 2008. Click on the banner above to see all the talented artist who will be participating and to find out the details as they become available.

We hope you will stop by to see the show!!!!

Barb

New Friends......I'm ready for spring....

It snowed today, the first time we have had real snow along the shore this year. As beautiful as it is, I have had enough of winter and long for pansies, ranunculas and tulips. I'm also ready to see the sun more than twice a week.......enough complaining I guess. Back to the sewing machine.

Barb

100th Posting Give-Away !!!!

Lorraine of PieCakePrimitives is celebrating her 100th post by having a Give-Away. Visit her blog to see the gift and to enter. You have until February 24th!!

Barb

Hippity,hoppity Easter's on it's way..........

Here's a glimpse of one of my offerings on The Primitive Gathering which will be updating on Friday the 15th. I share the seller name Hallowed Hill Primitives with my sister Sarah so that's how you will find me. Be sure to stop in early and take a look at all the wonderful new creations.

Now it's back to the dye pots..........there's a Hookin on Saturday. Click on Hallowed Hill Primitives for details.

Have a great day!!

Barb

Staying warm and busy................

I don't know where the time goes, here it is almost February. I was sure I would be good and post at least once a week and already a month has gone by.

I have been keeping the house warm with 2 dye pots going......steaming up the windows and giving myself a cheap facial.

I started selling my hand dyed wools on Ebay under seller name Hallowed Hill Primitives, a name I share with my sister Sarah who is an amazing hooker and sells her finished pieces as well as patterns. Take a peak at her blog....thepaisleystudio.......she posted her finished hooked laptop case. I also have listed a few pieces in my Etsy shop........

Sarah and I will be vendors at the Fairfield Rug show in March.......the info is on our blog ,

Hallowed Hill Primitives.......maybe we will see you there.

Back to the pots..............

Barb

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU !!

It's only taken me about 6 months to pay some attention here..........time for a new start for everything!

Let me introduce you to Mr. Whipstitch, the mayor of the Thimblefolk. ( Oh, how I wish there really were thimblefolk at my house to help me sew and stuff...) I designed and made him for my logo, he is about 12 inches tall and he sits on a giant tomato pincushion I made from vintage wool. I needle felted his face......not bad for my first time needlefelting??? He wears a pewter thimble shotglass on his head for a hat....he sits on my sewing table and keeps me on my toes.

I need to thank my sister for making my banner, I have yet to master the computer, especially graphics. We share a blog together.......hallowedhillprimitives.....and she has a blog.....paisleystudio.

Be back again soon,
Barb