Primitive Dolls Update

Good morning all... 

I’m up before the birds this morning, after a dreadful night’s sleep. Too many things lately to keep me up at night.  Rain showers are starting our morning and for that I’m most thankful.  But for our gardens it’s too little and too late... I will be updating and adding several dolls to the website today.  I will send an email out to my subscribers prior to going live.  Did I tell you I’d rather be stitching than taking photos, writing descriptions, finding boxes and calculating postage? 😂 oh I’m sure I have!  

Have a nice weekend!  

#websiteupdatecomingsoon #handmadeinamerica #sassafrashillprimitives #primitivedolls #handmadecreations

A Folky Pear Pincushion is Yesterday's Creation

Happy Tuesday all.... Yesterday's creation is a printed vintage advertising pincushion, stitched from beautiful natural linen fabric.  I adore pincushions of every kind and have a vast collection.  I also enjoy creating them.   Not only are they fun to collect but they're also functional.  

This started off as a completely different project but evolved into it's current form.  A happy meandering day sometimes brings the best creations...   I listed the instant download pattern if you'd like to create your own.  I also listed the pattern model.  This would be a great gift for one of your stitchy friends!  

Have a happy meandering August day... 

Bitty Bats Pattern

Good Sunday all.... I managed to get out and do a Hobby Lobby shopping trip this past Thursday and gathered up all the orange paint I could find for my rather monstrous pumpkin pile. I got home and checked my emails and guess what?!?!?   Deerfield Fall Craft Show has also been canceled.  Crocodile tears happened, as well as a happy dance.   What a freaking bizarre year.  Matthew and I were intending to be there, and had it planned out to the last detail to keep us and our customers safe... A bit scared about it, but now that it's off the table we can relax.  The pressure is off.  I really think we are done with shows for the year.  :( 
I have been stitching and stuffing ferociously and will continue, because what else does one do?  I finished a pattern this morning.  Will do some writing as time permits and listing of some finished product. 
Mom is well.  Kitties are good.  Our gardens are going gangbusters.  We're eating some great food.  My kids are all well.  So many things to be thankful for. 

Bitty Bats Pattern in paper format, instant download, and finished product is up on the website. Tap the photo to go see :)   

  

Enjoy the remaining days of July.... 

Autumn Handmades

It's been the most productive spring season in sassafras land... However I can't say I'm sorry to see it pass.   This will be a year not soon forgotten!   

I have started summer off with a big bang by working on offerings for autumn.   This is an uncertain year and I haven't quite figured out what to work on.     One of our favorite fall shows, Walker Homestead, has been cancelled.   I am rather hopeful the rest will follow suit.   Knowing what we go through to participate in our shows, I can't think of any possible way that they would be safe, for ourselves, or for our dear customers!  

I will be writing some fall patterns this year, and I do feel blessed to be able to work on the new website.   It has given me new focus on my humble beginnings.   I've updated and added most of my early feedsack luminary and printable designs as instant downloads.   Many of my cloth designs are also instant downloads.   It's so much easier for me to handle them with mom's care mixed in with my daily duties....   I will also be accepting paper pattern orders and finished luminary bags, when time permits.   It's all still a work in progress, unfolding a bit more every day.  Handmade finished items and a few supplies will be also available.   I'm awaiting a box order.... no way I'll be groveling around the supermarket for empty boxes in the midst of a pandemic!!!   

so.... this is some of what I'm up to.

Next thing is waiting on a patch of dry and sunny weather to fill the clothesline for my annual painted pumpkins picture.   That will be too fun...  One of my favorite summer things.   I am ahead of schedule this year! 

 "Til then, be good, and be well.  ~ Denise

The Lazy Days of Summer

ummm... no lazies here! 

I've had extremely busy days and find myself wishing for more hours to complete everything.   I've spent some hours during the week on more behind the scenes stuff for the website. I'm not rushing it because I want to make sure I'm happy with it.  I'm taking my time and pondering each step.  My son is helping me with my label files... it seems my computer resized everything at some point.  I wasn't aware of it... I thought my eyesight was going.   Some of the old I will retire and some will be reworked.   And there are new designs.  All will be listed when ready and when time permits.

Much time has been spent in the gardens and they are fabulous this year.  I am going to allow myself the time to enjoy them.  

We are geeking out on the birds... hummers, orioles, bluebirds, finches, wrens, a huge woodpecker population, and more.  Because we're in a heatwave I've put out extra birdbaths for all.  Matthew is working on oriole feeders today.   I’m so thankful for all his hard work, every day.   

I worked on a new fabric pattern, the first in many years, and some punchneedle designs that I'm anxious to start punching.  And I am stuffing like crazy.  I've been staying up late every evening.... my kitties are always near.  

As always every day we spend our time with my mom.  Her knee is troublesome again but we're keeping her out of pain and well otherwise.  I'm thankful to have her home even on the hard days.  We will spend the coming months mostly at home so we can all stay safe and well.  Although I’m a homebody by nature and happy in my own little world, some days it gets to me...   today was hard, knowing we would have been at Walker Homestead having the time of our lives.   

‘Til next time, be well and have a happy summer!    

Deerfield Spring Sampler

What a wonderful show we had! 

 

It was a tremendous show for us again this year and I have so many people to thank.... I am extremely greatful for everyone who made it to the show and I do hope you all will cherish the things you purchased for many many years. 

 

It is always the best experience to create one of a kind items for our collectors, and we work hard to put on a first class showing for all of you.  This year's creations mean even more to me because I have done so many of them under the watchful eye of my mom..... It has made our nights so much more pleasant.   

 

And during the crunch time right before the show I find that is when the magic happens!  It is so nice when the marriage of unfinished objects turns into something really sweet, like my little bee girl...

 

or my other little bee girl.... she was fun!

 

 

the little yellow mohair chickies made everyone smile, and they flew the coop right away.

 

 

I've had this basket forever, and bunny was created for it.  He looks right at home.

 

a large bottle doll angel..  a newer item, and fun to make. 

 

I enjoy working with an assortment of materials.... keeps it interesting and fun.

 

One of my treasured baskets.... I do not usually part with my collection, but am comforted knowing it went home with a dear lady.

 

Some Spanish moss and greenery softened things up a bit...

 

 

a crowded table before the doors opened, but it was only that way for a few moments....

 

and so....

 

until we do it again......  hope that was fun for you! 

A very busy week already...

A busy week for us already.... we spent an entire day busting our butts working on tufa creations for next year's shows.  I like to make sure they overwinter and season nicely before offering them.  We will unmold them this weekend and see how they turned out.    We are currently making molds from last years dried gourds....  I try to pick up a few new skills every year to shake things up a bit.   So far they are coming along quite nicely.    Our cat Cookie probably swallowed a long piece of thick twine....that was my wakeup at 5:30 yesterday morning.  She woke me by jumping on me with six inches or so dangling from her mouth, then must have finished swallowing it as I chased her for the next hour.   Damn cat, it's supposed to be a toy.   They have played with it for almost two years...  She spent all day til 6 pm at the vet's yesterday with barium and xrays, etc.... they don't see anything yet.  She is on her way back as I type, for more fun.   Never a dull moment here, and not in a good way either!   There is so much good in every day, and we mostly have more blessings than sorrows, but stuff like that brings us back to reality.    The best excitement for the week will be choosing which goods to bring to the Coventry Farmer's Market on Sunday.  The theme for this market is Frugal Frolic, so I am planning on a mix of repurposed and salvaged goods.  It's supposed to be a beautiful day, and we are looking forward to a day spent in the country.   If you haven't been to this market, YOU NEED TO GO.... I am positive you will like what you see!      It's another rainy day here.... and we thought it was going to be a dry year.  so that means stitching and stuffing will be done...   Enjoy your day!    

The Best News Ever!

In so many ways, in spite of the heartbreak, we have had a wonderful week.    A few new opportunities for orders, from the best folks ever....  

 

And on the eve of our journey, I received news that we will be a part of the final season of the Coventry Regional Farmer's Market!    We have been invited to the July 5th Frugal Frolic, which led to seven more dates in September and October, so I can rock my Halloween! 

 

I will be driving with a big JackOLantern grin, the entire way down.... 

 

 

 

 

 

Keep us in your prayers for a safe journey please.   oxo

Denise & Matthew