Autumn Creations and Pattern Writing

It was another hot August day here in Connecticut.  

I finished two more masks this morning because who knows how long we'll be needing them.  It sounds like forever.   And I don't even go anywhere, but we wouldn't want to run out, would we?! I have a huge stack made for family and friends... Because don't we all want gorgeous civil war reproduction prints?  Haha!  I really want something cool and fun, but I'm not fabric shopping anytime soon.  

Then I finished up a pattern I had started writing back many moons ago, one of my first autumn pumpkin guys ... before the shows got real and I stopped!  I didn't like the photos I took... too sunny.  I tried a few more times throughout the day.  Go figure... the first photo was the one I went with.  The pattern is available in both mailed paper copy and instant download.  The finished product is spoken for.  I promise I will keep trying to add finished!  

I've been stitching and painting and sanding like crazy.  I do everything in huge batches, so finishing doesn't come quickly.  I usually fly by the seat of my pants until the September shows and wrap it up right before, but I'm trying to mend my ways for this year.   Maybe it will be the start of something new.    

Pumpkin Roulette Anyone

My yearly tradition is a pumpkin parade on the clothesline!  I'm not sure I trust this clothesline.  It's a bit ragged, but we'll see what happens.  Just keep adding one more, and another, and maybe another? Can I reach the treeline?   Ha... It's no fun picking them off the lawn and garden.  And it wouldn't be the first time!   I have a mountain of unfinished work to paint over the next days.... Hopefully the weather will hold up for it.  

I'm extremely thankful we emerged from yesterday's storm mostly unscathed.  Over 700,000 power outages in Connecticut.  Scary stuff for sure.  My monstrous trees were flipping around in the wind for hours like floppy little ragdolls.  So many trees are down all over town.  I think my prayers were answered.    I lost my beloved trumpet vine I grow for the hummers, but really it's been a chore keeping it tame over the past years, so maybe it's a blessing!

A few beautiful hot days and I'm extremely motivated to keep the painting going and get some finished creations listed on the website.  Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list on the website to be in the know.  And be sure to confirm when you get the email, or you will not receive my emails.  Happy August!   

Olde Pumpkin Jack Pattern

Always one of my favorite things to create.... prim olde pumpkinhead dolls of all sorts.    I've finally had a moment to get this prim guy posted in pattern form and will be listing the pattern model this week.  

Enjoy your Sunday and Happy August.  

Mercantile Print Pumpkins Pattern

Good Thursday morning all.  

I promised to get this tutorial written this week, and it's just now listed on my website...  It's available as an instant download only.  

So... I came home yesterday after an awfully busy and really kinda dreadful day,  to a surprise package left at my door.  I was glad it wasn't seeds from China!  Ha....  

 A dear sweet soul purchased the most beautiful blown glass hummingbird feeder for my little friends.   I wept big elephant tears for quite awhile.... I'm not used to getting treated well.  I am so smitten with my gift.  My job this after lunch with mom is to find a special place for it!!!  I'm really excited and so grateful.  Thank you my friend!!!  

Heading off to my mom's for her last visiting nurse visit... Yay.  We're keeping her well.  And then hopefully our family can settle into a quieter peaceful August.   

 Stay safe and well all... 

Kitchen Garden Gourds Pattern

Happy Wednesday All !

Just a quick good morning before I start this too busy day!!! The website is working out quite well.  I've added another of my fall show favorites as an instant download and as a paper pattern.  The finished gourds will be listed later in small groupings for your autumn displays.  

A busy busy week here, but no complaints as we head into the dog days of summer.  Hope you're well and enjoying summer :-) 

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.... 

Time to Make The Pumpkins

Happy Fourth of July Weekend all!   May your weekend be amazing!   A quiet weekend here, just how we like it... 

I've been up to my neck in pumpkin making.  I have listed a few on my website,, mostly for practice with the shipping details.  Just a peek!  

Local delivery is available also.  Not sure what will happen with our shows...

off for a meetup this morning, then more making :-)   Happy weekend!  

Etsy Hafair Team Treasuries

 

We have been incredibly honored to be part of the Hafair Team on Etsy.   Members create an assortment of wonderful handmades in a variety of media, and the treasuries are a celebration of team offerings.   I am hopeful that I can get back on track with being a good team member....

 

This past year has been incredibly hard with my momma to care for, and when I get in despair over it, I get stuck and shut down.... Online activities are the first to go. I stop posting on facebook, and don't list new offerings.  

 

But I want to shout out to the ladies who have promoted me and stuck with me regardless of my slacking.   You are quietly and lovingly cherished! 

 

These are some of the treasuries my work has been included in over the past few days!  Thank you everyone!

Please check them out if you have a moment... I think you will be pleased! 

 

 

 

Additionally we have been asked to join the FAAP  Folk Art and Primitives Team.... another great honor. 

Grand Olde Summertime Gardening

I am overloaded with orders and am spending most of the day chained to the sewing machine.  It's going to be another scorcher here, so it's a good thing I can stay inside!   Matt is next door staining my momma's house.    I end up most days with socks and a sweatshirt, but at least it's good for breathing easy.  The pumpkin pile is huge and growing by the day, and I will get them aged and painted on a day when it's nicer outside!  I have some more special orders to finish for Hidden Treasures, so if there's anything you want me to bring for you, drop me a line. 

 

The dry weather hasn't hurt our blueberry crop at all!   I have picked large colander fulls several times and have to pick again later today!   The raspberry bushes are also loaded.  We have had pancakes and muffins, but most of them are in the freezer. 

Matt planted a huge bed of swiss chard for me.  It's totally picking time.... Yay- I think tomorrow I will start the weekend with a yummy bacon/chard quiche.

The catnip bed and beyond.... sweet annie is in the back and limping along. 

Squash and cucumbers are a bit slower, but at least we're not having to fight the powdery mildew like we do with too much rain.  Matt brought in the first of the zucchinis and summer squash, and two overgrown pickling cukes he missed.... I hope we will have another year with "zucchini of the day".  I love getting lost in Pinterest finding new ways to make it!

 

I'm trying to decide on whether we want to go pickin for treasures this weekend, or work work work.  We love what we do, so both sound fine... Definitely an hour for Mountainview will be welcome.

 

Have the best weekend with what you have, where you are  >"<   Denise and Matt

 

 

 

Mattoon Festival Primitive Booth Photos

What a busy time of year this is!   I have had to keep myself off the computer this week, except for orders.  Too much to do before Deerfield, this weekend.  Mostly everything is finished, finally, and the van is jampacked.  We're setting up this evening and I am going to relax for most of the day.   Mattoon Street Festival was last weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and we had a great time.  The weather was absolutely gorgeous.  It was a very unique show, I think one of my new favorites.   I look forward to doing it again next year.  As promised I snapped a few photos.  I kept this setup very basic as we had to break down and remove all merchandise Saturday evening.  I think that was my least favorite part!   Check out the brick sidewalk...    

 

 

A nice day for a craft show... some photos

What a gorgeous day for a show!   Thank you Barbra!!!!  for all your work putting this show together.    I appreciate everything you do and this is one of the reasons I come back every year!  
Thanks so much to all my awesome customers and friends who stopped by to see me again this year, I really appreciate your friendship and your purchases!



I woke up very late and a bit cross, scrambling to get ready.... And I remembered to bring everything except my bag of stuff to work on.  Thankfully I did not need it. 

My husband helped setup before work, thankfully.  I did not have the fortune of his company to break down and the van is a hellish mess!   I am afraid to open the back door!

A little smaller setup than I do for the big shows.... It was very sunny, and hence these are not the best of photos, but a glimpse anyway...  The sun did feel good as it was in the 70s and breezy. 

If you see anything you MUST have, email me early this week as I have to repack the remains.  Most will be gone after my upcoming shows.

Came home with a really bad headache.   Hope to rest a bit today before I unload...

Don't forget my little pumpkin man on ebay....  He has more watchers than ever, and hiss auction will be over tomorrow. 
Pumpkin Feedsack Dolly

Have a fine week!

Prim Olde Pumpkin Head Dolly

wooooooooooooooo, what a busy summer.  I've been offline as much as possible, and enjoying every minute of it.  Garden has been awesome, with tomatoes and peppers coming in full throttle at the moment.  We are canning lots of salsa and tomatoes for sauce...  

This summer went by tremendously fast!   Hard to believe autumn is on our doorstep.

Currently on Ebay....

I love creating these prim feedsack dolls. 

 I've been so busy preparing for my upcoming shows, and am really excited about my offerings this year.... I really overdid it but I truly think I would be happy working on autumn and halloween items all year long. 

I have listed a few auutmn offerings on my website. This prim little dolly can be found on ebay...

Sunday I will be at the Somers Day of Arts and Crafts on Rt 190 in Somers CT, which is a nice little show.  First show of the season and I will have a bit of everything.  It's supposed to be a gorgeous day, as it always seems to be.    I am thankful that Hurricane Earl will give us just a bit of rain on Friday..... Seeing this in our forecast was a bit worrisome.   

A Somers Day Craft Fair

A tiny peek at my little pumpkiny display... more pictures to follow! This was a great show again this year... the crowds came out and the weather was perfect. I had awesome "neighbors" and awesome shoppers too.

Click to view the photos in my picturetrail album...