Don't Wait Another Day!

Our Win This Treasury~Turkey Trot With the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team is quickly coming to a close. What's that you say? You haven't entered yet? And with all these hand-crafted lovelies for your Thanksgiving and Fall decorating? All you have to do to enter to win this treasury (which by the way is valued at over $250!) is click on the title of the treasury below and leave a comment..that's it!

I know once you get there you'll want to take some time to visit the shops and check out all their fantastic creations...the items in the treasury are just a small sampling of what these talented artisans can do. Each of their Etsy shops are filled with simply wonderful primitive and folk art creations, so be sure to allow yourself some time to browse.

Entries close on August 31..that's this coming Wednesday..and the one lucky winner will be announced September 1st, so don't delay!
Hugs and good luck!,
Debbie

Our" Win This Treasury~Turkey Trot With the OFG Team" Has Begun!!

What a terrific giveaway the Old Farmhouse Gathering has for all to participate in! We've created an Etsy treasury valued at approximately $250 which will go to ONE lucky winner. The best part is that to enter, all you need to do is go to the treasury at the link provided, and leave a comment. That's it. Ta-da! Now if you'd like a second chance to win all these fabulous Farmhouse creations, just click the "favorite" button in the right sidebar of the treasury page..again, that's it. One click.

Of course you'd be missing out on all the wonders to be found at the other shops of the OFG team if you don't "nose around" a bit while you're on Etsy..just type OFG team into your search to explore more talented artisans shops...you won't be disappointed!

The contest will run until midnight, August 31 (EST) and the winner will be announced on September 1st. Don't miss out..you could have all your Fall decor provided for you by making just one comment!
Hugs,
Debbie
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjIxMTI3NHw1NzMxNzA3Nzc/win-this-treasuryturkey-trot-with-the

Turkey Trot on Over and Win This Treasury!

Wow..just wow! Wait 'til you see what the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team has in store for our Thanksgiving promotion beginning August 14th! The prize is valued at $240! Details will be found posted here, on our team blog, and on Etsy when we "commence" this unique giveaway! You won't want to miss it!

Hugs,
Debbie

A Wedding in the Family!

Yep, my daughter, and only child Jenny decided to take the plunge a year earlier than expected..on Friday, July 22, 2011 she and Scott became husband and wife. The original plan was to marry on May 26, 2012 in Las Vegas but apparently the time was right, the stars were aligned, and so they headed to the Courthouse.

As this was a second marriage for both and the children were in town for the Summer, it was perfect timing. Took me a little by surprise, but I was happy that the kids could be included. I would like to have seen her get married, but she wanted it to be just the two of them and their children...

Although it wasn't exactly a reception, we did celebrate afterwards with a nice dinner at Sakura (a hibachi grill) which is always a fun place to gather. The kids think the chef throwing food at them is just a riot :) Plans are still in the works for a more formal wedding next year, with a reception for family and friends to follow.

For those of you who don't follow me on facebook, or aren't members of the Old Farmhouse Gathering, I'll post some pics here..gotta show off my pretty girl and her new hubby, as well as my adorable grandchildren :)
Hugs,
Debbie

Vacation is Over :(

We just arrived home from our week-long vacation to our cabin in Pigeon Forge, TN so it's back to the real world for us! It was a great week..hotter than Haites with the humidity out of this world, but other than that the weather cooperated with us. We only had one day of rain, which really didn't interfere with our plans..we just worked around it.

The trip down and back in the truck was interesting to say the least. We had our almost 15 year-old grandson and the two dogs with us, so we looked like a clown car when we'd stop at a rest area..two huge dogs piling out and three adults. The dogs are always a big hit wherever we go..everyone wants to stop and pet them, asking all kinds of questions about what breed they are..what they're like, etc. so our stops are usually longer than we plan :)

I was fortunate to time it so I could attend the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair while we were down there, meeting up with one of my Old Farmhouse Gathering sisters, Mary Alice, who had a beautiful booth there, Sugar Ridge Creations. She has been a vendor at the show for years, and I am one of her best buyers;) This year was no different, and I came home with the neatest raggy beige jacket!

We always take in Dolly Parton's waterpark, Splash Country, which is as clean as a whistle and extremely nice. Not being one to enjoy parading around in my bathing suit all day I still managed to hit almost all the waterslides and rides with grandson Brendan. There're no flies on this Grandma! He loves that his Grandpa and Mom-Mom are willing to act like goofballs for the day with him..even though we woke up the next morning with muscles aching that we never knew existed!

Our favorite miniature golfing spot, "Hillbilly Golf" is always a highlight because Brendan knows he's going to beat me every time...and he did. We also hit the bowling alley at the rec center in town where he managed to cream both his Mom-Mom AND Grandpa..I won't mention scores but I will say mine was pretty much in the toilet! A bowler I am not :)

We always manage to find the time to do some work on the cabin while we're there, even if it's for vacation, and this time we worked on the landscaping, planted perennials, cleaned and redecorated one of the bedrooms, so we did actually accomplish a lot besides having a great time. It's just hard to leave when it's time because we love it so down there. The folks there are so friendly, the weather is beautiful and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful.

Tomorrow I go back to work...and the cabin is all fixed up and "purdy" for the lucky people who are staying there this week, and the weeks to follow. Our next trip there won't be until October, when the cool nights will have changed the leaves to Fall's gorgeous colors...so I guess it will be worth the wait!
Hugs,
Debbie

Our "Neigh"bor down the road:

Hmm..Dollywood or Splash Country?

Hillbilly Golf





Fun with Grandpa Chuck at Bubba Gump Shrimp Company


Mary Alice and Me at the Gatlinburg Craftsmen's Fair

If Ya ' Can't Beat 'Em, Join 'Em!

First of all I hope everyone enjoyed their long holiday weekend. They just seem to fly by so quickly! We had family and friends over for a long-awaited picnic..fired up the hot tub for the youngsters to "go swimming", and altogether had an enjoyable Independence Day.

My husband has apparently tired of being a "craft widower" and has decided to join with me in a new venture. Too many long nights of tv-watching all by his lonesome while I sew and stuff, paint and stitch must have gotten the better of him, so he is now collaborating with me in designing and creating primitive wood "smalls"...something he is very talented at, to say the least.

With a workshop loaded to over-flowing with sanders and saws, drills and do-hickeys, he is well prepared to produce some lovely things, all of which are original creations. Many are based on antiques we have throughout our home, the rest are created somewhere deep inside his noggin'...he'll draw out a plan for something, get the okay from me, and before I know it he has it made! I am in charge of completing the items..the final hand-planing, sanding, painting, and hand-finishing each item to appear as though it has been around for a few decades and has been painted and re-painted again..lumpy and bumpy, chippy and very appealing to the primitive lover.

It has been a good collaboration for the two of us..we bounce ideas off each other, plus we have more time together this way! So far I have three of our one-of-a kind items listed in my Etsy shop, and there are plenty more to come. He chooses not to make more than one or two of the same design so we are not offering custom color selections. We are keeping with traditional primitive colors, using two shades of premium quality Caromal Colors™ paint on each piece in order to allow the base color to show through, giving the illusion of a well-used piece of furniture.

Here are some photos of our goods to date..hope you enjoy a look into our newest venture!
Hugs,
Debbie

Our Celebration is About to Begin!

Just stopping in to mention the Old Farmhouse Gathering team's Fall Fun at the Farmhouse Celebration begins Friday, July 1st and you won't want to miss it!  Below is a small sampling of the wonderful creations that will be available in our members' Etsy shops to celebrate Fall and all that goes with it.  You're sure to find exactly what you were looking for and just can't live without..I know I  have!

To find even more of these fabulous goods, just type FFOFG in Etsy's search engine. You'll be amazed at what you'll find there! The Old Farmhouse Gathering Team is Etsy's premier primitive group. We have been in existence for nearly four years..almost as long as Etsy has been around, and our membership continues to grow stronger. The talents of our members simply amaze me..there's such a wide variety of folk artisans, artists, whimsical creations..anything and everything primitive! That, plus our members are quite possibly the nicest folks you could ever hope to meet.

So be sure to take a look at the slideshow and hop right on over to Etsy tomorrow am..you don't want to miss out on these treasures!
Hugs,
Debbie

Be on the Lookout...

The Old Farmhouse Gathering Team is gearing up for our new promotion..Fall Fun at the Farmhouse! We have tons of members participating in this Celebration of the Fall season so you're sure to find something you can't live without!

We're including all items related to Fall as well as Halloween this year, and I know this season is a favorite of many primitive-lovers. I can't ever have enough Halloween decorations, myself. I guess they remind me of my childhood when we spent many hours planning and helping to make our costumes, carving pumpkins and handing out treats.

You'll have lots of "eye-candy" to explore when the Celebration begins..keep watch for details!
Hugs,
Debbie

Where Did the Time Go?

Unbelievable. My first-born grandson, Brendan, has graduated from Middle School and is on his way to the "tween" world of High School in the Fall. This young man began his life born with an Immune Deficiency disease called Hypogammaglobulinemia, and spent most of his younger years as a very sick boy.  We spent many long hours at the hospital throughout his youth, and many more with him sick at home. God was good to us all, and he outgrew the condition, as some afflicted with this do, and he has blossomed into a handsome, caring,  funny, sensitive teen.

We traveled out to New Jersey for his graduation (I wasn't going to miss out on THAT!) and despite the 100+ degree temps there, really enjoyed seeing his class of 162 graduate.  They even had the school band playing "Pomp and Circumstance" as the young grads marched down the aisles in their caps and gowns..what a sight!

We then brought the new graduate back to Ohio for most of the Summer...until it's time to begin soccer practice in August . He adores soccer..but not nearly  as much as Mom-Mom adores him ;)

Here he is getting "Bee-you-tee-ful before his graduation....
                                                       
Post-graduations pic with his Mom, Jenny...

And lastly, Brendan and me, "Mom-Mom" celebrating on the way home from New Jersey with a stop at "Melt Restaurant and Grill" in Cleveland (featured on the Food Network!)

That's my Sweetie-pie :)
Hugs,
Debbie

It's Time to Vote!!

The Old Farmhouse Gathering's Flag Day Challenge has begun! Be sure to stop by our blog by clicking on the graphic below and vote for your favorite item. They are all beautifully made, just the best of the best..it will be hard to make just one selection! Now of course I'm partial to my little gal, who is participating in her very first "beauty pageant" by being entered in the Challenge. She's just happy there's no swimsuit competition!

A hand-crafted prize will be given to one randomly selected lucky voter, as well as to the winner of the Challenge, and entering is easy, so be sure to stop in and vote. The last day for voting is June 11th, with the winners being chosen and named June 12th.

Here's a "publicity photo" of my entry..and no, she doesn't need a manager quite yet :)
Hugs,
Debbie

Old Farmhouse Gathering Team's Flag Day Appreciation Challenge!

Come visit the Old Farmhouse Gathering Team June 4th through the 11th to vote on a favorite item from one of our 12 participating member's shops! This is a fun "Challenge" for our members to get their creative thinking caps on and come up with the best of the best..then YOU decide who wins! Plus, one randomly selected  voter will receive a hand-crafted item which has been donated by yours truly..so be sure to stop by and place your vote! Simply click on the graphic below to go to the OFG Blog..
Hugs,
Debbie

It's Your Last Chance To Win Big!!

Only one week to go until the drawing is held for the Sweet Summertime Hugs Giveaway from the Old Farmhouse Gathering team! Be sure to click on the graphic below, and just add a comment for your chance to win!
Hugs,
Debbie

Some Pics of My Family

I've been blogging now for a couple of months now (where does the time go?) and I suddenly realized I have never posted a single photo of those most dear to me..my family. We are a very small family, as I only had one child,  but I'm fortunate to have my daughter living in the same town. I know so many have family scattered everywhere.

I also have two step-sons, both of whom live out of town..so I don't see  much of them other than holidays. I guess it's just the way of the world nowadays, but I sincerely do  miss seeing the grandbabies (well, their parents, too!)

Now my "kids" are my two furbaby Briards..although they are as much a  part of the family as anyone. They, at least, are always happy to see me when I arrive home, no matter if I've been gone for 10 minutes or 10 hours.
This is a photo of my daughter, Jenny, with her son Brendan..who just happen to be the loves of my life :)

Here's one Brendan would kill me for if he knew I was posting this ..his Mom  "made" him get his picture taken with the Easter bunny when he was at Friendly's this past week :) Shhhh.....he doesn't need to know :)

One of most of the family..notice all the boys (!) ..everyone's in this one except my daughter.

 And last but not least,  Clouseau~he's the pretty one in the family :)

and his "sister", Chloe...my tubby little girl :)

I hope you enjoyed "meeting" my family..they are what makes me who I am in every way.
Hugs,
Debbie

Old Farmhouse Gathering Team's Sweet Summertime Hugs Giveaway

Wow! What an amazing giveaway from the talented folks at the Old Farmhouse Gathering! This promises to be the biggest and best ever! All you have to do to enter to win ALL--yes I said ALL of the items shown in the slideshow below is go to the OFG team blog and post a comment there! How easy can you get? If you do NOT have a blog, be sure that you leave away for us to contact you should you be the lucky winner. The winner will be selected using random.org on May 28, so hurry on over and sign up now!

Just click on the button for the Summertime Giveaway on my sidebar..it will take you right to the OFG team page where you can post your comment for your chance to win! Good luck :)

Hugs,
Debbie

Something's Coming Up You Won't Want To Miss!

Here's a little peek at what I've been working on..this little gal is going to be with LOTS, and I mean LOTS of good company. Stop back here to see just where she'll be, and how she might just show up on your doorstep along with all her friends!
Hugs,
Debbie

Just Call Me The Pioneer Woman

My husband and I recently returned from our "getaway" cabin in the Smokies..it always is meant to be a relaxing time but we spend most of it fixing, cleaning, and just generally working our heineys off while we're there.

This time we even allowed ourselves a couple of extra days..I had visions of flea-market and antique-shopping; my husband decided we needed to "take down" two 25 foot pine trees that were indeed encroaching the cabin. (Personally I think he just wanted to see if his new big truck could handle hauling these giant trees up and out of the way). We attached a big ole' chain to the trailer hitch and around the first tree, and guess who got to be the one to drive the truck? Little ole' me. To be honest I had a blast :) When with the first tug the tree didn't budge, he said "forget it..it's not going anywhere". Well, don't tell ME to forget it..I was going to get that tree down if it took all day! A few times backing up and going forward and "boom"..down it came! Now remember all this is being done on a mountainside..at one point he decided to inform me I had one wheel almost 3 feet off the pavement. Gosh..me..a flatlander! Then of course we just HAD to bring down the second tree...piece of cake :) Next thing you know I'm out there with a chain saw hacking away.

The icky trees were replaced by a beautiful weeping cherry, and we moved a big hemlock to take the place of the other tree..all in all it was quite an adventure...and I didn't even mention moving the three 200 lb. boulders!

It's just nice to know this whole thing would've made my widowed Mom proud..she always had to do all her own heavy work so I have never been afraid of laboring like that, either. Not to mention I ended up losing a few un-wanted pounds on our trip..despite the fudge, pecan pie and good old Southern home cooking we treated ourselves to! Here are before and after pictures..the snowy one was taken the last time we were down there..it was beautiful but way more snow this year than we've ever seen in TN!
Hugs,
Debbie

Have You Ever Felt Like Someone Is Watching You?

Here I was, minding my own business..working at my computer and I felt someone staring at me. I knew it wasn't the dogs, or my husband. Hmmm...took a look out the window and I had a visitor :)

I know these guys can be nasty, but it's hard to be angry at them getting in the trash when you look at their cute little bandit faces. This one just sat and stared at me for the longest time...I'm sure they are hand-fed by neighbors around here..too tame not to be. Not something I would do myself, and I don't like to encourage them to come around. I'm always afraid the dogs will chase them and I worry about rabies.

Still, I honestly was happy it was just a racoon and not a bear...or worse!
Hugs,
Debbie

By Your Hands Blogspot Feature!

My dear friends and OFG sisters, Bette and Deena surprised me this St. Patty's Day with my shop being featured on their fabulous blog "By Your Hands Blogspot"! Haven't stopped smiling since I saw it posted there :)

These two talented ladies have been selecting one shop from the Old Farmhouse Gathering team weekly and doing a beautifully written, nicely done feature and I can't thank them enough for choosing my shop this week!

Come take a peek if you get a chance..they always have wonderful posts there..much to see and learn, too.
http://www.byyourhands.blogspot.com/


Hugs,
Debbie

It's Time for The Old Farmhouse Gathering Spring Celebration!

Whew! We've all been burning the midnight oil, so to speak, in order to put forth our most creative Celebration yet! Comprised of more than  150 Spring and Easter primitive and country folk art Spring and Easter themed creations , this unique gathering is something you won't want to miss.

Listings will be added througout the day today, so come visit and you're sure to find that special something you've been waiting for..I know I have! (there goes my paycheck!) Clicking on the above graphic will take you directly to the Celebration pages. It doesn't get much easier than that!

I'm posting a a picture or two of some of the things I've been working on, then it's off to try to pick up the after-effects of my "creativity"...my husband informed me last night that our house looks like he's walked into a Michael's Store! My response to that of course is.."and that's a BAD thing"?   :D

Enjoy your weekend, and please stop by the Farmhouse if you get a chance!
Hugs,
Debbie

My Blackened Beeswax Rabbits

Baby Duck Sarah Jane Makedo

Rabbit and Egg Lighted Cheesebox Gathering

Get Ready for the OFG Spring/Easter Celebration!

If you're looking for some super-special creations to decorate your Spring home, or to present to a lucky friend as a gift...the wait is almost over! Beginning this Friday, March 11 through Friday, March 25, the annual Old Farmhouse Gathering Team's Spring/Easter Celebration on etsy will be here, and it promises to be better than ever!

You may find the items created by this talented group of artists by typing "SECOFG" in your search beginning this Friday, and there will be treasuries spotlighting their primitive and folk art wares.

Spring is just around the corner, and what better way to get ready than by sprucing up your surroundings with these creative heirlooms-in-the-making you're sure to cherish forever.

We hope to see you there!
Prim Hugs,
Debbie

I Looove Bunnies!

Thought I'd share these blackened beeswax bunnies I'll be listing in my etsy shop when the Old Farmhouse Gathering begins its Spring Celebration in a few days :) I can see I'll definitely need to take better pictures of the pair..these just don't do them justice. Their sister, a chubby gal bunny has already been listed there...although she doesn't like to be reminded she's chubby!

I love to work with beeswax..it's natural fragrance is just so nice I'm constantly smelling everything I'm working on! My husband thinks I'm nuts. That's why I don't like to add fragrance oil to it..it smells just like honey if you use fresh beeswax.. The amazing thing about beeswax is that it takes seven pounds of honey consumed by a bee to make one pound of beeswax. Those little buggers must eat like crazy!

And bunnies are about my favorite animal of all..we just lost "Mr. Bob", a French lop-eared bunny who lived to the ripe old age of 13. He just got worn out, I think..our vet said she'd never had a rabbit live that long in her practice. He was a tad spoiled, I suppose :)  He was named by my grandson Brendan when he was just a little guy. Even our big dogs were good with Mr. Bob..the male, Clouseau, would sit and clean his ears whenever he had the chance. Just goes to show you if given the opportunity, adversarial animals can get along... as long as Mom is watching, anyway!

My giveaway for Wendy is on its way to her..and I'll soon be doing another. It was fun! Hope to have many of you sign up for my next one also.
Hugs,

Debbie

We Have a Winner!

Woo-Hoo! Congratulations go out to Wendy of Ravenwood Whimzies for being the winner of my very first blog giveaway! She must have had a wee bit o' Irish luck in her :)

Thanks to all of you who entered, and are followers..I am planning a Spring giveaway shortly so be on the look-out for that one to  "hop" onto my blog  *wink*wink*

Here's to a Happy St. Patty's Day to all of you!
Hugs,
Debbie

In the Works...

I have a TON of fragrant, beautiful beeswax I've been trying to decide how to use, so I'm in the process of making blackened beeswax Easter bunnies and these beeskep candles.  Checked the burn time for the wicks and I think I need to go a size smaller..so they haven't yet met my approval. When they do, I'll be listing the beeskeps in my etsy shop. The fragrance of the natural beeswax is so yummy by itself I can't bring myself to add a fragrance oil, so I think they'll be left  "au naturale" :)  They're a nice size..just a little larger than a large votive. I just love having candles burning throughout the house..makes everything have such a soft, warm glow.

I'm enjoying reading your comments on my give-away. Thank you for taking the time to enter, and for sharing on your blogs! The time for selecting a winner is getting closer :)

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone..looks like much of the country is enjoying a February warm-up (thank heavens!)

Prim Hugs,
Debbie

Why I am so tired of snow....

Here's my big boy, Clouseau, bringing in half the snow in my backyard along with him. Remember I have two, yes, two of said animals. :) Means I get to mop the floor an awful lot.

Hugs,
Debbie

My First Giveaway!!

Well, there is still a TON of snow on the ground...nothing green in sight, so I thought instead of an Easter theme for my first give-away I'd make something for St. Patty's Day to add some "green" to  my blog! That, plus I am a true Irish lass..red hair, green eyes, freckles and all, so it's only fitting :)

I'm giving my "Leprechauns Welcome" hand painted, antiqued and grubbied up shelf sitter, along with two crocheted shamrock mug-rugs to the lucky winner...after all, isn't St Patrick's Day the day for good luck?

All you need to you is be a follower of my blog, leave me a comment here, and if you have a blog yourself please post this give-away on your sidebar.  Each of these three "requirements" will earn you a chance at winning..do all three and you have three chances. The last day to register will be March 1, 2011.  Please be sure to leave your email address or a way for me to contact you should you win.

Good luck!
Prim hugs,
Debbie

It's Frrrreeezing Cold!

Thanks to all of my followers! I am honestly thrilled to have you on board, and hope to bring some fun things to my blog. Right now it's a freezing -cold 3 degrees with a wind chill in the negatives. I am just soo very tired of this cold weather, as I know many of you are. Whatever happened to global warming?

In the next few days I'm planning to share a give-away here, kinda in celebration of entering the blogging world :) It will be Easter/Spring themed, since I can't wait until the flowers appear and we have some warm breezes, instead of this stark white yucky stuff! Stay warm, and stop back soon!