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