New Found Fabric Shop!

I went grocery shopping today and stopped in at one of my favorite Primitive Shops, Kountry Sunshine in Mt. Orab, Ohio to see my friend Kathleen.  I was telling her that I found it difficult to find fabric that I really liked for my sewing projects.  She said that the best place she had found was a little shop called "Schoolhouse Quilts" in Georgetown, OH (about 10 miles from her shop and about 15 miles from my home.  So, after I bought my groceries, I went to the shop and I could hardly believe my eyes when I got there.  There were several rooms of fabulous material!  She even had calicos and homespun pieces!  I thought I was in sewing heaven!  I told her that I didn't know there were shops like hers anymore.  I have gone to JoAnn Fabrics a lot, but they have many various kinds of fabric.  At this shop, it was dedicated to quilters and they often make primitive quilts so therefore, they have primitive fabric!  I told the lady that I would certainly be back.

Oh, and I learned something new today.  I have (so far) coffee stained my fabrics to "grunge" them up.  I also read that Walnut ink crystals work good mixed with water and either painted or sprayed on fabrics.  I just received a small jar in the mail and haven't tried it yet.  Kathleen told me today that several of her favorite crafters use Rit liquid dye in the "Tan" color.  They dye their fabric before they sew it.  As soon as I can get some in the correct color, I am going to try that.  Has anyone ever tried Rit dye in the Tan color?  Anyway, I am still learning and having a good time.  Just thought I would share!

I love Garage Sales!

Well, our trip to the world's longest yard sale is getting closer.  It is the first weekend in August.  I am getting anxious to go hunting and digging to see what I can find.  The one thing about yard sales, you just never know what treasure might be awaiting you in the most unexpected places.  Over the years, I have found some great collectibles at yard sales.  In fact, some of my favorite things have come from yard sales.  One example is the picture above.  I bought it at a yard sale for 25 cents!  It has in inscription printed below the picture that says "Grandfather's Pet, William H Snape, 1885-1892."  I am sure it is just a print, but I love it anyway.   It hangs in my office/sewing room.  It just gives me a cozy feeling when I look at it.  Hopefully, I will bring home some real treasures, either for the shop (or for myself) from our trip this  year.

My Latest Doll Creations

I have been busy at the sewing machine the past few days.  This is what came out of my efforts  The first doll is a simple "Annie" doll with yarn hair.

I loved making her hair. 

I painted on her "socks"

 Now, this one took some time!  This is "Mammy Baking a Pear Pie".  She is a little over 36 inches tall.

This is a closeup of her face.  She has a little bit of raw wool hair peeking out from under her head wrap.  She wears a Ornasburg apron with rusty pins on the neck straps.  I painted her eyes and needle scuplted her nose and lips.

This is a close-up of her big ol' feet.  They are so funny!

This is her basket of pears and I have tied a "Mammy's Pear Pie" recipe card on the handle of the basket.  It's a real pie recipe.  She took several  hours but I enjoyed every minute of it!

Another Pair of Old Shoes

I just got my second pair of old baby shoes.  I love them.  There is such a sweetness about them.  Another addiction, I am afraid!

"Antique" Shoes

I just finished sewing these shoes and it turned out to be a fun project.  The sewing was a little difficult because there were so many turns and twists but I think it came out pretty well for my first pair.  The pattern is by Hazelruthe.  You can also make a makedo pinkeep from this pattern as well.

Sweet Annie

I just received my order of Sweet Annie this morning from The Flower Patch in Medford, Wisconsin.  It is so wonderfully fragrant.  Mmmm, I love it.

She also tucked in this little boquet of dried roses in my order.  It is so sweet.  I pinned it on one of my grandma's old purses.

Prim Clothespin Bag and Found Treasures

This clothespin bag is my most recent sewing project.  It has three of the old clothespins in the pocket and a coffee stained sock on the front.  I thought it would look cute in a laundry room.

This is a shelf in my office/sewing room.  I love all of the prim collectibles on the shelf.  There are old shoes, old pictures, an old school slate, McGuffy readers, a little prim dress and candles.

I went grocery shopping today and of course, I always find time to stop off at some of my favorite shops.  I was delighted today when I found these old child's shoes with the buttons on the side.  I immediately fell in love with them and brought them home and put them on my shelf (picture above).



I also found these old salt and pepper shakers in the same shop.  They look great sitting in my Hoosier Cupboard.

I showed the shop owner pictures of three of my prim dolls that I made and she wants me to bring in some to sell in her shop.  That was exciting!

Sadie Just Arrived at Persnickety Primitives

Just finsihed Miss Sadie.  She carries a grungy star with a bell in the middle.  She has dark brown hair.  I have a couple more dolls in the works.  I ordered two more patterns today.  Fun!

Prim Angel Emily

This is Prim Angel Emily.  I made her from the pattern by designer Mandy Fischer of Bittersweet Folk Art featured in the summer issue of Mercantile Gatherings magazine.  I didn't have a star to place on her head as Mandy did, but I still she think she looks like a perfectly wonderful prim angel! 

Need a Favor from my new Prim Blogger Friends

Girls, as you know, I am relatively new to the Blogger world and very new to the crafter world.  I am enjoying both so much!  I have already met so many new friends - my life has truly been enriched!  Miss Lecia at Farmhouse Prims did me a tremendous kind deed by mentioning my blog on her blog.  I will be forever grateful to her.  It is because of her that I have met you wonderful girls!  Would you girls be so kind as to mention my blog on your blog like Lecia did?  I am trying to build my followers and I have noticed that so many of you have a BUNCH of followers.  What a blessing!  I want to start offering my handmade dolls for sale on my blog and I need a way to get the word out.   If anyone has any tips on building blog followers, I would be so appreciative!  Thanks so much for your help!

 

Introducing Maggie and Her Ragtail Chicken

Well, here she is - Maggie and Her Ragtail Chicken.  This is my first attempt at making a Prim Mammy Bag Holder doll.  I really enjoyed it and am already working on my second one!  

Working on my Prim Mammy Bag Holder

My pattern for the Prim Mammy doll bag holder arrived in the mail today and I couldn't wait to get started.  I have the doll and clothes all cut out and ready to sew.  I will post it on the blog when I get it finished (unless it looks too bad).  I haven't tackeled a sewing project for years!

My Blog Store is Open!

I have my Paypal account all set up and approved and have entered the first few items in my blog store.  I have listed four dolls in the store so far.  I will be adding more products very soon.  I have posted purchase instructions in the right hand margin.  If you have any questions, let me know!  I will be listing 1803 candles and prim battery candles as well as several other products.

BLOG STORE

This is our Mammy doll.  She wears a coffee stained muslin dress with a green plaid apron.  She has her pet crow tucked under her arm.  She has a cheesecloth scarf tied around her neck.  She has touseled black thread hair, button eyes and a needle sculpted nose for a true primitive look. She is 28 inches long.  Only 2 in stock.  Price:  $29.95

Click on Item #101 in sidebar.

This is Margaret with her best friend doll tucked under her arm.  She wears a primitive print brown dress with a cheesecloth apron.  Her little doll wears a primitive striped dress with cheesecloth apron and scarf and a there's a little key on the side of her apron at the waist  Her eyes, nose and mouth are needle sculpted.  She has a tag on her dress that says" Best Friends Forever".  What a cute gift for a special friend or an addition to your own collection.  Margaret is 21 inches long.

Only 1 in stock.  Price is $43.95

Click on item #102 in the sidebar.

This is Sadie .  She wears a primitive brown print dress with a coffee stained muslin apron with the advice "Live Simply" stitched on the front.  She wears a muslin cape around her shoulders.  Her dress has a large button sewn at the neckline.  Her features are needle sculpted.  She has the wonderful prim look that I love.  Sadie is 21 inches long.

Only 2 in stock - Price is $31.95

Click on item #103 in the sidebar.

This little prim doll has a dark tan print dress with a black and tan plaid apron.  She carries a little muslin bag that contains herbs,  a fabric flower and a sign that says "Herbs" on it.  Her hair is fixed in prim pigtails and has a sort of wooly texture.  Her features are needle sculpted.  She is 17.75 inches long.

Only 2 in stock.  Price is $23.95

Click on item #104 in sidebar.

The is a wonderful primitive educational and decorating resource.  I sell this in my shop as well.

I have a few summer issues left.  Price is $6.95 plus $3.00 shipping.  I sell it for under retail to account for shipping.  Shipping will automatically be added on this item.

Click on item # 105 on the sidebar.

This is another awesome primitive decorating resource.  I also sell it in my shop.  I have only three copies of the summer issue left. Price is $6.95 plus $3.00 shipping.  I sell it for under retail to account for shipping.  Shipping will  be automatically added to this item.

Click on item #106 on the sidebar.

Prim Bag Holder

Isn't this Prim Bag Holder the cutest thing you have ever seen?  I bought it at a craft shop.  I loved it so much that I went back to the shop to buy more but they didn't have any more.  When I asked the shop owner if she could get any more, she said the crafter had switched over to wood working.  Anyway, isn't there someone out there who can make these?  The clothes would be easy enough to make if I could just get a pattern for te head.  Anyway, if you can make these, let me know!
I just emailed Mandy Fischer at Bittersweet Folk Art since the head reminds me of some of her work.  Hopefully she can point me in the right direction for a head pattern that will work.