November 1st offerings on Early Work Mercantile...

please visit the artisans tomorrow for the
November 1st listings on

www.earlyworkmercantile.com

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

...Saturday Musings ~

Good Morning Folks~

we woke to freezing temps this morning...
everything was sparkly and frosty.

our pumpkins, which right now wear a coat of frost,
will be warmed by candlelight this eve...
they will be carved in the Old Tradition and lit from within.

today marks the day of my sioster Jo's passing, also...
I cannot believe how fast time goes.

please, please make sure you get yearly breast exams,
mammographies and self check regularly.

also, please consider NOT taking any Hormone Replacement Therapy drugs,
as they are linked greatly to Breast Cancer...

if our foremothers in long skirts could endure those hot flashes in August,
then surely we can too in our air-conditioned environs.

Wishing you all a Happy Hallow's Eve tomorrow...
stay safe & don't eat too much candy corn!!

:)

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

~sneak peek~

Good Morning Folks~

here's
"Christmas Farm"

in it's pre-framing readiness:

model was stitched onto 28ct linen (2 over 2)

so it measures approx. 13" x 13" when finished....

yep, it's a big one ~

the one being stitched now it a drastic change from this one,
called
"Nick"
it is stitched 1 over 1 and should be ready soon!!

and many warm & heartfelt thanks to my stitcher,

Felicia
(((hugs to you Flea!)))

more pics to come ~

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

...such a Tart !

here are my humongous wax tarts that I've been making...

they really are coming out beautiful, if I don't say so myself!
they are approx. 8" across at their widest part...

told ya they were big!!

the colors are so primitive, yet festive...perfect fo the Holidays to come...

and I love their layers of colors and scents.
they are decorative, dusted with spices and look great with a sprig of
sweet annie placed on top....

and settled in a tin pan of pot-pourri...
so simple and pretty ~

these will be for sale at the open house here in
November and the show in Fishersville in December
~~~::~~~~
rainy & windy here today, will be heading to the PO to ship out more of the
Tyme in a Bottle spray and shop orders...

almost forgot...
Felicia has finished the 2nd new Christmas cross stitch design
and will be starting on the last one...
it's a biggie and WONDERFUL!!
...I'm hoping to release them early November
and I'll show a pic of the finish soon!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

~ on Ebay this week ~

Hi Folks!

here's a little (8 x 10) painting that I just listed on Ebay...

it came out SO primitive & early looking!
http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/notforgottenfarmprimitives

I'm working on more primitive dolls today,
then I'll be pouring up some more of my

HUGE wax tarts...
wait til you see these!!!

the weather is cloudy, rainy & misty...
the colors of the leaves are just beautiful against the grey sky~
if only it were a bit cooler....

Enjoy your day, no matter the weather!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

~ Seasonal Stitching ~

...my evenings have been full of linen and thread ~

needles and beeswax...

working on samplers for the upcoming shows...

dyeing linen,
threads
and
fingers

some large, some small...
all heartfelt~
~**~**~**~**~**~
I just received the bottles for my
Tyme in a Bottle
age-ing spray, and will begin shipping out your orders tomorrow...
and MANY thanks for your orders!!
see how nice it works on linen?
{the top pic shows the before/after use of it on my samplers}

hoping you all have a great evening!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Before & After

Hi Folks
& Happy Sunday to you!

remember my post where I showed you the painting over the mantle?
well, I hated how the opening of the 'fireplace' was so vanilla-white & boring,
so I glazed it....
I used a light & dark glaze, then rubbed on ashes

I love the look ~

now I have to hook (or purchase)
a hearth rug to go in front of the faux birch logs

which, btw, are concrete and at one time could plug in
and light up and make that crackling sound...

(that doesn't work anymore, so I placed a strand of candle-flame flicker lights
into the hollow of the logs...the effect at night is SOOOoo cozy!)

I also painted a pair of Shaker style end tables that I've had forever...
they were made to order because our couch is on the 'high' side.

i painted them Lampblack then stained and distressed them...

How do you like the new look?

I love it!!
(yes, I hate that cord showing too...*cringe*...I'll hide it when the room is finished!)

aside from doing things in the farmhouse,
we had the pleasure of going to
James Madison University
yesterday to watch Hannah perform in the
Parade of Champions
what a treat to see all of the hard work these kids have put in since August...
they were all super and we're SO proud of them!!

the rest of today will be spent making a potroast, cleaning and laundry...

then stitching,
of course!

have a relaxing Sunday, spent with those who love you most!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

It started with a portrait.....

Howdy-doo Folks!

I found this portrait,
when Felicia, Robin & I went to Bedford yesterday....

I loved the colors and composition of the painting,
and with Hannah & I both being Flutists,
felt sure this would look great in my Keeping Room ~

~and it does~

SO good, in fact, that it has now become my
"Inspiration Piece"...

Now I want to change my entire farmhouse Colonial!!!!
I'm paring down my collections,
(and believe-you-me...there are MANY!)
and selling off 'stuff' that just doesn't interest me any longer....

When I lived in Connecticut,
I had the pleasure of visiting many beautiful shops
that catered to the Colonial/Primitive look
and I still hold a place for that in my heart...

(( I'm decorated for Hallow's Eve,
hence the 'dressed' mannequin ~))

I'm trying to focus more on this look now
in the old farmhouse
and I think she likes the change.
not so many tchotchkes around
(pronounced "CHOCH-KEYS" and yes, that's how you spell it!!)
LOL

and to my Colonial/Primitive Delight,
in the mail today was my
A PRIMITIVE PLACE MAGAZINE
www.aprimitiveplace.org

I'm still in the process of reading
(ok...pouring, drooling, swooooning)
through it,
... as it is chock-filled with glorious
Holiday Decorating
in thee most wonderfully simple sense ~

AND
in there is a feature on a sweet lady named
Linda Manna
Linda lives in Newtown, CT and owns the
Newtown Country Mill
a beautiful little primitive/antiques shop
that also happens to be the place where I taught my

very first rug hooking class!!

If you don't subscribe to the magazine,
please take my advice and do so...
you won't be dissapointed!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today was spent processing orders,
tomorrow will be spent in the shop with Robin (bird!)
and hopefully we can get some hand-work done!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

on Ebay ~

Extreme Primitive Church Dolls & Sampler pocket/roll-up set

just listed on my Ebay auctions....

http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/notforgottenfarmprimitives

(( starting bid is just $1.00 with no reserve!!))
... this was stained using my "Tyme in a Bottle" solution...

More finished extreme primitive Folk Art Textiles to come soon!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

"Tyme in a Bottle"

Introducing.....

"Tyme in a Bottle..."
add age & stain to your primitive projects for an olde & early look...

(this will not be the actual label, but it works for now!)

many thanks to everyone for your suggestions...
but the winner of the free bottle is
WENDY from SIMPLE FOLK

~:~
I am taking advanced orders on this now...
each 8oz. bottle is $24.95
including shipping...

I have a limited batch made up
...just waiting for more black walnuts to fall!
and then it will be out-of-stock til next year...
this stuff is perfect for your samplers, dolls, wools, punched items, hooked rugs
or just to age fabric~
*DISCLAIMER*
this stuff really stains....
so please don't hold me responsible for your stained fingers, countertops & spills....
please be careful with it and wear gloves when using it!!!!!

so if you want to get started on your christmas projects,
let me know if you want a bottle...
not4got@aol.com

I'll be shipping out first thing next week~

Thanks Friends!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Saturday Musings....

Hey Howdy Folks!
well, we had our needle punch class here in the shop today,...
had 7 new punchers working on a little lumina pumpkin piece...

everyone did great!
do I have any pictures to prove it?
um...

nope.

I didn't remember to take any.
I am a fool.

so I apologize!

but

thanks to the gals that came out, we sure did have fun!!!
(and thanks for putting up with the stinkbugs)
``````````````````````````````````````````
below is a pic of some santa dolls
that I'm working on for our open house here in November,
and for the show in Fishersville in December:

I try to make each one unique,
using old fabrics and my own patterns...
after they are finished,
I like to age my dolls,
(samplers, needlepunch projects, hooked rugs...)
with my own homemade concoction!!

a mixture of "secret stuff" that ages and stains...
the base is made from my own farm-grown black walnuts,
then I add 'other stuff' to it...

I like the way it works on my finishing...
not too yellow or brown,
but a really nice sepia look...like an old, loved textile...

i get asked often what I use, and I thought:
why not make up batches?
so I did,...

AND

I've decided to share it with you!!

I'll be offering 8oz bottles of the "stuff" soon...

(waiting for the bottles to be shipped)

I don't have a name for this stuff yet...any suggestions?
I'll tell ya what...
If YOU have a name for this potion,

comment here on this post...

If I choose your suggested title,
then you'll win a free bottle!
(a $20.00 value)

(no...you will NOT be getting a glass jar like this...
you will be getting an 8oz. amber-colored bottle with a black sprayer...
this is just a small batch that I made yesterday for...ME!)

so have at it Friends & Folk,
let's here what your creative minds can come up with...
I need a NAME for this stuff!

here's some help...

it's primitive
it's dark
it stains
it ages
it REALLY stains!
um
it smells nice

use it on fabrics,
wood
painted items....
um....
it's great stuff!!
halp!

Looking forward to your input
:)

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Under the Weather......

Hi Folks ~

wanted to post that I'll not be open in the shop today....
I'm feeling a little crummy, and I think my gallbladder is acting up
*blech*

(too many treats at the party yesterday?)

hoping that it will pass soon,
but
i do need to make an appt for a complete GI Series
*blech again*

so I'll be resting in the farmhouse today,
feet up,
with some stitching and a cat in my lap
and glorious rain pattering down on the
pumpkins....

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Hookers + Halloween = FUN !!!!!

oh boy....

we went Hookin' today!
it was the Blue Ridge rug Hooker's
Hallowe'en Par-tay!!

we had Terrifying Treats to eat....

and saw Witches flying in the moonlight...

Pat Cross' beautiful rugs!
and more of her rugs:

I think we make a great looking group, don't you?

{{I just flew in...}}

Little Devil Robin (left) & Jane a.k.a. "THEE Hooker"
(i know...payback...)
LOL

more Show & Tell....

such Eye CaNDY!

it was a TREAT to be with the girls today!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Limited Edition Sampler & Doll Pattern ~ Civil War Sampler and Santa

The year was 1863 ~

and our beloved Country was in the midst of war...

...both North & South had become shadows of what once was...
food was scarce, morale was low and fear gripped the entire Nation.

our husbands, men-folk and loved ones were scared, hungry & tired
from fighting the ghosts of our own people...

we, as women & girls did everything we could
to keep ourselves entertained and happy...
we used up every last scrap of fabric for clothing repairs
and fixed anything that needed fixing...

use it up, wear it out,
make it do
or do without...

at Christmas time,
we would make gifts for each other
from what ever we had on hand...

old feedsacks & wool clothing
became hooked rugs to warm our floors.
old flour cloth would be turned into dolls and samplers
and even the threads from our spent & worn clothing
would be re-used to stitch patches on britches, aprons and work-skirts...

in keeping with this tradition of making-do,

I'm offering you

"Civil War Sampler & Santa"
a simple and primitive pattern
from

(C)Notforgotten Farm

I designed this combined pattern for those,
like me, who appreciate the old & early look~

...the little santa doll is completely hand sewn from scraps ~
...right down to his hand-rolled arms and legs...
stuffed with clean rags and has a raw sheep's wool beard.
finished, he measures approx 7" tall.

...the little sampler was stitched onto 28ct. hand dyed linen
using cotton threads in old faded colors (Gentle Art Sampler Threads),
stuffed with clean rags and has a hanger....
finished, it measures approx 5" x 4"~

This dual-pattern is available in limited quantities
and will come to you in a brown-paper sack
instead of a poly-bag...
and you will also receive a hank of our own raw sheep's wool
for the doll's beard~

pattern price - $28.00
with free pony express ~

If you'd like to place an order,
...please email me at not4got@aol.com

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

early morning stitching....

I woke up nice & early this morning and got Hannah off to school...

since it's Columbus day, Peter is home, so I let him sleep in a little.

with the house all quiet, the sun just peeking out and the crispness of the Fall air,

it was the perfect opportunity to stitch a little on the sampler
i'm working on for the November 1st Early Works Mercantile...

it is a sampler of giving thanks, not necessarily a 'Thanksgiving' sampler~
thankful for my family, friends and home...
for the support of my on-line friends and customers ~
and for the gift of creativity I was blessed to be given.

Hoping your day is filled with blessings of thanks!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Saturday Musings...

Good Morning Folks!!!!

it's Saturday and we're here in the shop!
Robin is here, and Felicia should be here shortly...

we'll be working on our punching & stitching today~
trying to finish up our models and such for the Season to Come....

{{ the dolls above are waiting for a good home!}}

I wanted to see how many of you out there
are attending the Simple Goods show in Novemeber??

We will be there, shopping of course, not vending...
(maybe next year for the vending...one never knows!!)
anyhoo, IF you will be there, and would like to meet up for lunch or to just 'meet' and say HI!!
meet us at the front of the building around 12:00 noon...
last time Flea & I were there, we wet up with some gals from BLESTB and others...
it is SO fun to see everyone!

and,
here's the link to the Craft Gallery in Ohio
http://craftgalleryfindlayohio.blogspot.com
they are holding a trunk show of Notforgotten Farm models...
go say hello!!

Well Folks,
off to work...talk to you soon!!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Last 2010 Hallowe'en piece offered...

Howdy again folks!
I wanted to let you know that I've just listed the last piece of my
Hallowe'en 2010 ~ Textile Folk Art on Ebay!!
(http://shop.ebay.com/merchant/notforgottenfarmprimitives)

This pocket is listed with a starting bid of just $1.00 ~ with NO RESERVE!!!

I have had a blast creating for the Witching Season this year,
but now it's time to move onto
Thanksgiving & Autumn....
and Christmas!!
woohoo!!!

many thanks for all of your kind words about my Christmas Band Sampler
on my last post...

and.....YES!!
it will be a pattern, available soon, along with a couple others!!

please watch this blog for more sneak peeks and the release date~

...have a great evening!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

I've been Framed!

Hi Folks!

here's the finish for my
"Christmas Band Sampler"

all framed up in a beautiful frame from
www.eastsidemouldings.com

I had it painted in a nice, drab olive green
to compliment the red lettering on the sampler...
...and kept it very simple...
almost Shaker-like in it's simplicity

Robin helped me frame it on tacky board...
I've never used the sticky-stuff before
and was a little nervous to use it...
neither one of us are framers to say the least,
but I have a of advice from us...
"Measure Twice, Cut ONCE!!"

Felicia is stitching away on
"Christmas Farm"
and I'll show you a sneak peek of that soon.

Today we're in the shop~
I'm needle-punching a black jack pocket
that will go up on Ebay tonight,
and Robin is punching her Merrie Days Santa~

I'll be starting on my Holiday/Winter punching this evening!!

Hoping you all are enjoying this beautiful weather!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Room Redux ~

Hi Folks!

well, my sewing room is finally finished...

the shelves are up and loaded and it is sooo less cluttered...

Here's a picture of my worktable...

it is an antique farmtable with a plexiglass piece on top...
underneath I slipped in some of my favorite antique photos ~

Below is a pic of my little computer station...
the cupboard closes up so I don't have to see the laptop!

next to my desk area is my trusty treadle PFAFF...
ahe still hums when she sews!

the big cedar cupboard (above) holds my clothes...

below is a view of the worktable with my stuff on it...
...the spinner racks hold threads & fabrics

and here's my new shelves...
prim?...well no
...but functional? ~ YES!

a (very) small portion of my ever-growing book/mag collection is on them,

but I've also included my pretty sewing collectibles too...
pincushions, sewing boxes, tinware, etc.

I still have some tweaking to do, but at least I can walk in the room....
most importantly, I can once again WORK in my room!!!

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

GET READY !!!!

((I know two posts in one day, but I couldn't wait!!))

please visit
www.Primitivequiltsandprojects.com

and order your subscription!!

(you'll see I'm listed as one of the designers, but they got the names mixed up...

although I think I would LOVE to have Maggie Bonanomi's talents!!!))

LOL

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori

Quiet Chaos

I want to come back as a cat in my next life.

well, let me state clearly,
that I want to come back as a cat only if I get an owner like ME....

This is Tippy.
our Maine Coon, & Senior resident
here in the farmhouse.

Tippy is very aloof, quiet (except when she's hungry)
and we hardly ever see here (read above)...
she is utterly nocturnal, and sleeps, oh...around 22 hours a day/night

I wish I could nap like she does....
lulling myself to sleep at the drop of a mouse or twitch of a whisker.

but

I am not a napper.

occasionally you'll find me curled up on the couch, but usually that's when I'm sick
or at night watching a movie....

Lately, Tippy's favorite place to hang out is this workroom.
among clutter, wool & fabric scraps,
piles of books and magazines and tangles of thread...

but she'll have to lounge somewhere else today.

I am moving furniture and finally cleaning up this room:

i really do have beautiful hardwood floors,

but you just can't see them....

and bins....
yes, those ugly-but-practical things that are overflowing with 'stuff'...
...they will finally go up onto the new shelves
and my laptop will finally go into the computer cabinet
that was meant to hold it, not other 'stuff'.

So sweet Tippy, sleep now...
(did I mention that she snores like a 300lb truck driver?)

~I'll work around you....

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

B-I-G NEWS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am SO excited that I can hardly type this~
but here goes!!!

This past week, I received a phone call

from Jen at the Woolen Willow
(http://www.woolenwillow.com/)

She told me the EXCITING news,
that she and her sisters are putting together a
BRAND NEW PUBLICATION/Magazine
for us lovers and makers of Primitive Needlework Projects...
titled:
Primitive Quilts and Projects

I am thrilled to know that they have taken on such an adventure,
to fill such a much-needed niche...
and knowing Jen & Gretchen,
it will be a top-notch, first-class magazine...
it will be along the lines of the super-popular
American Patchwork and Quilting magazine
and will be available at your local bookstores or by subscription
(you can email Jen at woolenwillow@aol.com, or call 304-375-9665)
you can also visit the woolen willow website and click on the 'newsletter' link
to read more about this exciting adventure!!

We SO NEED a true, primitive-type project magazine out there for us,...
(I know, Create & Decorate is good,
but...there are usually only a few,
what I call 'true' primitive projects in there...
some of the stuff is just a little too "fru-fru" for me)...

SO
now, here's the KICKER....

Jen has asked little ol' me to be a designer for their first 4 issues!!!
You could have knocked me over with a feather when she asked me...
I am humbled, thrilled, excited and skeered all at the same time!

I will be in thee best company of
Nationally & World Renowned Designers of
Quilts and Needlework ~
and boy-oh-bopy am I chomping at the creative bit
to begin designing for them!!

SO...go on over to their website,
leave them an encouraging & congratulatory note
and mark your calenders for April 2011
.... that's when the first issue arrives on newsstands!!

and again, I say:

" WOOHOO!!!!!
go Jen & Gretchen!!!!!! "
and...
THANK YOU for thinkin' of me!!

Blessings from the Farm

Lori

Christmas Sneak Peek ~

"Christmas Band Sampler"
Felicia has finished this one...
((Thank you my SWEET & Wonky Friend!))

now I'm just waiting for the frame from East Side Mouldings...
finished sampler is approx. 13" x 7 1/2"
stitched on 28ct linen (2 over 2)

now she's working on "Christmas Farm"
and then onto "Nick"

I'll show pics of them soon!

*SPARKLING*
weather here today...but...

alas the STINKBUGS like it too...
they are out in droves *BLECH*

this weekend should be a lot cooler,
maybe they'll head further south for a vacation?

Blessings from the Farm,

Lori