A Beautiful Gift ~

...today is my 48th birthday...
and this morning I received the most beautiful gift.

no, it wasn't a new car...
or even new socks ~

the gift was a beautiful new day
waking up in this humble little farmhouse....

surrounded by those I love
& who love me back despite my many inperfections.

my gift was a gentle sunrise, crowing roosters and the smell of fresh-brewed coffee.
it was the clanking of pots in the kitchen as my husband prepared breakfast,
and the usual sounds of the busy morning of my teenager getting ready for school...

being greeting by clamorous chickens and braying donkeys,
each sending me their own unique birthday wishes in trade for some feed....

my gift was knowing that I have family that is caring, loving and supportive
and always ready to let me know when to slow down
(thanks Mommy) ~

sisters who make me laugh,...and cry ~
and cherishing each moment I get to spend with them.

...my gift is being blessed with seemingly endless creativity,
that I, in turn, can gift you with ~
yet, again
I receive your friendships in return ~
that is the biggest & bestest present of all ~

Thank You all for the gifts!!!


Blessings from the Farm...
Lori p.s.
please visit www.earlyworkmercantile.com
March 1st for my new offerings

A Giveaway ~

In honor of my birthday,
I am having a giveaway for my blogging friends...

since so many of you have a love for stitching and needlework,

I have put together a little basket of needfuls ~

...some fabric, some wool, needles, a pattern or two, a pair of scissors
...and who-knows-what-else to keep your creativity flowing!

just become a follower of this blog, post about this giveaway on your blog
or
leave me a comment here
telling me what you're working on at the moment
but please include your name & email addy in your comment,
it makes it easier to contact you!

if you do all three, you'll have more chances to win!

the winner will be chosen at random
and will be announced next Sunday, March 6th ~

Good Luck Everyone!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

Stitching....

~ Hello friends ~

...a rainy day lends itself to nothing better
than the company of good friends and stitching...

my company is usually my kitty Suzy,
who helps me unwind my skeins of thread
and reminds me to stretch more :)

I've been stitching simple little things
and thought I would share one of my sweet nothings with you :

please feel free to copy & print out the above
to use as your free pattern to stitch, punch or hook!
(I'd love to see pictures of your finished work)

some of my stitching....

...simple handwork

{{ busy hands are a blessing on rainy days such as this! }}

some of you have contacted me about perhaps designing
some patterns for embroidery & simple stitching, so that is what I'm doing...

see?
...you ask, I deliver!! Look for new
"Simple Little Things to Stitch"
soon!

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

A Morning Walk...

...after I get my morning chores done ~
once everyone is fed, watered & happy...

I head out for my morning walk
with my best friends...

Lazy & Buddy of course!

...we walk usually up through the wooded path that Peter has cut for us,
which leads us past the old share-cropper's house on our property...

to the
"Big Tree"

the old share-cropper's house has to be at least 150 yrs old,
and the 'Big Tree' is probably older than that...
I'm not sure what type of tree it is,
but I do know one thing....

Someone...
long, long ago ~
left their mark on this tree...

there are carved initials & words
that both time & growth
has obscurred from my eyes....

although blurred from the stretching of bark,

you can still make outletters such as

"E", "H", "F", "M", "N"
and either
"C" or "G"

I so wish I knew what this said and who left it....
I wish I could make out a date or name ~
...just a small glimpse into what once was.

I'll continue to visit this old tree on my daily journey through our woods
and the past....
perhaps one day I'll find another clue.

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

just added....

...wishing for spring...

...one of two little paintings now available in my etsy shop...

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Doing Better....

we wanted to say
Thank You
for all of the well-wishes for Peter...

he is feeling better, and is back to work today ~
he'll be monitoring his BP more closely for sure....

since he was home with me yesterday,
I just couldn't concentrate on my stitching~
so I got out my watercolors instead...

there's something so soothing about putting a wet brush
to a little cake of dry pigment,...
something magical happens and it just makes you feel better.

no worries, no rules...
remember when we were little...
and our small hands grasped those big wooden-handled brushes
loaded with gloppy paint?
...we wore our fathers shirts backwards for smocks
and how our mom's eyes twinkled when we gifted her with our naive artwork...

that's what painting does for me...
carries me back to a safe & quiet place ~
SOOooooo
I'll be offering a few OOAK paintings
...and some prints in my etsy shop very soon

again, many thanks for everyone's positive thoughts and kind words for Peter...

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

A little scare...

We spent 6 hours in the emergency room yesterday ~Peter woke up with a raging bloody nose and super high blood pressure... we finally got the bleeding stopped after about an hour,
and called the ambulance to take him in since his BP was so high(his family has a history of high bp, but his was never high before yesterday)
the Dr. ordered a CTscan, and it presented negative results,
thank the stars....he has been prescribed meds for his nose and will follow up with the dr. for his bp... in the meantime,
I'm trying to keep him home & relaxed...that's about as easy as herding cats. So,please keep us in your thoughts ~ I'll be working on orders and packaging today,
then back to working on my new quilting project... Hoping you are all well and looking forward to Spring! Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

....more Shop photos

just a couple more pictires of the shop
now that we've put in the new front counter/cutting table...

below is where the larger classroom table is, just inside the front door~

this one below, is the cash-out counter,
... or the counter you see when you first walk into the shop ~

it is an "L" shaped counter, and below, you can see the fabric cutting portion
where Peter included a slick little metal channel for my scissors to guide with....

it sits in front of the office door,
and we should have put the counter there from the very beginning
...it just 'fits' and belongs there...

a cozy little spot near the back of the shop....

Peter, my heart is full knowing you love me so much
that you will build anything I ask you to!!

you are an awesome partner, husband, father & friend ~
THANK YOU for all that you do for us!

(i love you)

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Sunday Thoughts...

...here are two little wool applique's
that I stitched up last night while watching tv ~

I'm thinking of offering these and some more as patterns...

each block measures approx. 8" x 10"
(give or take, as I never plan measurements when I design)

I have yet to add embroidery, such as words, dates & doodles too....

I'm also thinking about making 12 different blocks
and sashing them into a quilt
as the finish....

what do you think?

I've added a picture of Hannah on my sidebar ~
she is wearing a headband that she designed & crocheted...
she also makes beautiful scarves & earrings.
if you click on her picture, it will take you to her etsy shop
where her and her friend Natalie are selling their handmade things.
they've named their shop
www.hankeringleftovers.etsy.com
(don't ask...they're kids ya know!)
BUT
they are trying to raise funds for college,
so If you appreciate funky, handmade things
you might find something you like there!!

Today is shopping day...
I'll go to town and the bookstore,
... then come home & cook a potroast.YUM...
Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

They're Here !

....okeedokee....

~ FINALLY~

here are my finished models for the new designs ~

"Feeding the Chickens"
punch needle pattern ~ $10.00
finished size (without wool edges) approx 5" x 8"

"Peppermint Tulips"
punch needle pattern ~ $10.00
finished size approx. 5" x 5 3/4"

&

"A Plump Wife"
cross stitch pattern ~ $10.00
stitch count: 200w x 197h


available for purchase NOW!
you can email me at not4got@aol.com to place your order...
I will gladly combine shipping on all orders
(please wait to pay until I've gotten back to you with your total)

OR
you can purchase from
www.notforgottenfarm.etsy.com
or www.picturetrail.com/notforgottenfarm

now I'll be working on finished items for the shop~
think tulips, potted herbs, rabbits ~
fresh eggs & farm animals!!
(I'll show pics soon~)

...have a great weekend & enjoy the warmer temps...
perfectly windy day to fly a kite!

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

A Plump Wife ~

" A Plump Wife is a gift to the Farmer...

his garden is cared for,
~ his nights are much Warmer..."

...
...this and other new needlework patterns
Coming SOON!

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

White Wednesday ~

Hello Friends & Folk!

another White Wednesday is upon us
(linking to www.fadedcharmcottage.blotgspot.com)

and here are some of my whites for the day ~

my basket of Forsythia on our front door welcomes you to our farmhouse...

different shades of white paint on the shop's mantle and decorative shutter...


a view of the mantle-scape in the shop...
farm fresh & ready for SPRING!

and my by-far favorite sewing stand/basket...

LOVE the creamy-white paint & texture of it.

Robin & Lee came out yesterday & gathered their goods...
it was great to know that her shop will be open soon and I can't wait to see it...
I know how happy she is to have her own place again ~

I will be hunting & creating things for the shop here,
as it is ready for a fresh new look ~
I have received new patterns for needlework from Kathy Schmitz, new hand-painted rug hooks from Tonya at Mad Hen Primitives and have more fabric bolts being shipped....

the shop is ready for the new counters that Peter has been working on and I'm SO excited to see what they will look like once finished...

Felicia has finished my
"A Plump Wife" cross stitch sampler, and I am nearing the end of finishing the two
punch needle projects that are off-shoots of the sampler...I think you'll be pleased!
Then I can FINALLY release everything at once...
(i know I know....hurry up...I'm tryin'!)
:)

Well, friends...
I'm off to print orders and get the shop in shape ~
come out & see us on friday or saturday if you get the chance!

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Our neighborhood walk ~

Peter & I went for a beautiful 6 mile walk yesterday

on a local trail...

it was beautiful ~
sunny & warm but WINDY!

we have many old barns & buildings around our area
and I would love to take them down & build them up back here on our property...


the Blue Ridge Mountains
are never far away and are so pretty....

...here's a snap of our neighbors!

can't wait for Spring when the wild flowers start to bloom ~


Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Touches of Red ~

...in my little world, my Farmhouse just wouldn't be complete
without a few touches of red to warm our home...

like the delicate crocheted edging on a vintage table scarf...

or

the quiet calmness of red checks on this lampshade in my breakfast nook ~

and the old red paint on the Heart-topped candle holder
...that i've filled with home-grown Sweet Annie.


an old checkered towel hangs from my red pegrack in our Pantry ~

and
how the light plays with the reflections on an early oil-lamp base...

even my little butter-churn is made from redware!

and who could forget or resist old soft, heavy quilts....

with their wrinkles mimicking mine
...and how they hold memories of strong & hardworking,
yet loving hands....

Little touches of red to brighten, warm & excite our farmlives....
...small plays of color to celebrate our past and
especially today:

Happy Saint Valentine's Day to you all ~


Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Sunday Snapshots ~

Heading out to do our weekly shopping...
I have to stop off at a local antiques shop
...to pick up a couple of things being held for me this aft, too ~
a sewing cabinet and a big wooden box that will be made into a
hanging shelf/cupboard in the shop

Here are some random pics that I snapped yesterday:

can you tell I have a 'thing' for red painted chairs?

my hooked rug of our farmhouse...

Sam & Suzy.

on the bed.
at the same time.

Um...
together.

{a rarity in these parts, folks...they don't necessarily like each other,
but the sunshine warming the bed was a little too tempting & cozy to argue over}
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Many thanks to all of you who stopped into the shop this past Friday & Yesterday...
it is so nice to make new friends,
and a visit from old friends is always most welcome!

Peter is working-away on our new counters for the shop ~
and I am finishing up the last of the new punch needle models...
I thought I would be finished today, but alas, I won't be.
HOPEFULLY

they will be done by this coming tuesday...

wishing you all a beautifully peaceful Sunday spent with those you love most~

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Peppermint Tulips and wonderful things...

Here is the next punch needle design
"Peppermint Tulips"
almost finished...
just need to fill in the rest of the background
then punch the border.

it will be finished today,
then i'll be working on:
"Farmer & Wife"

kind of companion punches to my
"A Plump Wife" cross stitch design
that Felicia is finishing up...

This sweet little face belongs to my Suzy,
who loves to burrow in my wools.

she looks like she's wearing a Babushka, doesn't she?
:)

this brown transfer ironstone pitcher
and victorian velvet covered sewing basket
where found on our trip the other day...
I love them both ~

along with this quilt,
which is a grandmother's garden design
(my favorite)...
it dates to about 1910 - 20
but upon closer inspection,
i saw that there is another whole EARLIER quilt underneath!!!
with calicos from the mid-late 1800's....

WOOHOO!!!

if you know me, then you know I love textiles of any sorts
and THIS kind of thing makes my heart beat just a little faster!

it will be warmer today,
and we'll be in the shop working on our projects,
planning changes, checking on the herb garden
and of course,
laughing & giggling like we always do!

hoping your day is full of smiles & wonderful things~


Blessings from the Farm...
Lori

Friday Ramblings ~

I've been playing with my camera
and Picasa to see what I can do with my pictures...

so far, I'm LOVING the Sepia/Grain effect...
my snaps look so OLD...
(the pic above is of some of the plunder I uncovered on our hunt the other day)

lots of new fabrics have been delivered and are available
here in the shop ~
we carry Civil War Era Reproduction cottons!!

our welcoming Front Garden Gate
complete with Beeskep waiting to greet you ~

and a snap of the Front Porch of the Shop...
I love the Grainy effect, don't you?

Felicia will be coming into the shop today,
helping me to plan out the new layout of the shop
once the new counters will go in...

...hopefully by next weekend
they will be in place and the shop will be ready for the knitting class on the 19th ~
{{there is still room in the class if you've wanted to learn basic knitting...

just email me at not4got@aol.com to sign up!}}

~ The weather is promising to be warmer today,
and I noticed my herb garden is changing...
I have buds on the Pussy Willow plants that my friend Jane gifted me with
and under the Lamb's Ear are new green shoots...

WOOHOO!!!!

I cannot WAIT to get my fingers in the dirt...

Have you all noticed the Mary Jane's Farm badge on my sidebar?
are you familiar with the Mary Jane's Farm magazine?

well...I am a Certified Chapter Leader of the Notforgotten Farmgirls
and have been since 2008 ~
If you are local and would like to join our chapter, drop me a line via email ~
if you are interested in joining ONLINE, then click on the badge and it will take you to the Farmgirl Connection Forum...
a FUN place to meet & chat!!

Wishin you all a BEAUTIFUL day!!

Blessings from the Farm...
Lori