Saturday, December 31, 2011

Happy 2012!!!

Our wishes for the New Year ~

may your Friends be lovable...

may your hearts be filled with joy...

may you always receive warm hugs...

and may you always have laughter in your lives...

Looking forward to a
wonderful
New Year
filled with beautiful possibilities & everything good!

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Thursday, December 29, 2011

A little progress...

I enjoy stitching houses for some reason...
maybe because it's a little like being an architect & a builder altogether?
I sometimes imagine I live in these little houses-of-thread...

and that I can stitch myself a garden, full of blowzy blooms...
or perhaps a willow tree from which I'll hang a swing?

or maybe my needle will wrought a little brown dog...or a picket fence
or the name of a loved one from long ago ~

in any case, this is my muse...
my escape from the everyday and
it's my time capsule that I visit
...each time I open my sewing basket...


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

HOOP-la


My little collection of antique & vintage sewing hoops is growing...
i seem to 'find' them wherever I go...and usually pick them up for pennies on the dollar ~
these are my wooden hoops:

I only collect those made in Germany or the USA
no later than 1950...
these are my metal hoops:
(I love the green enamel one!)

I love how worn & smooth they are
and as I use them I try to imagine what was stitched on them.

the large ovals & the tiny rounds are my very favorites~
I put them to good use and when they're not in use
they keep me company in my sewing room.

can you see the white 'house' in the picture above?
it is being worked on now...a new Spring design from Notforgotten Farm...

The Feeding the Reindeer & Merry Yule charts will be available soon,
and will be relisted in my Etsy shop ~ I'll announce that here on the blog.

Hoping you all have a creative & happy Wednesday!

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Monday, December 26, 2011

Hello!

Good Morning Friends & Folk!
and Merry-Day-After-Christmas to you:)

How fast this year seems to be flying...
it will be a whole New Year is less than a week's time.
I love to reflect this time of year ~ especially during the week between these holidays ~
to see how I can better myself, my family & my friends...

I'm hoping to begin exercising more by taking more walks with our dogs.
I'd like to start volunteering more, so I will contact our local Senior centers to see how I can be of help to them.
or perhaps I'll go to our local animal shelter and help there?

all I know I will feel better doing something MORE.
yes, I am busy here with our family...the farm, animals, shop & house...
my pattern business keeps me plenty busy too ~ {my thanks to you all!}
but I will make the time to take the time...to help.

Hoping you will consider doing the same :)

I also wanted to ask you a couple of questions that will help me in the upcoming New Year:
  1. what types of classes would you be interested taking here at the shop?
  2. how do you feel about pdf patterns (emailed) in general?
  3. would you be interested in attending a weekend retreat here at the shop? (local lodging)
  4. what are your thoughts on attending a rug show, quilt show, needlework show here on our shop grounds?
  5. any other input that you would like to share?
just comment here for all to see!!
or you can email me at
not4got@aol.com

I value you & your input !!!

Have a wonderful day my Friends!

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Saturday, December 24, 2011

~ Merry Christmas ~

From our Family
~ to Your Family ~

~ Wishing you a Merry Christmas ~

Peter, Lori & Hannah

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Flowers in December ~

Happy Wednesday Friends & Folk ~

thought I'd share some of my little flowers with you all today...
these sweet little geraniums were created by me using a needle weaving technique that I have become smitten with...

I've always been a fan of different' embroidery techniques...
and love the 3 dimensional look...

can you see how the leaves stand up from the flour cloth I'm working on??
I love this effect...
it lends such a fresh look to my projects, even though it is an ancient technique...

do any of you do this type of needlework?
would you be interested in learning how to do this?

let me know your thoughts... :)


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Happy Birthday Hannah!

Our Little Pumpkin...
the sweet little soul who blessed us with happiness & joy 17 years ago today!
the tiny person with sticky hands that loved to tickle, hug & talk to cats
(she still does)...
this innocent being that changed our lives for the better...forever.

Has grown into the most beautiful, compassionate & caring person...
always laughing, so refined & artistic ~
this young woman who never ceases to amaze us with her ability & grace,
and who definitely keeps us in line...

we celebrate YOU and all that you are...
all you have been to us & everything you will become...

Happy 17th Birthday Punkin'!

with much love,

Mom & Dad
{{ and of course...Iggy, Suzy, Tippy, Lazy, Buddy, Barbara & Sylvester, Pinnochio, Daisy, Henry, the Chicken-girls & Rooster-guy, the Guinea Hen Gang, Mommy Esther-sheep & Baaaaa-by-sheep-boy, all of our House-Mouses & woodland friends that come to visit us}}


Monday, December 19, 2011

In between the Hustle-Bustle...

between the baking of cookies, shopping & decorating ~
writing christmas cards and shipping...

I rely on my needlework to keep me sane!
(& I'm pretty sure i'm in thee best of company)

Have you all had the pleasure of perusing this new magazine?

it hails form the UK, and I found mine at our Barnes & Noble Booksellers yesterday...
it is simply charming.
it is fresh, clean & has a kind of quiet-refinement that my overworked brain craves this time of year...if you get a chance, check it out...it makes me happy!
and
of course, so does this:
my SEWING basket!

oh I have it all stocked-up alrighty...
pins, needles...pencils, punches,,,
scissors, threaders & even my little AMAZING-ly bright mini OTT Light

I keep these things right where I need them...next to my comfy stitching/reading chair...
for those quiet moments (that aren't too abundant as-of-late), but cherished nonetheless :)
I'm working on charting the Feeding the Reindeer & Merry Yule patterns,
along with some new designs for (yikes!) Valentines Day & Easter
(say it isn't' so!)
BUT, please bear with me as I master yet another obstacle:
a brand new software program for designing my crass stitch patterns on this MAC!

Hoping you all have a creative day my Friends!
blessings from the farm,

Lori

P.S.

some have emailed asking where I purchased my sewing basket ~Walmart is the answer!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Santa Picka A Winner ~

ok, well maybe he supervised ME picking the winner of him!
(you can see him smiling wildly at the thought of him traveling to a new home!)

We had a total of 91 participants!! woohoo!!
so I wrote everyone's name down, and cut out little slips of paper...
I put them into a basket, but there wasn't much room to scramble them up, so...

I dumped them into one of my pickle jars instead!...
ahhh...much more room for fair-"jumbling" ~

I shook the jar, then swirled my hand around in there one more time for good measure,
assuring an unbiased & totally random pick!!

&, Here's the WINNER!!!!
Ginger of Primitive by the Light of the Moon!!!!
Woohoo & congrats to you Ginger!
I'll send you an email to get your shipping info..

Thanks to everyone who played along, it is fun isn't it?
I'm thinking a MONTHLY giveaway would be even FUNNER!!!

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Friday, December 16, 2011

ALMOST done!!!!

I am ALMOST finished with the drawings
for the new 2012 calendar from
(c)Notforgotten Farm...
I posted recently that I thought I would have the calendar finished & (maybe) available this weekend,
BUT...it won't...
BUT it will be available for the New Year ~
SO
I'll do my best...that's all I can do :)

{{this is how I feel sometimes...oh, but ain't I pretty!}}

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Thursday, December 15, 2011

From Me to You ~

DRAWING IS NOW CLOSED!
thanks for playing along.... :)

In the Spirit of Christmas Present (get it?)
I am holding a GIVEAWAY!

Yes, this grinning Santa painting
(done by Yours Truly)
can grace your walls before the Yuletide Holiday!

{{Grinning Santa ~ Cloth & Acrylic Paint on Stretched Artist Canvas}}
measures 8" x 10"

...to be eligible to win this Jovial Fella,
all you have to do is leave me a comment on this post ~
on Sunday, December 18th I will randomly select a name...
and ship the painting to the winner on Monday the 21st!
(via USPS Priority 2/3-day mail)


Good Luck to ALL & to ALL a good day! :)
blessings from the farm,
Lori

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies ~

Ok, I don't really look like this ~
I crack myself up every now & then playing in the Photo Booth of this computer...
Bwahahahaha!!!!!

but I MIGHT look like this for real after eating some of these cookies...enjoy the laugh!!


Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup of brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups of dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Begin:
Sample the Cuervo to check quality.
Take a large bowl,
check the Cuervo again
pour one level cup and drink.
Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one peastoon of sugar.
Beat again.
At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still ok, try anothercup just in case.
Turn off the mixerer thingy.
Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Pick the frigging fruit off the floor.
Mix on the turner.
If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt, or something.
Who geevesa sheet.
Check the Jose Cuervo.
Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts..
Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or somefink. Whatever you can find...
Greash the oven.
Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fallover.
Don't forget to beat off the turner.
Finally, throw the bowl through the window,
finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the wishdasher.

Cherry Mistmas !

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Christmas Jolly's ~

Good Morning Friends & Folk~
how do you like the new 'look' to the blog?
I am always playing with it, I know..but I have been drawing so much lately, that I wanted it to reflect that ~ speaking of drawing, I am working on a new 2012 Calendar that 9hopefully) will be ready to ship by this weekend..
I know a lot of you have asked if there will be another coming, and the answer is yes!

here are a few
Little things around the farmhouse that make me smile...
...my antique Tom's Coconut Hut's Candy Jar filled with chocolate-delights :)
(well, it WAS filled...)

one of my antique French wire dress forms, wearing a Victorian weskit :)
(wish my waist was that small...where are those chocolates again?)

some festive sewies....

our Tannenbaum ~
decorated carefully by Miss Hannah & her beau, Skyler...
the farmhouse wears a simple dress of Christmas...
I tend to decorate with things I love, no matter what...I'll mix in vintage, retro, farmhouse ~
primitive, cottage, whimsical & contemporary together
~ if it pleases my heart & eye!!

I don't allow the passing-fancies or fads dictate my heart~
i guess I love it all!!!

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Monday, December 12, 2011

A Heartfelt Thank You ~

My Thanks to all who visited my little online show last night!
your patronage & kind words fill my Heart ~

"Glad Tidings" fraktur


"Mistletoe" Bear

I will be shipping all purchases today for you ~
then I will be coming back to my lil studio to work on...
NEW CROSS STITCH PATTERNS! whooooohoooooooo!
yes,
I have mastered my new computer. I won. neener neener, neeeeener.
and I have new software that allows me to
(DEEP BREATH)
send new patterns in PDF format for you to instantly PRINT! oh YAY!!!!
no more waiting !!! less trips by me to the PO!!! more time to design!! double-YAY!

I will keep you in-the-know and up to the minute with all of this, so stay tuned!

Have a Jingle-bell, Hot coca & marshmallow kind of day!
blessings from the farm,

Lori

Sunday, December 11, 2011

It's OPEN!!!!!

Please stop by & see all of my hard work ~
www.picturetrail.com/notforgottenfarm
and click on the GOODS FOR SALE link!

((thanks for your patience!))

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Saturday, December 10, 2011

the three bears...

...will greet you soon!


with their mittens-full of cheer for you ~


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Thursday, December 08, 2011

In my workshop ~

here's a sneak peek at some of the new fraktur drawings that will be available on my picture trail Christmas Show
this sunday

these will all be framed in my hand painted 5" x 7" frames ~
they did turn out pretty if you don't mind me saying so :)

I'll be in my little workshop today, stitching, stuffing, drawing & painting for you!

Hoping you all haven't floated away in all of this rain we've had...my car is stuck out in the front yard, in the mud...why would my car be in the front yard you're thinking?
well, I backed the car up to the barn to bring the 50lb. bag of sweet feed (the donkey's favorite) so I wouldn't have to carry it that far from the driveway...
and I left the car there...then it began to rain.
and rain.
rain rain rain!!!

so now it is stuck in the mud.
{{a good excuse to stay home & work!}}

Have a *SPARKLING* day my friends!!
blessings from the farm,

Lori

Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Christmas Update!

Get into your flannel jammies, grab your cocoa & come shopping with me on
Sunday, December 11th at 6:00 PM (Eastern time)
for my Christmas Update on my picture trail website:

I'll be offering my handmade bears, ornies, candles, soaps & framed drawings ~
All items sold on the update will be delivered in time
for your Christmas Gift Giving
{{or for yourself, of course!}}
See you then!

{{{The photo above shows my newest doll from Tina Lewonski (the Burlap Owl), flanked by two antique Ted's that came home with me from the show this past weekend
oh...how could I pass up new Friends?}}}

blessings from the farm,

Lori

Monday, December 05, 2011

Christmas in the Valley Show ~

Hello Friends & Folk!
it's been a couple of days since I last posted, but now that the last shows of the 2011 year are over, I can now really begin to master this new computer of mine!

I want to share a couple of photos of my booth at the show this past weekend...
it was a beautiful show and really put me in a Holiday Mood ~

My Bear Head ornies were a big hit...

Miss Joan came with me & helped me unpack,
set up, write slips & then pack everything up again!
{here she is trying to squeeze her way out of this photo, but I caught her!}

Happy Shoppers...

A Festive time :)

Hope you've enjoyed the photos, I'll be back tomorrow with some FUN news!!

blessings from the farm,
Lori

Thursday, December 01, 2011

December Comes...

Welcome December with a visit to
~ Early Work Mercantile ~

to see all of the latest Holiday offerings from a variety of talented artisans...


above are mine :)


blessings from the farm,
Lori

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Early Work Mercantile & the Ole Time Christmas Show

Hello Friends & Folk!
I have been working on some new items for the December 1st
update...

I will be offering hand drawn & colored, Fraktur-inspired tokens ~
framed under glass in my hand painted frames and done on my own hand-parched papers...

I get a lot of my inspiration from old children's books so I pulled out a few here...
I love how they look, feel & smell ~ the papers are so fragile & the illustrations so very quaint.

my color palette is reflecting a simple winter & holiday theme,
holly berry red
mistletoe green
north star gold...
faded, muted...beautiful mixed with the black ink from my pens...

watch for my online update later this evening.
AND
If you will be in the Fishersville, Staunton, Waynesboro Virginia area
Friday evening (December 2nd) 6 - 8:00 OR
Saturday (December 3rd) 9 - 3:00
Stop in at the Fishersville Expo Center for the Ole' Time Christmas Show!
Donna Smith from Southern Star Antiques puts on a great show and I'll be there with my handmaids, needlework supplies & patterns...some small antiques too...
it's a great show to put you in the mood & spirit of the Holiday!!

hope to see some of you soon ~
blessings from the farm,
Lori

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Testing the Water ~ or bobbing for Apple iMacs


This is my first post using my new iMac ~
WOW...you guys should have told me from the beginning how easy this is!
I'm in LOVE with this newfangled thing :)

anyhoo, just posting a couple of snaps to see how everything looks }


I am working on things slowly but steadily & surely...
Thanks for your patience with me!!!
Have a CREATIVE day!!

blessings from the farm,
Lori