Log Cabin Christmas at Early Work Mercantile

 

Here's a little sneak peek at what I've been working on for the Early Work Mercantile update on November 15th. My designs were inspired by the classes I took at Country Sampler last month. I'm really pleased with the way these projects turned out. I can hardly wait to show them to you!

 

 At Early Work Mercantile, you'll find lots of great winter offerings from many talented primitive artists. I do hope you'll stop by for the big reveal.

Until Next time...
Rhonda

What I Did On My Summer Vactation (OR where the heck have you been?)

Some of you might be wondering just what happened to me over the summer...I've really missed being part of the blogging community these last few months. I've missed seeing what you've been up to, your projects, your photos, your offerings...I've missed YOU. I really appreciate my faithful readers...THANK YOU for sticking with me, I hope you'll return again and again.

I can't believe it's fall! Seriously, summer flew by so quickly that I almost feel like it never happened. We were just incredibly, incredibly busy here. It seems like we went from one project to the next... 

There was a lot of painting, remodeling, and exchanging of spaces. My studio moved from a small crowded room on the main floor of the house, to two large rooms on the second floor. My old studio became a cozy little sitting room just off the master bedroom. 

This may not sound like much to some of you, but with the exception of moving the heavy furniture, I did most of the work myself.  The moving, sorting and organizing of supplies was probably the biggest part of the project. I made myself go through every button and spool and was relieved that my family didn't call the producers of "Hoarders" when they saw what was packed into my tiny studio. Mr. Kattywhompus said it reminded him of a clown car...where no matter how many clowns emerge-there's always one (or two) more. *sigh*

The changes have been a dream. I not only inherited a bigger space, but three more closets and room for an office, packaging area and permanent spot to take product photos. I was able to move most of the inventory for my vintage shop into one space, and still have a pretty and functional area to create. Of course during the move, I wasn't able to get a bit of work done...but I feel like I will be able to be much more productive now that everything is in one space and more organized.  I also have plenty of room to host gatherings with friends, which has happened a couple of times already. :)

As the mother of three sons, I've lived in a world flooded with testosterone for over twenty years. Now that the two oldest have their own place, I lost no time in creating what they refer to as "The Pink Room".

I really wanted a pretty (and comfortable) chair to sit in by the window and stitch. It's pretty now, but it certainly wasn't when I found it. I'll tell you in my next post how I PAINTED the upholstery and transformed this Craigslist find. You might be as amazed as I was at how easy it was!

In my new space, I even have room to to create vignettes with all the little pretties I've collected over the years.

Surrounding myself with things I love inspires me.

Fabric at my fingertips.

 

Pretty storage all in a row.

The "Hoosier" makes great storage (but was a booger going up the stairs).

Needfuls near the sewing machine.

On the tabletop, a sweet stemmed dish, a gift from my mother-in-love. Each time I made her a grandma, she brought me a pretty piece of glassware. One day I hope to gift them to my daughter-in-loves. The little kitten was a Mother's Day gift. I can still picture four year old Nash, standing by my bedside at 5 am, with a tiny gift wrapped box. :)

Favorite things...vintage rabbits, Tasha Tudor storybooks and shiny dragees unearthed at an estate sale by my friend Joan.

More Inspiration...

Everyone needs a helper...

Supplies...

Another corner...

A turn of the century, white cotton day dress and antique ladies pocket watch, gifts from my Momma.

I have one last project to finish in this room. I want to paint my worktable a creamy white. It's a big round claw-foot table that we've had since we were first married. Right now the finish looks like this...it really needs a makeover.

 

Well...I hope you've enjoyed the tour. I look forward to sharing the rest of my summer with you...including a tutorial on how to paint upholstered furniture, a special outing with friends, my first big feature story in Mercantile Gatherings Magazine and what I am looking forward to for fall. Until next time...Rhonda

(Please forgive my crazy spacing...blogger seems to be buggy tonight.)

Art Imitates Life

Do you have a friend who is upbeat, cheerful, generous and fun to be with? I do. 

Meet Emily. Spending a few days with Em always involves deep conversation, laughter, and usually an art project. She is great at choosing projects that take me out of my comfort zone and stretches my imagination a bit. With her, I get to try new things and work in unfamiliar mediums. She encourages me to be brave...to grow. I need that.

We had one of our little art retreats this week. We had the house to ourselves and plenty of room to make a mess...and we did. 

We stayed up until 4am, laughing, talking, snipping, and gluing. It was wonderful.

And although I don't think either of us is under the illusion that these are great works of art, we did get the opportunity to learn new techniques and expand our horizons. 

Plus, we had fun...and really, isn't that what girlfriend time is all about?

My "masterpiece"...still needing the finishing touches. Nothing amazing...but still, a sweet remembrance of our time together.

I plan to hang it in my new studio space (more about that later).

~Emily's collage...not quite finished.~

Canvas, gesso, paper, paint, etc...$20.-$30

Spending time with someone who is cheerful, positive, authentic, and challenges and encourages me to be my best self...priceless.

 Spend some time with YOUR authentic friend(s) today.

Until next time...

Rhonda

If you would like to try the "Little Houses" project yourself, visit Caatje's lovely blog for instructions.

~Bead and Needle~

Once in a while I discover something really wonderful and want to tell everyone I know about it. That's how I feel about Tanya's unique and beautiful work at Bead and Needle. When I saw this beaded pendant necklace, made from an old tintype, my heart went pitter pat...and I just knew I had to have it. So I saved my pennies and hoped it would still be for sale when I had enough put aside. Lucky me...it was!

 

Just days after placing my order my necklace arrived in the mail. And I must add here, that pictures do not do it justice...it is even lovelier in person. Don't you LOVE when that happens? Add to that...Tanya included a matching pair of earrings to go with the pendant. I know...can it get any better? Well, yes it can. Not only is Tanya's work beautifully and meticulously executed...but she is just the dearest person to deal with too!

Here's a closer view of the necklace. I've already worn it a lot. The fun part is making up a different story about the identity of the pretty lady pictured, each time I get complimented.

Here are some other examples of Tanya's work...

Sparkles and Beads

Beaded Cameo

Beaded Porcelain

If you hurry, you just might be in time to call one of these beauties  your own...

Still for sale in her Etsy shop.

 Beaded Antique Tintype Necklace

 Glass Beaded Button Pendant Necklace

I'm sure there's someone on your Christmas list who'd love to find one of Tanya's pieces under the tree. Or maybe YOU'LL be adding to your own wish list. Either way...you're welcome. 

Until next time...

~Simply Primitives Update~

I'm pleased to announce my very first update on Simply Primitives, December 1st, featuring some of my new cut paper silhouettes. I hope you'll join me along with the other talented artisans there.

Our silhouettes are adaptations 19^th century works, finished and framed in the early style. Each image is hand cut from heavy card stock and mounted on parchment. They are then tinted with our special solution to replicate aged paper. Each silhouette comes in a distressed, wood frame, under glass. The back of the frame is neatly finished with paper and comes ready to hang.

Until Next time...

Blustery Black Friday

As I sit here typing I can hear the fierce wind whipping across the Indiana prairie, the creaking of the house, and the voices of our eldest son and Mr. Kattywhompus deep in conversation. We are staying cozy inside, awaiting company this evening. How wonderful it is to be restful and relax with family gathered round! With leftovers in the fridge and dogs at my feet I feel blessed beyond measure.

In between checking the turkey and serving up pie, I was able to get a few things listed in my Etsy shops. I am working on a series of cut paper silhouettes, some of which are already available here, and some of which will be available on Simply Primitives on December 1st. I am thrilled to be included among their newest artisans, and hope you will visit me on my page there. Look for me in the Artisan Directory after December 1st. I have also added a couple of things to my vintage Etsy shop, including this Artisans Sampler, perfect for Christmas crafting!

I've been putting these together from my stash of vintage lovelies...things that are wonderful, but don't necessarily fit with our primitive style home. It's been fun to see how much the people who purchase these kits appreciate and enjoy them. I have several more in the works that should be listed in a day or two.

Here are some of my colonial style silhouettes. The designs were adapted from early portraits and are hand cut from paper.

I'm going to decorate a short wall in the living room, next to my desk, with similar pieces. I'm still looking for some little oval frames to mount some of the smaller cuttings.

These are available in limited numbers, so please...if you see one you must have, don't hesitate.  I'd hate for you to be disappointed.

 

I think they are really special...and hope you will feel the same.

I can't believe I forgot to show you the lovely little gift I received from Michelle Palmer. Out of sight, out of (my) mind... 

I was one of SEVEN winners in her generous fall giveaway...

Michell is such a talented lady...I  just adore her little drawings on fabric. Wouldn't this look fabulous on a fall themed sewing roll?

Michelle chose this drawing especially for me. Does she know me, or what? It's perfect! She also included one of her magnetic Christmas sets in my package and as always, a sweet note.

I encourage you to visit her lovely blog, and afterward her Etsy shop. You'll be glad you did!

Until next time...

Simply Good Weekend

I'm one of the lucky ones. I'll be attending the Simple Goods primitive show this weekend with two of my dearest friends. I hope you'll stop by the Mercantile Gatherings Magazine table to say "Hello"...or just tug on my sleeve in the crowd and introduce yourself. See you there!

Until next time...

Peek-A-Boo~Tuesday Display Chain

Each Tuesday, Misi of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her 'Tuesday Display Chain' by featuring items from their collections. This week Robyn of PrimLish chose a theme in keeping with the Halloween Spirit. The theme this week is Peek-A-Boo.

Primitive lovers everywhere understand the need to hide away all those pesky modern conveniences that take away from the rustic ambiance of our homes. I admit, when we lived in the farmhouse, I camouflaged everything from the toaster to the cat inside of crocks and under wooden crates. These days my small appliances are tucked away in the "appliance shed" built specifically for that purpose. Now I'm more about finding attractive storage and hiding clutter.

The buttery measures 8' x 13.5' and basically covers the entire back wall of our kitchen. It provides great storage and also creates a fun space to display a multitude of goodies. On one side, decor items that are currently out of rotation are stored in the lower cabinet behind the curtain...and on the other; I keep lights and props for taking photos.

And in the middle section...

We keep the dog food out of sight, but still easily accessible. You can't fool Murray.

And speaking of Prim Dog Murray...

He hides his toys in an old firkin.

And situated conveniently next to the front door...

This little five drawer cabinet houses dog leashes, harnesses etc. (Sensing a trend yet?)

Paper clutter is one of my pet peeves. I detest "piles". Mr. Kattywhompus solved my problem with this Craiglist purchase last year at Mother's Day. My "vintage" Habersham Plantation secretary has drawers and cubbies aplenty. Now ya see it...

Now ya don't.

In the living room I hide books, magazines and rug hooking supplies in the dry sink next to the sofa.

 

Things I use are close at hand, but no piles!

 The little drawer is perfect for stowing hand sewing supplies.

This boxy stagecoach trunk is the perfect place to store my bulky rug hooking frame, along with bags of cut wool "worms".

Trust me...it's in there-under the linen background.

And last, but not least...nope, not a breadbox.

I no longer have to search for light bulbs, specialty nails or fasteners. I keep them at my fingertips...ready to hang a picture or change a bulb.

I hope you've enjoyed today's Display Chain. Hop on over to Robyn's blog  to see the other fabulous contributors! 

Until next time...