CHECK IT OUT.....A NEW GIVEAWAY!!!

Just popping in to give you the scoop on a new giveaway.  Tricia over to HILLCREST HOME is celebrating her 3rd blogiversary by having an awesome giveaway.  Be sure to use the link I have provided and hop on over and congratulate her.  Check it out.....she is offering some awesome goodies for some lucky gal.

The deadline for entry is July 6th, so don't miss out.  And please tell her that I sent ya!

hugs,
Carol

HAPPY MONDAY MORNING TO YOU!!!!

I hope your week is starting out on a happy note.   We have been having some beautiful weather here in the midwest.  Lots of sunshine but a serious lack of rain.  I am just about ready to do one of my crazy "rain dances."  Not a pretty thing to see.......  I will let you know the results :-)

My grandson, Gage, who is eight years old spends a lot of time with me and loves to craft.  (Imagine that.....heehee!  This past week he was here and made himself a sailboar out of paper and cardboard.  He asked me if I would like to take a picture of it for my blog and show everyone.  Well, what Nana in their right mind would pass up that offer.  Now if you like his sailboat, he says he would be very happy to make you one.   The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree...ha!  He is the love of my life.

I want to share some pics with you of some goodies that I received last week and also send some huge 'THANK YOUS" to some wonderful, talented gals that we all know and love.

First of all, I want to give the "Random Act of Kindness" award to my dear friend, Joyce of THE BEARS BLOG for sending me one of her awesome Rusty cones filled with Americana goodness and also four of her Americana hearts.  She obviously knows that I love everything Americana.  I mean...who can ever have enough red, white and blue!  I think it looks awesome hanging on the knob of my dry sink.  Thank you soooo much, Joyce, for thinking of me.

 

 A few weeks ago as I was surfing in blogland, I came across a post by Lecia of FARMHOUSE PRIMS.  She had made an adorable prairie doll for someone else.  Well, once I saw the pic she had shared, I too feel in love with the adorable doll.   I have been looking for just the right doll to sit in a very old child's red rocker that I have had for some time.  I think you will agree that this little gal is perfect.  But wait....there is more.  Not only did Lecia agree to make me the doll, but she also sent one of her famous prairie bonnets!  Such a generous soul.  Well, it didn't take me long to find just the perfect place for it.  I have an old wooden wing back chair that needed just the right "something" and now it looks perfect.  THANK YOU so much Lecia.  I am so blessed to have two pieces of your beautiful handiwork!!!

Last week was certainly an exciting one for me with lots of packages arriving.  I also received a package from Felicia of  RAGGEDY CREATIONS.  The package contained a beautiful Americana table runner done in the ragged homespun style that I love soooo much.  She offered the runner in a giveaway on her blog a couple of weeks ago.  I have a very old wooden folding table that I set up on my porch just to display this runner.  If you are not familiar with Felicia's work, you are missing out.  She is a very creative gal and a beautiful seamstress!  Thank you sooo much, Felicia!

 
I also received a package from Barbara of BARBS HEARTSTROKES.    She also held a "star-spangled" giveaway and decided to pick a second name for some goodies. WOO HOO!!!  I am so happy she did.  Barb is such a talented artist!  I received two adorable frig magnets and also a tin AMERICA peg hanger painted up in awesome AMERICANA style.  Please be sure and stop by her blog and see what new goodies she has been working on.  You won't be disappointed!!!  THANK YOU so much Barb.

    
Well, I had hoped to share a couple more pics of some more americana decorating that I did to our porch but blogger is not cooperating very well this morning.  I guess I will save those for another time.  I guess it is time for me to take advantage of the cooler weather we are having today and get outside into the gardens and do a little needed TLC.  Thanks so much for popping by.

hugs,
Carol

OOPS.....A NEW POST ABOUT CORNELIUS AND SAMMY, AMERICANA DUO

It has been brought to my attention that some of you missed the release of my newest
Americana duo.  If you are signed up for my newsletter, I apologize for not notifying you of this new release.  Here are a few additional pictures of the duo.  It is listed in my Etsy shop.  You can find the link on my right side bar.  Due to the amount of work involved, this item is a "special order" only.  I am only able to take a couple of more orders.  If you love Americana and collect my work, you won't want to miss this piece.  If you do not use Etsy, feel free to contact me directly at grams1garden@yahoo.com.  Again, I apologize for the oversight.

Cost of this exclusive BCF design is $68.00 plus air fare.

Hugs! Carol 

DON'T FREAK OUT...THIS IS 3 POSTS FOR ME IN ONE WEEK...HA!

Just wanted to let you all know about an AWESOME GIVEAWAY going on at Raggedy Creations this week for a beautiful AMERICANA tablerunner.  It is perfect primitive AMERICANA made by the very talented, Felicia.  Let's help Felicia meet her goal of 200 followers and have fun doing it!

YOU MUST HURRY.....the deadline is Thursday!!!!    Here is the link to enter:  http://raggedycreations.blogspot.com/2012/06/my-giveaway.html

How easy is that!  Good luck to you.  I already have the perfect spot picked out for this AMERICANA treasure...heehee!

hugs and smiles,
Carol

CAPTAIN CORNELIUS III AND UNCLE SAMMY MOUSER

My newest Americana Creation.

As most of you probably know, I had decided to take some time off this summer - put the sewing on hold for a while and devote my time to family and home.  well, that was pretty short lived, heehee!  What can I say...when you get an idea for something new you just got to roll with it.  ha!

I am pleased to introduce Cornelius III, American high flyer, and Uncle Sammy Mouser...Americana at its finest, created right here on the farm.

Cornelius Crow is made from a vintage Bemis feedsack and has been painted, sanded and aged to perfection.  He stands 11 1/2 inches tall from his wire fee to the top of his hat.  His facial features have been needle sculpted and his eye is a black bead.  His wings have been hand quilted for dimension and his feet are made of heavy rusty wire.  Around his neck he wears a striped scarf accented with a rusty bell and holds a hand painted americana star in his beak.  His hat is navy wool felt and is accented with aged white wool stars. Cornelius is a pattern designed by Stacey of Raven's Haven.  Click on the photos for a larger view.

Sammy Mouser rides on the back of Cornelius and is securely attached.He is made of aged osnaburg and has needle sculpted features and wool felt ears.  His beard is made of raw sheeps wool and is needle felted to his face.  His coat is made of navy wool felt and is accented with aged white trim and tiny red buttons.  His bow and pants are made of red/white cotton striped fabric.  His flag is hand sewn of cotton fabric and his tail is rusty wire.  His arms and legs are wire armatures and are gently posable.

My picture taking skills are definitely lacking.  Even after numerous attempts, these pictures do not do this Americana crow and mouse justice.  They are much cuter in person.

Due to the amount of time and detail that has gone into this creation, I am only offering it as a special order.  If you would like one of your own, please feel free to contact me at grams1garden@yahoo.com.  Thanks so much for stopping by!!!


BLESSED, SIMPLE AMERICANA!!!

hugs,
Carol  

MY LOVE OF AMERICANA...A BIRTHDAY PRESENT, SOME GIVEAWAYS AND PICS OF OUR SUMMERTIME FRONT PORCH DECORATIONS. Be warned...this is a picture heavy post.

I hope your summer is off to a blazing start with plenty of sunshine, picnics and family fun!  We are having hot, dry weather right now.  Too hot for this old gal, so I will hibernate for a few days till things cool down just a bit.

I have a very strong affection for anything Americana; and with that said would love to share a few of my summertime decorations with you.  A few weeks ago I received an early birthday present from a very dear friend, Joyce, of  THE BEAR'S BLOG.   Joyce and I have become close blogging friends and it is my wish that someday we will be able to meet.  But until that time, I am blessed to know her and cherish our friendship.  Anywho....I have been wanting a seasonal tree from Country Creations by Denise for the longest time.  Well, a couple of weeks ago, guess what showed up at my back door.....an Americana tree that Joyce had sent to me for my birthday.  I tell you, it is beautiful!  An amazing little tree with tons of Americana goodies displayed from every branch.   I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it.  Thank you so much, Joyce, for remembering this ole gal!!!

If you have never been to The Bear's Blog, make sure you check it out.  You are in for a real treat, and I am sure you will enjoy the life and antics of Prudence Bear.  While you are there, make sure you check out Joyce's Shabby Chic Gift Shoppe for some beautiful, unique handmade creations.  She does amazing work with a keen eye for detail.

I have been wanting to add an Uncle Sam doll to my collection for quite some time.  While blogging one day I happened upon a picture of the cutest Sam doll on Wendy's blog, RAVENWOOD WHIMZIES.  I contacted Wendy inquiring about the pattern but was pleasantly surprised when she offered to make me one of my own.  I was so tickled and excited and must tell you that he is even more charming in person.  I think you will love him too.  Underneath the jacket, his little shirt has rows of ruffles.  Such detail she has put into this adorable doll.  He is a whopping 36" tall and fills the little stool just perfectly.

I entered one of Brenda's giveaway from THE RUSTY THIMBLE a couple of weeks ago and was tickled to death to find out that I had won one of her wonderful Americana pillow tucks.  As many of you may already know, Brenda is such a generous person and makes beautiful, prim-perfect creations.  The pillow tuck is just adorable and I had the perfect place to tuck it in and display.  Thank you soooo much Brenda!!  I just love it!

About the same time, I was notified by Kim of COUNTRY THYME PRIMITIVES that I was blessed to win her first blog giveaway.  It was three Americana stars that were handmade and painted with cute banners on each one with a different saying.  I also ordered two pillow tucks from her etsy shop that are also adorable.  I have them displayed on my bench along with my sweet Abby; a doll made by the talented, Miss Jody from SWEET BEAR CREEK WHIMS.  If you would like to check out Kim's etsy, you can do so HERE.  Thank you so much, Kim, for your generous giveaway!!!  I just love everything.

 

And last, if you aren't already tired of looking at  pictures....is a couple more  of our front porch which has been a work in progress for the past couple of years.  I love to garden and are very prone to make changes and additions  each year until I am totally satisfied with the outcome.  Sometimes, I think I drive my Mr. Wonderful a little lulu...heehee!

The first is a pic of a 1953 bike that now holds  my wave petunias.   Although the tires are flat and the bike rusted, I have fallen in love with it.  (Reminds me a little of myself....heehee!)

And last, the front of our house and porch.

Well, I hope you have enjoyed my picture tour as much as I have sharing them with you.  Until next time.....

BLESSED LAZY DAYS OF SUMMERTIME!!!

hugs!
Carol