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

FLOWERS, NEW GOODES AND A THANK YOU

It has certainly been a while since I posted anything.  This is my favorite time of the year....the flowers and their beautiful colors are just beginning to pop and the weather is still mild.  I love being outside when the temps are still in the high 60's and low 70's.  It has been the perfect spring weather in our area and I am much further in clean-up after the long winter than I usually am at this time.  Some years seem to be better for certain flowers than others.  This year my orange poppies have just exploded.  They have literally tried to take over one of the beds.  They are truly fragile flowers, laying over on themselves; their flowers don't really stand up to rain or wind too well.  Here is a pic of a few that are blooming.

My white Clematis is also in full bloom.  This flower is from my daughter's wedding that we held in the backyard last June.  We had a real time with a woodchuck who had taken up residence in our yard and was determined to make a meal out of this plant.  As you can see, the plant is still here and the woodchuck has taken up residence somewhere else.  ha!  A good friend of mine found this old garden gate for me last year and now it is the perfect trellis for this flower.  . 
Well, there is no bird's nest in Mr. Wonderful's tractor this year but I have found several around the yard.  Gotta love those new Moms.

One of my favorite flowers is the Orchid.  This is a pic of the flower Mr. Wonderful brought home several days ago for Mother's Day.

 

While I am sharing, I also wanted to share a pic of  the cutest shabby chic chest that I purchased from The Bear's Blog.  This chest is awesome with tons of neat vintage items added to the lid giving it that great shabby chic look.  It goes great with a grouping of vintage bottles and antique pictures on a shelf above it.  Be sure to check out Joyce's blog and the antics of Prudence and her little friends.  Joyce has a Shabby Chic Gift shop that currently offers some real vintage treasures.  If you love antique linens, you will certainly want to chek it out.

And last, I wanted to share a picture of Abby; my newest adopted doll from Jody of Sweet Bear Creek Whims.  She has her own special place in my kitchen sitting on a vintage chair next to my back door and greeting everyone who enters.  Jody is a very talented artist and does amazing work as is evident in the features of Abby's adorable face.  Thank you sooo much Jody for gifting me with Abby.  I am blessed to have her a part of our farm family.  This pattern, as well as many others are available on Jody's blog.  Check it out.  You are in for a real treat.  Here is a pic of adorable Abby.

Well, everyone...thanks for stopping by.  Life is simple and uncomplicated around the farm in the summertime and that is just how we like it.  Have a GREAT summer and if you are like me,  I know where you will be.....outside getting your hands dirty.

hugs and simple summertime smiles,
Carol

NEW ETSY ITEMS ADDED

New items have been added to my etsy this morning.

First is this one-of-a-kind summertime vignette featuring Hannah and her barnyard friends.

In addition, there is sweet Miss Winnifred mouser and a couple more sheep made using the vintage seed batting.

If you would like to check out these new listings, you can find the link to my etsy store on my right sidebar. I have planned to take a couple of months off during the summer to spend with family and friends so I will not be updating my etsy shop for a little while.

  So until then..... I HOPE YOU ENJOY SIMPLE SUMMERTIME BLESSINGS!!!

hugs,
Carol

SOME SPECIAL DELIVERIES AND SOME LONG OVERDUE "THANK YOUS!!"

It has been a while since my last post.  Seems lately that the faster I go the further behind I get.  I am long overdue in sending "thank yous" to some very dear blogging friends for some special deliveries I have received in the past few weeks.

I don't know how familiar some of you are with Kim of OLD ROAD PRIMITIVES, but if you know her like I do, then you know how much of an advocate she is for planet green.  I was blessed to receive some of the cleaning products that she uses and decided to use them for a couple of weeks before sharing with everyone and see just how good these products worked.  They are wonderful!  Not only do they do the job, they smell fantastic  and are environmentally safe. 

If you are interested in trying these environmentally safe cleaning products, you can find them at http://www.sweetgrassonline.com.  Sweet Grass Farm is a family owned business who specialize in environmentally friendly plant based cleaners and other products.    Thanks so much, Kim, for introducing me to these wonderful products.  I am so thrilled with them that they are becoming a permanent part of my cleaning routine.  Check out Kim's blog here:  http://www.oldroadprimitives.blogspot.com.  She offers great tutorials and wonderful primitive patterns.


I received another "special delivery" from another wonderful friend, Jody of SWEET BEAR CREEK WHIMS.  If you are familiar with Jody's work you may not know that she has a real gift and a love for photography.  I was recently blessed to receive some beautiful note cards that were made by Jody using her photograpic talents.  These cards are absolutely amazing and even though they were made with the intention that I would use them, I am finding it hard to part with them as each one is so beautiful.

Some of the cards that Jody designed were based on photos of one of my mousers and her BFF Beulah. How great is that!!!! If you would like to see more of  Jody's photographic talent, wonderful creations and patterns you can find them at http://www.sweetbearcreekwhims.blogspot.com.

Another "special delivery" I received last week came a grand opening celebration giveaway at The Olde Primitive Peddler.  This cutest of little Bella bunny dolls was made by the very talented Jenn Martino - West of BEAUTIFUL DISASTER ORIGINALS.

  You can check out Jenn's blog at http://www.beautifuldisasteroriginals.blogspot.com.  And don't forget to check out her monthly updates on The Olde Primitive Peddler which can be found at http://www.oldeprimitivepeddler.blogspot.com.

SIMPLE SPRINGTIME BLESSINGS TO YOU!!!

Carol