2018!!!!

Wow!!! Can you believe it?! Another year has come and gone!

I have lots of new creative ideas for this upcoming year! Come tomorrow I plan on keeping my nose to the grindstone. Of course that will all start after I watch The Rose Parade! ((giggle))

So here's to a very happy and very healthy 2018!!

:> )

And she brought forth her first born son wrapped in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room at the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock at night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in the manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Luke 2:7-14

Merry Christmas!!!!

♥

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving!!

We sure did! My dear niece and her hubby put on a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner!!
Family, good food and thankful hearts.... Can't ask for any more than that. ♥


I've added a Folk Art Dachshund and a Folk Art Polka Dot Rooster to my website. So when you have a moment, click on the "Critters" button below to see them!







Now I'm off to start my Christmas decorating!! Yippee!!
Wishing everyone a terrific rest of the weekend!!

:> )

Man, I have been busy!!

I've been kicking around the idea of wanting our vintage round dining tabletop back in our kitchen. But I REALLY disliked the dark stain on the old pine table. It reminded me of the dark stain on those 1970's waterbeds. Remember?! Yikes! Not my cup of tea.

So I decided it was time to tackle the refinishing project. What started out in the barn ended up coming into the ol' Countryfolk farmhouse because of the snow and cold. I finished it in the dining room.

The table opens up to 9 feet. Knowing we will never need or have the room for a 9 foot dining table, I had my sweet hubs remove the extra legs and bracket supports near the base of the legs. You have no idea how thrilled I am to have those gone! Now I can sweep without having to move the table. Yes, it's all about the simple things in life! ((hee hee))

I snapped some photos to share. I find refinishing furniture very rewarding.
As much as I cursed while doing it, I felt a great sense of accomplishment.
I ended up using Minwax stain in "Provincial" and Zar's oil based polyurethane in their "clear antique flat" finish.





As usual, Stella supervised...



These are the things that had to go.



Ta-dah!!





It was a lot of hard work and elbow grease. But it was definitely worth all my cursing!

That's it for now. I'm working on more critters to offer soon on my selling site.

Wishing everyone a terrific and happy Thanksgiving!!!

:> )

A New Use For An Old Door...

It's no secret I absolutely love French doors!
When we moved in, the front door was a French door.
Although I must admit as beautiful as it looked, a very old, drafty French door isn't quite appropriate for a front door.
So when we replaced it, I was determined to use it somewhere else in the ol' Countryfolk homestead. The problem was the size. It was too large to use as an interior door. It needed to be cut down. I'm not one to shy from power tools, but I was hesitant for fear of ruining the beautiful old door.

After all these years its finally been cut down to size. My dear friend's sweet husband (Thank you, Dan!!) not only cut it down, he plugged the holes from the dead bolt and original knob placement as well. YIPPEE!!!!!!

They brought it back over the weekend. I still need to sand, prime and repaint it. But for now it is leaning near the doorway it will eventually hang.

Now... Who would put a French door in the main bathroom, you might ask??!!!
Ummm... **waving my arms wildly** that would be me!!!



For the record, I do plan on putting a curtain on it. I may be crazy, but I'm also quite modest.((giggle))

Happy Thursday, all!!

:> )

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Since my Give Thanks Centerpiece sold so quickly, I decided to create another one.



And to get into the Christmas spirit a little early, I am offering Sweet Gingerelle the Gingerbread and my Folk Art Nativity.





If you'd like, you can click on the banner below to go directly to my sales page.





Hope to see you there!!!

Wishing everyone a fun Halloween night!!! Eat some chocolate for me, preferably a Milky Way!! ((giggle))

:> )

Just finished...

a wonderful Thanksgiving folk art vignette.
You can click on the "seasons" button below to go directly to my Countryfolk Keepsakes selling site.

I've been busy working on more offerings!!
I'll keep you posted...


:> )

I will continue to pray...

for those and their families affected by this heinous act.



I will also continue to pray for our country.

I can't help but be reminded of a wonderful quote by the one and only Mr. Rogers.




Yes there is evil in the world. There will always be evil in the world.

But please remember... there is always more good than evil.
Always.

♥

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Here's a little sneak peek at my Dream offering...



If you'd like, click on the banner below to go directly to my sales page.





Hope to see you there!!!

Man, September was a busy month!! Sorry I've been MIA. I am really looking forward to a more relaxing October and posting on my blog.

Wishing everyone a terrific weekend!!

:> )

Our Somber Anniversary...

NEVER FORGET.
♥

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Folk Art Owlyn the Owl.



Firewood Folk Drac.



Click on the banner below to go directly to my EWM page.



Hope to see you there!!

P.S.
Autumn is right around the corner!! Yippee!!!!

:> )

"A perfect summer day is...

when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." ~James Dent



Happy August, all!! Get outside and enjoy it!!

:> )

TONIGHT on Early Work Mercantile...

Little Hallo-wee-ones.




Click on the banner below to go directly to my EWM page.



Hope to see you there!!

:> )

Hooray!!

My sweet hubs and I have been hitting lots of sales lately. I've been searching for yet another Windsor fan back armchair. This time for my studio.

Most of you know I have an obsession with these chairs. Not only do I find them beautiful, they are comfortable, too!

We stopped at an estate sale. It was at a lovely Victorian near Colgate University. The place was wall to wall people. My guess would be mostly antique dealers. Man, we could barely move. I finally worked my way into one of the many gorgeous rooms in this home and there it was! A vintage maple fan back w/ brace back! Actually there were two. But one had a cracked seat. Needless to say, this chair was coming home with me.



I hope the previous owner (whoever that may be) will be happy knowing their chair will be very well loved and taken care of for as long as I'm around.

Happy Sunday, all!
:> )

I just finished up another Little Betsy Ross...

To see more of her, just click on the "Extreme & Rustic" button below.



Happy Wednesday, all!!

:> )

Tis the season...

Summertime here in Central New York means lots of barn, house, garage, estate and yard sales!! Yippee!!! You know I love a good bargain!!

I've been on the hunt for another Windsor fan back arm chair. So far, nothing. But I won't give up.

I did however find an old ironstone water pitcher. No basin. But I prefer to wash up in the bathroom. So I'm not going to use it for that anyway. ((giggle))



Also, I've been wanting a small tabletop ironing board for my studio. But I found something better! A vintage sleeve ironing board! Perfect for my wee Americana Firewood Folks clothes I make. Just have to re-cover it with some cotton batting and fabric.





So that's about it. I hope everyone has a fantastic week!! Remember life is short.
Get outside. Visit a farmers market. Play with your dog. Sing along to The Jackson Five's "Dancing Machine" at the top of your lungs with the Jeep top off as you drive around.
Ummm. Wait a minute... That was my morning.

Happy Monday!!
:> )

They are plain words, these four...

Remember it's the pursuit of happiness.



Wishing everyone a
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

:> )