New listings on Etsy

I have listed another set of snowman ornaments and a snowman clothespin doll, cupboard hanger on Etsy.  They are all done in brown tones so you can use them all winter long!

Happy Holidays!
Catherine

Early Work Mercantile

I added somethings to my Early Work Mercantile page. I forgot how busy this month can be! I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!

Tuesday Display Chain #9

What a great idea this week, your favorite or cherished bonnet or hat!  To most lovers of primitive, bonnets are like potato chips, you can't eat collect just one!  I find it hard to pick a favorite, so I will have to post a few and note their various attributes.

Homespun bonnets were worn everyday and suffered a lot of wear.  This bonnet tells a tale of much use.  The maker of this bonnet added ruffles which were probably fashionable at the time but left the selvedge edges exposed to save time in hemming.

This bonnet is plain and simple.  There are no ruffles, just a deep quilted brim.

The bonnet on the right and the apron on the left are made of the same checked homespun fabric.  I purchased them separately but I like to think they were once a set! 

This bonnet is made of blue calico.  It is in excellent shape and appears to have been worn very little.  The brim is lined with double pink calico, possibly to add a favorable pink cast to an otherwise sallow complexion. 

As much as I love bonnets, I prefer a more modern style of hat for everyday wear!

Be sure to check out Misi's blog 1890gablehousemusings to see more great posts!

New Patterns!

I know, it's hard to believe that they are done!  It's only been 20 days since I announced they would be ready soon.  LOL  You can find them on my Picturetrail site.  Thanks for being patient with me! 

Tuesday Display Chain #7

If it's Tuesday, it must be time for Misi's display chain!  This weeks theme is "Holiday Crafting"  The challenge is to show our holiday crafting ideas for this year or seasons past.  I've got a bunch of them but I'll just show a few so as not to bore anyone!  Ho....Ho...Ho!.....Here we go!

New for this season, I am working on the patterns as we speak!  Or at least I was earlier today!

 sleepy Santa 2003

A Netty LaCroix santa I made.

My only Santa 2009

Mini table of Christmas goodies.

Mini Shiny Brites in a hand made box.

Check out Misi's blog for more Christmas cheer! 

Tuesday Display Chain "Peek-A-Boo!"

Misi of 1890 Gable House Musings is on vacation this week and has asked Robyn (AKA-Primlish) to pick this week's theme. This week it's all about hiding modern conveniences. My first picture is of my stove board. I found it at an antique show for $20.00.

The next pictures show creative ways to hide electric cords and outlets.  There's nothing like a nice electric cord to ruin an otherwise perfect display! In the kitchen, I hide my cords with a couple of graters. The graters have a round front to allow the cords and plugs room to hide behind.

This last example is a lantern that hangs from a peg rack in the dining room. I used a large bowl and cutting board to hide the cord. 

 I hope you enjoyed today's post! Please be sure to visit Robyn's blog and check out the other great ideas!

New Offerings on Early Work Mercantile!

I'm excited to announce my new offerings on Early Work Mercantile! 

Come on over and check them out!  Don't forget to visit the other wonderful artists!Early Work Mercantile

My New - Old Shelf

Here are some pictures of the new shelf that my son Sam made for me. It was definitely a family project. After Sam sanded it, it was my turn!  First, I painted the shelf with olde ivory paint. After it was dry, I rubbed it with beeswax anywhere I wanted it to show wear, especially the edges. Next, I painted it black all over and let it dry again. Now for the fun part! I used a heat gun to melt the wax and quickly rubbed it off with a lint free rag.  (Not the scrapbooking kind of heat gun, that would take too long!)  It takes a while to do but it is so much easier and less messy than sanding!



Mr. M added the hooks and hung the shelf!  I loved the shelf I had here before but it just wasn't functioning well for the space.  This new shelf gives me more room for decorating on top and a place to hang coats in the winter.  Not that I'm talking the old shelf down.....It could hold a lot of keys!

Don't feel bad for the old girl, she has a place reserved out in the cabin.

( The lantern lights hanging on the shelf are by Chris Mathis of Walnutridge Primitives

The milliner's head is by Norma Schneeman of Schneeman Folk Art  The black gloves left there by one of my sons?......Priceless! )

Pumpkin Cake

Also known as pumpkin squares.  I love pumpkin in most any incarnation but always found pumpkin squares lacking in flavor.  This recipe has more of a pumpkin pie flavor and is pretty quick and easy to make!  I hope you enjoy the recipe!

Pumpkin Cake

15 oz can of pumpkin

2C. sugar

1/2 C. canola or Veg. oil

1/2 C. apple sauce

4 eggs beaten

2 C. flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tps. salt

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

1/8 tsp. ginger

1/8 tsp. ground cloves

(Set aside 1 stick of butter and an 8oz. block of cream cheese to soften. This is for the frosting!)

Beat pumpkin, sugar and oil.  Add eggs, mix well.

Mix together the dry ingredients and add to pumpkin mixture.  Mix until well blended. Pour into greased 10x15 sheet pan and bake for 25-35 min at 350° Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting



1 stick of butter

8oz cream cheese

1 1/2 tsps. vanilla

2 1/4 C. powdered sugar

1 - 4 tsp. milk

Beat softened cream cheese and butter until well mixed.  Mix in vanilla.  Add powdered sugar.  Add milk to desired consistency.

The little jack O'lantern's are marzipan.  If you want to make them,  just buy a package of marzipan dough, some orange paste food coloring and a little tube of black frosting.

Color part of the marzipan with the paste food color.  Roll into small balls and add details using a toothpick.  I also used the toothpick to get the black frosting into the facial features.  I used a little plain marzipan to add a stem to the top.

Tuesday Display Chain

The theme of today's "Tuesday Display Chain" hosted by Misi of Gable House Musings, is "Make-Do."

There is a saying: "Use it up....wear it it out...make it do or do without."

In modern times we often have the advantage of buying something we need to accomplish a specific task.

In times past people didn't have a store around the corner or perhaps the money to buy new things.
People would re-use, repurpose and mend the things they had.

My first two pictures are of a true make-do.

An apple butter paddle repurposed as a scrubber to clean the kettle.

 

I made this seed bag in true make-do fashion. Repurposed from a timeworn quilt, it is made from antique calico.

The patch was copied from an old feedbag and the drawstring is a piece of cotton cording.

 

I found this box at my favorite antique mall. I didn't have a specific idea what I would use it for but I had never seen one like it before!

 I finally decided that it would make a fine towel holder in my kitchen.

 

Next, we have a wonderful make-do pincushion made by my dear friend Teresa of
 Aunt Polly's Attic.

The make-do is attached to a wooden base and stuffed with scraps. I added my collection of antique picture pins.

The last two pictures are make-do quilt racks that I made using apple butter paddles and old wooden tools.

I wanted something unique to hold my quilts and coverlets. The instant I saw the wooden tools, I knew I had found my brackets!

I hope you enjoyed today's theme!  Check out all the fantastic displays at:
 Gable House Musings.

Fall Update on Picturetrail

I will be having my last Fall 2010 update tomorrow 10/15/10 at 12:00 pm Central time on my picturetrail site.

I want to say thank you to all my customers and friends who take the time to look at my Picturetrail site and my blog, it means so much to me.

Have a great Fall evening!

Catherine

Two Colors

Misi over at Gable House Musings is doing a display chain.  This is new to me but I will give it a try!  Can you guess what my two colors will be?  LOL

Halloween Shadow Box

Here is a picture of my old window shadow box revamped for Halloween.

I kept some elements of the original display and added to them. I added witches hats and shawls to my Art Fabric Mills dolls and a black cheese cloth drape and candle to my silhouettes.

Crows on the loose!

I went out on the porch this morning and what did I find?  The crows had gotten loose from their cage!  I soon found them hanging out in other spots on the porch!  I figured that they were happier that way, so I left them to their own devices.  If you want a pet crow of your own check out the Great interpretations page on my website! 

Just Be-Caws!

I know the title sounds a little corny but..... I Found this amazing, HUGE cage in the barn and thought it would be a great decoration filled with my crows for Halloween!  Unfortunately my cabin loft was just an inch or so too short to accommodate it.  I decided to take a picture anyway.  I think it would also be perfect in a cavernous hall as a light fixture!

A midnight ride anyone?

As you might have noticed in my post with the feet picture, I have been working on a project for the last month.  I know....it's been slow going and you may have thought I would never finish!  Here's she is! (finally) LOL  The first picture was taken at dusk since that's when you would naturally find her outside waiting for her potential customers.