March 29, 2009

HERE'S THE GANG!

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SEBASTIAN'S BIRTHDAY PARTY

Yesterday, we celebrated my grandson's 3rd birthday. It was so nice to have all the grandchildren under one roof, but it sure was hard to take a picture of all them together. They are all 3 and under and do not take kindly to posing for a picture. This is the best one I could get...I think I snapped my camera 23 times and this was the only picture were they weren't either moving or pinching each other!

March 27, 2009

SEWING NEEDFULS CLOSE AT HAND

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TRANQUILITY OF A SEWING ROOM

After three of my five children moved out, I had the good fortune of being able to turn one of the spare bedrooms into my sewing room. Now, my house isn't a mansion by any means, nor is it fancy, newly renovated or remodeled...just a plain 1950's ranch style home...but it is comfortable, warm, and it welcomes me home every night after a long day's work. After dinner, I like to unwind and retreat into my "room". After the business of a hectic day, it is wonderful to be able to sit and relax. Like most of us who love to create, it is so comforting to be able to surround ourselves with items that we hold dear to our hearts.

My antique bears are constant companions. They stand guarding my room when I am away. Next to them is my 6-drawer thread holder. I have amassed quite a collection of thread over the past few years...I'll probably not live long enough to use them all! Above the bears, hanging on the wall, is a game board made by my late father-in-law. He made it back in the 50's when he and my mother-in-law would have game night with friends. I believe the game was "Aggravation" or "Sorry". It's not the most beautiful or creative board, but it is very special.

On the opposite wall, I have items that are within easy reach...candlesticks for making pincushions, reproduction and antique pincushions, jars full of buttons, pins, and rubber stamps. If you look closely, you can see two pairs of antique children's shoes. Front and center, is a little statue of a nurse bear. My daughter bought this for me when she was only 6 years old, when I graduated from nursing school. So many treasures, so many memories..comfort food! I hope you all have a room or a corner where you can create and spend some quiet time...

March 25, 2009

CHANGES

This weekend I am embarking on a new adventure....I am changing my living room decor from "primitive/colonial" to "contemporary rustic"....how is that for a new decorating phrase! After 25 years of country, I am going more modern, but keeping a small amount of rustic charm....meaning, I purchased a nice, cushy dark brown leather couch, with two comfortable sea blue contemporary chairs and glass-top end tables and a glass-top coffee table...yep...you read it...glass! How is that for turning on a dime?? I am keeping two of my primitive pieces...a dark walnut sawbuck table in my dining room and a dark pine dry sink that I had purchased three years ago in Ohio. I believe I will be able to mix the old with the new and somehow it will all work. In my older age...I am seeking to be more comfortable that to be in a particular style.

We purchased a 42 inch TV for the living room last year and that seems to have started it all. In 37 years of marriage, I have never had a TV in the living room, but I have discovered that it is pretty cool! I can watch Dancing With The Stars in the comfort of my living room with a fire going, food on my lap, and in the company of family! In one of the corners of my living room, I am going to create a stitching/reading area..complete with table , a comfy chair, and good lighting.

Sometimes, change is good..I know, I needed a change and what better place to start than in your own nest!

March 11, 2009

CIVIL WAR SOCKS

Brave Sentry, on your lonely beat
May these blue stockings warm your feet
And when from wars and camps you part
May some fair knitter warm your heart"


This is just one many lovely notes found in Civil War Socks that were lovingly hand knit socks sent to the Union Soldiers. This month's issue of Piecework Magazine, has the most wonderful story about these simple, hand made necessites to the soldiers of the Civil War. The article has pages of other wonderful notes that were placed in each pair and kept over the years. It also contains many pictures of socks and how each knitter put her own personality into her creation. I guess socks are something we just don't really give much thought about. But to a soldier, braving the cold of winter in the 1860's, socks would have been the purist of luxuries! If you are able to purchase this month's issue of Piecework Magazine, do yourself a favor...purchase and read this magnificent article. It will surely warm your heart!

Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone is having a pleasant day..I sure wish it would warm up around here! The sun is out, but it is so cold! I am babysitting the little ones today and they have worn me out. I have done everything from attempting cartwheels to doing hurkies..and I am way too out of shape for that! She thought I was pretty cool, however. My grand daughter is in the "acrobatic" stage of her little young life.

I have listed a few more things on my selling blog. Just click on Union Star Primitives to the right of this post and it will take you to my selling blog. I hope you all have a terrific day....word of advice...NO CARTWHEELS!

March 8, 2009

A RAINY WEEKEND

Rain, rain go away...come again another day! That's about how I felt this afternoon after two days of rain. I mean buckets and buckets of rain...flooding type rain, the type of rain you can't decide whether or not you want to leave the house or not. It was the kind of day you just want to curl up in your favorite chair with a cup of hot coffee, your favorite stitching project and sew the day away! Well, that's exactly what I was doing, when I had to get up and make dinner...DARN! I regrettably must mention that I despise cooking...always have, always will. I mean, I have had to it most of my married life, especially with 5 kids....but it is one chore that I truly do not enjoy. I would rather clean, scrub, do laundry, etc. Now don't get me wrong..I love to eat...just not cooking!

I listed a couple of new things on my selling blog for your interest. Neither item is "antique" tonight. They are wonderful reproductions, but are beautiful just the same! I have had these items displayed in my home. If I didn't think they were perfectly prim and early looking, I would have never placed them with my other collections. I will be listing more early pieces this week. If you have any questions, or would like more pictures please email me. I am thinning out my collections and getting ready to remodel my basement. Please click on the link to the right of this blog: "Union Star Primitives" and it will take you directly to my selling blog. Thank you and have a great week!

March 4, 2009

Penny Rug stitched up for TDIPT's 2 year anniversary give away

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TDIPT'S 2 year anniversary blog give away

It's hard to believe, but The TDIPT Mercantile, To Dwell In Primitive Tymes, is celebrating it's two year anniversary this March. What a fun group this is! Full of talented and creative folk artists, lead by my dear friend Patty of Dogpatch Primitives. To celebrate our anniversary, we are having a TDIPT give away. Just go to the website tdiptmercantile.com and sign up on their website to receive newsletters and updates about the group's happenings. This is a wonderful site that is updated on the 1st and 15th of every month. The blog is always full of recipes, decorating ideas, etc. You can also see the other prizes that are being given away for the celebration.
Congratulations, TDIPT, for 2 years of wonderful success and fun!!

March 1, 2009

A NEW ADVENTURE

It's not that I don't already have enough to do in my life, but I thought I would try something new. Since Ebay is getting rediculous with it's rules, regulations, and demands, I thought I might start a new selling blog to sell some of my "stuff". I have quite a vast collection of early, primitive items that I would truly love to sell to other collectors of "like-minds" who would appreciate and enjoy displaying them in their primitive homes as much as I have in the past. I am redoing my home......not getting rid of everything, but I truthfully have way too much stuff.

I will sell these items at very reasonable prices in hopes that someone else will be able to enjoy them. The blog will be "Union Star Primitives.blogspot.com", my Ebay ID. I figure I have nothing to lose! Like I said....more things for me to do, but I seriously need to clean out. So, please...check in often. I am hoping to have a few things listed by this evening. Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday! It's cold here in Michigan, but the sun is out in full force..beautiful!