SUMMERTIME WINNER!

Good morning Blogging Friends!

I've a winner to announce for my SUMMERTIME GIVEAWAY!

It's BARB from Barb's Heartstrokes!!

CONGRATULATION, BARB!!

I've got your addy so I can get this off to you in the mail on Monday!

THANK YOU, EVERYONE, for participating in my Summer Giveaway!

I'm taking a break for the month of July. I'll still be painting, sewing, and generally crafting but will do it without the worry of buyers and shipping. This gives me a much needed break before the Holidays are upon us....and that won't be long seeing as we've only another day before we welcome July!!

 Besides, we have to make time for this.....

....and this.....

....and I've GOT to finish this.....

Thanks again for your support! I'll still be blogging!

Stay tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Playing With Dollies!

Oh, but I've been having SEW much fun! I bought a pattern from Maureen over at SWEET MEADOWS FARM and have been 'practicing' on some new dollies!

This pattern is her BIGGEST LITTLE DOLL PATTERN for her 12" & 13" dolls.

http://clothdollpatterns.com/patterns6/id41.htm

Gosh, but she just has SO many that I want! 

Anyway, I just finished up these gals......

.....and plan to make MANY more! I think some Halloween and Christmas themed 

dolls would be so cute!

I haven't been painting much. It's too hot to cut wood and the kids are out swimming every day so a lot of my time is spent with them. I did have a friend over last Friday though and we painted this guy!

This is Simon and Skeeter. Simon gets a kick out of giving his friend Skeeter a little 'swat'. Keeps him entertained! Skeeter's  not quite sure he's in the entertainment industry but it's kind of like a 'Tom & Jerry' relationship!

I've got one more doll I'm working on. Her boots are finished and she's being assembled. I went all out for this gal so hope to show you in a few more days.

Don't forget about my SUMMER GIVEAWAY! The picture and link is at the top of my right sidebar! The winner will be announced this Saturday!

}}HUGS{{
Vicky

Are You Chicken? TUTORIAL

I've been wanting to make something like this for a while. On my FB page, I follow a 'chicken lady'. Although this picture is not of her chickens, she does have some similar....and I love to see them!

I was also inspired by an Artist on our OFG Team, Barb of Barb's Heartstrokes!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/44916060/tole-painting-pattern-welcome-chicken

I LOVE whimsy and these were just soooo fun to look at. SO, I came up with these guys!

My whimsical Folk Art Chickens!

I actually drew up this pattern months ago and set it aside.

I checked out on Etsy.com to see if there were any more like mine. 

I found this guy.....

https://www.etsy.com/listing/121187596/hand-carved-rooster-on-split-wood-egg

And this guy.....

https://www.etsy.com/listing/129645231/american-rooster-makedo

Brenda from the Rusty Thimbles is the closest I've seen to mine. Isn't this adorable?!!

I'm going to share my patten with you....and give you a 'walk through' as to how I made them.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B3ZH1BVLOI4JNUtfSlRLNXNTNTA/edit?usp=sharing

Hope you can read the pattern. Just click on it and print.

1.Cut 2 pieces out of cotton fabrics for body. Seam allowance is already added. Leave the bottom open for stuffing. 

2. Glue onto bobbin and wrap with sisal or jute around the bottom. Add spots of white craft glue or Hot glue; I used hot glue.

3. Paint the beak area Antique Gold (acrylic paint).

4. Cut out the heart from material of your choice. I used red felt on one and denim from an old pair of jeans on the other 2. Sew with large hand stitches and then glue to the body.

5. Tear strips of fabrics, pieces of raffia, jute, sisal, other fibers. Gather them in your hand and tie in a simple knot. Glue to the tip of the point on his rear. Leave different lengths and widths but not too many. You don't want him to fall over.

6. Now make some smaller strips for his funny little hair do. Hot glue it to the top. OR, cut out the comb from some red felt and hand stitch it. Leave it open at the bottom and glue to the head.

7. I added a strip of homespun at his neck with a spot of glue.

8. Also added a rusty safety pin with a rusted jingle bell.

I had a blast making these. Hope you do, too!
 ****************
Don't forget about my SUMMER GIVEAWAY!

Ends June 29th! Still plenty of time to sign up!
GO HERE for the post!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

2013 SUMMERTIME GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

It's that time of year! School is out and Summer is upon us!

 The sun is shining for the better part of the day and our rainstorms are present in the late afternoon evenings. It's our Florida Summertime pattern and we NEED it to keep up our water levels! I LOVE a good Rain Storm!

It's also the time of year when my favorite Fruit is in abundance!

Already had 2 of these so far so it didnt' take much for me to think of what I'd like to have in my Summertime Giveaway!

A fun Summer Welcome sign! Measures 20" in length by 12" tall.

Watermelon wedges made from Muslin and painted brightly with acrylic paints!

A set of Watermelon Measuring Cups that I found at Tuesday Morning!

These and anything else I might deem acceptable will go into a box and get shipped to a super, lucky WINNER!

RULES for this Giveaway are simple and 3 chances will be yours if you:

1. Are or become a Follower of my Blog !

2. Leave me a Comment on this post!

3. Share, SHARE, Share on FB, your Blog, Twitter, or any other social media you have access to!

This Giveaway is open only to the US. It will be a big box and I like sending my mail Priority. The winner will be announced Saturday, June 29th. 

Good luck to one and all!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Come on Over and VOTE!

Something's happening over at The Farmhouse!

Could you take a minute to go over and see?

 http://oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/2013/06/americana-challenge.html

Some of the OFG Artisans, including ME, have made something special for our AMERICANA CHALLENGE! We'll need your vote to see who wins + you might win, too!

And, of course, you won't hurt my feelings one bit if you choose to vote for my Millie!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/153302963/reserved-americana-primitive-millie-the

Glued to a Mache Box that I've painted with acrylic paints.

She's primmed up and smelling great!

There are some great pieces so you'll want to take your time and visit the shops to see which one you really like!

 http://oldfarmhousegathering.blogspot.com/2013/06/time-to-cast-your-vote.html

But seriously, Paintspots and Splinters and Miss Millie will be hard to pass up, right?!

Thanks for stopping by!

GO VOTE!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Future Projects

I'm so excited! I'm working on Halloween! My FAVORITE season of all!

I've bought some wonderful patterns and wanted to show you what my future projects will be!

 LOVE Pam Gracia from SOFT IN THE HEAD! Those Froggettes are ADORABLE!

Another favorite pattern maker of mine is Stacey from THE GOODE WIFE OF WASHINGTON COUNTY!

I've also got my material together for a certain 'unfinished Witch'. I'm hoping her colorful clothing will change her attitude! 

I've cut out 3 of the 13" dolls from this pattern by SWEET MEADOWS FARM and will be putting their faces together in the next few days. Wish me luck....I'd hate for them to have an attitude problem, too.

I've deactivated most of my stock in my Etsy shop. No custom orders right now. I'm finishing up an Americana piece for our OFG challenge. I'll be able to show you next week.

School is almost out, YIPPEE! Not a whole lot planned for the summer but I'm sure a Beach vacation will be in there somewhere!

Stay safe in these storms! Hurricane season is upon us, too! Sure hoping for some wet weather. This drought has taken it's toll on our Lake.

Stay tuned for my Summer Giveaway this next week!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

A Memorable Day!

Good morning Blogging Friends!

Another beautiful day to be had on our Lake this morning. 

We spent a memorable day yesterday with some good friends that we haven't had time to be with in a while. I LOVE having the kind of company that just comes and pitches in! Makes the day that much more enjoyable since I didn't have to spend my time 'entertaining' and doing for others.

I have a WINNER announced on my FB page for my Mystery Giveaway. A LOT of guesses for an angel, one for a rooster, a bunny, and some flying pigs! Here's what it turned out to be!

Super cute Market Piggy from a Pattern by Kentucky Primitives that I bought from Pattern Mart.

I've also been 'nodding' off a bit. No, not the kind of nodding that 'face plants' you in your paint palette! This is the kind of  'nodding' I'm referring to!

My first Nodder! Yep! I got the sunflower pattern from Tawny Bell over  at The Primitive Nook and the crow pattern from Threadbare Primitives. I bought the old Rusted bed spring from the Overstock group on FB. The digital tag was purchased from Deena at Ewe-n- Me Printables. She's also on Etsy HERE.

I'm winding down by finishing up the Teacher Blocks. Got one more order over the weekend for one and need to finish my kid's teachers gifts. After that I'm quieting down (on Etsy) for the Summer. The kids will be out of school and I don't want to spend all of my time sitting at the computer and worrying about shipping and orders getting out. PLUS, I just need a break!!

Hope you're able to wind down and enjoy your summer, too. I'll still be crafting....I'll ALWAYS be crafting!

Stay Tuned for my Summer Giveaway here on my blog!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

COME CELEBRATE!

We've been CREATING!! 

The OFG TEAM is having a SUMMER FUN CELEBRATION and you are all invited!

You can go to ETSY.COM and type in the search bar under ALL items the letters SFCOFG to find more wonderful items. 

Here are a few of mine and other Artist Friends that caught my eye! Click on the Link to go and favorite them!

Enjoy!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151500910/americana-patriotic-hat-and-stars

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151501812/pin-cushion-sundae-delight-sfcofg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151794746/americana-uncle-sam-make-do-sfcofg

https://www.etsy.com/listing/150734223/chicken-and-watermelon-summer-time-tole

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151564937/quilted-applique-cherry-baby-quilt

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151633255/primitive-mouse-sunflower-soft-sculpture

https://www.etsy.com/listing/151473023/birds-and-bees-bowl-fillers-six

Stay Tuned!
}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Summer FUN Celebration!

Type in SFCOFG in the Etsy search bar to see more wonderful treasures from our talented OFG Team members!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

A Giveaway Win, A New Celebration, and Some Red, White, & Blue!

OH, but I've been so very busy these last few weeks. Between Teacher Appreciation and 'end of the school year' I've been swamped with orders for personalized Teacher gifts. Although many of you would say this is great for business, it's not for me personally because I now find myself working......and I don't like my 'hobby' to become work. Yes, I could've said no to 17 orders of Teacher Name blocks but I didn't.Vacation mode is right around the corner for me so I know my break is coming. Here are a few things that have kept me busy outside of the teaching hemisphere!

 My Uncle Sam Make-Do is ready for our newest OFG Team Celebration starting on Monday.

 Finishing up some Melons for my Summer Inventory.

 Another piece to add to the Summer Celebration!

We'll be getting started with all of our newest creations on Monday, May 20th. I'll have some finsihed products to show you and share some of my fellow Team mates goodies, too!

I won a Giveaway from Kelly of  SCARECROW CABIN. Here is what she sent me.....

 Wrapped up so nicely it was so fun to peek through all of the papers!

Lovely prim pieces to go in my bowl and hang around on my shelves! Thank you SO MUCH, Kelly!

I've also got a Mystery Giveaway going on now on my FB page. Go over and look for this picture and sign up under it.

 Don't forget to tell me what you think it might be. It ends June 3rd!

Well, I've fed the kids and have the laundry started. My machine is just about dead and stops in the middle of the cycle a few times. Hubby comes home on Thursday and he'll replace it for me as I've been hitting the darned thing for a month now!

More to come so Stay Tuned!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky

Spring Doll Challenge

I entered Wendy's (Ravenwood Whimzies) Spring Doll Challenge. Wendy gave us a doll pattern that she'd made up and challenged us to do something with it. I actually have 2 but one of them is a bit nekkid so she'll have to wait until she's not so x-rated!

Anyway, thought I'd show you some pics of the one I finished since the Challenge is over with today.

I painted her green and then hand painted her face. Her legs are striped with purple and orange. I modified her shoes to look like a Witch's boot. Her hat is hand made from felt with pip berries glued to it. Her hair is dyed gray wool roving. I've used 3 different fabrics for her dress and orange with black polka dots fabric for her pantaloons. She has a ratty old piece of dyed cheesecloth tied around her neck with a rusty pin and jingle bell. Her broom is a cinnamon stick with raffia and sisal. I haven't made her a tag yet and still want to make her a kitty cat to finish the look. I'll probably list her on Etsy sometime in the fall.

THANK YOU, WENDY, for issuing the challenge to us. I'm still learning, however, your pattern was super easy to use!

Take a look over at Wendy's blog to see some of the other dolls the gals have made.

Hope your having a wonderful Mother's Day. Mine has been just about perfect!

}}Hugs{{
Vicky