~Vintage Snow Folk~

Good morning. Tis raining on this Sunday morning..oh how I wish it were snow! I was looking back through my blog posts from last year & it seems that last year... we had snow on November 18th......it was our first "real" snow, those large glorious flakes which are difficult to see through.........SO...i'm keeping my fingers crossed that we'll have some "real" snow soon :).

Actually....the reason I was looking back through last years posts was that I was looking for the name of the WONDERFUL candle scent I had purchased from my friend Michelle of Blackberry Briar last year.....I wanted to order another of the same scent...it was so wonderful....if you've not tried The Blackberry Briar's candles & room sprays...definitely do so ..gracious they are wonderful. "Christmas Past" is my all time favorite...it truly smells just like a fresh cut Christmas Tree! Last year..the day these candles arrived, it was snowing like crazy...the wonderful heavy snow I mentioned above.....I was hoping Tink would send the snow along with the candles again this year.....but alas, she did not. :) However, I lit my wonderful candle & put on "The Holiday"..(one of my top 10 favorite holiday movies) & I forgot all about the fact that it wasn't snowing!!
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Moving on to my offerings for this month.....or should I say..offering.....as I have just one this time around as I'm busy preparing for my next show; "Christmas In The Country". The sweet blackened beeswax snow folk you see in the picture at the top of this post is available on The Primitive Gathering. I think he is just SO sweet..he's hard to make..I find the vintage molds difficult to use...However, I did manage to pour several for the show..as well as have a couple available online. This month we are having a giveaway on The Primitive Gathering so be sure & stop by and sign up..there are some wonderful gifts being offered from the very talented ladies in this group.

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This morning before heading into the studio to create for a bit, I shall put an Orange coffee cake in the oven to fill the house with it's delightful fragrance while I work.

Enjoy your Sunday everyone :)
D

~Joyous November & New Yuletide Offerings~

~Flurry & Young Kurt, They wanted to pose together for a photo~

Good morning everyone & welcome to November. Soon...very SOON...it will be snowing...oh I shall be in heaven then :) I do apologize but I'm going to have to make this brief...my carpel tunnel is absolutely awful...worse than it's ever been in fact ... & after writing newsletters, doing uploads, descriptions and all that good stuff it's literally to the point of making me sick to my stomach it hurts so bad. So..that being said..I have 5 new offerings for this update..I LOVE them all!


~Tree's For Sale~

~Flurry~

~Blackened Beeswax Hornbook Ornaments~


~Early Colonial Door Pocket~

~Christmas In CatchPenny Village~
~ A Yuletide Celebration With The March Family~
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I've listed them all.....as well as wrote a little "blurb" about this joyous season...on my website..which is looking very festive I might add.....Won't you stop by & have a look...:) Have a wonderful day everyone!
Doreen
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OH.......when you view my blog...are you all seeing a very dark brown, textured background? That's what you should be seeing....Please let me know if you are seeing something different :) Thanks ever so much!

~Joyous Halloween To Thee~

Good morning everyone & A Joyous Halloween To You & Yours. Tis verrryyyy windy here in Vermont, tis warm...but with a strong gusty wind. Perfect for stirring up those dry leaves as the trick or treaters wander from house to house, causing them look behind them ever few minutes & wonder if perhaps something spooky may be lurking about!

Carve pumpkins, gather with friends, enjoy good food, make merry & enjoy the excitement in childrens eyes as they don their costumes & you all merrily head out on this spooky & festive Halloween Evening!

BOO!!! Doreen

~New Offerings~

Good afternoon everyone. The leaves are falling fast in our neck of the woods and the ground is now covered with a thick blanket of gold, orange, red & brown. The geese are flying fast, high in the sky while smokes billows out of everyone's chimney's. Fall is definitely here and I would hazard to guess…..Winter is nipping at it's heals...we may just have SNOW on Halloween.....I remember when I was a child it was not uncommon to have snow on Halloween...I remember bouncing from house to..SO excited about showing everyone my lovely costume and then having to have it all covered up by a winter coat, hat & mittens!!!!!OH WELL.. …NO MATTER….... everyone still handed out all those lovely goodies and we still went home happy and excited to see what treats awaited us inside our special Halloween pumpkin buckets that were filled to the brim! WHAT FUN WE HAD!
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I've been doing my usual fall rituals, baking lots of pumpkin bread, apple pies, crumbles and crisps and our dinners have been delightful stews, soups & chowders...The porch is decorated with cornstalks, pumpkins & mums and the house is dotted with decorations to suit the season and filled with the snapping & popping sounds of wood burning warmly in the wood stove.

Oh what a lovely time of year!!!

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~And now on to my offerings~

My first offerings this month is "Patience Alden" She is available on The Primitive Gathering.
Oh how I love this doll.

~Patience is preparing for her move to Ohio, Thank you ever so much Jo Ann, I know that you shall take wonderful care of her :)~She is a lovely Pilgrim gal wearing hand dyed, hand stitched clothing and is very old & aged. I've been trying to give my doll's a bit of a "Charles Dickens look"… ..tattered, torn, ragged……reminiscent of Little Dorrit & Scrooge......I think that I've done it with “Patience Alden”...she came out just as I wanted her to!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

On Early Work Mercantile you will find my newest Catch Penny Home..."Ballard's Mercantile"! Ballard is my maiden name and this will be a nice surprise for my parents, who have no idea I've named this newest "Home" after them :) I love how this one came out. You can see Goode Ballard sweeping the front walk ......”Rex" sitting by the door & dry goodes stacked along the front wall. Wouldn't you like to just step inside and see what grande things they have to offer?? This "Home" is a little different from the others...it has a roof made from an aged copy of an antique farmers almanac page and the entire Mercantile has been waxed with Bri Wax (which I found locally..woohooo) inside & out & then dusted with cinnamon for an aged & weathered appearance. It's just lovely!

Also on EWM you will find the sweetest Blackened Beeswax sheep. They are made using a vintage chocolate mold & smell just amazing. Around their necks they are wearing small jute collars with small rusty bells attached. These sheep are also available on my website.

Also on My Website I have added some wonderful Blackened Beeswax Turkeys. They are also madee using a vintage chocolate mold and smell amazing.....they are just so cute!


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Now it is time to move on to MY FAVORITE SEASON...Joyous Yuletide!!! This time of year my thoughts always turn quickly to Christmas...hard as I try not to...I just can't help myself..... I have been busy in the studio doing my best to work diligently on finishing up orders as well as Fall & Halloween items...all the while getting so anxious and excited about digging into my new pile of luscious wool, paper & trims and those Yuletide Creations.....

(The gorgeous journal on the left as well as the wonderful note card & ink image are gifts made by my sweet friend Laura of Little Works Of Grace..the wonderful dark brown & deep green papers....they will be used in my new creations)


This afternoon...just as soon as I finish this post & put another log on the fire, I will be heading into my cozy little studio and begin creating all those wonderful sketches and ideas that have been waiting patiently for weeks now :).
Wishing all of you a wonderful and cozy afternoon, Doreen

ps... I'm so sorry I've not been posting very often...there just never seems to be enough time these days.

~A Pilgrim~

~A Pilgrim Is A Wanderer With Purpose~

~Joyous October To You ~

Good morning! Just a quick post before I head off to Rutland, VT with my sister. It is COLD here in Vermont this morning and even colder at Paul Smith's College...it snowed there yesterday..not just flurries like they were predicting here..but actual snow..wish I could have been here! Jenna called me on her way to class and said "guess what Mom...it's SNOWING!!!!!" :) Kurt Ryan was all excited as we just purchased his ski pass and he is itching to use it!

Shown above are my newest offerings available on Early Work Mercantile, My Website & Simply Primitives. I'll be adding several more things to my website later this afternoon!

Okay..must run..Have a wonderful day :)Doreen

~Joyous Fall To You~

~Fall Harvest Gathering~

( My beeswax sheep & turkey along with another pin keep I just finished...I actually have two of these finished....one for the show and one to sell online)

Good afternoon. Tis a cloudy but beautiful fall day here in Vermont....the first official day of Fall. Our colors are really starting to change & the leaves are falling slowly and drifting and swirling on the wind...oh it is just lovely! I'm busy preparing for my first fall show of the season which takes place in Pawlet on Sunday from 10am to 4pm..in Edie Mach's Field next to The Mill Pond. It's a family event with lots of local talent...fun family activities...great food and entertainment. This show was a last minute decision for me (I was asked to do it two weeks ago..and ..me being who I am..can never say no...)...SO..it's yet another thing I added to my to do list but usually when things like this happen....they happen for a reason...and always turns out to be a most positive experience. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for good weather.

(view from our front porch..there is still lots of green but things are changing very nicely)

It should be a really fun day as I'm doing the show with my Mom-in-law Ruth....she does oils on canvas of local scenes..they are beautiful!!! I'm excited to peddle my wares as I came up with a really neat (well, I think so anyway) packaging idea for my beeswax items...completely environmentally friendly which is very important to me. I have a new mold that just arrived this morning and is now sitting on my kitchen counter filled to the brim with sweet smelling pumpkin spice beeswax...I can not wait to unmold this one..it's big and the color came out perfect!!!
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On this first official day of Fall I thought I would share with you one of our favorite recipes......just perfect now that apple picking season is here..I made this on Sunday afternoon..and it's gone already..it was actually gone yesterday afternoon :)..it's popular in this house!

Apple Crisp

Ingredients:
3 pounds tart apples
2 Tbls Pure Vermont Maple Syrup
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 Tbls flour
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Topping
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup rolled oats
8 tablespoons cold butter (1 stick)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preparation:
Peel, core and thinly slice your apples. Place in a buttered casserole dish & toss with the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg & flour. Drizzle the maple syrup over the apple mixture.
In another bowl combine flour, sugar and oats. Cut butter into 8 small pieces, and cut butter into flour with a pastry blender or two forks until mixture is crumbly. Stir in the chopped nuts and spread evening over the apple mixture.

. Bake at 375° for 30 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender and topping is lightly browned and bubbling.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with vanilla ice cream or real whipped cream.
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Well, I had better get back to work....I've got a small ham in the oven baking for dinner and it smells like it is done......I am making ham & cheese quiche....Enjoy your evening everyone!

~Amazing~

WOW.......what an absolutely incredible, amazing, sexy & soulful voice!!!!

~New Offerings~

Greetings. I'm so sorry this is late today...I'm feeling a bit under the weather today so I'm operating a bit slower than normal. I'm going to just pretend I'm fine and see what happens as I've a busy day ahead an no time whatsoever for being sick!

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I wanted to share my newest offerings with you. First of all I am very pleased to now be a part of The Primitive Gathering...you can find my work available there on the 15th of each month. On The Primitive Gathering you will find "Mother Midnight's Physick Bottles"..they are filled with freshly brewed Walnut Ink for all your staining needs.

~Mother Midnight's Physick Bottles~

Also on The Primitive Gathering I am offering on of my Merino Sheep..he's a black sheep, stuffed entirely with sawdust and wearing a vintage tweed back blanket.
~Merino-Weathersfiled Sheep~
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On Early Work Mercantile you will find three new offerings. Firstly, I finally finished my cross stitch sampler (Pattern by Wendy of Pineberry Lane)..it came out lovely and I've paired it with a Blackened Beeswax Snow Folk that I made using a vintage chocolate mold..gracious..that's not easy using the vintage molds!!!!!......but....he came out wonderful and smells divine!
~Early Yuletide Gathering~
~Tis SOLD, Thank you ~

Next is this sweet blackened beeswax lamb, again made with a vintage chocolate mold. She is tucked inside a lovely fabric covered box nestled in dried herbs harvested from my garden.

~Blackened Beeswax Sheep Gathering~

My final Early Work Mercantile Offering is this sweet, sweet Blackened Beeswax Turkey ...also made from a vintage chocolate mold....this guy is my favorite..I LOVE turkeys!!!! Mark & I are looking into raising them come spring..but that's a story for another time/post:)....
~Blackened Beeswax Turkey & Herb Bundle~

Anyway...I just think he's so handsome and he comes with this herb bundle harvested from my garden ...sage, rosemary, thyme..mmm..Oh gosh...those are turkey roasting herbs!!! ssshhh..don't tell him!!!

Last......but certainly not least available on my website is; ~A Stroll On All Hallow's Eve, Althea the crow witch & her faithful companion Hoote~
~Tis SOLD, Thank you ever so much :)~

Aren't they sweet!!! I've made Althea before...but this time around she decided she wanted to be a witch :)! She comes with little Hoote sitting on top of his Birch Bark stump! He's made from Blackened Beeswax ....however, he is made with a silicone mold.

Alright..that's it for now...I'm going to go and see if I can accomplish something..I just heard from my sweet Jenna..she is sick too!!!! I hate when the kids are sick and not home...guess that happens when they grow up and move out of your house :) Send her some get well soon thoughts if you get a chance!

I can not WAIT until later this evening.....I'm going to sit and stitch..I have another cross stitch almost done.it's a turkey! SO CUTE!

Have a lovely day,
Doreen

~Of Beeswax, Stitching & Fall Days~

Gracious.....it is absolutely GORGEOUS out!!! Sunny & warm but with a bit of a gusty cool wind......I've always loved the wind...it stirs the trees and flowers making them appear as if they are dancing or perhaps waving to you. Our trees are changing quickly now and within the next week or so we should have some really good color..we actually need a little rain to make things really start to change. I'm not sure why...but for some reason we have huge and I do mean HUGE flocks of blackbirds this year. I do not recall EVER seeing them like this..it's crazy. We were sitting on the deck Sunday evening and all the sudden an enormous flock lifted up out of the trees...we had no idea they were even there..and my God..they blackened the sky and the noise was amazing....it's funny how quiet they were until they took off....I guess we must have disturbed them...anyway, I'm sure their presence must mean something about our coming Winter...I will have to check the Farmers Almanac and see what they have to say about it.

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Pictured above is a little peek at my first cross stitch...It is finally finished and is, at the moment, baking in the oven. I've sat up until after midnight the last two nights stitching...not because I was racing to get it done..but because I have found that I absolutely love sitting up late in the evening and stitching...I actually have had to make myself stop and go to bed. Of course, getting up at 6:00 the next morning is a bit of a chore but what can you do.

Pictured below are a grouping of my Blackened Beeswax Owls.......they are quite popular ...I've been making them nonstop for the past several days...it takes a bit to fill a large order as I only have one mold...but it's actually going much quicker than I originally thought it would.
Arent' they so cute...it's amazing how different they all look....coming from the same mold..they still each have their own personalities...look at that little sweetie in the back on the left..doesn't he look like he's taking a nap? SO CUTE! :)

My house smells amazing right now...I've got a pot of beeswax melting on the stove....scented with pumpkin spice, vanilla creme & cinnamon. The Coffee is brewing and a fresh fall breeze is blowing in the windows.....Heaven!!!

Enjoy your day everyone...It's back to work for me!

~I apologize for the quality of my pictures in this post...I left my camera on Jenna's kitchen counter...ARGH..very frustrating..but thankfully she shipped it out to me and I should have it back in the next couple of days..in the meantime Steph lent me hers...and of course..I'm not familiar with it..so the pictures are horrible....so sorry about that!~

~New Offerings on My Website, Early Work Mercantile & Simply Primitives~

~The Home of Alderman Josiah Graham & His Wife Emily~
Tis Sold, Thank you ever so much~

~Hallowed Hattie~
Tis Sold, Thank you ever so much~

~Blackened Beeswax Owl Atop Vintage Wool Pin keep~

~Blackened Beeswax Owl Pin Keep Tuft & Box~
Tis Sold, Thank you ever so much

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Joyous September to you! So sorry for such a short post this morning..but I need to get things packed and shipped this morning before my mom in law comes for a hair cut..then I promised to help my nephews with their 4-H project this afternoon..they need to make posters for the Vermont State Fair...they are in the calf judging ..their theme is Vermont Farming Then & Now..how neat is that..this will be fun!

Have a great day,
Doreen

~ Of changing Seasons & Times~

(This is the picture I took standing at the top of the mountain...our driveway is where you see the white * in the center of the picture...you can click on the photo's to see them better)

Yesterday afternoon Mark & I, Mark's sister Stephanie & her son...our nephew, Adam went for a hike....the mountain we hiked up is part of Stephanie & Rick's farm...the farm is just down the road from our house..and the mountain we hiked up sits directly across from our house..I love looking over at the mountain and seeing the cows grazing.....just little white dots scattered on the hillside. There were quite a few trees up on top of the mountain with their leaves just turning from yellow to orange..soon the entire mountainside will be bathed in gorgeous color. We are going to hike back up in the fall..so I can get some pictures of it. Mark wants to camp up there next summer...but I'm not sure I want to pitch a tent up there...first of all....the cows graze in that field..we were constantly stepping over cow patties..I'm not sure I want to camp in cow patties...plus...that mountain is full of coyotes....bobcats...and bears..people have even seen a mountain lion in this area..so I'm thinking...no at this time :). But I'm sure he'll talk me into it before next summer rolls around.

(Another view from the top..the red barn you see belongs to the farm next door to our house)

....Fall will be here in the blink of an eye and we will all shake our heads and wonder how Summer passed so quickly. I think about how fast time goes by allll the time..do you do that ..... ponder on how quickly things change???? I do......I look back at what I was doing last week, last month....or last year at this time...what the weather was on those days...what was happening in our life at the time..who was there...things like that...for example.......last weekend..we went to the Woodsmen Field days in Boonsville..and it was so hot and humid it was unbearable...the weather this weekend is completely different..and it's only been a matter of days...it's crazy how fast time goes by and how quickly things change isn't it. Last year at this time we were getting the kids settled into their dorms...Jenna for another year.....Kurt for his first...there was the craziness of signing in...getting the room assignment...rushing to the book store for books..getting all the necessary schedules, passes, rules and keys....Gosh this year is so different...Kurt is living off campus this year....sharing the house that Jenna & Ben live in...It will be wonderful...they will both be in the same place..so when we visit...it will be easier and nicer......but....due to the fact that he wasn't going to be living in the dorms..he needed a lot less stuff...and he knows the routine of all that needs to be done at Paul Smith's for his signing in and such.....for returning students it's much quicker and easier.....we didn't go up for the "Official" check in day.....and...I kinda..well..to tell the truth..not kinda....I feel lost....like I don't know what to do with myself.....I feel this overwhelming feeling that there is something I should be doing....but I'm not. Classes start tomorrow...and I don't have any lunchboxes to get ready!!!!!!!!

It seems like yesterday they were in grade school..and there was school clothes shopping to be done....school supplies to be purchased...backpacks to get ready...snacks and lunch stuff to buy and lunchboxes to prepare.....I loved all of it...I'm not saying I don't love where my children are now....they are both SO happy......living on their own....loving college......loving their lives and are both in wonderful relationships with fantastic people...it's a good feeling when you know...your kids are grown...... they are happy, healthy, wonderful people...and that you must have done it right...BUT....(Jenna...2 years Old..my favorite picture from when she was young..look at that face!!!)

(Jenna...age 22 & her friend Jules (Jenna is on the right).....I love this picture..she still has that same wonderful smile!)
(Kurt...1 year old!!! Oh my gosh..what a love!!!..this is my favorite baby picture of Kurt!)

(Kurt....age 20....my baby is all grown up!)


....... you will never forget..and feel just a little bit sad for those days when they would come bounding into the house with dirty faces and red cheeks flushed from bike riding asking what's for dinner...knowing that after bath's and stories..they would be safely tucked into their beds under your roof that night!

Have a good day everyone,

Doreen

New Things In The Works

Good afternoon.....I am trying to teach myself to cross stitch....it is NOT as easy as one might think....I definitely need a pair of magnifying glasses..and a better lamp...and the proper fabric always helps.....I was attempting to do my first project on tightly woven linen..and it just was not working for me...but with some MUCH appreciated help from Wendy of Pineberry Lane, I think I've got it figure out....well, I hope so anyway..we shall see when it's done I guess.....Anyway...What a sweetheart Wendy is..she is so helpful and I absolutely LOVE her website and her designs..they are fantastic!! Stop by & see her when you have a moment :).

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Here are the new "Milk Paint" Acrylics I found in a wonderful shop here in the area..they are made to replicate the old milk paints. I am using these on my newest CatchPenny Village home and I LOVE how they look...very, very colonial and true to the era! They also have indoor and outdoor latex paints..and I found a perfect one for our living room..which I am really hoping to get painted soon.

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Here is a photo of some gorgeous linen napkins and some great cheese cloth I got while we were on vacation. The linen napkins were from an estate sale ..Mom found them & picked them for me..she's always getting me great stuff like this at yard sales, auctions and estate sales...:)she's so great! The cheese cloth is different than I've ever found...its actual "Cloth" in that it's not flimsy like the usual cheesecloth I have found around here..it is thicker and heavier...kinda like muslin..:)I can't wait to use it. I purchased it at a wine and beer making shop! The napkins I will be making into undergarments for a couple of ladye's I have begun and the cheese cloth will aprons and such...:)

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We FINALLY have some pumpkins coming in the pumpkin patch....we didn't think we were going to have any this year..we've had so much rain that our vegetables were rotting on the vines..but we've had hot and dry weather for the last 2 weeks and everything is coming along wonderfully now..which is a very pleasant surprise....I found this little guy and one other one in the patch yesterday morning and I was most happy to see them...these are pie pumpkins...yum!!!

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Now I'm headed down to the farm to bring Mark some more water..he's raking hay again today...I went with him for three hours yesterday...it was 90* out..not a cloud in the sky and no breeze! Now you all know..I usually LOVE to do hay....not yesterday I didn't....it was so damn hot .....I swear to you..you could have fried an egg on the fender I was sitting on..and after three straight hours..my butt hurt so bad I was wishing I was anywhere but there.....I wanted to leap off that tractor and run home!!! My clothes were absolutely drenched through.....And..to top it all off...one of my flip flops fell off (most likely from the river of sweat pouring off of me) and is now raked up somewhere in the hay and will become part of a square bale of hay later this afternoon...never to be seen again..except maybe by a cow or horse while they are enjoying their dinner!!!!!!!!!! They'll probably eat the flip flop..develop a stomach issue and die..and I'll be haunted by it for the rest of my life!!!!!

Thankfully my sweet husband took me out for Martguerita's, nacho's and pizza last night....which helped me forget all about my overheated day :)

Have a great afternoon, Doreen

Camping On Lake Champlain

(Our spot for the week)

HI! Tis a hot and sticky day here in Vermont .......... the smell of corn is floating so strongly through the air that it is as if I have a corn scented candle lit in the house. The air certainly is different here at home than it was last week while we were camping...we had such perfect weather and such a perfect trip. I had never been to Ausable Point, ny before this (Osprey nest ...there are several of them in the campsite)

year, Mom & Dad and my brother and his wife and their friends have camped at this campground for years and they absolutely love it...and now we know why..what a beautiful place....it's truly like staying at the ocean.....the lake itself is very wavey..which makes for fun kayaking (if you are brave.) and beautiful breezy days lounging on the beach! The only bummer on this trip was that Jenna & Ben were hoping to get over and spend the night with us but....Jenna ended up getting called in to work on one of her days off and Ben's parent's came up to visit during her other days......so it didn't work out this time...but there is always next year...........but Kurt and Aneesa were there with us for the whole week and we had such a great time!!!

(Kurt & Aneesa taking a spin in the Kayak's)

We did have bear warnings while we were there..which made me a little nervous while sleeping in the tent at night.......I don't think a nylon tent will really protect you from a bear attack...lol................but we were careful with all our food and coolers and never saw even a trace of a bear...

(Kurt & Aneesa)
You could walk for 1/2 a mile or more...on a sandbar.....and still the water would not be over your head...of course..you were walking on a sand bar and you really had to pay attention because there were steep drop offs and before you know it..... you would be under water...but as long as you can swim....there was nothing to worry about :)

(Kurt heading back in after a swim)

It was just so nice to hang out and relax and not have a set schedule..we sat around the campfire talking well after dark...then went into the tent and read for a while......(Kurt & Aneesa sailing)

....woke up and had our coffee by the lake....The kids went sailing....we all went swimming and kayaking..ate lots of smores...it was great!!!!

(Kurt & Aneesa by the lake just before dark)

The next time we go....I'm going to have someone follow me around with a camera and take lot's of great pictures of Mark & I! I LOVE taking pictures of my children...can you tell?

Now it's back to work for me...lot's of orders to fill and new creations to get started on...I won't be having any new offerings on the 15th of the month.....I just don't' have the time right now..but I'll have a bunch of new things on September 1st.

Have a great day everyone! D

~Growth~

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~The Home of Henry & Jane Bartlet~
#02 In The CaTcHpEnNy Village Collection
love..love..love this one....Available on Early Work Mercantile

~SOLD, Thank you~
~Taking a very limited number of orders ~

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Good evening. This week has been absolutely crazy....wonderful...fantastic.. surprising, amazing..........exhausting..... but nonetheless.......CRAZY! There have been many fantastic things happening here at Vermont Harvest Folk Art..things I thought I would only ever dream of! I'm on cloud nine and won't be coming down for a while! All these wonderful things that have been happening have really made me think of how things have changed for me just in the last two years..how much my work has changed and how I've grown as an artist. My interests have changed and my work has changed along with it. These thoughts were confirmed for me last week when...while looking for an old photo, I came across this picture;

Meet Aggy...A Colonial Era doll I made in July of 2007

& now please meet my newest Aggy who is currently available on Early Work Mercantile
Now..not to take away from my first Aggy..I loved her dearly as I do all my dear ladye's and she was purchased by the sweetest woman who has since bought several of my dolls...BUT.. I think the difference is quite significant...don't you?

I'm proud of the artist I have become..... i've grown....I set a goal when I started....and I'm getting there and for that I'm very thankful!

Have a wonderful evening everyone and do be sure and stop by Simply Primitives & Early Work Mercantile :)Doreen

~Some Exciting News~

~Miss Aggy~
~this picture was taken before she was finished....as you can see..her hands are missing..........she's now finished and awaiting her photo session :)~
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Good morning. I'm So excited, I just had to share the news. My dear ladye's have been invited to participate in a gallery showing of local artists during "Old Home Days" in Rupert Vermont! Let me tell you, they are most excited..and just a wee bit nervous. The showing is on August 8th from 10am to 2pm! I shall be away on vacation during the showing..by my dear mother in law has offered to take them down and set them up for me..as well as pick them back up later in the afternoon. :). Thank you Mimi!!!! I am pretty nervous about sending my dear ladye's off to such a grande adventure without my being there.......but I am leaving them in good hands and I'm sure they will do just fine :).

I'm off now to put the finishing touches on the newest CatchPenny Home and start another order..I've so much to do these next few days..it's just crazy!!!

Have a wonderful day everyone! :)Doreen

~Summer Work & Thank you dear Flora~

Good afternoon. This is exactly how I dress when I'm outside doing my Summer Work; gardening, laundry, canning and such......I had mark snap this while I was hard at work.

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Meet Jane..she is one of the residents of the new CaTcHpEnNy HoMe I am working on....it's coming along very nicely and will be offered on Early Work Mercantile on August 1st..gosh..I can not believe it's almost August 1st already! I'm scrambling to get my orders finished and get my new offerings completed for Simply Primitives and Early Work Mercantile as we have a party this weekend..on Friday and Saturday nights (same party both night :)Woohoo) and then on August 3rd we leave for vacation :)..I can not wait to go on vacation!

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Okay.......I want to say A HUGE thank you to Flora of Bone Head Studios for the amazing creation she sent me.....I was SO lucky to have Flora as a swap partner in our PWGL Ornie swap...just look at the wonderful Mr. Coolie she sent me;
~Look at that face!!!~
Flora is an AMAZING artist..I have always LOVED her work...she is so talented and such a sweet and wonderful person! Thank you Flora!!!! I love him..he's hanging right above my desk!!!!
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Now..here is a shot of my summer work area.......that is.... when it's not raining...seated at the table on the deck!!!


(Enjoying my Sunday afternoon~ working on an order for one of my framed pieces while Mark trimmed the lawn)


It's so relaxing to sit out here and work.... And the view's not bad either!

Have a great day everyone!

Doreen

OH...I almost forgot...I'm going to be having a little contest and giveaway when I return from vacation...so do be sure & check back soon!

~Simply Primitives & Early Work Mercantile Updates~

~A Walk At Midnight~

Deep into the darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before. ~Edgar Allan Poe, The Raven~

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Good evening...gosh it's after 9pm...I'm usually tucked cozily into my favorite chair by now reading or watching television with my husband....he's out there all by himself tonight while I'm in here still working....well, as Mark would say...."Oh well, you'll have that"......he says that all the time....always has..it's actually a really great way to look at things if you think about it. :) He's so laid back..I love it! Anyway, I got behind with my uploads and blog post because of my newsletter. I was determined to get my newsletter sent out BEFORE everything else this time around..usually I end up doing it after everything .....well... I told myself..no more..it's getting sent first..and that's what I DID... I sent it out around 6pm AND within an hour I had sold three of my new offerings!!!!Yeah :)!!!I was so pleased. SO, I got busy sending invoices and such, and that is the reason I'm just now getting to this blog post but oh.......those sales make it all worth it!

Okay...now I'm going to TRY & make the rest of this post fairly short as I'm SO tired. One of the items that sold is the framed print above, "A Walk At Midnight" I just LOVE it. The picture does not do it justice. I'm really loving using these CatchPenny Prints, I sit and browse for hours over the pages in this book......trying to decide which one best fits the idea that has popped into my head. Definitely one of my wiser purchases....although I do seem to be going through an enormous amount of ink in my printer these days but ....."Oh well, you'll have that! :)

This next one I also love...it also has sold. It's called "The Truth"
I have always been drawn to the history of The Salem Witch trials. I have enjoyed reading historic accounts of the day & books that reflect that time period and situation since I was a young girl. I guess I am just taken with the unfathomable insanity of it all. It was a horribly tragic and unnecessary time when madness & suspicions ruled, common sense was washed away by the rains and the truth was tucked neatly away & tightly corked.

~Maid Of The Mill Beeswax Cone~
~Sold~
These last two items are still available and were actually last minute things I made today.... frantically wracking my brain trying to think of what to list...AS..... I was not able to finish my dear doll as quickly as I had hoped... her paper dress did not come out the color I had wanted so I put her on hold..she'll be done in a day or two and perhaps I'll list her on ebay. Anyway...these last two are listed on Early Work Mercantile.

~Maid Of The Mill Paper Packet~
(I LOVE this paper packet, I'm definitely going to be making more of these)



&

~Maid Of The Mill Candle Set~WELL, SO much for keeping this blog post short! "Oh Well, You'll Have That!" I'm off to give Early Work Mercantile one last look and then I'm off to bed. Have a wonderful evening :)

Doreen

~CatchPenny Village Collection & Sneak Peeks~

Good morning. It is another amazing morning here....sunny, breezy and warm.. PERFECT! I will be heading out in just a bit to our annual town wide yard sales......:)oh how I love a good yard sale...you just never know the treasure you may find!!!

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I had an order request for Mother Midnight's Dwelling".....AND.....I realized that I did not say in my description that YES....., I will be taking a limited number of orders for the homes in the "CatchPenny Village Collection"...I just hate it when I forget to add important information like that..argh..drives me nuts!
These dwellings are so much fun to make..I'm working on another one that I will be offering on the 1st of the month...I would like to have this one open up...with a scene inside......we shall see if that works out for me :)...you just never know!!!

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And..here are a couple of sneak peeks of what I'm working on right now...for the 15th of the month offerings;
This piece I actually finished yesterday and I just LOVE it.


And here is a new doll.....she's not revealed herself to me just yet...so I'm not exactly sure who she's going to be.....I'm going to work on her a little later...so I'm hoping she let's me know!

Alright..must run now and get to those yard sales before all the good stuff is snatched up. Have a fantastic day everyone :)

Doreen

~Just a little something fun~

~Be sure to scroll down a little so the music will come on :)~

~Realizations~

"Let the world, that heap of vermin as ridiculous as they are feeble-minded believe the most absurd tales about the mighty. You must know that for those destined to dominate others, the ordinary rules of life are turned upside down and duty acquires an entirely new meaning. Good and evil are carried off to a higher, different plane.....Remember this...walk straight ahead! (quoted from; Mirror~Mirror" by Gregory Maquire)

Yesterday afternoon I decided to take a book outside and relax for a bit before we headed off to Mom & Dad's for Sunday Dinner....I got my chair all situated under one of the huge old maples...my tall glass of tea by my side and opened "Mirror~Mirror" by Gregory Maquire and the words above were the first I read......OH MY....how they spoke to me.......they made me realize......Life is life...and people are people and all you can do is be yourself.....and make sure it is your best self!!! Part of being myself....includes this blog...it is a part of me..not just as an artist ...but as a person too....I enjoy sharing our life here in Vermont and my work with all of you...... and I'm not going to let that be taken away from me....

So......here I am...back to being myself...albeit..a bit more careful...but myself nonetheless!

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......Good Monday morning to you :)...I wanted to share one of my birthday presents with you...My poor old camera..which I've had for years and LOVE...(I'm not one for buying new unless you have to...I'm especially like this with electronics & cars ...I like to "KNOW" my things........and the only way to do that....is too keep it around long enough to develop a relationship with it)........but.......alas..my poor old camera has been having fits lately...not workng more often than working.......and taking odd pictures....She was telling me..... she needs to rest....poor gal!!! So..for my birthday...we went and purchased a new one...it's fantastic....I wanted a camera with a really good zoom ...and this one has it....i'm still fiddling around with it...learning the ins and outs.. I took the top photo....of the hydrangeas.... with the new camera....I love how it's focused on just one spot...but I actually don't know how I did that.....so...there is still a lot I need to learn about this new camera....we are definitely still in the getting to know you stage.... :).

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Alrighty.....I must get busy with my day...I told myself that if I opened up this blog again..I was going to get just as much work done as I did when it was closed...So...I'm headed outside on this beautiful Vermont morning to do a bit of work in my vegetable garden and then go for a bike ride..then I need to get to the post office and mail a couple packages and then it's back home and into the studio I go!

Have a fantastic day everyone
:)D

~My new vendor tent~

(A little sneak peek at one of my new creations)

Good afternoon...I have a few minutes while several naked bodies are baking in the oven....so I thought I would stop by and say hello!!!! We are having another beautiful day here in Vermont...we've had wonderful weather these last few days......makes it a bit hard to be inside working..but I just keep thinking...one more week..and then I can take a bit of a break....one more week :). I will admit...i've actually taken several evenings off to spend with Mark while he continues to help our brother in law Rick get his hay in ...I LOVE being out in the fields...it is absolutely stunning....the freshly mowed field dotted with huge round bales of hay.....trees and mountains in view...big old barns here and there..ohhh..I just LOVE it.....and for me....it's just so relaxing! :)

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Anyway....I wanted to share with you a photo of my new vendor tent


(this is the sales photo of it...I did not take this pic).......How silly is it.....that's I'm so excited about a tent...I just LOVE it....it's the windows...how fancy I feel! I think they just make all the difference! I hated to have to buy a new tent..but after last years shows....we decided...the old one really couldn't make it through another year...it was looking pretty ratty toward the end...so in the dumpster it went....and now...I am so glad I had to purchase a new one...as this one is much nicer than the old one..and has WINDOWS :)

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Oooops.........my timer is going off...........must get back to work...or I will have burned bodies on my hands........i'm also hoping to squeeze in time to make some Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today...So I want to make sure and not get behind schedule. Have a wonderful weekend
:)D

~I'm Taking a bit of a break~

Good evening everyone. You will find "Be Back Soon" banners in my shops this month for both Simply Primitives & Early Work Mercantile. I have a show coming up June 13th & 14th and ...usually .....I exhaust myself trying to keep up with my online updates & prepare for a show at the same time.......then when the show finally arrives...I'm to tired to enjoy it....AND..I'm not going to do that this year....SO....I will be scarce around here until after June 14th....as I will be working away creating....in my studio...on my front porch.....at my dining room table..wherever the wind my take me.......;)!!!

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Before I go......I wanted to share my Blueberry Rhubarb Crumble recipe with you as many of you have asked for it since I posted the pic the other day...:)...Thank you all so much

Blueberry Rhubarb Crumble

1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
1 teaspoon cinnamon
4 cups chopped fresh rhubarb
2 cups fresh blueberries (You can use frozen...just be sure and thaw them first)
1/4 cup orange juice

Topping
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/4 cup cold butter, cut-up

Heat oven to 350°F with oven rack in center. Butter the bottom of a 9 x 9-inch baking dish or 1 1/2-quart casserole with nonstick cooking spray.

Mix granulated sugar with 1/4 cup of flour and cinnamon in large bowl. Add rhubarb, blueberries, and orange juice and stir until fruit is well coated. Be careful not to break the blueberries. Spoon into prepared pan
Bake 30 minutes or until juices are starting to thicken and bubble.

Topping
Mix remaining 1/2 cup of flour with the brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces. Crumble over the hot fruit.
Bake 25 to 35 minutes longer or until juices are bubbling and rhubarb is fork-tender. Cool on wire cooling rack.
Serve warm with Vanilla Ice Cream or Fresh Whipped Cream! Enjoy

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I'll chat with you all soon!!!

:)Doreen

Run by Taylor Swift

This is my all time favorite George Strait song.....and gosh did Taylor do a fantastic job with it! I find this 19 year old........SIMPLY AMAZING!!! This is a live performance..........the entire show..which was a tribute to "George Strait~Artist Of The Decade" was amazing...but I think Taylor's performance was the best one of the night...other than George's that is!



~Okay..enough messing around.......BACK TO WORK FOR ME!!!

~A Long Weekend In Vermont~

~MMMM...Blueberry Rhubard Crumble~

AHHHH...long weekends are so wonderful...especially those with absolutely perfect weather... We planted our vegetable garden...added a few more herbs to the herb garden..put in our pumpkin patch.....planted some flowers....remulched all the gardens...attended two family bbq's...went to a party with friends....and did some haying...:)...it was wonderful.
~The Pumpkin Patch~

~Our Backyard~


~The Garden & The Pumpkin Patch~


~Scallions & Chives...and The bean teepee...just waiting for the beans to sprout up~
~View From The Deck~

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Now....Our Memorial Day was a bit different....although..more than likely....it was a typical Vermonters Memorial Day :).....we worked on The Browe Farm (Mark's sister Steph..and her husband Rick's Farm)......We "hayed it".......mowed....raked...baled and wrapped.


~My handsome husband..grabbing a round bale for wrapping..gosh he always looks so handsome driving a tractor~

~Pa...(Mark's Dad)...wrapping the round bales~

~Mark, grabbing another bale~

~Pa climbing down from the tractor as Mark places another round bale on the wrapper~ ~Mark...again....:)~~Look at the beautiful sky!!!!! The farm is just beyond the trees.....you can see the red barns if you look closely~
~One of the young ins' on The Browe Farm~

~A Perfect Long Vermont Weekend~