Tallowberry Primitives and Folk Art

~Little Update~

2012-02-17T20:47:00.002-05:00

I'm making progress on the rabbit I've been working on and I'm really enjoying how this one is turning out. She will be the biggest rabbit I've made for a couple of years, about 30 inches tall counting her wired ears.. Her body is completed and her face is finished, I love her expression. I haven't finished her clothes yet. I think by the time she's dressed I will have used four or five different fabrics.
I'm hoping to be able to list her Sunday evening but there's a good chance it won't be until Tuesday. I'm also cleaning and getting ready to have five friends here for lunch Monday. We'll be celebrating one of their birthdays. With my Dad having been in the hospital and now having rehab I've not done much cleaning since before Christmas.
So check back Sunday to see if I've managed to get her finished. Hope you all have a great weekend.

Diane

~Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-13T20:04:00.005-05:00

I'm busy working on a new rabbit for Ebay, she'll be dressed in Springy colors. Think pinks, greens and cream. I'm hoping to have her ready to list this week or by Sunday evening at the latest.

I went to The Winter in the Valley Antique Show in Fishersville, VA Saturday with 3 friends. We had a wonderful time and saw so many fabulous pieces. This is a great show and I'm already looking forward to the Summer in the Valley Show in July. If you get the chance to go I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day.
Diane

~Lizzie~

2012-02-09T20:40:00.007-05:00

Lizzie was listed on Ebay tonight

Click ~here~ to see Lizzie's auction.

Enjoy your evening.
Diane

~Sewing Bunnies~

2012-02-08T21:09:00.002-05:00

I've only listed one doll since Christmas but I am now back at my sewing and working on new bunnies for Spring. Look for them coming soon.

My Dad is much better, he is still receiving therapy to help him regain his strength and he's also on antibiotics intravenously three times a day. I'm hopeful he will be home soon.

I keep thinking I'll have the time to post here more often but it just doesn't seem to happen (here or on Facebook). Mybe in the next week or so I will do better!

Till then...
Diane

~Abigal and Annie~

2012-01-22T22:28:00.004-05:00

Finally, I have a doll, my first of 2012, finished.

Things have been very chaotic around here since the holidays and in the past week my Dad has been hospitalized with a dangerous infection. The situation was very serious at first but he seems to be improving now. Since Wednesday morning he's been in the ICU and Step-Down unit of the hospital. Hopefully tomorrow he'll be in a regular room. I had Abigal and her little Annie doll just about finished when he became sick and this afternoon I put the final touches on her and got some pictures. I hope to list her on Ebay tomorrow evening when I return from the hospital.

I hope, as things settle down, to get more dolls completed and listed. I'll preview them here for those who are interested.

Hopefully I can also get back to updating my blog a bit more often.

Wishing you all a good week,
Diane

~At Work~

2012-01-03T19:41:00.002-05:00

I'm back at work on my sewing, it's a slow start because I'm spending so much time trying to come to terms with my new computer. If I was 9 or 10 it wouldn't be so much trouble but for people of "a certain age" (that didn't grow up with computers) it's a real challenge. It's better today than yesterday but I still have quite a bit to learn.
I hope to have some pictures of my newest doll soon, maybe by the weekend.

Diane

The Day After

2011-12-26T20:30:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was wonderful, full of family, presents and good food. Our family is large and noisy and includes a wide range of ages...from my newest niece, 3 month old Madeline to my Dad who will be 82 next month. It was a good and happy Christmas.
Today was spent doing a little cleaning and just relaxing. I bought a new computer before Christmas and need to get everything moved from this old computer to the new one. I hope to do that sometime this week then I'll need a little time to adjust and get familiar with it. In January I'll be back to sewing. I'm not sure yet what direction I'll be going in with it but as 2012 unfolds we'll see how things go. I also have plans to submit more dolls for publication and am really looking forward to that. There are other things on the horizon but it's too soon to know if they'll come to be. Time will tell.
Since I'll be working on getting my new computer up and running this may be my last post for 2011. I'd like to wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. My wish for 2012 is to see the world settle down, the economy improve and our politicians learning to work together...is this asking for too much? My hope is that it isn't. We'll see.
Enjoy these last days of the old year and let's all welcome the new year with renewed optimism and high hopes for a wonderful 2012.
Diane

~To Each of You...~

2011-12-19T19:34:00.003-05:00

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas

I'll be taking the next couple of weeks or so off from my doll-making. I'll be back sewing soon after the New Year begins.
Have a joyful holiday.
Diane

~Mr. Jingles~

2011-12-11T19:40:00.002-05:00

~will debut on Ebay Tuesday evening.~

I might have one other doll to list this week, don't know yet if I'll get it finished.

Tomorrow I'm off to have lunch with several friends but hope to get more of my decorating done when I get home.

Hope you all get alot accomplished this week, I know I need to.
Diane

~finally finished~

2011-12-08T19:10:00.004-05:00

Pictured are two of four Santas I recently finished.

I'm working on getting my decorating finished and also hope to have a new doll for Ebay in the next few days. Sometimes I wonder how it is we can know Christmas is coming each year and still be caught so unprepared? Oh well, I'll get it all done somehow.

Hope all of your Holiday preparations are going smoothly.
Diane

~Busy Days~

2011-12-01T19:27:00.013-05:00

Each December our Historical Society decorates the old home the group owns. We choose a theme, this year it was handmade items and Civil War pieces. A Christmas tree, the Arts Council building, the Housewright house (pictured below) and a small village operated by the Historical Society are all decked out for the Holiday Open House and tree lighting that will be held this weekend. I helped decorate the Housewright house. We use colonial style decorating, greens, berries, boxwood wreaths and candles. We had quilts, tatting, samplers and a few other pieces to use this year. Below are pictures of the house. The outside features swags, wreaths and Williamsburg-style fruit plaques.

A mantel with a crocheted mantel scarf, cedar with blue berries and red candles.

Framed samples of tatting made by a former school teacher in the county. She was able to tat well past the age of 100. Sadly she's gone now but we do have these beautiful pieces of her handwork. There were two other framed pieces, large doillies, that Mrs. Camp tatted. In the showcase are letters and other papers from the Civil War. On the showcase is a black Civil War-era top hat and some greens and berries.

This mantel was draped with more greens, red apples, antique books, tin lantern and a framed pair of silhouettes. Below is a beautiful crazy quilt.

I always enjoy the day we get together and decorate, it really sets the mood for the Holiday season. You can visit my Facebook page for more pictures of the tatting, quilts and samplers from the 1800's plus more of our decorating. Next year's theme is already chosen; it will feature yellowware and spatterware.

I'll be finishing up the last of my special orders this coming week and I plan to have two more dolls ready for Ebay before a Christmas break.

Wishing you all a good weekend, I'm sure it'll be like mine...a busy one!
Diane

~Happy Thanksgiving~

2011-11-22T19:25:00.004-05:00

~Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving day. Enjoy your time with family and friends.~
Diane

~A Busy Week~

2011-11-18T20:15:00.005-05:00

Madeline Rae VanVleet
I've been working on Santa orders this week. I've made progress but do have quite a ways to go. Time is slipping by so fast and of course when you work in your home there are many distractions but I'm trying my best to keep my concentration on the task at hand. I have a couple of more orders (smaller ones) to complete after the Santas but I'm going to try to get Mr. Jingles finished for Ebay sometime in the next week or so.
I've been enjoying the new Christmas issues of my magazines in the evening when I have a bit of free time. I particularly loved the December issue of Early American Life. I want to order the holiday issue of FOLK, this is a newer magazine that I've not seen yet but I have heard it's a really good one.
My weekend will be spent sewing but Sunday I plan to attend my great-niece's baptismal. Madeline just turned two months old on the 16th and she is absolutely adorable! The picture was taken shortly after her bath, her hair curls when it's damp. She's very quickly stolen my heart and I can't wait to see her on Sunday. My niece, her husband and Madeline live several hours away so I don't get to see them as much as I like.
Hope you all enjoy your weekend, talk to you next week.
Diane

~Christmas Past Dolls~

2011-11-15T21:52:00.003-05:00

~Merry~
Tonight I listed the first of a short series of dolls I'll be listing on Ebay. They're in a simpler more primitive style but still with plenty of detail and extras. Merry comes with two ornaments; a strawberry and an Angel. The ornaments can be used on your own tree or be left pinned to Merry. The second doll in the series will be Mr. Jingles, look for him coming soon.
I'm also continuing to work on a special order of several Santas. Needless to say, I'm staying very busy. Hope all is well in your world. Til next time...
Diane

~Holly Noel & Nick~

2011-11-10T21:20:00.002-05:00

listed on Ebay Thursday night, auction will last one week

I'm into high-speed on the sewing machine now, Christmas will be here before we know it!
~Diane

~Upcoming Christmas Show~

2011-11-07T21:16:00.006-05:00

Reminder of Donna's wonderful Holiday Show.
Click
"here" to visit Donna's picturetrail site for more information and pictures of last year's show.

There are also plans in the works for a show at Donna's cabin in January. I'll keep you posted. These are great shows to visit if you're in the area.

~This Weekend~

2011-10-29T12:17:00.003-04:00

I often think about how crazy my life can be, like now. Wishing you all a Happy Halloween at the same time I'm trying to finish up my first Santa of the season. But for all of you that do what I do you know that's the way it goes. My house is currently decorated with pumpkins, gourds and orange berry wreaths but in my sewing area the fabrics are reds, greens, burgundy, etc.
I do hope to finish my Santa and have him listed on Ebay by Tuesday evening, I had hoped for a Sunday listing but this week has been too hectic to get him finished. So be looking for my ~Joy is the Spirit of Christmas~ Santa and Snowchild set.
The leaves are gorgeous here, some have already fallen in our steady rain we had overnight and there are many more yet to change color. The acorns and walnuts have fallen from the trees and if the squirrels know more than we do we'd better be prepared for quite a winter! Next year we'll have oak and walnut trees popping up in odd places.
I hope you all do have a safe, happy Halloween, enjoy it!
Diane

~Sewing away~

2011-10-26T16:40:00.004-04:00

I'm working on my first Santa of the season. This one will be for Ebay. I've had a customer to contact me about making her 4 Santas, one for each of her grandchildren. She wants me to use some vintage items on each Santa, the hunt for these is proving to be alot of fun. I'll share pictures when the Santas are completed.
(a picture of some of my decorating from last year)

With Halloween almost here I'll be in serious Christmas-sewing mode. I hope you'll stop by periodically to see my newest offerings.
Diane

~Merrie~

2011-10-20T21:55:00.003-04:00

I finally finished my first Holiday Doll for 2011. Merrie is a sweet snowgirl with lots of detail and handstitching. I hope you'll visit her on Ebay, her listing will end Thursday the 27th at 9:00 P.M. eastern time.

I've started on another doll I'll be listing soon and I'm finishing a couple of small, primitive Santas for a sweet customer in Vermont.

We've had a cool and very windy day here. I'm hoping the upcoming weekend will be nicer.

Til next time.
Diane

A quick note

2011-10-19T21:17:00.002-04:00

I had so hoped to have a doll ready for Ebay Sunday or Monday but no such luck! But, I'm happy to report that I have almost finished my first snow girl of the Christmas/Winter season. She will be listed Thursday evening and I will post her picture here also. I love the way she's coming together. I'm down to her final touches, which to me is the really fun part of a doll. She will come complete with a beautiful white coat.

I'm also trying to work out the idea of a different style doll I want to make, don't know if it'll work out but we'll see.

Back to the details...
Diane

Done with Fall....

2011-10-14T21:01:00.004-04:00

and ready to move on to Holiday/Winter designs.

There's a Snowgirl on the drawing board with hopes she will be completed and listed on Ebay by this Sunday evening but more likely Tuesday night (if the sewing doesn't go as quickly as I had hoped). I had planned to list a doll this week but there's been alot going on. I have two Aunts, one has had foot surgery and the other knee replacement. I've been trying to help out a bit with cooking, pet sitting, etc.
Now they're both on the mend and I'm ready to get back to my dolls.

I'll be posting a picture of the Snowgirl when she's completed so check back soon. Hope you all have a great Fall weekend.

Diane

~a day off~

2011-10-06T20:08:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow I'm taking a day off from my sewing and household chores and heading out with a friend for some antiquing. Fishersville, VA is having their big Fall Antique show this weekend. I don't really need anything but I love to look and you never know what you may find. I look for simple, smaller things. Old wooden carriers, bread boards (for my ever-growing collection), yellowware and possibly a Halloween or Christmas piece. I just love to look and sometimes do find something I really want.

I've finished one special order and started another that I hope to finish up this weekend. Then there's a witch to sew that's going to Indianna. It'll probably be next week sometime before I list on Ebay. I'm pretty sure it will be a snowdoll, my first for this year. I've got her all planned out and can't wait to get started on her.

Hoping you each have a wonderful Fall weekend and can get out and enjoy the gorgeous weather (if it's anything like ours).
Diane

~Harvest~

2011-10-01T11:37:00.003-04:00

Harvest Pumpkin Girl as she appears in the Fall issue of PRIMS magazine. You can usually find it at Barnes and Noble book store or Joanne's Fabric or go to the Stampington website and order a copy. It's filled with interesting articles and really wonderful photos of all manner of dolls in the primitive style. I've always found something for every taste of primitive; extreme prims to more detailed folk art. Also, starting in Jan. 2012 they will be printing three issues a year instead of two. Hope you'll get a copy.

I've pretty much finished Halloween dolls but will be working on one or two Harvest/Thanksgiving themed dolls. I've always enjoyed Thanksgiving but I think it's being pushed aside for the more "commercial" Halloween and Christmas holidays. I hope you'll stop by and see what I'm working on. I always try to post a picture here of whatever I currently have on Ebay.

It's going to be a gorgeous Fall weekend here in Virginia, not much color yet but it's on it's way! Hope you can get out and enjoy this first weekend in October.
Diane

Coming to Ebay,

2011-09-25T22:40:00.003-04:00

Monday evening,
Jackie Jack O Lantern.
I won't be getting much sewing done this week, I'll be busy with other things. So this doll will be my only listing for the next week or so.
Hope you enjoy her!

Diane

~bittersweet~

2011-09-19T22:55:00.007-04:00

I'm winding down my sewing for Fall/Halloween and am starting to turn my thoughts to Holiday/Winter designs. I know it's time to move on but I love sewing for Fall and will really miss the pumpkin heads, witches and harvest moons.

This is Bittersweet, now listed on Ebay.

So now, just as the leaves are starting to take on their fall colors, I'll be thinking ahead to cold winds, short days and the Christmas spirit. Visions of Snowpeople, Santas and Christmas Angels will be dancing in my head!

Stay tuned to see how they develop.
Diane

~Sunday evening~

2011-09-18T23:13:00.005-04:00

The last week was a busy sewing week, nothing for Ebay though, hopefully tomorrow evening. I'm working on a pumpkin head angel doll and hope to have her finished tomorrow.

Saturday was spent at Notforgotten Farms's Harvest Gathering. We had a great time! There were wonderful vendors offering primitive folkart and antiques. Lori had the shop filled with so many wonderful pieces. The needlework trunk show had the most gorgeous designs. Visit Lori's blog to see lots of pictures. (Just click on Notforgotten Farm above)

We've had much cooler weather, more fall-like. Much more to my liking than the hot, humid days of late Summer. I hope Fall is here for a long visit.

I'll say goodnight, I need to get to bed so I can get my doll completed tomorrow. Look for her picture here tomorrow evening.

Diane

Pause and remember

2011-09-11T09:18:00.003-04:00

~PRIMS Doll on Ebay~

2011-09-07T21:07:00.005-04:00

~Harvest~
A Pumpkin Head Doll
Scheduled to be in the Fall Issue of PRIMS magazine

Listed on Ebay Tuesday evening so the winning bidder will have her in plenty of time for the Fall decorating season.

Currently I'm working on an order and planning my next witch for Ebay.

Diane

Pfatt's Fall Giveaway

2011-09-04T13:08:00.007-04:00

My offering for the Fall Giveaway
JOL ornie hanger with Trick or Treat vintage image tag.
(Gourd and berry wreath not included.)

Click on the link (at the right) for the PFATT blog. You can start entering after midnight tonight for a chance to win one of the Fall/Halloween themed prizes being offered. Good Luck!

I'm busy sewing, it's so hard to believe that Fall/Halloween designs will be finished up soon and that I'll be moving on to Winter/Holiday 2011. How quickly time flies by!

Wishing you each a very happy Labor Day, be safe.
Diane

Witch Listing

2011-08-28T22:48:00.005-04:00

Sometimes a doll just seems to turn out better than I expect and this is one of them. I love her!

I'll be very busy this week sewing for Notforgotten Farm's Fall Gathering. Witches, pumpkin heads and harvest moons are being sewn, stuffed and dressed. If you're anywhere near Lori's place on September 17th you should definitely come by. It's a great blend of folk Art, antiques, fabric, patterns, etc. Lori's shop will be open and others will be offering their wares in the yard. It promises to be fun, hope the weather cooperates.

Hope we have a calmer week weather-wise!
Diane

~update~

2011-08-27T19:14:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I posted.

I've been looking at my blog and trying to decide if I wanted to continue with it. I really don't know if many people are keeping up with blogs anymore. Facebook and Twitter seem to get so much attention. (I've been trying to post all of my new listings on Facebook). I have favorite blogs like so many of you and I've noticed many of the ones I follow just aren't updated very often anymore. I really miss reading what my favorite designers and friends are up to.

I'm going to try to keep mine going but simplify it. Hopefully you'll like the "new" look. I may make a few more changes, we'll see.

I am putting the finishing touches on my first witch of the season and plan to list her on Ebay tomorrow evening. Hopefully Irene will be a distant memory by then.

Diane

a new doll

2011-08-07T22:47:00.002-04:00

Newly listed on Ebay this evening.

I'm still canning tomatoes, they're slowing down a bit but there's still plenty to eat and can.

I should soon be receiving some black sheep's wool that I ordered from Canada. I've been waiting on this to start making some witches. So look for them coming soon to Ebay.

Hope your week gets off to a very pleasant start tomorrow.
Diane

The Garden & Ebay~

2011-07-25T21:52:00.003-04:00

~Hallow's Eve Moon~
In my gardening frenzy I've managed to complete this Moon Cupboard doll.

I spent a good portion of my weekend picking, shelling and freezing blackeyed peas, canning tomatoes and today finishing 8 pints of pickle.
I'm hoping now things will slow down a bit and that I'll mostly be just canning tomatoes. It's alot of work in a short period of time but it gives me a good feeling when I see my pantry and freezer shelves filling with pints and quarts of vegetables.
We're supposed to get a slight reprieve from the extremely hot, humid weather for a couple of days. I welcome it! I'm not a hot weather lover, give me the cool, crisp days of fall and then I'm very happy.

Hoping your weather will be cooler...
Diane

~New Doll~

2011-07-14T16:03:00.007-04:00

~AUTUMN~
dressed in the beautiful colors of Fall...gold, rust, green, deep red and spice.

her serene face

The garden is really producing now! The tomatoes and corn have started and what can possibly be better than a tomato sandwich made using your own, straight-from-the- garden, juicy red tomato or corn on the cob dripping with butter?

I'll be canning some of those tomatoes soon and I'll freeze some corn (cut from the cob) to put in soups.

It'll be a busy weekend! Hope you enjoy your's.
Diane

~July 4th 2011~

2011-07-03T12:11:00.004-04:00

(one of my past designs)

It's hot as a firecracker here (upper 90's and humid) so I know it's July in Virginia!

I continue to be busy with my canning and pickle-making. I do try to make time to sew some each day and I am putting the finishing touches on a doll I hope to list on Ebay tonight.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe July the 4th holiday. Enjoy it! I know I complain about the hot, humid weather but I'm trying to stay happy and busy and not complain too much. Time is passing by so quickly! Just remember, six months from now we'll all be thinking about taking down our Christmas tree and decorations!

Don't think about it too much! Enjoy your weekend!
Diane

Newly Listed on Ebay

2011-06-26T21:55:00.003-04:00

Pumpkin Doll set.

This week looks to be a very busy one. The garden is really producing now. I have a half bushel of stringbeans to string and can, lots of squash to freeze and cucumbers to turn into pickles. We're getting enough tomatoes to eat but not to can and the corn is yet to come in.

Hopefully in all this domestic fervor I'll find time to sew...we'll see!
Wishing you all a very good week. Till next time.
Diane

~Newly listed on Ebay~

2011-06-19T22:14:00.003-04:00

This week will be spent working on vegetables from our garden and finishing several dolls.

Hope you all have a good week.
Diane

Pumpkin Witch & Hallowe'en Moon~

2011-06-15T20:55:00.009-04:00

Sunday night I listed this set on Ebay. Their auction will end this Sunday evening, hope you can visit them.

I've been busy with my sewing and soon will be busy with the vegetables that are starting to come in. We're getting squash, cucumbers and onions. Soon we'll be picking tomatoes and stringbeans. Then the canning and pickling will start. So I'll be at my sewing machine until the garden lures me away from it.

Tomorrow, a friend and I will be heading out to check out a new (to us anyway) quilt shop. I never seem to have enough fabric.

Have a good night,Diane

~Black Cat Witch~

2011-06-04T21:52:00.002-04:00

Debuting on Ebay Sunday night, June 5th.

Hope your weekend is a good one,
Diane

~Jilly Jack~

2011-05-28T21:08:00.005-04:00

I listed Jilly on Ebay Thursday night. Her auction will end next Thursday night, June 2nd.
I'm currently working on an order for a friend, when that's finished I'll work on something else for Ebay.

Our weather is really starting to heat up now. I'm not a fan of hot, humid weather so I'll stay in and sew.

Wishing you all a happy, safe Memorial Day weekend.
Diane

~Fall on Ebay~

2011-05-22T21:57:00.003-04:00

Listed on Ebay tonight, Jackie a Fall pumpkin head girl.

As I type this I also have my TV on and am watching the news about the terrible tornado that hit Joplin, MO. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This has been a horrible year so far for weather-related tragedys, I truly hope things will settle down soon.

May we all have a blissfully quiet and peaceful week.
Diane

~New on Ebay~

2011-05-17T20:38:00.002-04:00

Jake, the little pumpkin head doll. Ready for a fun night of trick or treating.

It's been a cloudy, soggy few days here. Today it has poured at times. I keep telling myself, "it's good for the garden". But I must confess the sun would be a welcome sight about now!

Wishing you all a good night.
Diane

New on Ebay

2011-05-13T20:32:00.004-04:00

I listed this little pumpkin head girl and her friend, the crow, on Ebay last night. The auction will end Thursday night around 9:00 P.M. eastern time.

I'm currently working on an ornament for a feather tree that the PFATT Ebay Group will be auctioning in June for charity. Lots of the group members will have an ornament on the tree. I'll keep you posted as the auction draws nearer.

I'm also working on another doll for Ebay. We've been having dreary, cloudy weather this week and it's supposed to continue this weekend so I'll be busy with my sewing.

Hope you have a great weekend.
Diane

Witch Hazel

2011-05-08T22:14:00.003-04:00

Witch Hazel debuted on Ebay tonight. Her auction will end Sunday May 15th about 9:00 P.M. eastern time.

I know it's way too early to be making Halloween but I just couldn't resist, it's my favorite season to sew for.

Things have been busy here. I had some special orders to finish and some more Spring cleaning to get finished. I'm still not through with the cleaning, but then can you ever really reach a point you think you're through cleaning?

Our garden seems to be getting off to a good start this year. I hope it continues, I need to can lots of tomatoes since I didn't have many last year. I actually enjoy canning. I love to see the jars filling the pantry shelves.

This week I'll be working on a special ornament as part of the PFATT Group charity auction on Ebay in June. It will be a feather tree full of ornaments designed and made by many of the group members. The auction will benefit breast cancer charities. Look for more about this special auction on the PFATT Blog and member's blogs.

Hoping your week gets off to a productive start.
Diane

~Tanzie~

2011-04-28T22:21:00.001-04:00

Listed on Ebay tonight

~Wishing you all~

2011-04-22T19:38:00.004-04:00

a joyous Easter.

~new listing~

2011-04-12T21:59:00.004-04:00

Newly listed on Ebay tonight. Five days only...ending Sunday night shortly after 9:00 eastern time.

Hope things are going well for each of you. I'm busy working on a few things for a Spring Open House.
Have a good week.
Diane

~coming soon~

2011-04-03T16:44:00.006-04:00

A soft, sweet Spring Bunny dressed in grey, cream and pink. Carrying a glittery pink egg and Easter tag and wearing a bonnet trimmed in pink tulle and flowers.

Coming soon to Ebay.

~Tonight on Ebay...~

2011-03-27T20:57:00.002-04:00

a new Bunny for Spring.

Her auction will last until next Sunday evening, April 3rd at 8:50 P.M. eastern time. I hope you can visit and see more pictures of her.

This week I'll be getting all of my tax information together. I say every year I'm not going to wait so long but here it is the end of March and I haven't gotten them done. So that's one of my goals for this week. I have an order to finish and hope to do that in the next couple of days. I also have more cleaning to do, I don't know if that'll be this week though, we'll see.

Hope things are going well for each of you, enjoy the upcoming week.
Diane

~happy spring!~

2011-03-20T16:55:00.004-04:00

I hope the weather is starting to be more Spring-like for all of you that have had such a long, cold, snowy winter. Our weather has been gorgeous, some warm sunny days and some cooler, cloudy days with much needed rain for the start of our gardening season. In other words, it's our typical early Spring weather, see-sawing back and forth before it settles into the warmer sunny days of late Spring. Our daffodils have been in full bloom this week. The redbuds and dogwoods are ready to burst into bloom and the forsythia, japonicas and ornamental fruit trees have been blooming for over a week now. Everything looks so fresh and green.

I have been sewing this week. I've almost finished this bunny set. Her little friend needs to be completed, hopefully by tomorrow evening, and then I'll list them on Ebay.

Wishing you a happy week,
Diane

~changes~

2011-03-15T20:00:00.002-04:00

I've changed my picture at the top of my blog. I went back through some past designs and came across this heart and egg with the word ~ hope ~ stamped on a tag. I think this piece says Spring.

I'm also going to take a break from online markets. I belong to two and love them both but want a little freedom to get some other things done. I'll still sell on Ebay and may possibly list on Etsy or resurrect my selling blog, we'll see.
I really like the online markets, there are some excellent ones out there. I must say I do think there are too many out there considering the state of the economy, that's just my opinion. Time will tell how many will survive.

I will be returning to my personal favorite, PFATT Marketplace, later this Summer but I think one will be my limit. It really cramps creativity to constantly be struggling to meet deadlines.

I'm working, slowly but steadily, on a larger rabbit for Ebay. She may not be completed until Sunday but I'm enjoying her coming to life. I'll post a picture here when I do get her finished. If you don't receive my email updates and would like to, just send me an email and I'll be happy to add you.

Later this week we're supposed to have temperatures near 80 and I hope to really get going on some much needed cleaning. I feel like my house needs to be turned wrong side out and given a good shaking and airing in the warm Spring breezes!

~Change can be a good thing~
~Diane

~A Springtime Bunny~

2011-03-09T10:51:00.003-05:00

Last night I listed this sweet bunny on Ebay. She's perfect for the warmer weather in her Spring greens and with her carrot. Hope you can check her out. Just click on my Ebay link to the right and it will take you to her auction. It lasts until next Tuesday night, the 15th.

I'm trying to get some Spring cleaning done. I'll have to take a bit of a break from it tomorrow, we're supposed to get lots of rain. The garden will be happy, we've planted onions, green peas and potatoes. I'm so hoping this will be a better gardening year, last Summer was so hot and dry.

I'll also be sewing, there are more bunnies to come and maybe an Americana piece or two. So stay tuned.

~Diane

~hop on over....

2011-03-02T10:31:00.004-05:00

and join the fun!
http://pfatt.blogspot.com

~Sweet Chloe~

2011-02-17T19:45:00.006-05:00

Listed on Ebay Wednesday night...

Chloe celebrates Spring with a tiny pink blossom and a glittery Easter egg.
I love these tiny bunnies so much I'm thinking I may do a series of them. Chloe celebrating different holidays or other special days, such as a birthday. What do you think?

I know I'm ready to celebrate Spring.
~Diane

~home is where the heart is~

2011-02-14T16:43:00.005-05:00

I hope your Valentine's Day has been a happy one. Valentines, of course, make us think of hearts. With hearts and home in mind I created this more primitive style doll for the Early Work Mercantile update. (Note: she does have hair, wool curls individually stitched in place) This is a more primitive, early style site with needleworks, soaps, dolls and other needful items for your home. I hope you'll take a look, it updates on the first and the fifteenth of the month.

I've wanted to return to some simpler, more primitive dolls for some time. I will continue to make the more finished folk art dolls also. I like both styles and I'm happy to have been asked to join EWM so I can now do both.

Along with ~Home is where the Heart is~ I will also have a rabbit doll. The site should be updated by 10:00 P.M. (eastern time) tonight. If you see something of mine you're interested in just email me.

I'm completing two orders and will hopefully have something finished for Ebay soon.

I'm heading now to get ready for my favorite night of TV, Antiques Roadshow, American Pickers and Cash and Cari.

Enjoy your evening.
~Diane

~brother & sister bunnies~

2011-02-06T11:51:00.004-05:00

Tonight this set of brother and sister bunnies will be listed for sale on Ebay.

Boy bunny with carrot.

Girl bunny with strawberry.

I'm really busy sewing for the PFATT Marketplace update on the 10th, I have to have my doll for that ready by tomorrow. I'll try to post a picture of it here later this week.

If you're a fan of football and the Super Bowl enjoy your day! I think the commercials during the game have gotten to be almost a bigger deal than the game itself. Hope your favorite team wins!

Back to my sewing, I'll have another post later in the week.
~Diane

~updates~

2011-02-04T12:06:00.004-05:00

I have several things going on right now and just don't get to blog very often. I'm busy finishing up a shop order and an order for a couple of my dolls for a very nice customer.

I've also joined the site Early Work Mercantile. I'll be updating there on the 15th of each month. If you haven't visited this wonderful group of early/primitive artists click on the link in my sidebar and take a look.

I have just about finished my next offering for Ebay. It's a sweet, tiny bunny set that will debut Sunday evening. I'll post a picture here soon.

Also, I wanted to let all of you antique/folk art lovers know about a great show coming up Feb. 12th at the Augusta Expoland in Fishersville, VA. I went to the show last Feb. and it's worth anybodies time to go! There were fabulous primitives with original finishes, lovely folk art and also primitive books and magazines that were offered by some of the vendors. The link for the show is also in my sidebar. It takes you to their site where you can find more info and a list of the vendors and dealers. I hope if you're anywhere in the area you'll go, I know you'll be happy you did.

~wishing you each a happy weekend, mine will be spent sewing~
Diane

~forever friends~

2011-01-31T11:47:00.004-05:00

I listed this sweet set on Ebay last night, the auction will last for a week. Hope you find time to check it out.

I've been very busy sewing and have more to do so no time to chat.

Hope all is well with each of you.
Diane

~Signs of Spring???~

2011-01-23T15:38:00.005-05:00

I know it's way too soon but do you ever find yourself, in this cold first month of the year, starting to look for that first sign, any sign at all, of Spring? I find myself walking by my flower beds everyday looking for the blades of daffodils pushing their way up through the frozen ground. When I see them it gives me hope that Spring is finally around the corner.

As I was making this Bunny thoughts of Spring kept popping into my head. Afterall, what says Spring more than bunnies or the birds starting to look for twigs, string and other soft fluffy things to build and line their nests with? So this sweet bunny, dressed in blues and creams with vintage buttons and carrying a small clay flower pot filled with grass and three blue eggs, was brought to life.

I hope she gives you hope that the warmer, softer days of Spring are on the not too distant horizon.
Diane

~Valentine & Cupid~

2011-01-18T16:32:00.005-05:00

Things have been relatively quiet here the last few days. I've been sewing and today I finished this set. I'll be listing them on Ebay tonight.

You can click on my Ebay link to the right and it will take you to my Ebay listings. Hope you enjoy Valentine and Cupid, they were fun to make. As always, if you have any questions feel free to email me. My email address is at the top of the page.

I'm off to make some dinner and then get back to my sewing. Wishing you each a relaxing evening.

Diane

How's your week going?

2011-01-13T20:03:00.008-05:00

It's been a busy, very cold week here in Virginia. Of course, it's been alot colder and definitely snowier in other parts of the country. Thankfully, by the upcoming weekend, our weather is supposed to be a little warmer and sunny. I say bring it on, I'm more than ready for some warmer weather!

One thing I did this week was to tweak and slightly rework my Snow Bunny. I listed her on Ebay last night. Her auction will end Wednesday the 19th. Now, I'm working on another doll for Ebay and some for a friend's shop.

Tomorrow is my Dad's 81st birthday. I'm making lunch for him, his lady friend and a couple of his cousins. So there'll be no sewing tomorrow, hopefully I'll get back to it on Saturday.

I'll let you know when I finish and list my next doll, possibly by Sunday evening. Wishing you all a great weekend.
Diane

~A Snowbunny~

2011-01-09T20:06:00.004-05:00

This Snowbunny will be my offering for the January update on PFATT Marketplace, the clickable link is to the right or you can email me for info. The update occurs around midnight tonight, Pacific time.

I've finally gotten my Christmas things down, boxed up and put away till next year. This seems to take me so long and also seems to be more of a chore than the pre-Christmas decorating. But I finally have my house back in order.

This week promises to be another busy one but hopefully I'll find time for a bit of sewing. Now I'm off to watch Downton Abbey on PBS, hope it's as good as the preview.
Diane

~what I've been working on~

2011-01-04T21:06:00.005-05:00

Sometimes after the holidays I'm in a real creative slump and have no idea what I want to work on. Thankfully this year seems to be different. I don't know if it's because I took a longer break before the holidays or what but I've really enjoyed working on the two snowdolls I've made so far. And wonder of wonders, I have a couple of more ideas I'm working on. At least one of them will be for the PFATT Marketplace update.

This picture is of a Snow Angel I listed on Ebay tonight, hope you enjoy her.

Back to my sewing.
Diane

~Happy New Year~

2010-12-31T20:21:00.003-05:00

~Diane~

~new doll for ebay~

2010-12-30T19:41:00.004-05:00

We're just about to turn the final page on the 2010 calendar. A good portion of the country has been getting snow, LOTS of snow in some places. So what did I decide to make for my first post-Christmas doll...a Snow Girl, of course! This one doesn't make me think of freezing cold with howling winds though. She almost makes you think of Spring in her soft, floral cottons with vintage lace.

She'll be available on Ebay tonight, at 8:30 and her auction will last until next Thursday, Jan. 6th at 8:30 P.M. (eastern time).

I've started taking down my Christmas decorations and will be continuing on that and working on something for the PFATT Marketplace update on the 10th. Since we're beginning a new year, if you have anything in mind you'd like to see me make click on my email link above and share your ideas with me.

try to keep warm,
Diane

~Merry Christmas~

2010-12-23T19:22:00.006-05:00

This week we've passed the Winter Solstice, tomorrow is Christmas Eve and 2010 is dwindling down to it's final few days. I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year. I appreciate all who've stopped by this year to visit, take the time to leave a comment or email me.

I already have plans for my first dolls of the New Year. I'm looking forward to getting back to my sewing and hope you'll join me to see what 2011 brings.

Until then, take care and enjoy the holidays with your family and friends.

~Merry Christmas~
Diane

~Christmas Around the House~

2010-12-20T16:40:00.014-05:00

I thought I'd share a few pictures of my Christmas decorating. I like to keep things simple starting with my wreaths. I made two of these boxwood wreaths, one at my front door and one at my kitchen door. It's just boxwood pinned to a straw wreath base with floral pins and I added burgundy velvet bows to them.

This old school slate hangs on the side of a kitchen cabinet. The slate belonged to my Great-Grandfather, Alexander Hamilton Martin. You can see his initials, AHM, in the wood framing the slate (at the top). I hung a scented wax gingerbread boy on the slate. Above it is a metal strainer.

Sitting on my kitchen counter is this old metal cabinet, leaning against the wall are breadboards (one of my newer collecting passions) and an old wooden scrub board. On top of the cabinet are two Santas that look like they're made out of chocolate. I tucked a glittery Christmas tree into the yellowware butter crock.

This is an old cupboard, also in my kitchen, that I keep dishes in. On top I have a couple of large spice tins used in a store, a painted Merry Christmas sign on a board, and three Santas that my Mom painted. I tucked some iced greenery around them.

On the top of this pine piesafe are some of my snowmen I've collected through the years.

I tucked a couple of framed Santa pictures, a wax Santa figure and some of the iced greenery in this old wooden carrier. I loved how this turned out!

I hope you enjoyed seeing these few pictures, I have a few more I'll try to post if time allows. This is a busy week, I have 5 coconut cakes, an apple cake, some cookies and fudge to make this week and the time is flying by!

Til later,
Diane

Making the Time to Enjoy the Season

2010-12-16T20:13:00.006-05:00

Like all of you I've been very busy getting ready for Christmas. Cleaning, decorating, shopping, wrapping and baking have been my daily pursuits recently. I'm trying to get everything ready so I'm not running around like crazy up until the last minute. I'm actully doing pretty good. I've even managed to find time to make boxwood wreaths with homemade burgundy velvet bows for my doors. I love making them and have plans to make one more to hang on a mirror inside.

I made the decision to stop my sewing earlier this year to allow myself more time to do some things I love to do around the house like the wreath making and other decorating. The last few years I've worked on my sewing too close to Christmas and then would make a mad dash to try to do everything in time. Inevitably some things would not get done and I would end up so frustrated. So this year I decided to make some changes and I've really enjoyed having the time to do things without having to rush so.

I'm not through yet, there's plenty more to do but at least it's enjoyable and doesn't feel like such a burden or chore. I think that's been a problem for so many of us, trying to live up to everyone's expectations (including our own) and getting so upset when things don't fall into place like we want.

So I'm glad I made the decision to stop my sewing and take the time to enjoy the season. I'm finding it's bringing the happiness and excitement back and after all, isn't that what this season should feel like?

~Wishing you Joy in the Season~
Diane

PFATT Blog Holiday GiveAway

2010-11-30T21:01:00.011-05:00

Join us on the PFATT Blog for a chance to win a great prize from some of our talented artists. The blog giveaway starts tomorrow and runs through Dec. 7th.
You can check it out anytime after midnight tonight. You can click on our Blog link to the right to go there.

I'm completing an order for a Santa and busy working on something for the PFATT Marketplace update on December 10th.

Hope your preparations for Christmas are coming along, I'm trying to get things done here as well as keep up with my online commitments.
~Diane

~pfatt marketplace update~

2010-11-09T09:48:00.003-05:00

The November update for PFATT Marketplace will be late tonight. I have two Santa hangers made for this month. Merry Christmas Santa is dressed in deep red and is holding a metal cone filled with iced greens and berries and Season's Greetings Santa is dressed in a golden tan brushed cotton with stripes, he's holding a snowman and candy canes.

Today I hope to work on a piece for Ebay and I need to get busy on an order. We're having beautiful weather this week with bright sunny skies and temps in the 60's so it might be hard to keep myself tied to the sewing machine.

Hope you get to go by the marketplace and check out all of the wonderful Christmas/winter designs that will be offered. It's a great chance to pick up a gift for a friend or family member and maybe something you'd like for your own home.

Have a good Tuesday...
Diane

~santaland~

2010-11-04T20:58:00.003-04:00

I'm up to my elbows in Santa parts, I'm in full-blown Christmas mode now. I'm currently sewing on Santas for the Marketplace update on the 10th. I also have a couple of orders for Santas and I'm trying to update my blog. I'm trying to make it more "Christmasy" looking. I'm also adding some pictures of past Christmas designs I've made.

Most of my time is spent sewing so it takes me quite awhile to get my blog looking the way I want it to look. Hopefully in the next few days the new look will be complete.

We've reached the time of year that everything seems to kick into high gear. There's so much I want to do. Cleaning, baking, sewing, antiquing, shopping...my list is endless! It's a hectic, full-speed-ahead rush until December 25th. But alot of fun!

Hope you all enjoy the mad-dash.
Diane

~merry christmas santa~

2010-10-31T21:04:00.003-04:00

I listed this Santa tonight on Ebay. His auction will end next Sunday evening, hope you can check him out. Just click on my Ebay link to the right.

I'm busily sewing, making more Santas and will be working on some snow dolls soon.

Hope you've all had a good Hallowe'en. Our's is always quiet, we live in the country, back off the road so we don't get trick or treaters. I don't have a good excuse to go out and buy lots of candy, darn it!

Hope you all have a good start to November. Can you believe how quickly time is flying by?
Diane

~christmas joy~

2010-10-25T11:37:00.003-04:00

Sunday night I listed this little Christmas Bunny on Ebay. The auction will end next Sunday night.

I'll be finishing some orders this week and also getting started on items for the PFATT Marketplace update for November 10th. It's so hard to believe Christmas is just 2 months from today! Scary when you consider everything that needs to be done by then. Oh well, back to work for me.

till next time...
Diane

~movin' on~

2010-10-17T16:05:00.003-04:00

to Christmas designs.
Except for two orders I'm working on I'll be concentrating on things for the Holiday Season until shortly before Christmas. This Santa hanger will be my first Holiday 2010 piece listed on Ebay. I'm hoping to find time to get him listed tonight, you can click on my Ebay link at the top right to go to my auction listings.

I'm hoping to get my final two Fall orders finished and on their way this week. and then I'm going to try and make a couple of pieces for the PFATT Marketplace update on November 10th.

This has been a gorgeous Autumn weekend here in central Virginia, I've managed to make time and take my dog for a couple of long walks. We've both enjoyed ourselves, I've enjoyed the cooler weather and beautiful colors in the woods and Gypsy has enjoyed sniffing the damp leaves and smelling the tracks of deer, squirrels and other dogs. So we're both happy!

I baked some molasses spice cookies today so the house smells so good, can't wait to eat some after my dinner. Wishing you all a good Sunday evening...

Diane

~busy monday~

2010-10-11T15:21:00.006-04:00

This week got off to a busy start. We had lots of small peppers in reds, greens and oranges, and small green tomatoes. So with some bought onions I turned it all into relish. It was enough for 12 jars, plenty for us and a few to share. I must say that a food processor makes this a breeze, in fact, it's one of the few times in a year I actually use mine.

I think the relish looks really pretty. It will taste so good this winter on beans, burgers and hotdogs. This finishes our garden for this year. It really was not a good year, it was so hot and dry during the best portion of the growing season.

Since relish making took up most of my day I haven't been able to sew any, hopefully I'll get back to it tomorrow so I can get a couple of orders done.

Til next time...
Diane

~howdy, pilgrim~

2010-10-09T20:04:00.007-04:00

This is my doll for the PFATT Marketplace update which will take place tomorrow around noon eastern time. (Simply click on my PFATT Marketplace link to the right to go to my page.) Hope you can be there to check out all of the wonderful designs being offered by the many talented artists.

I spent this morning running some errands and this afternoon got started on a small black cat make-do (another special order). There was no time to cook today so dinner was leftover beef stew and slices of the apple cake I made yesterday.

..hope you're all having a fun Autumn weekend..
Diane

..odds and ends..

2010-10-08T15:12:00.005-04:00

Today has been a pretty productive one for me. Most of my strength and energy have finally returned and I feel like I'm actually accomplishing something.

I hadn't done much Fall/Halloween decorating so with a couple of pieces given to me recently by two good friends I have my piesafe looking Fallish.

The witch sign and towel are the two new pieces. The gourd Jack-O-Lantern, gourd pear and plain gourd (in the yellowware bowl) are ones I've had for sometime. I love pulling out the seasonal things I've purchased over the years and rediscovering and using them to create vignettes all around my house.

One other thing I've done today is complete a doll that was a special order. I love her Fall colors and the feathered crow she holds. Hope her new owner is as happy with her.

I've also completed and sent my update for PFATT Marketplace. My offering will be one final Harvest piece. I'm not sharing a picture of her yet, the update will be a bit later than normal, still on the 10th but coming around noon Eastern time instead of overnight. I'll post a picture of her here either tomorrow evening or Sunday morning.

With the perfect Fall weather we've been having I'm in a baking mood so today I also made a fresh apple cake. I think a slice of that after the chicken and dumpling dinner I've made will be a nice finish to a good day.

...hope you've had a happy, productive, autumn friday too....
Diane

~pumpkin witch~

2010-09-29T11:28:00.004-04:00

The auction for Pumpkin Witch and her Crow will begin tonight at 8:30 P.M. (eastern time) on Ebay and last for 1 week.
This will be one of my last Fall/Halloween listings for this year. I have another pumpkin head in the works for the PFATT Marketplace update on Oct. 10th. I also have a couple of orders I'm working on but I'm hoping to be able to keep listing at least one doll a week on Ebay.

We're having a beautiful, rainy day here in Virginia. It's very welcome after our extremely hot, dry summer. Our pumpkin vines dried up so this will be the first year in a long time that I'll have to buy some pumpkins.

I'm making a pot of chicken vegetable soup today and some brownies and then I'll spend the rest of my day sewing.

Hope you each have a happy, productive Wednesday.
~Diane

~finally...i'm back to my sewing

2010-09-26T11:33:00.002-04:00

It's been a few weeks since I've updated my blog, listed on Ebay and I even missed updating my page on PFATTmarketplace for September. I went to the hospital on 9/7 for a procedure (an Ablation) on my heart, this required an overnight stay and I was to be home on the 8th. Things did not work out like they should have, the procedure went well but in the night I starting with bleeding in my leg at one of the entry sites for the catheter. For an Ablation you have to be on lots of bloodthinners so this made the bleeding pretty bad. After 5 bags of FFP (fresh frozen plasma), 4 units of blood and 3 Vitamin K shots and 6 nights in the hospital I came home on the 13th. It's been a slow process but I've regained most of my strength and my blood count is rising slowly but steadily. So, this past week I dusted off my sewing machine and I've just about finished a doll I had started before all of this happened. I hope to list her in the next day or so and I'll also have something for the PFATT update on Oct. 10th.

I'll post a picture here when I get "it" finished.
Hope you all have been well, I hope to get back to visiting my favorite blogs to see what everyone has been up to.
~Diane

~great fall give-away~

2010-08-29T21:21:00.007-04:00

starting september 1st
Be sure to head over to the PFATT blog to find out how to enter for a chance to win a great prize donated by one of the fabulous PFATT artists. Simply click on the blog banner to the right.

I'm busily sewing, finishing up a couple of orders, then will move on to a piece for the PFATT update on Sept. 10th. Hopefully between these, I'll have time to complete a doll for Ebay.

Wishing you each a good week...
~Diane

~autumn joy~

2010-08-25T15:54:00.005-04:00

A perfect Fall doll to display all season, debuting on Ebay tonight. Hope you can visit her auction.

Finally our weather has cooled a bit, it's still quite humid but at least we're not having mid 90's to 100 degree days! We are also getting some much-needed rain. The grass and flowers are looking so much better too. We're just picking a few tomatoes and squash from the garden now. Pumpkins and salad greens will follow in September.

I'm working on finishing some orders, I have doll bodies ready and waiting for some clothes. So that's what I'll be doing the next few days.

~Diane

~jack and joe~

2010-08-16T19:53:00.005-04:00

Debuting on Ebay later tonight

~slight delay~

2010-08-15T20:39:00.002-04:00

I had hoped to have Jack and Joe (subject to change) finished and listed on Ebay tonight but no such luck. I thought I had them all figured out but I bought some new fabrics Friday so there have been some changes. I'm liking how they are coming together now. I don't make many boy dolls but I'm enjoying working on Jack's colorful attire.

Anyhow, I hope to list them tomorrow night, I'll also post a picture of them here. This week I plan to get started on an order for a harvest Santa.

Hope you all have had a great weekend, it's been another hot and humid one here.

til next time...
~Diane

~an opportunity~

2010-08-11T20:26:00.009-04:00

If you'd like a chance to pre-order the new issue of PRIMS magazine, coming October 1st, click the PRIM magazine link to the right.

This is a wonderful magazine full of all kinds of primitive dolls in many different mediums, the above picture is from the new issue. The magazine can be ordered from now until Aug. 25th at a special price with free shipping. I hope you'll check it out, I don't think you'll be disappointed.
I submitted a doll, but she won't appear in PRIMS until the next issue due out in April 2011.

I want to thank all of you that emailed me with kind words about my debut piece on Pfatt Marketplace. She's headed to PA tomorrow to her new home. After finishing that doll, I took a few days off from my sewing. I'm now back at work on a piece for Ebay. Hopefully I'll be listing tomorrow night, if not, it'll be Sunday evening.

The weather continues to be very hot and humid here in Virginia, I'm so longing for the cooler temps of Fall. I know it will be here very soon though, the time just seems to fly by, faster and faster each year.

til next time,
~Diane

~bittersweet memories~

2010-08-03T19:38:00.004-04:00

Do you ever wonder what happens to all of the jack-o-lanterns we throw away each year?
Could it be...

..maybe they turn into Angels!

She'll debut on Ebay tonight.
~Diane

~witchy jack~

2010-07-26T21:54:00.003-04:00

Tonight I listed Witchy Jack, a not too scary little Jack-O-Lantern Witch, on Ebay. Her auction will last until Monday Aug. 2nd (9:30 P.M. eastern time). Hope you can check it out.

I'll be finishing up my pickle making tomorrow. Even with the hot, terribly dry conditions I managed to get 4 batches of pickle.

Also this week, I'll be working on something for TDIPT Mercantile's update Saturday night. Hope you'll be able to visit us.

~Diane

~starry jack~

2010-07-23T14:37:00.003-04:00

Starry Jack is finally ready to make her appearance on Ebay tonight. I finished her late yesterday afternoon, too late to get my pictures taken. Her auction will be for 5 days only, ending Wednesday July 28th. I hope you enjoy seeing her, she turned out so cute. The next in the Jack family is a petite witch.

If you can make it, you ought to try to go to the Summer in the Valley Antique and Folk Art show tomorrow in Fishersville, VA. It promises to be a great way to spend a hot Saturday. The link with all the info is in the sidebar to the right, simply click on the Summer in the Valley picture and it will take you to Donna and Linda's site for the show. I wish I was going but I won't be able to this time, hopefully I'll be there for the Winter in the Valley Show.

Wishing you all a good weekend...
~Diane

~change~

2010-07-21T14:41:00.003-04:00

I thought it was about time for a blog background change, something a bit more appropriate for the fall dolls I've been making. July is dwindling down, August is almost upon us, so I thought it would be a good time for a new look.

In between canning tomatoes and working on a final crock of pickles I've been sewing on another doll. I'm thinking of naming her Starry Jack. I hope to list her tomorrow night and will post a picture of her here.

Hope you're all staying cool, it's still in the mid 90's to around 100 degrees here and almost no rain, except for a couple of brief showers. Before long, there will be changes in the weather also and we'll shift to the shorter, cooler days of Autumn. For me, this will be a welcome change.

~Diane

~tess and ebbie~

2010-07-18T16:35:00.003-04:00

Tonight on Ebay I'll be listing Tess and Ebony (Ebbie for short). Tess is a poor little pretty orange kitty that has always longed to be a sleek black feline, especially at Halloween. So Mama Cat made her girl Tess a black kitty doll with a frightful face hoping Tess will be grateful for what she is and stop wishing to be someone else.

Will it work?
~Diane

~Dotty Jack~

2010-07-13T16:58:00.002-04:00

Dotty Jack, a little girl jack-o-lantern, will make her debut on Ebay tonight. Hope you can take a look at her auction. If you ever have any questions or comments and would like to email me, feel free to do so, I love hearing from you.

~Diane

~monday~

2010-07-12T20:05:00.004-04:00

I honestly don't know where the time goes! It's been over a week since I posted here. It's been a busy week and a hot week (several triple digit days), not to mention extremely dry. But today has been cloudy and finally we've gotten a bit of rain.

I spent the week working on pickle, going to Charlottesville for a doctor's appointment and some shopping and on Thursday I went with my Aunt and Uncle to an antique mall. While in Charlottesville I shopped at my favorite quilt shop and found some beautiful fabrics for upcoming Fall and Halloween dolls. I also found several pieces for Christmas. I'll be listing a pumpkin doll on Ebay tomorrow night and I used some of the fabric on her. I'll post a picture here tomorrow, due to the clouds I wasn't able to get any pictures today.

At the antique mall I found a perfect 2 gallon crock, no cracks or chips at all. I saw a few other things but the crock was all I bought. In fact I have some pickle in the crock now.

I didn't get much sewing done last week, I hope to start on another doll in the next day or so. The garden is not producing very well because of the extreme heat and dry weather so I don't expect I'll have much more canning to do so that means more time for sewing. I have lots of designs in mind and am looking forward to getting them made.

Check back tomorrow for the debut of "Dottie Jack".
~Diane

~Happy Fourth of July~

2010-07-04T11:01:00.003-04:00

FROM

I'm hoping to be back later today with info and a picture about a new listing. Meantime, I hope you each have an enjoyable 4th!

~Diane~

~tdipt mercantile update~

2010-06-30T22:45:00.002-04:00

The Mercantile updated tonight. Click on my TDIPT link to the right to see more pictures and a description of Harvest Time Santa.

~Diane

~here she is~

2010-06-27T19:26:00.006-04:00

...Halloween Witch Bunny...

..all decked out for a night of trick or treating, in fact she's already made one stop, see her black and orange candy canes?

You can go to my Ebay link to the right and see more pictures and read her description. I plan to have her listed by 9:30 or so (eastern time), ending next Sunday evening at the same time. Hope you enjoy her.

~Diane

~too hot and way too busy~

2010-06-27T15:52:00.003-04:00

Just when I think I'm going to get better about blogging things get crazy around here. The past two weeks have been spent canning stringbeans, freezing squash and working on two crocks of pickle. I'm really amazed I have this much to work on because our weather has been extremely hot and dry. The temps have hovered around 100 several days and even though we had rain showers two evenings this week you really can't tell it. The grass crackles when you walk across the yard. Most days I've had to water my few flowers I put out in the morning and the evening.

Even though I've been staying in and working on the vegetables, I have finally finished a doll. I hope to be able to list her tonight. I'll try to post a picture of her here on the blog. By the way, she's a Halloween Bunny wearing a Witch's hat.

I've been reading on some of the blogs I follow that some of you have received the new issue of Early American Life that features the Directory of American Craftsmen. I'm looking forward to getting my copy and spending some quiet time with a cold drink and looking at the magazine. This and the Christmas issue are my two favorite issues of the year.

I need to get busy and get my pictures done of the doll, hopefully I'll post one here later this evening.

Wishing you all a good Sunday evening...
~Diane

~reminder~

2010-06-13T20:48:00.007-04:00

Tonight is the start of the TDIPT Ebay Group Launch, Best in Show. Look for lots of great pieces offered for your bidding pleasure thoughout the upcoming week. I'll be listing my doll probably Tuesday evening. Below is a peek at part of the set.
So I hope you'll be able to check out all the wonderful pieces that will be showing up. Simply type TDIPT in your Ebay search bar to find them.

My Uncle Sam I thought I would have finished by now and listed on Ebay just didn't work out, so I'm not sure what I'll be sewing on next but I'll keep you updated.

This week I'll start freezing squash, they promise to be very prolific again this year...I'd be glad to share!

~Diane

~hot and busy~

2010-06-06T13:21:00.008-04:00

I've been a very lax blogger for the last couple of weeks. This time of year there is so much going on and things that need doing, so I find it difficult to take the time to sit down and write about what's going on. I finished an order and got that mailed out, got some cleaning done, finished up getting my flowers in the planters, have frozen some bags of green peas from the garden and done a few other things.
Last Thursday was spent in Charlottesville. I picked up some nice fabrics for upcoming dolls. I'm slowly working on a doll. I decided to try an Uncle Sam. I don't make many of them and this will probably be the only one for this year. I hope to have him finished up and listed on Ebay later this week.
My next sewing project will be for the TDIPT launch starting next Sunday. I probably won't be ready to list until the middle of that week though. I can't wait to see what the different members will be listing.

The picture is of some of my old tins I collect. I just love the colors. I tend to collect reds, greens and mustard colored tins. I love the tin ones that have paper labels, like the two big square ones in the picture. They held cayenne pepper and nutmeg. The lids are hinged so the store owner could scoop out whatever amount the customer wanted. There's still some nutmeg in the tan one that says "Banquet".

Well I'm off to work on Sam, check back later, I'll try to post a picture of him when he's finished.

till next time,
~Diane

~coming soon~

2010-05-23T12:03:00.001-04:00

The week of June 13th the TDIPT Ebay group will be having an Ebay launch. The theme will be ~Best in Show~. The idea is to allow each participating member to choose their own "best design" to make. This opens things up quite a bit and is sure to include quite a variety of styles. There will be primitive/folk art dolls, framed needlework, hooked pieces and wonderful wooden designs. So be sure to join us and bid on something for that special place in your home, a gift for a friend or possibly the Fall/Holiday decorating season (that will be here before you know it!).
I have a couple of ideas on what I may make but nothing final yet.

Yesterday I froze the first green peas from our garden, 5 bags of them. The gardens are looking good, yesterday we had 1&1/4 inches of rain, perfect timing for the garden. We are also enjoying small Spring onions. The potatoes are blooming, the squash, cukes, okra, corn, greenbeans, peppers,tomatoes watermelons and cantaloupes are all thriving. The pumpkins and gourds will go in later. It's going to be a busy mid and late summer of canning, freezing and pickling for me.

Enjoy your Sunday.
~Diane

flag banner and a box

2010-05-21T15:17:00.001-04:00

I said in a previous post that I was going antiquing last Friday, I did but I didn't buy anything. I saw a small framed Santa print that I wish I had bought but walked away from. I should have known better because it's been on my mind ever since and I've come to realize if I see something and can't quit thinking about it I better go back and get it. I'm hoping to go back to that shop in a week or so, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll still be there. Since I din't buy anything "new" to share, I'm sharing a couple of pictures I recently took of things I've had for awhile, hope you enjoy seeing them.

Below is a picture of a 48 star silk banner a friend gave me several years ago, I love to get it out this time of year and display it for the upcoming patriotic holidays. Normally it sits in a vintage bobbin that has the best red paint on it but for the picture it showed better on this shelf. It looks great with these old pitchers.

The next picture is an old pine divided box that my Aunt gave me. I don't know what it was used for. I don't believe it's a kitchen piece, like you see for cutlery. It's never been painted and is kind of rough, but I love it.

I haven't done any sewing today, I'll probably get back to it tomorrow. I've been thinking about a little pumpkin head doll. I'll let you know how it goes.

Diane

the angel collector

2010-05-20T19:13:00.000-04:00

Debuting tonight on Ebay

Click on my Ebay link (top of the sidebar) to take you to her auction. Look for a longer post later tonight or tomorrow.

~Diane