I love Etsy!

Since opening my own Etsy shop in January, I've sold many baskets, but more importantly I've found some new friends on Etsy.  These friends are fellow Etsy artisans who create wonderful items that I just can't seem to live without.  

This adorable little pumpkin head box is my latest acquisition.  I purchased him from Susan at

 http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldethreads

I had admired him for a couple of days, saw that he had a few other admirers and decided I just couldn't wait any longer to purchase him. 

I ordered him mid week and he arrived yesterday.  Too bad for me since I was gone from about 6:30 am until 7:30 pm last night.  I knew he was sitting in the box just begging to get out!     

 

He arrived all wrapped up in tissue paper - it made me feel like I was getting a present.

 Surprise!

 Inside the box is a cute little pumpkin nest!  Susan didn't mention this part in her Etsy listing.  There are 2 little cinnamon pumpkins and a cute Halloween tag all snug in an excelsior nest.  

Susan's attention to detail is perfectly prim.  My photos don't do justice to how perfect this little set is.  The box is grained over 2 coats of contrasting paint.  The inside of the box is painted as well.  The pumpkin is so cute - antique buttons for eyes, a twig stem and the little leaf that is whip-stitched on.   

Graby knew that the tissue paper was really for him, he's already made off with the ribbon Susan tied it with.  

 

I can't wait to see what other wonderful creations Susan makes for Thanksgiving?  Christmas?  Winter? Susan.......?

Thank you Susan!

Have you tried these new M & M's?  YUM!!!  White chocolate candy corn flavor.  Our daughter came home with 2 bags of these and they are nearly gone.  

We have 2 orchestra concerts - the high school is this afternoon - our daughter, and tomorrow night the boy's have theirs for junior high.  Can't wait to hear them - our youngest is just starting and of course has to be different than his siblings - no violin for him.  He chose to play the bass.  There's always one in the crowd isn't there?  He had to pick the largest instrument possible - the bass hardly fits in my van!

Have a great week.  ~Ann

A Little Fall

Only a few of my Halloween and Fall items have made their way from basement storage out to display.  One the end of the dry sink I set up this little trio of items, soon to be knocked over and off - thanks to a little grey beast. 

One of my favorite baskets that I've made for myself is hanging above our back sliding doors.  Normally there is nothing in this basket and this year I thought it might look neat to add a touch of fall on one end.  I think the simple pumpkin and bittersweet add a nice primitive touch to this long basket. 

Full length of the basket....

I just love this little owl that I got in trade (I know another great barter!) he looks perfect in my grain sifter.

I hate to admit, but I'm sure this next item was made in China.  Picked up this ghost at my favorite store in Findlay, Ohio - Early American Home.  My husband made me the candle box which normally houses a battery operated candle in a tall stick, changed out for Halloween, the ghost fits great.

I added a couple of items to the living room shelf, a cross stitch piece I made last year and a pumpkin from my blogging friend Tammy of A Primitive Place

That's about all I've got out -why you might ask?  It seems I'm never home to do more than laundry and meal prep.  Let me show you where we've been...

High School Cross Country races...

Junior High Cross Country races....

and fall baseball leagues....

We LOVE baseball at our house.  Both boys are playing fall ball.  Matthew is playing on 2 different teams in addition to his cross country schedule.  Daniel is on one team - that's ok - he's only in 5th grade!  I'm spending Saturdays and Sundays sitting at double headers somewhere.  Last Saturday the weather was so nice here in NW Ohio I even got a little sunburn and had to move my chair to the shade. 

I hope you are all having a good week.  ~Ann  

Barter.....It's a Good Thing

Recently I've bartered with 3 other artisans.  All three trades have been great and I love being the owner of  their wonderful handcrafted items.

This great candle sleeve was made by my Wisconsin friend, Karen of My Colonial Home.  Karen wanted a blanket crane like the one my husband made for me.  Karen gave me several items and I've waited almost a whole year to put out my new candle sleeve.  Karen's work is so precise and her attention to detail is superb.   

Susan is new friend I've met only through emails.  She has purchased several baskets from me and recently proposed doing a swap.  Susan sent me this great Santa and gingerbread man.  The Santa is her own design and he is spectacular!  The gingerbread man smells good enough to eat.  

                      

I'm encouraging Susan to open an Etsy shop to share her items with all of us.  Unfortunately she doesn't have a blog either, but if you want her email address, leave me a comment and I'll put you in contact with her.  

My last item to show off is a great oil painting by the art teacher in my building. Peg didn't know that I was a basketweaver and once she found out wanted to trade.  I was happy to trade - she's had all three of my kids in class so I will always treasure this piece.

I don't have a spot for this yet, but have an idea in mind.  I'll be sure to show you when it finds a home.  

Have a great week.  ~Ann

For Teresa

Teresa  (you know who you are!) this box is coming your way.  Please don't be surprised if you find an extra little big addition in your box of baskets.

This next picture might make you a little dizzy - sorry - but both of them wanted in!  I think they've been reading your blog and see that your fur babies get to go outside.

Thanks again! ~Ann

A very hungry cat!

First, let me share that Laura from Appleberry Cottage won my rug hooking pattern that I'm passing along. Congratulations Laura, I hope you like hooking the design as much as I have. 

On to the hungry beast!  Shadow has figured out that the cat food is stored in this metal can.  I love the can, picked it up at an auction - it has a cool bail handle.  I did apply the label to the front - it's all about the prices of molasses.

My husband is the first one downstairs in the morning and often he finds the food dish in this sad, sad state....oops someone forgot to feed them before we went to bed! You'd think with 5 people in this house someone could remember them!

My husband says if Shadow doesn't get his attention with this trick the crazy cat will hop down and get in the way making sure to "steer" Dad over to the dish!

We have a weekend with 2 cross country races and 2 baseball games.  Hope you all have a great weekend. 

~Ann

I'm becoming a Hooker, are you?

Every year after the Rug Hooking event held at Sauder Village, I am bit by the rug hooking bug.  Each year it gets a little "worse"!  At first when I tried this traditional American craft, I really didn't think it was for me.  Then August rolls around and the wonderful wool vendors and hookers descend on Sauder Village and I am sucked in again.  There are mounds and mounds of gorgeous wool just waiting to be touched and purchased.  

In the past I've only purchased kits with the strips cut and colors chosen for me.  I stepped out of my comfort zone this year and purchased a pattern online prior to the show.  With this pattern in hand I entered the show floor.  I purchased the background taupe and the house red brick.  I did pick up a few other colors for other rugs I have in mind. My Grandmother was a prolific rug hooker and to honor her work done in the early 1900's, I have tried to include reclaimed wool in the few pieces I have hooked.  The crow, roof, border and outer petals of the flower are all recycled clothing.  I'm wishing I had several yards of the brown - it has subtle flecks of color in it that is very interesting close up. 

I'd like to pass on this pattern to someone who would like to hook the design.  It is a Buttermilk Basin pattern - "Red Saltbox" 14.5" x 12".

If you leave me a comment on this post saying that you'd like the pattern, I will enter your name into the drawing.  Friday night I will draw a name from the entries and contact the winner.  Make sure you leave me an email address if you do not have a blog.  The only "rule" is you must be a follower of my blog.  I've had some people tell me they have a problem posting a comment on my blog.  If this is the case, send me an email (annfrank17@yahoo.com) with Rug Hooking as the title and I'll enter you in too!

We started school on Tuesday, and so far all 4 of us have survived our first week.  Love this picture and I'm sure it will be the last one where our daughter is the tallest!  My husband tells me he does miss us when he comes home at lunch time - I think it's because he has to make his own lunch!  

Have a great week.  ~Ann

Update to Halloween Stitchin'

I've updated my last post to include the colors of floss that I used for this freebie from Primitive Betty.  

~ALSO~

Betty was kind enough to republish one of the charts for us all and that link as well as the link to the "BOO" freebie are now on my blog.  (Thank you Shirley for your help!)