Saturday, January 30, 2010

NEW VENTURE...

Oh Happy Day! It's Saturday night and it has been a good few days at the shop ($$$$), but now it's time to get more antiques into the shop. (Guess what hubby gets to help me do tomorrow?) I've got a great old beadboard cupboard that will be showing up in a couple of days and more things to follow. One of my sources also told me that she will have more things by the middle of the week - hooray. I just love it when the shop is full and there's lots to pick from.
I'm THINKING of getting into a new venture too. It's so hard to find just the right upholstered country furniture and I have a company that I'm working with to see if I can sell it for them. You wouldn't believe some of the new fabric swatches, they are so beautiful and prim. I should know more on this by Wednesday or Thursday.
Do any of you lay in bed with your head spinning with ideas? Holy cow, I haven't been able to sleep for several nights. I've GOT to learn how to use power tools! First things first, I'll have to get Dick to help me get started. You won't believe the "hall tree/benches" that we'll have soon. Lots of new stitcheries that are VERY different are also sneaking in.
I've been closed Sun-Tues for the months of January and February and I've been trying to use Tuesday to sew, sew, sew. I had another shop owner talk to me today about setting up her shop at a new location, so what the heck? Should be fun, just not much time off.
Well girls, we just had a great spaghetti dinner (cooked by Dick) and it's time to put on the p.j.'s, snuggle in under a nice comfy quilt, and watch some good movies.
Have a wonderful weekend and we'll talk again soon.
Until next time...

Thursday, January 28, 2010

ZERO DEGREES?????

Oh boy! I didn't think the weather could get worse, but zero temps are in the forecast for tonight. This wind cuts right through your clothes and burns your skin. Oh spring, where are you??? Well, it's starting to pop up right inside of Holly Hills Primitives. It feels so good to walk in and see some hints of what's to come. The big daisy just makes me smile.
The light-up bunny would be cute as can be on someone's porch.

These bunny make-do's are on old bobbins and sit in an old electrical outlet.

This one does too.
This little guy would be so cute in the middle of a grapevine wreath!
Betty and her babies is a full-size bunny with an old feedsack for her apron.
This is another guy that would be adorable inside a wreath.
This bunny head is mounted inside an old bundt pan and is surrounded with angel vine, eggs and a carrot.
I know there's some black doll collectors out there and we are getting more and more in the shop. Wish I could get a good picture of the inside of the old window, it has three black dolls with real wool hair in the top panes and it says "Olde Rag Dolls" in the bottom panes. It is held up by an old leather strap.
Cute as can be!
I'm SOOO glad to be home for the evening. I had to stop at the gas station and it was torture standing out there pumping gas! I ran up to visit my dad (so glad I did) and now I'm finally nestled in. I'm going to try to finish up the projects I told you about - so maybe I can share tomorrow.
I hope you are all safe at home doing whatever makes you happy!
Until next time...

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

CUDDLE ALERT...

BRRRRR! It's getting colder and colder here in Michigan. The nights are going to get down to the single digits again and it looks like winter is back with a vengance. Oh well, only a little over a month and it will be March and spring will be following shortly. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get out and play in the dirt. When we moved here last fall, it was already too cold to do anything to the yard and I've got so many flowers to transplant and those gardens are just calling my name! I love living on this canal and can't wait to get some prims into the back yard and do picket fences, window boxes and gardens in the front! Oh for red geraniums...
Sometimes it hard to think about our great old house, but we must all "bloom where we're planted" and I think my mom will get a kick out of having new flowers and gardens to look at and be involved in.
I'm still tweeking, but it is finally starting to come together. Still have to get hubby to hang some shelves and I still have lots to sort and move from the other house, but one of these days... I LOVE having my new shelves in the "craft" room and having some organization. Sure makes things a LOT easier! I've had these old silouettes for about 25 years and have never gotten tired of them. The large one is an old stitchery.
The "yard long" belonged to my husband's family and it is perfect in the bedroom. The "shelf" is an old divided drawer.

This is an old green shutter with a wire "basket" front. I made the doll with my friend Connie years ago.
We used an old prim piece for our island with a noodle board on top. The back was kind of beat up and faced the dining area. I decided to paint it with chalkboard paint and have had fun putting different things on the back.
I finished a big old stitchery today, it's getting grubbied up as we speak and then I'm mounting it to the front of an old cupboard door. Can't wait to share with you - maybe tomorrow.
Spring started to peek out at the shop today. Rabbits are popping up and a few spring gardeny things too. I thought I might be too early, but the customers seemed to be pleased to have something new and different to choose from - and they were already buying! Sure is fun to have something different to look at and to be able to dream that warm breezes might be sneaking in before too awfully long.
I wanted to thank you for the "well wishes" for my doctor's appointment today. It looks like there isn't going to be anything too serious, but on for more tests in a week or so. I feel such a flood of relief tonight and can maybe get a good night's sleep.
Well friends, time to get painting, staining and stitching more goodies for the shop.
Until next time...

SNOWY MICHIGAN...

Good snowy morning friends. I guess our January thaw is finished and it's back to snow and COLD temps. Oh well, it IS still January in Michigan.
Yesterday was a BUSY day. Friend Debbie came out and we sewed all day and got some great bunnies finished up to take to the shop. I've been stitching samplers in the evening too, trying to get lots more handmades ready for our spring makeover. Monday night we went to daughter Amanda's for our Ellie's fourth birthday. She is our little "peanut" (she calls me Grandma Peanut) and is just adorable.
Peter Pan is just her favorite, so her mommy made her this cake. Her brother, Gannon, and I always shared everything about Peter Pan, so it's so much fun to pass on the torch. (I think I've seen the movie "Hook" at least 100 times!)

Ellie and Great Grandma (my mom) after opening presents and much dancing! Happy Birthday sweet Ellie.
Back to the shop today to put out some new goodies. A customer is coming to pick up two big columns for her own shop, it will be fun to have a visit.
I'm sure not looking forward to this afternoon though. I had a physical last week and my doctor is sending me for a consultation with a cardiologist. They sure don't tell you anything ahead of time, so this has been a long week. I'll be glad to get it over with!
Well gals, time to get ready for work. I hope all of you have a wonderful, cozy day. Wish I was going to be home to just stitch and nest for the day!
Until next time...

Monday, January 25, 2010

NEW CRAFT ROOM...

OH HAPPY DAY! Dick and I are both off work today and he is building shelves in the "store" room so I can set up my craft room and finally get organized after our move. I've been trying to work out of boxes and it gets so confusing! We started feeding the birds again for my mom and it is so much fun to watch. The ducks have discovered the bird feeder again and the love it. If you enlarge the picture, you can see the guy up on top pushing food off for his buddies. This morning they all flew in and one of the females did a crash landing on her chest and then rolled. I've never seen anything like it! We are getting squirrels, all kinds of birds and all the ducks and my mom is enjoying watching them from her dining room and kitchen.

Time to share some of the new dollies. This one is Hope's Heart. She is holding a heart from a coverlet scrap and has bells for her hair and eyes.

Our black cat has an old grubby cheesecloth collar, an old leather bag with Sweet Annie and a mouse peeking out.
Tick Tock Tillie has a dress made from an old embroidered pillow case and is wearing an old watch around her neck. She also has real wool for her hair.
Cora is holding a crow and Sweet Annie and also has wool for her hair.
Here is a lighter picture of our PRIM angel. Just love her!
Also a lighter picture of our "light up" house.
My Tuesdays have turned into sewing days with my friend Debbie. Time to get moving on bunnies, carrots, eggs and more dolls! SOOOOO, guess what we'll be doing tomorrow?
Our Michigan weather has been crazy. It was up in the 40's this weekend and now the temps are dropping and we may have snow again this afternoon. Hope our skating rink freezes again before it gets all lumpy with the new snow!
Enjoy your Monday gals and we'll talk again soon.
Until next time...

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

DETROIT AUTO SHOW...

Good evening pals! We had a fun evening last night at the Detroit Auto Show. WOW - were there ever some beautiful cars! My brother-in-law and his wife went with us and we had a great time looking at all the displays. We had been walking around quite a bit and THEN I SAW IT! Way up high was finally the VW convertible - my favorite car in the whole world.
Isn't this just the cutest little thing you've ever seen?

One of these days... I had three VW's back in the day and I guess I never got it out of my system. There's only one problem! How would I haul antiques and goodies from the shows in this? Hmmmm, got to think on that one.
There were lots of the Smart Cars and their look-alikes and so I had to take a picture of this one for my neighbor Janie that owns the coffee show. Isn't this a funny little rig?
We stopped at Applebee's on the way home, had a great salad and Marguarita, and then home to bed!
I guess a girl can always dream...
Until next time...

Monday, January 18, 2010

NEW AND OLD PRIM GOODIES...

Good evening friends. Spent a work day at the shop today and got LOTS done and out. I told you I would share pics, so get ready, get set, go... Let's start out in our little "living room". The fire is glowing, our Johnston Benchwork couch is still available and ready to relax on and there are some pretty quilts to wrap up in.
New lamps are ready to light your rooms.

Great black iron candle holder with shade.
This black, wooden house lights up and is adorable.
New pillows with mustard homespun edging.
Black plate rack, crow chargers, crow signs, crow pillows, handmade crows...
This black angel didn't snow up very well, but she is prim perfect!
Lots of new signs.
Mustard and black star shelf/peg board.
Lots of new hooked rugs and towels. (I'm having a hard time leaving this black one at the shop!)
A rooster and a sheep rug.

These potted plant rugs are beautiful!
How about this bird bath made from an enamel pan and garden tools?
Handmade kitty found his way to the birdbath!
More signs - perfect for Valentine's Day and all year long.
Prim heart rug and towels.
These old red children's rubber rainboots are way adorable and ready for your spring porch or garden.
New shower curtains and MORE towels!
This mamma and baby kitty are all snuggled in an old suitcase.
Cute little prairie doll holding her spool of thread.
REALLY PRIM ANGEL with tin and music wings.
Love the peg shelf with the antique black doll. Have you ever seen such a BIG kerosene lamp holder???
Old black spice drawers.
Black blanket crane - that MIGHT come home with me.
This old split door on hinges is the perfect corner piece or room divider.
Hard to see heart back antique folding chair.
Beautiful antique lampshade in old moss greens.
Cute little black lamp with burgandy check shade.
There you have today's goodies. More will be coming in the rest of the week and next week. It's so much darn fun to put out new prims to share with all of you! Don't forget, I will ship everything but furniture, so if you see something you are interested in - just call the shop at 248/634-7040.
On to cutting out more dolls! Have a great evening.
Until next time...