HAPPY SPRING...

Lookie, lookie at what we got at the shop! I'm so excited, it has Judy Condon's home included in this book. They are going fast!
Is this weather fantastic or what? What a treat to have the windows open and the smell of outdoors coming in. It is in the 80's here today, unheard of for this time of year. Do you think it can last?
We're getting geared up for our Springtime In The Village open house this weekend, both Saturday and Sunday from 10-5. Our list is getting shorter. Been to the markets - check, got great handmades in - check, the giveaways for the first 12 purchasers are finished - check, the menu is planned - check! Just a few more days to go. Hope I get a chance to see some of you over the weekend.
Well friends, time to keep stitching, painting and sewing. The list isn't quite short enough yet.
Until next time...

BACK FROM MARKETS...

What a wild day Bonnie and I had Thursday! We left for Ohio at 5 a.m., went to the show, hit two warehouses and headed for home. When we got back to Michigan, it was just after and during the bad storms. Oh my gosh, what a ride!
We did find awesome things at the show though. These bird nest candle holders and battery candles are just beautiful and perfect for spring.

My favorites are the geranium pillows and pillow cases. One of the pillows is trying to make it into my car!

Our little pie safe is filled with potted "herbs", grubby chicks and lots of other spring things.

These "clay" pots are made out of wax and when the votive or tea light is lit inside, they glow all the way through. I did have to bring one home with me!

This table is loaded. We got the greatest table squares that look like burlap, table risers, all kinds of small candle holders, timer pillars and more!

Another favorite were these prim candle holders. They are going fast and hope to get more.

The covered barrels are always popular - especially for you gals with a buttery.

Oh my, we got lots of rugs, lamps, signs...

Another table riser and the old covered bottles.

I was so excited when I found the old rusty graters on boards. I've wanted to have them in the shop for a long time.

These little baskets are adorable. Pop one on the back of a chair and fill them with Easter grass and eggs.

Of course, a variety of towels is always welcome this time of year.

As most of you know, our French doors open into Zanie Janie's Simply Coffee. We had a great St. Patrick's Day surprise. One of her regulars (Louise) brought us a whole dinner to celebrate. Corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, bread, herbed butter! It was fabulous - thank's Louise!

The crock pot was LOADED!
Yesterday was overwhelming when I unloaded the car, had to price everything and get it put out. Just in time, Suzanne stopped in and decided to "play" and put things out. She did a great job and we had a lot of fun.
Well friends, Dick and I are going to put the top down on the VW and go have a green beer!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!
(Don't forget, out Spring Open House is next Sat and Sun!)
Until next time...

NO TIME TO TAKE A BREATH...

My word! Things have sure been hopping at Holly Hills Primitives! Dick and I thought we would have a day to rest up a little today, but five pieces of furniture went out of the shop yesterday and another one may go tomorrow! I guess there really is no rest for the wicked! He is back preparing more cupboards to take into the shop, I'm going to paint some things and then I hope I can lock myself in tomorrow to just sew, sew, sew.
I had to show you the newest piece that came into the shop. It's an 1800's wooden cash register and is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Can you see the little piece of glass on the top with the slot? That's where you would put your receipts.

The top opens and the drawer pulls out. It still has the keys and it still rings when you open the drawer.

Side view. I could think of a million things to do with this piece!

Another cute little number we got in is this cubby. Perfect to set on top of a desk to sort all of your goodies.

And, yes, spring is at least very close and it will soon be time to think of planting. This washtub was painted by Sharon and would be a great outdoor accent. Who doesn't love crows and sunflowers?
This whole week is going to be CRAZY, but oh so much fun! We will have to take in the new pieces tomorrow and rearrange the shop. Wednesday is our second rug hooking class (Sue will be sure to tell me about all of my mistakes), and I hope to take off for Ohio to the markets on Thursday. Do you get crazy creative ideas going through your head that just won't shut down? I swear, last night I had hives from being so excited about everything!
I can't wait to bring back wonderful new wares for our Spring Open House on March 24 and 25 from 10-5. Hope you can all come visit with us!
Also, don't forget to check out our new selling blog. Some of you have had a hard time getting in, just type http://hollyhillsprimwares.blogspot.com/ It should take you right to it!
Enjoy this springtime weather. The geese and sand cranes are back early and I've even seen a few robins. It's supposed to hit 70 this week - WOO HOO!!! We'll talk again real soon.
Until next time...

SUNDAY MORNING...

Good Sunday morning friends! Thought I'd pop in and say "hello" before we left for the shop. Sharon generally works on Sunday, but she is in the Virgin Islands soaking up the sun. Sharon is our daughter-in-law Kim's mom, so our kids are with them too. Talked to my son yesterday (his 43rd!!!! birthday) and they had been snorkeling already in the morning. Sure wish I was there with them. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHAD!!!
Since it's Sunday, the little above stitchery is quite appropriate. Isn't it the truth though?

Another great cupboard came in a couple days ago. This would be perfect for components and a flat screen. Be watching for more cupboards soon.

Since spring is right around the corner, wouldn't this old seed spreader be perfect to put a plant in on your porch or to hang on a fence?

I've sure been having fun learning how to hook my rug. I got this far yesterday. I've been leaving it at the shop or I wouldn't get anything done at home. Sure ain't perfect, but I'm having a great time learning.

Thursday night we went to watch our Abbey practice basketball. Talk about HUSTLE! We're looking forward to going to an actual game, it will be a "ball".
Friday night Abbey and Lucy spent the night while their folks went to see Gavin McGraw. What a joy these two little girls are! They both sit right up and eat their dinner, are so much fun, and go right to sleep when it's bed time. Can't wait for the next sleepover!
This is going to be a crazy, busy week! Dick has a custom order to build, we have more cupboards to ready for the shop, I'm heading to the markets, and there's tons of sewing to be finished. Wish there were 36 hours in a day instead of 24!
After many requests, yes Dick is doing custom pieces and we're also doing some design consulting for your prim homes. Come talk to us and see what we have to offer! We went to a home last night that is going from new to prim - so much fun!!!!!!
Well friends, time to hop in the shower and get ready for another great day at Holly Hills Primitives. Come see us soon.
Until next time...

RUG HOOKING AND BOOKS...

Lookie, lookie what is coming to the shop tomorrow. I browsed through "Just Country Gardens" tonight and it looks fantastic! Can't wait to read it from cover to cover. Are the rest of you as ready as I am to start diggin' in the dirt? This book has so many great garden ideas.
I also bought the new Home Tours edition of Country Sampler tonight. Hubby went up to the Little House to check on the melting snow and water situation, so I'm ready to curl up with a bunch of pillows and drool. It would have been easy to just come right home and get into it, but I made myself clean first. It always feels so good when the house is clean and the candles are lit. There's nothing much cozier.

We had so much fun at the shop today. Miss Suzanne came to teach our first rug hooking class and everyone enjoyed it so much. We all got to pick a beginner kit and she did such a great job explaining everything and showing us so many samples. This could be dangerous. I have so much to sew and stitch for the shop, but this could be a new favorite! I'm so glad the shop is all changed around and I can take it to work with me tomorrow and keep hooking. Thank you Suzanne, we are all looking forward to next week. Let me know if you have an interest and she might just start a second class!
Spring was definitely in the air today. It was 66 degrees when I left work - almost warm enough to put the top down on the VW! When I let my Rosie dog out tonight, it was still warm and just a beautiful night.
Well my blogging buds, I have a new magazine calling my name. Have a great evening and we'll talk again soon.
Until next time...

SPRING HAS SPRUNG...

Hi Friends! What a crazy couple of weeks we have had! Yesterday and today was shop redo days and I'm so glad it's done! Thank goodness for my friend Bonnie for coming to help! Not many gals our age would be up for moving a whole store of furniture. Dick and I got a whole load of antique prims last week and they are starting to sneak into the shop. I'm so darned excited!
Thought you might like a quickie tour of the highlights. It always feels so great to have a change.
The front of the shop is looking like spring. Maybe it helped the weatherman too, it was 54 when I left work and we're looking at 60 tomorrow!!! HOORAY! We got the little prim green table and chair with the original green paint. What a unique little desk this would make!

We moved the green fireplace to the front and the mantle is all jazzed up with flowers and bunnies.

We just got the old white toolbox and Bonnie did such a great job filling it up.

The island makes quite a statement. I love it with the screened "pie safe" on top along with the old wheelboro.

It's getting that time of year to be thinking about a potting bench. This one is so special made from an old door and windows.

The island is one of the newer pieces we just brought in. You could either leave it like it is for crocks and bowls or cover the bottom with material or old feed sacks.

The next section of the shop is all done in burgandys and cobblestone. Can you see the darling wax baskets with sweet annie on the table? Our own Pam from Primitive Basketcase did those for the shop. The smell so wonderful and are adorable.

The other side of our "burgandy" section.

Next we have lots of mustard pieces and the old crow table. Mustard is still my favorite color to decorate with - especially really prim!

This old cupboard is screaming to come home with me! Another old piece we just got in. I love, love, love it!

Need a little bench for your mudroom or foyer. This one is on sale for $39.95!

Only one more area to show you today. I could live back here by the old log cabin wall. Unfortunately, the pictures came out pretty dark - I'll try to use a flash tomorrow. I have a thing for old long johns and these white ones are cute as can be.

This three door cupboard would also be a great island, and of course the settle chair is wonderful too.

The black fireplace also found it's way to the cabin and it fit right in. It has pegs across the front and is perfect to hang your favorite prim goodies on.

Just got this black table in too. The chairs have grubby seats with "mama sit upon" and "papa sit upon" stitched on them. Would this be cute in a breakfast room or what?

The last old cupboard we got came out way too dark, but it is beautiful! It is an old beadboard front with the cutest top. Dick did his magic on it with black over cranberry and it turned out great. I'll also try to get a better picture of this tomorrow.
So there you have it. There's lots more to see, but I didn't want to bore you with the whole thing. Great pieces of furniture will be arriving all throughout the month of March - and they are all very primitive.
I'm so excited about tomorrow. It's our first rug hooking class and I can't wait! I've wanted to do this for so long. I signed up for the class, we are going to meet in Zanie Janie's coffee shop. Guess I'll just have to run back and forth between customers, but it will be so worth it.
Come on in and check out the "redo". Also, don't forget that our spring open house will be March 24 and 25. Can't wait to see you!
Until next time...

CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY HILLS...

Oh my gosh, I got to the shop today and it was just like Christmas! First of all two boxes arrived from our Funky Tennessee Artist, then our hooking artist brought in all kinds of wonderful hooked flowers and crows, and then another candle order arrived with scents that are out of this world. Have you tried the 1803 candles yet? My new favorite is the Lemon Drop Cookie - divine!
I unpacked, priced and put everything out. It was like putting frosting on the cake in the shop! Be sure to check out our selling blog, I took lots of pictures to share with you. Just type in http://hollyhillsprimwares.blogspot.com/ and it should take you right to it.
The past two days just about did Dick and I in. I fell asleep on the couch last night at 9 and woke up there this morning at 9! I was EXHAUSTED!!! We rented a 16 foot truck and drove a long ways to pick up so many great items for the shop. Poor Dick was IN PAIN this morning. We aren't getting any younger! We will be getting them put in a few at a time. We got TWELVE prim cupboards plus more, more, more!!! Hope to have a few pieces in by this weekend.
Be sure and mark your calendars for March 24 - our Spring Open House! We will be going to the markets in a couple of weeks and the shop should be bulging by the time of the open house.
Well, time to go help hubby get some of these cupboards ready. Have a great evening!
Until next time...