Welcome 2011 !!

We always think of new beginnings and fresh starts when we start a new year. That is what will be happening at the store this weekend.....same store but fresh paint and a ton of redoes. I think it will be worth the effort , a little freshening up a place never hurts. The store is closed New Years Day but we will open again on Tuesday.

Happy New Year !!!

Last Tree Standing

That's right the only tree still left up in the shop. Before I left Christmas Eve I took all the trees down but this one. It will come down soon also but I ran out of time. The Christmas decorations are all in one room making it easier (I hope) to choose those after Christmas "needs".
All Christms is 40 % off so come in quickly to pick up a little something for next year.

Merry Christmas !!

Merry Christmas to everyone!! Some of you are enjoying a white Christmas and we have a received a much needed rain. Whatever the weather enjoy the holiday with your loved ones.

Zipping Along !!

Don't you wish you had something to glide on like this little snowman? We are each busy getting ready for the big dayand the time is drawing near. My husband and I finished our gift buying tonight and now the packages will need to be wrapped. I have not started baking but somehow it all seems to get done.

Two Tier Wall Basket

Small touches to a wall basket speaks of the Christmas season. The berry spray and a long red stocking hanging over the handle make a simple statement.

Christmas Touches !!

Snowman in browns. Do we need to say anymore?? I think he has a nice prim look about him.

Stockings were hung??? Well not yet but we have a nice selection to choose from.

A little handmade lamb finds a resting place on the mantle among greenery and popcorn garland.

Snowmen In All Sizes

This tree is filled with snowmen ornaments.The little bags with snowmen make a nice way to present a gift card or a little treat. I love that Dianne attached a snowman top hat for the tree topper, it just finished the tree.

This guy is hanging on a cupboard door but he looks good propped in a bunch of icy greenery on a tabletop also.

Handmade Snowman pillow adds a bit of the season to the bed, sometimes a forgotten area.

Is this "his" home? Perhaps it could be. Actually this snowman with his santa hat is an ornament but doesn't he look fun in front of the little house? The minature wheelbarrow is handmade
and adds a little bit of whimsey to the setting.

Prim Groupings

The wall box makes a nice place to tuck small items. In a grouping they make more of a statement. The tiny dolls are handmade ,adding a little touch of color and softness to the otherwise hard surfaces.

The kitchen keep on the right shows off a collection of spoons and maybe a bowl or two.

Candle Bowl Fillers

These candle creations are by Primitiques. They are using odd pieces of wood and their special paint techniques to create these candle tucks. A little bit of this and that then viola a sweet little grouping to fill a bowl or tuck in a cupboard.

Aspen Mulling Spices

Holiday entertaining can be made easier with this little carton of spices. Simply add to cider, tea or wine for a warm taste of goodness. The smell of simmering spices also adds a wonderful aroma to your home. Pick up plenty for that "instant" drink on a cold winter's night.

Old World Santa

Love this Santa's colors of brown and black. His black scarf adds a little detail around his neck plus the lantern he is carrying in his hand. A very prim ,old looking guy for sure.

Blessings To All !!

To each of you a warm wish for a beautiful day with family and friends. I am truly thankful for those Thanksgivings past that I was able to share with my parents and grandparents. They are remembered on this day with special fondness.

I grow to appreciate the time my Mother put in the kitchen bringing us our feast for the day. As I prepare the "feast" for my family I think of my oldest grandson and his take on "feast". His comment, " we like the turkey but not all that other stuff". I asked what would he like for the meal and his reply "tacos". The young, you got to love them!!

Enjoy the day!

Santa Under Glass

A small Santa stands out when he is made the center of attention. He otherwise might be missed but put under a glass cloche makes him appear worth taking a second look.

Cupboard Ready For The Season

Oldies are my very favorite and I love this old punch tin safe. The shorter height lends itself to all sorts of decorating possibilities. The handmade tin lamp on the left adds warmth and the old tin coffee pot a bit of character. The holly garland quickly gave a touch of Christmas as did the long red sock on the drawer pull.

Christmas Trees For Sale !!!

The Vienna Twig Trees that I use each year have just come in but the supply is limited. We have available 6,7,and 8ft heights.They are in three parts not counting the base. Yes! They are artificial and fit in some very small spaces. At home I move one chair then slip the tree into its spot. Viola !! Ready to go for that Christmas decorating. Also another tree that just came in is an Alpine that has a wood trunk and also very narrow, it is a 6 footer. Come in quick if you have been wanting one of these for your home.

"Lil 'Bitty Benches"

Our local furniture builder just brought these little cuties to the shop. He does not let his scrap lumber go to waste. He the lumber turns into all shapes and sizes of benches. They make such good risers for just about any place.

Bittersweet, Rose Hips, Sweet Annie. Oh My !!!

This week has been busy with new shipments coming in and filling the storeroom. We did get them opened quickly though. Could not wait to get our new treasures in the store. Among some of the boxes were the drieds I have pictured below. A little bit of nature adds a prim touch to our homes.
Bittersweet tucked in a cupboard speaks to me. It is not native to Texas so we cherish each little sprig we get. This piece has leaves but others are berries only. Very twiggy and natural.I leave mine out year round. Even when the orange berries start fading , I love it !!

Rose hips, do speak the reds of Christmas. They are pretty in a basket, hanging from a peg or as a cupboard tuck.

Sweet Annie looks good in a kitchen, buttery or hanging just about anywhere. It is very aromatic and I have seen it tied on many hand made items, of course in smaller quantities.

I tucked rose hips in this little tree to give it some color. I think the little scoop lights are sweet, too. Oops ! I forgot to turn the tea light on. The little scoop lights came in this week also.

Snowman & Towels

Little hand made snowman doing a bit of shopping for some Christmas towels. We have a nice assortment and he maybe trying to make his choice. Since he is a snowman he might chose the "snow" towel on the door.

Bit Of Holiday!!

Wish you could smell this wonderful candle by Americana Vintage, it is Evergreen and Citrus. Yum!! The little Santa has found a special home but looked sweet sitting while he was here.

One of the trees decked out in cheery red mittens, stripped caps and popcorn garland. The Santa in the chair welcomed everyone in for cider and cookies. He also found a good home but I am trying to get more of these special creations for the store. Stay tuned.

The tree is filled with dolls of all sizes and shapes. Mini bonnets and fabric covered boxes were also tucked into the tree. For a little added interest things were clipped with old clothes pins.

Snaps & Snipets !!

The Open House is over for the year but our Holiday season is just ahead. We have been busy ordering more handmade items for that unique touch to your home. This snowman looks like he is wondering where everyone went since it has been bustling all week since he hopped out of his box.

These wonderful blackened wax ornaments make a simple prim statement.

Little mini Santa's and a variety of bottle brush trees.

A great stack of hand stenciled mac he' boxes make a cabinet top come alive at Christmas. Tucked under a tree with goodies for the family would be fun also. I know you are wondering about the wonderful appliqued cloth under the boxes , unfortunately they all sold and the company said they are sold out also.

Stockings Were Hung

One of our trees as you come in the front door. I love all the different stockings with some being quite simple ,then others with more detail. We even have a red stocking garland to tie it all together. Plus there are bigger stockings in the store that can be hung for Santa's treats.

Christmas Is Here !!!

Our Open House officially started on Tuesday and all I can say is thank you to all that have been coming this week. We are still getting shipments of goodies in and yesterday a box of hand made snowmen arrived from Ohio.

It has been busy, busy but quite fun seeing everyone enjoy themselves as they find that something special.

Elves At Work

The "fun" begins as Santa's and snowmen start popping out of their boxes. The shop is in total disarray until these talented friends start tackling their jobs.

Dianne is getting started on the snowman tree and more to do after this one.

Kathy tweaking a little nook in the chimney cupboard. Keep tweaking still much to do.

Merrilynn shorting and straightening making it easier to find those ornaments that are gracing the trees.

These pictures are from Sunday when the shop was being readied for our Open House on Tuesday. It might not look like it from the pictures but we are now ready for the big day. We look forward to sharing pictures of the results through the week.

Get Set, Get Ready !!

Today is the beginning of the holiday decorating at the shop. What fun!! It is always a treat to discover what has been tucked in boxes all these months, just waiting for the right moment. It takes two days with a bunch of elves to transform the shop into a Christmas Wonderland. We will be working feverishly to get everything just right for your enjoyment.

All you have to do is remember the dates :

Nov 2 - 6 th

Candlelight and Cider Open House

Early Birds

Are those your nose prints left on the window??? They are wanting a sneak peek. LOL !!.

Last years eager girls waiting patiently to enter at 10:00 promptly. The numbers get a little larger each year for the early birds . They are not after that ol' juicy worm but maybe a limited Santa or Snowman. After this bunch hits it is usually steady all day and through the week with excited ladies after a treasure.

Come be a part of the fun!!!

HOMECOMING

I was home yesterday making preparations for next weeks Open House and get a call. Jill Peterson's new book HOMECOMING just came in. I can not wait to take a look. Norma said the book is beautiful. Of course I told her to set a copy aside for me. This is her third hardbound book and if it is anything like the others you might want to get in for your copy.

Settle Bench/Shelf

Looks good on a table or the floor making this neat little piece multi purpose. There are a number of new small accessory pieces in the store now with a nice grungy finish. Table top raisers, bread boards and trays with handles to name a few.



UPS and FedEx are keeping me busy with all kinds of goodies flying in the door. I am trying to stay caught up because the set up day starts Sunday and things need to be ready. We will be setting up on Halloween for Christmas Open House. Fun huh???

Patriotic Santa

One of Annett's Country Store creations that will be awaiting you next week at the Open House. He is only one of several of her creations that I have in store for you. There are also other Santa's that are wonderful by other doll designers that will be available. Time is drawing near for the much awaited event.

Peek At Oldies

This is a recent buy before things are cleaned, priced and make their way into the store. I have "plans" for the red farm wash stand. It will make a stunning Christmas display in just a little over a week. Christmas is taking over the storeroom also, so I am quite ready to have it out for the Open House. It will not be long now.

Gal with Crow

This little gal looks like she is holding tight to her crow and sack of goodies. She fits in with fall decor now but she is definitely a year round folk art creation.

Old Kitchen Tools

Just found these old tin kitchen tools. There is a hole at the top of the handles of the strainer and ladle making them easy to hang on a wall. The meat fork has a hole also but finding a hole on the other two I thgink is a bonus.

Pumpkin Candleholder

I just love the pumpkin candle holder. It would make a stunning statement on a farm table. the prim candle certainly adds an interesting touch also. What is neat about the pumpkin is that it can be turned over and it has a stem side also. It certainly has duel uses.

Tin Lamp With Wheat

I mentioned in a past post that my husband liked one of the lamps I got in the shop. I did not have a picture of it at the time. This fits in perfectly with the season now with sheaves of wheat painted on the red tin base. Actually it would look nice year round in a prim home.

Bit of Folk Art

These long legged crows look whimsical on an old cupboard door.

How could you resist this bird pinkeep on an old bedspring?

One of a couple of gals that are shelf sitters that certainly could be tucked anywhere.