~My first...FINISHED...rug hooking project~

Goode day my deare friends.  Tis snowing here in Vermont this morning.  Our Spring weather has been one of ups and downs to be sure!!!  Yesterday, I sat on the front porch hooking, barefoot & wearing just pants and a light sweater, and this morning, bundled up in hat, coat and scarf, I still shivered as Oliver & I took our morning walk!    I do believe I will have to keep the fire going all day & perhaps bake a little something to keep the coziness going :)….I'm feeling something gingerbread related may be in order.

Speaking of gingerbread, I just realized that my first FINISHED hooked project reminds me of gingerbread.  I'm not quire sure why, but it does nonetheless.  :).  I'm quite pleased with myself in having finished my first project....oh I have several in progress, hooking projects but this is my first OFFICIAL FINISH!!  

My loops are 10 different heights and I'm not really pleased with my color choices but I did what I set out to do, which was to feel comfortable with knowing how to hook.  I'm hoping keeping a steady loop height is something that comes with practice...  (YES???  NO???))   

The stool it is sitting on was made by my niece and her husband (Shopgirl Design Studio).  I LOVE IT. It is angled slightly and is perfect, for resting your feet upon, when hooking and/or punching.

NOW..ON TO MY NEXT PROJECT......

COLORS ARE...from bottom left to right...
deep blue grey/black,
 dark orange and black,
dark greenish brown,
light greenish tan
 light orange.

 This is a design I drew almost a year ago, when I was in Belfast, Maine, and first met my dear friend Connie of Seven Gables Designs AND  got started on this rug hooking journey.  As you can see I had previously hooked the turkey and the pumpkin stem.  Yesterday, I took the loops out, as I feel I can do a better job now than I had done originally...well, lets hope anyway.    

NOW...the NEXT thing and, what I seem to be struggling with the most....

CHOOSING COLORS!!

I feel like I am usually quite good at color planning.  As far as my punch needle embroidery designs go, I love them,  but for some reason...I can't seem to settle on what colors I should use when rug hooking!!!  I don't trust myself, especially after having chosen WRONG with my foot stool!!! 

 I MEAN..IT'S AN AUTUMN DESIGN..THIS SHOULDN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT...… 

 Why am I making this so hard??? 

URN....grey/black?

PUMPKIN.....orange...white...green???????

PUMPKIN STEM...… greenish tan??

TURKEY....UGH.....  red neck...brown/black body...  ?

BACKGROUND....????????  black?... OATMEAL????

I was original thinking a dark green background (because I LOVE green) but I dont' think that is going to work...….  Though now that I am starring at this photo....How lovely would the dark grey look next to that green!!!

UGH....I JUST DON'T KNOW...…

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By the way...this is the first design that I've created specifically for rug hooking!!  I usually design for punch needle FIRST and offer the template for rug hooking :~).

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Okay..i'm off to finish tidying the house then it's a shower and pattern printing for me.  Hopefully, as I walk past all these colors, laid out on the dining room table, the proper color palette will come to me. 

Until next time ~ wishing you JoY, Doreen

This is why......

You should never give yourself a hard time for dabbling in different mediums.  When something calls to you, don't question the why, or feel guilty because you should be doing other things, because all of it, all the little stop off's, turns & moments of trying new things, or revisiting old, feed your creativity.   I say all of this as if I am an authority on the subject, I assure you, the opposite is true.  I JUST accepted this fact.  This "knowing" concept that has taken me years to realize AND, to allow myself to do. Case in point...while I was immersing myself in the wonderful world of needle felting (oh my goodness, I SO enjoy it) a new punch needle design started to come to life~~~  Do you see that handsome turkey towering over the little house :). I love it!!  This is the moment when I finally realized, it's okay to mix things up, take time for the new, dabble in the old, let go and just "DO". :)  They ALL are creative and they ALL feed your creative soul and work together rather than separate you from one or the other.  Why did I think they did?????  Why is it so hard to just take the path and not question it. Change is scary....our heads always try to fight it!

 As a business owner, we are always making sure we are doing what's best for our business and from time to time,  the running of things hovers over the creative and creates a cloud that we need/must shake loose and let the wind blow away. The schedules, list and organization of it all, sometimes pins down our creative souls and we find ourselves in business mode rather than creative mode.  Thankfully, my creative soul is a fighter (thank you YOGA) and she makes sure the creative gets through no matter how hard I try to make it.  

What's funny is, I've no idea why I worry so about any of it.  Even though I've been dabbling in four different things, as of late, I'm still managing to keep it all in check.   All orders are going out when they should, whether it be wholesale shop orders for patterns or daily website and Etsy shop orders.  I"m creating new pn designs, dabbling in different mediums and still getting the work done. My house might be in desperate need of a good cleaning and I've a different project in literally every single room but I know it will all, eventually, get done.  It's all good :).

**Pattern coming February 14th**

Okay...as I have just noticed the blazing red sky outside the studio window, it tells me sunrise has arrived and it is time to get this house picked up & for Oliver & I to head out for our morning walk & chores.  We've a big ole snow storm headed our way this afternoon. Hopefully, it will hold off until after I'm home from the dentist & errands!!!  I'm also really hoping to make it to Yoga class this evening, so fingers crossed that still happens :).

Homemade pizza is on the menu this evening..Mark shall have to grill in the falling snow ~ I LOVE THAT!!  :)

Until next time, wishing you JOY my friends.  Doreen

***WE HAVE A WINNER**

Goode morning my friends.  We wake, here in Vermont, to falling snow, the grind of the town plow clearing the roads and the snap and crackle of the wood stove ~ I LOVE IT!

I want to thank each and everyone ONE OF YOU for participating in my Favorite Things Giveaway.  I read EVERY SINGLE COMMENT and can not tell you how much your lovely words touched me.  You are all so very sweet and wonderful.  THANK YOU.

OKAY..on to our winner.  I used a google random number generator to pick our winner.....we had 113 entries and the generator PICKED...….

#7 ~ DEBBIE OF WOOLENSAILS!!!!

  Congratulations Debbie!!!!  Please email me at Doreen@vermontharvestfolkart.com with your mailing address so that I may send your goodies to you. :)

Again ~ thank you all so very much.  Wishing you a lovely day, Doreen

Starting the New Year off right...FAVORITE THINGS GIVEAWAY

This year...
Hang on to your truth and respect the truth of others.
Choose to be happy.
Forgive those that you can forgive
and seek the forgiveness of someone who deserves it.
Do something outside of your comfort zone.
Be the voice for someone who has no voice.
Choose healthy food, activities and people.
Fall six times, get up seven… persevere.
Wish people a lovely day.
Live honestly, truly and with integrity.
Be the example for your children.
Remember that love is a verb.

Goode day dear friends & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!  A fresh new year, 365 days of blank slate to do with what you wish (well, for the most part anyway)..what will you do with it?  Everyone's plan for the upcoming year is different but generally, everyone has something they wish to try, pursue, include, improve, change, etc. when a new year rolls around.  A few of my favorites on my "goals/plans/wishes for the New Year are to;

SHARE MORE

GIVE MORE

&

HELP MORE

SOOOO ….TO KICK OFF THIS NEW YEAR IN A GREAT WAY,  WITH THOSE WORDS IN MIND, I HAVE DECIDED TO HOLD A GIVEAWAY.....

I'VE BUNDLED TOGETHER A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS......

A bit of wool, a fat 1/4 piece of linen & weavers cloth, some wool & cotton threads, a wonderful pack of tarts (made by my daughter) and a gift certificate

ALL YOU NEED TO DO TO ENTER IS.... 

LEAVE ME A COMMENT HERE, ON MY BLOG..

***BE SURE TO LEAVE ME YOUR NAME AND A WAY TO CONTACT YOU**

**I'll pick a winner (via a random number generator) one week from now on Wednesday, January 9th**

Goode luck everyone ~ again...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  

Olde Salem Sturbridge Workshop

 A gusty wind howls as it hurls wet leaves of yellow & orange against our window panes.  The sun peeks through low dark clouds and glistens off the frosty landscape and mingles with billowing smoke from our chimneys.  Autumn has arrived!!!  Greetings my friends.  Twas a mere 34* here in Vermont this morning as I stepped out on to the porch with my morning coffee cloaked in my thick woolen socks & cozy sweater.  It was wonderful.  Presently, a fire burns in the woodstove and James Taylor plays on Pandora while the little man (our sweet Kurt Evan) and Oliver James snooze contentedly nearby.  I wanted to pop in while the "boys" sleep and share photo's of our first Autumn workshop of 2018.  

What an absolutely enjoyable time we all had.  This workshop was my first weekend workshop and  Stephanie and I couldn't have asked for a nicer group of ladies to join us.   Oh goodness, we had a wonderful time.  We punched, stitched, laughed, ate and reminisced.  Twas perfect!

Everyone's "Olde Salems" were absolutely adorable and the ladies were oh so pleased with them which just made my year.   It's funny how each one had it's own personality even though they were made from the same pattern. I love when that happens..it always amazes me.

I'm in the process of adapting the pattern (and making a few changes that I think will make him even cuter!!) to be released soon.  I will also have a limited number of complete kits for these fellows!!!

Okay..I can hear the little man stirring so I must run.  :)

Until next time ~ wishing you joy, Doreen

~OCTOBER~

O hushed October morning mild,

Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;

Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,

Should waste them all.

The crows above the forest call;

Tomorrow they may form and go.

O hushed October morning mild,

Begin the hours of this day slow.

Make the day seem to us less brief.

Hearts not averse to being beguiled,

Beguile us in the way you know.

Release one leaf at break of day;

At noon release another leaf;

One from our trees, one far away.

Retard the sun with gentle mist;

Enchant the land with amethyst.

Slow, slow!

For the grapes’ sake, if they were all,

Whose leaves already are burnt with frost,

Whose clustered fruit must else be lost—

For the grapes’ sake along the wall.  Robert Frost

**IS CASE YOU'RE WONDERING....This is Esmeralda Frostbottom….she's coming soon :)

Until next time, Wishing you a joy filled and wonderful first day of October ~ Doreen

A couple little changes.

MY GOODNESS, can you believe September is drawing to a close???  I certainly can't!!! It is truly crazy, how fast this month flew by.  It was a flurry of appointments, gramma baby sitting time and filling orders..it's truly all a blur!! :)

Therefore, IN AN EFFORT to find time for...well, ANYTHING...haha...I am making a couple of small changes. These changes will make things much easier on me and allow for more creative time.  

#1......I will no longer be selling punch needle supplies such as weavers cloth, Cameo needles, hoops, frames, floss & thread. 

...Keeping up with the constant ordering/tracking/selling/shipping of these supplies is so very time consuming and taking this duty out of my daily schedule will free up a LOT of time for me. AS ALWAYS,  I WILL SHARE with all of you where you may purchase these products yourself.   

#2...I have reduced my Blackened Beeswax offerings to just a few pieces.  Things I can make quickly and easily.  This too, will free up a LOT of time for me. 

I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you and hope you understand.
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NEW THINGS TO COME...

KITS....I will soon be offering a **LIMITED NUMBER** of full kits for all of my new designs. :)

 **I HAVE A NEW "BOOK" IN THE WORKS :)

I will be ADDING candles and tarts, made by my daughter, to the site, this holiday season.

SO..that's it. 

 Whew...I feel better already!!! 
 Now..on to the most wonderful time of the year!  
Love and hugs, Doreen

~Year Of The Pumpkin~

                                                                         

 At least it is at The Frost household. My goodness our pumpkin patch is amazing this year.  Mother Nature can be trying at times as she put us through hell with her hot, humid, unbearable days however, she has seen fit to reward us with the nicest pumpkin patch we've ever had.  This particular pumpkin is my favorite.  LOOK at those ridges..she's gorgeous!  And her color, oh my goodness I love all the variations of green!  She seems to be staying green too although, when I was in the pumpkin patch this morning giving everyone a roll over to avoid rot, she is turning orange underneath, which is baffling but as I said before "mother nature" :).

We are trying to hold off picking them but it is getting harder and harder not to!  We also have some gooseneck gourds growing in the patch as well. 

Autumn...she is slowly making her way to Vermont :)

She's a bit orange underneath :)

Here are a few other garden shots and a shot of my end of Summer/early Autumn window boxes. I'll be changing everything over to Autumn very soon! 

           Here she is in all her glory ~ Isn't she just the PERFECT Cinderella Pumpkin :)  I just LOVE HER!!!!!

 I'm off now to stuff my punched pillows and then I'm on Mimi duty this afternoon.

Until tomorrow ~ wishing you joy, Doreen

  

Olde Salem Cat & Jax ~ Coming Soon

Goode day my lovely friends.  I hope this greeting finds you well and enjoying these wonderful first days of September.  I have a few minutes while the little man is sleeping so I thought I would pop in and get back to the business of blogging.  It has taken me a couple of weeks, of watching my little boogie bear, but I think I've gotten into a flow and can do a bit of work while he is napping. The first few days he was here, I didn't want to put him down!  I wanted to soak up every ounce of his wonderfulness and learn his little quirks, likes and dislikes so I could feel comfortable in knowing his wants and needs. Hence, I would be able to do a smidge of work, albeit in drips and drabs, while he was here.  I still don't want to put him down of course, but we do what we must. :)


…..I've been working away filling orders, answering emails and punching on the days little man is not here and it's been going quite well.  I've been keeping up with everything except posting and chatting on social media and here on my blog.  I've been remise with both but now that we've established a ltitle bit of a routine, I'm hoping to get back to my chatty self..hope you don't (and won't) mind.

Pictured here is my latest design ~ Olde Salem Cat & Jax..they are finished and are awaiting their wool stuffing so they may be pillows!!!  I LOVE them both.   I am hoping to have them stuffed and their pattern written and ready by Friday.  This will be a double pattern meaning both designs will be in one pattern :)  Something fun and different.

Okay, we are approaching noon, which is when the little man is due to eat again, so I shall have to end this.  I want to do a ltitle dinner prep before he's calling me.  Tonight...Grilled steak, oven fries and garden salad..mmmm.

Until tomorrow ~ Wishing you a joy filled day, Doreen

~August Days~

Goode day my friends.  I hope you are all well and enjoying all that August has to offer.  We certainly are.  Our local carnivals and county fairs have begun ~ my favorite thing about this month!!!  Another wonderful thing August holds, garden abundance.  Ours is doing wonderfully and oh my goodness, the pumpkin patch is enormous this year.  I can not wait to see how many wonderful pumpkins we gather at months end!!

It is still quite warm here in Vermont but Mother Nature is definitely sharing a few hints of Autumn with us.  The breezes feel lovely and hold a soft Autumn coolness.   The birds are singing their "preparing for Winter" songs,  (you may find it crazy but I swear their songs change this time of year) the fruiting tree's and berries are loaded this year and the smell of their ripening is heavenly.    Our apple tree's are actually bending under the weight of the abundance of apples this year.  Each day squirrels can be found in the larger of the two trees in our back yard, shaking the branches and gathering the apples.  Something Mark nor I had any idea they did.  We've never, in our many years, seen squirrels gathering apples!!!  I hear this Winter, weather-wise, will be a repeat of last Winter...OH I DO HOPE SO!!

All of this anticipation is SO exciting!!  I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR!!

I'm in high gear, creatively, at this time of year and thankfully, Stephanie, my dear sister-in-law and wonderful sample puncher is quick to bring all of my sketches to life!!!  These are just a few of my new designs.

The two Olde Salem Cat & Jax designs will be available soon. I am still working on the larger one, shown below, but just as soon as I have it finished I will be offering the pattern.

The Olde Autumn Pumpkin, shown above, is this month design for my 2018 PN club.  It will be a hanging door pocket to hold some lovely Autumn dried florals.  :)

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST.....

~My first Winter design/pattern of 2018, NOELLE, is ready!!!  Yes, I realize I am offering Winter before Autumn but she is ready and insisted on making her debut. :)  You can find her patterns (with options) on my website or you can purchase the instant pattern in my Etsy shop.  Links are in the column to the left.

That's it for today. Wishing you a JOY ~ Doreen

~HELLO....IS ANYONE OUT THERE~

There is something about this time of year that makes me chatty.  I begin to daydream about sitting  on the front porch, mug of coffee in my hand, crisp Autumn leaves whirling past on a slightly chilly breeze, with a goode companion and while away the hours.  Though it is still hot here in Vermont, I know what's' coming and it excites me and I  want to share that goodeness, (yes, I know that is "misspelled) and all that it holds, with all of you.  

Therefore, I have decided to start blogging again!!  I've missed it!!  I've a lot to do before this blog is fully "decorated" but I've made a goode start and I LIKE it!  I hope you'll take the a moment, to stop by from time to time, and say hello. :)

Until next time ~ hugs to all of you, Doreen