The Family Visit Part 2,Another CITRASOLV Use & Antique Samplers

Well, Sister and BIL should have been here last night. My daughter called me just before midnight to say that Aunt Rose was in the hospital with a kidney stone. In her haze from the pain shot, it seems she could only remember one long distance number. My Ashley likes her sleep, and it's a miracle she answered the phone at that time. Anyway, I called and she was home and she told me what she had been through for the last couple of days. I have to wonder lately about doctors and hospitals. I have recently had the feeling that we just get shuffled around to someone else,a "Specialist" when the doctor is maybe overwhelmed. So the new plan is that she rest for a couple of days at home,
and she could travel by Thursday. So the anticipated arrival is now Friday night. This time I'll make double sure she's really on the road tomorrow. I thought when I got the message on the cell that they were in a "no reception" zone. Yeah, in the hospital! You just never know...
Oh, back to my rant, what about the policy of "turning the office phones off" BEFORE the office is supposed to be closed!?! Yep, she went through all of that but with HMO's you have to call your PC first. She should have just gone to the hospital. You are supposed to follow a procedure before going to the ER or be responsible for the bill. Well, I've been of the opinion lately that I'd rather pay the high copayment and go to the ER first and get taken care of. This of course is still for only real emergencies, like if you're doubled over in pain!
So Mr. Glen Oaks has been granted a reprieve on the floors. He's taking the opportunity
with much gratitude. He can now do what he wants to do to the finish. He's using Tung Oil and because of the cats, we aren't using any petroleum solvents like oil stains or polyurethane finish. After multiple coats of tung oil (he says at least 4, it will be impervious to water and other spills) handsome is believe it or not cutting the tung oil with TaDa CITRAVOLV! It keeps the layers from just floating on top of each other, so that each layer is smooth like glass. He will be handwaxing the final coat. All beautiful and no toxic fumes. The drying time is unbelievably quick. We can only keep the kitties upstairs for just little intervals. They like to "hunt" in the cellar!
So they should see the "new" floors all finished when they arrive. We thought they were just going to see them sanded down. I'll take some pictures and post to the blog hopefully before the weekend. They are going to be beautiful. As with all his work, they will be perfection.
I'll be back later. I have a new blog from England that I came across that I'm very excited about, the loveliest photos of antique samplers, the auction house where they are to be sold and charted designs of antiques. And of course any great methods or tips I read about in blogland.
Stay cool, primmies.
Warm Regards,
Susan

Make Your Own Primitive Fall Twig Wreath

Here's a super simple Twig Wreath tutorial from Tammy at Rock River Stitches. It finishes up to approx. 11inches. I think they look more beautiful than the craft stores carry and the "Free" price can't be beat. Just need a coat hanger and twigs from your yard. Go make some wreaths, Primmies...

Click here Make Your Own Primitive Fall Twig Wreath

Warm Regards,
Susan

Isn't It Hot All Of A Sudden!

Some prim eye candy for you! More photos after my post below.

All Shaker Box photos in this post: Property of Traditional Home Magazine

Photos: Property of Traditional Home Magazine
Isn't it also funny how we want Winter to be over when it's upon us, and now that Summer is here with the awful humidity we get here in our valley, I don't remember Winter being all that terrible?!? Well, I'm in the AC today. Mr. Glen Oaks is sanding floors again. The week before last weekend, he started (after much painful prodding from Nana Glen Oaks) and being by himself and the perfectionist he is, of course it didn't get finished in time for his mom and son's visit last weekend. He really only had 3 working days out of the week anyway. So back everything went, furniture, curtains, pictures, rugs so that everyone had a place to sit down and relax, and a table to eat at. Last night, out again everything went (I really don't know where he puts it all and don't want to look anyway). He's sanding like a madman possessed right now, sister Rose and husband Danny are due
here from Indiana on Tuesday morning. They wisely decided to stay in a motel with doggie day care no less. Leave it to my sister to find a motel with special areas for pets to be pampered if she has to be away from him. Bogie lives the good life for sure. With two cats here and an especially unreceptive-to-guests and dogs kitty, I think she would have had to be committed if Puffy attacked Bogie. We will be keeping Puffy "sequestered" while they are here during the day and evening. Sister plans on doing lots of sightseeing and shopping while she's here so there shouldn't be any cat attacks (my homeowners is paid up-to-date). Since I'm trying to get the house together in the other rooms that aren't being sanded, I don't have too much time to showcase any artists and their wares but I have some eye candy for us Primmies. I was reading my digital copy of Traditional Home and here's what I liked for today:

Maple Shaker Box With Copper Tacks, C.1835

Shaker Box With Yellow Paint and Copper Nails

Yellows, Prussian Blue and Green are considered the most valuable Boxes

Here's a green painted box with the original paper label still visible (see right side) that they would write the contents on:

My favorite, the pumpkin color

Hope you enjoyed this post. Back on Monday with a featured artist's work that I crave.
Stay cool,Primmies!
Warm Regards,
Susan

Woo-Hoo! We've got winners and another Christmas In July

The winner of Samantha's Accessories Gift Basket Giveaway was drawn at midnight last night and Ta-Da! It's Prims and Annies...Maxie
Samantha's New Giveaway item starts today and will be drawn next Thursday at midnight. Here it is, a set of four Snowmen Ornaments:

Samantha also has a new freebie for you, a Star Stitchery on a bobbin that you can make in a weekend, she says. Here it is:

Sandy at The Olde Country Cupboard drew her winner at Midnight: there are two winners, they are Carmen C. and Starr Mountain Primitives. Congratulations to all the winners!
Here is Sandy's Giveaway for this week:

These Reindeer Feedsacks are filled with sawdust and would look adorable on a mantel or under your tree. Keep entering, and Sandy will be giving away one large one at the end of July. Sandy and Samantha want you to know that if you are having issues leaving comments or entering, PLEASE just email them. Here is a new freebie from Sandy:

Aren't they precious? I just love everything these gals create. They are really talented.
Samantha at Samantha's Accessories sells these adorable packages of Reindeer Chow every year at the Craft Shows and they are very popular:

See her blog for the complete tutorial on how to make these and also see her tutorials on making your own Soy Tarts for burning in your warmers.

Tammy from A Primitive Place has let us know that the team from Primitive and Folk Artist at ETSY is having a Christmas In July. To shop and find more info go to ETSY and do a search for PAFACIJ. Tammy says to make sure you check the "all items" category cuz there are vintage Christmas items, too.

I also want to take this opportunity to say a Big Thank You! to all of my followers who've been with me since the start of my blog, and the new friends that continue to join every week. I'm so thrilled that you all think I have something interesting to contribute. I know how busy everyone is, and I hope to have more original things to post and start having some items to showcase that we get made here at the shop.
Until later...(I'll be back cuz I think I forgot something)
Warm Regards,
Susan

Another Family Visit, Another Recipe Trial

Here is "Chef Bubba's All American Barbeque Recipe:

This is a spareribs recipe from the Fabric.com Blog that looks incredibly yummy. If you remember from my last recipes post for my company I had over the 4th of July I have my sister and her hubby due here on Tuesday from Indiana. I'll be making these and the Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwiches and the Maple French Toast Casserole. I have some Salmon recipes for the grill on cedar planks no less, and in case of malfunction, I have recipes that go under the broiler (I try to plan for possible mishaps in the kitchen, can you tell I worry a lot?). I'll be putting those Salmon recipes on the blog after we decide which ones we're using. They all have different glazes and side suggestions and they look yummy.
I'm on a mission like crazy to gather inspiring recipes before Tuesday! Wish me luck.
Warmest Regards,
Susan

Here's the link to the recipe:

Chef Bubba's All American Barbeque - Fabric.com Blog