Been over a month since I was on here!

Since my last post a bit over a month ago we went on a road trip to Pennsylvania.

Went to a few wholesale shops and then just drove the backroads of PA for a change.

But FIRST we stopped in Carlisle and met up with Teresa Miller to get some fabric I bought from her, then we all went to a few antique shops and lunch. Always so fun to see Teresa!!

Further northeast we stopped at The Bee & The Bear in Herford ( https://www.thebeethebear.com/ )

for some much needed WOOL...I had a very hard time leaving there,

I wanted to go back for more but knew that would be dangerous!! 

We found just a few things at the antique shops.

One was a 20" tin dough riser - the largest we have so far which makes #7.

And a nice tin pudding mold.

A couple reproduction Santa's from one antique shop

We (I) collect pewter creamer/sugar sets and I loved the detail on the sugar lid.

When we were at the farm markets we asked if the had any pumpkin stems that had broke off 

and one place had a small basket full and the rest we found on the ground!!! SCORE!!

All in all a nice trip regardless of the weather...rain and rain!

Had the sun been shining the trees would have glowed - they really were in full color.

A couple weeks ago we went to a Christmas Craft show and bought this gorgeous

Mache box...it will make a wonderful addition to our Christmas decor.

  We also bought a wool garland from one of my friends booths....she gave me permission

to hold a class to make these so that's what's coming up the first part of Dec.
Can't wait for it - the ladies are anxious as well.
Our garlands will be a bit larger/fuller than the one shown here.
Boy was it difficult to find red wood beads - but I finally found some on Marketplace.

And speaking of beads...never pick up a flimsy plastic container

with LOOSE beads in it - this is what will happen....

But all is well - Doug got on the floor on his side with a yard stick

and shooed them out from under the desk!!!

Friday we went to a few more antique shops around here because
it was a really nice day to be out and about (but staying safe distancing regardless!)

Found this paper candy box from the 40's - and it was full of threads
all of which I can use in my punch needle!!

And more vintage ornaments to add to our dining room tree -
I just can't get enough of these type of ornaments!

 

Some wonderful Ivory wool roving - I can use this on my sheep and Santa beards

Found 2 huge balls of what they said was crochet thread but I've never
seen them this size nor the thickness of this thread.  I'll use it to stitch up seams
on the items I sew that need the seams stitched after stuffing them.

And look at this sweet doll cradle.  When we were in PA we looked at
every antique shop we went to for one but found this one near home!
Needs some TLC but still a cute little thing.
It will go under the Christmas tree this year.

Doug found this beautiful candle mold.

We don't have one like this with the bottom arch

But the best thing Doug spotted was this awesome

Old World Santa (or St. Nick)

It is on burlap - not sure what process they used to get this picture on 

but it looks like it could be a painting....it measures 20 x 26

and will go above the fireplace.

I tried to get a good picture but I was taking it in the evening so the 

lighting was bad no matter where I put it.

A winter hooked rug I've been working on.

I had to wait until I bought more wool for the snow at the bottom.

Found it at the shop in PA - so now to finish it so I can sell it.

And LAST....one of my newest designs made into a pattern

It's called TREES FOR SALE

You can find it on my website http://kmprimitives.blogspot.com/

Not sure what I'm going to mount it on though...I'll find something this week and post it.

I know this was a long blog post because I had a lot to chat about,

so if you stayed till the end here...THANK YOU!

Hope to be on again before Thanksgiving but if not

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL

Karen

Wow, time got away from me!

I didn't realize I haven't done a post since April 23!!!

Not so sure much of anything' interesting' has happened since but I'll try and get a post done here or you all will forget I'm here!!!

After we finished the bathroom remodel it felt like we were searching for things to do - we loved being busy, strange right? But we both love projects.

Two weeks ago a friend from NC came here for 4 days and just as soon as he left we were out of the house an hour later on our way to Pennsylvania.
We decided that we are having another IN-HOME SHOW in October and then hopefully one again in November, like we did back in 2006-07-08 and 09.

We shopped at the wholesale places looking for HAND-MADE items to go along with things that we will make and we did find a few things.
Monday is the wholesale cash & carry show and hopefully we will find a few more hand-made's to add to what we have.
We want mostly our items though so shopping is very selective.

We stayed at the Clarion Strasburg Inn in Strasburg, PA and enjoyed it so much there - our room overlooked the parking lot but also just  beyond that was beautiful countryside.

So lovely this time of year. 

The food at the Fireside Tavern was exceptional!!

One reason we went when we did was because we had always wanted to go to a Mud Sale and there was one that very next day after we got there at the firehouse in Kinzer's, PA - just a few miles east of Lancaster.

We really didn't know how one operated and were surprised that so many auctions went on at the same time from tools to antiques to quilts to flowers and soooo much more.

We did get a case (12) of Kraft Marshmallow Fluff at .25 per jar LOL
But that's good - I use a lot at Christmas making fudge.

We did get permission for some pictures so please don't think we don't know proper etiquette with the Amish.

We took most of these photos early on like when it first started - it got quite packed by noon.

Crafts and quilts were in this building 

The flowers were gorgeous and went for so little...made me sad we couldn't get some to bring back home.

These here are the small ones. There were huge pots with several types of flowers in them going for $35!

We met up again with Lisa and Jerry Thrush - friends from Lancaster and Mattie and Lydia the two Amish sisters we met when we were there in Feb.

We went back to the sister's house after eating and had another wonderful visit.
I guess we can now say we have some wonderful Amish friends.

One thing for sure in Lancaster is we never hurt for food...

no matter where we went the portions were huge and delicious!

Our favorite place to eat is the Rt. 30 Diner

but you must go in hungry because the portions

are huge and home made.

This chopped steak was over a pound!!

I had the Patty Melt...

This was the only food photo from the Inn - Nacho's!!!

And I didn't even get 1/4 of it eaten - I wasn't feeling all that well and nothing sounded good but they were very good.

We did get a new supply of gourds while we were out there for our gourd garlands.

We are making them earlier this season because we are having the In-Home show and need to have them made ahead.

Our sweet little great-grandson Zayne's 5th birthday was last Saturday and tomorrow is our grandson Aidan's 10th birthday - a busy birthday month here at the Martinsen's.

Check out my selling site to see the finished items I posted for sale.

http://kmprimitives.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting!

Karen