Printing on Fabric

My goodness... It seems everytime I say I'm going to do something.... a million things get in my way, I get behind, and loose track of time. There is just so much to do in a day. But, I love everyminute of it. I never got the time over the weekend to do my printing on fabric tutorial...HOWEVER...there are several online so, I'm just sending you to one of those. There are so many ideas and tutorials out here in the cyber world...all you really have to do is search !

So, if you want to transfer images onto fabric - similar to those on my own line of pillows below ... YOU can make your own, original versions too ! The ideas will come to you, once you learn how to do this....Just think of the things that YOU could come up with ! Here's the link... How to print on fabric
I know you'll enjoy trying this new project ! Speaking of new projects... I have plenty going on around the house. I'll be sharing more of that with you in a few days. I'm working on another batch of Fall goodes to offer on the site soon as well :-)
Go on.... and make it a great day .... I know I'm going too !
Peace and Happiness to you !

How to Age Paper for Printing ... My way

I've been aging my own paper for as long as I can remember. This morning, I thought I'd be sneaky and save myself some time by finding a tutorial already online to post for you.....However, I don't do mine like any of those that I found. Reason being.... all other instructions I saw - said to print your paper first. Well, when I do that - my images fade away... I use what I think most of us use... an inkjet printer. And the ink is not always permanent. You can stain after...only if you have a laser printer.

I will tell you step by step how to make paper look old yourself - just like I do it on all of my things......It is SO easy !

The only thing that you already need to know is how to create and manipulate your images.... Most of us have a program for that. I'll tell you.... I have a Mac computer. That's all I've ever had. I don't know about any other programs out there..besides my "Pages" from Iwork ....but, I know there are a lot of great tools that are available...you just have to find out for yourselves ( I only add this because I have been asked :-)

Things you will need..... Paper ( any paper will work....plain white printer paper works great, or if you are making cards or something you would like a bit heavier.... use cardstock. White or parchment.
instant coffee
water
paintbrush
cookie sheet
bakers parchment
*Mix together 1 tablespoon of instant coffee to 1 quart of hot water.( Now, this is a lot....so, if you are only doing a few sheets...you may narrow it down to half that)Stir well until all coffee is dissolved. * You will also find that you may want more or less coffee.... I tend to go double on the instant coffee... I like my things dark .
* MY PREFERRED method for doing this is to do it outside - in the sun. You simply brush both sides of your paper and lay it out on something that you don't mind getting coffee stained. If there is a breeze blowing... set a rock or two on the paper...you don't want it to blow away ! I have a cruddy old table that I keep out for these purposes...but, you might use an old board or something like that.
*If you want to do this inside... HERE'S HOW...Have your cookie sheet ready with the bakers parchment and set your paper onto the sheet. Brush both sides of your paper that you are wanting to age. You don't want it to puddle. If it does... dab with paper towel.
*Place in oven set at 200 degrees for approximately 5 minutes. DO NOT leave unattended. Just keep check on it until it looks dry.
Once you remove your paper from the oven. How does it look to you ? If you want it darker...simply add a bit more coffee to your mixture and do over. You will most likely need to experiment a little to get your personal desired effect. It is now time to IRON IT !
* If you are going to run your stained paper through your computer..you must iron it, as it most likely got a bit wrinkled up during the aging process. It must be flat as brand new before you run it through your printer...or it will get jammed. Simply iron it on a low setting...you might want to use some parchment over and under to keep any staining from happening to your iron or ironing surface.* Now that your paper is flat..... it's ready to print , or stamp, or whatever you wish to do to it !

Make your own STATIONERY & NOTECARDS Paper Dolls, Print script and make your own Heart and star cutouts for ornaments and tags....

AND make your own Prints ! There are SO many places on the web that you can find free graphics. Just search ! It's that easy ! There's a great gal out there who makes it her hobby to

share lots of cool graphics with us all. It's the Graphics Fairy ! You'll find her link on the right :-)

I hope I've helped you today. I"m not very good at explaining things...SO, if I've left something out...please feel free to question me by leaving a comment.
Of course...you can use this aging technique on new prints, book pages, and things copied at your local printer. The ideas are endless !
Next tutorial will be

printing on fabric. I'll work on that over the weekend, and have that to show on Monday.
You all have a most WONDERFUL WEEKEND !!! xoxoxo,

A Week of Gratitude

I have been blogging off and on for a couple of years now. I really do enjoy it... but, I don't have time to do all that I'd like to share on here. What bothers me most, is that I don't get to visit many of YOUR blogs out there . Just not enough time in a day for me. It means SO much to me that anyone would take the time to stop and read what I'm doing. I don't know how to Thank you enough. I've seen a lot of bloggers out there have giveaways and contests. And on Facebook too..... Contests to get more "Likes"..... I've never asked for a single one of those likes or followers... but, OH, how I appreciate you all ! You ALL deserve a prize ! Now, If I could only think of a way to do that . I think I have. First off... for today..... I am offering you these graphics. Feel free to use them however you like ! And for those of you who aren't quite into using these... I am thinking on other projects and ideas to share with you this week . This will be a week of Gratitude from me, to YOU !

As far as I know... these images are public domain...gathered from free graphic places on the web. If you like this idea.... I'll try to gather a few more for you this week. You can use these to print on little notecards, age some paper and make instant "antique" prints, make fabric transfers for pillows ! The possibilities are endless. You see I've got a bit of a fall theme going here. I'll see what else I can come up with. Now, go out, and make it a GOOD DAY !....I'll be back in another day or two :-)

Saturday Sellin'

Happy Saturday to you ! Today, I have some items for sale ! If you are interested in any of the goods listed below....simply email me at druann@bellsouth.net .

Old lye soap in vintage woonden 9'' blue bowl. Awesome ! SOLD... Thank you !Tansy May.... one of my own creations.... 17'' scrap doll stuffed with rags and cotton batting...made to look 200 years old ! Aged to perfection .... signed and dated .... SOLD , Thank you !

"Fern" is 19''....another scrap doll made by me...stuffed with rags and cotton, stitched face on this one...she is simply wonderful if I do say so myself ! signed and dated 62.00

Vintage apple green wall box 9 wide, 10 high at the back and 7'' deep..... SOLD

A nice little galvanized tub filled with straw and 2 chalkware eggs -sweet & simple- 12.00I'm back to making pillows again ! These are wonderfully aged, stitched and patched in all the right places....All one of a kind... no 2 are ever alike ! The Fresh Eggs pillow above is 10 x 16 and is 28.00
Horse - 1909 - Feedsack style pillow..... 9 x 14 ...SOLD , Thank you !
Big ol' sheep pillow.... 14 x 16 ..... SOLD, Thank you !

Humble Bee Flour sack pillow.... 9 x 14 .... SOLD...Thank you !Oh...Glorious Day !!! Rooster pillow is such a joy ! 12 x 18 ...... SOLD, Thank You !

Small sheep pastoral pillow.... So Sweet ! 10 x 13 ....... SOLD, Thank you !

Aged pouch with Horehound patch....dried grasses and magnolia pods.... SOLD, Thank you !
Late summer gatherings stocking.... I love stockings ANY time of year...filled with gatherings of the season :-) this one is 20'' long plus the grasses.... 24.00
Vintage grater collection...SOLD...Thank you !
half gallon aromatic compound jar and quart size yellow onion jar..... SOLD...Thank you !

And last on the list today..this wonderful teal blue wallbox...vintage - 17'' long, 4 '' deep...... SOLD, Thank you !

All prices are quoted WITHOUT shipping charges.

If you have never ordered from me before,
Here are the details... I am a plain and simple girl... I only accept checks or money orders...no credit cards or paypal. Once you choose to purchase an item...simply email me ( druann@bellsouth.net ) , tell me what you want and include your mailing address. I'll return to you shortly with the total including shipping. I will ask that you send payment...and as soon as that payment is received...I'll mail your package. I've done it exactly this way for the past 6 years on our website...it works just lovely !
Thanks so much for stopping by today....Hope that you have a REALLY nice weekend ~ Full of Joy !

Busy as a Bee

Today I am busy as a little Bee...... Getting a few more items made up to offer for sale tomorrow ...Here on this blog . Yep....It's gonna be a Sellin' Saturday here at my Fine Farmhouse !
I'm finishing up a few pillows that I've been working on, as well as a couple more of my old and dirty looking scrap dolls. AND...I even have a few fun antique pieces I'll be offering up as well !
I'm gonna' get back to it now...and I'll be posting it all here tomorrrow morning - as soon as I get up and get moving !
Have a most wonderful day !!!

Bright & Happy

I just wanted to take a moment, before I start my busy , hectic day ...to wish YOU.... a very

BRIGHT and HAPPY day !

It has been a most wonderful week for me so far, and I'm so very grateful to my blog friends and my Cinnamon Creek customers. I just can't Thank everyone enough for the kindness and support that you show me on a daily basis. I Love what

I do....Thanks to people like you !

Now, go on... ENJOY your day....and spread the LOVE :-)

From the Pantry...

You haven't seen me do alot from my Farmhouse kitchen. Several reasons.... Our renovations are not complete, that means we have a tiny, make -do kitchen area for now. Which, really , is fine, because, seriously.... I'm not much of a cook anyway :-) Oh..... I would like to be. How could I not be ? My Mother, Grandmother AND both of my Sisters are excellent cooks ! I really don't think I'm that bad... I think it' s more that I have a picky husband :-) Hey...works for me ! That saves me alot of trouble, and I get to go out to eat alot !
I do, however, get the hankering every now and then to bake a few things. And I do love casseroles and soups...which the Mr. does not...so, I make it all for myself when I do take the time to make such dishes - and freeze some for later.

Yesterday, was the anniversary of my Mothers passing. It's been 11 years. So hard to believe. Gone way too soon. I miss her every single day. I love this picture of her in our kitchen where I was raised.... I was 3 years old when this was taken. Some of my best memories are of her and our family in that kitchen .Momma used to love to drag out the old Underwood typewriter...and type up recipes. I can remember many a Sunday afternoon spent in the kitchen with her...watching her and playing with that old typewriter. Those old keys were so hard to press ! Take a look at that chicken and dumplin recipe up there.... looks like the "p" just wouldn't do it's thing . Ha ! She had to fill that letter in :-)

This is something that I've wanted to do Forever....Finally did.... framed some of my favorite recipes of hers. Anyone can do this with their own family recipes. Simply find a nice frame that you like.... I used some aged fabrics for the backgrounds... I'd love to have used some old cloth from an old apron or kitchen curtains of Mothers...but, I didn't have any of that. But, how wonderful if you do ! Frame them anyway you wish.... What a lovely way to preserve some special memories ! Oh, My Momma made THE BEST deserts ! I have my favorites framed now...and I'll hang them in my humble little kitchen.

Here is another very neat way to showcase some of those cherished recipes.... pin them on a line . Tuck in a picture or two, a couple bundles of herbs...and Tah, dah ! A very fun and creative touch for under a cabinet, a swag over a window, or wherever you see fit.Mmmmm ! Buttermilk pie ! One of my favorites ! We actually always called it Chess pie...but, Here is the recipe..... So good ! Not one of those that I make very often at all...My gosh...it is SO not good for you...but, heck...you have to have a treat every now and then !

You know...our little kitchen is not so bad.... I really don't mind it at all... It's functional... I really need to fix it up a little more...and just get creative with what I have...So, that I will do ! I do have some wonderful things that I need to pull out of storage, Perhaps I will do just that and share some of it with you in my next post ! Until then....maybe you'll enjoy these projects that I've shared...and if you're not really into do it yourself ....I'll have some similar things to offer you later in the week.
Until next time...Have an absolutely WONDERFUL day !

p.s..... I still can't seem to figure out how to make my pictures bigger. Seems other blogs have bigger , clearer pictures. Mine look so good...until I post them on blogger...then they loose so much clarity....anyone have any tips? what am I doing wrong ? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated :-)

Just Smile....

Today, I'm just going to relax and smile. Seems I worry way too much about every little thing...and I know sometimes I don't worry, when , perhaps I should worry...does that make sense ? I usually don't make a lot of sense. Anyway... I have been thinking alot about what acts I can do, what things I can make, what pictures I can take, What steps I can make.... to REALLY make a difference. That may sound silly in the whole scheme of things. As I know there are SO many problems in this world. Yet, I just want to do something different, and actually BE something different in my own little world.

So, I've been working up a storm in my little studio.... working on my new Fall goodies... uncommon things. I'm also planning my guestroom redo , perhaps a fun project to share here on the blog . I want to bake and cook a little more and I really, really, really want to learn more about taking a good photograph. I got that fancy shmancy camera a while back...and ,while I have seen some good results.... there is so much that I can't grasp. Yes... I must work on this.... I want to make this blog 'o mine...something FABuloUS !

I will share a bit of excitement.... as I've shared with you before, FOLK magazine is doing a spread on our Farmhouse. ( SO happy ) I am very honored to be included AND that Ben wanted to use many of my own photos for the piece. That made my Day ! Oh, Yeah ! this makes me SMILE ! And it all just makes me want to do more.... I'm very inspired. I just need to get out more, and find more photo ops. I truly enjoy doing close ups of cool things. I need more cool things :-) Perhaps an antiquing trip is in order soon ! It's just so doggone hot around here ! This is the week of the big 800+ mile yard sale . I'll never understand why it is held this time of year, here in the south - It's WAY too hot for that journey. What wonderful photo ops there would be for me. However, We did it for 3 years , always came home with a good load. But, always exhausted and miserable from it. Never again will I go. Some things just aren't worth it.

I've rambled on enough for the day. I am off to finish some work for the day...ship some orders, and then relax. Ahhhh !
Enjoy your day....