A little Paint and Crackle...

What's new in our Etsy store?

I listed this quilt block yesterday and it sold 

right away.  However, I am taking custom orders.

 This block was hand painted, crackled, antiqued

and then finished.

You can read more about how my husband's 

hardwood flooring business inspired me to 

finish these blocks so they look like they

are fresh out of a barn or old farmhouse.

Click on the image above to see the crackle finish.

The unfinished quilting is my signature.

Click here to read more

Enjoy your weekend my friends!

Christa

Busy Sewing

The girls and I have been busy sewing

for our Etsy shop while home schooling

and

keeping up our home.

Would you like to see some of our projects?

 Cassaundra made this apron and

she plans on making some that

will be full length, kind of like

Ma Ingalls use to wear.

Here is Brittany's Regency gown she just

completed and is now in her new Etsy

store.

You can see more pictures at

Garland of Grace

...and this is a tote/bag I made.  This is

my first try at a project like this.  It was very

detailed, labor intensive and I probably really 

needed a commercial sewing machine for this.

My machine really got a work out on this one.

Have you been working on any projects lately?

 I would love to hear what you've been

up to lately.

Warm Country Blessings,

Christa

Oh, and by the way if you are interesting in making
the tote bag yourself, you can purchase the
pattern at:
www.katicupcake.com


If you have any questions about making this bag,
feel free to e-mail me or comment.

Miss Bunny Bird Feeder

I once was a plain piece of wood.

Then Luke cut me out and gave me a good sanding. 

I don't like to be rough around the edges,

do you?

Christa added a little paint here and there.

Can you see me coming alive?

My friends are about to join me too.

I just love my kindred Spirits.

Let me introduce you to

Miss Lady Bug and Mr. Black Bird,

my dearest friends.

How do you like my nose?

I can't wait to smell what's growing in your garden.

Hey, maybe you can invite me over for some

of Christa's delicious Carrot Cake and tea!

Visit here to get her yummy recipe.

Here I am, ready for some carrot cake Spring!

All your birdies are welcome to dine with me.

I promise I'll take really good care of them.

Well, off to Etsy I go.

~

Miss Bunny Bird Feeder is now available on my Etsy.

~ 

Christa

Photography by Luke Smith

Coming Soon!

 

I have been very busy painting!

Can you guess what this is?

I'll have the finished pictures soon.

~ Christa ~ 

 

Free Patterns from Talented Crafters

 I always think it's so generous when gifted crafters bless others with a free pattern.  Much time goes into designing patterns, I know, because I've tried it myself and have not been successful.

Sandy, a talented artist from The Olde Country Cupboard is offering this adorable Simple Annie pattern for free.

Why not give her a try!

Visit The Olde Country Cupboard

and don't forget to give her a warm and cozy thank you if you decide to 

download her pattern.

 

Another one of my favorite blogs is

Prairie Flower Farm.

Linda has blessed us with wonderful free patterns, tutorials...

Today, she is offering a tutorial on these cute gift tags, cake plate

and delicious Chicago Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Wow!  Thank you Linda

You are so kind.

Need a last minute gift for someone?

Linda also has some wonderful handmades for giving.

Enjoy your visit!

~

Christa

A Dutch Quilter!

Most of you know that I love quilting and all sorts of other crafts.  So when I come across other crafters/quilters who have incredible talent, visiting their blogs is a treat for me.  One such artist is Corry from Dutch Blue.  She lives in the Netherlands.  Some of you know that my parents are immigrants from that country and most of my relatives still live there.  So, when I came across Corry's blog, I was so excited because, honestly, I really didn't know that Dutch people quilted.  How did I not know that?  I'm a little embarrassed by that.

~

What is so special about Corry's quilts, dolls, tea cozies...is the bright, cheery colors that she chooses for her fabrics.

~

The picture above is a great idea from Corry.  She saves jam jars and uses them to organize all kinds of goodies.  They're so simple yet charming, don't you think?

~

Click on over to Dutch Blue.

~

Christa

Here Birdie, Birdie, Wind Chimes

See what's new in our Etsy Shop!

This adorable cat and his feathered friends were cut out using my handy dandy scroll saw and then hand-painted with much attention to detail.

Click on the picture to see a close-up of painting detail.

SOLD!

This White elephant gift was crocheted by Cassaundra using a soft white yarn.  He is sporting a sage green scarf to keep him cozy in the winter months.

SOLD!

 

Visit our Etsy Shop to view more pictures

Country Hearts at Home Mercantile

Happy Shopping!

~ Christa, Brittany and Cassaundra ~ 

 

Giveaway and Pattern from Prairie Flower Farm

Linda at Prairie Flower Farm has a gift for you.  Stop by her place and sign up for this adorable Tea Bag Cozy pattern.

Thank you Linda!

 Then, don’t forget…    

…to sign up for her Tea Cozy giveaway.  Isn’t it just so comfy cozy? 

Enjoy your visit at Prairie Flower Farm!

~ Christa ~

Pincushion Giveaway!

Hello Friends! It's time for my first giveaway!

Let me introduce to you, my Country Hearts at Home Pincushion.

This is handmade by me and is available in red, black or burgundy for the giveaway.

Treasure this keepsake for yourself or give it as a gift to your daughter, sister, mother, friend...

Add a box of pins and a thimble, wrap it up real cute and you have a great gift. I will have some great gift giving ideas for this pincushion after the giveaway in case you would like to order some for gifts. They will be available in several different colors.

~

Here are the giveaway instructions

You may choose to do one, two... or all of the below
1. Receive one entry - If you leave your first name and last initial in the comment section of this post and let me know that you would like to enter the drawing. Indicate if you would like the red, black or burgundy pinchushion. Could you share with me what state you live in? To respect your privacy this is optional and is not required to enter the giveaway.

2. Receive one entry - If you have been a follower on my blog on or before 9/20/09. This is a thank you for being a part of Country Hearts at Home. Make sure you indicate this in your comment.

3. Receive one entry - If you share in your comment why you believe it's important to learn or teach others how to sew or quilt. OR, share how this skill has contributed to your role as a keeper of your home. This can be an opportunity for you to encourage others to be steadfast at home. I would love to use your ideas or comments in a future article on this blog.

4. 2 entries - Post about this giveaway on your blog. Be sure to use the pictures of the pincushion on your post with a link to my blog. In a second comment on my blog, let me know that you have done this and be sure to leave your blog address.

The deadline for entering is October 4th and the winner will be announced on October 5th.

Blessings to you all,

~ Christa ~

Break Out the Paint Brushes!

Twenty years ago, I took a tole painting class at a little shop called The Prairie Sampler. After that class, I was hooked and I painted all kinds of goodies for craft shows and gifts for family and friends. I even bought a scroll saw and cut out my own wood pieces. Today, tole painting is not as popular as it was back then. However, I still break out the paint brushes once and awhile, turn on some of my favorite music and paint away.

A few weeks ago, I got out some watercolor paper and dusted off my paints and brushes. Using the techniques I learned in my tole painting classes, I was able to create some cards for my friends.

I started with the watermelon rind.

Then I added the rest of the watermelon and a cute little crow.

Finishing details

Raffia and some special paper I bought for scrapbooking a few years ago
gave these cards a finished look.

Finished and ready to mail out.

~ Christa ~

The Seamstress and Her Apron

In this last year, Cassaundra has taken up sewing with a passion. For her, Going into a fabric store is like a little girl going into a candy store and smelling the different flavors and seeing the wonderful colors of the sweet treats all around her. Keeping her supplied with enough projects and fabrics is a challenge to say the least.

Her newest creation is an Edwardian Apron. Our collection of daily worn aprons will welcome the new red and white gingham friend (pictured below). Starting with a clean, crisp appearance, it will soon fit in with the others after becoming gently stained with homemade blueberry sauce, chocolate chip cookie dough, spagetti sauce and perhaps a little soil from our vegetable garden.

Each apron is so special, I don't think we could ever throw one away. It may be that we will have to create a special hook in the kitchen for each of our retired helpers, thus taking on a new purpose, becoming a beautiful piece of art representing memories of us cooking and baking together.

Our aprons are not something to be ashamed of wearing when a friend drops in unexpectedly. It can be just as beautiful and fun to wear as your regular clothing.

~ Christa ~