Pumpkin Moon Studio

Chocolate Mint Owls

2012-01-15T13:24:00.000-06:00

Chocolate Mint Owls....my newest stationery note card design with matching round 1.67" round return address labels. You can find sets available in my Ebay Store, and also my Etsy Store.

ROVING RETRO

2012-01-10T10:08:00.000-06:00

Well, those dreams of owning a vintage small camp trailer are still lingering, and since I don't have one, I'm still designing new personalized items with the theme to keep my interest going LOL..

I've added these return address labels to my Ebay Store. Fun Fun Vintage labels!

Help the Smoke Alarms are Going Off!

2012-01-09T08:46:00.000-06:00

Yikes! Today is it! Double Nickle Time! I think I'm the speed limit now...LOL... Yes, today January 9th, is my 55th birthday. I'm very thankful to see another year. The grandkids got me the sweetest little tea rose bush to keep in the house. I'll have to take extra care with it. My husband got to work this morning, and made a quick call back home....Ooops...forgot to tell you Happy Birthday! He was so scared I would tear his head off on the phone....LOL...Lots of friends and family on Facebook have been wishing me well, and it is greatly appreciated to be greeted with so many wishes for a great day this morning! So, with that, I'll quickly close. Got orders to fill, and jewelry to design.
~robbie~

My Palm Tree Froze!

2012-01-04T18:22:00.000-06:00

It was so cold here last night, my begonias turned black. I brought them up on a covered porch, but forgot to cover them. ***sniff*** Gary babied those suckers all summer, just to lose them because I forgot! Well, I guess a trip to the nursery around March will find me buying more Dragon Wing Begonias. I love them! They get so big and beautiful. We stashed our ferns in the shed, and I'm so hoping they made it. It went down to 22 degrees here in North Florida area! I've seen colder growing up here, but was so hoping not to have to deal with anything below 32 degrees this winter. But, can't be helped and I'm thankful the water pump didn't freeze, crack, break, lose water etc. Nothing like going to the grocery store this morning all bundled up with scarf, gloves, long sleeve shirt, but wearing capris...LOL....Just couldn't pull those long pants out just yet! LOL....

January 1st, 2012 Brings Many Changes

2012-01-01T10:29:00.000-06:00

Happy 2012! It is the first day of January 2012, and this morning I'm thinking about all the changes coming our way.

Our son who is a Chief in the Navy will be coming home in May or June, but will then be transferring to another ship, another base, far from us. We are on the East Coast, he will be stationed in San Diego, CA. He is excited, and we are happy for him. Bittersweet to say the least, but we are very happy for him.
One of my closet friends, Susan Grant of Country Presence, my favorite folk artist will be closing her internet presence for at least 3 years. She and her husband are ranchers, and have decided to take a new adventure working for a cattle rancher/businessman on a ranch in "gulp!"...Russia. They leave in a couple of days. Hopefully, they will have contact with family and friends via Facebook, but all that is unknown right now. I wish them great blessings with this adventure, but sure will miss my friend.
I turn 55 in less than 10 days! Yikes! I'm glad I made it this far. I cannot complain about getting older! At least I'm still here, still healthy and very thankful to God for that.
My StepDad is still battling Alzheimers at 91 years old, and terminal cancer. He still works in his yard daily come rain or shine. There is no stopping him! LOL....
My Mom, well she is worn out from being caregiver 24/7 to my StepDad, so my brother, sister, and I are hoping we can convince our Mother of some alternative options she has for her relentless determination to care for him alone. She won't accept help, but yet she has reached the end of her rope. So, we plan on taking a little more charge to help her whether she likes it or not. We'll hold that rope for her in other words, if she won't battle us too much...LOL

So, life goes on, and with 2012, I'm hoping that good changes are in store, and patience with the ones we think stink! LOL...All in all, I love my family and friends. It has been a busy 2011 and with that I was horrible about keeping in touch, sending out birthday greetings etc. I'll try and be better this year. No resolutions for me, just hope that I'll do better.

Tomorrow, I'll be taking our 14 yr old grandson to the airport for his flight back to Missouri where he will finish out his school year.

And we are determined to fly to Oregon this year, to see our son Ben and his family. It has been way too long since we have seen them. August was a year! :(

Blessings and patience everyone!
Robbie

Wishing you All a very wonderful New Year!

2011-12-30T15:05:00.000-06:00

Well, you would think that things are winding down, but here we are in the verge of a new year and I'm still trying to deal with 2011. I have a friend that is not expected to live over the next 6 months, but she will see herself into 2012. Instead of becoming down when given her test results, she simply replied that she would spend Christmas 2012 with Jesus and Warren (her husband that passed earlier), with a sweet smile on her face. She is ready, and I admire her courage and positive outlook. I know that she is correct in her statement. She will be present with her beloved Lord and her husband in 2012.

2011 has seen my husband and I through a difficult transistion, but not one so tough as my friend. Gary was laid off from work in November 2010, but kept consistantly looking for work until he found a job very similar to the one he had, only in Florida, so 2011 saw us through a move from Tennessee to Florida. We were 3 or 4 months apart, but we made it through. We still own our property in Tennessee, and we are still renting a small place here in Green Cove Springs, FL. 2012 will continue to be an adventure for us as we see where this is all taking us.

My brother's barned burned down about a month ago, and in it tons of personal items and property of his, and our tractor and tiller. $9000 worth of equipment for us, and that doesn't even scratch the surface in what my brother lost. Insurance companies and adjusters......fighting us, and we are fighting them....Bottom line, he and I both got dropped by the company, Tennessee Farmers Insurance. I don't suggest anyone insuring anything with them after this ordeal. After almost 20 years with that company they dropped him, and after 8 years, they dropped us. Why? Because they actually had to pay out on a claim. What a mess!

But, we all managed to come to the end of 2012 intact. My family is healthy, we are safe. My son Travis is still deployed overseas aboard the USS The Sullivans ship. He made Chief this year after only 10 years in the Navy. We are proud parents, and wishing him everything he wants from his career, and thankful that we have our own children and yours serving to protect our country. I tip my hat and heart to all active duty military, veteran's and to those who lost their lives doing so.

So with that, I pray you all have a wonderful New Year!

Time To Sneek Away For Some Last Minute Shopping

2011-12-21T06:02:00.000-06:00

Time for me to sneak away today, over to St. Augustine, Florida, and do a little last minute shopping. Getting my crazy jingle jangle bracelets on, my oh so short sleeve Christmas shirt, cause it is going to be in the 80s today and I'M LOVING that warm weather! Have to get ready for some baking also, and cooking. Plans are to pick up my 14 yr old grandson from the airport on Saturday, then Christmas Day, head to my Mom's in Tallahassee Florida, with 3 grandkids in tow. I'm sure my Mom will love all the activity, but probably thankful it will be for 1 night only! Have to get back home for work on Tuesday.

Hoping to find some crazy fun stuff today!

I Can't Get Away from Tradition!

2011-12-20T15:38:00.000-06:00

Well, it is for sure, I cannot get away from my traditional "wait to the last minute" to get things accomplished before Christmas! The shopping isn't finished, the baking hasn't begun, and I still have to cook several dishes to take to my Mom's in Tallahassee, Florida. But one thing is for sure...obviously things are not out of the ordinary for me right now! LOL....seems I'm always running behind at Christmas time.

Today I'm babysitting 2 of my grandchildren so that their Mom can do some last minute things herself. I found myself getting short tempered with their interuptions and finally just put all my work down, walked out on the porch, and decided to give those kids some undivided attention! It worked...they are great, just needed to know Grandma was there for them.

I have so many ideas running through my head, that I'm looking forward to January for new beginnings and lots of creativity flowing around here. However, I still have some major organizational things to finish, giving me more room to bead, design, and draw. Moving to a smaller place has been difficult for this old pack rat!

Holiday Preparations

2011-12-14T19:41:00.000-06:00

It has been a long time since I've posted here on my blog. So many changes and things going on in my life! But....I'm back a little at a time. Am I ready for Christmas?...."NO!"....but slowly getting there. I have suffered a creative lull for the past 3 months, and hope that the first of 2012 finds me working away on new designs.

My oldest son Travis, did make Chief this year, in the Navy. We are very proud of him. He is currently deployed and will not be back in the States until April of 2012. He received his orders recently to report to San Diego, CA once he returns, and that transistion will begin. It is bittersweet news to me, as we have had him on the East Coast for 10 years, and have been so blessed to be near him. We will just have to make it a plan to travel to the West Coast at least twice a year if possible. My youngest son Ben and his family are still in Oregon, so we will at least get to see both. Very hard to have your children 3000 miles away and not be able to hug them, but we still can love them wholeheartedly and stay in touch by phone, email, text, etc.

This Christmas, we will not get to spend it with them. But we are very thankful for their health and pray for their safety and prosperity for the upcoming new year. So I guess that explains me having my "tinsel in a tangle" for sure. They are so loved and missed.

We have tried our best to downsize our "things" since my arrival here in Green Cove Springs, Fl. I have had 2 yard sales with my Mom, and 1 with my daughter-in-law. I had 2 before I left Tennessee. I still have a shed full of "stuff"....and plan on getting rid of what I can emotionally part with early in 2012.

On Christmas Eve, our 14 year old grandson Tristan, will be flying into Jacksonville, FL. We will pick him up that night, and then travel to Tallahassee, Fl on Christmas Day, to spend it with my Mom and Paul. I think if I had to speculate on what I've learned through this move to Florida, and the transistions, mistakes and problems that resulted, I would give everyone of you this advice that you have heard before. "Don't Sweat the small stuff, and don't stress over the big stuff!".....It will all work out! So MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh, and by the way! My brother's barn/apartment combo burned down over Thanksgiving. We lost our tractor that was in it, and goodness knows he lost so much more property and contents than us....BUT WE ARE VERY THANKFUL no one was hurt, no pets, no lives lost, and grass will grow and be greener underneath the pile of rubble where the barn once sat.

I have some photos to share in my next post, but trying to resize them and arrange them for you.

FALL Autumn Halloween Changing Leaves Empty Birdhouses

2011-09-22T20:14:00.000-05:00

I feel like I have been in Florida for a year now, but it has only been 4 months. Not even sure where summer went, but now it is offically Fall. I have seen some trees turning in color, but mostly we stay pretty green all year. I did see a sweet bluebird flittering around the back yard, and wondered if my birdhouses in Tennessee are all empty now, and everyone gathering up to snuggle in for cooler weather or headed out in their migration pattern. I love birds.

Tonight as I was winding down from a full day, I began playing with some bronze wire and blue beads, and created these two bird nests. They fit perfectly on these filigree based bobby pins. So sweet. You'll find these in my etsy shop. http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/

The Skeleton Key Altered Repurposed Assemblage Necklace

2011-09-07T09:49:00.000-05:00

This morning the air is so much cooler, so no excuse not to go outside and get some photographs done of some of my creations today. I love old skeleton keys, and keep them on an old circular wire, tucked away in an old field desk from the Civil War Era. A little hiding spot just for me.

One of these Victorian relics has now been embellished with a piece of vintage olive green crinkley seam binding ribbon, vintage filigree brass and an old teal flower cabachon. A sweet vintage inspired necklace. A generous amount of ribbon, so you can tie it to the length you would like.

The key measures 3 inches long, and this vintage assemblage can be worn with casual as well as dressy clothes. You'll find it in my Etsy shop: http://www.pumpkinmoonstudio.etsy.com/

Now, to go enjoy more of that little nip of Fall in the air.

The Backyard Garden Flag and Snake Event

2011-08-29T21:08:00.000-05:00

Well, I really haven't felt good for the past couple of days, but slowing getting better. I have been filling orders and going about my daily chores. We did have a venomous snake, a Moccasin, come crawling into the yard. I was surprised as it was, when I walked out on the back porch and see it only 5 to 6 ft away headed to my steps...YIKES!...I was on the phone with my sister. Well, my old 14 year old Jack Russell was under the porch staying where it is cooler in this Florida weather, and nothing I could do but kill that thing before it went under there and bit her.

Only thing handy enough without us both going in different directions, was the garden flag. Ironically, Gary had not hung it for me yet, since moving here. So, slowly I ease my arm out and then the fight was on!...WHACK WHACK WHACK WHACK! I missed more times that I actually hit my target, but enough to take care of that horrible thing. When it sensed it was in danger, the crazy thing flared out his neck like a cobra does, only not as round in shape. I was shocked. My sister was on the phone and she said all she could do was think about people who go berserk and won't let up you know? Rosie, who is deaf felt the vibration from the beating the ground was getting and came out from under the deck. As soon as she saw that thing, she pounced on it. Well, it was by this time dead, but she gave the thing its last dose of life, swinging it back and forth in her teeth. I was screaming at her to drop it....remember I said she's deaf....LOL...but the neighbors aren't, so I'm sure someone heard the action. I brought her in, and now will have to be very careful out in the yard. Hot weather, rain very much needed. Needless to say, everytime my hair even swished past my face or a blade of grass brushed my leg, I jumped all afternoon.

At least I forgot how sickly I was feeling. Adrinaline took over for awhile.

FALL come Quickly

2011-08-04T12:19:00.000-05:00

Now that I'm living back in my home state of Florida, I love the warmer weather. Yes, even when the highs are in the 90's and 100's. However, it is taking its toll on my power bill...LOL....so hoping for cooler weather. I know that is a long shot this time of year. I do love Autumn/Fall, and being that Fall is my favorite time of year, and after encouragement by friends and family to paint, I finally finished a vintage looking primitive folk art painting that I'm offering on Ebay, that is vintage Halloween in style, 8x10 on stretched canvas. I love primitive and vintage findings, and thought this turned out pretty cool, or should I say, ghoul? LOL
It is in my Ebay store, pumpkinmoonstudio.

FIRKIN HUNTING IN FLORIDA

2011-07-22T14:52:00.000-05:00

Today, my husband Gary, had the day off. We decided to take a short drive south of Green Cove Springs, and check out any antique or junk shops we could find.

Have you ever saw something, didn't buy it, then later regretted it because you just couldn't get it off your mind, only to go back several days later and the item is GONE! Well, I have. After seeing a neat old antique firkin, and after Gary convinced me that I didn't "need" it, we left and went to another store.

On our way back home, I just flat told him, "I'm going back for that firkin!". Of course, he sat in the truck because he was not very agreeable about it, but he knows by now, that when I'm determined, he best just let me have my way, LOL. He argued a little asking why I needed it, when I had so many already. But, I convinced him it would add to, or complete the stack.

I used to be embarrassed and too shy to ask if vendors give discounts, etc, but not today. I managed to get a nice discount off the price, and carried my treasure back to the truck. I don't think Gary believed me, so had to show him the receipt.. :)

After getting home, and cleaning off the dust, I sandwiched it in between the others in my stack! The "new" old firkin is the second one from the bottom, and Gary finally nodded and agreed it did seem to complete the graduated stack. Of course, I will always be on the watch for another because I feel one more may squeeze in there. ; )

VINTAGE COTTAGE CHIC CHICKEN POTHOLDERS

2011-07-13T10:59:00.000-05:00

Adorable! Gotta have me one of these.
They are available from http://www.farmhousepantry.etsy.com/

COBALT BLUE SLIP CROCKS

2011-07-11T14:20:00.000-05:00

I love antique crocks. I collect as many as I can, but my favorite are those salt glazed ones with cobalt blue slip decoration on them. They are very expensive, so I only have 2 that I managed to acquire over the years. As I was working on a painting myself today, I spyed 2 small crocks sitting on my child size stepback cupboard......**hmmmm**....I think I can paint on those to make them look like the ones I adore so much. These are pint size small crocks, but now....look so much better displayed with a little touch of the paintbrush. If I were to leave them this way, I would need to seal the paint, but I don't think I will. I might want to use them as a palette and practice more, so will leave them as is, for display right now.

So here are some before and after photos for you. What do you think?

FREE FEEDSACK DIGITAL ARTWORK FOR YOU

2011-07-07T12:17:00.000-05:00

Well, I'm feeling much better today, and figured I would design a vintage type feedsack design for you to use for your crafting needs. This would be so cool as the front of a primitive pillow. Just right click and save this to your files. You can purchase ink jet iron on transfers, which work great for pillows, primitive sacks and more. This is my own original graphic design just for you! Have fun and email me photos of your finished projects. This is a jpeg file, 300dpi.

Check back for more freebies! Have a wonderful Thursday!

The End of Wednesday

2011-07-06T19:48:00.002-05:00

My Mid-Day Wednesday Look

2011-07-06T13:30:00.002-05:00

What can I say, it has been a difficult day.....

My Early Morning Self Portrait

2011-07-06T06:27:00.000-05:00

Second cup of coffee and I'm worried where Tuesday went? Much less 1/2 of this year!

GET UP AND GET GOING

2011-07-06T05:50:00.000-05:00

Wow, this year is now 1/2 over and it has been a roller coaster. Moving from Tennessee to Florida zapped me, drained me physically and emotionally, but just about the time I start poking my head back into my world I realize 1/2 the year is gone. So, its time for me to get up and get going here, and with my art.

All the boxes are still not unpacked, but enough to start some new projects. I wear many hats when it comes to creativity. I like too many different mediums, but its all good. Maybe it is best that some boxes remain sealed until I have more room to spread it all out. LOL. We are only renting here for a year, so we'll see how it goes.

I have been doing some graphic design work. My friend Susie needed a new banner for Etsy, so here is the end result. You'll have to check out her offerings there when she gets her Etsy shop up and running.
http://www.farmhousepantry.etsy.com/

A little primitive and a little vintage retro, but all good things from the old farmhouse pantry and kitchen.

Also, I've been working on my new picturetrail for Pumpkin Moon Primitives. I love early primitive decor and collectibles, and decided to expand my presence online by trying it. I have wanted to have my own website, and this is the next best thing for me.

This is my ad above that will appear in the August issue of Mercantile Gatherings magazine. http://www.mercantilegatherings.com/ Hopefully, it will generate customers to my picturetrail site and encourage other prim lovers to swap banners with me. The treasure hunt itself, to find neat primitive items is a wonderful hobby that my husband and I enjoy together.

So here is a link to:

www.picturetrail.com/pumpkinmoonprimitives

I hope you will check it out. Right now, I'm still photographing and frantically listing items, so that when the August issue is shipped, I'm ready. Of course, I still continue to sell my personalized items on Ebay and Etsy, but I'm excited about this new venture. Well, the coffee cup needs to be refilled, the hubby is off to work, so best get busy myself.

~Robbie~

THE FURNITURE IS SOMEWHAT ARRANGED

2011-06-07T16:37:00.000-05:00

Boy, moving all my "stuff" after 15 years in 1 place has been a REAL hassle. I have unpacked and unpacked boxes and have no more room to unpack another. So, back into boxes a great deal of "stuff" is going, and will be labeled "YARD SALE", which I will have with my Mom later in the year. But, at least you can get an idea of my love of primitives from these few photos. Some items will be sold on etsy and ebay. "sniff"..."sniff"...it can all be replaced one day, when I get a larger place, if blessed to do so. Just wanted to keep you posted as I move forward on this move! I cannot wait until I have time for creativity again.

SUN & FUN and the MOVING IS ALMOST DONE

2011-05-21T08:49:00.000-05:00

The Furniture Got Moved

2011-05-15T11:58:00.000-05:00

Well, you may have wondered where I've been for months now. It all started back the Monday after Thanksgiving weekend. My husband was laid off from his job of 12 years. The remainder of 2010 and the holidays really sucked as far as the news of the layoff. Gary and I had been discussing for 3 years, our wishes to move to Florida to be near family. I grew up in Quincy, Florida, and my Mother and my sister still live in Tallahassee, Fla. So the job hunt was on for Gary.

He spent most of January and part of February in New Orleans, LA, working a temporary job in an oil refinery. We are blessed to have friends there that helped him get the job, but it only lasted about 3 weeks, being a temporary inspection type job. But, Gary got his TWIC Card which was needed to work in ports around the country, so that was a plus, because Florida is surrounded by water..LOL.

With the encouragement of friends and family, Gary landed a job in Green Cove Springs, Fla, doing the same work he had here in Tennessee. He stayed with our son and his family in Mayport, FL, and commuted for the past 3 months driving over an hour one way to work and back each day, in heavy traffic. That was a nightmare and the gas consumption sure didn't help. As for me, I remained in Tennessee working and packing the house. Gary's parents drove out from Oregon and stayed almost 2 months helping me. Finally, I went down and stayed with our son for about a week to a week and 1/2 looking for housing in Green Cove Springs. God really blessed us and answered prayers that trip. We had prayed that doors would open to find a place to rent for a year, until we could see if we liked the area. Ironically, a small 2 bedroom place came available, on 2 acres of land. The rental contract was signed for 1 year, and Gary now only has to commute 5 miles to work. It has been over 15 years since he had such a short commute to work.

The furniture has been moved, but I'm back in Tennessee winding up some priorities here. We will either list our home for sale or rent it out. Just not sure yet, but doing some cosmetic things to it right now, small upgrades, etc. Gary and I have been apart more than we like, but this challenge has pulled us closer and within 2 weeks, I hope to be back down in Green Cove Springs, unpacking and getting my "art" and "office" set back up and get back to creating. I will post more as these next 2 weeks progress with the work here. As for Gary, he is enjoying his weekend, planting a garden and flowers down at the place in Green Cove Springs. I'm excited that we will only be 1 hr from our son and his family, and about 2 1/2 hrs from my Mom and other family in Tallahassee area.

So with that, I best get busy. Thanks for your patience during this move!

SWEET REDWORK TEA TOWEL & Yo Yo's

2011-03-17T20:27:00.000-05:00

http://busyascanbe.blogspot.com/

This blog is just plain eye candy, and her prescious redwork tea towel complete with sweet calico yo yo trim is just plain cottage-y to the max! Love it!