Sassafras Hill Primitives Blog

Primitive Handmades Mercantile April Update

2022-04-21T06:55:00.005-04:00

Greetings all. Tonight's the night for this month's update. 9 pm eastern time on Primitive Handmades Mercantile. Today I will also be adding to my website. At this time I can't take on any orders or allow any presales... I need to keep things as simple as I possibly can while caregiving my momma.

January Creations for Primitive Handmades Mercantile

2021-01-19T19:04:00.000-05:00

Hello all! It’s been a busy seven weeks since we’ve moved in with my momma. She keeps us hopping but we’ve settled into a routine that’s working for all of us. I’m finding I have much less time for online posting if I want to keep my creations going. It’s been hard to find the right balance. Most days we pass out and sleep very well. I’ve been creating up a storm this month and the first listings will be on Primitive Handmades Mercantile. I will try to list on the website also.

Sadly Deerfield Spring Sampler cancelled. I’m obviously relieved, but miss the shows so much!

Customer Apprecation Giveaway on Primitive Handmades Mercantile

2020-12-17T08:37:00.003-05:00

This is an awesome opportunity to score some cash to purchase amazing artist creations. It runs tonight from 9 pm until the twentieth of next month!

Primitive Handmades Mercantile Update Thursday

2020-12-14T17:13:00.000-05:00

Good evening all... I’m ending my year by joining Primitive Handmades Mercantile. I was over the moon excited when I received the invite. I’ve admired this uber talented group of artists for a very long time. I haven’t been in a group for what seems like forever because the shows took every spare moment. This year we’ve slowed down and I’ve appreciated the slower pace. This is my happy ending to a very bittersweet year...

I have some sweet offerings ready for winter, valentines, and everyday... They’ll be available for the update Thursday, December 17, at 9 pm Eastern. Join us...

Primitive Dolls Update

2020-08-29T08:01:00.003-04:00

Good morning all...

I’m up before the birds this morning, after a dreadful night’s sleep. Too many things lately to keep me up at night. Rain showers are starting our morning and for that I’m most thankful. But for our gardens it’s too little and too late... I will be updating and adding several dolls to the website today. I will send an email out to my subscribers prior to going live. Did I tell you I’d rather be stitching than taking photos, writing descriptions, finding boxes and calculating postage? 😂 oh I’m sure I have!

Have a nice weekend!

#websiteupdatecomingsoon #handmadeinamerica #sassafrashillprimitives #primitivedolls #handmadecreations

Time for The Big Girl Panties

2020-08-22T07:07:00.003-04:00

This year is too much! The shows I do and the wonderful people who come out to them are my lifeblood.

They give focus to my work and goals to achieve. Every show I plan to the last detail so I can build a better display than the time before. I find that level of stress works for me. Also it’s just the right amount of distraction from things I need distracting from. Ha!

So... yesterday I happened across the posting from Old Deerfield and not only is the Autumn show cancelled, but also the Holiday Sampler. I’m too sad for words. And yes, I am relieved too, because it’s safer to stay home and not be surrounded by huge crowds.

And then I checked Old Wethersfield and they had also just posted and canceled. That was the last opportunity for this year. So... I will keep making, because it’s what I do. It’s just harder creating and not having visions of awesome primitive displays swirling through my head! I will miss my people and the hustle and bustle of the shows.... the hugs, the heartwarming response to my creations, and another job well done. 😢

A Folky Pear Pincushion is Yesterday's Creation

2020-08-18T12:14:00.002-04:00

Happy Tuesday all.... Yesterday's creation is a printed vintage advertising pincushion, stitched from beautiful natural linen fabric. I adore pincushions of every kind and have a vast collection. I also enjoy creating them. Not only are they fun to collect but they're also functional.

This started off as a completely different project but evolved into it's current form. A happy meandering day sometimes brings the best creations... I listed the instant download pattern if you'd like to create your own. I also listed the pattern model. This would be a great gift for one of your stitchy friends!

Have a happy meandering August day...

Autumn Creations and Pattern Writing

2020-08-13T18:39:00.000-04:00

It was another hot August day here in Connecticut.

I finished two more masks this morning because who knows how long we'll be needing them. It sounds like forever. And I don't even go anywhere, but we wouldn't want to run out, would we?! I have a huge stack made for family and friends... Because don't we all want gorgeous civil war reproduction prints? Haha! I really want something cool and fun, but I'm not fabric shopping anytime soon.

Then I finished up a pattern I had started writing back many moons ago, one of my first autumn pumpkin guys ... before the shows got real and I stopped! I didn't like the photos I took... too sunny. I tried a few more times throughout the day. Go figure... the first photo was the one I went with. The pattern is available in both mailed paper copy and instant download. The finished product is spoken for. I promise I will keep trying to add finished!

I've been stitching and painting and sanding like crazy. I do everything in huge batches, so finishing doesn't come quickly. I usually fly by the seat of my pants until the September shows and wrap it up right before, but I'm trying to mend my ways for this year. Maybe it will be the start of something new.

Pumpkin Roulette Anyone

2020-08-05T18:08:00.004-04:00

My yearly tradition is a pumpkin parade on the clothesline! I'm not sure I trust this clothesline. It's a bit ragged, but we'll see what happens. Just keep adding one more, and another, and maybe another? Can I reach the treeline? Ha... It's no fun picking them off the lawn and garden. And it wouldn't be the first time! I have a mountain of unfinished work to paint over the next days.... Hopefully the weather will hold up for it.

I'm extremely thankful we emerged from yesterday's storm mostly unscathed. Over 700,000 power outages in Connecticut. Scary stuff for sure. My monstrous trees were flipping around in the wind for hours like floppy little ragdolls. So many trees are down all over town. I think my prayers were answered. I lost my beloved trumpet vine I grow for the hummers, but really it's been a chore keeping it tame over the past years, so maybe it's a blessing!

A few beautiful hot days and I'm extremely motivated to keep the painting going and get some finished creations listed on the website. Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list on the website to be in the know. And be sure to confirm when you get the email, or you will not receive my emails. Happy August!

Big Beautiful Sunflowers Pattern

2020-08-04T11:30:00.005-04:00

Happy Tuesday all! We are hunkered down waiting for Isaias to pass.... Ugggh, high winds and tornado watch are our biggest fears this time of year, when the trees are fully leafed out! Both our house and my momma's are surrounded by gigantic trees. We are as ready as we can be and praying for the best.

In the meantime I finished another bunch of creations and got another pattern written.

After the storm we will enjoy several perfect days for finishing my mountain of pumpkin creations! I will post finished product on the website as soon as I can.

Enjoy your summer week!

Olde Pumpkin Jack Pattern

2020-08-01T22:18:00.002-04:00

Always one of my favorite things to create.... prim olde pumpkinhead dolls of all sorts. I've finally had a moment to get this prim guy posted in pattern form and will be listing the pattern model this week.

Enjoy your Sunday and Happy August.

Mercantile Print Pumpkins Pattern

2020-07-30T10:51:00.003-04:00

Good Thursday morning all.

I promised to get this tutorial written this week, and it's just now listed on my website... It's available as an instant download only.

So... I came home yesterday after an awfully busy and really kinda dreadful day, to a surprise package left at my door. I was glad it wasn't seeds from China! Ha....

A dear sweet soul purchased the most beautiful blown glass hummingbird feeder for my little friends. I wept big elephant tears for quite awhile.... I'm not used to getting treated well. I am so smitten with my gift. My job this after lunch with mom is to find a special place for it!!! I'm really excited and so grateful. Thank you my friend!!!

Heading off to my mom's for her last visiting nurse visit... Yay. We're keeping her well. And then hopefully our family can settle into a quieter peaceful August.

Stay safe and well all...

Kitchen Garden Gourds Pattern

2020-07-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Happy Wednesday All !

Just a quick good morning before I start this too busy day!!! The website is working out quite well. I've added another of my fall show favorites as an instant download and as a paper pattern. The finished gourds will be listed later in small groupings for your autumn displays.

A busy busy week here, but no complaints as we head into the dog days of summer. Hope you're well and enjoying summer :-)

Bitty Bats Pattern

2020-07-26T10:50:00.003-04:00

Good Sunday all.... I managed to get out and do a Hobby Lobby shopping trip this past Thursday and gathered up all the orange paint I could find for my rather monstrous pumpkin pile. I got home and checked my emails and guess what?!?!? Deerfield Fall Craft Show has also been canceled. Crocodile tears happened, as well as a happy dance. What a freaking bizarre year. Matthew and I were intending to be there, and had it planned out to the last detail to keep us and our customers safe... A bit scared about it, but now that it's off the table we can relax. The pressure is off. I really think we are done with shows for the year. :(
I have been stitching and stuffing ferociously and will continue, because what else does one do? I finished a pattern this morning. Will do some writing as time permits and listing of some finished product.
Mom is well. Kitties are good. Our gardens are going gangbusters. We're eating some great food. My kids are all well. So many things to be thankful for.

Bitty Bats Pattern in paper format, instant download, and finished product is up on the website. Tap the photo to go see :)

Enjoy the remaining days of July....

Time to Make The Pumpkins

2020-07-03T09:07:00.001-04:00

Happy Fourth of July Weekend all! May your weekend be amazing! A quiet weekend here, just how we like it...

I've been up to my neck in pumpkin making. I have listed a few on my website,, mostly for practice with the shipping details. Just a peek!

Local delivery is available also. Not sure what will happen with our shows...

off for a meetup this morning, then more making :-) Happy weekend!

Autumn Handmades

2020-07-01T04:38:00.006-04:00

It's been the most productive spring season in sassafras land... However I can't say I'm sorry to see it pass. This will be a year not soon forgotten!

I have started summer off with a big bang by working on offerings for autumn. This is an uncertain year and I haven't quite figured out what to work on. One of our favorite fall shows, Walker Homestead, has been cancelled. I am rather hopeful the rest will follow suit. Knowing what we go through to participate in our shows, I can't think of any possible way that they would be safe, for ourselves, or for our dear customers!

I will be writing some fall patterns this year, and I do feel blessed to be able to work on the new website. It has given me new focus on my humble beginnings. I've updated and added most of my early feedsack luminary and printable designs as instant downloads. Many of my cloth designs are also instant downloads. It's so much easier for me to handle them with mom's care mixed in with my daily duties.... I will also be accepting paper pattern orders and finished luminary bags, when time permits. It's all still a work in progress, unfolding a bit more every day. Handmade finished items and a few supplies will be also available. I'm awaiting a box order.... no way I'll be groveling around the supermarket for empty boxes in the midst of a pandemic!!!

so.... this is some of what I'm up to.

Next thing is waiting on a patch of dry and sunny weather to fill the clothesline for my annual painted pumpkins picture. That will be too fun... One of my favorite summer things. I am ahead of schedule this year!

"Til then, be good, and be well. ~ Denise

The Lazy Days of Summer

2020-06-20T13:35:00.001-04:00

ummm... no lazies here!

I've had extremely busy days and find myself wishing for more hours to complete everything. I've spent some hours during the week on more behind the scenes stuff for the website. I'm not rushing it because I want to make sure I'm happy with it. I'm taking my time and pondering each step. My son is helping me with my label files... it seems my computer resized everything at some point. I wasn't aware of it... I thought my eyesight was going. Some of the old I will retire and some will be reworked. And there are new designs. All will be listed when ready and when time permits.

Much time has been spent in the gardens and they are fabulous this year. I am going to allow myself the time to enjoy them.

We are geeking out on the birds... hummers, orioles, bluebirds, finches, wrens, a huge woodpecker population, and more. Because we're in a heatwave I've put out extra birdbaths for all. Matthew is working on oriole feeders today. I’m so thankful for all his hard work, every day.

I worked on a new fabric pattern, the first in many years, and some punchneedle designs that I'm anxious to start punching. And I am stuffing like crazy. I've been staying up late every evening.... my kitties are always near.

As always every day we spend our time with my mom. Her knee is troublesome again but we're keeping her out of pain and well otherwise. I'm thankful to have her home even on the hard days. We will spend the coming months mostly at home so we can all stay safe and well. Although I’m a homebody by nature and happy in my own little world, some days it gets to me... today was hard, knowing we would have been at Walker Homestead having the time of our lives.

‘Til next time, be well and have a happy summer!

So many blessings...

2020-06-13T09:36:00.000-04:00

What does one do when confronted by the restrictions presented by Covid-19 ? We have stayed busy almost every moment. After the initial shock of social distancing we realized that this was pretty much our normal anyway.

2020... I started the year off suffering from shingles for close to two months. I certainly hope never to do that again! Then pulled it together and managed to get through the Deerfield Spring Sampler and have the best time ever.

The next weekend we went in social distancing protocol and soon afterwards we discovered that our next planned show was canceled for June.

So, as sad as I was over that, I soon realized that this was the opportunity to do things I normally have little time for. Much housework happened... Much gardening happened.

Much cooking happened.... we have tried so many new recipes.

and punchneedle turned into just the thing to take me away into my own little world and forget all else.

As always, creating is a part of every day life around here...

We are still keeping ourselves safe at this point. I've been out exactly twice. Once for a takeout Fisherman's platter eaten in the car after our favorite dairy bar opened for the season. And once to go plant shopping, mask and all. I will restrict my outings as long as possible to keep my momma safe.

Then this happened... A kind person informed me my website was down for days at least. This is not the first time. So, after many years I have taken on a new site and am in the process of building it... not an easy task, and not what I was intending to do with my time. It's a challenge, but needs to be done. A blessing in disguise for sure. I am now able to offer instant downloads on my patterns and old time labels. It will be awhile before I finish, but it's nice to have time...

and then life goes on... it's the weekend. A driveby birthday greeting, taking care of my momma, hubby replacing siding on one side of my shed.... a little crafting, a bit of punch, maybe a bit of website work. Life is good enough :-)

Seems like a year ago!

2020-04-08T11:01:00.002-04:00

So where did the time go? The craft fair was exactly a month ago! It’s been a very long and surreal month. We locked down the following weekend. Time has been spent taking care to keep ourselves and my momma and her caregiver well. It’s much harder than if it was just my own household. and it’s hard not to let the stress of the moment creep in. This too shall pass... but it seems forever.

Thank you so much to everyone who ventured out for the show. I hope you are all keeping well and finding better moments in this time. I am thankful for each and every one of you. Not sure when we’ll meet again but I am surely looking forward to it. ☺️

A Perfect Day for Walker Homestead Show!

2019-06-18T09:09:00.002-04:00

What an amazing day it was! The weather was picture perfect for setup and for show day. What a blessing. Kris and Paul put on another wonderful show! It was just what we needed, a day away with friends and fun. Thank you everyone who came out for a visit.

Walker Homestead...Our Next Show

2019-05-22T17:05:00.001-04:00

I've been stitching up a bunch of new creations for this show. I hope you'll come and visit :-)

Walker Homestead Spring 2019 Antiques and Primitives Show

Show Pics from Walker Homestead

2018-09-26T15:46:00.000-04:00

So, I am noticing that I am better at starting posts than finishing and publishing them..... this was a bunch of our booth photos from the Walker Homestead summer show in June. Yikes.... well anyway, here they are :-)

Walker Homestead Show is this Weekend!!!

2018-06-13T11:28:00.000-04:00

I've had a really great span of creating handmades for Walker Homestead while passing the hours caregiving to my mom. It helps bring peace to some otherwise very stressful days. I have done a bunch of all new designs while working on some of my old favorites too. It's hard to believe but the show is upon us and we are all packed. If I make anything more before I setup on Friday I will either have to sit on it or have it on my lap on the way up.... :-)

I simply can't wait.... for us this is a bit of respite and the weather looks like it will be stunning. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. ~ D

Spring Sampler

2018-03-09T10:52:00.001-05:00

Thank you everyone! I was surprised and touched by the outpouring of support we received. We had the best show ever and I came home with a much lighter load. I loved the booth this year. I was pleasantly taken aback by how colorful the booth became as I filled it. I certainly needed a breath of fresh air after a long winter of trudging through snow and mud and cold to spend my time next door :-)

and so now I am moving on ahead to creating for the next show and coming seasons....

a peek of our handmades for spring.

Next year we have already been granted a larger booth. Yay!

With gratitude.....

2018-03-09T07:21:00.002-05:00

Thank you everyone who came out to see us at the last few shows..... Walker Homestead, Deerfield and Old Wethersfield were all fabulous shows for us! It was enjoyable and heartwarming to get out and about, even if just for a few days.

hmmmm.... not sure why this didn't publish. I still had it saved in draft form, but sending it through today.