Sassafras Hill Primitives Blog

Romeow Romeow

2012-01-26T09:12:00.000-05:00

I've finished up a small batch of OOAK items and will be headed out to Crossroads in Somers CT this afternoon.

I am especially fond of this little guy, and created him for one of my kindred cat lover friends...

It's been a rough couple of weeks, with sinus, ear, and toothache things going on.... That all seems to be resolved, thankfully. It's hard to be creative when not feeling that great!

Now that I'm feeling good I have gone out and purchased a new computer, long overdue, and updated all my programs. What a huge ordeal... Nothing looks the same and I am having lots of duh moments here. After several days of fighting with it, I think I have my stuff moved over and I mostly remember which buttons do what.

My son was gifted with the other "new" computer, so he will stay off mine! The slowmo computer is headed out for some maintenance then will be put back to work...

I did manage to finish up the pattern for Romeow, the last of my Valentines... It took longer than usual to make everything work like it should!

From Me To Thee

2012-01-12T18:06:00.000-05:00

Hope you're all having a wonderful January.... once again we dodged the snow, with only a bit of heavy rain today. It's still looking like early spring, except for the snowmen in the windowboxes! But things can change rapidly in New England.

I spent part of the day making more of the ticking Valentines banners for etsy and for my site, and writing out the first pattern of the year, although I am working on writing several, as time permits.

Finished product as well as paper pattern and epattern can be found on my website and on etsy.

Enjoy your evening!

2012 Valentines Special

2012-01-04T17:37:00.005-05:00

Hope your holidays were happy ones. Ours was wonderful, and we spent a great deal of time cleaning, organizing, and doing a bit of renovating.
2011 was a rough year all around, with an abundance of hardship in the mix. Hubby has still not found a job... keep him in your prayers please.
We made it through, but the passing to 2012 was most welcome here!

Cupids, Leprechauns, Bunnies.... just a few of the newest creations coming to life on Sassafras Hill. I'm working on some sweet! valentine ornies and thought I'd offer the newest designs as printables.

JANUARY WEBSITE SPECIAL

Set of 4
olde time printable
Valentine Advertisements

emailed as individual resizable jpgs.

Hart and Hart
Kissimee Confectionary
Love Letters
Heartstring Flower Shoppe

$10.00 for all four - January only!

I hope to get some more listings up this month.... lots of new patterns being written. Add yourself to the mailing list should you wish to be updated.

Have a great 2012!

Folk Art Festival of New England

2011-10-27T07:57:00.000-04:00

Well, we are packed and just about ready to leave for Marlborough. This is one of my favorite shows, with many phenomenal artists.

This month has passed very quickly, in fact the whole year has been a flash. I am doing shows for the next four weekends...busy, busy, and beyond busy. I enjoy the shows, but I'm scaling back next year and will be spending more time hunkered in and writing patterns. I will be offering more finished product on my website too.... That had been the plan for this year, but when hubby lost his job, I reacted by signing up for far too many shows. Which means I'm working hard to create enough product, and not enjoying as much as I wish! A bit stressful...

Anyway, this will be my first little burst of Christmas offerings.... hope you can come out for the show!

Crossroads October Offerings

2011-10-09T14:52:00.000-04:00

I've updated my offerings at Crossroads Gift Shop in Somers CT. Included is a selection of hand done autumn prims, signs, and my feedsack lamps. Towards the end of the month I'll be adding some winter items and will be on hand during the Dickens weekend with some one of a kind items.

A Somers Day

2011-09-03T19:17:00.006-04:00

How exciting it is for the first show of the autumn season to be here. It crept up very quickly! We will be doing shows for the next several weeks.

Tomorrow, SUNDAY, September 4th, we will be displaying at the Somers Day of Arts and Crafts, on Route 190 in Somers, CT. You can find us in booth 14, on the front sidewalk. I love this show! It's a homey small town show, with world class crafters. Just the right size. Hope you can come out and spend some time with us! It looks like the weather will be perfect. Further info can be found on the blog for the show.... A Somers Day of Arts and Crafts

A peek at last year's display....

Have a fabulous weekend!

Offerings for August

2011-08-01T06:47:00.008-04:00

I've been quite busy preparing for my upcoming shows, and have posted my remaining show listing on both my website and blog.

If you need any further directions, or would like to place an order before showtime, let me know.

a typical morning view out my back door!

I had a nice weekend. Saturday I visited Hanging Mountain Farm in Westhampton MA, had a hearty breakfast at their Strawbale Cafe, and brought home a bunch of old sugar buckets. Thank you Linda for sharing the day with me, it was fun!!!

Sunday hubby and I took a longgg trip and purchased a van load of cedar posts for some upcoming projects for the shows. He will be making a bunch of scarecrows, some of them smaller, which will make it easier to ship for my online requests. It was nice to get away if just for a little while.

I have a few new offerings for this month.
You may find these items on Arts Aflutter....

sold, thank you :-)

And these are my listings on the Olde Primitive Peddlar...

sold... thank you :-)

sold, thank you :-)

New July Listings

2011-07-01T00:01:00.040-04:00

It's been a busy month with two craft fairs and working in the gardens! I have 1st of the month listings in two groups this month. Please check out both sites! I'm honored to be an artist in both, and there are some fabulous listings!

July Listings / Arts a Flutter

Above is a peek at the listings I have on Arts a Flutter....They're OOAK and the prices include shipping to your door!

July Listings / Olde Primitive Peddler

And this is a peek at my listings on the Olde Primitive Peddler. Also OOAK items, and the price includes shipping.
And be sure to sign up for the raffle! The artists have donated some great items to celebrate our grand opening!

The Olde Primitive Peddler

2011-06-23T14:25:00.000-04:00

Please join us for the grand opening July 1st, and check out the awesome prizes!

Arts AFlutter May Listings

2011-04-29T12:52:00.000-04:00

The weather here has taken a turn for the better. Hubby and I have spent much of the time working on some new garden creations for ourselves, and to bring along for the show at Walker Homestead.

Time passes so quickly.... this month has been a flash. I did manage to finish up a few things for my May listing on Arts Aflutter!

Have a beautiful day wherever you are...

Have a Merry Little Easter!

2011-04-23T19:45:00.000-04:00

May you and yours have a wonderful day, and many more!

Earth Day Artist Banner

2011-04-15T07:45:00.000-04:00

Earth Day is a little more than a week away, but it should be in our hearts and minds more than once a year. That's the beauty of being a primitive artist. Daily we embrace the concepts of reuse, recycle, revive, restore...

You are welcome to use this banner on your webspace, studio, or sales display!

Have a beautiful day!

another new pattern

2011-04-12T11:46:00.001-04:00

A rainy overcast day here, one of at least a few expected this week. That's not a bad thing when you're a gardener, especially after our drought last summer.

Instead of working outside in the gardens today, I'm nesting inside and writing another pattern request.

These little skeps have sold very well for me at the spring and summer shows.

I hope to be finished and posted by this evening, if all goes well today.

Enjoy your day!

I finally finished and got it posted. Thank goodness because the computer was acting up all day!

Now to work on a few kittycats for Crossroads.... special request.

Pattern Writing Today

2011-04-09T17:09:00.000-04:00

Just a little quickie.... the weather is so-o grand here today.. This is hands down my favorite time of year, just before everything springs to life.... so much promise. It feels a bit like Christmas eve :-)

I haven't written patterns since last year sometime. It's hard to believe it's been so long. I need a pattern writer for sure, because I'd much rather design and stitch.

I have kept a list of requests, but am first trying to do some of the current ones while they're fresh on my mind.

I feel a bit rusty, but finished the first this afternoon.

These little ladies were great sellers, both at Crossroads, and at the show.

I had an order for another set, and that worked out well.

Just taking a break before the final proof reading, then I will post later this evening.

Hope you're having a beautiful weekend!

Merry Spring!

2011-04-07T11:56:00.000-04:00

What a nice week it's been so far. We started off by finishing up the tax work and unpacking from the show, a little at a time. No big rush now that the show's over. It feels so good to relax again.I'm working on some orders for most of the week, which is also nice. I finished a luminary shop order yesterday, plus these eggs for a sweet deerfield friend, as they sold out before she got any. I also wrote the tutorial while it was fresh on my mind!

Today I'm making chicks in skirts and turnips, also both for orders.... they all sold out at Deerfield. Tommorrow I hope to take another trip to Crossroads with some more signs and some spring prims for the garden room. The back door is open and the fresh air feels good. I hope it's nice where you are!

Deerfield Spring Sampler Craft Fair

2011-04-02T20:12:00.001-04:00

Thank you, thank you everyone who came out to see us.... It is such a tremendous rush to see you all, always, but even more so after being cooped up and enduring this harsh winter. I have come home with a very happy heart tonight.

It was an exhilarating but exhausting day. One more day to go 10 - 5 Sunday.. My friend Linda and my son Josh were wonderful... such a tremendous help. I am so greatful for their support! It was a bit overwhelming at times even with their help! We were crushed with customers as soon as the doors opened and it continued like that for hours.

I still have some great pieces left, but it's definately thinned out a lot which will make packing to go home so much easier! That's a beautiful thing!

I've taken a few orders for things that were snatched up, and am willing to do a few more before starting in the gardens. Also I have some more Easter things at Crossroad in Somers, Ct.

A couple of booth pictures.... not the best, but whatever. I spent a bit too much time gabbing and forgot to take pictures til the doors opened. I had to move quickly at that point!

I jam-pack my booth for a show like this, because there is no way to refill once it gets busy. If it looks cluttery that's why. Almost everything I made for the show is out....

Well off to be a couch potato for a little while!

Sassafras Hill on Arts A Flutter

2011-03-31T17:27:00.001-04:00

A glimpse of my OOAK listings on Arts a Flutter this month.

Am extra prim spotted hare....

An aged seed packet banner...

A prim rag stuffed dolly....

and a wren, nesting in an aged sock...

Lots of other really cool stuff this month too, visit and check out the other artist's creations...

The van is packed and we are almost ready for Deerfield this weekend.
I'm still pricing and signing some creations.
Just like christmas shopping, always at the last moment, even if I say I'll do better next time!

Deerfield Spring Sampler

2011-03-30T07:44:00.001-04:00

Hope you'll Bee there :-) We can be found in booth 106.

I've been working on prim dolls, birds and bunnies, feedsacks, bees and flowers for the show.
We're going to be blessed with a warm sunny weekend, after a snowstorm during setup. Hopefully this will be the last snow.... we've all had enough already!

Olde Eggs Printable Label Freebie

2011-03-22T11:31:00.004-04:00

just a little something for your Easter decorating....
I'm using this design for Easter bucket labels and muslin sacks for eggs. Thought I'd share it with you so you can make some too!
Enjoy!

in the meantime I've been working hard on wholesale orders and preparing for Deerfield Spring Sampler, just around the corner.... Can't wait for the show. I will also bring another batch of things to Crossroads this week.

Should you need tickets for Deerfield I have some extras, let me know!

Crossroad Gifts Offerings

2011-02-15T10:04:00.000-05:00

This past week I had the pleasure of setting up shop at Crossroads Gifts in Somers, CT, which can be found at the junction of Rts 190 and 83. I hope to offer an expanded selection of prim goods usually found only at my shows. I have started with a glimpse of Easter and Spring, which is always a pleasure after a long cold winter.

under the weather

2011-01-16T13:33:00.000-05:00

oh, what an awful week this past one was! I started strong by getting lots of orders finished and some prim Easter things ready for my first show of the season.

Then came the blizzard and since then I have been under the weather!!!

I'm so sick with the flu, and this bout will serve as a future reminder not to neglect my yearly flu shot!

It was put off and then forgotten because of too many shows and other goings on. sigh!

I'm taking one last day to rest and mope and plan for the new week. The only remaining symptom is a bad sinusy headache, and that's minor in comparison to the last couple of days...

All website orders for the week are ready to mail first thing in the morning... not sure if the mailman will be here due to MLK day.

looking ahead, I am pleased to have the opportunity to offer some of my prims in a nearby shop, details to be announced!

Winter Storm Benedict

2011-01-12T12:10:00.000-05:00

Scene from my back door... it's still snowing like the dickens here! This is the first substantial snow we've seen this year.

I like to watch the birds at the feeders and asked Matt not to enclose the back porch this year. It's covered anyway and protected from most of the snow. Of course it hasn't looked like this in awhile... Oh well.

Hard to see but it's drifting. We have over 20". I might take a walk later...

Miss Mimmy said it's a good day for a catnap!!! Or to watch mom do some stitching.
I'm goofing off on Facebook, and working on my egg dolls.
Matt is off work today and shoveling.
James is off school and also shoveling.

Have a good day wherever you are!

Goodbye 2010

2010-12-31T11:21:00.000-05:00

Another year behind us...
I'm enjoying this last day of 2010, tidying up my craft room a bit more and stitching some new bunny designs. As always, there are simply not enough hours in a day!
This past year has been a very difficult one, but there are many blessings to be thankful for, and that's how I wish to remember this year. Goodbye 2010!

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-18T12:36:00.001-05:00

Castleberry Christmas Show - Hartford CT

2010-12-02T13:03:00.000-05:00

This is my last show in a very busy year, and I am looking forward to it. I have spent the greater part of the last week and a half stitching as fast as I could, to have a decent showing after nearly selling out at the last two shows. Many more gingers, snowkids, and those little mice!!! Thank goodness for all the totes of UFOs that hubby persuaded me to hold on to, they saved me for sure! Anyway I am exhausted, and am done stitching.... I've done all I can possibly do, and that's got to be good enough. It's been a very heartwarming year and I feel like I have stitched a million stitches! Thank you all my beautiful customers.... I've enjoyed every moment, laughing and crying with you, and I am humbled by your friendship and support. It makes what I do so worthwhile! I hope you can visit the show. With gratitude... Denise