Thursday, June 21, 2007

Primitive Decorating

There are some folks that are still new to primitive decor and are not sure how to implement it in their homes. I found this article that I thought might be of help to our customers that are just learning about primitives.


How To Compliment The Primitive Decorating Theme With Charming Accessories

By Lee Dobbins


Accessories are the finishing touches of any interior design and will help pull your Primitive decorating theme together. This interior design style works well with primitive, unadorned pieces which help enhance the comfortable and warm sense of warmth and simplicity. Select captivating additions to your decor like wall art, knick-knacks, and pillows that add the finishing touches to your primitive décor to finish the decor.



Wall art adds drama to any design, but you should know how to hang it appropriately for the best effect. When displaying art, think like a gallery and have the center of the piece at eye level. If you have many pieces to use on one wall, lay them out on the floor first to select the best arrangement. To round out your Primitive decorating theme, try displaying folk art in plain frames.



Knick Knacks add charm as well as style to your decorating approach. To add to your primitive country decorating, select knick knacks with a comfortable and warm feel. For a decorative touch try a graduated set of pantry boxes stacked on a table or in the corner or having antique baskets filled with dried flowers. Take the time to select distinct items that really reflect your personality. If you don’t have an ample supply of funds, you might want to try shopping at the local flea markets and yard sales where you should be able to find intriguing pieces for little money.



Envision adding vintage signs, folk art, and tramp art for more of a feeling of warmth and simplicity. When buying your decorative pieces, however, you should be certain they are in keeping with the decorating scheme and also have some sort of matching aspects with each other. If you buy accessories in a hurry, then you may end up diluting the look and feel you are attempting to develop.



To add softness as well as benefit your decorating theme, decorative pillows could be a pleasing choice. Pillows add a caring touch and look charming in any room including the kitchen, dining room and bathroom. Pillows will be a suitable compliment to the bedroom when arranged up against the headboard. Pillows can add softness to the bath or kitchen - think about using one on the hamper or on a kitchen chair in a corner. If you can’t afford new furniture for your family room or living room, decorative pillows can help give the primitive country decorating look to your old pieces. Add an interesting touch to your decor with pillows that are plain and simple.



Utilizing primitives such as old boxes and baskets can add an inviting look to your Primitive decorating theme. It’s critical, however, that you have a vision of the types of pieces you need so you can stick to purchasing exactly those that suit. Size matters, so go around the room and figure out the size of rugs, lamps, wall art and accessories you would like and buy accordingly. If you decorate with these rules, you’ll be able to decorate your space with decorative pieces that look appealing with each other.




Lee Dobbins writes for http://www.decorate456.com where you can learn more about different decorating styles and get more information on Primitive decorating style.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Dobbins
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Compliment-The-Primitive-Decorating-Theme-With-Charming-Accessories&id=551720

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Alexis' Day Out

Yesterday we took a day off from work to take Alexis (she is 2 1/2) to Lincoln's Boyhood Home at Lincoln City, Indiana and to Lincoln State Park for a picnic. It was her first picnic! She enjoyed herself so much. We plan on doing lots of activities like this with her this summer. IF you would like to share a family outing with your primitive friends email us and we will post it here on the blog.

email: villagedepot@cebridge.net



The Old Glory Company would like to share this free pattern with our readers. Please visit their site for more wonderful grungy patterns. They are also having a Trick or Treat Giveaway going on and have new Fall Patterns available.
To access the Grungy Pumpkin Head Scarecrow click on this link.

The Grubby Doll Look

The Grubby Doll Look


“Grubby” is the word I kept hearing around the craft circuit. To me grubby meant grimy. So I decided to get to the bottom of this and find out the big deal with grubbing a doll and what it really meant in crafters terms. So I decided to ask a fellow crafter “What Is Grubby? To my surprise I found out that it’s another word for aged or old and that it gives your dolls that dirty look. Now at first I thought to myself “Why would I want to make my dolls look dirty”. Then I did a few of my dolls and realized they are not really dirty looking but a bit more primitive.


So to get “The Grubby Doll Look”, you can use a tea mixture, coffee or Walnut Ink. I decided to go with Walnut Ink, since I seem to drink too much coffee or tea to keep any left over for my dolls.


Where do you purchase Walnut Ink? Try various craft sites and also E-bay sells them. Now this does not mean to go out and make all your dolls look grubby, has you may or may not like the look. Trust me; I was skeptical in the beginning so it’s best to start out with 1-2 dolls at a time.


Once you have grubbed up a few dolls, try selling them at your next craft show. This is a great way to introduce a new doll to your customers and also find out if they are acceptable. It is always good to test your market before going overboard with a new product.


Now of course I don’t listen to my own advice and have done well with making these sort of dolls. I even sold a few on Ebay. So if you decide to jump in and just go nuts with making grubby dolls, remember I warned you.


Also know that each target market area is different and some people may not know what grubby is so be prepared to answer the question “What is Grubby”.


Author: Talena Bacon tdsewcutedoll@gmail.com


Bio: © 2008 –All Rights Reserved~~~Talena Bacon is the owner of Sew Cute Dolls & More and Mulberry Creek Mercantile She is a doll maker, pattern designer and advertising specialist. Talena specializes in Primitive/Country dolls, home décor and low-cost advertising for all businesses. http://www.sewcutedolls.com http://www.mulberrycreekmercantile.com


You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print, your e-books or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author byline above is included. Copy and Paste the article including authors byline to use this article.


Digi Scrap Kits - Trina Clark Designs!



Primitive Country Clipart, MySpace Layouts, Printables (labels, hang tags, & gift tags), Digi Scrapbook Papers/Kits, & More - All for Immediate Download! Use my primitive country graphics to create many different types of crafts, web graphics or desktop publishing projects for personal and commercial use - all without any extra commercial fees!
Go Shopping Now!

Linda's E-Books

I get asked a LOT - "How do you design a doll e-pattern?" So, a few months ago I wrote a FREE 4-part series of articles on "How to Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern" and thought that maybe all of you might like it if I created a FREE .PDF E-Book from that series of articles. So, I did. Now everyone who wants to try and design their own doll or craft patterns or e-patterns can find out how to do it. I hope you enjoy my FREE Linda's How-Do-I Series? How To Create A Print Pattern and E-Pattern E-Book and hope it motivates you to create your own e-patterns. Linda

Old Fashioned Rag Balls

by Mary Roberson

Ragballs are fun and easy to make! They look great displayed in Mason Jars or in Baskets, Bowls and Small Buckets. Add them inside a Glass Mason Jar Lamp instead of Rosehips, or in addition to your Fixins, for a unique twist!

Click here for directions on making Old Fashion Rag Balls.