Inspiring Women: UpDate on Creating With Threads

 

Do you remember Marta, an Architect at the American University of Nigeria,

and her work with the LADIES OF YOLA?

She wrote:

There are 42 ladies involved in the program who have created and sold about 200 rugs, 20 sets of placemats and a few hand bags.  We are presently  working on an order of 480 rugs!!!! The materials used for weaving is  recycle strips of fabric from local tailors. 

This is the first time these ladies have done something for themselves and their earnings is allowing them to send their children to school, attend to medical difficulties but most of all is giving them confidence and empowerment. . .

Since they received the additional 33 RAG RUG LOOMS, these ladies have been weaving Rag Rugs like crazy. . .

 

They finished the year with great success. . . making more than 350 rugs additional rugs by the middle of December. . .Is this not INSPIRING?

If you missed the original post about the ladies of the CREATING WITH THREADS PROJECT and the heart-warming story of 6 year old HELIMA who weaves and sells placemats so that she is able to attend school. . . CLICK HERE

 

 

I can't tell you how thrilled John and I are to have been a part of this project. . .It's amazing how four little pieces of wood have made such a difference in people's lives. . .When we originally started making the looms, we were hoping organizations would benefit. . .especially the youth organizations such as SCOUTS  and 4-H. . .never dreaming how far-reaching the craft would go. . .Thanks to Marta and her foresight, the LADIES OF YOLA are bettering their lives. . .I think I can speak for all of us in. . .

 

Wishing the LADIES OF YOLA

another successful RAG RUG year!

 

 

Farmhouse Kitchen Color Trends for 2016

HEAD'S UP for this year's KITCHEN COLOR TREND. . .which continues to dominate the marketplace. . . from KITCHEN AND BATH BUSINESS NEWS:

 

"GRAY and WHITE. . .NATURE-INSPIRED HUES. . .deliver a blend of PEACE and POSITIVITY in 2016"

 

For a couple of years I've been enamored with soft shades of WHITE and GRAY for tranquility in our own home. . .utilizing neutrals that CALM the SOUL. . .

 

Recently, I came across an article in Kitchen and Bath Business--a trade magazine that keeps me up-to-date on new products and trends. . .I may live in a true FARMHOUSE, but that doesn't mean I can't latch onto some inspiration from present trends. . .What's really nice is when my decorating style lines up with the marketplace. . .I love saying to myself, "Well. . .I've been doing that for years!" (grin)

 

According to KBB, there's a trend toward SERENE due to our growing interconnectedness with social media causing us to spend a lot of our waking hours "staring at some sort of computer screen. . . As a result we have seen a shift to a more neutral and natural design aesthetic as an escape from the chaos that is everyday life."

 

GRAYS, SOFT WHITES, and other NEUTRAL PALETTES are the hottest trend for 2016 because after a busy day, we are ready for some 'CALM, SIMPLICITY, SPIRITUALITY, LESS-IS-MORE visual relief.' . .The neutral palettes are also a wonderful backdrop to add more color--if desired--at any time. . .

 

I've been thinking about our own kitchen for this coming year. . .It's time to repaint and refresh. . .We also have a sink to replace, which I hope will be one of those deep porcelain ones. . .so I began looking for inspiration. . .Here's a few that I selected at the BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS  and the KITCHEN AND BATH BUSINESS websites:

 

  

 

 

 

 

       

 

 

 

   

  



Notice the use of BLACK or a dark, smoky gray in some of the photos. . .They look much like our kitchen palette already. . .HMMMMM. . .

I do like the kitchens that are less cluttered  . . .Maybe I'll just up-date with fresh paint and put more items out of sight for a fresh, more contemporary look for 2016. . ."LESS IS MORE". . .or so they say. . .

 

Ideas anyone? Are you leaning toward this trend?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

Like Ghost Stories?

 

How about a true GHOST STORY to start your day?

I promised one in a previous post and have 'told my tale' over at DUNCAN FARMSTEAD. . .the story of a cat on the wall but nowhere in our little shack. . .It actually happened to me. . .

So pop on over there and read about my encounter. . .and enjoy the numerous photos of a vintage cotton plantation.

I'm knee deep in paperwork and taxes this week. . .but will have a Country Farm Home post for you soon. . .In the meantime. . .

 

AN EARLY MORNING GHOSTLY VISIT AT THE SHACK UP INN

 

 

 

 



Easy Red Velvet Cupcakes and Oreo Flowers...

 

I love surprising people throughout the year with little recognitions of how SPECIAL they are. . .I see no reason to only REMEMBER others at Christmastime. . .My brother has taught me that. . .He rarely sends GIFTS at holidays or birthdays. . .but throughout the year, PACKAGES may arrive 'out of the blue'. . .To tell you the truth, those little REMEMBRANCES touch me greatly. . .

 

And so, I took the opportunity to do something a little special for VALENTINE'S DAY and for a few of those whom we consider FRIENDS. . .as a Thank You. . .and hopefully to make them feel 'LOVED'  themselves. . .What's the best way to touch the HEART? . .HOME-BAKED GOODIES!!!

 

These Red Velvet Cupcakes with their cute Oreo Flowers are so, so SIMPLE. . .and you'll need very few ingredients. . .Actually, I made the first batch to test out an IDEA  I'd seen at a local bakery. . .It went so quickly and got the THUMBS UP from John's taste testing that I decided to make more. . .Honest. . .I spent maybe 45 minutes on the first fifteen cupcakes, not including the cooking time. . .Before the afternoon was over, I had red and pink all over the kitchen. . .but so HAPPY with the results. . . .

 

Since I can't send each of you a RED VELVET CUPCAKE. . .I'm doing the next best thing. . .Sharing the QUICK AND SIMPLE with you. . .

 

 

Isn't that EASY?

 

Each of the FLOWERS are a little different--one of a kind. . .

that's how you'll find them in NATURE. . .

I was also testing different techniques. . .(SMILE)

 

 

 

 

EASY PEASY AND

Ready for Delivery. . .

 

 

Wishing You a

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY WONDERFUL WEEKEND

 

. . .from my farmhouse to yours. . .

 

 

 

 

Rag Rug Loom Gift Sets Available for Purchase Through Valentine's Day

 

 

It's almost the DAY OF LOVE. . .Candy, Flowers, Cards. . .A Special Holiday for those SPECIAL PEOPLE. . To celebrate we've put together six Rag Rug Loom GIFT SETS--five Mini Loom Gift Sets and one 2N1 Loom Gift Set. . .They'll be available for purchase through FEBRUARY 14 only. . .They'll disappear after that.

 

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

 

 

 

 

 



Love That Farmhouse Denim

 

Everyone who loves DENIM raise your hand.

(Both of my hands are raised. . .grin)

 

I needed a pick-me-up for the FARMHOUSE this week. . .Something that promised Spring was coming. . .Something comfy and cozy feeling. . .Something utilizing what I already had on-hand.

 

I was thinking about this as I sewed up a few more MINI RAG RUG LOOM GIFT SETS for VALENTINE'S DAY. . .noticing that the ones I favored were SOFT DENIM BLUES. . .and suddenly realizing how nice those soft blues looked with neutrals. . .As we all know, denim can come in a lot of different shades. . .but MY STYLE appeared to be the softer hues.

 

 

Actually, my LOVE and RESPECT for DENIM has evolved gradually. . .

I was reminded with the gift bags that little by little

I had incorporated DENIM into my PLAIN AND SIMPLE FARMHOUSE STYLE all along  . . .

The difference this time was settling on the WORN AND FADED SOFT BLUES. . .

instead of a hodge-podge of colors. . .Maybe an occasional darker denim to make things interesting. . .MAYBE.

 

Sometimes an obvious idea is overlooked. . .DENIM CLOTHING has always been a huge favorite on our COTTON FARM. . .Denim IS made from cotton, you know. . .(duh--another no brainer I missed)

 

 

So. . .I began gathering together the worn, faded, frayed denims. . .stacked up in the sewing room. . .to see what I could do.

 

The FARMHOUSE BATH was the first to get a make-over. . .

It was the obvious choice since it already had SOFT BLUE WAINSCOTING. . .

 

 

Gertie and Mamie got new duds. . .mixing together LACE, LINENS, COTTONS, and DENIM. . .

Blue JARS. . .and denim tied SOAP. . .LOVED IT. . .

 

Moving on to the KITCHEN. . .another realization.. . .I already had a denim blue vintage bucket and a blue prim cabinet. . .

All I needed to do was add POPS OF DENIM to the room. . .

 

 

My enthusiasm grew. . .

INSPIRING me to make new(?) KITCHEN TOWELS to add to the mix. . .

Again, I grabbed possibilities close at hand. . .bought at yard sales last Summer.

 

 

There's NO RULE that we must buy our KITCHEN TOWELS. . is there?

If there is, then I'm a REBEL. . .

because this TOWEL was made from the back of a man's DENIM SHIRT. . .

and parts and pieces from others. . .LOVE IT. . .

 

 

I was on a roll. . .On to the living room for a few ACCENTS there. . .

as the entire house began to come together. . .

 

 

An afternoon spent. . .and see the results!!!

From now on, I'll be looking at the SOFT BLUE DENIMS in a different way. . .but will use them as ACCENTS. . .not as the primary focus. . .NEUTRALS continue to rule here. . .Yet. . .Simple POPS OF COLOR do freshen up the OLE' FARMHOUSE. . .

at no real cost. . .only a little elbow grease. . .

 

How about you?

Would DENIM DECOR work for you?

It's PLAIN. . .SIMPLE. . .and LIVING EASY APPROVED.

Worth considering?

 

 

 

 



BOTTLE TREES: A Southern Tradition for Your Spring Garden

Have you joined the BOTTLE TREE craze? . .It's not too early to be thinking about SPRING PLANTING and GARDEN DECOR. . .It might be cold and snowy now but soon we'll have warm weather and be itching to get outdoors. . .A bottle tree is one choice I plan to add to OUR yard. . .

 

 

John and I spent several days this week at the early 20th century HOPSON PLANTATION in Mississippi. . .We 'lived' in a SHARECROPPER'S HOUSE for three days. . .Nothing frilly or fancy. . .but 'MAKE-DO' and COMFORTABLE. . .It was warm enough that we often sat on our porch and looked out over the entire plantation. . .Right smack dab in our line of view was this lovely BOTTLE TREE. . .reminding me of my intention each year to add one to our farmstead . . .Never seems to happen. . .but I have hope for this year. . .It's a long established SOUTHERN TRADITION. . .and one I would like to continue. . .

 

Photo by Eudora Welty, 1930s

 

The LEGEND goes that empty GLASS BOTTLES were placed outside the home, close to the entryway, to capture spirits (usually evil ones) that roam the night. . .These NIGHT SPIRITS are lured into the bottles and trapped until the early morning SUNLIGHT destroys them. . .It's a legend that was deeply rooted in the beliefs of Southerners. . .Often the first thing people did upon arrival to their house was to scavenge the area for DEAD TREES or large LIMBS to securely 'plant' close to the door. . .Garbage piles were rummaged for COLORED BOTTLES, the BLUE ones being considered the best. . .According to Folk Lore, BLUE is the most powerful of any color. . .Since that time, BOTTLE TREES have come to be a symbol of the RURAL SOUTH. . .Thanks to Pinterest and the internet, the interest has spread literally around the world. . .

I like this DELTA TRADITION not only for it's deep-seated history. . .but because they are FUN, ECONOMICAL  and colorful works of FOLK ART. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bottles to trap those IMPISH SPIRITS aren't limited to trees. . .They can be placed around the doorway in a number of ways. . .

I have a board on PINTEREST with a few more ideas. . .Some of them are quite unique. . .

CLICK HERE to see some very ingenious displays. . .

 

Here's one idea we found on the plantation. . .

This rack is attached close to a door. . .Actually, there were bottles on either side of the entry.

Doesn't look as if a 'haint' has a chance to enter this dwelling.



 

 

After spending several days in our little SHARECROPPER'S HOUSE, John and I came to the conclusion that whether the bottle trees are for one's ENJOYMENT. . .or to ward off those IMPISH LITTLE CREATURES. . .the legend must be TRUE. . .We never saw a single NIGHT SPIRIT the entire time we spent at Hopson. . .although. . .I did have a visit from a GHOST CAT early one morning. . .but that's a story for another time. . .(a wink and a grin)

 

 

 



I Thought It was Something I Said...Friends Connect Followers Please Read

 

I was putting the finishing touches on a post today when I noticed I had lost almost 100 followers on Google Friends Connect in less than 36 hours. . .Was is something I said? . .Or didn't say?. . .Or was Google changing everything again?

 

I decided to get to the bottom of it. . .when I found that other bloggers were experiencing the same thing. . .huge drops in numbers. . .The answer is simple. . .Google has changed the rules. . .They are removing many of the Friends Connect Followers. . .

 

". . .starting the week of January 11, we’ll remove the ability for people with Twitter, Yahoo, Orkut or other OpenId providers to sign in to Google Friend Connect and follow blogs. At the same time, we’ll remove non-Google Account profiles so you may see a decrease in your blog follower count.

 

We encourage you to tell affected readers (perhaps via a blog post) that if they use a non-Google Account to follow your blog, they need to sign up for a Google Account, and re-follow your blog. With a Google Account, they’ll get blogs added to their Reading List, making it easier for them to see the latest posts and activity of the blogs they follow. Thank you. The Blogger Support Team

 

What this means is. . .If you do have a Google Account, nothing has changed. If you don't have a Google account, you'll have to sign up for one. Then re-follow The Country Farm Home and Our Old Country Store. . .(What a hassle, huh?)

 

Although they didn't indicate other options, I have found a few. . .If you do not want a Google Account, you can "Follow By Email". . .or  Bloglovin'. . .or any of the other options you'll find on the sidebar.

 

I do hope that you will continue to follow The Country Farm Home and Our Old Country Store with one of these options. . .I wouldn't want you to miss a single 'Plain and Simple Farmhouse Living' post . . .It is very sad that this will affect so many followers, as well as the Google bloggers who work so hard to get their posts to you. . .but then change is a fact of cyber life. . .isn't it? . . .Not sure if that's a good thing. . .or a bad one. . .