Friday, May 30, 2014

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 159 and Zinnias!


Happy Farmgirl Friday friends! What a strange weather week we've had.
It was 32 degrees one morning!YIKES! I'm glad I waited to plant my precious zinnia seeds until today. The sun is out, soil is warm and I'm betting on the sun that we'll be in good shape from hear on out. If you've been following me in my garden for any length of time, you know I love zinnias! I think the photos say plenty about the beauty and color they add to the garden and the bees and butterflies love them too! 


They're easy to grow sown directly into the soil... Give them plenty of water and sunshine to get them started then feed them every few weeks to keep them  blooming all summer long!

Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed  ( my co- hostess and farmgirl in crime ) and I are anxious to see what you've all been up to this week! 

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!
 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends! 


As always, we thank you for your participation in the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!

 Enter up to three entries per hop!

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

May Sewing Party~ # 5

 
 Isn't this tea towel adorable? It's one of a set of two appliqued tea towels I received in a tea towel swap I participated in on Farmgirl Chit Chat last month! I showed you the one I made last week. This was a first for both of us as far as doing the applique and I love how Brenda created that nubby pink outline around the flowers don't you? Applique is pretty easy and both of us found it was also quite relaxing. It's very forgiving too. In fact, the less perfect it is the more charm and hand made appeal your project will have.


We had our photo shoot at the cottage on Monday. It was so much fun! The photographer Rosemary Tufankjian was a blast to work with and we can't wait to see her " take" on our little slice of heaven!
Here's one sneak peak before pic for you!


The apron skirt panels are red and white mattress ticking and they wrap around the bottom of the sink and a dishes storage area to the left. I made them about 10 years ago and they're tired! I love the ticking so much that I purchased more to make new panels and this time when I hang them they'll be even a the top!  I also made a new valance for the bathroom, got new pillows for the futons on the sleeping porch and a few other little goodies! 
I thought I would have time to get more " after " images for you before the photographer came but we were working right up until she arrived to shoot. So, until then keep this image in mind but cleaner! I'll be back with a full reveal soon!

Now, what cha been sewing this week? 

NO RULES
Share anything you've sewn with your own two hands in any category.
 Here are some examples to get your juices flowing!
Aprons, Clothes, Crafts, Curtains, Table Cloths, Runners,Tea Towels, Quilts, Home Decor Projects, DIY and more!

Thanks for sharing your clever sewing creations at Dandelion House for the month of May! I've been sharing them on my Facebook page along the way.
 Let me know if you want to keep hopping and I'll keep hosting!


Friday, May 23, 2014

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 158 and Memorial Day Weekend!

Happy Farmgirl Friday! Welcome back! I bet everyone is gearing up for the long weekend.
We harvested our first batch of rhubarb this morning . I see a rhubarb pie in our future! 
Plus, our little cottage is going to be featured in a local magazine called South Shore Living in August so I'm sprucing things up at the cottage over the next couple of days to get ready for the photo shoot on Monday! 
I promise to share my sewing projects and some sneak peak behind the scenes next week!

Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed  ( my co- hostess and farmgirl in crime ) and I are anxious to see what you've all been up to this week!

We wish you all a safe and relaxing weekend as we all honor the brave men and women who have served and do serve our great country so we can be FREE!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!
 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends! 


As always, we thank you for your participation in the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!

 Enter up to three entries per hop! 

Wishing you beauty, joy and love. 
Love, Deb 

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Calling all Sewing Goddesses! May Sewing Party Week # 4


 Welcome back to my May sewing party!This has been so much fun! I've so enjoyed your entries! 

This week I worked on my first Tea Towel ever! I participated in a Tea Towel swap so I had to come up with something fun and creative for my partner who likes traditional country colors for her country kitchen. I found some great vintage inspired red striped tea towels at Joanne's Fabric Store for adding a fun design to. I've seen all sorts of wonderfully creative ideas on pinterest but finally decided to put my creative recycling skills to work so I up-cycled some beautiful embroidered hand work from a vintage apron that was showing some wear. And, the design was perfect for my project! A Teapot with two cups and saucers. 


I simply cut it out of the apron and hand stitched it to the bottom right side of tea towel with natural colored thread.



There were also two little cups with saucers on the apron so I cut them out and appliqued them onto the left bottom side of the tea towel.. that way when it hangs you can see all three designs!

Photo credit : My craft swap partner, Brenda!
Silly me, I didn't take a photo of it hanging so you could see the whole towel. I was in too much of a hurry to get it packaged up and off in the mail to my craft swap partner but, she took one when it arrived to her which I've pictured above!

 I have to say, it was kind of relaxing to sit and do some hand stitching while watching my daughters favorite teen soap opera after school. She and I are both hooked on Switched at Birth... Maybe I'd better not take up hand stitching after all!

 Calling all Sewing Goddesses! 
For the month of May we'll meet here each week and keep each other in stitches!

NO RULES
Share anything you've sewn with your own two hands in any category.
 Here are some examples to get your juices flowing!
Aprons, Clothes, Crafts, Curtains, Table Cloths, Runners,Tea Towels, Quilts, Home Decor Projects, DIY and more!

Plus there will be a surprise GIVEAWAY along the way!



 What's had you in stitches this week?

Love, Deb

Friday, May 16, 2014

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 157 & Sunflowers


Welcome back to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop week # 157! The weather has been just lovely this week here in Plymouth, Ma. Sunny and warm with mild spring breezes ( without the chill factor ) welcome me outside to plan, dream and plant.  I always purchase my seeds early so I can be sure to get my favorites. This years Sunflower garden is sure to be spectacular with these varieties bringing cheer and delight to the garden and my yard flower bouquets, not to mention the birds and the bee's!
I've grown Drop Dead Red


 and Autumn Beauty


 before but the Florists Sunny Bouquet is a new variety I'm trying out! I always have great luck with Botanical Interests Seeds... They have a high germination rage and the blooms do not disappoint! I should be able to sew these any day now in my raised beds. If you have a sunny patch in your yard give these summer beauties a try!

The rush is on to get things in the ground! Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed  ( my co- hostess and farmgirl in crime ) and I are anxious to see what you've all been up to this week!  Show us what cha got!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!
 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends! 


As always, we thank you for your participation in the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop!

 Enter up to three entries per hop! 

Wishing you beauty, joy and love. 
Love, Deb 



Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Shepherds Hut: The Portable " BACKYARD " Outpost




Even before the garden is planted I'm daydreaming about the perfect backyard hideaway. I've long been a fan of little buildings. Cabana's, potting sheds, covered porches, glampers and grapevine covered pergola's and screened in garden rooms are all candidates for providing the perfect place to escape to on a summers day but I must admit, I'm absolutely obsessed with the idea of  gazing out my kitchen window and seeing a Shepherds Hut in my yard some day. Oh, they're easy enough to find on pinterest or the web. That's where I met Betty Grindrod. I posted a picture of one she made on my Facebook page and she messaged me with her contact info. I decided then and there that I had to introduce her to my Dandelion House friends and she agreed!  
Read on to learn more about  how these rural wheeled cabins of old England inspire today's Shepherds Huts used for garden rooms, writers retreats, guest cottages, artists studio's and more! 

   I know you'll enjoy getting to know Betty, her partners Robin Berthet and Julie Keil of 
Berkshire Shepherd Huts and the wonderful photo's of their newest outpost, I nick- named
"The Rustic Retreat". 


 Deb ~Tell me a little about your background as an Estate Gardener and how that blossomed into a business for building Shepherds Huts?

 Betty~ I was head gardener at private estates for my entire career, having studied Ornamental Horticulture at the University of Connecticut.  Aside from using my creativity to design gardens, I am also an artist and for many years dreamt of having a mobile art studio and garden retreat.  I looked into campers, but when my friend Robin Berthet talked about the shepherd huts he saw in England, I knew they were just what I was looking for.  However, there were no builders in the US, so Robin, our friend Julie Keil and I decided to rectify that situation.
Deb~ What is the role of each of your partners in your business?

Betty~ Robin is a well respected contractor known for his craftsmanship, and he researched the construction of them in England and sourced the local materials we need to craft a quality hut.  He oversees the actual building.  Julie and I split the duties of design, marketing and sales.
Deb~ Can you give me some history on Shepherds Huts? Where did they originate exactly and what was the original purpose for them?
Betty~ There was a very old English publication in the 15th century, called the Government of Cattle that mentions a wheeled "cabbin" that shepherds used to rest in or be protected from the weather while tending their flock, but that could be moved as the sheep went to fresh pastures.  Historically the huts contained a small stove, a bed over a cage where sickly lambs could be kept and a simple medicine cabinet containing the potions necessary to treat the flock...and maybe a bottle of spirits for the shepherd.  The land owners vied to have the best built huts for their shepherds over the years.  In WW2, many old huts were used as home guard outposts in England and even to temporarily house prisoners of war.  By the 1950's most were abandoned or used as storage sheds as more modern farming methods prevailed.  Recently, they have made a revival as guest accommodations and as garden additions, being featured in the Chelsea Flower Show.

Deb~ What types of materials do you use to build your huts?
Betty~ We use a variety of locally harvested, sustainable wood for the construction.  The outside is Cedar and the chassis, deck and interior are Ash from Sheffield, MA.  The doors are built by a small firm in the Adirondacks of Ash.  The shelves are natural edged Cherry from S.Egremont, MA.



Deb~ What is the average size and cost?

Betty~ We are building them in three different sizes, 12', 16' and 18' long, all 7' wide.  We can also make custom sizes depending on the buyer's wishes or needs.  The cost depends greatly on what the customer wants to have included, but it will generally be between 20k and 40k dollars.
Deb~ How long does it take to build one from scratch?
Betty~ It takes 4-6 weeks to build one.
Deb~ Where do you find those wonderful iron wheels they sit on?
  Betty~ We get the iron wheels from an Amish company in Pennsylvania.
Deb~ What are some of the unique ways you finish them inside?
Betty~ The natural edged woods make a unique and rustic look for shelving and tables.  We have also installed queen sized beds with Cherry wood storage shelves beneath, bunk beds.  Anything that can be in a camper, we can install in the huts.  Including kitchens.  For a bathroom, we can put in a composting toilet, hook up for running water and electricity.  We use a nautical wood stove called the Hobbit and have denim insulation in the walls to keep it very cozy in cold weather.

 Deb~ What are some of the uses your customers purchase a Shepherds Hut for?

Betty~ Some uses of the hut include guest room, play house, pool house, artist studio, yoga studio, garden shed, writer's retreat, fisherman or hunter's cabin, vending cart for farmer's market, farm stand, bar at events or parties.
Deb~ How many do you make in a years time?

 Betty~ That depends on the number of orders we get.
Deb~ How are they transported?
 Betty~ For short distances they can be towed by a vehicle with a tow package or a tractor (or horses...see picture)  They weigh about two thousand pounds with the metal wheels.  We move them on a flat bed truck to deliver them to our customers.  We can also put them on truck tires if a customer wanted to use them as a camper or move them more frequently.
 

 Deb~ Are there trade shows where the public can see a finished Shepherds Hut?

We are going to have a hut going to the farmer's market in Great Barrington, MA. and while it is not working there it can be viewed at Campo de' Fiori, a fine home and gardens accessory store on Rte 7 in Sheffield, MA.  On the Saturday of Memorial Day one will be in use for serving ice cream at the annual Columbia Land Conservancy BBQ in Ghent NY.  We will be updating our schedule on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.


I don't know about you, but I'm ready to move in! Just think of the fun you could have making it your own... And what a great place to " escape " too with out even starting the car! One can dream, or you could just order one to keep watch over your backyard flock of sheep! I'd be watching my " flock of flowers"  and chickens out of that little pop up window!

I hope you enjoyed this post much as I did sharing it. Wishing Betty, Robin and Julie much success with Berkshire Shepherds Huts!
Follow on Facebook too! 

Stay tuned for more inspiring features from Dandelion House!



Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Sewing Party Week # 3~ Calling all Sewing Goddesses!

 
MaryJanesFarm
Is that the humming of sewing machines I'm hearing? I thought so! This week I'm sharing ( yet another ) Up-cycled project from my archives. This week I'm sharing ( yet another ) UP-cycled sewing project from my archives. Can you guess what it might be called? Here, I'll give you a little hint... You can keep clothes in it... dirty clothes, clothes that you might wear while on an adventure. A camping, no wait, a GLAMPING adventure with your best girlfriends.
My project is a Glamper Hamper! Just a little pretty to toss your glamping party dress into after the campfire burns out.

 I created it from an old wire hamper that I bought on Ebay.
First I spray painted it off white.
 Then, I gathered up some burlap, and some vintage hankies, doilies and some pretty natural colored grosgrain ribbon. 
I simply sewed a sack out of the burlap and applied the pretty vintage hankie with a simple top stitch on my machine turning down the top edges 1/2 inch for a finished look.
 I hand stitched the crochet doily onto the center of the hankie. 
I pinned the ribbon pieces where I wanted them to be and stitched them on with my machine then tied it to the wire basket!

 Wa la! A Glamper Hamper!

When it didn't sell in my vintage booth after a couple of months I knew just where it was meant to be. I packaged it up and sent it right out to MaryJane ( MaryJanesFarm ). It was the perfect addition to her beautiful Shabby white Re-vamped Airstream Glamper she calls, Lily.
 The photo above was taken by one of their talented farm photographers. Maybe even Maryjane! 

I absolutely loved every project you all shared last week! Let's do it again, shall we?

Calling all Sewing Goddesses! 
Starting today and every Tuesday in the month of May we'll meet here each week and keep each other in stitches!

NO RULES
Share anything you've sewn with your own two hands in any category.
 Here are some examples to get your juices flowing!
Aprons, Clothes, Crafts, Curtains, Table Cloths, Runners,Tea Towels, Quilts, Home Decor Projects, DIY and more!

Plus there will be a surprise GIVEAWAY along the way!

Who's in stitches this week?

Monday, May 12, 2014

Milk Cow Kitchen GIVEAWAY WINNER!

 
Thank you to all who entered my Mother's Day Giveaway for MaryJane Butters newest book,
Milk Cow Kitchen!
 
I asked our son to choose a winner from our entries and he chose # 10 Cj Armstrong!
Congratulations Cj!  I know you'll enjoy adding this wonderful book to your collection of MaryJanes' Books. They are like bibles for us farmgirls! 
Go here to see all of MaryJane's fabulous farmgirl books and gifts!

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Mom's for Hire: Apply Within...


 Do you ever wonder how many of us would become mother’s if we had to apply for the job like we do other kinds of work? The job description might go something like this:
WANTED: Mom’s for Hire. Apply Within
Must be 25 – 40 ( give or take a few years ) and healthy. NO DRUGS, BOOZE OR TOBACCO
Woman wanted for the high-ranking position of Motherhood. Must be ambitious, smart, sensitive, funny, compassionate, flexible, domestic, career minded, spiritual, diplomatic, tenacious, creative, discerning, intuitive, energetic, a good cook, handy with a butter knife, able to operate on disturbed sleep ( for the rest of your life ), have a strong stomach, and willing to work long hours.
No retirement. Guaranteed moments of sheer ecstasy and pride, joy and terror, heart-break and confusion, laughter, comfort, amusement, and, and, and…

Come on by the Beach Farmgirl Blog  and help me add to this list of ” reasonable, eh ehem,  Mom  requirements ”


Friday, May 9, 2014

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 156


Howdy farmgirls! Welcome back to your favorite Friday hop! It's time to link up for your weekly dose of farmgirl soul-food! Are you ready for Mother's Day? What's your favorite way to celebrate?
I always enjoy a relaxing day with my family here at home or out some place for a nice meal and some quality time together. Nothing fancy needed... Just good food, love and laughter and I'm happy!

I've been enjoying watching my gardens come alive over the last week. Things are really starting to leaf out and prepare for flowering. The Rhubarb is up and looking very healthy.



The early strawberries are here and looking great. I'll have to keep a close eye on them to beat the birds to the fruit!



And, it's great to be able to get out and have a daily visit with the " cottage hens " now that the weather has warmed up.



Mother's Day is Sunday! What are you doing to celebrate YOU? Put your feet up some place and take a rest... Whether it's your human babies or your farm babies keeping you busy 'round the clock you deserve it!
And, if you didn't get by to read Avoid Blogger Burnout, by Rebecca of Letters From Sunnybrook, do it! She shares the realities of how much energy and creativity it takes to be a blogger and how to battle burnout when it comes to try and knock you down. It happens to the best of us. Rebecca reminds us to take a break when necessary, re-fuel and REMEMBER why we started blogging in the first place.


Plus! There's still time to enter my Mother's Day Giveaway! 
It's finally here! Milk Cow Kitchen, by MaryJane Butters! 



Now it's your turn! Show us what cha got!
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed  ( my co- hostess and farmgirl in crime ) and I are anxious to see what you've all been up to this week!

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!
 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends! 

As always, we thank you for your participation in our weekly hop!

 Enter up to three entries per hop! 

Wishing you beauty, joy and love. 
Love, Deb 




Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Mother's Day Giveaway~ Milk Cow Kitchen by MaryJane Butters


 I know!I know! Mother's Day is this weekend and maybe you were hoping for a chance to win a gift card to your nearest spa or a nice gift basket filled with your favorite tea's and a pretty tea cup to sip from. But I know you better than that! I know that deep down in your heart of farmgirl hearts what you REALLY wish for is a backyard milk cow of your very own so you can make your own cheese, churn your own butter and stare into those big brown eyes of hers! Yep, a good old " cow" girl romance is what you're after!

 But, where do you start? How do you begin to find the right breed, learn how much space your new little one will need, or if it's even okay to keep a cow in your neighborhood. Like all good mother's you want to do everything right for your new addition and I've got the perfect gift for you! 
MaryJane Butters has done it again. She's always thinking about her farmgirl fellowship and how she can help them along in making their farmgirl dreams come true. 

In her latest book Milk Cow Kitchen she does just that and more! 
You'll learn the ins and outs of backyard cow keeping from what breeds to buy all the way to making your own cheese once you've gotten your new "cow" girl  all settled in.

Mary Jane is giving away a signed copy of Milk Cow Kitchen to one of my lucky readers!

TO ENTER:
Simply leave a comment on this post saying you would like to enter and tell us why you want a milk cow of your very own!

And, if you just can't wait to see if you are the winner, you can pre-order a copy here!
Are you seriously thinking about getting a backyard milk cow? 
Visit the Heritage Jersey Organization to learn how to find the perfect cow for you and your backyard farmstead! 

GOOD LUCK FARMGIRLS!

* this giveaway will be open until Sunday, May 11th at midnight! 
I'll announce the winner on Monday, May 12th! 

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

May Sewing Party~ Week 2


 Welcome back to the May Sewing Party at Dandelion House.  It's week 2 and today I'm sharing a pillow project I did last winter because ( true confessions) I didn't sew a stitch on any of my apron projects this week. But I won't leave you empty handed for inspiration! 
If you've been reading my blog for awhile you know how much I love to recycle and up-cycle so I created the pillow above  out of  vintage embroidered pillow cases using the stitched hem pieces for the front and the remaining pillow case fabric for the back of the pillow. Here's the link for the full tutorial! 

Here are a few of the clever sewing projects shared from last week!



Apronista CJ and farmgirl extraordinaire shared her half apron named after a dear friend who happens to share my name too! This little beauty  is called Debbie! Just look at the intricate handwork in this apron. Cj sells her Farm Fresh Aprons at her local farmers market and online. Visit her link to see more of her beautiful handi-work!


Melissa of the ever popular blog Tilly's Nest is hosting a Chicken Quilt Sew Along using her very own home made chicken pattern. Check out her post here! It's not to late to join in and make your very own Heirloom Chicken Quilt. What a wonderful gift for your friends who keeps backyard chickens!

I saved the cutest, cuddliest project for last. If these adorable handmade burp cloths don't pull at your granny heart strings even just a little, you might want to check your pulse. Jes, of the inspiring blog Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth designed and created these sweet little burp cloths. She even offers FREE down- loadable gift tags!
I think these would make a wonderful Mother's Day gift for a new mom and Grammy don't you? After, all... Grammy will need some at her house for when she babysits!

Thanks so much for sharing your amazing sewing projects ladies.
Who's in stitches this week? 
Share any project that involves sewing!
NO RULES
Share anything you've sewn with your own two hands in any category.
 Here are some examples to get your juices flowing!
Aprons, clothes, crafts, curtains, table cloths, tea towels, quilts, baby blankets, pillows and pot holders, etc.. You get the idea!


Friday, May 2, 2014

Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 155


Howdy farmgirl bloggers! Welcome back to the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop # 155!
As always you " brought it" in every possible way last week!
Crafting projects? Check! JUST IN TIME FOR MOTHER'S DAY!
Delicious " from scratch " recipes? Check!
 Garden tips? Check!



Mother- daughter duo Millie and Christina from 2 Crochet Hooks put their hooks together and created a Mom's Day Crochet and Knit Round up for you with beautiful and practical gift ideas sure to make mom feel loved and cherished.

Annie from Annie's Journal shares Promises from her Kitchen Garden. 
I could go grazing there for sure! 

One always needs dessert after a healthy meal from the garden! 


 Melissa from Little House Living shared her delicious Old Fashioned Caramel Icing  recipe for her homemade chocolate cake. What a refreshing idea? 
Wish I could have been there to lick the beaters!


Now it's your turn! Show us what cha got!

Heidi, Debbie and I are anxious to see what you've all been up to!
Your Farmgirl Friday Hostess

Heidi of My Simple Country Living 
and White Wolf Summit Farmgirl Blog,
Debbie of Farmgirl Unleashed 
and me of course! 

You don't have to live on a farm to join this hop!
 Farmgirl is a Condition of the Heart~ MaryJaneButters 

Brag a little ( or a lot ) about your farmgirl talents! Include lots of photos of your farm, crafts, animals, quilts, home decor projects and thrifty make overs, your backyard garden, chicken coop, recipes, studio or workshop. You get the idea! Please include the Farmgirl Friday button ( or link back here ) in your post and remember to share this hop with all of your blogging friends! 

As always, we thank you for your participation in our weekly hop!

 Enter up to three entries per hop! 

Wishing you beauty, joy and love. 
Love, Deb 



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