Sunny Day On The Farm

It was so nice outside today and the winds have finally settled down some. Yesterday Oklahoma was ablaze with fires. Many folks lost there homes, barns, and outbuildings. The firefighters worked endlessly trying to gain control. We were very fortunate not to have any near our place.

This coming week they say temperatures are to reach near 90 and with winds coming again they are asking folks with tall grass to get it mowed down as a precaution. Everything is so dry it only takes a small spark and before you know it so much damage.

We are sure praying for rain! Well this afternoon after running a few errands I gathered up some of my thrift store finds and my paints and brushes and spent a few hours outside giving them a coat of paint.







They do look so much better painted. I just need to add a lil' wax to them and then they will be finished and ready to put in our booth.



I tried my hand at making a stuffed bunny and a few muslin eggs. The poor lil' bunny has a square nose guess I'll have to try to do a little better on the next ones!

Tomorrow after church I'm planning on more time spent on the porch painting a few signs and benches. It's suppose to be another sunny day just hope the wind isn't blowing too hard.

Hope each of you are enjoying your weekend and enjoying a little bit of sunshine!

Happy Trails....Ginger

~*Primitive Early Fall Giveaway*~

I've been busy gathering up some goodies and have decided to have a giveaway!

What kind of goodies have I got...
oh just a candle by Keepers of the Light in the most wonderul scent of Sweet Potato Pie...mmmhh it does smell ever so good.
Then there is a little wooden bowl filled with little pumpkin pods, 3 old wooden spools that I have put some of my hand~dyed cotton floss on. The floss colors are warm colors of orange, mustard, and barn red. A hand~painted muslin sunflower, 3 little grubby candles, dried sweet annie sprigs, and a lil' smilin' jack~o~lantern that I needle punched.

So come join me in a little Early Fall fun and just leave a comment telling what you like best about Fall.
Maybe it's hay rides, or picking out a pumpkin, local fairs, apple cider, family gatherings, fall gardening, cool crisp days, scarecrows....

If you don't have a blog just leave a email address just in case your the lucky winner.

I'll announce the winner Sunday evening!

Happy Trails...Ginger

*~*How I over~dye cotton floss*~*

I thought I would share with you how I sometimes over~dye my cotton floss. When Wal~Mart closed out their floss at a reduced rate...I started buying it up. At most stores I bought it all. I have boxes of it stored and Jenny came over and helped me to sort it by colors. Anyways, some of the colors were what I call "dog~ugly" and some are just too bright for my liking so with a little help from some rit dye it turned out perfectly prim!
Sometimes I dye with walnut crystals, tea, and cushing dyes for wools. Today though I chose some tan rit liquid dye.


Here's what I gather together:
An old crock~pot(I only use it for dyeing purposes)
gloves, rit dye( I mostly use tan), water, a plastic bowl, floss, old towels, or a cheap plastic tablecloth, an old apron if your messy like me (it might just save your clothes)





I remove all those little labels and then gently tie the floss into loose knots. It will help to give the floss a variegated type look. With darks and lights throughout the floss.








While you are working at getting your floss ready. Take your old crock pot outside and heat you some water. I don't fill it full...just about 1/2 way. It just depends on how much floss you plan to dye. Today I did several hundred and about 1/2 full was plenty. I add a couple of tablespoons of tan dye...I don't measure I just pour. I add a little more dye as I go along because the floss will soak up the color. You will notice that the water will lighten as you go and when it does just pour in some dye and your good to go again.





Once the water is good and heated I then put on my gloves and add the tied floss to the dye bath. It doesn't take long at all so keep a close eye on it.



You can see how it changes right in the crock pot. No more bright colors...perfectly prim!




You will want to remove it from the crock pot and place it in a bowl of water and vinegar. I just pour in a little vinegar into the clean water to help set the color. I also have used some salt to set the color.

I then rinse it 2 to 3 times to remove any vinegar smell or salt.


I then start untying the floss and laying it out on an old towel or cheap tablecloth. Today I used a tablecloth and used the cotton side of the tablecloth to lay the floss on. I leave it there until it air dries.




So if you like primitive needle punch or even primitive embroidery...this is a great way to dye a lot of floss at once.

Happy Trails to You.....Ginger