Scherenschnitte Shelf Edging by Debbie

Scherencshnitte is scissor cutting and was brought to America during the 17th century by Germans who immigrated to Pennsylvania. It is a way of creating intricate paper designs that were originally used for embellishing birth and marriage certificates, valentines and house blessings. The directions here are for what is called poor man's lace because it is made out of newspaper but makes a delightful shelf border.

Materials:
Newspaper
Pencil
Ruler
Scissors
Scallop craft scissors or pinking shears
Cardboard
Paper clips
Tracing paper
Hole punch
Paper towel
Iron

A variety of folk images can be used for the design……houses, trees, hearts, diamond shapes, snowmen ….the variety is as endless as your imagination. You will need to draw the half pattern design( this just means draw a heart and cut it down the middle) on to a piece of cardboard and cut it out

Now measure the shelf you wish to lines depth and width add 3 1/2 inches to the depth measurement. Mark this measurements using your pencil and ruler on the classified pages of a newspaper. Keep the columns vertical this will make it so the scalloped edge border of your lining will be on the white margin of the newspaper. Now test your shape or shapes for fit making sure the paper lies flat on the shelf and the paper edge hangs freely over the edge. Trim as necessary.

Work along the area designated for the overhang. Use the bottom edge of the column as the baseline to keep your design going straight. For each pattern fold the newspaper once along the margin between the columns or along the middle of the column depending on where you want the design to be. Make a crease about 5 inches deep. Place the pattern on the folk and paper clip to secure. Cut along the pattern. For each quarter pattern work only one piece of paper at a time. Fold the paper in half vertically the same as for the half patterns, and then fold the paper again horizontally centering the folk in the overhang area. Position the designs on the newspaper matching the folk. Trace and cut out. Use the hole punch for small circular cutouts. Space the designs 1 or 2 inches apart. Remember this is only newspaper so if you make a mistake its no big deal!

Layer two or more of the cut-paper shelf edging together and cut the scallop edge with craft scalloping scissor or pinking shears.

To get rid of the creases made by folding the newspaper, iron it with an dry iron set on hot setting. Place a paper towel over the newspaper and press the creases for a few seconds.

Remember if you make a mistake this is only newspaper and no great loss but it makes a charming border for an old primitive cabinet or shelf. Other papers such as brown kraft paper, butcher paper and gift wrap can also be used. The motif can be changed with the seasons or to match any décor of a room, the uses are endless.

Debbie owns "Two Old Crows" (www.2oldcrows.com)
and an eBay store "Two-Old-Crows"\
(http://stores.ebay.com/Two-Old-Crows)
where she sells her hand painted folk art and
other handcrafted items she makes along with
antiques,
primitives and vintage collectibles


For more great articles please visit our Primitive Times Magazine it is a FREE Downloadable Magazine

THE ANNUAL "MAKING OF THE ORNAMENTS

I don't know how it is at your house, but around here, on the day after Thanksgiving, the mom's go shopping, and the little ones decend upon Meme's house to make their yearly "surprises" for mom and dad, and help Meme design some great Christmas ornaments.

Since we have baked our ornaments the weekend before, they are all dry and ready to go. Early in the morning they get out my button box, beads, glitter, paint, sealer, glue, and rolls of ribbons and holiday picks. They drag out 5 large plastic storage bins full of Christmas craft supplies. They're treasure chests for the grandkids, and they spend the first hour going through everything, thinking up ideas, trading great finds with each other, and setting up their work space where no one can see what they are doing. The "priceless masterpieces" are about to be started! We decided to share our favorite ornie receipes, and give you some hints on how to make the "GREATEST" ornies ever!

Click here to read more

Coconut Snowmen Recipe

Coconut Snowmen
These are great fun on a winters day and were featured on the cover of Martha Stewarts magazine in December of 2000

Ingredients for 4 snowmen

Half gallon of vanilla ice cream
14 ounces of shredded coconut
1 tablespoon of marzipan and orange food coloring
Shoestring black licorce cut into small pieces for eyes, mouth and buttons
4 large marshmallows
4 chocolate wafer cookies
Confectioner's sugar

Line a baking pan with parchment paper then make three snowballs out of ice cream for each snowman varying in size.....these can be either made with different size scoops or with your hands..place on parchment paper and put back into the freezer for approxiamately 15 minutes till firm

Remove ice cream balls from freezer and roll in shredded coconut.....place back in freezer to firm

Add orange food coloring to marzipan until carrot color is achieved and shape into four noses

Add licorce piece for eyes and mouth and for buttons on other two balls of each snowman..press the three balls together and return to freezer till ready to serve

Click here to read entire recipe

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We offer many affordable ways to advertise your business also! From full color ads in our magazine like the one below:

Or Front Page Button advertising for only $10 a month on sale right now! Stop by and visit us today get your ad placed in our January issue or get your front page button advertising now!

Primitive Times Magazine
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Who is on your Christmas shopping list? by MissySue

Who is on your Christmas shopping list? The kids, your spouse, mom and dad.....and I'm sure it goes on and on.

I bet you've forgotten one person, though. The one person that shows you support, guidance and is always there for you; Yourself!

I've never put myself on my Christmas list and to tell the truth a couple months back I would've thought that a little ridiculous. In all my Christmas' past I've never given myself one single thought . I find that odd now, when before I would've found it selfish to even think I deserved a space on that huge list.

Now I value myself, the support I'm trying (sometimes succeeding) to give myself everyday, the love I'm pouring into my work , my desires. The dedication I'm showing in order to achieve my dreams. I'm on that long and hard, but rewarding journey towards self-love.

So, this year while writing my list, in the middle of the page I suddenly remembered that I had been secretly longing to take painting classes for over a year and aching for new supplies for my crafting. For a moment I was surprised and a little ashamed that I would think of myself while I was supposed to be writing down great gifts for friends and family.

Click here to read the rest of the article

Gardening in the Winter by Debbie

Most of us live in places that we are not allowed to garden outside during the winter months, what better way to still enjoy gardening and bringing some life to your home during the winter than to container garden in windows. Houseplants can be a wonderful addition to any décor and give us that lift our spirits need from having some living thing around us, they are much less trouble and easier to take care of than a pet. Here are a few suggestions I have found helpful in raising healthy houseplants.

Click here to read more

Making Snowballs... by Paula

I know that there are bunches of patterns being sold for these. But I thought I'd share my way of making them....these are so fun and really easy. Great for throwing in old trenchers after Christmas when you've taken down the decorations and it's still to early for your Spring goodies.

Snowball how-to
Materials:

12-gauge wire; wire cutters; plastic foam balls in assorted sizes; needle-nose pliers; plaster mix; old spoon; pearlescent white spray paint; white glitter.

Click here to read more

Tips and Tricks for Great Stitchings by Niki

I just love to stitch! I’ve been stitching since I was 10 years old when my Grandma B. showed me how.



First off, I always tea stain or coffee stain my fabric. I like the look of a stitching on stained fabric, rather than plain white. Most times I use muslin.



I always back my muslin with batting. I prefer Hobbs, as the Warm N Natural sometimes ‘beards’ and if you are using black thread you can see it come through to the front. I have used Warm N Natural too, though.

Click here to read the rest of the article

December Issue is OUT

OUR New issue is up and full of great things! From FREE websets and Graphics, To free patterns, recipes, craft ideas and business articls and so much more!

Stop by today and download your FREE issue and place your ad for our January Issue!

Primitive Times Magazine December Issue

From Words To Riches - Using Content To Generate Traffic And Convert Visitors

Content, when used in the right way, does wonderful things to your visitor stats and your sales figures. Even if you have an online store or a sales page as your main site, adding content to your site provides more ways for visitors to find you, and puts them in more of a buying frame of mind.

Most people know that search engines love content. But more than that, search engines like big sites. It is easier for a bigger site to rank well than a small, mini-site, at least in the current climate. And of course, adding pages regularly gets the search engines to spider your site more frequently.

But providing authoritative content also provides you with indirect benefits. It gives people more opportunity to find something they might want to link to. Essentially, you're creating more 'link bait', which is just a way of saying your site is providing such useful information on a given subject that people want to link to it with a one-way, non-reciprocal link. This gives you traffic from their site, and more relevance within the search engines.

Secondly, your content can create a sense within your visitor that they must have the products or services you recommend, sell - or that appear in the contextual advertising on your page. Even if you're not using affiliate marketing and don't have your own product, relying instead on contextual advertising as income, content pre-sells your visitor. Sure, you can throw up a keyword stuffed article, and perhaps some people will click on the ads just to get off the page. But with google at least, their Smart Pricing will limit the income you could be making. If the visitor you deliver to their advertisers is less likely to buy because they are frustrated, or didn't find what they were looking for in your meaningless or poor quality word-maze, the amount you get per click will go down.

The key, of course, is writing good content. A starting point is researching useful information, information that answers questions your target audience may have. You can use books or magazines, or reputable online sources, to help build your articles with these detail that makes them credible.

Having a good article is not enough, however. It must be presented in the right way. This takes into account the tone you use writing the article, the words and style chosen, and the way the article is presented on the web page. The reader should feel the benefits without getting the impression he is being sold something. It should speak to him - or her - with references to things that are part of their lives. It is here that knowing who your target customer is really helps.

Finally, the words should be arranged on the web page in an easy to read manner. Making good use of white space, short paragraphs, and bullet points are a great way to break up text so that it doesn't appear overwhelming. Just be careful not to jar your reader with too many font colors or types, and caps for anything but the first letter in a word.

Article by:


To learn more about generating internet web site traffic with content, click here. Rebecca site covers online business ideas for home.

Strategies For Article Marketing

You’ve read all the articles telling you that you should write articles, but there are hundreds of article databases out there. How do you decide where to submit your articles? I have a couple of strategies that bring me results.

First, I always read just a few articles from any directory I’m considering submitting to, to see what type of advertising is being used on their site. I do not want my family friendly articles on sites that allow what I consider to be questionable advertising. If the advertising is not family friendly, I will not submit my articles. I have also deleted my articles from sites that changed their advertising policies and began accepting non family friendly advertising. Continue to monitor sites that carry your articles.

Next, I submit only a few articles to a directory and then I monitor those submissions to see how long they take to go live. There is no way to know if a directory is active until you submit your articles. Just like any other business, directories come and go. Just because it was active last year, does not mean it is still active this year. Don’t waste your time submitting more than 3 articles at one time in the beginning. There are so many wonderful directories out there, that I refuse to invest my time submitting to directories that take months to approve my articles. If I submit my article today I expect to see it live within a few days. Remember the reason you are writing articles is to help others and get your name out there. If your articles are not live, your name is not being seen.

I prefer to submit to directories that allow me to check my stats on a regular basis. I want to know how many others are reading my articles. If your articles are not being read, then your name is not getting out there. Why are your articles not being read? Have you chosen a topic or written on a subject that folks are not reading? Or did you submit your article to a directory that is not getting enough traffic for others to read your article? Two very high traffic directories are www.ezinearticles.com and www.searchwarp.com I monitor my stats daily on those two directories. I also submit every one of my articles to both of these directories. They are the first two directories to receive all new articles I write. The stats from these two directories tell me that my articles are being read and are wanted by others. So, if I view my stats on another directory and see that my article has only been read once or twice, I do not continue submitting articles to that directory.

The last thing I do is to use both Google and MSN and search for my name. I want to know what directories are getting their pages indexed quickly and where my articles are showing up. I submit my articles to the directories that are getting me the exposure.

By using all of the above strategies, my articles are being read and folks are clicking through to my site.

Article by:


Audrey Okaneko has been marketing online for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at www.scrapping-made-simple.com

Come see our NEWEST Site

We are so thrilled to expand our Heartland Graphics site to our NEW Site called Heartland Design Club! Our Design club is a webdesign website where I have teamed with my friend Jillian to bring the best in affordable WEBSITE DESIGN and Hosting services! We have soo much to offer!

From Websets and Graphics
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Plugboard advertising for you
Website Design
Website Promotion and so much more!

Stop by and visit our new site today!

Heartland Design Club HOME SITE

Heartland Design Club Blog

Baby Food Jar Centerpiece

Materials You will need:

15 baby food jars, cleaned, with lids

White glue
Christmas ribbon and decoration (optional)
Small Christmas lights
Hammer
Large pliers
Tin foil, cardboard backing, gold/silver paint (optional)
1. The first part of this project - gluing the jars together to form the tree shape - took the longest. (I opted to use white glue instead of hot glue or just "rubber-banding" them together.) I allowed each row to dry before adding the next row, laying 5 jars down on their sides and bracing them together with blocks of wood on each end. When the glue was dry, I added the next row of 4 jars, then the next row of 3 and so on.

2. Using the hammer and screwdriver, pound a hole in the center of each lid. (I used a block of wood, placed the screwdriver in the center, and gave it a good whack, then wiggled the screwdriver back and forth to enlarge the hole.) Protect your fingers and the lights from sharp edges by wrapping the hole with tin foil or electrical tape. I used tin foil and left large pieces hanging out into the center of the lid, because I liked the shiny effect.

3. Insert lights through the lids and screw the lids onto the jars.

4. Decorate with ribbon and Christmas doodads as you like. My Christmas colors this year will be burgundy, gold and white, so I used burgundy ribbon and bows, and some gold decorations.

5. If your centerpiece will sit against a wall, that's all you need to do. However, I want to place my centerpiece in the window sill, and the back will be visible. So, I cut out a piece of cardboard to match the size of my jar-tree and painted it metallic gold. I attached the cardboard using a piece of ribbon, tying a bow at the back. If I get really ambitious, I may make another one of these and stand them back to back in the middle of the table!

Cheesy One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore

Cheesy One-Pot Chicken Cacciatore1 tsp. oil
1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, chopped
2-1/2 cups water
2 zucchini, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano
1 pkg. (14 oz.) KRAFT Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, drained



HEAT oil in large skillet on medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 5 min. or until browned.
ADD water, vegetables, oregano and Pasta. Bring to boil; simmer partially covered, 12 min. or until pasta is tender.
STIR in Cheese Sauce and tomatoes; cook until heated through.

Apple Wreath

Miniature Apple Wreath

Whether you choose miniature apples like ours or full-size replicas, this wreath will look great for weeks. Door Decoration


Celebrate the arrival of apple season with this beautiful wreath constructed with look-alikes. All you need is a flat twig wreath, artificial apples, greenery, berries, and a hot-glue gun.

First, glue small sprigs of greenery around the edges of the wreath, following the shape of the wreath. We used dried asparagus fern for our lush base.

Next, use hot glue to attach the bottom of the first apple to the top center of the heart shape. Leaving the stem pointing out creates a focal point. Then, glue the sides of the rest of the apples to the wreath, following the shape of the heart.



Courtesy of Better Home and Gardens

Our Featured Crafter for Nov and Dec

My Featured Crafter for Nov and Dec is Denise (NeeNee) I first met her about 6 months ago and she is taking the BLOGGING community by storm! I think she has surpassed me and Linda with more blogs that us! LOL That tells you alot! Plus I have had the pleasure of seeing her craft work in person as I have two ADORABLE reindeer on my Fireplace mantel from Denise! Can we say ADORABLE! Please read below to learn more about Denise and don't forget to visit her sites by clicking on the banner below! Thank you Denise for the opportunity to interview you!

1. Please describe your online business?

I have an EZShoppe called KKL Primitives. I sell my handcrafted primitives, country and folk art creations such as raggedy dolls, nodders, makedos, prim shutter wall hangings, prim muslin ornies and animals such as sheep and reindeer, shelfsitters, prim snowmen. I also have a website called KKL Kreations where I offer free advertising and low cost advertising options to other small websites who can't afford higher cost advertising campaigns.

2. When did you first open your first online business?

I opened my EZShoppe in April 2006 and my advertising website in Oct. 2006

3. During a typical week, how many hours do you work on your online business?

I work on my online businesses-about 6 hours each day which includes advertising via plug boards, banner exchanges, surf and click advertising sites, to get my name out there. Including crafting, I may put in approximately 40 hours a week. Not all at one time but intermittently during the day since I also care for my two small grandchildren.

4. What motivated you to open a business in the crafting and primitive community?

Last Novemeber, 2006 I started working area craft shows and there just didn't seem to be the interest in primitive crafts in my hometown and thought if I could reach more people via the internet, such as Ebay that I might have better luck. I accidently came upon the craft forum Prim Mart and met some great ladies and decided to open an EZShoppe and give that a go as well.

5. What is the one thing you did, that you would advice other NOT to do?

In an EZShoppe you are limited to 20 item listings. If an item isn't moving, take it out and replace it, keep the stock rotating. You can always bring back the item that didn't sell two months ago and it will seem fresh again. What I did was leave the same items sitting for months at a time and after a while no one looked any more. Change your inventory/stock often.

6. Do you have advice for a new crafter starting out in our business?

Don't give up easily, It can take a few years for an online craft business to succeed. There is a lot of "competition" other crafters with quality products similiar to your own. Try to come up with something that no one else is doing to make your product unique. Get your name out there. If you can't afford to pay for advertising, there are multitudes of free options to take advantage of such as free surf and credit sites, earning credits for banner impressions. Exchange links, plug yoru site on plugboards. Don't limit yourself to just craft site for advertising. You want to reach a wide variety of people to bring more traffic to your site. Even if that person who visited your site didn't purchase they might know someone who would be intersted and will refer you. Not all traffic that is generated to your site will bring sales, but it's all about getting your name out there, getting known, being remembered. It takes time, patience, hard work to be successful.

7. What are your furture plans for your online business?

Someday I hope to be able to open a larger shoppe such as DIYe store. But that won't be until my little shop is successful and I need to expand. I have no immediate plans for my 'advertising site" If it doesn't succeed I won't be heartbroken, but I would be if I couldn't get my crafting site off the ground.



To see more on this article CLICK HERE

Baked Apples with Granola

Good-for-you apples and oat-filled granola bars create a homey dessert. The microwave makes it extra-easy.

2 large crisp apples (such as Braeburn, Gala or Fuji)
2 tablespoons raisins or sweetened dried cranberries
2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
4 teaspoons butter or margarine, softened
4 Nature Valley® crunchy granola bars (2 pouches from 8.9-oz box) (any flavor), crushed
Milk, cream or fruit-flavored yogurt, if desired
Click here for the rest of this yummy recipe.

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Therefore it is a good idea to receive links to diffrent sections of your websites, offering popularity for more than just your front opening page.

Crafters Resource

Do you offer Crafting Supplies, Patterns, Advertising or something you think would interest in our Crafters? If your shop fits into our catagories on Crafters Resource please email us your banner and short description of your site to be included in our NEW crafters resource! This is a great FREE way to get added exposure for your site! All we ask in return is that you display our banner or button on your front page! Click here to visit Crafters Resource today!

Prim Talk Radio

Don't Forget on Friday mornings to hop on over to Prim Talk Radio to hear the latests segment in great Prim Crafts and Business ideas! Also don't forget you can hear three of our editors from Primitive Times Magazine on Prim Talk Radio.
Be sure to listen for Angie (the Owner) Missy Sue from The Whisper Moon and Renae from Colonial Primitive Peddlers. You can listen while you work! So grab your cup of coffee and listen to great advice and ideas. And don't forget all the shows are archived so you can listen to past weeks shows also. Click on button to the left to visit Prim Talk Radio

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Meet Our Newest Editor Niki Jackson

Welcome to my column, my name is Niki Jackson otherwise known as ‘The Vintage Artist’ and ‘Host of Prim Talk Radio’.
 
I really love Vintage and Primitive crafting, I came across it about 2 years ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. It was also 2 years ago when I started my first online business Cinnamon Creations where I sold my country and primitive crafts. I had dabbled with craft websites before but didn’t get serious till August 2004.
 
Cinnamon Creations has evolved into The Vintage Artist, I wanted to combine my love for crafts and art in a Vintage style so felt the name change was important.
 
I have always been a crafter at heart, as a kid I was always making something! So I guess it was fate that I would become “The Vintage Artist”. I am so excited to be a writer here at Primitive Times, I have loved writing just as much as crafting all my life and to get the opportunity to write here is amazing.
 
People often ask me how Prim Talk Radio came about and so if you are wondering too get comfy and I’ll tell you...
 
In January this year (2006) there was a lot of talk about podcasting and internet radio shows on the business mentoring group I am a graduate of (Mom Masterminds). This really interested me and it got me thinking about how great it would be to have a show where all we talked about was primitive crafting, how cool that would be! So I started enquiring about how to go about it and before I knew it we were launching.
 
It’s been a fantastic journey so far and I am really enjoying hosting it every week. If you haven’t listened to the shows before you can check them out at: http://www.primtalkradio.com
 
I hope you will enjoy my coloumn here and I look forward to chatting with you some day.
 
***Niki***

Meet Our Newest Editor Missy Sue

I have been crafting and creating all my life, although "prim" crafting came into my life about two years ago....and I was obsessed! Primitive crafting has become my favorite creative outlet and I thank my lucky stars everyday I found such a wonderful world of so many endless possibilities! I have an angel of a four year old son who keeps me on my toes everyday here in rural Missouri, he's taught me the most important lessons I'll ever learn. I believe in magic, in the beauty around us and try to capture it everyday in my creations and in my life. I'm as clumsy as an ox and tend not to take things very seriously, I'm silly and superstitous, but most of all I'm a goof.

"There are a few things, though, that I know for certain;
Always throw spilled salt over your left shoulder,
Keep rosemary by your garden gate,
Plant lavender for luck
and fall in love whenever you can."
~Practical Magic~

Meet Our Newest Editor Lisa

My name is Lisa Lowell. I live in tiny Brandon, Vermont with my husband and daughter. Our daughter was born in January of 2006. She is the best thing that ever happened to us and is the joy of our lives.

I started my business, Berry Country Crafts, 5 years ago. After doing the craft show circuit for a couple years, I opened my website. My goal was to build a business that would allow me to be a work at home Mom. This year I took over the programming and maintenance of my site. For the time being, I still work outside the home part time taking care of an adult with special needs (who happens to be my younger sister). I am very blessed, as my daughter can come with me to work.

Since my daughter was born, I have been burning the candle late into most nights teaching myself about website management and promotion. My goal has been to learn as much as I can about how to make a site sell without paying out a lot of money. I am hoping to share some of what I have learned with other crafters in the hopes that I may help out other moms, like me, who just want to be at home with their kids and earn some money at the same time.





My sites are

Berry Country Crafts (http://www.berrycountrycrafts.com)

Berry Country’s Craft Mall (http://www.berrycountrycrafts.com/craftmall.html)

Berry Country Crafts’ Topsite List (http://berrytopsite.gotop100.com/)
Berry Country’s Craft Mall Topsites (http://berrycountrycraftsmall.gotop100.com/)

Meet Our Newest Editor Nancie

I have been married to my wonderful husband Mark for 8 years. We have a great little boy "John" (6 years old) who is his daddy's little man.



We live on 40 acres with several sheep, 2 horses, 6 border collies and 1 pug who is The Speckled Goose's mascot. She works hard every day greeting all of our customers. She would love to meet you too.



I have been crafting for more years than I care to count or admit. The mediums that I currently work with are tole painting, stitching, and crochet to name a few. After I was laid off from my 8-5 day job, I started designing websites and electronic newsletters for local business and crafters, in addition to crafting full time.

Please Be sure Visit Nancies's Sites Below:

Craft E Newsletters
Creative Website Design by Nancie
Nancie's Country Collectables
The Speckled Goose

Meet Our Newest Editor Debbie

Hi...My name is Debbie and I co-own "Two Old Crows" that is named for Dean and I because we are "two", we are "old" get the senior discount at Dennys and we are grumpy. We live in St Louis Missouri with our large airedale "Roxie" . I have two grown children and three grandsons that I adore. Dean and I love scouring flea markets, auctions and estate sales for primitives, vintage collectibles and antiques. Some of these items we sell on our website "Two Old Crows" or our ebay store "Two Old Crows" without doing anything to them while others I turn into one of a kind pieces by folk art painting on them

I am excited about American Folk Art in all mediums but alarmed at how many of our crafts of the past are becoming lost arts. I in no way profess to be an expert but love sharing my knowledge and the skills I have acquired over the past twenty plus years in the hope that is will spark your imagination and inspire you to create something that will allow you to say "I made that !"

Meet Our Newest Editor Wanda

Hi, My Name is Wanda. I am a work at home mom with 2 children and a caregiver for my sister-in-law

We live in a 200 year old post and beam farmhouse, which is how Wanda's Country Farmhouse was created.

I love everything that is old and primitive.
I've been crafting for a few years now,everything from doll making, knitting, quilting,candle making , Christmas Wreaths.

I presently own two online Country and Primitive Marketplaces.
Supporting and Promoting your online business is what we strive for.
Thank You!
Wanda

Meet Our Newest Editor Dianne

Hi! My name is Dianne; I live in Davison, Michigan with my black cat, Lola, my "nekkid" dog, Agnes, (yes, she's a "bare nekkid" Chinese Crested with just a tuft of hair on the top of her head) and, whichever grandchild happens to be spending the night at Meme`s.

They are accustomed to my strange quirks, and think nothing of me stopping whatever I`m doing to jot down a design that just "popped into my head". Nor, do they miss a snore when I jump out of bed because I thought of something great in my sleep.

I have loved designing ever since I was a little girl. I spent the summer when I was 10 staying with an aunt, and from that time on, if I was dedicated to designing projects of all sorts. She taught me how to crochet, to sew, and to make patterns from old newpapers. We baked, did gardening, everyday was a new adventure. It was a fun time! Though I tried many crafts through the years, I have always come back to stitching and sewing and designing what I was making. Olde-time-stitchin is my dream come true, and I owe all the glory to God, cause through Him all things are possible!

Meet Our Newest Editor Brenda

Hi!

My name is Brenda not Hattie!

Hattie is my husband's grandmothers name! Why did I call my site after her?

I started by carving Santa's. I didn't think any one would want to buy a carved Santa from a Brenda! So I started to sign Hattie to my work. After 15 years of selling my crafts in 3 stores and setting up at 8 shows a years! I developed an allergy to wood dust. Needing a creative outlet, I started by creating a newsletter for two of the stores I sold my crafts too. This later developed into starting my first Web site. Well I got tired of buying clip art that didn't really link and not having the graphics that I wanted! So why not make my own!!! So here I am 4 years later drawing graphics and designing websites for others!

This year I started Country Primitive Marketplace a place where Crafters, and Hobbyists who have gathered together to bring you Hand Made goodies from the heart!!!

Thanks and God Bless

Brenda/aka Hattie

Be sure to click banners below to visit Brenda's Sites

Meet Our Newest Editor Angie

My name is Angie I am a Work At Home Mom from St Louis, MO area. Currently I own several Craft and Country Sites (see links below) and just love the Craft and Country Community!

I have had the pleasure of meeting so many wonderful and talented artists it just amazes me daily! I am a work at home mom to two girls who are the most important thing in my life! One is nine and a "Princess" in every sense of the word lol! My oldest is 14 and starting her teen years LORD HELP ME lol She is very atheletic and soo bright! I am just blessed!










I have been married for fifteen years to the love of my life Chris! He is a Mechanic and works very hard as do I. We were high school sweethearts lol





In addition to our kids we have several pets! We have three cats Midnight, Nikita, and Sara. Each of them with the most diffrent and distinct personality! And then there is the love of my life lol my dog Max he is my baby. He is pathetic lol just a big baby!

I started in the craft community by offering crafts of my own I started selling gift baskets and some handmade unique crafts of my own. That is how I met such wonderful crafters, then I started my first site Heartland Marketplace which has been a huge success! Then I started created graphics which has been my true passion and I started Heartland Graphics! I hope you will come back and visit us often! And be sure to sign our guest book!

Thank you

Angie

Make Room for Mystery, Awaken to the Magic

"........Magic flows through us, mystery infuses every encounter of every day. We conjure up the shoe that cannot be found, transform leftovers into a feast, coax bounty from barren earth, banish fear, heal hurts, make money stretch til the end of the month. We carry, cradle, nurture and sustain life. We do all this and much more. But most women are not aware of their tremendous power for good. We are asleep to our Divinity. We're not consciously awakened to the realization that we are descendants of an ancient, sacred lineage; the She.
Click here to read more from Missy Sue

A LESSON IN APPLIQUE By Niki from Niki's Sew Country

Traditional quilting we see all around us (stars, 9 patch, etc) is made by using pieced blocks, with rotary cutters and sewing machine, i.e. piecing blocks with smaller pieces by hand. We’ve all seen the cute little shapes and figures added to quilts. These are appliquéd to quilts. This is my favorite part of quilting. The possibilities are endless. You can add a name to a quilt. Maybe a saying. Something special you want to tell the person you’re giving the quilt to.
Click here here to read more from Niki

Pumpkin Centerpiece by Renae

Don't throw those pumpkins out just yet!! I know if you're like my family, we love to roast the pumpkin seeds after cleaning out the pumpkin, but it doesn't stop there. I cut away as much of the pumpkin as I can and cook it down and use it in my handmade soaps or whatever else I feel like cooking up at the time. What a beautiful centerpiece this will make for your festive table.
Click here to read more from Renae

Get Free Advertising in our PRINT version for December

IF you have a decorated Christmas Front Porch or your Shop decorated for Christmas and would allow us to use your photo for our front cover please send it to by clicking here. The person chosen for our Front Cover will receive an article in our magazine including information on your shoppe for FREE. OR imply submit a great recipe with photo or a Craft Project with photos for us to use in our PRINT version of our Dec Magazine and get a small article about your shoppe! A great way to get free advertising for you! Click Here .

Sweet Potato Garland From Debbie

weet potato garland is a wonderful accent to primitive or country decor. Stringed sweet potato garland is perfect for hanging on a primitive tree or as garland on a fire place or doorway. I don’t suggest putting it outside unless you don’t mind the varmit and birds eating it.
Click Here to read more from Debbie

Banner Chic's Craft Market

Just joined us TODAY as our newest partner! We are thrilled to be associated with such a great site! Banner Chic's Craft Market is a GREAT marketplace offering MANY catagories to choose from to advertise your Country or Primitive Site

Welcome to Banner Chic's Craft Market!

We feature many talented crafters and their unique products on our website!

Please browse the category listings to find crafts, primitives, candles, bath and body, patterns, children's boutique items and so much more!



Stop by Banner Chic's Craft Market and tell them that Primitive Times Magazine sent you!

Simply Prim Shoppes

Simply Prim Shoppes is our newest partner! They are a great NEW Craft Marketplace offering LOW cost advertising for Country and Primitive Crafters. With several catagories and adveritsing opportunities.

Welcome To Simply Prim Shoppes Where Crafters Come Togeather to bring you some of the best handcrafted crafts under one roof so sit back grab your favorite drink put your feet up and go shopping in the comfort of your own home and find just what you're looking for at simply prim shoppes

My Girls

Thought I would post some new pics of my girls

Prim Banner Exchange

Another great program from the owners or Prim Traffic is Prim Banner Exchange. This is another great FREE advertising solution! Simply put you put a line of HTML text on your site that will rotate banners. For each banner you show on your site you earn a credit towards having your banners shown.

This is a great FREE Advertising tool as once again the banners that will showed are Craft and Country related so it will not deter from your sites appearance.

Stop by Prim Banner Exchange today

AD:Business Degree Online

Have you been thinking about going back to college? Now you can a business degree online in a varitey of catagories. Choose from Business, Information Technology Edication, Human Services, and Psychology and Bachelor Degree Program. Capella University is opening up the world of education to those who just don't have time to attend a big university by offering online education.

Capella offers 76 Graduate and Undergraduate specializations and currently serves over 16,000 students from around the world. Capella University is a national leader in online education, dedicated to providing you the best service and pursuing balanced business growth.

Regarding Ads

To help support our site we will occasionally feature ads! These ads we are paid to adverise! Please skim over if not intersted

Thank you
Angie

Primitive Times Magazine Is HERE!

HOT OFF THE PRESSES!
GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!
FREE DOWNLOAD!

The FREE Primitive Times Magazine FIRST issue is NOW available for download! Our Magazine is 20 pages long full of great info for the crafter in all of us!

FREE RECIPES
FREE PATTERNS
FREE SOAP PAINTING INSTRUCTIONS
FREE SEWING INFORMATION
FREE Graphics
FREE Samplers
FREE Business Articles

You can download it by CLICKING HERE for by visiting our Homepage by clicking here

Handmade Heartfelt

Is our newests sponsor to Primitive Times Magazine! We invite you to learn more about them by reading below:

We Have What You Need For Your Fall Decorating & Holiday Shopping!

We Are Offering All Kinds Of Items, Some at Clearance Prices.

Our Booth Will Offer Great Specials, Free Prizes, and more!

Many items are priced from $1.00 to $5.00.

We have randomly placed Free Gifts throughout our Booth.
Find them, add them to your shopping cart and
they will be sent with your order, at no cost.
Be sure to look thru all the pages to each of them!

Visit Our Booth~ New Items will be added daily.
Check Back Often, as We Will Update Our Specials Often.
Every Order Will Receive A Surprize Free Gift!

In addition, we will have a different contest each day.
~PLUS~
The Grand Prize Winner, who has the most entries in our Contest,
will Receive a $25 Gift Certificate!

Each item ordered during the Craft Show earns an entry
into our contest for a $25 Gift Certificate.
The more you shop, the more entries you earn!

The Booth Special changes often-please visit our booth to view it:)

New Items!
~Grubby Winter Luminary Jars~
Perfect for your Fall & Winter Decorating.
Choose either Electric or tea light burning.

Come see our Tags, Prim Lamps, Mason Jar Lights,
Chick Feeder Lamps, Rosehips and Fixins, Tote Bags,
Candles. Plus clearance items: a Full Sized Witch, a Witchy Ornie & much, much more!

Keep checking back for a new items to be added every day!
Lampshades are available as a seperate purchase.
Most of our shades have matching tags.
Email us for details.

Join our mailing list for an additional entry into
our $25 Gift Certificate Contest.

Click here to visit their site

November Issue of Magazine is Available

Our First issue of Primitive Times Magazine is available for download! We are soo thrilled and excited and it has taken us all month to bring you a great quality FREE magazine from some wonderful editors! I hope you will enjoy our first issue and let us know how you liked it!

We love to hear your comments!
You can download your free copy by clicking here

Angie

Print Version of Magazine

Our Print Version of our Magazine will be available for download on November 1st! Please be sure to stop by and download it! Also let us know if you have any comments or suggestions!

Meet our Newest Editor Renae

Hi! My name is Renae and I am 34 years old and married to my best friend. We have 4 awesome boys we refer to as "the fantastic four" LOL!

I am a WAHM with a few websites of my own (listed below) although my passions are soapmaking and tart making, I do find time to sew and make new products for my spa line in between.
I've always been creative, from sewing to drawing and making things as a little girl to trying just about every type of art there is as an adult. And I haven't found one I don't like yet!

I love helping people discover their passions and indulge their curiosities to try new ones. One of my websites is specifically for WAHM's no matter what business you are in, we are your central online WAHM community. I feel that where ever your dreams and inspirations take you, you always need someone there to help. Supporting and promoting WAHM's is what we do best. And my other website is my shop Colonial Primitive Peddlers where I sell my handmade goods such as soap, tarts and my spa line Nae's Spa Needfuls, not to mention antiques and reproductions.

Be sure to visit Renae's Sites below

WAHM Break Cafe

Colonial Primitive Peddlers

Faithful Friends Online

Faithful Friends Online is our newest partner! And we are so proud to be associated with Debbie! Who happens to be our featured crafter for our FIRST issue of our magazine! So be sure to check that out! She offers a Marketplace catering to the crafting community and the WAHM community! Be sure to give them a visit!

Proudly Supporting Women in Business!
Work At Home Moms & Small Business Resource Site


Whether you are shopping for the perfect gift item or looking for website advertising for your site - We offer a complete networking support and banner advertising package for 100% Family-Oriented Online Businesses.

Kountry Home Market

Kountry Home Market is one of our newest partners! They offer a great Craft Marketplace with several opportunties to advertise!
Are you looking for Country or Primitive Crafts?
Business Resources for crafters?
Supplies, Gift Ideas?
You have come to the right place.
We have a large variety of Talented crafters within our pages.
Sit back, relax and shop to your hearts content...
in our Kountry Home right from the comfort of your Cozy Home!

Folk Art Square

Folk Art Square is one of our partners! This is a great mini craft mall where you can purchase a booth for as little as $5 a month and display your own products on it! Does not get any better than that! Stop by and visit Annie today and see all their great shops!

The Primitive Cellar

This is a great shop full of great items to decorate your home! You will find everything here from Raggedies, Americana, Seasonal Dolls, Prim Dolls, Historic Lighting, Candles,Primitive Things, Seasonal, Wholesale, and more! Read their introduction below

Unique reproduction primitive colonial furniture and decor from primitive hutches, dry sinks, wall cupboards, lighting, primitive dolls and a whole lot more is what you will find here at The Primitive Cellar! Sit back and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your home!

Stop by Primitive Cellar today!

Olde Barn Primitives

Olde Barn Primitives is our next sponsor! Kerri is the owner of this great site! It is a wonderful place to advertise your Country or Primitive Shop!With so many ways to advertise from Button advertising and banner advertising and more! She also has games and prizes and freebies and more! Stop by and say HI to Kerri today by visiting Olde Barn Primitives today

Candleberry Candles

Our newests Sponsor is Candlberry Candles! They are great friends of mine and offer a unique collection of Country Gifts! From Ceramic Gooses, Candles and Tarts to Primitive Home Decor!

We hope you will stop by and visit Candleberry Candles Today!

Meet Our Editor Linda

Hello! My name is Linda Walsh and I am a doll maker and doll pattern designer.

As you can tell from my picture above I always have to be different. Now, I know what you're going to say. You're going to tell me that that isn't a picture of you, Linda!

Well, you're right! It's a picture of "The Little Victorian Girl" that has become my Linda Walsh Originals mascot and logo.

So, why am I showing that as a picture representing me? For a really good reason - SURVIVAL!!!!!!

You see, I live in a house filled with over 1,000 handmade dolls and, they rule everything. Albeit, I created all of them and they aren't human. But, that doesn't matter to them. They out vote me just by sheer numbers.

So, to keep peace in "The Dollie Storage Room", which is where they live - over the garage, I had to make the picture that represents all of us "The Little Victorian Girl."

We, that is, me and all the dolls, are the owners of Linda Walsh Originals which sells "Doll Patterns For Grown-up Girls!" and Linda Walsh Originals Dolls" which sells "Handmade Dolls & Crafts For Grown-up Girls!"

We also have, as Angie said "a zillion blogs" some of which are as follows:



Linda's Blog
DOLLS BLOG by Linda Walsh Originals
Linda's 12 Months of Sewing Blog
Instant Download E-Patterns Blog
I Love Crafts and Craft Blogs
Tips For Crafters On The Web Blog
Testing The Blogs Series and Helpful Blog Tips Blog
The Best FREE Craft Articles
We actually have seven other blogs, but, you get the idea. We do have a "zillion" blogs.

Why so many, you might wonder? Well, the dolls just love to see their names in print.

We also have two other blogs which are actually plugboard blogs. They were created to help give the small business crafter on the web a place to plug their website for FREE. They are:

Dollie and Crafts Plugboard
Crafting For All Plugboard

We also have a toplist entitled "Top Blogs By Crafters" that we started to showcase some of the best blogs by crafters on the internet. You see, I like to do as much as a I can to help showcase "crafters" on the net.

Why?

For a couple of reasons.

First, the crafting community on net is one of the best communities out there. Everyone is always so willing to help everyone else out.

Secondly, because I don't think the crafters on the net get the "respect" that they should from the mainstream internet. So, wherever I can I try to promote all the crafters on the net.

And last but not least, I need something to write about in all those blogs besides "dolls" - don't I?

Meet our Editor Paula

All About Paula


Hello there......my name is Paula and I'm the owner of 'Rusty Pins and Old Lace'.
I've been married for almost 20 years now to my wonderful husband Alan. He is the 'wood worker' behind the scenes of 'Rusty Pins'. Together we have 3 children....and our 1st. grandbaby expected in early spring 2007. I'm not ready to be called 'Grandma' yet.....but I do love the idea of having another reason to shop!!
'Rusty Pins and Old Lace' was started 2 years ago with a dream of sharing my hand mades. I fell in love with extreme primitive a few years back, and being a crafter from the time I could walk....decided to try my hand at it. It's been a wonderful passion since. The more extreme....grungy...dirty...and holes it has...the more I love it!!
My true goal for starting 'Rusty Pins and Old Lace' was to put smiles in people's hearts. I hope I never get to old to do just that.
I feel so blessed to be among this group of awesome women. I hope that I'm able to inspire you to grow, craft, and enjoy your love for life with the ideas I share with you in this magizine.
Thank you and Sweet Blessin's to you always.


Click here to read more about Paula

Meet our Editor Niki

Hi there. I'm Niki. I'm 34 years old. I live in the HOT state of Arizona, USA with my 4 kids and dh (that's dear husband. LOL) I've been crafting/creating ever since I was 10 years old when my grandmother taught me how to embroider. From there I learned to crochet. Then I was taught to sew (by my mom). I made my first 'quilt' (or so I thought that's what that was) in 1990. I got interested in scrapbooking when my first son was born (1993). Didn't do much crafting after that until 2001, when I took my first REAL quilting class.

Have been quilting ever since. In 2005 I learned how to make primitive dolls (self taught) and 'stitchings'. I am now pursuing One Stroke (tole-like) painting. My passion is quilting and will never give that up. I am also a stay at home mom AND work out of my home doing medical transcription. I have a very full plate, but creating is what I enjoy the most, so here I am....looking to inspire others.

Click here to read more about Niki

A Primitive Journey=New Advertiser

Our latest advertiser is A Primitive Journey please see more about them below


WELCOME TO A PRIMITIVE JOURNEY, We have added alot of new things to our site in the last couple of weeks please take your time and browse around We hope you find something you'd love to have. Please feel free to email us with any questions Check back often, as we will be adding new things regularly. Shipping is added at checkout . I WOULD PREFER THAT ALL ORDERS BE PLACED USING THE EMAIL ORDER BUTTON SO THAT I MAY ADD SHIPPING TO YOUR INVOICE. I WILL THEN SEND YOU AN INVOICE BACK THROUGH EMAIL. THANKS AND HAVE A PRIM DAY!

Items offered at their store:
Votive holders
Signs
Prim Kleenex Boxes
Air Freshners
Barrel Jars
Tarts N Fixins
Stitchery and more

Olde Village Depot-New Advertiser

Our latests advertiser is Olde Village Depot please see more about them below

A Village Of Primitive Shoppes
The Olde Village Depot is the online marketplace to find all your primitive needs. This primitive online market is the ultimate one stop shopping experience. Journey back in thyme with the many wonderful primitive and colonial shops. You will be able to find early wares, primitive furniture, primitive lighting, candles, primitive dolls, primitive folk art, primitive quilts, primitive rugs and many needfuls. Here at the Olde Village Depot you will find every possible accessory for your primitive or colonial home decor.
Visit The Olde Village Shoppes to go to the directory of shoppes where you will find the many different categories. Here you will find that perfect prim item you are searching for.

Be sure to check out the Olde Village Tokens to view special sales by our vendors.

So grab a cup of coffee, sit back and relax and enjoy your shopping experience at the The Olde Village Depot.

Mud Pie Primitives-New Advertiser

We have a new advertiser on Primitive Times Magazine they are Mud Pie Primitives
here is a little bit about the shoppe.

"Welcome to Mudpie Primitives a home based company. Established November 1997, we have always strive to offer carefully crafted and selected items at reasonable prices combined with honest, prompt and friendly service."

They have a great collection of stuff here are their catagories
Holiday
Lights and Bulbs
Wax Tarts N Warmers
Dolls
Signs
Pillows
Prim Prettys
Craft Supplies
Fabric
Brown Bag Sales
Their Ebay Auctions

Stop by Mudpie Primitives today and tell them that Primitive Times Sent YOu!

Doll Purfume recipe-From Wandas Country Farmhouse

Wandas Country Farmhouse has a new article on Primitive Times Magazine titles "Doll Perfume Recipe" here is a small sample

Doll Purfume recipe

I use my doll perfume recipe on all my dolls, and I thought I would like to share with other crafters, it's fun and very easy..

RECIPE FOR DOLL PERFUME

I use this on all my dolls, they smell sooo good!

To read the rest please click here to visit us

NEW Article in Prim Business Articles

We have a new article in Prim Business Articles
Titled : "Mailing Lists Should I Offer One?"

Alot of people in the crafting community have small boxes on their front page asking you to enter your email address to sign up for a newsletter or sales updates. These are wonderful ways to keep in touch with your customers on a personal basis. Your newsletter is your gateway to keep your customer coming back. Newsletters in my personal opinion are one of the hearts of any good online business. Click here to read more from Angie

NEW Article in "Dear Linda"

Our newest column "Dear Linda" has a new article titled:
"A Teddy Bear As A Scarecrow"

Here is a sample of the article.....

You can't be a doll designer or doll pattern designer and not have one, two, three, four or more scarecrow dolls. They can be primitive, classic, scary, well-dressed, tattered, large or small bodied, cheerful, scary, etc. It doesn't matter. They're a staple of every crafter. Why is that? Click here to read more on LInda's Article

NEW Article in "Quilting and Stitching with Niki"

Niki has just posted a new article! Titled:
"It's not as hard as you think...let's learn to quilt!"
Here is a small excerpt from this article....

When I started thinking about learning to quilt I was very intimidated by all the shapes and colors, like putting together a hard puzzle. I NEVER thought I could master the art of quilting. Here I am almost 6 years later and quilting up a storm. Click here to read more from Niki

Fall and Christmas Contests

We are offering our Craft and Prim Community a chance for FREE advertising in several ways! One is to submit a photo of your FRONT porch or FRONT of your house decorated for FALL and CHRISTMAS! Our Fall photo will be used for our November issue and the Christmas Photo will be used for our December issue!

This is a great way to get FREE advertising for you site! So get to decorating your porches today! We will announce winners around October 20th for the Fall Picture and November 20th for the Christmas photo!

Best of luck
Angie

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS CLICK HERE

Our Print Magazine Will Start Taking Ads on October 1st

We will offer a FREE Print version of our Magazine Monthly! This is a great way for your to advertise your site, and your products! You can stop by and click on our advertising page to see our layouts and prices! Ads will go on sale October 1st for our Novemeber Issue!

We hope you will stop by and visit our new site and also grab your ad spot today!

Angie

Welcome to Primitive Times Magazine

We are a NEW Country and Primitive Magazine we hope you will stop by and visit us often to see all the great new content we are adding!
Welcome to Primtive Times Magazine
We are so pleased to have you with us. We are Primtive and Craft Online Magazine offering you the best of the crafting community. Please bear with us as we finish our site to launch very soon! You can sign up for advertising now! Grab your spots before they fill up!

Click here to visit us today