Primitive Times Magazine Decemeber Issue is Ready

Our December Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

Full of Great Holiday
E-Patterns and Instructions FREE Graphics, Recipes and Great Holiday Stories and
More!

 

Prim Talk Radio Show #80

This Week's Show Contents:

• 
  

  Angie Owner of Heartland Graphics I will be sharing a great Thanksgiving Recipe and also a segment on how to draw quality traffic to your site.

  
  


• 
  

  Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wives talks about how you can involve your kids to help you out with your crafting business

  
  


• 
  

  Linda Pinda from Linda Pinda Designs Linda is sick this week and will be back next week

  
  


• 
  

  Heather from Cotton Pickin Prims is here to talk about how she lost weight due to a New Year's Resolution and and how she plans on losing more!

  
  


• 
  

  Michele from
  Briar Patch Prim is here to tell you how to make dried fruit

Visit our site at www.primtalkradio.com to listen to our latest show

How to get your kids to help on your crafting business by Michelle Lammers

Greetings and welcome to my segment this week. Last week I took a break from doing a segment. I had
to get ready for a big craft fair on Saturday. To say the least I was thankful that I had plenty of
goodies for the customers to buy. Since I did the craft fair I thought that I would talk about how we
can have our children help us out when possible.

All three of my children seem to be very helpful children when it comes to certain things. They like to
help me get the truck loaded, which can be like a jigsaw puzzle. Once the truck is loaded, we can get
moving towards the craft fair. I have found that if I can set up the night before it makes a great
difference, I am not rushed the morning of the craft fair. Once we get to where we can set up. The
kids can be very helpful in helping unload the truck. I have a couple of heavier pieces that I need help
both setting up and taking down.

Now that the vehicle is all unloaded it is time to set up. You can give the children small tasks that they
will be able to accomplish without to much fuss. One of the things I have found that my youngest can
do without problems is my ornie tree. I have a very simple post that has pegs that can have the ornies
put on it. After putting the ornies on this, they can help put some extra ornies on a small primitive tree.
I have found that this works in my area as it shows what the ornies look like on a tree but you don’t have
to carry a large tree and set it up.

After that simple task is done, they are great to hand you things that you need. I have found that the
more that you include the children with the process of doing craft fairs, the more understanding they
are. Now that you have finished your set up of the booth, then it is time to go home and rest for a few
hours until the next morning. I usually like to have one of my children help me at the craft fair. I don’t
take my youngest as she can be a handful and talks about silly things to the customers. But the older
ones can be great helpers for you. If there is a small break they can sit with the booth while you run to
the bathroom or to get something to eat.

Once the fair is over my children are great helpers on getting things packed and loaded into the truck.
This is just another aspect of the craft fairs that they can learn about. I find that it is important that
I make sure that I load things back the way I had time before. That way if I need something I can
find it without issues.

So now that the vehicle is loaded and we are on our way back home it is a great time to ask them how
they thought it went. Mine always like to know how it went, so we talk about it. This is a great way for
them to see what the customers were buying. We even come up with new ideas for the next time. Some
craft fairs are better then others, so this helps the children understand why we can be frustrated.
Sometimes it feels that if we work hard and can’t sell much. Then there are the other times that it
works out great and we do well at the craft fairs. Having your children see both ways helps them
understand that it is a hard venture, but can be a rather rewarding one in the end.

I realize that not everyone will want to include their children in the process of the craft fair set up on
take down. But I would recommend at least giving it a try once to see if it works for you and your
children. They may get an eye opener and understand what we go through durning craft fair season.

Thanks for listening to my segment this week and I hope that you have a great week. If you have any
comments about this or a past segment please feel free to stop by my site and send me an email. Visit
at www.scrappinwitharmywife.com Happy Crafting and Craft Fairs!

The Holidays and Maintaining Your Weight Loss by Heather

The Holidays and Maintaining Your Weight Loss
Goal

 

 

Hi everyone, it’s Heather from Cotton Picken Prims. 
Welcome to this week’s Prim Talk Radio show.  I’ve just wrapped up my craft
shows for the season this past week and I’m happy to report they were very
successful.  I hope you’ve had the same success with your shows this year.

 

The holiday’s are just around the corner, my how time
flies.  Our US friends will be celebrating Thanksgiving in just a couple of
weeks and then Christmas is on the horizon a month later.  With all the family
gatherings and social parties that will be heading our way soon, it will be
difficult not to be tempted by all that turkey and delicious array of sweets
that will be offered to us.  Last year I made a New Year’s resolution to get
into shape and start eating healthier.  My goal was to loose weight.  I didn’t
start my resolution right away as with every resolution in years past would fall
by the way side before the first of February.  I waited and started my new
resolution in April.  I joined a weight loss program with a friend.  I struggled
at first and then started to see some results.  I didn’t push myself into my
goal weight too hard.  My personal goal each week was to loose one pound.  If I
lost more it was a bonus for me.  I started weighing and measuring out my food
and counting my points for the day.  I began walking and exercising daily as
well.  Just 30 minutes each day will give you simple results.  A few months
later I joined a women’s only gym and started a simple weight training and
toning workout three times a week.  Soon the pounds started to shed off.  I was
looking better, had more energy than I’d had in years and was eating healthier
meals each day.  I’ve lost just a little over 40 pounds now and it feels so
great to walk into a store and purchase items a size smaller.  I still have
about 80 more pounds to go and will get to that goal weight by the end of 2008. 
That’s my personal goal, is to be down the 80 pounds by this time next year. 
Baby steps, I call it.  One day at a time, one meal at a time.  Loosing weight
is not about being on a diet, you have to think of it as a lifestyle change.  A
lifestyle change at any age can be a challenge, but once you start seeing
results and feeling better, you will realize that this new lifestyle will make
you so much more happier and healthier. 

 

With the holidays approaching, I’m starting to plan ahead
for meals so that I’m not tempted to stray away from my weight loss challenge. 
I’m searching out recipes that offer a healthy alternative.  For stuffing, I’m
going to be using a low fat recipe.  Desserts will consist of low fat items or
more fruit this year.  Hey nothing wrong with a red or green jello with fruit
and a dollup of fat free cool whip on top!  I find planning ahead keeps me from
binge shopping and eating.  This will be my first Christmas on my new lifestyle
change and as with holidays that have past by this past year, I’ve found
planning ahead keeps me on my toes and allows me to still enjoy the festivities
of the season without gaining the weight I’ve lost.

 

You’re probably saying, Heather that’s all good for when
I’m home with family, but what about those dreaded work parties and those nights
out attending holiday parties at friend or relative houses?  Well that’s not a
problem.  A work party, you usually will know where it’s going to be held.  If
it’s going to be held at a restaurant, familiarize yourself with their menu
ahead of time and plan out a meal that will work for you.  Start with a soup or
salad and then look for a broasted chicken or non battered fish plate on the
menu.  Top it off with maybe a fruit cup for dessert.  If an alcoholic beverage
is to be served, opt for one small glass and then stick to water or
decaffeinated coffee or tea after that.  Don’t worry if you feel you aren’t
eating as much as our co-workers.  I used to feel that I had to eat huge
platefuls for that’s what others did.  Little did I know how many calories and
bad items I was putting on that fork and into my mouth.  Now I eat a little
slower than the others and it looks like I’ve had just as big a meal and still
stay to my plan for loosing weight.  Heading out to a friend’s house party? 
Don’t worry, make up a fruit bowl or a low fat cheese and cracker platter and
take it with you.  Don’t feel that you’re imposing on your host or sending the
wrong message that you don’t care for her food.  Taking your own little platter
will give you the confidence that you have something at her party that you can
eat and not feel guilty about later.  If your friend is a true friend in your
weight loss challenge, she won’t be offended at all.  Another little trick I
like to do when we’re heading out to a house party is I will have a pre party
snack.  I’ll eat one of those 100 calorie dark chocolate Aero bars (only 2
points) and will eat a small apple just before heading out the door.  In 4
points I’m good to go and won’t overindulge at the party.  While at the party,
move around and socialize.  Doing so will leave you less tempted to hit the
trays upon trays of food sitting out.  Don’t be tempted by all the wonderful
alcoholic drinks that will be available.  Those are high in points value.  Opt
for a diet soda or a fruit water.  Don’t be ashamed in bringing your own items
to drink for the night.

 

One of the most important elements to the holidays is to
get out and exercise.  Taking a brisk 30 minute walk after all that turkey will
make you feel so alive and will help shed those few extra pounds at the same
time.  I know with the colder weather approaching us, it’s not overly tempting
to be out there walking.  Bundle up and get out there for that walk.  Trust me
after a few minutes of walking you’ll be sweating and feeling warm in no time. 
While out strolling, enjoy your neighbour’s holiday decorations and clear your
mind.  You’ll feel so exhilarated and alive.

 

I hope I’ve helped give you some ideas on how to prepare
for the holiday season and not falter on your lifestyle change routine.  If you
haven’t started that new lifestyle change, give it a whirl today.  There are all
sorts of weight loss centers out there that can help you reach your goal.  Find
one that best suits your needs and jump on the wagon to a new you.  If you
started today, you could be less 10 pounds by Christmas.  It’s true.  That’s my
new goal for these next few weeks….to be less another 10 pounds before December
25^th.  I’ll keep you posted on my progress.  If you have any
questions or want more information on my personal quest to a new me, drop me a
line.  You can reach me through Prim Talk Radio here or through my website,
Cotton Picken Prims.  You can find us on the web at:

www.cottonpickenprims.com   .   I hope you’ve enjoyed this week’s segment. 
Start planning for those holiday meals and gatherings now and let me know how
you’re progressing with your new lifestyle change!  Till next week everyone,
have a great week!  

 

 

Holiday Issue of Primitive Times Magazine

Our November Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

1.

Front Cover

2.

Welcome and Index

3.

Holiday Special

4.
Meet
Our Editors

5.

Wanda’s Corner

6.

Country Christmas w/Laurie

7.
Cats
in Barn Pattern

8.

E-Pattern

9.

E-Pattern

10.

E-Pattern

11.

E-Pattern

12.

E-Pattern

13.

Country Coasters w/Laurie

14.

Christmas Past N Present

15.

Strawberry E-Pattern

16.

Punkin Dough Critters

17.

Punkin Dough Critters Cont

18.

Punkin Dough Critters

19.

Punkin Dough Critters

20.
A
Harvest Blessing

21.

Adveriting your own Website

22.

Adveriting your own Website

23.

Household and Recipe Tips

24.

Household and Recipe Tips

25.

Household and Recipe Tips

26.

Remembering Christmas

27.

Remembering Christmas

28.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

29.
Featured Crafter

30.
Featured Crafter

31.
Ads

32.
Wanda’s Country Farmhouse

33.
PMT Info

34.
Dear PMT-

35.
Country Folkart Marketplace

36.
The Keeping Room

37.
Primitive Grungy Jar

38.
Primitive Grungy Jar Cont

39.
Ads

40.
Ads

41.
Featured Crafter

42

Featured Crafter

43

Featured Crafter

44

Recipe Corner

45

Recipe Corner

46
Ads

47
Mini
Crab Cakes Recipe

48

Primitive Braided Curtains

49

Choosing and Preparing Gourds to Paint

CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR MAIN SITE

 

Thanksgiving Decorating Ideas by Angela Wenke

Today I thought since Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching
it might be a great timet o start talking about how to decorate your home and
table for the holidays! The great thing about Thanksgiving is that a lot of the
decorations can be for FREE and found in just the outdoor elements such as
gourds and pumpkins and leaves and acorns and so one!

 

If you are in a quick pinch and need a simple centerpiece
idea you can take either treenware bowls or vintage pots and pans and line them
down the center of your dining table and then taking fresh fruits, leaves,
acorns, ghords, squashes, cinnamon sticks, mini pumpkins and dried flowers you
can fill with a beautiful assortment of fall autumns! And you cost you next
nothing to create but it will fill your house with beautiful autumn colors and
textures and scents.

Want to add some pizzaz to your candles for your
Thanksgiving dinner? Take a couple of pillar candles in white or autumn colors
and some floral wire and autumn leaves and you are on your way to a fancy
display! Using tall pillar candles of any width put autumn leaves on the sides
of the candles so that it forms a nice row of leaves around the base of the
candle and hold into place with floral wire. Make sure there is a couple of
inches from the top of the candle and the top of the leaves to allow you time to
burn your candlewithout ruining the leaves.

Don’t’ forget the lighting this year! You need some abience
and to do so fill your home with autumn scented candles, the smell will fill
your home with wonderful autumn aromas and the candle light will give your home
a certain ambience! If you don’t have or don’t want to use candles you could
always use carriage lights or lanterns also.

Another idea is if you grow your own herbs In your herb
garden think of picking your herbs and adding them all around your home in small
baskets in your kitchen and living room filling your home with wonderful aromas!
And we don’t want to forget to decorate the all fun Kid table! You will want to
decorate the kid table to keep your little ones entertained while they are
waiting on everyone to finish up their meals. Since our theme is Thanksgiving
you could add a map the table as a tablecloth and add some small boats to
represent the first boats to discover

America, to add another fun touch you could have handmade
headbands for each of your kiddos laying on top of their plates! Just take
construction paper and scissors and stapler and create your headband don’t
forget to adorn it with a colorful ribbon now you have a table full of Indians.
And lastly offer small boxes of crayons so your little Indians can chart their
path on the map of where they plan to sail off too.

Chocolate Pecan Pie Recipe by Angela Wenke

My Aunt brought over a YUMMY pie for our last Christmas
that we all fell in love with so I decided to share the recipe! We all love
Pecan pies in my family and this year my Aunt tricked us as we thought we were
getting ready to bite into her traditional pecan pie we all love so much only to
find out it was chocolate pecan pie! Can we say it was to die for!!! It was soo
delicious I hope you will love this recipe as much as we did.

Crust:

1-1/4 cups flour

Pinch salt

6 Tbsp. unsalted, cold butter, cut into slim pats

About 3 to 5 Tbsp. ice water

Filling:

1-1/3 cups pecan halves or large pieces

4 eggs, graded “large”

1 Tbsp. instant espresso powder

1/3 cup unsalted butter, softened

3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 cup sifted or strained unsweetened cocoa powder

Pinch salt

1 cup light corn syrup

For Crust:

In medium bowl, combine flour and salt; stir to mix well. with two knives or
pastry blender, cut in butter until mixture is in fine crumbs. (This step can
also be done in a food processor fitted with a steel blade; pulse on-and-off
until butter-flour mixture is in fine crumbs, then turn into medium bowl.)
Gradually add just enough ice water so that pastry holds together. Form into a
ball, then flatten into a disk. Handle as little as possible. Wrap tightly in
plastic wrap; chill at least 1-2 hours. Roll out crust on lightly floured
surface with lightly floured rolling pin. Turn crust over frequently, and
lightly re-flour work surface and rolling pin as necessary. Crust should be
rolled into a circle about 13″ in diameter. Fit crust into ungreased, 9″ pie
plate of heatproof glass; form a high-standing rim, trimming excess from edges
and pinching or fluting rim decoratively as desired. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
F. Thoroughly prick crust all over with fork. Chill at least 10 minutes while
oven heats. Bake in preheated oven 5 minutes (crust will not brown). Remove to
rack and cool completely before filling.

For Filling:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. If your pecan halves are very large, break them
up a bit with your fingers; otherwise, use them as they are. Scatter them evenly
on the bottom of the cooled pie shell. In small bowl, with fork, beat eggs to
combine. Add espresso powder and beat to mix. Let stand at least 10 minutes,
beating occasionally to dissolve espresso. By hand, in medium bowl, cream
softened butter, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Beat in cocoa and
salt. Add egg-espresso mixture one-third at a time, beating after each addition
until smooth. Stir in corn syrup. This “custard” will be thick–that’s OK. Pour
mixture slowly over pecans in pie shell. If any pecans do not get completely
covered by “custard”, submerge them until they do. Let stand 2-3 minutes; with
toothpick or tip of sharp knife, pierce any remaining air bubbles (during this
standing period, pecans may rise to top of pie–OK). Bake in preheated 400 degree
oven for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 degrees F; bake 33-37 minutes longer
(total baking time is 43-47 minutes), or until edges are cracked and risen but
pie center still quivers slightly when pie is shaken gently. Do not overbake. If
pie begins to brown excessively, cover top lightly with foil. Remove from oven;
cool on rack before serving.

Mary Jo’s Segment on our Prim Family

Hello Prim Talk Radio Listeners, this is Mary Jo with
FineCountryLivingPrimitives.com. I’m sorry I missed last week’s show. My husband
and I are opening our own brick and mortar store here on our property and we are
doing all the work ourselves to save on start up costs. What we are paying for
is our lack of extra time, and last week the days just got away from me!

I’m glad to be back this week, but I’m here with a bit of sad news. A few
months ago, Angie had a wonderful segment on joining eBay groups and networking.
I’ve been a member of a wonderful eBay group for well over a year now called
APCG A Primitive Country Gathering. Many of our contributors here and on
Primitive Times Magazine are also members, and it is a wonderful gathering of
primitive sisters and we share the love of crafting, art, and sisterhood.

Our wonderful leader since the beginning is Kassy. Kassy passed away just
this week after an illness, and it is devastating news for all of us in our very
close-knit group. She was a wonderful person, and touched each and every person
she ever met with her unending kindness, support and love.

We will miss Kassy greatly, and I want this segment to be in honor of her and
what she has taught me. This segment is going to be about our primitive
community.

Until I entered into this community of primitive lovers and crafters, I never
knew that it existed. It’s not a community located in one place, it consists of
many locations throughout our country and even our world, but brought together
with everyone’s love for primitives and things that remind us of the simpler
times.

This community ranges from the online magazines and craft malls, through to
chat rooms, eBay groups and WAHM forums where people gather to meet and chat
about our work. What ends up happening is you see one person in one forum, then
maybe when you read a great online article or hear a segment on a pod cast such
as Prim Talk Radio, you realize that it’s that person you’ve been chatting with
online for a few months. Many forums do exchanges where you are partnered up
with another member and you exchange something handmade and it’s amazing how
much you get to know a person just from that little gesture!

When I speak of our prim community with what I call “outsiders” such as my
family and my local friends and neighbors, people look at me as if I’m a bit
crazy! I will be laughing and tell them of a story I heard from one of my
friends, and they will say something like “Who?” I then usually reply, “Oh, my
online friend Michele, or Renae”, and they just don’t understand that you really
create a bond with these people.

We all share a common thread with our love of primitives, and many of us are
WAHM’s that are always there for each other when times get crazy or tough. Many
times we bounce new ideas off of each other or ask one another for opinions on
store names, or new doll ideas, because only one of us prim lovers can truly
understand what the other is saying or even thinking.

I guess that what I’m trying to say is that it is a large community online
for us crafters and prim lovers, but it is also so small when we all get to know
each other, support each other, and lend a helping hand when needed.

I encourage all of you to get involved with this little community if you have
not already. And if you have, next time you are online, say thank you to your
friends who always seem to be there when you need them most, those who truly
understand how hard it is to work from home and take care of the kids, cook
dinner and do the chores all at once. Take the time to tell those sisters in
your community that they mean the world to you, because someday, they just may
not be there to hear it.

I truly didn’t want this to be a sad segment, and I’m sorry if it sounded
like it was. I want this segment to be a reminder of how special so many of you
are and to continue to enjoy each other’s company. I know that myself, and many
of us, will miss our dear sister Kassy, but I also know that this community
meant so much to her, and if she could, she would encourage all of us to share
our passions with others as she shared hers with so many of us.

May we all continue our sisterhood in her honor and thank you all for being a
part of this special community!

Fine
Country Living Primitives

http://finecountrylivingprimitives.com/store/Default.asp

Primitive Times Magazine Sept Issue Is Ready

Our September Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of Contents Below:

Inside This Issue:

Introduction and Welcome by Angie—Page 2

An En "Lighting" Lesson—Page 3

Assorted Recipes and Crafts—Page 4

Beat Some Stress—Page 5

Fall Potpourri Balls-Page 5

Featured Editor DIanne—Page 6

Amish Country Getaway—Page 7

New Salem Getaway—Page 8=9

Unique Uses for Vodka—Page 10

FREE Fall Patterns—Page 10

Information on FREE Advertising —Page 11

The HUNT By MIchele—Page 12

Eckerts Farm Trip—Page 13-15

Wandas Country Farmhouse Ad—Page 16

Spotlight Ads—Page 17

Country Folkart Marketplace Ad—Page 18

Spotlight Ads-Page 19-21

Fre Fall Graphics —Page 22

Great Fall Recipes=Page 23

The Keeping Room-Page 24

Click here to download the latest version

Prim Talk Radio Show #70

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PRINTED VERSION OF OUR SHOW
Today’s Show:

• Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing some great crafts to create with Dried Apples, Also a Fall Candle Decoration and then a great business article on How to Keep your Sanity while the kids go back to school





• Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks to us about how to set and achieve our
  goals


• Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives

is out of town this week she will be back again next week




• Heather from CottonPickin Prims is here talksome wonderful tips and tricks for crafting



• Aurelia Williams from Real LifeCoaching is off this week she will be back again next week


• Renae Meyers from Prim Clipper and WAHM Clipper shares some great Bath N Body
  recipes with you


• Debbie Hainline from Two Old Crows is off this week





• Email me for our NEW Special Send Paypal to
  AngelaWenke@aol.com Your choice of
  the following: One Year of Front Page Advertising for $100/Year or 6 months of
  advertising for $60 just put Advertising PTR in the subject line sale good
  through Sunday at midnight

Click here to download MP3

Click here to visit our Home Page

Keeping Your Sanity As A New Year School Year Starts

Keeping Your Sanity As A New Year School Year Starts
By Angela Wenke

Like a lot of you mother’s right now, my kids are putting the finishing touches on getting ready for the new school year. Checking their backpacks to make sure they have everything ready for school. Pondering over what outfit to wear on that first day, and where their classes are located. As this week has progressed I have realized, not only does the kids going back to school stress me out but my kids also. So I thought I would share some great tips to help you keep your sanity while we try to get back into the swing of school life again.

It is that time of year again where we have to role out our appointment books to mark all the children’s after school activities, and the kids school schedules and the parent and teacher meetings. Sometimes it can seem very overwhelming, especially when you have more than one child to get ready for the school year.

One of the biggest tips I have learned through trial and error in raising my children, is being organized is an absolute must, While I was doing all the school supply shopping for own kids, I also purchase a few items to help me keep track of our lives to help me keep my sanity.

Items we purchase:
Purse size agenda or calendar
Wall Mount Calender
Dry Erase Markers and Eraser

One of the best tools we have in our home is our Wall mounted calendar in our kitchen, With this calendar we keep track of the kids sports and games, early dismals or school meetings and so much more. I keep a small dish on our counter top with four colored dry erase markers in it, Each person is assigned a color so if they need to add activity to our calendar we knew who’s writing it was. Every Sunday I will take my purse size calendar and compare it to the Wall Mounted Calender so I know that our calendars match and I know where I have to be for each day of the upcoming week.
Next to our Calender I have Two paper hanging on my wall that show my girls chores charts for the week. Now my girls are 10 and 15 so obvisouly they have more chores than a child say starting kindergarten., But I have learned through running my own home daycare and also teaching preschool that a child from the age of 4 years and older should have a chore chart to help your child feel a sense of responsibility. When my children come home they immediately grab themselves a snack and rest for a short period then it is off to chores and homework. They know if they plan on playing with the neighborhood kids or visiting friends that the chores and homework have to be completed first.

Another tradition we have developed in our home is to set aside two nights a week that is strictly FAMILY NIGHT which I know can be hard in a busy household. Especially with everyone running in different directions, but on family night not only do we all eat together and discuss the days events but afterwards we either watch a movie together or play a board game or go for a walk. Just to allow us time to connect together as a family at least for couple nights out of the week.
On the weekends I try to plan our menu for the week according to what our schedule looks like, this not only helps in our grocery shopping by allowing us to only buy the items we will be needing instead of ton of extra junk food but this also allows me a easy to look at menu to see what I will be cooking for each night. Now there are times where we may switch a meal to a different night but the menu is a nice outline for our family, If I plan on having any meals that are very time consuming I tend to prepare the meals on the weekends, this helps me out a great deal. So that I am not rushing to prepare dinner right after the kids get home, but I can sit down and chat with them about their day they just had.

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

Easy Fall Decorating Ideas

Welcome Prim Talk Listeners to another great week of wonderful crafting tips and creations! Today I wanted to share some fun and easy tips for decorating your home for the Fall Season! These are super easy and fun crafting ideas that you can do in your spare time or on a lazy weekend.

Fall Candle Decorating

A Treenware Bowl or Prim Bowl
Votive Candles in Fall Scents like Pumpkin or Ginger
Popcorn Kernels in assorted colors
Small mixed nuts and berries
Pine cones and Pine Needles
Essential Oil in a Fall Scent
For a Halloween Decoration you can Use Candy Corn

Simply fill a deep bowl with an assortment of nuts, berries, popcorn kernels, pine cones, pine needles or even fall dried flowers. Next add an assortment of Fall Scented Candles into your bowl. You can use clear glass candle holders if choose or leave your candles floating in your Fall Mixture. Next add a few drops of your favorite essential oils in the fall mixture to add wonderful aroma and scent throughout your house. This is super simple decorating idea and you can even change your fall mixture to a candy corn mixture to adapt your candle decoration to blend into the Halloween season.

With Apple Picking Season Fast upon us I thought I would share some easy Apple Craft Recipes I shared the Apple Wreath last year and I will touch base on this again. Apples are not only a wonderful edition to your Fall Menu planning but they can add a wonderful and beautiful touch to your home décor also.

Simple Apple Potpourri
Lemon Juice
Apple Slices
Cinnamon Ground
Cinnamon Sticks

Cut 8-10 Medium Apples into slices leaving the seeds in tack. Next pour Lemon Juice over your apples in a bowl, allow them to soak in the Lemon Juice for about 5-10 minutes and then layout on paper towls to dry. Next in a bowl coat well with ground cinnamon and you can even use a little sugar to give your apples a wonderful aroma then place them onto a cookie sheet and place in your oven at 200 degrees for 5 minutes to speed up the drying process. Next just add your apples slices to a Treenware or Primitive bowl and you can add cinnamon sticks for decorations and even dried flowers to add a little contrasting color.

Apple Wreath
Lemon Juice
Apple Slices
Heavy Gauge Wire
Pliers
Cinnamon Ground
Gingham Fabric

Prepare your apple slices are you did above slicing them and baking them in the oven. Now just add your slices to your Heavy Gauge Wire and fill up your wire to the desired length you are looking for. Then using your pliers fasten the ends of your wire together and you can share and bend your wire into either a circle or heart shape. Next using your gingham fabric you can either fill in gaps with bows or add a hanger for your wreath by using gingham ribbon on the top of your wreath! Now you have beautiful and fun and easy to make wreath that will leave a wonderful aroma of Apples and Cinnamon throughout the Fall Season.

Another easy adaption to the apple wreath that my daughters and I did last year was to simply make apple garland by stringing your apple slices onto the wire then adding gingham bows through the wire. We also added cinnamon sticks for a decorative flair and then I hung this from my fireplace. It made a beautiful garland and was so inexpensive to make and my kids had a blast helping me create these. Remember not only are apples yummy and wonderful in apple pies but by using a little creativity and items you have around your home they can become a wonderful craft projects also!

How To Create Fabric 'Prim' Sunflowers'

Materials needed:
muslin
scissors
Mark B Gone pen
needle
upholstery thread
1 small coffee can plastic lid
1 lid from pringles can or similar size
coffee stain*
cookie sheet & foil
polyester filling

*Coffee Stain
3 Tablespoons instant coffee to 1 cup hot water
2 Tablespoons vanilla
note : for grungy sunflowers add approx. 1/4 cup or more of cinnamon. Mix and let sit. After a short while the cinnamon will form a 'sludge' on the bottom of your pan. This sludge is what you apply to get the grungy dirty look.

Directions:
With your Mark B Gone pen, trace out 4 large circles using the larger plastic lid as your template. Trace 1 small circle with the smaller plastic lid.
Using the tracing line as your cutting line, cut out all circles.

Place the 4 larger circles on top of each other. Center the small circle over these and pin in place.

Thread needle with upholstery thread, knot and come up under the small circle to hide the knot. Begin basting the small circle, being sure to go through all layers of muslin. Leave about a one inch opening to insert polyester fill.

Stuff lightly with polyester fill as shown in photo

Stitch opening closed.

With scissors, cut from outer edge of larger circles just to the beginning of the small circle, being careful not to cut through it.

Continue cutting all the way around circle.

Emerge sunflower into coffee stain, being sure to flip so both sides are soaked through. Let sit a minute or two.

Take sunflower out of stain, squeeze excess moisture out and place on foil on cookie sheet

Place cookie sheet in low oven (about 200 degrees ) to dry. Turning often so sunflower won't burn. When dry remove.

Start pulling apart the 4 layers of 'petals'

To finish:

You can leave sunflower as is, or you can grubby it up by painting on the sludge and more coffee stain and returning to oven to dry.

You can paint the puffed up inner circle with a brown paint. When dried, dry brush the edge with black paint. I added some orange and gold to this one as well.

For variety, instead of a muslin center, use homespun.

This is a sunflower & crows cheesebox light I made with my sunflowers

To make a larger sunflower you can use dinner and dessert plates as your template like I did for this sunlower nodder.

technorati tags: blogging , webblogs , online shopping , primitives , prim decor , country crafts , crafts , hobbies , Shopping , decor , Creativity , Internet , Advertising , Christmas, Holiday, gifts, presents,
Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives
KKL Kreations
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog
The Crafter's Lounge
Unique Boutique Graphics Community

Prim Talk Radio Show #69 August 11th

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR PRINTED VERSION OF OUR SHOW

Today’s Show:

Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing Great tips to advertise your site for the Holiday Season and also a Candy Sundae Craft Project

Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks to us about the most important meal of the day "Breakfast"

Mary Jo Elliott from Fine Country Living Primitives talks to you about her Bottom 5 for Doll Making a continuing series from last week's show

Heather from Cotton Pickin Prims is here talk to us about how to beat those crafting slumps

Aurelia Williams from Real Life Coaching is here to discusss great tips to cut down on the morning madness when the kids start back at school

Renae Meyers from Prim Clipper and WAHM Clipper shares some great Bath N Body recipes with you

Debbie Hainline from Two Old Crows discusses how to make Sweet Potatoe Garland and next week she shares how to paint Old Screens

Email me for our NEW Special Send Paypal to AngelaWenke@aol.com Your choice of the following: One Year of Front Page Advertising for $100/Year or 6 months of advertising for $60 just put Advertising PTR in the subject line sale good through Sunday at midnight

Click here to download MP3

Prim Talk Radio Show #66

Today’s Show:

• 
  Angie
  host of
  
  
  
  Heartland Graphics
  
  will be sharing a segment on how to sell on Ebay for the Holiday Season this
  is Part 2


• 
  We have a Featured Crafter Interview
  today with Michele from
  
  Holly Tree Primitives we encourage you to
  click on her banner below and visit her great NEW site today!


• 
  
  Michelle Lammers
  
  from
  
  Scrappin with Army Wife
  
  talks trying to find time to spend with
  your kids, some alone time for yourself and some alone time with your husband.


• 
  
  Mary
  Jo Elliott our newest staff member from
  
  
  Fine Country Living Primitives
  
  talks to you using Pip Berry Vines and Wreaths in your prim decorating, she
  also has a wonderful summertime recipe she will be sharing with everyone!


• 
  
  Heather our newest staff member from
  Cotton
  Pickin Prims is here talk to us about getting your booth ready for
  the upcoming Fall Craft Shows


• 
  
  Grab
  our
  Advertising Special 6 months
  
  of Front Page advertising plus mention on every show for 50% off normal prices
  the total is only $50 for six months!
  
  Click here to order!

Click below to listen to our show
OR
Click here to visit our site

Improve Your Craft Sales Results

Want to improve your craft sales results?
You have to change the process to change the results.

It's estimated (and I can well believe it) that of every ten sales people, only three will actually ask for the business. Of those three, only one will be successful in closing the deal. Are you the one who makes the sale, or are you part of the nine who don't?

If you're in business for yourself, it's because you have something to sell. Are your results what you expect or would like them to be? Do you think (or know) that you could do better?

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Can You Sell?


It's a common scenario - for example: You make something that everybody loves, so you decide to start selling your products in the hopes that you'll build your little business into something big enough to sustain a full time income, but you're just not selling enough to be able to quit your job and work for yourself.

It may be that you've never been trained in sales - this is not unusual, you're an artist or crafter for a reason, if sales is what you were born to do, that's what you would be doing. It may be that you're not very comfortable with or confident at selling - also not unusual if you've never been taught sales skills and techniques, because it takes time to develop the confidence to sell when you first start out.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Develop Your Skills


Whatever the reason, the good news is that it's really easy to turn the situation around so that you start closing one deal after the next, resulting in a much improved cash flow!

Yes, it does take confidence, and you will build that confidence up sale by sale, because it also takes skill and technique - once you've learned how to sell, and you apply your new skills, you'll be so thrilled with the results that your confidence will grow in leaps and bounds, and so will your sales!

I'd like to share a personal anecdote on this topic, because what I'm writing about here is what I've experienced myself.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - A True Story


At one of my previous jobs where I worked in a customer service role, my employer thought I showed promise to do more, and offered me a position in sales. I accepted, wanting to improve my earnings and climb up a notch. However, I didn't do very well at all. My employer hadn't offered me any sales training, and all the other sales consultants came from experienced sales backgrounds, so they didn't need to be trained (or so he thought).

I didn't want to lose this opportunity or fail at it, so I made some enquiries and I found a one day seminar that offered sales training for beginners. I asked my employer if he would pay for it and allow me to go - he wasn't very keen at first, but he could see how enthusiastic I was, and he was impressed that I'd been proactive instead of just giving up.

Well, that one day practically changed my life! I didn't realize it at first, of course, because the techniques seemed like such a "hard sell", and I didn't think I was confident enough to go through with it all. But little by little I started trying a few things out - a different rebuttal if a customer was giving me a reason s/he didn't want to buy; or a different introduction to the beginning of my sales pitch - and I could see that these things were having an effect on my customers, an effect that was positive for me.

Improve Your Craft Sales Results - Take Action!


A lot of people think you have to be a "born salesperson", but I can testify that isn't true. When you learn the right sales skills and techniques, and you apply them, you can become a successful salesperson. And if you want to run your own successful craft business, you have to become a successful salesperson - your business depends on it.

There are a number of ways you can go about learning the sales skills and techniques you need:

* Search the internet
* Find out what courses are offered in your area
* Browse your local library or book store, etc.

Generally speaking, not everything of value that you find is going to necessarily be free or inexpensive, but very often "you get what you pay for".

Article by:

For more free craft business info and resources, visit Craft Business Home.com - the free guide on how to turn your craft into a profitable home business!

Create Your Own Crafting Space

If you are at the place where your crafting is becoming more than a passive hobby, it may be time to consider having your own space in which to craft. This space can come in many forms but the important thing is that you need a space of your own.

Many crafters start out working at their dining room table or kitchen. However, most of them eventually find they long to have separate space. Crafting at the dining room or kitchen table can work for small projects that are completed fairly quickly. As you get into projects that require more time to complete, you will find that the clutter left in those rooms can quickly become overwhelming. Plus your family members may not appreciate the clutter of your crafts in a room that is utilized by everyone. It may be time to seek out a solution and create your own crafting space.

A lot of crafters may be limited to they type of space available to them. Perhaps they don’t have a spare bedroom they could use. In cases like this you have to get creative.

Let us explore some of the creative spaces you might consider.

1. Attic
An attic can be an ideal space if it’s easily accessible, like a walk up attic. Be sure your attic is cool enough in the summer. Also, make sure there enough head room for you to stand up. Attics can be delightful spaces in which to craft especially if they are large enough and have windows for natural lighting.

2. Large Walk In Closet
Some homes have very large walk in closets that can be easily turned into an ideal crafting space. Be sure there is access to electrical outlets and that you have enough space to place a work desk and storage.

3. Large Outdoor Shed
If you don’t have any ideal options for a crafting space inside your home, consider an outdoor shed, preferably one that is insulated and made from wood. Sheds can be purchased in various sizes ranging from 8 x 8 feet all the way up to 10 x 15 feet on average. If you do not already have a shed in your backyard, purchasing one may be an alternative. If you or your husband is handy in carpentry, you could also build your own. It’s important that your shed is wired for electric and meets all the safety standards. Check with your local county for more information. A outdoor shed can be as simple or elaborate as you want and can be delightful crafting spaces.

4. Basements
If you have a finished basement that is comfortable and has access to a lot of natural light, this may be an ideal option. Basements that are dark, cold and uninviting are usually not good options. You don’t want to feel like you are descending into a dungeon each time you go down to craft. Remember that your craft space should be a pleasant place to work.

5. In Plain Sight
Perhaps you live in a apartment, loft or small home where additional space poses quite a challenge. In cases like this you may need to consider creating your crafting space in plain sight, sort of. Consider using room dividers to create a separate space in a existing room. The dividers will not only separate your crafting space from living space but they will also serve to hide any craft related clutter.

Regardless of the location you choose for your crafting space, it’s important to remember to make it a inspiring place in which to create. Once you have determined the location, consider the following.

1. Natural light or the ability to create enough artificial light is a must.
2. Be sure there is adequate space to allow for storage of your supplies.
3. Consider wall colors that will create a light and pleasant crafting space.
4. Decorate your space to surround yourself with things that inspire you.
5. Think about if you want access to a radio, TV or phone in your space.

Even if you may not have the ideal crafting space, you can create a wonderful work place with a little imagination.

Article by:

© 2007 Kelle Arvay is the owner of Pattern Mart with offers customers access to thousands of craft patterns that they can purchase and download instantly. Additionally, she is the owner of eCraft Classes which is dedicated to online craft classes. She has been a crafter and pattern designer for many years. www.PatternMart.com www.eCraftClasses.com

Prim Talk Radio Show #65 Friday July 13th

Today’s Show:

* Angie host of Heartland Graphics will be sharing a segment on how to sell on Ebay for the Holiday Season this is Part 1
* Michelle Lammers from Scrappin with Army Wife talks getting crafts ready for the Holiday Season
* Mary Jo Elliott our newest staff member from Fine Country Living Primitives talks to you about Auctions and Estate Sales
* Aurelia Williams our Personal Development Coach discusses put more balance in your life
* Renae from Prim Clipper is on vacation!
* Vicky will be talking about how to make Tie Dye Crafts with your kids
* Feathured Crafter Interview this week is with Michele from Holly Tree Primitives
* Grab our Advertising Special 6 months of Front Page advertising plus mention on every show for 50% off normal prices the total is only $50 for six months! Click here to order!
* Our Top 5 Partner Program-Get your site listed for FREE
* Aurelia’s Podcast-“Parenting My Teen”
* Jessica Archer-Song “At Last”
* Tim Armstrong Band=Song “Listen to your Heart”
Click here to visit our site
Click here to download our show

Prim Talk Radio Show #61 Friday June 15th

Today’s Show:

Debbie from
Two Old Crows talks about Painting Wicker
Furniture

Angie host of Prim Talk Radio will be sharing tips
of creating a Basket of Roses
from
Primitive Times Magazine from Neenee which can be found on 10 and 11 of
our June Issue and also "How to Make Primitive Signs"

Michelle Lammers from
Scrappin with Army Wife
talks about how to keep your kids busy during
the summer

Lauren from
North Country Essentuals

does not have a segment this week

Aurelia Williams our
Personal Development Coach is back with
great tips On to create a Meal Plan and To Do Lists

Renae from
Prim Clipper is back to some quick Father's
Day Craft Ideas

Carmen from
Carmens Country Candles is will be back
next week with her segment

Our newest intern is Victoria my daughter she will sharing a Father's
Day Craft Ideas called "Daddy's Little Girl Frame"
Click here to visit our site

Click here to listen to our show

Primitive Times Magazine June Issue Is Ready

The June 2007 FREE Primitive Times Magazine E-Issue was just released and it is a "MUST READ!" It is filled to the brim with FREE craft articles for
Fathers Day!. You definitely don't want to miss it.

You can now read your copy of the FREE June 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine two ways. It is available as either a
FREE .pdf e-zine issuefor you to download and or you can order a copy by mail!.

Whichever way you decide to read it Primitive Times Magazine May 2007 issue is filled to the brim with 31 pages of terrific information for crafters, small business, and website owners.

Just look at what's included:

Our June Issue was full of great Craft Ideas!

Full of wonderful crafts and business articles, Table of
Contents Below:

• 
  

  Introduction



• 
  

  Website Design Tips to Make Your Site more Attractive



• 
  

  Recipe Corner



• 
  

  How I Keep My Creative Juices Flowing



• 
  

  So You Thinking of Opening A Co-Op To Sell Your Crafts



• 
  

  Handmade Grass Soap



• 
  

  Potato Prints



• 
  

  Clock Face Tutorial



• 
  

  Featured Crafter #1



• 
  

  Baskets of Apple Roses



• 
  

  Shopping Your Local Flea Market



• 
  

  Campground Recipes



• 
  

  Tips and Ideas for Crafting



• 
  

  Father's Day Ideas



• 
  

  Featured Crafter #2



• 
  

  The #1 Mistake of Crafters With Blogs!



• 
  

  Recipe Corner 2



• 
  

  Business Success with Niki Jackson



• 
  

  Camping Tips



• 
  

  Starch Play Clay



• 
  

  Web Directory



• 
  

  Spotlight Ads



• 
  

  Prim Talk Radio Ad



• 
  

  Heartland Marketplace Ad



• 
  

  Prim Clipper Ad



• 
  

  Fathers Day Gift Ideas



• 
  

  Fathers Day Recipes

So grab your FREE June 2007 issue of Primitive Times Magazine.
CLICK to Download the FREE .pdf e-zine issue .




Copyright © 2007 - All Rights Reserved - Written By Angela Wenke of Prim Talk Radio, Heartland Marketplace, Primitive
Times Magazine, Heartland Graphics

New Crafting Forum - New Graphics Forum

I must be a real sucker for trying out new things, *lol* like I don't have enough to keep me busy. I recently opened a new crafting forum/community called

The Crafter's Lounge

Only today, I created a *new & improved*

Unique Boutique Graphics Community

I have a MSN group also called Unique Boutique that I've had for several years now. There have been a lot of 'technical' problems the last 6 months or so that just don't seem to be getting any better so I thought it was time to move the group to a new hosting site.

I chose Proboards.com

1. they are free

2. I know how to navigate these boards

3. I have more control over boards, moderators

4. love the PM and Email options

5. love that you can customize the forum skins/colors anytime you wish

6. you can create categories, subcategories, boards, subboards, modify, reorder, move, and delete

7. avatars - you can use the ones provided, or you can delete those and make and upload your own ( which I have done in the craft forum so far ) or you can customize your own and link to it from a photo hosting site if you don't want to use the community's.

8. you can lock boards, have polls, designate who can post, reply, appoint moderators to help keep an eye on the boards

If you are looking for another craft forum ( there are lots of them out there now ) or would like to join up with a graphics forum - hope you'll stop by to see me! Tell 'em Neenee sent ya.

Posted by: Neenee
KKL Primitives

The Crafter's Lounge online crafter's community/forum
The Krazy Kraft Lady Blog
KKL Graphics Blog
KKL Kreations Blog
Menopausal Monster Blog

Unique Boutique Graphics Community

contributing editor for:
Primitive Times Magazine a free downloadable magazine for crafters
Primitive Times Magazine Blog