Customer Appreciation Day in the Shoppe

Just a reminder that on Saturday, June 27, from 10-5 we will be holding our Customer Appreciation Day here at our retail shoppe in Springville, PA!

The ENTIRE shoppe will be 10% off, there will be a free gift with every purchase and a door prize drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the shoppe!

We are stocked full of goodies with some incredible new handcrafted items, Americana decor, decorative plates from the Hearthside collection, treenware and much more. We have been extremely busy here in the shoppe and online, so we are bringing in fresh, new merchandise nearly every week! There's always something new, and we hope to see you soon!

And don't forget, the Springville United Methodist Church is holding their annual Strawberry Festival this Saturday, so stop by and visit us if you are going to the festival.

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Summer issue of Mercantile Magazines is in the shoppe!

It's that time of year again! Another issue of Mercantile Gatherings has hit the stands and I have them available on my website www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com for sale. Of course, we'll have copies available in our retail shoppe here in Springville, PA, as well!

These ALWAYS sell quickly, and once they are gone, well.....they're gone!

I also just returned from a shopping trip in Lancaster, PA, and have been busy adding new products online. Stop by over the next few days to see what we have in store (and online) for you!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Mark the Date ~ Customer Appreciation Day

Can you believe that at the end of June, it will be one year since our Grand Opening Celebration at our retail shoppe here in Springville? My, how the time flies! Of course, we delayed our grand opening until our second floor was finished and open (we really opened in January, 2008), but it's more fun to celebrate in the Summer anyway, am I right?

Speaking of celebrations, Russ and I decided to have a Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday, June 27, from 10-5. I will post more details in the coming weeks, but I wanted everyone to mark their calendars for that special day.

We really do appreciate our customers both in person here in Springville, and online. Don't worry online customers, we have something planned for you as well!

Thank you once again, and keep checking back for details!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Coverlets are back in stock again!

Just a quick note to say that the Eternal Love Queen size coverlets are back in stock. I have one black and linen (not on website, but if interested, let me know!) and a few in the brick/linen and a few in the blue/linen.

These sell quickly and are, at times, hard to get back in stock since they are not woven until ordered.

So, if you've been waiting for them, stop on by www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com and get them while you can!

Thanks so much and many blessings!

Mary Jo

We're Expanding our online shoppe..........

It's been busy around our place here in Springville. Spring has sprung and flowers are planted. There is always lawn mowing to do and we are enjoying the smell of lilacs in the air and the sounds of our boys playing in the yard.

We just returned from our Spring trip to Lancaster with the family and enjoyed it so much! It's heaven on earth for us, and I did a little shopping while I was there. Well, a LOT of shopping! LOL! I also went on a shopping trip the week before, so you know what that means.....NEW MERCHANDISE!

Our online shoppe has grown by leaps and bounds since I started it a few years back, and my husband and I decided to continue growing it even more. I've been busy adding new products and we're up to 51 new products this week alone! We are expanding our selection of products and our inventory too. Things sell so quickly and I know that many of our customers were disappointed when they came back for something and it was sold out, so we are trying our best to keep larger quantities of items. In fact, I'm beginning to run out of storage room! But that's a good thing!

Our VERY popular woven coverlets are again out of stock and are on order. These are woven right here in Pennsylvania and are not mass produced, so they take up to 3-4 weeks to come back in, thank you for your patience! We will be expanding our selection of textiles as well since many of you have requested us to do so.

In fact, if you have any special requests, simply let us know! We're always open to new ideas and enjoy bringing you all the things you love most!

If you haven't done so yet, be sure to stop by our website and sign up for our newsletter to keep updated on what's new and get a jump on new merchandise and special sales when they happen!

Thanks for making our online business such a success, Russ and I truly enjoy what we do and are honored that you always return to us for your primitive, country and Colonial decorating needs!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Newly decorated......

A few weeks ago, I was looking at my hutch in my kitchen which held about 40 of my favorite fruit jars in my collection. I love my mason jars, but the sparkle had gone out of the glass, so to speak. I was tired of dusting them, hearing them clink together when we walked by (it's an old house, floorboards do shake!) and as much as I loved them, I was sick of looking at them. Six years, six long years we've been in our "new" old house, and they were there from day one, and it was time for them to go.

I boxed them up carefully, dusted the shelves and started fresh and went shopping at my favorite primitives shoppe....mine! LOL! I rarely, and I mean RARELY buy anything for myself except for a few little things here and there, so this was a big deal for me.

I love treenware, and I love the Hearthside Collection decorative plates, so I knew that I wanted those incorporated in my new decorating. Berries! Gotta have berries, what's primitive without some pips? I grabbed a garland of cream pips with rusty stars. Lights, oh, I love those little mini lights with brown cord, so I hiked it upstairs to my stash of display goods for the shoppe and found a string. I loved the new little swans from Country House Collection I have, so I grabbed a few of those. And I needed a "base", and I hate to dust, so I ripped some black and tan checked homespun I use for display in the shoppe to soften things a bit.

I started playing, adding things I already had laying around the house and the few things from the shoppe, and before I knew it....yeah, this was it! Now we were getting somewhere......I just had to add my antique wall stencil that I bought at a local auction years ago that was just sitting in a cupboard waiting to be used (on the wall, literally!) and it was just too pretty to hide, and adds some interesting detail I think. And of course, one of my beloved Quaker Goin' to Meeting dolls had to be in there somewhere.

Here's the end result....







Not sure if you can read it, but that square plate that is the olive green color with a quilt block painted in the center reads "When life gives you scraps, make a quilt", and how true that is!

I just wanted to share this new decorating adventure with you all and maybe give you a few ideas as well!

Many blessings,
Mary Jo

Over 45 New Products Listed....

I've been a busy girl this weekend, and added so many new products to our online shoppe. There's something for everyone, so be sure to click on the link at the top of this blog or visit www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com to take a peek!

Just to give you an idea of some fun items just in time for Mother's Day, here are some of our rusty pails and potted tulips. They are affordable too, with the tulips only being $4 and the rusty pails at $3.75! Now, where else can you get Mama some pretty flowers that will last for years at such a super price?

These look fantastic on windowsills and shelves and even tucked into antique baskets and wooden boxes!





Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Quilt update.....

This scrappy quilt is turning out adorable! The best part is, Sammy, my youngest boy, has been watching me work on it. He asked me what I was making, and when I told him that I was making a quilt, he quickly asked, "For ME?". I said of course, for you and Seth to cuddle with on the couch! So it has turned into a quilted throw, and I'm still piecing it together with Sam, and Seth's supervision.

Another great part of this project is that the boys really want to learn to sew. Now granted, they are only 5 & 6, but Sam asked for a sewing machine for Christmas when he was 3 and Seth reminded me again today that he is still waiting for his special little boy's sewing machine. I promised them both that when they were just a little bit older, I would buy them a child's (I didn't mention 'girls') sewing machine. Why not? It wouldn't hurt for the little men to learn how to sew and mend some clothes when they were older, right? Maybe they could teach their wives a few sewing tricks someday!!!!!

Sorry, I'm just not one of those parents (and neither is Russ) that flips out over my boys liking "girly" things. When I was their age, I didn't want Barbies, I wanted baseballs and gloves, trucks and cars, and they play with MY old cars and trucks at my parents when they go to visit. Playing with mostly "boy" toys as a child didn't hurt me one bit, and I grew up to be a woman that is addicted to sewing with a love of tractors on the side! ;-)

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Quilting, again!

I began quilting when I became pregnant with my first son, Seth. That was seven long years ago, and my quilting career ended when he was born since the boy NEVER slept and I had no time to sew, or do much of anything except love him (and later on, my Sammy) 24/7.

I started making dolls and enjoying that for the last several years. I absolutely love sewing, and enjoy my first artistic love...painting. When making dolls, I could easily combine my two loves into one project and it's been great.

As great as doll making is, I really missed quilting. There's just something about it that I love, especially the quilting part of it which I love to do by hand. Now, before you get any wide eyed, dreamy expectations of seeing Mary Jo creating these georgeous, jaw dropping quilted works of art, let me snap you back into reality! I hate being precise. I simply dislike it! Guess what, that's a major part of quilting, so I'm not all that great at it, but I absolutely love with with all my heart, and that's what matters most to me.

I live my life by doing things as they come to me.....I allow my hands, and the Spirit, to lead me where it needs to go. A few months ago I came across a free online quilting project for a scrappy Irish chain that I just fell in love with. I read the directions, bookmarked it (without printing them out) and went on to cut hundreds and hundreds of 2 1/4" squares of all my fabric scraps from doll dresses and bonnets I've made. (Yes, I'm a packrat and have tons of scrap fabric, even after thinning my pile out months ago).

Guess what....yep, they deleted the pattern from where I had it book marked online. I spent a good two hours hunting for it, nothing! That's okay, I should've known better and printed the directions out. But that's okay, I decided that I didn't need a pattern since I really do NOT like being precise! I'm doing my own thing and allowing my hands to lead the way!

I piled all of those 2 1/4" squares into a box next to my machine. With my left hand, I grab a square of fabric and then another.....sew together with 1/4" seam and repeat, all the while creating a long chain of pieced fabric squares.

Hmmmm, now what, I asked! I made those two sewn pieces into three by adding another square. Again, sewing one after another and creating a long chain....this was moving along quite nicely!

I decided to make my own version of a scrappy nine patch simply because it's how I am going to sew the blocks together. No rhyme or reason, I just am basically sewing a postage stamp scrappy primitive leftover doll and bonnet fabric quilt. That's the name of my pattern! LOL! I'm having a ball mixing all of my colored pieces together without worrying about colors, hues, shades, patterns, whatever! Now THIS is what I call fun!

I'll try to take a picture tomorrow if I can remember to do so, but don't look too closely, because my seams may not be matched up perfectly! That's okay, it's for my (and my family's) own eyes only and to be enjoyed, not displayed in a museum! Oh, and it's primitive, so it's not supposed to be perfect and I am sooooooooo tempted to sprinkle it with cinnamon and bake it in the oven, but I won't! ;-)

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

This will make you smile.......

We need more happiness in the world! Simple things as this video can bring some lightness into a very bleak world...watch to the end and enjoy! ** I have background music playing on my blog and may interfere with you hearing the music. Just click on the words Sound of Music Train Station under the snapshot of the video and it will take you directly to the video, but be sure to come back to my blog and keep reading! ;-)

Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video

Prayers for friends......

Here at Fine Country Primitives, our prayers go out to F/friends both near and far.

First, to our Friends in Binghamton, New York, where the tragic shooting took place at the American Civics Association. We attended Quaker Meeting at Binghamton Friends for a short time, and they are a warm and wonderful group of people. We hope that the community there can heal from this unfortunate, and unnecessary and senseless tragedy. Why these things happen, we most never know. Our family holds you and yours in the Light.

FCLP's has a customer, and a very close and dear friend, Ylenia, who lives in Italy. When I read of the earthquake in Italy, I immediately emailed Ylenia to check on her and her family. I knew that she lived a little ways away from where the earthquake occurred, but knew she had friends and relatives throughout other parts of the country and was concerned for their safety. Good news is that Ylenia and her husband, Roberto, are fine. We pray that their country also can heal from this tragic event, and I was saddened to see so many in tent cities and amongst so much devastation. Just know that we all are thinking of you my friend!

Thank you to all who have read this post and just took a moment to keep these friends in your thoughts and prayers!

Blessings,
Mary Jo

New Virtual Home Tour

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We've just updated our "About Us" page on our website with new pictures and a virtual tour of our 1827 farmhouse here in Springville, PA, and we would be honored if you went over to our website to view it!

Visit www.FineCountryLivingPrimitives.com and click on the "About Us" page to read about our family and our home, and view the virtual tour!

Enjoy, and Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

My dress is done!

As you may have read in my previous post, I was in the midst of making my very first dress for myself, and was a bit frustrated. It was a daunting task for this doll maker, but I never gave up, and am pleased at the results!

The next day, I sat down and relaxed a bit, and began the process of adding sleeves and finishing up the bodice. When I tried it on, I was amazed that it actualy fit! This gave me the boost that was needed to keep on keepin' on!

With added confidence, I actually wizzed through the rest of the dress without many difficulties. This morning, I finished the cuff on my sleeves and the bottom hem.

The dress fits, and it's actually wearable! I will not be ashamed to wear this in public, I am quite pleased with myself!

I still ordered two new dresses from the Scarlet Thread, and have picked out my fabric selections for them. Sarah was also kind enough to offer one of her fabulous hand embroidered aprons that she had previously made, so I took advantage of that offer as well!

I now have one new dress that I made, and two more on the way for the upcoming Spring weather, and I am so happy! It feels good wearing something that you made yourself, or had someone else make with such love and care, and I always treat these garments with the special care they deserve. I feel that having only a few of these clothes is better than having a whole closet full of articles that I bought off the clearance rack "just because it was a deal". I have found that so many times, I don't even care for them, but they were 70% off, or only a few dollars at the thrift store, so I couldn't pass them up. Now, I'm beginning to feel differently. Just my two cents.

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Making my first dress....

A few of you know that I dress pretty plain. I enjoy wearing skirts and simple shirts or blouses, but I especially love my handmade dresses.

I have purchased a few cape dresses on ebay, and I love to purchase handmade dresses from taylorsscarletthread.com. I pick out my style, send in the measurements, they send an email with fabric selections, I spend days trying to decide on a simple pattern, and in a few weeks..POOF..I have a new dress made just for me!

I really wanted to try to make my own dress. I purchased several patterns from Joanns, and a few from online modest shoppes. I've decided to try to make one from Common Sense Patterns, who specialize in modest dresses.

Now I know why I make dolls, and not life-size dresses!

Three hours into the project, I almost have my bodice complete. Yes, it took me that long! Wow, it's been a long time (since 7th grade Home-Economics) since I made something from a life-size pattern! I'm exhausted.

So, here I sit, thinking of the bonnets, dolls, make-do's I could have made in the three hours today, and the 5 hours (more or less) left to finish the dress. If I spent $40 on a handmade dress from the Taylors, I could have profited more by using my time to make primitives! LOL!

I will finish this dress, and hopefully, it will be nice enough to wear. But I certainly will leave it up to the experts next time, I know where I stand! A dollmaker is what I was meant to be!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

The first robins were spotted......

Finally, we spotted the very first robins this morning in our yard! I NEVER thought this day would come, it seemed like such a long winter! What a pleasure it was to spot two of them hopping along, looking for worms in the wet soil. Happy, happy, happy!

Later on in the day, as I was chatting with one of my customers in the shoppe, she glanced out the window and in mid-sentence spit out "ROBIN"! Yes, she was just as happy as I was to see them.

I know there's another snowfall (or two) in our near future, there always are in March and even at times, April, but what a positive sign we saw today. And yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

New Goodies coming very soon!

Even though I'm exhausted, and quite hungry, I just have to post about my great shopping trip in Lancaster! Wow, did I get some great primitives! WooHoo!

I have some super handpainted and handcrafted items for the retail shoppe here in Springville, and some for the website as well! I've restocked some old favorites of the handmade goodies, but be on the look-out for new ones also!

Not only did I come home with a van full, I also had two big boxes from suppliers when I came home....I think I know what I'm doing the next 4-5 days! There are some incredible new woven throws in just the absolute BESTEST (yes, it's a word) colonial style pattern. Love it, love it, LOVE IT! I'm so excited, can you tell?

I stopped on my way home at the Countryside Roadstand on Stumptown Road in Ronks, PA. This is a little place that my sister, Wendy, showed me and I've been hooked on it ever since. It's all Amish made goods, so do you want to hear what I brought back? How about dilly beans.....jarred pickled green beans with lots of garlic and dill. My mother canned these when we were kids, and they take me back to my childhood! Oh, also brought back homemade butter. Two big logs of it! It's churned and rolled into these logs, then wrapped in butchers paper. This stuff is as good as gold! I love using this butter for my vegetables and for frying eggs in the morning. I divide the logs into smaller sizes and freeze them, then take out the smaller portions as needed. Also brought back fresh bread, sticky buns, whoopie pies and snickerdoodle cookies. Yum, Yum, Yum. NEVER shop at an Amish store when you are hungry!

I'll tell you about my other stop another time. Gotta run, grab a sticky bun for a snack, then off to bed. I'm tired! Luckily Russ (hubby) is off and can put the boys to bed tonight, Mom's beating them to sleep for once!

Check back in a few days to see the new items, okay? Don't miss out, their fabulous!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Mercantile Gatherings Primitive Magazine Spring 2009

The latest issue of Mercantile Gatherings Magazine arrived on my doorstep today! Great issue with super decorating ideas and SIX free patterns to create your very own handcrafted primitives!

Hurry, my issues always sell out within a few days, if that, so head on over to www.FineCountryLivingPrimitives.com to snatch up yours!

Our Spring sale is still going on as well with 10% off your order of $10 or more! Discount is automatically taken at checkout.

Thanks so much, and many blessings!

Mary Jo

Spring Sale - 10% Off!

Well, it finally happened.....I've got cabin fever! I'm tired of this cold, windy Winter weather, and I want SPRING!

I know I'm not alone out there, you're sick of it too, am I right?

Well, we can't do anything about the weather, but I can try to perk things up a bit with an online SPRING SALE! It's an easy one, simple visit www.FineCountryLivingPrimitives.com and shop! You will automatically receive 10% off your entire order over $10 and your discount will be reflected in your subtotal at checkout. No coupon code is needed, and this is for all online orders only!

Enjoy this sale since it will only last for a few days, and be sure to check out our new Easter and Spring items!

Many Blessings to all!

Mary Jo

Great Money Saving E-Books!

I just had to share this with all of you..........



I found this great website selling e-books and have already purchased a few. With money and time both a bit tight at times, you will find many great tips on everything such as inexpensive and easy cleaning tips using regular household items, how to save on that ever growing grocery bill, great easy and money saving recipes on using leftovers (I hate to throw good food away!), how to make your own high quality gifts, easy kid projects and money saving tips....the list goes on and on! There is even an e-book on tips on paying down your debt!

The Saving with Kids e-book series is currently 50% off this week! Sale expires February 23, so hurry over!



I was so pleased when I purchased my last e-book from them....it was over 400 pages long! These are in easy to read PDF format and I love just being able to skim through them just by sitting right at my computer!

Can you tell I'm really excited about these? I hope you are too....in these times, we all need to be excited about saving a few bucks here and there, enjoy!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Eternal Love Coverlets are Back......

I've been carrying these Eternal Love coverlets for quite some time now, and they are such a big hit! Each time I get a shipment in, they sell out quickly, and if you already have one of these, you know why.....machine washable, reversable, and handwoven right here in Pennsylvania!

I just received another shipment in and they are starting to go quickly yet again, so if you haven't had a chance yet to purchase one, head on over to www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com and click on the Coverlets button on your left. I have them in both the blue/linen and the brick/linen.



I have also placed an order for some new throws, and they should be coming in hopefully by the end of March. These heirloom quality pieces are always worth the wait, so please keep checking back!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Cute and Easy Valentines Day Project

Here's a simple hanging soy wax tart to make for Valentines Day if you have a heart shaped mold, or create these anytime for a fun and easy everyday primitive!

One Pound Soy Wax (Flakes)
1/8 Cup of Ground Cinnamon
1 Tbs AllSpice or Cloves
1/2 Ounce Scented Oils
Block Dye
Skewer or thin wooden dowel

• Melt Soy Wax in non-stick sauce pan on low.
• When melted, add 1/8 cup cinnamon & ½ ounce of oil and blend well.
• Shave small amounts of dye block and add to melted wax a little at a time until you reach the desired color. I test the color by allowing a drop or two of melted wax cool on a piece of wax paper.
• Prepare your tin, silicone or other heart shape mold. Spray inside
  with candle release spray or non-stick cooking spray.
• Pour into mold. When almost cool, use skewer or a dowel to poke a hole at top.
• Pop into the freezer for approx. 5 minutes.
• Gently tap the tart out of the mold.
• Rub with allspice or cloves or don't if you don't want that "grubby" look.
• Add a bit of homepun, rafia, ribbon or cloth into hole & hang.

Enjoy!

May I Offer a Suggestion....

I love shopping online for primitives just as much as you all do. Yes, even though I sell items both online and in my retail shoppe, I still love the hunt of browsing through website after website for that special something that is calling to me.

But I do have a suggestion for sellers, and it's something that I am guilty of myself at times.

Please, it's no fun to shop if 98% of your items are sold.

If you have this problem, first of all, good for you....you go girl! :-) I love to see others selling their wares as fast as they can put them up for sale.

What I do find frustrating though, is that when I click on an item and see it's sold, I then click on another, and find that's sold, and the next, then the next. What I end up doing is just clicking on out of that website and going to another. I admit, I may miss that one special thing waiting for me on page 13 that is still for sale, but if you continue to show each and every item that you ever had available for sale during the last 3 1/2 years, I'm going to lose interest and move on.

I have run into this situation with my very own website, and I am just as guilty as the rest of you. I have been trying to remember to click on the button "do not show if sold" when I enter new products for sale, and at times I forget. Time gets the best of me, and when I'm adding 40+ new products in one day after a 15 hour shopping spree the day before, my mind gets a little numb and I forget. The same goes for when an item sells, it will still read "SOLD", but I forget to purge the sold items on a regular basis, so I just may be frustrating my customers with the very thing that drives me insane when I am the one shopping online with other merchants.

I know that it's hard to let some things go....especially those of you with one of a kind dolls and such. But folks, sometimes we just must. Like I said earlier, if it sold quite some time ago, along with your other lovely items, how can a customer find the ones available right now if they are buried somewhere in the midst of sold products?

Just a thought, this is only my opinion, and you may now throw your rag "dammit" doll at the computer screen.....it's okay, I can take it!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

It's amazing how you are led........

For some reason, today I felt the incredible urge to make dolls. Not just any dolls, but ones that I have not made in some time.

I set to making a few of my "Goin' to Meeting" Quaker dolls today and joyfully so. It felt good to be sewing and creating again, even if just for a little while. It seems that during these holidays and even here, all the way into the end of January, I just can't keep up with my retail and online business (that's a good thing, by the way), but I sure did miss making things with my hands.

So as I said, I made some Quaker dolls today. Finished two, and two almost finished.

As I'm sitting back this evening surfing the web, I picked up one of my favorite decorating books and opened it to the page of the Shaker Legacy. And this is what I read as the very first sentence:

"Put your hands to work and your hearts to God".

Wow, the words of Mother Ann, founder of the Shaker sect, really hit home for me today. Isn't that something how I felt the need to create, then picked up a book (a decorating book, at that), and read that very sentence! I don't know much about the Shakers, but now I think they are pretty cool!

Just something to think about, eh?

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

Over 45 New Primitives added online!

I've finally added the last of the over 45 new primitives on my website, www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com! Whew, am I tired! It was fun though, and I hope you enjoy the results.

Here are just a few...if you like what you see, just head on over to www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com and shop away!









Remember folks, this is just a sampling! And for my local customers, wait until you see all of the Spring goodies I brought back for you! Stop in and visit Fridays and Saturdays, 10-5 or anytime by appointment! 965-0985.

Many Blessings!

Mary Jo

Top Sellers for 2008

I was just looking through my numbers from the last year, and here are the top sellers on my website for 2008.

1. Silicone tipped Christmas tree lights. These are not only big sellers during the holiday season, but all year long! I use them in the shoppe and in my own home in many ways including on top of cupboards and on my year long "Christmas" tree.

2. Battery operated taper lights. You all just can't get enough of these! I admit, I own a few myself, and love them, love them, LOVE THEM! They really do last a long time, am I right?

3. Coverlets and Blankets. Yes, these were a HUGE hit this year! I may not have sold as many as the lights and tapers, but my goodness, I can't keep them in stock! Remember folks, woven one at a time right here in Pennsylvania on large looms, just like in Colonial times! Machine washable, reversable, and you can use them and enjoy them for generations to come!

4. Cardinal and Candle clip ornaments for Christmas. These beauties sold out super fast and I can't wait to bring them in again next holiday!

5. Sweet Annie bouquets. I personally use these everywhere. I use them in my folk art and crafts, hanging from peg racks and fluffed out in old primitive bowls. How do you use YOUR Annie?

6. Tart warmers. These scent throwers are incredible! We've carried the punched tin style and the mason jar styles, and can't keep either in stock. Enjoy the safe alternative to having home warming scents throughout your own home!

Top Sellers in the Shoppe for 2008 are:

1. Silicone tipped Christmas tree lights. So many of you never even seen these before, so glad I was able to introduce you to them!

2. Those little Christmas mice. My goodness, I can't even recall how many I sold! Weren't they just adorable? Definitely a "bring back" for next year!

3. Vienna Twig Christmas trees. Sold out, what more can I say? LOL! So happy you all loved them! (hint, I leave my 6 foot and 4 1/2 foot up all year long, why not!)

4. Battery operated lights....tapers, tealights and pillars. Flicker without the flame, gotta love these! Everyone loved how I displayed these inside our primitive cupboards, which leads me to number 5............

5. Primitive Amish made cupboards. You all know great quality workmanship at an affordable price! Made from reclaimed barnwood, these fit into Colonial, Primitive, Country and Shabby Chic home decors. A "new" antique that will be enjoyed for generations to come!

6. Punched tin night lights. The barn star and the Paul Revere styles were a hit! I've sold out twice, and trust me, I bought A LOT!

7. Decorative plates from the Hearthside Collection. Customers tell us our selection and prices just can't be beat, and I thank you for the compliment!

So there you have it, and feel free to comment here on our blog on what was YOUR favorite product in 2008 from Fine Country Living Primitives!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

New Products coming soon!

Well, this has been a crazy busy January so far, here it is, the 14th already! It's bitter cold here in Northeastern PA, nothing like they had out in the Northwest or the Midwest, but cold all the same, and I truly do not care for it at all!

I went on a shopping trip to Lancaster, PA, Monday and stayed overnight for a rare treat. I was amazed at how little snow there was in Bethel, then none at all just North of Lititz! I am soooooo jealous!

Monday morning I made sure I was dressed to stay warm....turtleneck sweater, my new ski parka (I don't ski, just buy them for the warmth!) and my boot socks with my Mammoth Crocs. By the time I came out of the first wholesaler, I was actually too warm! It was a sunny day, no snow on the ground, and I became continously annoyed when everyone was telling me how they were disappointed that they hardly had any snow this year! LOL! Isn't it something how just being three hours North, in the same state, can be so drastically different with weather? I just gotta move there.........

Anyhow, I'll tell you more about my trip on another post, but I just wanted to put the word out there that I will be adding some new products onto my website shortly. I'm still unpacking and need to take pictures and all, so look for them in the next week.

I also brought back some great new primitives for my shoppe customers, including a great Amish made hall cupboard made from an antique door....the windows were turned into mirrors, and it has great storage too! I'm happily unpacking great Spring florals, so if you have the Winter blues, just head on into the shoppe this weekend and Think Spring!

Many blessings,
Mary Jo

Inventory Reduction Sale!

I absolutely dislike doing inventory, so I've moved many of my holiday items to the Clearance Category and marked down others, so be sure to take a look at www.finecountrylivingprimitives.com for some super bargains! Remember everyone, with many Winter items, snowmen especially, feel free to leave them out the entire Winter season and enjoy!

I am hoping to go on a shopping trip soon, weather permitting, and bring back some exciting new primitives for my website and the retail shoppe! It's been a busy holiday season for us here at Fine Country Living Primitives (thank you!) and we are really needing some new goodies!

Happy New Year to you all and many blessings,
Mary Jo

It's officially hybernation mode for me!

Well, not really, but we are now officially on our new Winter Shoppe Hours of Fridays and Saturdays, 10-5. As all of my customers know, you can always call ahead and I'll gladly open for you any day or time as long as we are able to!

The last few weeks have been very snowy and icy. Surprisingly, my customers trudged through all of it and I still had my dedicated prim lovers coming in their four wheel drive vehicles and snow gear! Now that's what I call a passion for primitives and I love it! LOL!

I do ask my local customers to call if it's snowing hard since, many times, it's just myself, the boys and the snowblower. The boys are too young to use it and I haven't been officially trained on it, so don't count on a cleared driveway my friends! It's hard when Russ works those swing shifts and is gone for 14 hours, but he's a great man....tonight he came home and was out with the snowblower at 8:30 p.m. in the dark clearing the way so that I can get out in the morning.

Seth has his Christmas play with the other kindergarden students at his school and Sam has his preschool Christmas party, it's so much fun with the boys at these ages! They are very excited about Christmas, but not just for Santa and their presents...they love to celebrate everything about the holidays! Sharing with family and friends, singing and decorating, and always thinking of those that aren't as fortunate as we are. Even at their young ages, my boys are aware of the conditions that some children live in throughout the world and in our own country. They have many ideas on how to make things better, and someday I'll share that with you all, but for now, just keep those in need in your prayers tonight, just as our boys do each and every night. We're blessed to have boys who care so much about everyone in the world, and not just themselves!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

New Amish made items in the shoppe!

I had such a wonderful trip to Lancaster this past Monday. My sister, Wendy, helped me by tagging along, keeping me awake and laughing the whole day, and helped me choose some wonderful new primitives for the shoppe!

We brought back a fantastic large Amish made cupboard with a screen door.....basically, a tall and simple pie safe. It has shelves with enough space in between that you can house your tall needfuls easily. I have it displayed with baskets and bowls of our tin star fruit spilling out onto the shelves, a grungy primitive sheep, my famous "faux" loaves of bread, and of course, a few of our primitive everlasting taper and pillar candles. Let me tell you, when you see these candles flickering through the closed screen door, you are transformed into a primitive paradise! On top of the cupboard, I stood three of my tall painted wooden stars.....red, mustard and black. On the other side of the top I placed a rusty milk can filled with cream colored berries. In the middle is my primitive calico dress on a stand and I then draped a pip berry vine and rusty star garland so that some of the berries spill over the top of the screen door. I have to give myself a little pat on the back...it does look oh, so prim!

I also purchased an Amish made long farm table. This is also made of old barnwood and is distressed barn wood with chippy white paint. I have it upstairs in the shoppe and topped it with my entire Hearthside Collection of painted wooden wares....bowls, plates, trays and some more of those wonderful everlasting taper and pillar candles. I added a wreath stand with a wonderful pip berry star wreath in white berries with rusty stars. Remember prim lovers, these wreath stands are not just for your floors! Use them in your entryway on an old washstand, maybe on a buffet in your dining room and I love them on mantles! The best part of this farm table is that it's a knockdown...simply remove the legs (no tools needed!) and we can carry it downstairs and out the door to your vehicle, simple as that!

The last Amish made item is the coffee table made from an old barn window. Nine panes are in the window, and the craftsman left the natural side facing up to showcase those primitive old worm holes in the wood, don't you just love that! Know what else I love? They rounded the corners and edges, so us Mothers don't need to worry about sharp edges with our little ones! Of course, it is still glass, so we're not entirely out of the woods yet! Anyhow, I have this on my shoppe porch with one of my new Old Candle Barn brand candles in the White Chocolate scent (oh my, it smells delicious, and NO CAOLORIES!). I surrounded the candle with a prim wreath of berries and rusty stars and it looks stunningly simple!

I brought back so many other items, too many to mention! Wendy and I hardly had any room for the ride home. In fact, my big sister was sweet enough to hold a new Colonial electric chandelier handmade by Irvins on her lap all the way home (over three hours!). Now that's a great sister!

Stop in and see everything for yourself! We're open Wednesday through Saturday, 10-5. We're also asking that you call ahead in inclement weather. Many days I am here by myself with the boys, and if it snows too much, I may not be able to get the driveway and parking lot cleared in order to open for business. (I still need training on the new snowblower!) Thanks for your understanding!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo

You MUST Have Dinner at Remingtons!

On Monday, December 1, Russ and I will celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, we were fortunate enough to have my sister, Wendy, and her husband, Ken, come over and watch our two boys while we went out for dinner.

This is a big deal for us. Russ and I go out twice a year. Once for our anniversary, and once for his birthday, May 1. We never go out for my birthday in January since each and every year it snows, so I just gave up! LOL!

Anyhow, we made our first visit to Remington's Restaurant in Tunkhannock, PA, and what a delight it was! The moment you step onto the porch of the restaurant, you know that you are in for a real treat. Immediately, I recognized Ruth's decorating, and you feel right at home as you enter through the door.

Ruth and Jack have made this restaurant so inviting. Multiple fireplaces, antiques, colorful paintings, dining areas both upstairs and down, and music set the mood! You can begin with a drink in the Leopard Lounge which is new and looks like fun. If you are like me, you immediately want to get to the food, so this time around, we skipped the lounge. ;-)

Of course Ruth made us feel right at home, and Kristy was quick to take care of anything we needed. I started out with stuffed mushrooms (fresh crab meat, melted cheese and garlic butter...oh my goodness!) and Russ chose the French onion soup. Our fresh and delicious salads were next, and then came my New York Strip steak topped with mushrooms in a bourbon sauce. Russ had the Chicken Chesapeake which was tender chicken topped with fresh crab meat and melted cheese. I must admit, my steak was awesome, but after I tried his chicken, I know for sure that next time, I'm going with the Chicken!

Everything was fantastic, the food, the atmosphere, the hospitality! If you are in the historic town of Tunkhannock, please be sure to try Remingtons! It's located at 203 E. Tioga Street (near Brick's supermarket) and they can be reached at 570-836-2401. You can also visit their website at www.remingtonstunkhannock.com.

Remington's Restaurant, "Polished Casual Dining", and a wonderful way to spend a special evening! Thanks Ruth!

Many Blessings,
Mary Jo