Changing your Blogger background

Is your blog background boring you???  Problem solved and it's FREE!

I did a Google search for a free Blogger background.  Backgrounds are the graphics on your blog.  You can buy a custom background made just for you, or use free ones like I do. 

From my search results, I chose a website called “Daisy Gray Design”, and then chose the background called “Penny Rug ~ Primitive Background”.   I chose that background because I make penny rugs and primitive style crafts, so it’s very fitting for my blog. 

Changing your blog background is a nice way to personalize your blog and you can change it as often as you want. 

The website gives directions on how to use the free backgrounds.  If you’ve never done anything like that before, it can be a bit confusing at first, but it really isn’t that hard to use.   Once you get it set up, it’s just “cut & paste” when you want to change it to a different design. 

http://daisygraydesign.blogspot.com is the web address.   If none of her designs please you, do a search till you find something you like and have fun with it!  

Pineapple Walnut Cookie Recipe

Every Christmas we make a family favorite cookie. Pineapple Walnut Cookies- 

After you put them on the cookie sheet, brush  some egg white on top so they get browned when baked.

One mistake I made was putting the cookies right against each other.  They should have a little room between them so that the sides 

can also be browned while baking. 

When the cookies have cooled down, roll them in confectioners sugar.  Done!

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here's the cookie recipe.

*Separate 4 eggs.  Add 2 pkgs. of dry yeast to yolks.  Put aside for later.

*Put whites in other bowl and save for later.

*Mix 2 lbs. flour, 1/3 cup sugar.

*Mix 8 oz.sour cream, 1 lb. softened butter.

Mix those two mixes together.  Add the yolk mix. 

That's your dough.  Roll out (not too thick) and cut in strips.  Just in case you don't know, you have to cover your surface with flour and also your rolling pin, or the dough will stick to it.

Mix one jar of pineapple preserves and chopped walnuts for your filling.  Put filling in strip of dough and roll.  Make sure you don't put so much that the filling comes out while cooking, but enough that you will taste it over the dough taste. 

Brush egg white on tops after you have them lined up on cookie sheet.  That will make them brown when you cook them.  You can put them right next to each other on cookie sheet.  They won't get much bigger.

Bake around 20 minutes at 350 degrees. 

Wait for them to cool and then roll in confectioner's sugar.

Recipe makes aprox. 50-55 cookies depending on their size.  

Making Primitive Dolls

This morning I made a decision. I am bringing my sewing machine out of retirement and will once again be making Primitive Dolls! It has been a VERY long time since I've made any and I believe it's time to once again create the OOAK beings. :) Now, the 2nd decision I must make....Christmas dolls, Fall dolls, Everyday dolls?????

Long lost blogger has returned...for a bit

Long lost blogger has returned!  Not sure how much I'll update this, but I'm back for a bit. 

The big news is that I've moved from NC to Strasburg, PA which is in the middle of Amish Country in Lancaster County!   I am loving it here.  Feels like I'm in primitive hog heaven!  My goal is to live in Lititz, PA very soon, but for now, we're happy here in Strasburg.  I can see the Creamery from my front step!

Now, I've tried out changing my business name....again.  I'm just a wishy-washy woman.  :)
Since I've kind of moved "back home" to PA where I was born and raised, I decided on "HomePlace Gatherings".  Does it hurt your online business to change the name? 

I'm not selling so much in outhouses anymore, so I'm not sure if the old name still fits.  Don't want to be misleading. 

I have ventured into the stencil cutting business, but haven't gotten it all set up online yet.  I can do custom stencils, and custom finished signs by making a stencil customized for your sign.  Orders are welcome and prices are very fair! 

Well, I'm off to the Lititz Craft Show for the first time EVER!  I'm on the waiting list for a spot and hoping I'm in it next year.  Under a shade tree in Lititz Springs Park, NOT out in the hot sun on Broad St.  :)

have a blessed one and maybe I'll be back soon to chat some more.......

Opinions on changing business name are welcome!

Primitive Screensaver

Looking for a primitive photo screensaver and can't find any? Here's what I do.



I do a google search for "primitive Christmas", "Christmas barn", etc. Whatever you want in your photos. Open the photos to full size and right click. Save them into a photo album titled "screensaver". Then set the album to be your screensaver. That's it!


I just saved some photos that prim friends on fb posted of their decorating. You're not selling them, or printing them, so it should be fine.


Have fun looking! And, the best part is that you can add or delete or change theme anytime you want.


Merry Christmas!

Painting pattern books For Sale...$3.00 each

Painting pattern books For Sale...$3.00 each plus shipping. Piney Creek Primitives by Debbie Forgac, (Primitive Pineapple, Gathering Seasons, Farmhouse Gatherings). John Sliney (Along the Roads of Time, Back Roads of New England). Jan Coffey, (Coffey House Collection Vol. 1, Vol. 2). Terrye French& Debbie Richey (Paintin Thrift Shop Treasures). Terrye French Designs (Wintry Friends). Message me if interested.   ----THESE BOOKS HAVE ALL BEEN SOLD-----

Raw Sheep's Wool roving on ebay auction~

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200668565767

Check it out all you prim doll makers ~ starting bid is only .99 cents and it's almost 2 pounds of wool!  Three day auction, so don't delay.

moving to PA!

After being on the market for a year, my house is finally under contract!  If all goes through as planned, we will be living in Lititz, PA before Christmas!

Closing date is set for Nov. 18th and as we all know, anything can happen.  I'm hoping it doesn't.  :)

I grew up in Delaware County, PA just east of Lancaster.  I moved to NC in 1999 from Dover, DE and now it's time to go back.  But, I wanted to move to a tourist area.  Lancaster County has the laid back lifestyle I love and it's also central to New York, Philadelphia, DC, Baltimore, etc.  Lots of cool day trips!

I decided in summer of 2010 to move to Lancaster County and started looking at small towns on the internet.  I fell in love with Lititz online and when I went there in June of 2010, it was a definite that that's where I wanted to live.   I went back in July 2011 and still love it.  It's got the small town feel, but it's still close to everything. 

Can't wait!

Prim Pumpkin Pattern now for sale as e-pattern!

Just finished up the e-pattern for these cuties~  Sooooo easy to make that I handstitched these while sitting in my Lazy Boy and finished them all in an hour!  

 Click on the photo to purchase~

Pattern is on sale for a limited time for only $2.99!

My next craft show~

This is one of my favorite craft shows to do.  It's held at Wolf Laurel Country Club just outside Mars Hill, NC.   Gorgeous views from the top of the mountain!