| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 17 2005 : 10:40:32 PM
Well, I suppose it is time that I introduce myself since I have devouring myself in your farmchick ramblings for the past day.
My name is Tiffany Carnal AKA "Twigs," I am a farmgirl at heart, nestled in a big ole farmhouse, surrounded by cows, horses, sheep and other farm critters as to which I get to enjoy but not have to fuss over, for they aren't mine. Our home is the in rolling hills of Kentucky, in the rural county of Henry, as to where my husband and I are raising our 4 children & 1 niece to live by Gods Golden rules.
I have a passion for creating things with my hands. I dabble in stitching, dolly making, rug hooking, needle punching, needle felting, wool applique, tinsmith, candles & wood working, rubber-stamping, along with graphics and every once in a while I'll toss in a meal or two, ha ha I love bringing things of old back to life and recently restored an 1800s general store for me to be shop keeper, to peddle my own primitive wares.
I enjoy designing and am a licensed designer for a couple companies designing linens, textiles, rug hooked items, houseware decor to fill our homes with wonderful treasures. I love to dabble in writing and am editor & writer of a wonderful primitive magazine called Mercantile Gatherings as to which we share things of old, wonderful stories, home decor pictures, primitive shops and other crafters lives & patterns who have a passion for primitives.
I am fascinated by the Amish and their way of living and have become friends with our local Amish family, and have them from time to time work with me. I love spending the day with them and learning of their ways. I journal my learning's down (before the blog days) and have called them Twigs Amish Adventures and would gladly share my learning's with anyone who is interested, just email me and I'll send them to you.
I have to admit I have never heard of THE Mary Jane before (please don't toss me out with the dish water), but I am thrilled to learn of her and her farmyard adventures and glad she is something other than a name for a pair of shoes.
I learned of her just recently by my dear sweet friend Frannie who came to my yearly pajama party and she brought with her the magnificent Mary Jane Farm Book, otherwise referred to as Frannies New Bible, hee hee. I literally eeewwwed and aaawwwed and drooled over it until she swiped it from my hands as to which I have to find a way to get my hands on my own copy of this magnificent book.
Currently my DH and I are redoing the old homestead that belonged to the old general store we purchased, with the help of the Amish we have begun gutting her down to the bare studs and are dreaming of bringing her back to life with a primitive colonial look. With visions of my old style home and expanding our store to include a fabric quilt shop, gathering room, and a primitive tea room. along with an Amish Market, nesteled amongst herb gardens and flower beds with bees and birds buzzing and chirping around, well as you can see I stay busy day dreaming building dreams but hope to make them reality soon.
I spent the day reading up on Ms. Mary Jane and am thrilled to learn of her life and her adventures. I think it is grand to help others out and especially farmers, our farmers here in KY are trying to find something to do now that tobacco has been bought out. there are a few organic farms and vineyards opening up which I think is fantastic.
After doing a search and reading up about you, (Mary Jane) I am so glad that Frannie introduced me to your world. Kindred Spirits I do say we share, the love of fellowship, companionship, hospitality, gathering, gabbing eating and sharing is what its all about.
I do hope to get time to live and learn from your wonderful farm girls, I hope to visit and share life mishaps with you all from time to time and hope you all will from time to time share yours with me as well.
Twigs
btw: just found your magnificant book online and have it being sent by snail mail to me soon oh i cant wait.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 08:30:10 AM
Catherine,
thanks for the wonderful post.
well i dont have a farm, even though one day i desire to have one big enough, you know what i wish to do with it? have a famioy hoe down place......ill have to start a thread and share the ideas of my dream to have one day.....of down on the farm.
yes being a mother is a Gift from the LORD.....now dont have twinges of envy from me....my life is a work in progress, ive never been lucky enough to have enough money to just make my dreams come true so i have to build them one dollar at a time...one day hopefully before we aer too old to enjoy it, we will have it done.....
blessings to ya
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 08:26:45 AM
Julia,
thanks for the wonderful welcome.
you know i used to homeschool and still think about doing it again. i probably will when the house is all done and we are settled in.
oh textiles are my weakness. the company i work for has given me the option to design some but i just dont have the time as of now but one day for sure its on my list of things to do.
have a blessed day
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 21 2005 : 08:24:47 AM
thanks for the welcom hon, wow 2 pole barns, i want one of those oe of these days, but they are expensive....i just want it to hold my junk, hee hee
have a blessed day
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| cajungal |
Posted - Dec 20 2005 : 1:38:07 PM
Howdy Twigs!
Welcome! You are one hot chick here. Your post has a burning folder!! The pics of everything are so beautiful. You are living the dream of a lot of us. What encouraging words you have when you say that being a Mom is the best job in the world and a gift given by God. You are so right. I must admit that I had twinges of envy as I read about your life and saw the pics. I took a deep breath and reminded myself that the little bit of farmlife I have is a Blessing. I look forward to gleaning knowledge and wisdom from you.
Blessings!
Catherine
One of the best compliments from one of my daughters: "Moma, you smell good...like dirt." |
| Julia |
Posted - Dec 20 2005 : 10:33:16 AM
Welcome Twigs! Ky is so beautiful! I wish I could spend time learning from you. I love textiles! I am impressed with all you do with the raising of your brood. I have one daughter still at home, that I homeschool, and as she is a 9th grader I find that I have a little more free time to create, something that has been on the back burner. Hearing of all that you do makes me want to stop typing and go create. The pictures of your store and houses are amazing! I look forward to your posts. Merry Christmas ! Julia V.
"...the setting sun is like going into the very presence of God." Elizabeth Von Arnim |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Dec 20 2005 : 09:55:42 AM
Hi Twigs-I look forward to seeing the pictures of your new place and I did get back to your site-excellent stuff and wow-what a renovation. I love to renovate too. Our first home was an very old farmhouse on 5 acres in Ohio-needed lots of TLC for sure. When we moved to MI, 15 years ago for our jobs, we found our 20 acres with 2 pole buildings-nice pasture and woods and have renovated the small home that was on it-an older modular that we have completely redone over the years-even added a sunroom with a pine ceiling and ceramic tile floor. That was fun to do! I don't have a site and haven't had time to post any pictures. I'm on my lunch break here at work now and must bring this to a close.
Have a great day everyone! :)
Ellen in MI |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 20 2005 : 09:19:42 AM
well good luck on your quest for finding a farm. i suggest you find the area that you love and hit the farm store and start hanging out with the old folks and find out who has land they are thinking of selling and doesnt want to deal with a realitor
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 20 2005 : 09:18:14 AM
yes she will this is her second article thus far and they are precious reads.....with chuckles and smiles and ponderings of farmlife......
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| Once upon a Farm |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 10:00:29 PM
Twigs,
I live in a subdivision just outside of Memphis. We have been looking for a farm near this area for a few months. We haven't had much luck. The search continues.
I can hardly wait for spring. I know Kentucky is beautiful. I haven't been treasure hunting in Ky in a little over a year so I am more than ready. I am sure meeting Frannie and you will be a hoot!
Ivy |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 9:20:23 PM
Welcome twigs..you sound like one of us already..your place looks great. Wish I were closer!!
Jenny in Utah
It's astonishing how short a time it takes for very wonderful things to happen...Frances Burnette |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 7:57:43 PM
Well if Frannie is going to be a regular contributor I'm getting a subscription. The "free patterns" enticed me too!
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 6:03:47 PM
OH IVY where bouts are you? ky is beautiful and frannies place is heaven on earth on i tell ya, cant wait to meet ya this spring
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| Once upon a Farm |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 5:19:51 PM
Hi Twigs. Welcome to the Farmgirl Connection. You have a such darling home and store.
I have ordered your fall issue of Mercantile Gatherings but I guess I need to get a subscription. I can't get enough of Frannie's ramblin's.
My dh and I are planning a trip to KY in the spring. I plan to meet Frannie and do some antique shopping. I will definitely find your store when we come.
Good luck with your new home and keep us posted on how it comes along.
Ivy |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 5:03:55 PM
oh frannie i just love this issue, i think it just keeps getting better and better the more fay and i learn what we are doing, hee hee this issue is a hoot of you and your ramblings i just loved sharing yo with our viewers....
and arent her christmas cookies beautiful, and those you cant burn, hee hee
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 4:59:15 PM
Well thanks hon , im so glad she shared you all with me too. frannie will be a regular writer so i suggest you get a subscription it is cheaper that way just 18.95 an issue.
im heading to read your blog now so thanks for the reply
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 4:56:22 PM
Debbie,
thanks so much for the kind welcome, if and when you are ever in ky please stop on bye, we'd love to have you.
and oh yes frannie is a treasure freind for sure
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 4:45:30 PM
Ellen,
thanks so much for the wonderful compliments, our farmhouse is big and jammed full, but when we move into our other farmhouse i am going very sparse and really primitive, i cant wait, ill for sure post pics for you all as well.
do yo have a site or a farm?
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| CabinCreek-Kentucky |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 12:32:51 PM
oooohhhhhhhhhhhh! and the "Kindred Christmas" issue of Mercantile Gatherings JUST arrived!!!!!! some silly stories of my first winter 'down on the farm' .. and Twig's mom's (Judy) memories of 'The Perfect Christmas' on her childhood farm .. and the nostalgic gifts received ..
As with most small-town farm families .. Judy's was "large and poor" ... her story is filled with the childhood 'dreams' of a beautiful, large, farrmhouse with two stories, 12 foot high ceilings, a fireplace burning in every room with the light from the fire dancing on the ceiling". As in a far-away dream, Judy talks of a "long, curving, mahogany staircase decorated with emerald pine branches and romantic misletoe. And of splendid gifts that Santa would bring for her brothers and sisters that included 'electric trains with elaborate villages, and life-like dolls with dresses as magnificent as any queen would wear."
Judy goes on to tell that 'in reality' ... she and her brothers and sisters would go into the forest and find a small cedar tree and they would decorate it with hand-made ornaments, popcorn strings and lights that 'mostly' didn't work. "In reality" Judy tells of the tiny toys of cars, marbles, nail polish, knives and small dolls with eyes that opened and closed'. and .. a huge peppermint stick, oranges, bananas, grapes and apples.
Judy looks back over the years with love and knows that her family did, indeed, have the "Perfect Christmas" .. surrounded with love .. having a mother and father who loved their children more than life itself.
OH MY! and her ending parapgraph in her stories .. tugs at your heartstrings and ... well .. you will just HAVE to get the magazine to hear the ending!
This issue is filled with featured shops, homes, designers and LOTS of free patterns .. i think my most favorite this time .. is the "Colonial Snow Biscuits"! (hint: the only 'melting' they will do .. is of your heart!) xo, frannie
True Friends, Frannie |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 12:02:03 PM
Twigs, Welcome! I'm so glad that Frannie told you about all of us! I just ordered a magazine from your website. I had to have the one with the story about Frannie and her log cabin! I didn't even realize it was your site until I started looking around from the links you posted. I really like your stitchery patterns! You are very talented.
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| blueroses |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 11:16:22 AM
Twigs,
WOW! I visited your shop and I absolutely love it! We are so glad to have you here. You do beautiful work and the shop looks so great. That's my kind of place. It's so good to have you here. I've already put your shop in my "favorites" so I can shop when I have more time. You and Frannie are so lucky to have found each other. Welcome.
Debbie
"You cannot find peace...by avoiding life."
Virginia Woolfe |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 09:49:09 AM
Welcome Twigs-I love your house-so beautiful and I took a quick peek at your store and will take another look here soon.
Your family is just beautiful.
Glad to have you with us. :)
Ellen in MI |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 19 2005 : 09:26:18 AM
oh hon being a mother is he best job in the world, a blessing from God so you have hte best job on earth.
now what is it that you sell on ebay? got any pics?
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| Fabulous Farm Femmes |
Posted - Dec 18 2005 : 11:42:23 PM
Tiffany,
Your home and store are lovely, so much fun everywhere you look!
I live near Seattle in Washington state.True blue yankee.
I used to dream when my girls got grown, I would harness my talents and have a shop. Well,the Lord had other plans, namely one daughter who is a single mother with three children, and another who has an illness that needs constant monitoring and care. Motherhood is never over!And I guess being a momma is what I was always best at anyway.
I do sell some wares on eBay, so that is fun and brings in some pin money.Too bad shipping is so expensive, I'd send you some to sell! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 18 2005 : 10:06:45 PM
aww frannie your such a sweet friend, but it is i who is honored and thrilled to have you in my book of friendships.......you just dont know how happy i am that you moved to the bluegrass, after all those years of gabbin on the net.....im gonna head your way soon, whens the calendar clear and are you decorated for CHRISTmas?
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
| twigs |
Posted - Dec 18 2005 : 10:04:25 PM
awww thanks laura, come on down and visit me in the hills, were just over the river and through the woods and its a wonderful time i guarantee.
just got your email and i sent them off so you will be reading a while im sure
twigs
May you be surrounded by the things of olde that make you feel like a treasure! |
