Since 2011...REALLY?

Like Ricky would say to Lucy....you got some "splainin" to do! I cannot believe it has been this long since I blogged!! So, I will briefly fill you in on where I have been! Back in 2011 I was wholesaling my crafts to supplement my income. My life consisted of getting up early, crafting for a while, getting ready for work, going to work, crafting on my lunch hour, coming home to cook dinner, laundry and crafting again until at least midnight. Slowly my life spiraled out of control! My house became a total mess because there were craft items EVERYWHERE! Not one room seemed to be free of craft supplies, finished items and packaging material! Cobwebs and dust became my decorations of choice! ;) I started feeling tired and my hands were puffy. My doctor checked me for a thyroid problem but didnt find one. I pushed through the exhaustion and continued crafting, taking on far too many orders than I should have, disappointing people in the process and learning a very valuable lesson about wholesaling! After the rush of the fall and winter season was over, I was too exhausted to do much else but take a breather and plan the next season.

2012: So 2012 begins and the orders start to roll in, but I realize I am really starting to slow down, feeling exceptionally tired...what is happening to me? My hands start to swell and hurt, my knees begin to ache and I know that something is horribly wrong. Being the internet doctor that I am, I begin to worry that my symptoms may be Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. Long story short and some testing by the Rheumatologist later, I was diagnosed with RA. By the time I received the diagnosis and finally received medication, it was October 2012. At one point, probably in September 2012 while I was waiting for my official diagnosis and medicine, every joint in my body hurt. Going to work took every ounce of strength I had, and crafting was out of the question. I was forced to cancel all my wholesale orders. I hurt so badly that I couldn't even pull a needle through thread. I literally collapsed on the couch one evening when I got home from work and sobbed because I hurt so much! I told my husband that I wanted to die. But...every story has a silver lining and mine was my medicine. Although my RA is can be quite severe, the biologic medicine I am on has enabled me to begin crafting again, but better yet, living again.


  2013: It has taken over a year for things to get back to "normal" or at least as close to normal that I am capable of...lol and if you knew me well, you would know that I am a nut so life is never truly normal! But then, normal is a relative term right? I was able to decorate for fall this year and had a little bit of my Christmas decorations up! Small victories!! One of the hardest adjustments is that I get super tired A LOT!! And my immune system is suppressed so I am a walking illness magnet! Maybe I need to work on a new craft line...."prim" face masks! Can you just imagine, the possibilities are endless!
I made some ornaments at Christmas time with my cricut that had sat in the box for over two years!!

And at the end of 2013 I was blessed with a brand new grand daughter! Maci Lane made her debut December 12, 2013 and lives in Germany with her sister Haylin, my daughter and wonderful son-in-law! My daughter has kept me busy with sewing a pink ombre crib skirt for Maci, and it's the first large project I have taken on since I started feeling better! 

2014: Now that I am finished with the crib skirt, I can get back to crafting! I will share, I promise!! I have a few projects that I am working on! This thing called normal is a wonderful place to be! I am excited again, I feel like I can accomplish things now. I am ready to come back to the land of the living!

Olde Primitive Peddler Update....

Just a quick post to let you know that my page at the Olde Primitive Peddler will be updated tonight around midnight! I have two new items to unveil! One for fall and one for winter! There are many talented artisans that present their wares on the 15th update so please remember to join us! I am sure you will find a treasure that will be hard to resist!!

I also need to update you...but not tonight...on what I have been up to! I will just say that I have been extremely busy with wholesaling...but that Made In America story will be shared with you later!

Winners.....

I bet you are all wondering who the winners of the contests are...so...I wont keep you waiting a moment longer!! But first, I want to welcome all my new followers, and say a big thank you to all my blog followers! Every comment left makes me happy!
I really enjoyed the name that bowl fillers contest! There were so many creative names suggested!! But the name that received the most votes on the Facebook poll was....Chicks-n-Grits!! How fun is that?? The winner was Tammy! I hope you enjoy them Tammy!! Thank you everyone that joined in on the fun!

Like I was saying in yesterday's post, I have been so busy...and forgetful! :{ I forgot to draw the winner of the Crows Guide to Magic!! Can you believe that??? So the winner of the Crow's Guide to Magic is: Jessica~Before the Dawn Congratulations Jessica!! I will send you an email for your info!!

Also...I need one more comment for a free ornie...do I have to beg??? lol I will be emailing all the ornie winners also!! Congrats to all!

Monday Mania...I am so tired sale!

Oh hey...guess what?? I have been working so hard on trying to expand my business that I forgot to draw my winner...and guess what else...you will have to wait until tomorrow!!! I know...that's not very fair right? Well..I understand, but its nearly midnight and my back is screaming at me...and...I have to get up at 600am to get ready for work! I am burning the candle at both ends!! Work has been stressful and life at home can be hard when you are trying to build your business, and you also work full time and the normal cooking and cleaning that we all do...well after that there isn't a whole lot of time left! Trust me...I am not complaining...I feel so happy that people seem to really like my work! So I think what I am really trying to say is...please forgive me!!?? I will draw the winner tomorrow and....since I am so tired...the first 5 people that leave a comment will receive an ornament for free! It will be my choice! So...I am going to head to bed...and you get busy leaving a comment! :) And I promise to try and do better!!
Nite all!
PS Dont forget to leave your email address so I can contact you!!

Monday Mania...Ornie BOGO Sale!

Merry Christmas in July!!
I know what you are thinking...you are thinking that the summer heat has really gotten to me now right?? She's crazy right?? But its July...and what is a great way to beat the summer heat? Dreaming of Christmas!!! It's Christmas in July at The Country Primitive Shoppe and I would like to offer you an early Christmas present with a buy one ornie, get one ornie free sale!!

Here is how to take advantage of my sale! Go visit my Etsy shoppe: The Country Primitive Shoppe
Pick out your favorite ornie, or ornies and email me to order! Make sure your email states BOGO Ornie, tell me your choices and include your paypal address and I will invoice you! Its as simple as that!! But hurry...this sale will end Aug 5th!
Email To Order

Let The Voting Begin!!

Voting has begun to choose the name of my bowl fillers!! We have names from the blog and Facebook! The contest is on my Facebook fan page! ENTER HERE

And don't forget to enter my Giveaway! Just a few more days until I draw a name! Contest ends on July 31st! If you are having any difficulties entering, please send me an email and I will add you to the drawing! Email Me

Monday Mania: Name Those Bowl Fillers Contest!

I need your help!! I would love a creative name for my chicken bowl fillers and I would love for you to help me name them! With the chicken bowl fillers, there is a cup of scented corn cob!

Please leave your suggestion in a comment after this post...then I will post a poll on facebook and there will be a vote for the winning name!! I think this will be a lot of fun! The winning name will win the chicken bowl fillers!

Couple of New Things.....

It has been a very busty weekend and I just wanted to share a couple of new items that I have created over the weekend! The first is Crows in the Sunflower Patch!

Next we have my favorite Chicken Bowl Fillers...they are nested in corn cob! Kind of looks like chicken feed!

And last but not least, my newest sawdust pillow! It has a pocket that I have filled with Sweet Annie!

Tomorrow is Monday Mania....check back for details on a contest!!

Lots of GREAT Stuff Going On!!

Good Morning and Happy Friday!! Woohoo for the weekend!! Besides my giveaway, hint hint...I would love for you to check out the fabulous artisans that have listed on the Olde Primitive Peddler for the July 15th update! I am so very proud to be an artisan in this group! Tilly the Toad Witch is one of my offerings on the site!

Another exciting venue that I am proud to be a part of is the Christmas in July show by EZ Craftshow! Start your Christmas shopping early this year and browse the many wonderful booths that the craft show has to offer! What a great way to beat the heat...don't you think? Here is just one item that I have to offer at the show!

Well that's it for now...but stayed tuned and watch for some new items that I will be posting over the weekend! :) Happy Shopping!

Monday Mania...a Little Late!

Last week I got Monday Mania off the ground and I was excited...the next day...I drowned my laptop with a cup of coffee! What really stinks...besides ruining my computer and NOT being able to retrieve many patterns that I have purchased was that I had taken an extra day off from work last week as a treat...cause things have been stressful and I needed a me day! WOW...what a treat and let me tell you...it was ALL about me...but not in the way I had imagined!! lol So...since I am late with my Monday Mania, I decided that this Monday...Tuesday...ooops Wednesday is going to be a giveaway! Regardless of what happened, I am FULL of gratitude for all the wonderful things happening in my life and my business! I feel the need to give back!! Simply follow my blog and leave me a comment and you will be entered to win. If you can't leave a comment, please just send me an email asking me to enter you at:
dina@thecountryprimitiveshoppe.com

The Crow's Guide to Magic...this was made using an awesome pattern by Pam Garcia from Soft In The Head that was in the Better Homes and Gardens Holiday Crafts 2009 edition! The pattern was called Something To Crow About! The contest will run until July 31st when I will announce the winner! Good Luck!!