My Christmas Present~Maggie Mae

I know~ I don't post for two months then I post two days in a row~ just wanted to share our new addition to the family~ She was FREE to a good home~ I am just so excited~ I can't even believe it~ I have only ever dreamed of having two of them~ she is so sweet and lovable and BIG!!! I'm going to take more pics after my camera battery charges~ wish the darn thing would recharge itself!!!
Until next time,
Suzy

**Let it Snow* Let it Snow* Let it Snow**

Miss Em Making Christmas Ornaments

I know~its been awhile~ battling the swine flu and the flu in this house since mid October~ not so much fun~ even less fun trying to pick up the pieces of everything that got put on the back burner while trying to take care of a sick child and recover myself~the house got tipped upside down~ business got put on hold, and family either got ignore or "grumped" at~ It is the Christmas season ~ and time to regroup and remember what is important~ MY FAMILY!!! Thank Goodness for Skype~ I have been missing my daughter and family terribly this holiday season~ and I got to watch them decorate their Christmas tree the other night 1200 miles away~We were so excited~~~
We have a new website in the works for the new year~and lots of new ideas~ and many plans~ time will tell if they are meant to be~ Hope you all enjoy the holidays an remember what is truly important~~~
Until next time,
Suzy

~Have You Ever Felt Like This Was You?

The colors here on the trees are fading and the leaves are gently falling here in Maine~ Some exciting and not so exciting things happening here in the studio~ The past few days have felt like an emotional roller coaster~ lots of ups and downs~
My mom had eye surgery and it was successful!!! YAY!!! She has some of her sight back and will still improve over the next few days~ she is very pleased with the outcome and of course, so are we!!!
Took a day off out of the studio to regroup and spend some time with my parents~ the past day or two has been hurtful and some lessons well learned~ yes,I am still learning as I go even at my age~ My mother has owned two artsy type businesses since I was little girl and I figured she would have some good advice to help me move on~ Boy, did I ever open a can of worms~She had lots of advice!!However, her key piece of advice was~ "Everyone has there own way of doing business~and not everyone is going to like it but will be real quick to criticize and tell you what you should of done!" My Goodness... SHE HIT THAT NAIL RIGHT ON THE HEAD!!! So,advice well taken and time to move forward~ new doors have opened already~ tomorrow will be spent in the studio preparing for my Homestead Harvest Show in Farmington, Maine this weekend~
Until next time,
Suzy

And the Winner is.......

Danielle From PA!!! Thanks to everyone who entered~ sorry it took so long to post~ trying to catch up on orders~celebrating the big 50th birthday with family and friends~ and my daughter and family visiting from Virginia!!!


Sorry to say I am taking this month off from Early Work Mercantile to get caught up with orders and preparing for shows~ but will be back next month with some new offerings~

Until Next time~
Suzy

FALL GIVE AWAY AND SALE

Time just never slows down here at the Mill House~ Fall always seems to be a busy time~Ben going back to school~ apple picking~trips to the pumpkin patch~fall decorating~preparing the gardens for the long Maine winters~

This fall appears to be no different~ Rob turns 50 on October 12 and is less than impressed~ I wanted to have a big party BUT he says no way~ NOT HAPPENING~ So we decided to celebrate the Grand Opening of our website(its been in the works for awhile now) with YOU!!!

We have two exciting things happening~ GIVE AWAY and A HUGE SALE~
First from Friday September 25 to Monday Septemember 28~ EVERYTHING IN OUR WEB SHOP IS 50% OFF~THATS RIGHT 50% OFF~~

Last but not least~ our GIVE AWAY~ one lucky winner will win the fall basket~ There are a few ways to enter~
1. Leave a comment on this post~ 1 entry
2. Follow my blog~ 1 entry
3. Sign up for our mailing list ~ 3 entries
4. Blog about my Giveaway ~4 entries
5. Join my Facebook Fan Page~ 1 entry
Link: http://www.facebook.com/apps/application.php?id=71534819974#/apps/application.php?id=71534819974&v=wall

Wow~ thats a possibility of 10 entries to win~Rob will be drawing the lucky winner on his birthday on October 12~ If you are not a blogger, please leave an email where we may contact you if you are the Lucky Winner!

Well~the studio is calling my name~ time to get back to work~
Until next time,
Suzy

~The Quietness of the House Again~

Well~ Labor Day has come and gone! Rob is back to work and Ben is back to school~ the only sounds I hear now is the music playing softly~washer and dryer doing their job~ and the dog whimpering cause he just watched the Ben walk off to school!
We had a busy weekend here at the Mill House~ saw some old friends, lots of playing time, ripped out some old carpets, and I redid my Etsy shoppe finally! It was one of those things that I kept saying~I'll get to it~ but I never did~ so I FINALLY DID IT!

I am also proud to know be a part of the Old Farmhouse Gathering group on Etsy~ what a wonderfully talented group of artists~ I can't wait to meet more of them~ Please do stop by and look around~
Well~ I must get busy now~ the studio has now taken over two rooms of the house instead of one~ the office has been turned into just that~ my office and Ben's music room~ he will be starting piano lessons very soon~ My parents bought him this beautiful antique piano last spring~ and he is very excited~
So~ I need to do some more reorganizing in the studio part~ and then out to the deck to do some hooking and enjoying these last great days of summer~
Until next time,
Suzy

~Exciting Things Happening Here at the Mill House~

Another August is gone~ but September 1 brings some new and exciting things at the Mill House~ I have joined two very talented groups of artisans in the primitive folk art world~ Simply Primitives and The Primitive Gatherings. What an honor it is to a part of both of these wonderful groups~
My offering this month for The Primitive Gathering
Penny Rug Runner

Witch Mouse

Colonial Candles


~Simply Primitives~
Pantry Boxes

Primitive Mouse and Butter Wafer Lamp


Well, Ben starts Jr High tomorrow ~ I'm so not ready for my baby to grow up~ but as we all know~ they do~ So I'm off to enjoy the final day of summer with my baby before he starts school~
Until next time,
Suzy

Summer is slowly winding down.....

Summer here in Maine is slowly winding down..soon the laughter and the chitter chatter of all the kids on the street will be gone as they return to school! Its kind of a bittersweet feeling as I love having them all around but yet... I seem to get nothing done! We have had a good summer even though we haven't traveled very far...

Rob & Ben swimming at Lake George in Skowhegan, Maine
This past weekend was Madison Anson Days~ it means the end of summer but yet all of the kids seem to look forward to it...the parade seems to be the highlight along with the fireworks~I just love the old cars~

Anson Historical Society

~I just love these~


~Madison Fire Department~

~The day ended with the Fireworks~
Its has been tough getting the creativity to flow~maybe I just needed a bit of a break~ Rob & I went to three different Farmer's Markets over the past week~ I just love the open airy feeling there~After coming home from the last one I decided it was time to clean out the studio and get back to work~ no, its not clean yet, but will be soon!
Be sure to come back On Sept 1, as I will be sharing some exciting things happening at the MillHouse studio~
Until next time,
~Suzy~

Early Work Mercantile Updates

Boy...is it ever hot here in Maine~ almost 90~ I know thats not hot to some~ but to us here in Maine~ its way too hot! Just wanted to pop in a give you a sneak preview of my updates for Early Work Mercantile for tomorrow!
Early Primitive Bucket with Hand Hooked Lid

Two High Button Baby Shoe Pin Keeps


Just thought I would share the updates... off to a cool air conditioned grocery store!
Until next time,
Suzy

Simpler Thymes.....

Good Morning all...
Life sure has been busy here at the Millhouse... I decided it was time to reorganize and redo my kitchen...need more room and less clutter...trying to go back to the simpler thymes.. hopefully making life a little less hectic...of course, I pick the hottest days of the summer to do that! It's almost done and I will share some pictures soon, I promise!!!
Just doing some much needed computer work this morning while Ben is still snoozing away...and I was just looking at some really cool old pictures on my computer that Rob's cousin and my dearest friend, Barbara, shared with us... I just love looking at old pictures and thinking how simple life was back then....
Obviously, procrastinating on the tasks that need to be done...but I came across this really neat picture of Robs great-grandparents, Fred and Lottie Young, taken sometime between the mid to late 1800's... I just love it... maybe its her apron( aprons are an addiction to me), maybe its the hard work but simple life that their faces show... or maybe its just because they are family.. What do you think?
Well.. I guess I better get my work done.. because Ben will be up soon and there will be lots of kids in the yard playing and enjoying a lazy summer day! I love to listen to their chatter and laughter as I know all too well... that soon he will be all grown up and leave the nest....
Until next time,
Suzy

Thymes are changing....

As I sit here writing this post, drinking my coffee,the sun is trying to shine through the cloudy sky,birds chirping everywhere, and many things are traveling through my mind.... this past week has made me think about many things..some good and some bad....I have concluded that some of the trials that we go through in life are just bumps in the road and are there for a reason. I don't always know the reason..they just are and not for me to question!!!
My dear sweet mother-in-law is a diabetic and has had some problems with skin cancer on top of her head. The lesions have become severely infected and the cancer is eating into her skull..She goes on the 27th to the Alfond Cancer Center.. and hopefully will start treatments right away..She is a very sweet 81 year old woman..who stays very positive and it just makes you wonder WHY HER???? She takes very good care of herself and has a very positive attitude so hopefully this will get her through this bump in the road in her life...
It seems really nice not to be doing shows every weekend like I have in the past..shows have been very slow here in Maine due to the bad economy..It almost seems like sometimes I am playing hooky, lol!!! I just keep plugging along with my on line venues and having a good time with it, instead of stressing out all the time about if I have enough inventory! Maybe its my age or maybe its the thymes.. but things are definitely changing here at the Mill House. The rug hooking is so fun and so relaxing..it just doesn't seem like work~
So for me now... I'm enjoying my good friends, my family, and my thyme spent "hooking"!
"The more I think about it, the more I realize there is nothing more artistic than to love others."
~Vincent Van Gogh~

Until next time,
Blessings,
~Suzy~

Exciting happenings here at the Mill House!

Exciting things are happening here at the Mill House... I was invited to join a very elite group of very talented artists in a wonderful online mercantile. Please take time and check out the site.. there is some unbelievable talent on there.
Early Work Mercantile

I will be included on the 15th of every month offering and am very excited to be there!
Here are my offerings for this month!
1862 Angel Pillow

Hand Hooked Flowers

Pantry Boxes


AND... the other exciting thing happening here is... my daughter Lynsie has opened her own website... Since her daughter Emme was born.. she has just been snapping pictures after picture.. which is good for the family... because they are 1200 miles away! She is really into the whole photography thing and is taking classes online..
She loves the nature pictures and I think she does a really good job... even though I might be a little partial! Please take a few moments and visit her site... I promise you won't be disappointed! We are so very proud of her!
Lynsie's SmugMug

Well, there is much to be done... so until next time,
Blessings,
Suzy

The Joys of Grandchildren....

Some exciting things are happening here at the Mill House which I promise I will share very soon! I know I keep saying that but I need to make sure things are in place before I do share! We took some much needed time away from the house this past weekend to meet my daughter, Lynsie and her family in Portland at Chuck E. Cheese. John is stationed in Virginia and they don't very often get to come home to Maine..and when they do there is so much family for them to see... SIGH....they have safely returned home to Virginia and Lynsie sent me some of the great pictures she took that night... I have to say I must have the cutest kids and grandchildren...AHHHH... maybe I am just partial...
Miss Em just loves Parmesan Cheese and of course... Grammie kept giving her more!

Mommy(Lynsie) giving Grammie the evil eye,lol!!!

My first time holding Hunter... he is just so sweet!

We all had so much fun...Miss Em just loved to play the games... she would get some tickets and have to bring them back to Mommy... Grammie did some running that night...Hopefully..it won't be long before we can see them again...
Well, there are deadlines to meet... so I must get back to work... the studio is calling my name...
Until next time,
Suzy

I can't believe it... another sunny day in Maine!!!

I really can't believe it...two days in a row, say nothing about 2 days in the same month..the SUN is out..we have had nothing but rain for the last 6 weeks here..is it possible summer is really coming.I finally got all of my planting done this weekend..and the yard is really coming along..my deck is always my favorite place to work in the summer...My spider plant holder was made by my grandfather back in the 1930's..he was a welder and he made it from old hay rake tines.. I just love it..I remember my grandmother always had it filled with red geraniums...with all of the rain and me being behind(as always), these petunias had to do for this year.. and I really like them too! Last night when Rob was mowing the lawn.. I heard him grumbling a little about hitting his head on it...family traditions are carried on as my grandfather and father have grumbled a time or two about the very same thing!!!
Some very exciting things are happening here at the Mill House in the next couple of weeks... I'll be sharing very soon..I have some new pieces in the works...finishing up one today..hopefully.. and can't wait to start on an Ebay group challenge...so I better be running along and will keep you all updated later!
Until next time,
Blessings,
Suzy

Time is just slipping by....

I don't know where the time has gone... everyday I have intentions of updating my blog... and before I know it the day is gone....I keep telling myself.. I will get to it before the day is over...As you can clearly see lots of days have gone past.. well.. here I am now! The picture was taken on my recent visit to my friends, Bill and Dianne Trussell's farm, French Hill Farm. I was truly amazed as when I pulled into their driveway... 30 plus baby lambs and their Mamas (Coopworth Sheep)all came running down the hill to the fence to see if the company was to visit them... They are so adorable! I purchase all of my sheep's wool that I use in my art from them... it is so soft and clean when it comes home with me...
Things have been so busy here at the Mill House...our grandchildren are growing so quickly... baby Hunter is almost 10 weeks now, Miss Em is 2, and the Mr Cameron just turned 3....and Caleb is 1 1/2 and never ever stops!
Lots has happened here since my last post.. I did the Maine Fiber Frolic... a two day show In Windsor Maine... thats was just a great time with all the animals...Here is a picture of my neighbor in the next booth to us which made for some good laughs throughout the weekend.

Another year of baseball has come and gone for Ben... he has made it through the last year of Madison Elementary and is onto his new adventure of Jr. High next year.... its kind of scary that my baby is almost 11... time sure does fly... Lynsie and her family are here in Maine visiting this week... and I can't wait until I get my turn to see them..its so hard when John only gets so much leave time.. and every one wants them when they come back to Maine... I am patiently.. well kind of... waiting! And... our oldest son, Rob Jr.. decided the other day... to Elope... yikes...we had been planning a wedding for the end of July... and all of the chaos got to them... so they just went and did it!!! I guess no one can complain now, can they?
After all these years of working in mixed mediums... trying to find my "THING" and make some money at it... I have found my true love... I think... not sure if I'm going to make any money at it... but I absolutely love it...Rug hooking... it is so relaxing and it so rewarding to see it all come together...so I guess I can officially be called a "hooker". I want one of those tshirts that u see.... with I love to hook... but Rob doesn't think I should be wearing that kind of shirt in our small town... hey.. they think Im different now being a folk artist... so let them talk!!!! Well... the wool strips are calling my name... so until next time...which I promise won't be so long...
take care and make the best of every day,
Suzy

Another Dreary Morning....

It's another dreary morning... at least its not pouring like it did most of the day yesterday! It might be dreary outside.. but things are bustling here at the studio... Have my show schedule almost done... and it is a full one! I was just looking at some photos on my computer and just had to share this one... How lucky we are to have such sweet healthy grandchildren! Miss Em and Hunter! Well... just wanted to pop in and say Hi! We are off to Boothbay Harbor this weekend for the Fisherman's Festival and next weekend is the May Day Festival in Kennebunk, Maine...
I will post my schedule soon....as I get confirmations and set dates...
Until next time,
Suzy

I DID IT AGAIN!!!!

Well... I did it again!! I have been negligent in postings.... so much is going on here at the Mill House... I just needed to take a step back and get my priorities straight... now its time to get back to work! Many happy events in the last couple of months..... We have a new grandson, Johnathan Hunter Samuel McIlhinney....I have had some much needed oral surgery that has been put off now for over 5 years... and the best of all the news is.. our son-in-law, John is home from his 7 month deployment in the gulf!!! I can finally sleep at night.. knowing he is safe at home with his family, my daughters delivery was fine... and the surgery is OVER!!!! These have all been taking a toll on me and its very hard to be creative when the worries just over take it all...so now things are back in order... and if I can just get Ben through 4th grade... things will be perfect! Until, next time.. which I promise won't be so long,

Suzy

Happy Valentines Day!

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentines Day! My heart goes out to all of the military wives whose husbands are deployed and serving our country. It's kind of a bittersweet day for them....looking forward to the day that they come home and can be with their Valentine again.
As I was talking to Lynsie on the phone today... she reminded me they had been together for 5 years and only spent one Valentines Day together! So this post is for all of those military wives who give so much of themselves while their husbands are giving to our country! We all wait anxiously for the day that John returns home safely to be with his family again. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless you!
Until next time,
Suzy

There's a storm coming.....

There's a storm coming our way... and Miss Emme is ready even though she is in Virgina. Grandma sure does miss her...
It sure looks like snow but they are saying a mix of rain snow, and sleet...good day to work in the studio.Things here at the Mill House are coming along nicely..getting shows lined up, pouring candles, sewing, AND....
I would like to say a big heart felt THANKS to Becky of House on the Hill Hosting and Amy of Amybug's Primitive Attic .
Becky is hosting my NEW website,Mill House Primitives, and has been very helpful in setting it up. Amy did all of my graphics for my blog, website,my Etsy shoppe, and my Ebay template. She does wonderful work and is very, very fast. These two girls are what wonderful customer service is all about. They go way above and beyond the call of duty!
Well.. Hope you all have a blessed day as I have a few shoppes to fill and shows to get ready for!
Until next time,
Suzy

As I sit here at the computer, working on all of my plans for the new year...both personal and business... I find myself reflecting on the past year... lots of ups and downs... Rob losing his job, my Mom having gall bladder surgery, my Dad a couple of eye surgeries, losing our 8 year old loving beagle Scrappy, my parents losing their 13 year old bassett hound Sage, my son-in-law John being deployed to the gulf of Iraq, our sons girlfriend Fiona,struggling with cancer and chemotherapy, and me struggling to maintain a balance in my life... on the positive side of 2008... Rob went back to work at his old job where he worked for over 5 years 3 years ago.. he is close to home, home every night... and very happy now, our sweet granddaughter, Emme, turned one in April and our grandson, Cameron,turned 2 in June, our daughter announced we were going to be grandparents again...hey,we must be getting good at this!....and lots of other good times as a family....So, looking forward to a new year, our main goal is to Simplify! We have been decluttering and setting goals for the new year... looking forward to our new grandchild in April, our son Rob is getting married to Fiona on July 25, 2009.. that becomes a package deal as she has a one year old, Caleb! More grandchildren.. YAY!!!! I have also committed myself to posting in here and showing you my new creations at least once a week! So with being said... my filing cabinet needs some more decluttering...Until next time,Suzy