Hello, Friends...

This will be my last post on the "Blackberry Ridge" blog. I hope you will all make the switch with me. I will be sharing pics of the "Ice Storm" in my first post...I hope to see you there.

My new Blog
Just click on the link below

HOLLY RIDGE CREATIONS

Yep, I'm switchin' gears...actually, I'm tryin' to get myself in gear!!! I have opened a new etsy shop "Holly Ridge Creations" for my folkart, original dolls and whatever else I create. The "Prims and Pretties" etsy shop will now have vintage items and supplies. I have to admit that right now both shops are rather bare...hence the need to get myself in gear!

Alrighty, goodbye Blackberry Ridge...I'm off to new adventures...

Introducing my "Gourd Babies"!!

Yes, they are finally finished---almost. I just couldn't wait to show them to you!! Meet, the girls...I wish the pic was clearer. I have had lots of fun and some hair pullin' (mine and theirs) getting these dolls completed. But, I think it was all worth it. I just wish you could see them in person.

Here are the actual "babies" of the bunch. I know they look a little stern...I think they are angry because I have fed them.

I know Mama isn't supposed to have favorites, but...here she is. I can't help it, this little gal just stole my heart.

If you remember the pics I shared of the gourd babies in the beginning stages, you know that I start by basecoating the gourd and then freehand the features of the face. When the faces are finished, I begin to see personalities emerge. But, they don't really come "alive" until they are finished and I am always more surprised that anyone to see "who" they have become.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my babies, please leave a comment...I love to hear what you think.

Now, I have to give them names. That's where their stories really begin.

I really should be workin' on my dolls!!

But, I thought I'd come visit awhile instead. Hmmm, visitin', could that be why I can't seem to get those dolls finished!!! Oh well, here I am and I want to share some pics of the camp.



*One of the teaching stations. It doesn't show up in the pic very good, but the kids did leave some graffiti..."We Luv BYC"...since we all luv BYC, noone was punished! :-)
** Wooden bridge leading to the boy's ridge.

***A view of part of the girl's ridge. The boy's and girl's ridges look much alike.





Some of you already know that we live at and take care of our church camp. Mike, my hubby does the mowin', maintenance, etc. I'm in charge of what goes on in the kitchen and what happens in the kitchen stays in the kitchen!!! (Had a pic of the kitchen/cafetorium...guess the gremlins got it!!)



*****The road that leads to our house and a view of the ridge.




Our camp is located in southeast Missouri on what is known as "Crowley's Ridge". There is alot of history to the ridge. It was actually created by the "Great New Madrid Earthquake of 1811" and just pops up in the middle of flatland!! Let me know if your interested and I'll share some of that history at another time.
Well, I guess you can tell by now...I don't have adding pics to my posts mastered...none of them ended up where I wanted them. And, somethin' must have eaten some of them 'cause they sure ain't here now!!! I really should try to get this post a little more organized but I am afraid to touch anything...gonna leave well enough alone!! Hope you enjoyed the pics.
I do plan to get those gourd dolls finished and will be posting pics this week so I hope you will check back.

"Can anyone tell me how I got this big, ole gap here,

Could this be where the other pics are hidin'?"

I am so proud of these two!!

I would like you to meet Bobby and Candace Garner. They are a young couple who have chosen to dedicate their lives to God in the mission fields of Africa.

Bobby's proud father sent the link to their blog to me today. I started reading and just couldn't stop. I wanted to pass it along for all of you to enjoy.

"Just click on their pic to see the blog."

We have known Bobby since he was knee high to a grasshopper and he introduced us to Candace when they were still in high school. Of course, as far as I'm concerned, they are still a couple of youngin's!!

I'm sure you will enjoy reading about their lives in Africa and seeing all the neat pictures as much as I do. Don't miss the post titled "Free Money".

Bobby and Candace are always in our prayers and we think about them way over there across the big water all the time. Their blog is going to be such a great way for us to have them here with us.

Be sure and let me know if you would like to know more about Bobby, Candace and their mission work.

"What I Did Wednesday"

Nope...I didn't start a new series of gourd dolls based on "The Village of the Damned"! LOL

I did decide to start making my gourd dolls again. I haven't made any for over 10 years and I am looking forward to getting these done.

I admit they do look pretty scary at this stage!!

I have added the irises and pupils and they are already developing personalities. Ooooo, I think I see my 1st grade teacher. This is going to be interesting!!

Okay, here is what I got accomplished today. Forty-three doll heads and an aching back! I still have quite a bit to do but I'll be sure and post pics when they're ready to be introduced. I can't wait!!

The OFG Holiday Celebration has officially begun!!

And it is a dandy...there is so much talent at the Old Farmhouse Gathering and all the gals have outdone themselves this time. There are around a hundred entries and I did my very first slideshow just so you could see a sampling. (Okay, so I did a slideshow and a half, don't ask me how or why! LOL)

This santa is one of my four entries in the celebration. It is a cypress knee santa and is an original, one-of-a-kind piece. You can click on the link below to get to the etsy listing. While there be sure to go to the Etsy homepage and type OFGHC in the search bar to see all the other great works of art!!

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=15602963

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