Sunflowers and Flags - Small Town Country Girl

As a designer, the things we work through and deal with in real life affect the things we make and create and we hope you all can relate. I am most definitely a small town country girl...  the rural back roads and way of life influence me. It's where we work and where we live. Last year, it influenced the Rural Route tee. 

I've always loved sunflowers, but this year, we are actually growing them and I could post a picture of them everyday. They make me happy! We also spend a lot of time at my in-laws house and we help with the garden there as well. There's a flag pole by a square flower bed, near the veggie patch and my mother-in-law wanted to plant a pollinator garden there. I helped plant the area and I planted some sunflower seeds, in hopes that I would get to take a sunflower and flag picture and she'd get bees to visit. 

My father-in-law was retired from the Air Force and died this summer. He wanted a military service and he was fortunate to get his wishes (with the current situation, we didn't know if he'd get full service, but he did.) It was a very emotional and touching service. The past few years, we have become very close to them, as we've helped with his care. 

Honestly, we've been feeling the sunflower / flag vibes all summer - from my painted buckets, to gardening, and shirts. The week after his funeral, I was checking on the garden and found the first sunflower along with the flag gently blowing in the breeze. It made me tear up. Their farm land and black top road in the background... One of the songs we chose for the memorial video was Small Town Southern Man by Alan Jackson. As we drove through our small town, on the way to the cemetery, Jeff and I were both overcome with emotion, as everyone stopped and waited for us to pass... true small town life. As Jeff said: "it's just different when it's your dad." Yes, yes it is.

We've been in sort of a funk the past few weeks, but Sunday afternoon, I sat down at my computer. I wasn't sure what I was going to create, but I pulled up a sunflower graphic, then a flag appeared while I was browsing my files... I piddled with it a few minutes, then I started getting the vision and it all came together. It's got buckets of sunflowers, crates of pumpkins, my Granddaddy's well bucket with wildflowers, hay bales and wheat, a rooster, a vintage turquoise pick up truck... did I leave the flag background or not? That's not really fall, but I wanted it there... Fall words or what would it say? That's when "Small Town Country Girl" hit me and I just knew that was it. Quite possibly my favorite original design to date!

I got the shirt made and listed online today and I love it! I'll definitely be making one in my size! 

I really wasn't thinking about these things, when I sat down at the computer, but I can look back and see how it influenced my design process. When I posted a message about his passing and that I would be away for a few days, I was overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and kindness you shared with us. I really just thought it would have been a simple announcement that I'd be away, since only a few local friends knew him personally, but once again, you supported us.

Our set up at a recent Gilmer Area Farmer's Market - I can participate as a local make, so I've been taking the old buckets, windows, and things from our closed booth and painting them. We also make all of our tees, right here in the county.

I've been advised to "clean up" my Instagram feed - no more quotes, flower pictures, cute farm animals, our yard or gazebo (by the way, pictures of it got us on the Country Living website this spring), heartfelt ramblin's from the backroads, etc - only limited personal pictures and to only have pictures of business / products for sale post. I did back off my personal pictures on ig, but I've certainly been thinking about it - those things that I'm not suppose to share are the things that influence us, the things that connect us to you. They are our journey on the rural route... I'm not so sure having a product only, perfect feed is really what it's all about. Maybe for the big brands, that's ok, but not for us, a small town country girls... What do you think?

 Since we've got so many items featuring a sunflower, I also created a new collection ( and menu) on our website that's called "All Things Sunflowers!" I think you might like a few of the things you find there as well. From buckets to key rings and car accessory kits to all the shirts with a sunflower on them and even a wedding bouquet. There's just something about a sunflower that makes us all happy and this world needs a lot more happy right now! 

As always, we thank you for always supporting us with your comments, words, and allowing us to make something pretty for you. Y'all are the best! 

Fabric Pumpkins

When one comes across a gorgeous, fall colored skirt at a garage sale, one may think: will this fit me, what top would go with this or all the places they could wear it? Not me - My immediate thought was gorgeous pumpkins! 

Velvet, rust colored lace, along with other layers of rich colored fabric, described by the lady as "one of my favorite" skirts, I immediately saw the potential. I came home and cut that baby up and made fabric pumpkins and did a little fall decorating. ✂️

I added twine, burlap roses, vintage lace, assorted trim, and sunflowers to them. 

I have this thing for vintage suitcases as well! I found this one recently and couldn't pass it up. Thought it was a great basket for my pumpkins and a mason jar of fall flowers! 

No fabric scrap was left behind - Meet the cute little baby pumpkins! Itsy, bitsy, and oh so cute!

I had some scraps left on the table and I just could not throw them away. This fabric is too pretty to go to waste in the trash. I mean, baby pumpkins, y'all!

I wish you could feel the fabric texture through the screen...

P. S. I'll share with you! I'll have some of these available in our Yamboree booth next week! 

Here's a few more from my pumpkin patch, in orange burlap and a pretty velvet. 

Angea's (aka Rooster Tails) pumpkin patch has been growing the French Country style pumpkins! Loving those white chenille ones, Angea! 

Yellow Wedding Bouquets and Daffodils

Some weeks seem to be about a certain color. A few weeks ago it was all turquoise bouquets, week before last it was navy. It's been a while since I've had any yellow orders, but last week had lots of bright and cheery yellow bouquets. 

Thursday night, I received a message titled "I need help." She was helping a friend and they needed wedding bouquets for a wedding THIS coming Friday! I was able to rush the order for them and they are being air mailed to San Diego today! I'm happy I was able to help them out on short notice. 

They ordered a bridal a bouquet with jade and tan burlap roses and vintage Ivory lace flowers and 6 sunflower and burlap bridesmaid bouquets.  When we were discussing colors for the bridal bouquet and I sent a picture of the jade bouquet - she said "when I think Jade, I think more green instead of turquoise. It's not like that crazy color changing dress is it?" I must agree that I think of jade as being more green, but the jade fabric is really more of a light turquoise / aqua color. 

Yellow week coordinated with the daffodils blooming in my yard as well! I love daffodils and they signal that spring is right around the corner. 

One bride had added an additional bridesmaid to her wedding party and she chose yellow for her color and is surprising the mothers with wristlet corsages to wear.

In her previous order, last month, each person has a different color dress, jewelry and bouquet  

My Grandmama's birthday would have been last week as well. As a child, I picked daffodils out of her yard to give her on her birthday. It's been 14 years since I was last able to give her daffodils, although I still pick a bouquet on her birthday. I miss her so much...

Another set of yellow bridesmaid bouquets.

And a sunflower and burlap bridal bouquet. 

This week looks to be a combination of navy and turquoise bouquets, along with getting ready for the Backwoods Marketplace in just over two weeks! 

Fall Wreath Sale!

Hey Y'all! I wanted to give you a heads up that I've marked down several of the wreaths in my shop, including all of these fall rope wreaths! I must make room for new Christmas inventory that's in the making! 

Prices have been marked down $5-$15 already, so no coupon code is needed! Get ready for Thanksgiving guest and pretty up your front door! 

Head over to my etsy shop and grab one now! 

Hot, Hot, Hot - Dreaming of Fall and Christmas in July

My truck thermometer read 112 yesterday afternoon, while I think it was more like 102, but still! All this hot and dry weather has me dreaming about Fall and Christmas in July! 

I've been working on lots of new seasonal decor this month, in addition to all the wedding orders. It's too hot to enjoy being outside for long and my yard is very blah as of late, so you can reap the benefits of lots of pretties added to my shop! Here's a sampling of some new fall and Christmas wreaths, including several new western rope wreaths. 

I've also been making a few more pillows this week and now I'm obsessed with this cute bunting! All I want to do today is make pennant banners! Last year, I traded a rope wreath for a sewing machine and a wedding dress. I didn't need the sewing machine at the time (or so I thought,) but I stuffed it back in the camper and let it be. I have both my grandmothers machines, but I'll admit, they can be quite cranky (the sewing machines) at times and sewing can seem like a struggle. I was working on two pillows for an order when my machine decided to only back stitch! What in the world? I went and got that new machine out of the camper and y'all, it is dummy proof! I am in love with my new Brother (that's the brand name!) It is portable, which means I can work wherever I choose, it's easy to thread and winding a bobber is no big deal. I am enjoying sewing! The bobbin winder didn't work on one of my machines and the other didn't do cute zig zag stitches. Now I'm having sew much fun with it! 

I had someone request turquoise camper pillows, so there are a couple of them available along with a neutral colored one, a doily and lace pillow and a winged one with the quote "What if I fail? Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?" e.h.  I still have a few pillow forms that I haven't sewn up yet, so if you want a different colored camper, please send a custom request and I'd be happy to make you one or two for your glamper. I've also thought about doing pillow wraps or just pillow covers, so they would be easy to store and ship. Would you like this option? And if so, what size pillows do you want these made for? 

I had thought about painting a pennant banner on my camper, but never did it. I'm really glad I didn't, because now I can change out the banners from time to time. This one has a very fall, floral attitude to it. I am so ready for some cooler weather and dreaming of glamping and a campfire actually feeling good!

Christmas in July. There are several styles of rustic Christmas wreaths now available. Here's a sampling of some of the Christmas rope wreaths. 

So the question of the day, how hot is it where you are? And are you ready for fall or winter? 

New Lariat Rope and Fall Wreaths

"Howdy!"

I've been working on several new western rope wreaths and a some new fall wreaths lately. 

or maybe you say "Welcome." 

I usually say Howdy or Hey (hey, maybe that's an idea for another wreath!) These two wreaths have a hand painted sign and an assortment of greenery and feathers. Pretty neutral in color and can be displayed year round on your door or wall. 

 This lasso has deep burgundy red peonies along with assorted greenery and a burlap bow. It can even be hung with the arrangement on the right side or turned to the bottom of the wreath. This wreath could also be used year round in your farmhouse - reds a great color that matches lots of holidays.

 This is a pink rope wreath for any fun loving cowgirl! Pink roses, green hydrangeas, burlap and raffia ribbon and greenery are included, along with the Cowgirl sign (can be removed, if unwanted.)

I've also made several fall themed wreaths. I love the fall colors and think they can be very elegant and pretty. This first rope wreath has sunflowers, rusty orange peonies, cattails, red daisies, fern, ivy, eucalyptus. among other greeneries and foliage. 

Red sunflowers and yellow sundaisies are the focal point of this lariat rope. 

 I'm always happy to make fall stuff - maybe its because I love sunflowers and all the different textures and colors. I know it's still July, but our creek is lined with gorgeous cattails, willow trees, solidago, and so many unique grasses and yellow wildflowers and they really inspired me to get to making fall pieces.  I took these next two grapevine wreaths out in the pasture, along the creek to take their pictures. 

This wreath has a sunflower shaped chalkboard sign that can be personalized. I wrote "Welcome Y'all", but you could customize it with your name, Happy Fall, Harvest Greetings, Happy Birthday, really anything you wish. Would even be  great back to school decorations for a classroom! 

All about the texture - lotus pods, grapevine balls, pheasant feathers, cattails, fall leaves, sunflowers, mums, daisies and berries. Ahhh, I think I'm ready for fall! How about you? 

All wreaths are ready to ship and can be found in my etsy shop. Thanks to a friend who found me a large lot of ropes at a recent sale, I'll have ropes to make wreaths for a while! Any certain colors, sign choices, or flowers you would like to see on a wreath? 

Oh, and there's also a couple of Christmas ropes available for Christmas in July!

 I'll definitely be making more Cowboy Christmas wreaths this year!   

Autumn Trails Tractor Show

Saturday we went to the Autumn Trails Antique Tractor Show and Pull. 

Hands down, my favorite, was this HOT PINK Super A Farmall! 

How sweet is she?

She even had a Rosie the Riveter emblem on her. Now, I wonder if I can convince someone to paint me a pink tractor? 

Of course my husband loved the Super C rigged out with all the plows and the little Allis Chalmers G "Grasshopper". 

It was a rainy Saturday morning (for which we are thankful). We went after lunch and there wasn't as many tractors due to the weather. There was still a cool drizzle in the air as we looked around, so I snapped a few pictures with my phone. I wouldn't break out my big girl camera with the moisture in the air. 

Look at the cute little baby John Deere. 

We got to see some of the pulling competition. 

Each tractor pulls this weighted sled down the track, to see which tractor can pull it the farthest. 

One of our antique Farmalls has found a parking spot close to the house, so I've decided to start using it as a photo prop! 

Burlap roses, sunflowers, and tractors... Just seems like a great combination to me! (Both bouquets are now listed in my shop and ready for immediate shipping.)