OldeMoonlane Primitves by Wendy Young Blog!

It's All About The Birds....

9/20/2017

Splish Splash I was taking a bath.... Remember that song? I couldn't help but sing that song to myself as I was creating another "Scrub A Dub" soap dispenser. I have a fondness for birds and love to watch them.. In the winter months just sitting by the fire watching my bird feeders outside the window is kind of a happy place for me.

Isn't he a cute little blue birdie splashing around? (Photo Courtesy of google search)

Fun Facts of why do birds bath:
* It helps them cool down in the summer months
* To Maintain their feathers ( mites, dirt etc.. )
* Did you know they splash around a lot because they have hollow bones and it keeps them from submerging? This is why they do a lot of splish splashing.

Helpful info:
Fill bird baths with 1/2" to 1" of water on edges and never more than 2-3" deep. They also like moving water and most impostantly keep the water clean. You wouldn't want a dirty bath lol!

Since I am thinking ahead to next years class schedule making this piece made me think of next year and the month of May which will be themed "It's All About The Birds". I have several ideas for projects and I need your voice now!!!!! I am listening!!!!! I am posting photos below for possible 2-day weekend projects so I need to select (2) projects. If you have a opinion and want to see one of these as the projects comment on the blog as I am tallying a vote and making final selections for that month. Your Vote counts!!!!!

If the Birdie soap dispenser makes the cut for a class I will be keeping it as the Demo. If not I will then list it in the etsy shop.

Have a great day everyone and be sure and keep those Birdie Baths clean!!

Blessings!
Wendy

16 Comments

Rotten Bananas.... Keep or Pitch?

9/20/2017

2 Comments

Do you pitch your rotten bananas or do you keep them and make Banana bread? You can also freeze them for smoothies, banana cake , and banana icing. See I do take breaks from sculpting to bake.

I have very fond memories of the recipes handed down to me. I am often reminded of my mom, grandmother, and mother in law with the recipes I cherish from them. We probably all have them. I even have those recipes that no matter how hard you try, they just don't taste like when mom or Nannie made them. The pic on the top left is my great grandmother recipe box handed down thru the generations and I love just looking at her handwriting. I laugh when I see the word "Catsup". The next pic is of my husbands grandmother recipe book and her favorite clippings. The book below is all battered and worn and it captures my fondest memories as it was the "Grange" cookbook my moms/mom bought for her . I learned to cook from this cookbook and have many pages marked of the recipes either myself or my mother have tried. I believe some are even marked yucky lol!. This book has been well loved and I thought I would share my go to banana bread recipe from the book, as I just can't see these bananas go to waste. I'm someone who doesn't like to see wasted food as I know what it's like to go hungry. Hubby and I ate vegetable soup for a month in our early years of marriage and we were on a soldiers income. Yes and entire month, let's just say it took us years to want to eat it again. See I even marked the recipe as good in the book. I would love to hear what you do with your rotten bananas??? Thank You Mrs. Margaret Webster from the Grange Cookbook.

Sift all the dry ingredients into a separate bowl with a flour sifter. This helps incorporate the dry indredients together.

Cream shortening really well and gradually add your sugar and blend till creamy. Add (2) eggs and mix well. Mash (3) banana with a fork and add to the mixture, mix well.

Add the dry ingredients to the mixture and blend. You can add chopped nuts if so desired I did not as I didn't have any on hand.

Pour into a greased loaf pan and I usually make a well in the center this helps create a more rounded loaf when baking. Bake 60 minutes or until you insert a toothpick into the center and it comes out clean.

Enjoy!!

I love slicing when warm and spreading with butter! Yum!

Feel free to share your tip for banana bread!

2 Comments

Scrub A Dub....

9/19/2017

10 Comments

Ohhhh the ideas are endless and my mind is a swirling! This idea has been on my mind for a very long time and I thought it would be a good project to work on while I am typing patterns for classes. Years ago, I had made a few in pottery but with pottery you can be limited in the detailing. Meet my new series called "Scrub A Dub" hand soap dispensers. This is just the beginning and I wanted to start with the fall season as it is that time of year. I am hoping to work in a variety over time ,for all of the seasons and non everyday seasons. I had bought the soap dispensers with the soap already in them, but later decided to empty the soap contents as when you ship, they ask if you have anything liquid and it is a whole different shipping process. I usually purchase a big bottle of soap refill liquid at wal-mart.

I now have them listed in the etsy shop for your checkout convenience.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OldMoonLanePrimitive

"Scrub A Dub Turkey In The Tub"

This handsome fella is all ready for his scrub a dub carrying his towel, soap and scrub a dub brush. He also has on his fancy yellow and green polka dot shower cap.

"Midnight Skat"

Skat is a magical kitty with his magic pumpkin and he is decked out in green stars and is very sparkly! I like sparkles!

"Magical Frog Pumpkins"

Well of course I had to do a fall froggie complete with ,magic pumpkin. I may do a variety of frogs for everyday I have many sketched.

"Pumpkin with Spiders"

This little pumpkin is crawling with spiders! The spider on top I mounted so the soap actually squits out of his mouth.

"Candy Corn Scraecrow"

I want to do a fall one that wasn't really geared towards Halloween and this fella would look cute out all fall season.

"Spider Witchy"

This was the first one I sculpted as I think I am in a witchy mood this season as lots of witches are springing from my sculpt table. I ask a friend her opinion of the soap dispenser idea and she liked and theis is reserved for her as well she's my friend lol!

© 2017 All Design Rights Reserved! Tips, Tricks and Techniques are meant to inspire only. I hope I have inspired you to be creative. Please respect my wishes as I give my tips, tricks and techniques with my whole heart. If you wish to make my designs I give permission to those ONLY in pattern form which you can find on etsy. I openly share and if enough like a project I do put it on a wish list for future patterns.

Have a great Tuesday! I am going to be typing and maybe one or two more soap dispensers. I'm thinking a hogwash and a birdbath hmmmmm.......
Blessings!
Wendy

10 Comments

Planning 2018 classes...

9/18/2017

4 Comments

You may think it's to early to start planning for 2018. I can assure you it's not as I have to plan months in advance for the next years line ups, all while still working on this years deadlines. I spent this past week and all weekend working on photographing , typing patterns for yet this year that need to be done as well as pouring concrete for lots of pumpkins and witches! I have even worked in a new design. (I'll share soon)

I wanted to share, as I have been getting many messages and inquiries for next year as many travel from all around to take a class and they like scheduling vacation time. So, my plan for next year is to offer one weekend a month classes for 2-days Saturday and Sunday with two different projects. This way if you travel you get the benefit of traveling and (two) projects. Now you will be able to register for one class or both as not all who live local may be able to do both days. I would recommend if your traveling and want both classes you don't wait to register when the listings go up at the beginning of 2018. I am hoping to list them in January. Another change this year, I will not be invoicing for registrations it will all be done thru Etsy. This way there's no confusion as to who registers first and you will also be able to see how many spots are left.

My policy will still be in effect in 2018 as a no refund policy for registrations. Please understand, I had to make this decision a year or so ago as I was having tooo many register quickly then cancelling last minute and I had a wait list but not able to contact those on wait list. I do purchase supplies once someone registers and if you cancel then I am out supply money and class money. I need to be sure if you register you are coming. Thanks for understanding this business decision. I don't like being business(y) but I must if I am to continue to teach.

I also wanted to share a sneak peek tentative thought schedule to maybe get you all excited as I am lol! This is subject to change until posting in beginning of 2018. I only do classes here in PA in the Months of May-Nov as the weather in wintry months can be very stormy and I wouldn't want anyone risking themselves for a class.

May
It's All About The Birds!

June
Secret Suprise! LOL!
Can't share yet!

July
Dragon Month

August
Witchy Weekend

Sept
I will be travel teaching in FL

Oct
I will travel teaching in Michigan
Greater Lakes

Nov.
Still planning??

So as you can see I am working hard to bring some fun, new a different classes for 2018!!!

I am still trying after many hours to get a few tutorial videos from my phone to do some great tip videos but I think I need a new phone it's just not working and I may have lost them.

Have a great week and check back here and there as I also have a few blogs in the works just not enought time in the day!!

Blessings Wendy

4 Comments

Sundays

9/17/2017

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Thanks for checking in !

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My Thank You!

9/16/2017

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I don't know if you call today's post necessarily a blog post but a Thank You for joining in post. Those who follow me on my FB group page know that I like to say thank you every now and again for supporting me by offering special sales or discounts to group members. Today, I want to thank all those who have been joining in on my blog that I started just over a little week ago. I was encouraged by others to start the blog and I really couldn't imagine anyone wanting to really know what I'm up too, but within the first week I had so many viewing WOW! I was surprised and humbly flattered that you all join in. I will be sharing all sorts of happenings here at OldeMoonlane as well as special surprises (Coming Soon October), tips, tricks, recipes, everyday life and many many creative projects . I mostly share only my sculpting on FB but I love doing a variety of creative things, so I will share those as well. I'm not going to post the blog daily on FB and I mostly likely will not do a daily blog but every few days you might want to check in as you never know when I'll have a post or a special surprise you won't want to miss. We all like surprises, I know I do!!
I have to tell you the surprise I received last night nearly gave me a heart attack. My hubby was away on a work trip and not due back till next weekend. I was laying in bed and around 8 o'clock and I was in a sleepy slumber when I hear a man outside my bedroom window. He scared the dickens out of me. He wanted to surprise me and all day he messaged me off and on like he was still in WA state working. He's lucky I didn't clobber him with a bat. I promise not to have those kind of surprises lol!! It was a great surprise after I recovered from my heart attack.

So my Thank you today is for today only (9/16/17) till 12PM eastern time Free shipping on any finished item or pebble pal item in my etsy shop. Yes free shipping! I only do this maybe once a year so today is the day and Thank You so much for supporting me!!!!! Please use coupon code BLOGSHIPFREE1 when you check out to receive your discount.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OldMoonLanePrimitive?coupon=BLOGSHIPFREE1
https://www.etsy.com/shop/OldMoonLanePrimitive

Ohhh , since hubby is home maybe he will help me pour all those concrete pumpkins !

Blessings!
Wendy

Thank You for supporting my Mom!
Moses "OldeMoonlane's Helper!"

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Want To Join A Class??

9/15/2017

7 Comments

I often hear " I would so love to do a class, but I am afraid I won't be good". Rest assure we are all beginners at one point. The reason for taking a class is to learn and not so much as worrying about if I am good enough!!! We are all a work in progress. My first clay piece I ever made 30 plus years ago was a tiny clay bunny and looking back on it now he was pathetic lol! Really he was! That's how I began and each year you grow as you practice and learn new tips and techniques. I'm not a pro and if you look at my FB albums you can see growth each year. I know so many talented sculptors and I admire their work but remember never compare yourself to anyone as we are all at different stages.

Taking a class with me. I am the most patient teacher and I assure you it is my first desire that you are having fun, second that you go home happy and last but not least you learned. Please don't feel timid or shy as you are looking at one who took many years to overcome awkwardness and shyness. I still have to work hard at keeping it a bay. I always work step by step and guide each step!

My classes are listed in the class section of the main page, you just have to hover over the class and a drop down menu appears. I am also excited for 2018, as I have so many new ideas coming! So, please feel free to join me anytime as I would love to share a fun creative day with you.

Oct. 14th Saturday in Bath PA I am teaching "Olde Cinnamon Buns" candle stick with the Lehigh Valley Decorative painters chapter. I understand there are a few openings and if you wish to join us send me a message and I can direct you to the appropriate person to register.

This is a great beginner face learning class and we will be sculpting and painting the project and with all luck you will go home with a complete piece (fingers crossed).

I am looking forward to this fun creative day will you join us??

I am also excited to announce this November I am doing my first far away class in sunny California this November with Shara Reiner. Meet "Angel" she was designed especially for this class. I met Shara last fall @ Hoot and she joined me this spring for a private class along with my good friend Jane. I was excited when she ask me to join her in November. I'm nervous but excited all the same. This is where I will really have to curb that shy part of me haha! She does lurk! So sunny California here I come and Shara thanks for inviting me! I will also be spending the entire week joining in on classes and retreats with Jane and Shara. See I'll be a beginner in many of these classes for sure. I'll be sure and post a few pics. (I'd better get cracking and get this photographed and typed up so if you don't see me a day or two blogging you know what I am doing. )

Come Join The Fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7 Comments

"Fall Baking My Favorite Cookie" recipe included!

9/12/2017

21 Comments

It is no secret that Fall is my favorite time of the year and with that brings everything Pumpkin. My friend Robert posted on FB the other day a pic of his pumpkin chocolate chips cookies he received. Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies are my all time favorite cookie, as they have pumpkin and of course chocolate!! Well, of course I got hungry for them after seeing his post and picked up supplies to make them. I wanted to share my recipe I have used for years. I have no idea where I got the recipe. I just know it's my favorite one. (I would give credit if I knew).

Instead of just simply sharing a recipe on the blog I thought I would give step by step visuals as well. I have been amazed over the years at how many people do not know how to cook. I was lucky enough to have women in my life (Mother,Grandmother, and Aunt) who sat me on the counter from the time I was little to teach me how. I also, have my home EC teacher Mrs. Jones to thank for what she taught me. I'm saddened they have taken Home Economics out of schools, as this is a basic need to know function for life or have we gone down the road to all fast foods and quick and easy. So, for those who don't need the lesson just follow the recipe or maybe comment and give your tips for someone who may be watching and reading and wants to learn. Again, I'm not an expert just sharing my favorite recipe!!

Fall Is In The Air!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Time For Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies"

Ingredients List:
1 Cups or 2 sticks of butter
1Cup light brown sugar
1Cup white sugar
2 Large Eggs
1t. Vanilla (t. = teaspoon)
1 cup Pumpkin puree

3 cups white flour
2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt
1 t. ground cinnamon
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. ground nutmeg
1/4 t. ground cloves
2 cups (12-ounce) chocolate chips

Pre-Heat your over to 350 degrees and I like to line my cookie sheets with parchment paper as you can slide the cookies right off to cool and your cookie sheet stays nice and clean.

Using a mixer, beat your butter till light and fluffy, then add the white and brown sugar a little at a time till they are well blended. This pic shows not quite blended!

Well blended look!

Next, crack your eggs into a separate bowl. The reason for this is you don't want to get egg shells into your cookie mix and no one wants to bite into a shell. Add to the mix and beat till very light and fluffy. (You want fluffly cookies!)

Add your pumpkin puree and mix well!!

For a non-baker tips on measuring accessories. You want to use the correct spoons when it says t. or T. is does not mean the ones you eat from lol I had a young girl once think that. You want measuring spoons. Flour sifter is great for combining and blending all your dry ingredients evenly into the mix. Do you like my antique sifter it's as old as the hills! Measuring cups- there is one for dry and one for liquid and yes they measure differently so you only want to use correct one for wet and dry ingredients.

Next add your Vanilla, sift in all the dry ingredients and mix well!!! Next is my favorite part adding the chocolate chips. I usually just mix those in with my rubber spatula. Once you have the chips evenly mixed into the batter, spoon out rounded mounds onto your cookie sheet. I usually get a dozen on a sheet. You can purchase a cookie scooper or a ice cream scooper works great! Set your timer for 15 minutes and check your cookies. Testing for doneness-press your finger on the cookie and if it springs back and is slightly brown they are all done if not bake another 5 minutes. I find every oven varies you will just have to test yours to see which works best.

This is where the parchment paper comes in handy slide it off onto a cooling rack to cool and you have a no mess cookie sheet and your ready to scoop your next batch.

Enjoy!!!!

21 Comments

Sculpting and Painting on "Fabric"

9/12/2017

17 Comments

Don't throw out those old curtains. Yes, this was a pair of old curtains that I had tea dyed/aged. I was hanging onto them as I loved the Lacey edging. I have several more pairs, so who knows, I might stitch up a few more dresses?? I learned to be thrifty at a very young age. I was only 6 or 7 when my mother found me on the living room floor cutting up all my old clothes and making baby outfits for the poor children on TV , you know the commercials. I was using a needle and thread making little outfits lol! I don't think they were wearable but my mother said she sent them ;).

At this point I am looking at the dress and I wanted to fancy it up a bit and make it more Halloween/Fall . I decided to go back to some of the older things I use to do and that was paint and sculpt on the fabric pieces itself. I thought Scat Kat was a nice touch. If you do sculpt on the fabric it's best to add glue to make sure it adhere's well. I like super glue gel / any kind will do.

Shoes- This particular pair of old baby shoes that I used for this project had a small hole in the front of the foot and I also wanted it to look more like a pair of Italian leather witchy shoes. I sculpted over the hole!

In the meantime, I had to run an errand to the post office and on the way home, I stopped for a cherry coke as a treat. Sodas give me a major rush of energy and I was buzzing all around and the next thing you know, I was cutting up my hubby's good dress shirt to make a black apron for the dress. He loves me and I will get him another! (I decided not to use the apron) LOL! It did turn out cute but I will use it for another project.

I kept the original shoe strings but I wanted them black. Tip- stretch them out on a piece of old cardboard and attach with small eye pins this way you can dry brush or paint them without getting paint all over your hands.

I see you!! Sneaky Peeky!

My special ordered Locks for her hair arrived from Italy!! I loved the tips of Chocolate colors on the ends! I thought "Oh this will be perfect for this project!"

Beauty Parlor Time- Since the hair is not attached to a backing, I have to prep and prepare (weft) all the pieces so they can be attached properly to her head. This can take a few hours. I usually spread them out on wax paper and use Elmer's glue on the ends only. I take each dried section , trim them, and then glue each section on the head to hold securely. Very Very time consuming!

Every Witchy needs a skeleton magic wand!

Introducing- "Isabella" my Italian Witch and her froggie companion Winston. Of course there are Italian Witches and she does have Italian hair and Italian leather shoes. She is holding her hand sculpted gourd pumpkin bucket and Winston is hoping for treats! She stands approximatelt 32" tall. She is a biggie.

Sold!

"Isabella took me 3 full 10-12 hr days to complete and I believe I will spend the next few days working on other projects as yes I did it again, I threw my neck out! I'll never learn that I can't do tall pieces for that many hours and days straight! Hope you have enjoyed Isabella.
Blessings!
Wendy

17 Comments

When To Harvest Your Garden Gourds?

9/12/2017

1 Comment

I have been ask this question numerous times and with harvesting time near for many, I thought I would share how I harvest my gourds. I am no expert, this is just my knowledge. I can remember my mom growing gourds in the garden 30 plus years ago and she passed her gourd growing knowledge to me, which was all by trial and error as we had no internet. I am sure you can find much more knowledgeable advice now on google search.

There's nothing more satisfying than planting a seed and watching your babies grow. I get excited when I see them grow and start to take shape and I imagine all the possibilities with each one.

The pictures in this post are from the year I grew over 2000 gourds. Yes 2000 gourds woohooooo! Do you think I have enough??

How do I know they are ready?? You want make sure them stem to the gourd is completely dead and dried up as this means it has hardened off. The longer it is left on the stem the better. Picking a gourd too soon can cause your gourd to rot. The top row pics show some gourds that are not quite ready as you can still see green on the stem. The pictures on the middle row show the garden still a little green and second pic totally dried up so that means I can cut them. I cut my stems leaving 4-5" as the more stem left the better for the gourd while it cures. You don't want to twist or tear them off as it can damage the gourds curing. The harvesting times may vary depending on what part of the country where you live. You can also leave the gourds in the garden till spring and pick them then. It won't hurt them in fact the longer a gourd dries the better. So, you have now picked your dried gourds what next? You will want to place them on pallets or I dry mine on my deck as it has air flow. I lay them out in rows not touching as I want air flow completely around them. It usually takes till spring for them to fully dry and cure.

These were a few babies that were accidentally missed in the garden and I harvested them in the spring. See you don't have to pick them, you can just leave them and forget about them till spring.