FREE SHIPPING IN AUGUST & SUMMER PROMOTION UPDATE!

An addition to the summer promotion will be FREE SHIPPING on any order over $75.00 through the rest of August! To have shipping charges removed, enter FREESHIP in the voucher code box when you check out, and the shopping cart will update itself.

Only a little over three weeks before we draw the winner of the Rag Ball & Berry Basket! My old 1/2 Gallon Mason jar is about half full of entries, so let's close out the contest with a bang! If you've put off ordering, take advantage of the free shipping and earn a chance(s) to win the basket. If you have our curtains in your home, email photos to info (at) homesweethomespuns.com. It will help if you put "Promotion Pictures" or something to that effect in the subject line.

A Quick Trip to Amish Country

It was a quick trip -- Thursday afternoon through Friday afternoon -- but Rod and I took the chance to combine business with pleasure in Amish Country. The business side was attending the Holmes Co. Fabric Show, which was held at The Carlisle Inn in Walnut Creek, Ohio. I had a scheduled meeting with my sales rep, Mark Pytel, with Moda Fabrics. I also got to meet Iris Cohen, my area rep with Indo US Sales, Inc. I found some great brown and black prints and some new fall solid colors that I hope to incorporate into our curtain line. I'm pretty excited about the Natural Solid, which gives another softer choice in addition to our present Lin 'n Spun fabric. Below are a few samples of the new colors:

Now, for the best-kept secret in Berlin, Ohio! We were fortunate to find this gorgeous log cabin called Simple Blessings Cabin, owned by Mark and Brenda Zimmerman.

Simple Blessings Cabin

There are two private rooms on the lower level, and the "big cabin" on top. We stayed in the Faith Room, aka the "big cabin." Waiting on the kitchen table were the most scrumptious Peanut Butter cookies I've ever eaten! (courtesy of Fannie Troyer, who shares the caretaking duties with husband, Nelson). All the comforts of home were at our fingertips with nothing left undone. There were even fresh eggs in the frig! The view inside and out was breathtaking, and we enjoying sitting on the porch swing and looking down onto a small lake and sheep grazing in the pasture.

The view from the front porch

The cabin was equipped with Dish TV, but it was also stocked with CD's, DVD's, and board games. The only thing we didn't have was internet connection, so both Rod and I were grounded from checking anything "business".

The kitchen.

Looking up to the Loft

The loft bedroom/sitting room is decorated in a Retro Theme.

I love this old wagon that was sitting at the top of the stairs.

Looking from the Loft to the Living Room. The fireplace will be nice if we go back in the Fall.

The lower level has two smaller rooms with private entrances. Stairways lead to the upper level, so our entire family could stay here and still have privacy.

Our visit was much too short, and we plan to visit Simple Blessings Cabin again. After staying there, I can't imagine staying anywhere else when we go to Amish country.

. . . until next time.

Check out these "curtain rods!"

I got some pictures this evening from Tammy in Toronto, Ohio. When she ordered her tab curtains, she told me this VERY unique and FUN way she planned to hang them. I think she had a great idea!

For sending in pictures of her completed project, Tammy's name has been added to the Jar! One more month before I draw the winner of the lighted Berry Basket donated by Cindy's Workshop.

Thanks a bunch, Tammy! What a great prim look!

Spotlight Pictures from a Customer

Karen Payne from South Carolina sent these photos of her magnificent kitchen with her new curtains! She chose the Fishtail Swags in the Red/Tea Dye Catawba Print (H31), and mounted them with our Tin Swag Hooks. Thanks again, Karen. Your entries have been added to the jar for the Summer Promotion. (Check out all the collectibles and antiques in this room. Awesome!)

Don't you love this corner sink? From what I remember about the "before" pictures Karen sent, this windows looks out onto a beautiful wooded area. I wouldn't mind doing dishes at all.

The Hourglass Door Panel matches the Fishtail Swags.

Karen's kitchen and adjoining room is like a "Shabby Primitive" look, don't you think?

Finally got to work in my flower bed

I finally got to spruce up my flower beds yesterday. The clover was overtaking everything! This is my favorite spot: The rosebush represents my two granddaughters, the stepping stones were Mother's Day gifts from my three grandsons (they each made their own with their handprints names, and lots of marbles as decorations), and my dad's old plow.

New Products Added Today!

"Summer's Bounty" Pillow

Here are a few new items added to our on-line store. They are the handiwork of two great seamstresses who have been a tremendous help as part of the Home Sweet Homespun team - Jan Hart & Dee Hart. They also display their wares at The Olde Picket Fence and offer a variety of items including the popular rag purse. You can find these items in the Pillows & Stitcheries Category and Seasonal Category.

Made from a modified version of the Mountain Homespun Quilt Block

The homespun Beeskep

The nine-patch quilt pillow

Featured Crafter July 2008

The gal who is responsible for making the beautiful appliqued towels for Home Sweet Homespuns is my good friend, Pam DeWind. Pam and I go way back and have a lot of history together. She has mentored me when I first starting "crafting". She's taught me a lot about this business, and I'm happy to have her part of our team.

You can read more about her at The Olde Picket Fence Featured Crafter page.

Pam in her display booth at The Olde Picket Fence