Americana Folk Art

I love red, white and blue and it was my color scheme in my living room and kitchen for a long time. A LOOOONNNNGGG time, lol! Ask my kids! This was the stereo cabinet in my living room with a heart garland for our February/Valentine's Day/Wedding anniversary. The flag is painted on a cupboard door. I've have since changed over to a red, brown, cream and gold scheme but the Americana style still charms me.

So I went scrolling through my gallery of projects for the last decade looking for inspiration for some new patriotic projects. Americana style folk art is always fun to do and I hadn't realized just how much I have made. Whoa! I made alot of projects. Easily a couple hundred.

My style has evolved alot since 2001. Right after 9/11 I had many orders for red, white and blue folk art. I made dozens of Primitive Raggedy Annies and patriotic angels.....

.....with lots of handmade extras like flags, crocheted pieces, painted birdhouses and appliqued aprons......

...and twig stars and painted signs and button flags....

......and I'd almost forgotten my Uncle Sam dolls! These are probably my oldest pair from 2002, they are fun to make and have such a dignified air. I think I need to make some of these guys again!

I made several primitive embroidered and patchwork pieces too. I still have a large stash of good wood frames. Hmmm, maybe I should be making some of these again.



And, when I get an idea I will try it out many different ways, I did some folk art Americana paintings....

...with the willow tree, clapboard barn, a simple fence and, of course, an American flag.

I traded this painted cupboard door to the building supply for 20 more blank doors, on which I painted, you guessed it, more folk art flags! Hey, I might have a door or two stashed away. Hmm.....

I've added painted banners to my list of projects, including this pretty Americana angel with her blue striped stockings. She makes me smile. I painted the muslin to look like an old white washed fence with big ol' knot holes. That was fun to do!


And of course I have my favorite dolls, my Santas. I make about a dozen Americana Santa dolls each year and I love the way they come out. The really tattered and worn vintage quilt for this doll even had a big burn hole in one end, I wish I had alot more of that quilt instead of the little bit I've saved.And here is a wooden box that my sister gave to me. It was painted barn red and pretty boring, but I can't leave well enough alone and fixed it right up in my favorite colors. Out of ALL the Americana folk art projects I've made, THIS is the only one I've kept. It's so sturdy and rustic and folk art and vintage Americana looking. At least until I decide to paint it!

I'll be linking to a few parties listed in my sidebar. Please join me there and see what fun projects are listed this week!

First Post - Santas are my favorites!

Hello and thanks for visiting my new blog about my Primitive Folk Art dolls and other creations. I've been making my Santas and Raggedy Anns and Folk Art Angels and theme dolls since 2001, and this year I will be making my doll number 1000!! That's quite a milestone for me, and I've had alot of fun along the way.



After that many dolls I can truly say my Folk Art Santas are my favorites! They've come a long way since their button and snap eyes and acrylic yarn beards back in 2001. They were truly primitive and I made lots of them.

I love to make them and dress them in unique outfits with lots of extra details and accessories. But that's not why I've fallen in love.
In the last two years I've started painting their faces and really emphasizing their eyes and now I'm smitten with my guys!



Whether their eyes are deep blue, or cool gray or warm chocolate brown or even emerald green, when I put that last little twinkle in their eyes they just seem to come alive.




I've always given them big bushy beards and now I have a great stock of imported mohair and Oregon llama wool and curly yarn, so they have my own unique look.



You can always recognize my dolls by their lush beards, mustaches, hair and eyebrows and I hope now by their wonderful eyes too!










Of course, I've started giving my Raggedy Annies new eyes, also, and I love the look of their lush, stitched eyelashes.

Hello, my pretty!
I put alot of care and effort into making each of my dolls a unique creation. I make my own patterns and almost every bit of the embellishments and accessories. So I have alot of affection for each of my Folk Art Dolls.




And I love it when my buyers give each of my dolls a good home. I am very fond of ALL my doll creations.

But, I gotta admit, when it comes down to brass tacks, that I love my Santas the best.


After all, what's not to love?