Something to talk about!

Lots of buzz has already been heard...but no official word until now...you're the first ones to see this...check it out! More details in the next few weeks!

Introducing...our new show!

Whew!

Well, the shows are over for 2010! Gordyville's Antique Show this past weekend suffered from bad weather for the 3rd or 4th year in a row. Thanks to everyone who braved the road conditions and came out to see us. Everyone seemed to have found a treasure or two. We too found lots of fun vintage Christmas things that you'll see next year during the Holiday Gathering.

But now its time to relax, enjoy the holidays and get ready for next year's shows and open houses in Georgetown. Just like with gardening, the winter provides some nice down time to think and plan and dream.

One of the plans - a tentative one for now - is an online open house sometime this winter. Several of our friends who stopped by to visit during our Christmas Open House were urging us to do a "Cabin Fever" sale or a "Football Widows" sale in January or February. But weather can be so unpredictable that we think maybe doing an online event so that you can all enjoy shopping from the warmth and comfort of home might be just the answer. Stay tuned....

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's hoping you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving Day with friends and family. It's the quintessential all-American holiday and while everyone seems to rush right past it anymore, I hope you all find time to sit back and think about that first Thanksgiving. The early settlers were already demonstrating the spirit, strength and character that went on to make this country great. We should always be mindful of their struggles & their sacrifices.

After a peaceful day of giving thanks tomorrow, I know some of you will head out to the mall for so-called "Black Friday" (isn't that a terrible name for it??) For those of you who are skipping the middle-of-the-night madness, and even for those who venture out but have energy left over, feel free to stop in at ForeverMore this weekend. Our Christmas Open House is Saturday from 8-4 and Sunday from 11-3. We haven't made huge changes since the Holiday Gathering, but if you missed us then, you have a second chance to enjoy our vintage and primitive Christmas selection. Of course, you're welcome to come back even if you visited us a few weeks ago!! We'll have a little treat for you this time, too! These will be our final open days for 2010.

(And remember, those of you who need a little help with shopping can always pick up a gift certificate good for 2011!)

Another great primitive show

Check out these scenes from the ForeverMore booth and a few views of the show floor just before the shoppers poured in last Saturday. So many amazing finds to be discovered -- hope you didn't miss it!

20th Annual Georgetown Holiday Gathering

Hi everyone...it's time again for the annual Georgetown Holiday Gathering, this year celebrating its 20th year. The yearly event features a number of local businesses and crafts people offering holiday decor, gift items, handmade crafts, baked goods and more.

ForeverMore participates in the first weekend of the event, starting next Friday, November 5 and continuing on Saturday and Sunday as well. Stop by ForeverMore first and pick up a map to all of the other locations. At each vendor, you can enter a raffle -- $50 given away each weekend and another $100 from all the entries.

ForeverMore's shop will be brimming with our regular selection of country antiques, primitives and old handstitched quilts. In addition, we will offer vintage and antique Christmas items, handmade ornaments, handmade quilted pieces and other "ready to give" country gifts.

We'll have some neat 2011 calendars with great photos of primitives each month, ad some lovely greeting cards by the same photographer. As usual, we have Judy Condon's latest book - Simply Country, Simply Greens -- it features a number of homes deocrated for Christmas with natural items. Inspiration on every page! Plus we expect to have the new issue of "A Primitive Place" magazine -- this is the holiday issue and we're looking forward to our copy for sure!

(All books and magazines will be specially priced during the Holiday Gathering!!!)

Indian Summer!

Wow! What a great time at our Harvest Open House! Such a pleasure to see everyone -- old friends and new! Who would have thought it would be 90 degrees in mid-October?? But any open house at ForeverMore without rain is a good thing!

Even the neighborhood trees cooperated to give us some perfectly timed lovely fall color.

Tonight -- with this balmy weather and having just spent the last couple of days surrounded by pumpkins and straw bales and mums and gourds -- it's almost impossible to think "Christmas" but that's what's coming up next time we're open. That will be the first weekend of November during Georgetown's annual Holiday Gathering. Can't even imagine that being just around the corner but it will be here before you know it. We've been finding great old Christmas stuff all year long and for those red and green lovers -- you know who you are!! -- there will be plenty of that as well! We know you'll be shopping for gifts, too, and will have plenty of unique little items. But, like I said, can't "go there" mentally while we're still basking in Indian Summer. Maybe after the first hard frost...or on a rainy day (if it ever rains again around here!)...

Anyway, thanks again to everyone who attended the Open House! Come back and see us again!

Sneak Peek

As promised, here's a glimpse inside the Harvest Open House. There's plenty more inside and lots of great stuff outside too! The weather is going to cooperate (for once!) so we hope you'll take some time out of a beautiful fall weekend to join us and see what you can find!

Next Weekend...

What are you doing next weekend? Going to Indiana to shop the Covered Bridge Festival? Want to jump start your Saturday with some antiquing before the Illini game? Looking for a pleasant Sunday drive in the country? Whatever your weekend plans, make ForeverMore's Harvest Open House a part of the fun. We'd love to see you!

Saturday, October 9, 8 til 4

Sunday, October 10, 11 til 4

Watch our blog for a "sneak peek" with photos later this week. Our middle room is chock full of primitives. Another room is all country with plenty of blue accented with fall colors. The third room will feature textiles but also some cottage-style vintage pottery, a great Mission style rocking chair, and some cool old post office finds. There's SO much more, too much to list here so check back soon!

p.s. Don't forget -- we have the premiere issue of the brand new magazine "A Primitive Place" and also Judy Condon's latest book "Simply Country - Simply Greens" which is brimming with holiday decorating ideas for primitive lovers!

A Primitive By Any Other Name...

Wondering if any of you have seen the great new magazine "A Primitive Place"? If you like Judy Condon's series of primitive decorating books, you'll love the magazine too. We have the first issue -- a great fall issue -- available for our Harvest Open House & Sale in October. It features several homes and some really interesting "how to" articles, a column on collecting and even some recipes. Judging by the first issue, it will be around for awhile. If you can't wait for your copy, drop me a email (forevermoresale@aol.com). Meanwhile, check out their website: http://www.aprimitiveplace.org/APP-Magazine.html

Writing this post to let everyone know about this new magazine caused me to think about just what we mean when we use the term "primitives." The word seems to have lots of varying definitions.

I heard a local antique dealer -- one of my favorite people but one whose shop carries more general line antiques -- recently quip "there's a fine line between primitive and junk." To him and many others, a "primitive" piece of furniture is one that is dilapidated and either seriously needs to be refinished or is beyond repair.

Several local auctioneers have been known to list "primitives" in their sale bills when they are offering hay hooks and other such rusty farm tools out of a farmers' barn. They can't imagine any of the women at the auction even looking at their version of primitives, much less bidding.

Then again, some of the cute little gift/decor shops around Champaign and Vermilion County who advertise that they sell "primitives" are referring to grungy candles, berry wreaths, wooden crow cut-outs, and painted signs that say things like "Welcome Friends." But that is not just a local use of the term. Catalogs like "The Country House" feature so-called primitives of the same ilk. "Country Sampler" magazine offers that kind of merchandise for sale in the back half of the magazine (while sometimes featuring original "primtive" antiques in the articles up front).

Some folks like to decorate in a grungy style reminiscent of a log cabin, with little or no color, low lighting and with tea-stained textiles; guess what they call that style? Primitive, of course!

So what does "primitive" mean when ForeverMore uses the term? The same thing that shows like Pure & Simple (an annual event in Kokomo, IN) and Gathering on the Prairie (twice a year in Arthur) mean when they use the term -- "unfancy" furniture and accessories from the 1800s or earlier in original surface (preferably old paint or a dry, attic surface) that have simple lines and were "using' pieces as opposed to decorative items. Perfect examples include early dry sinks or pie safes, painted hanging cupboards, wooden dough bowls, hogscraper candlesticks, old handmade baskets, pantry boxes and firkins.

When we mix in early salt-glazed pottery or a red/green applique quilt from early 1800s, we're probably stretching the concept of primitive a bit toward what some would call "early" or "Colonial". And when we display an old scrub bench topped with a row of mismatched sprinkling cans, some see "primitive" and others see "country". (My dealer friend quoted above probably just sees "junk"!) Is an old harvest table with chippy white over blue paint "primitive" or "farmhouse"? Who knows for sure!

So many different images conjured up by the same simple word! In the final analysis, whether you call it primitive" or "early" or "Colonial" or "country" or "frontier" or "farmhouse" or even "junk" doesn't matter. All that matters if if you love and want to live with it!

September - Time for Osage Farm

Art & Antiques at Osage Farm - September 25

If you've never been to Osage Farm (near Charleston, IL) for one of Diane & Gary Cole's shows, then you're missing out on a great day in the country. The fall shows are wonderful -- pumpkins, gourds, fall flowers, great music, tasty food and of course great country antiques. This year's show is bigger and better than ever. The Cole's have been busy adding a new building so the entire, expanded show can be under cover. Plenty to do, see, taste, smell -- a good time is guaranteed! Admission is free and the show runs from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. Whether you're lined up with the early birds, plan your visit around lunch or make your stop later in the day, just make sure not to miss out on the festivities! See ya there!

For more info, see Diane's website: http://www.artandantiquesatosagefarm.com/

p.s. If you haven't visited our page on Facebook, check us out! Watch for more updates on Facebook as the fall schedule heats up.

Save the Date!

Mark your calendar and plan to stop by our Harvest Open House & Sale on October 9 & 10.

I'll post more details soon - and if you're on our maling list, you'll see a postcard in a couple of weeks with more info.

UPDATE: Hours on Saturday, October 9, 8 am to 4 pm
and Sunday, October 10, 11 am to 4 pm

p.s. Stopped in today at the Casey Antique Centre in Casey, IL, which we're sad to say is closing its doors next month. For the last 7 years, it's been a great place to find primitives. Never left there without a few goodies.But the owner is on to other pursuits and we wish her well.

Just a quick note after a terrific three days to say "thanks" to all of you who braved the heat and humidity this weekend in Georgetown. We had a fun time chatting with old friends and meeting new ones, too. Everyone's enthusiasm was contagious and I almost forgot the heat index of 110 degrees! We said goodbye to lots of great stuff which means we'll have to bring out tons of "new" (I mean different) old stuff for next time. As soon as we have a solid date, we'll let you know when our fall sale will be. Think cool weather, pumpkins, mums and - of course - country antiques! (Meanwhile, mark your calendars for the last Saturday in September for the Osage Farm show.)
Thanks again - hope you all enjoyed the open house as much as we did!

Sneak Peek (part 2)

As promised, a glimpse of SOME - but not all! - of the quilts for sale this weekend and the same for the architectural pieces.

As far as architectural salvage, we have screen doors, shutters, a fireplace mantel, 2 types of columns, old windows, a set of outdoor stairs, lots of neat ceiling tiles in several different patterns, cool details like porch posts, finials and moldings.

Come check it out starting Friday at noon...

See you there!

Sneak Peek!

Hi everyone! Here's just a tiny taste of our Summer Open House scheduled for next weekend starting Friday at noon.

For primitive lovers, we'll have a whole room full of early furniture and accessories (and more outside). Below you can see a wonderful mustard child's chair, a cupboard full of early small items, a lift-top child's desk in old red paint. You can glimpse a couple of the quilts, and peek at a couple of cupboards and a great little painted apothecary. Much more to see next weekend including coverlets, early chairs, primitive tables, treenware, stoneware, baskets, a bucket bench...and the list goes on! We're still adding to the offering.

(p.s. We have Judy Condon's newest primitive decorating book "The Comfort of Home"!!! It's hot off the presses -- shipment just arrived today! Judy told me we are the first to have it in this area. Along with some other great interiors, this book features two Central Illinois homes -- Doris Roush from Urbana and Jody Coffin from Rantoul -- and both are amazing! If you are a fan of Judy's books and don't want to miss out, drop me an email and I'll reserve a copy. Regular price is $24.95 plus tax; Summer Open House special price is $22 OR with any other purchase, just $20!!)

Another room has something for everyone - primitives, quilts, wire ware, garden pieces, architecture, galvanized -- a cleaner, more "modern" spin on country with a bit of French influence. Combining a primitive pie safe, a European watering can, old photos, French grain sacks, a vintage garden trellis, an early child's chair and cast iron planters creates a look all its own...but, if it's not your cup of tea, just look a little closer. Chances are the discerning eye will be able to find items mixed in that fit with any style. Some may think some of the displays lean a little toward Shabby Chic (because there's a fair amount of white); that's not really the gist of it, but if that happens to be your style, you'll likely find some pieces that would be right at home with your more flowery or pastel designs. At the same time, a primitive lover might take home a black table and have it fit perfectly with a Colonial Williamsburg decor.

We also have some cool vintage items. Check out this stack of picnic tins -- lots of possibilities there -- and our handmade "Flea Market Bags" fashioned from vintage bark cloth and ready for shopping. Or maybe sewing accessories or a cute 1940's child's cupboard in white & blue will grab your eye -- the homemade cupboard complete with little bread board would be adorable hanging in a hallway or even a guest bathroom as a storage place for soaps, toiletries, hand towels, etc.

Check back again before next weekend to see some more of our quilts -- more than two dozen will be included in the open house offering -- as well as some great architectural salvage perfect for your creative projects.

Hope to see you next weekend!! Come see what else we've found!

Show pics

Here are a few pics from the 20th Annual Antiques Market at Bishop Hill last weekend. Next year I'll try to take more of the action outside during the show but I didn't have a chance to sneak out and take photos this time -- WAY too busy inside! Here's our booth at the back wall of the Colony School - a cool old building.

Here's the Colony Bakery and its gardens -- where all of that AMAZING pie comes from!

The commeraderie among the dealers is pretty special at Bishop Hill-- including having a lovely picnic dinner together after a busy day of setup in the beautiful gardens of our hosts Jim & Cheri Campbell.

Even if you didn't make it to the show, Bishop Hill is always a great destination and Sweet Annie Primitives, in the lower level of the Campbell's home, is not to be missed.

Also, check out the the lastest issue of Country Sampler -- September 2010, don't know if it's on the newsstand yet, but I mine came in the mail already -- for a wonderful article about Jim & Cheri's historic home. I've seen it in person and it is absolutely stunning! She has impeccable taste, as you will see.

If you're still hoping for more views of the show than I managed to provide here, stay tuned. A fellow dealer took TONS of pics and is putting together sort of a photo-essay about the show. I'll find our her webite address and include it in a future post.

Tomorrow...the promised "sneak peeks" for next week's Summer Open House & Sale!! Check back -- or check your email if you're on our email list. (Want to be on the list but aren't yet? Just drop me a note -- forevermoresale@aol.com -- or click on "contact us" on the website.)

Back From Bishop Hill

Hey everyone! Good to see so many of you today at the 20th Annual Bishop Hill Antiques Market -- such a beautiful day and so much great country stuff! For those of you who missed this event, I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

We enjoy all of our shows but Bishop Hill is such a special setting -- an historic Swedish colony - and Jim & Cheri Campbell have gathered together such a nice, friendly group of dealers that I look forward to this one every summer and have to say that it just gets better & better! Mark your calendars now for the Saturday after the 4th next year. Trust me on this one! (My only regret is that I didn't have a way to bring home a pie from the Colony Bakery -- I can't stop thinking about that delicious strawberry rhubarb pie!)

For those of you who read Bob Swisher's column today and are new to our site, welcome! The promised "sneak peek" pictures will be up no later than next weekend to give you a little taste of the offerings we're planning for our upcoming Summer Open House. Thanks to Bob for the kind mention -- and don't forget to check out PACA's special sale going on for the next couple weeks (see my prior post for details).

Recent Finds & Upcoming Events

Hot enough for ya? The weather has been a real "beast" lately and all the rain has done wonders for the weeds in the garden but it hasn't stopped us when it comes to hunting for great antiques.

RECENT FINDS

Recent finds include a great 12-tin pie safe in old green paint, some amazing early sewing items, early handstitched quilts (and a crib quilt!), decorative iron garden pieces, a mustard comb-painted open cupboard, a group of neat little stools and benches, an adorable white doll bed, a folky dark painted church pew, a group of early doll dresses, two great peg racks, and a couple of white vintage cupboards & shelves (perfect for a vintage kitchen, a shabby chic bedroom or just about anywhere a little cute storage is needed). And that was just some of "the haul" from this past weekend ! Whew! But what fun!

JULY -- TIME FOR OUR SUMMER OPEN HOUSE

We're gearing up for the 20th Annual Bishop Hill Antiques Market (more below) and, of course, our Summer Open House & Sale. The Open House kicks off our third year of business and we're planning on doing so with a bang! Check back later for pictures but, meanwhile, here's a little taste of what's to come...

In addition to plenty of quilts, as always, one area will be devoted to primitives and Americana. A blue painted primitive cupboard, a little lift top desk in red paint, and a great set of painted chairs with woven seats are new additions. Vintage linens, kitchen items and country accessories with a summer theme will fill one of the rooms of the house. We're also planning a group of vintage garden-style pieces with a bit of a French twist -- lots of black, white & old silver, old French grain sacks (perfect for upholstery or as a runner or just an accent), unique painted chairs with toile fabric, bistro chairs, and great French galvanized items. For creative types and lovers of old architecture, we have some really neat old windows with curved tops that have lots of possibilites as well as some cool tin ceiling tiles -- some painted, some already sand blasted -- that could lead to projects galore. At $15 to $20 a piece, the tiles are a bargain AND a great find!

Also new this time are some stylish "flea market bags" sewn from vintage barkcloth fabric. (They're reversible too in case a big floral or tropical barkcloth print clashes with your outfit when you head out to do some shopping.) The bags have nice wide, cushy straps so you can stuff them full of goodies without hurting your shoulder. Pics of those soon -- as well as some scenes from inside the house. Stay tuned...

Meanwhile, if you see something on the website from a prior sale, feel free to drop us an email and we'll let you know if it's still available. One of our friends from Indiana recently came to pick up an awesome little cupboard she'd seen during our early spring open days -- we still had it and now it's found a new home in her garden shed in Indiana. So don't hesitate to ask if you had your eye on something in the past!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Those of you on our mailing list: please forgive the repetition here but I want to share with everyone the events coming up in July & August. So here they are...

July 10
20th Annual Bishop Hill Antiques Market
This great country show is held each year in and around the Colony School in Bishop Hill, IL (30 minutes northeast of Galesburg). The show is a great gathering of 50 proprietors from 8 states showing and selling their antique wares including primitive cupboards, folk art, early country, pottery, textiles and more.

Bishop Hill is a fascinating historic community where you feel like you are taking a step back in time. Many of the homes and all of the town buildings are original to an early 1800s colony. Cheri Campbell, the energetic and super nice lady who runs the antique show with her husband Jim, owns the local bakery with amazing pastries and pies that are "to die for"! Cheri also has Sweet Annie Primitives in the bottom level of her period home. All we can say about that shop is "wow." There are lots of other interesting little shops and plenty to do in Bishop Hill anytime of the year but the weekend of the antique show is definitely the time to make the trip. (Shopping along the way in Peoria and Washington, IL would be fun, too.)

When they ring the bell on the old time fire engine to start the antique show, you'll have to decide whether to dash into the old school or head around the lawn to the booths set up outside. (Look for the ForeverMore booth inside the old Colony School in the back corner.) The show hours are 9:00 until 3:00. Live music adds to the atmosphere and the food cannot be missed! Admission is $5 and proceeds go to the colony fire department. For more details, you can visit http://bishophillcolonybakery.com/ and http://www.bishophill.com/.


July 24
Summer Moon Gathering
Friends told us about this happening in Covington, Indiana. It sounds like an interesting event sponsored in part by the Fountain County Art Council, where "music, history, art and gardens come to life".
For more about the non-profit event, see http://www.summermoongathering.com/ If we weren't going to be busy minding the shop for our Summer Open House, we'd be there for sure!


July 7 thru July 31 (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Lincoln Hall Salvage for Sale
Those of you who follow Bob Swisher's column in the Champaign News Gazette already know about this one but we thought we would help spread the word. Bob and his friends at PACA (Preservation and Conservation Association of Champaign County, http://www.pacacc.org/) have organized a sale of used furniture and slate blackboards from the University of Illinois' Lincoln Hall. Sale hours are 4:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wed. and 9:30 until 3:00 on Saturdays. There are four semi-trailers full of stuff moved to the sale location at 312 N. Walnut Street in Champaign. Among the interesting things to are oak desks, all sizes of tables, solid oak chairs, school desks with cast-iron bases and the slate blackboards. Anyone who reads any of the country decorating magazines can think of tons of things to do with the slate, which sells for $2 per square foot. Any questions? Call PACA at 217.359-7222.

p.s. If you've never been to PACA's architectural salvage warehouse in downtown Champaign, you MUST go. Great architectural salvage of all shapes and sizes plus a friendly, knowledgeable, volunteer staff to help you out. Everyone is sure to find something they "need" among all the salvaged treasures.


August 21 & 22
30th Skinner Farm Museum and Gas Show

Everyone around East Central Illinois and nearby parts of Indiana knows Norm Skinner and his annual farm show in Perrysville, IN. He has amassed an astounding collection of farm artifacts and even moved one of his family's ancestral homes to his property. Old farm equipment is fired up and working and your whole family is sure to have a fun day -- and learn a little history, too! From 8:00 to 6:00 p.m. both days, you can visit 12 historic buildings filled with fascinating displays and period furnishings, a log smithy shop, round barn, print shop, calaboose (jail), threshing, sawing, and many activities, food, and more. Flea markets, crafts, and demonstrations too. Admission, Adults $4, Children under 12 free, Contact Norman Skinner 1850 West SR32 Perrysville, IN 47974, or 765-793-4079. For more info see http://skinnervillage.eshire.net/.

Great news!

Had to post the latest news -- ForeverMore is headed back to Osage Farm this fall for another wonderful edition of "Arts & Antiques at Osage Farm"! Summer is just getting underway but plans are already brewing for a booth with great old stuff in fall colors, accented with pumpkins & mums and all things autumn. Something to look forward to for sure!

Meanwhile, the Heartland show is in the rear-view mirror. Quite a happening over in Richmond, Indiana with about 150 dealers. One building was so chock full of truly amazing pieces it was almost like visiting a museum! I'll post photos later unless the Heartland website beats me to it.

p.s. Those of you on the mailing list should watch your mailboxes for our Third Annual Summer Open House postcard coming your way soon. Meanwhile, go ahead and mark your calendars to save the date -- we'll start the sale on Friday, July 23 at noon for the early buyers and keep it going into the evening for the after-work crowd. Then the Open House continues on Saturday and Sunday (July 24 & 25). It's been quite a few months since our last open days so we will have a really big offering of "new" old stuff. Hope to see you in Georgetown!

Memorial Day 2010

Hope everyone is having a relaxing long weekend. On this Memorial Day, let's all make sure to take a few moments to honor all of those who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend this great nation and ensure that we continue to enjoy our freedoms and our liberty.

After the long weekend, Forever More will be packing up to make a trip to Richmond, Indiana for the 20th year of the Heartland Antique Show next Saturday from 9:00 - 4:00. (We are a last-minute addition, substituting for our friend Jackie Bradford - feel better, Jackie!) Check out the website at www.heartlandantiqueshow.com -- it's a quality show with dealers from all over. I'll post pictures the following week -- I'm sure there will be some amazing items. I do have to say that the Richmond area has tons of great antique shops so you might consider an impromptu trip to make an antiquing weekend out of the Heartland show. Or make a note to go to the fall edition of the show, held the Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Meanwhile, back in Georgetown, plans are underway for the Third Annual Summer Open House which will be July 23, 24 & 25. Watch for details soon -- if you're on the mailing list you'll get a card in the next couple of weeks. Keep following the blog to see a sneak peek sometime in July.

p.s. Don't forget the Bishop Hill Antique Market on July 10. If you've never been, watch for more info on things to do in and on your way to Bishop Hill in a future post.

Pure & Simple - Purely & Simply A Wonderful Show!

May 1 found us in Kokomo, Indiana for the first ever "Pure & Simple" Antique Show. 62 select dealers, each hand-picked by promoters Marti & Mike Korba, brought an amazing selection of wares to the Kokomo Event Center. The show looked absolutely fabulous -- booth after booth of great stuff and neat vignettes in the rows between the aisles. As promised, the Korbas put together a show with something for everyone from the bargain-hunter to the most discerning collector. From a $15 wooden strawberry tote (that will look great this summer filled with red geraniums) to a pristine early weathervane that fetched more than $20,000 (WOW!), there was truly something for everyone. Hundreds of lucky shoppers enjoyed the show and the word among the dealers was that this was a great start to what will be an annual tradition. We had lovely neighbors and plan to be part of things again in 2011.

It was great to see some familiar faces in the crowd -- I'm sure you enjoyed the show -- let me know what you thought...And next time, bring a carload of your friends!






ForeverMore's booth included -- as always -- early quilts along with other textiles including homespuns, crewel work, coverlet pieces, hooked rugs and early child's dresses and doll dresses. We had a rope bed (yes, we roped it and topped it with a feather tick and a quilt), a blanket chest in old red paint, several folk art pieces and a small, grain-painted, one-door dry sink. Early sewing items were popular with shoppers as were the textiles. An adorable primitive child's cupboard sold quickly as did a wonderful 40" wide early set of dovetailed walnut drawers signed 1855 and a tiny child's chair in old green over red paint.


Next up? The Bishop Hill Antiques Market in July. (More on that later!) And then our Third Annual Summer Open House. We've got grand plans for out summer sale and if the weather cooperates, it will be our biggest and best event to date. Like they say, "third time's a charm...."

Down on the farm...and on up to Kokomo

What a great show yesterday at Osage Farm -- country antiques, delicious food and live music, all under one roof! This twice-yearly event (once in spring and again in fall) has such a great, laid-back feel to it. Thanks to Diane & Gary Cole our wonderful hosts...and thanks to everyone who shopped with us! For those of you who missed the show, here's a look at some of the items in the ForeverMore booth.

Next up, "Pure & Simple" in Kokomo, Indiana next Saturday, May 1 from 8:00 to 3:00.

ForeverMore's booth will feature early textiles, plenty of quilts (as always!), an early rope bed, decorated blanket chests in original paint, a one-door, grain-painted dry sink, lots of decorative early smalls, baskets, some architectural pieces and a bit of garden decor....plus, lots, lots more!

Come see us and shop with 60 select dealers from over 12 different states in this first-of-its kind show. If you need more info to make it a weekend full of antiquing, check out the show website for nearby hotels/motels as well as dining options. http://www.theoldshed.com/pureandsimple/index.htm

Make yourself at home and enjoy the show!

The Shows Must Go On...

This spring show season has been a whirlwind so far! Following the always wonderful primitives show "A Gathering on the Prairie" in Arthur, IL, we joined a local show in St. Joseph, IL where we showcased more of a vintage spring look. Depression era quilts and vintage linens were the crowd favorites.

The next weekend was ForeverMore's Early Spring Open House. The weather didn't cooperate -- it was COLD, windy and rainy -- but we still had a nice turnout. Word of mouth brought us new friends from Champaign-Urbana and a good time was had by all (despite the weather)!

After Easter, we turned our attention to getting ready for the Brocton Red Barn Market, a unique mix of antiques & crafts in nearby Brocton, IL. The show is actually held in an old barn so its perfect for farm primitives. Although the crowd was smaller than last year, we had a great time with a group of dealers we don't see often enough. Sharing ideas with other sellers and with customers is always part of the fun. "Best idea of the day" in our booth went to a simple tray-style galvanized chicken feeder planted up with purple violas. It seems almost everyone has one gathering dust somewhere but no one had ever thought of it as a container for plants. There should be chicken feeders blooming all over Central Illinois by now!

Our old green wicker porch swing went home with a happy customer as did lots of other items destined to add a touch of spring. One unique item in the ForeverMore booth got tons of attention -- a blue & white painted handmade child's stepback cupboard, made for a little girl in the early '40s by her great-great-uncle in mid-Missouri complete with a pull-out bread board. It would be great sitting on a table or hanging on a wall -- maybe in a hallway, or even a guest bathroom as a place for soaps and hand towels. It's a true one-of-a-kind.

Next up is "Arts & Antiques At Osage Farm" near Charleston, IL on April 24 from 8:00 - 3:00, rain or shine. Just over a dozen select antique dealers will be offering quality country antiques alongside beautiful handcrafted folk art, live music and tasty food. It's a great day in the country as show promoter Diane Cole hosts one of the most unique shows you'll find in this area. Mark your calendar for next weekend - you'll be glad you did! (more info? directions? http://www.artandantiquesatosagefarm.com/ ) If time allows this week, I'll post a few of the unique pieces you'll be able to see in our booth.

p.s. Don't forget the upcoming "Pure & Simple" show in Kokomo, IN on May 1st! Everyone is talking about it and from what I hear it's going to be amazing! A couple of weeks ago, Antique Week had a write-up that is sure to bring people from all around the country. More about that next time. Meanwhile, see our website for info or go to http://www.theoldshed.com/pureandsimple/about.htm.

The Show Scene

The Gathering On The Prairie


This past Saturday's primitive show in Amish Country was packed with great old country pieces, unique early American items and one-of-a-kind finds. There was so much to see and plenty of shoppers there to see it. The weather cooperated (giving us all a touch of spring fever) and it's safe to say a good time was had by all. All day long we watched happy folks with great items tucked under their arms and big smiles on their faces as they went in search of another find. How fun!

Here is a view of the ForeverMore booth right before the show opened. I'll update the slide show in the next few days to include some this year's offerings and close-ups of some of the amazing old quilts we passed along to new owners including that green Turkey Tracks quilt from the 1800s you can see above, and the blue/yellow/red star patterned crib quilt hanging above the blue dry sink.

An item that received lots of attention until someone snapped it up was a great old piece of architectural salvage -- a half-moon window, 52" wide with that neat old wavy glass. It was quickly followed out the door by a neat little corner shelf in old blue and green paint. A great primitive work table in old green paint disappeared along with a big slant top tool box also in green. Green may have been the color of the day (were we all thinking spring?) because a early jelly cupboard in light green wash with a bread-board door found a new home as well. Among our other sales were some personal favorites including a folk-art birdhouse with two chimneys, a tiny doll dress made from old blue & white ticking, a heavy zinc bottle carrier from Germany, a great big wire basket with wooden handles and an early child's low-back Windsor chair, just to name a few.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by. It's always good to see familiar faces and meet new ones too. To those of you from far away places who made the trek to Central Illinois - see you next year!

St. Joseph Antique Show - March 20

Next up on Saturday, March 20 is the St. Joseph Antique Show, now in its 24th year. The show has gone through some changes in the last few years but given the group of dealers who have signed up this time, its definitely going strong again. The show runs from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Middle School Gym (take exit 192 from I-74 and follow the signs to the other side of town). The entrance donation is $3, and the building is handicap accessible. In addition to all of the great antiques and collectibles, there will be food, beverages, and items from local artisans.

We're taking a huge trunk full of vintage linens, lots of springy, garden things and - of course - QUILTS, along with some country furniture too. Hope to see you there!

Upcoming Primitives Show

Lots of you have been calling to ask "When is the primtives show in Arthur?" We're so glad you're interested in coming back to visit us at the show so here are the details:

"A Gathering On The Prairie"
8th Annual Country Primitives & Antique Show
Saturday, March 6, 2010
8:00 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Admission: $3
At the Otto Center in Arthur, Illinois

How to get there: The Otto Center is 1/2 mile South of Arthur off of Route 133. From I-57, take exite 203 and then follow Route 133 West through Arcola to Arthur.

What you'll see: Bigger and better than ever, with about 50 quality dealers from 13 states, you will see one of the best selections of furniture in old paint & original surface, early decorative accessories, textiles (including quilts -- you know we will have plenty!), baskets, folk art and one-of-a-kind early American items you don't see in central Illinois at any other time of the year. If you love primitives and the new country style, it's a "don't-miss" show!!

Shopping Tip: Before last year -- our first year setting up at the show -- we could be found waiting in line out front to be among the first ones through the door. One lesson I learned the hard way is that if you see it and you like it, grab it because the Gathering attracts such a great group of primitive lovers that you can't count on a piece still being available if you come back around the show a little later. Last year there were lots of disappointed faces who came back to our booth for something that someone else had snatched up. There's nothing worse -- for the customer and for us -- than when we have to break the bad news! So remember, if it caught your eye, chances are it will draw someone else's attention too.

Looking for the ForeverMore booth? We'll be in the back corner on the right side as you enter. Look for a quilt you should be able to see down the aisle! Stop by and say "hello" and definately let me know if you read this blog!

P.S. Don't mistake this show for "Homesteaders on the Prairie". That's another quality primitives show (including some crafts too). It's at the school on the corner where you turn south toward the Otto Center. That show opens an hour later on Saturday. Make a day of it and shop both shows!

SINCE THIS POSTING WAS FIRST WRITTEN, THERE IS NOW A THIRD SHOW THAT SAME WEEKEND. FOREVERMORE HOSTS THE COUNTRY SPIRIT SHOW IN ARCOLA! CHECK OUT www.picturetrail.com/countryspirit

Coming Soon!

Watch this blog for posts about our upcoming events and the great roster of shows we will be partcipating in during 2010. Meanwhile, you can always visit our website at www.forevermoreantiques.com.