COZY CREEK PRIMITIVES

I'm a self taught artist who was born and raised in Bucks County, PA, and now live in Colts Neck, NJ (hopefully to return to PA one day with my husband and fur babies!). I have been running my shop Cozy Creek Primitives for over a decade! Here in my little home-based shop, I value quality over quantity. I take my time and put lots of loving attention to detail into every original One-Of-A-Kind piece of art I create, along with plenty of imagination, uniqueness, and whimsy! I don't have anyone working with me or for me (well, except Scamper, the rather sizable Siberian Forest Cat I hired as my Production Oversight Manager). I create each and every doll, every stitch, every detail from start to finish by myself. I don’t use professional lighting, backgrounds or camera tricks to photograph my creations; they are never touched up; what you see is just what you get! My photos show my dolls in normal, every day backgrounds and regular home lighting conditions. I want you to see what they’ll look like in your warm and cozy home, not in a sterile and cold studio setting. I use only high quality materials to create my art. I make sure that my items are solid, sturdy and well constructed. I realize that my items aren't just a decoration for one season, or one holiday. I know they will be brought out year after year, or on display every day of the year. Some will be given to loved ones and special friends as gifts or even handed down to children and grandchildren... they become part of a family and a home, so I make sure each one is very special. I use only non-toxic, U.S.A.-sourced materials in the creation of my art and nothing that I use has a chemical odor. Chemicals bother me so I know they must bother others as well. The only scent my dolls will have are the light, pleasant, heart-warming smells of coffee, tea, cinnamon and vanilla. I use only hypoallergenic stuffing and all of my items are created in a completely smoke-free and clean environment. DISCLAIMER: Every piece of art I create has to first receive Scamper's "Kitten Paw Print of Approval" before it enters my shop for sale! Scamper loves to hang out on my work table to supervise and help with everything I do! Every piece of art is signed and dated by me, then stamped with a little paw print to represent Scamper! I enjoy knowing the items I create with my heart, here in my home surrounded by the love of my family, will be treasured by my customers as a part of their own homes and families! God Bless, Wendy Marro

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Fly an Aged, Vintage-Inspired American Flag This Year

The American Flag, Stars and Stripes, Old Glory....whatever you decide to call it, is displayed with pride this time of year.  Here in Monmouth County, NJ, the flag and the American Revolution hold a special place in American history.  It was in nearby Freehold that the Battle of Monmouth took place in June 1778, where General Washington was first acclaimed "Father of His Country!"  In honor of that momentous event, let's do a vintage-style tea-stained American Flag.


Here we have the thirteen star flag known as the "Betsy Ross Flag" and recreating it is easy-peasy.  First, obtain a cotton Revolutionary War Flag, (not nylon, as nylon, though durable, will not hold any sort of tea-staining).  Give it a wash and allow to only partially dry.  Brew up, in a pot large enough to hold the flag completely submerged, a strong tea mix using at least 30-45 regular-sized tea bags.  Gently submerge the flag completely and allow to soak anywhere from two hours to overnight.  Stir ever so often to even out the coloring.

To set the tea, soak the stained flag in two parts vinegar, one part water and tablespoons salt.  Soak for 15-20 minutes, rinse in cold water well, hang dry and press with an iron.  You're now ready to fly your vintage-inspired Flag  in the coming weeks.  (Note: tea staining cotton isn't really permanent, so be sure to protect the flag from rain, as prolonged exposure will eventually rinse the tea stain out and fade the look back towards white.)

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