Gingerbread Cottage

The Teenie Weenies

2012-02-16T20:49:00.002-05:00

Have you ever seen the Teenie Weenies?

They are small people imagined by William Donahey.

There was a cartoon strip and many books featuring these little people

published between 1912 and 1970.

They are delightful and good fun--though a bit dated in a politically incorrect way.

There is a blog HERE that has many of the cartoons and stories that went with the picture. There is a book published back in 1986 about William Donahey called

"The Teenie Weenies Book: The Life and Art of William Donahey"

but many libraries don't have it anymore and a used copy is high-priced ($100 and up).

In the book it says that he built models of the houses he illustrated.

I wonder where those are??? I would love to see them wouldn't you??

One Forward, Two Back

2012-02-15T17:04:00.000-05:00

I have been working on this pair of socks forever!

I love the colorway (RedHeart-Antique Rose) but I keep getting distracted by other projects or just staring into space--like when I had that nasty cold last week.

The picture above is taken with a new point and shoot camara that I just got.

(special "toy"setting on Canon Powershot)

I ruined my old camara last summer when I tipped over my kayak,

landing face down in the water, along with the rest of me.

(camara in pocket--not in waterproof bag)

I have been using Em's camara the whole time since.

It is nice to have one of my own again. :-)

Never Too Old

2012-02-14T09:22:00.000-05:00

A tiny felt lapel pin that I made for Meg as a kindergartener some years ago.

Em wore it too, a few years back.

But announced in no uncertain terms when she saw it this year that

"she wasn't wearing that to school!"

(hee-hee)

That's alright because I'll wear it. :-)

Happy Valentines Day!

Dutch Girl Valentine

2012-02-10T08:10:00.000-05:00

Here is the other valentine I traced to get a working embroidery pattern.

Click HERE if you want the PDF. :-)

Gingham Valentine

2012-02-09T10:33:00.000-05:00

This is what I made up with the embroidery pattern I posted.

I was thinking about making a wee bag to carry valentines to school in

but made a small wall hanging instead.

Perfect for a first Valentine's Day.

One of Those Days

2012-02-06T13:22:00.000-05:00

I'll be back in a few days--I'm a little under the weather with a cold.

Uggh!

Vintage Pup

2012-02-03T08:21:00.000-05:00

Here is a valentine treat for you.

I took a vintage valentine and enlarged it, then I traced the important lines to get a pattern suitable for embroidery.

I got the great idea from HERE.

I am embroidering the pup right now and am almost done.

I have a Dutch girl almost ready from another vintage valentine.

I'll try to post it by Monday.

Have a great weekend!!! :-)

Yarn & Books

2012-01-31T11:45:00.000-05:00

Soon to be on its way to a new baby.

These were a ball to make! ;-)

More books in the stack for 1/2 Price Books.

Toss out Tuesday seems to work for me--I only have to think about it once a week and 7 things--one for each day isn't too hard--at least this week.

A few more than 7 things this week....Yeah!!

Life in the Brambles

2012-01-28T13:23:00.000-05:00

I sat down and read each of the little stories about Brambly Hedge this morning.

They are so sweet and happy. No heavy morals or drama--just the way I like children's stories to be. Pure delight! Of course, the stories feature mice and the illustrations are so detailed and cozy, so the book had me right from the beginning.

The stories were written by Jill Barklem back in the 1980's.

This book of all the stories was just re-released in 2011.

I remember when Meg was little, Target had a clothing line for a short while using the characters from the books. I didn't even know about the books at the time. They are British, but published here in the states as well. There is a website with a small write-up on the books, HERE.

Don't miss out on this book!

You know me, I want to live in the little homes in the hedge

and toast my bread by a roaring fire. :-)

Cozy

2012-01-26T10:50:00.000-05:00

A cozy morning,

in spite of the rain and chill outside.

Circus Ball & T.O.T.

2012-01-24T14:22:00.000-05:00

I made another knitted ball and on my way towards a few more.

They are addictive to make.

The instructions are from a Ravelry free pattern, although I used a different sized yarn--fingering instead of worsted, which changed the instructions a little. I changed the number of color panels as well, from 7 to 6 so I could alternate the colors. I don't know whether that allows me to share what I did or not. What do you think??

Here are the 7 or more items for Toss out Tuesday.

What does it say about my in-grained hoarding habit that two weeks into this and I've had trouble coming up with stuff to get rid of. Uh-oh!!

Happy Day

2012-01-23T04:36:00.001-05:00

Happy Chinese New Year's!

We decorated a short light strand with little paper lanterns to celebrate.

The red message banners on the wall,

Em and I made a few years ago out of a red plastic tablecloth.

Now to make some Chinese chicken and break open a few fortune cookies.

A Little Snow

2012-01-21T16:54:00.000-05:00

Snow falling on a favorite tree.

Snuggling under a blanket, watching the PBS series "Frontier House"

and knitting a wee rainbow ball.

Stay warm..........

Pocket Booklet

2012-01-19T11:03:00.000-05:00

It's time for another pocket booklet.

I love these things to keep little notes in while I'm on the go.

Obviously, I'm low-tech here, but it suits me in this case. :-)

I love the cheery colors and patterns as I jot things down

like recommended books and recipes as well as groceries.

You can find a PDF HERE to print it off.

I found a cool website that lets you make a custom booklet HERE.

There are instructions at that website on how to fold up your pocket booklet

or you can go back to my instructions HERE.

Vintage Display

2012-01-18T12:01:00.000-05:00

I strung up a few of my vintage valentines above my bed.

I crocheted a short purple string to hang them on.

I keep forgeting they are up there and then smile when I see them.

Toss Out Tuesday

2012-01-17T12:09:00.000-05:00

I am joining some others HERE & HERE

in cleaning things up around the house this year.

Tuesday will remind me through the year to keep it up.

I will tally up at least 7 cluttery things thrown or given away each Tuesday.

Today's magic seven include the 3 plastic cupcakes above.

* 2 fan books--one on birds and one on mythology

*Microwave book

*Cookbook of apple recipes

*Stack of Cook's Country Magazines

I moved a bookcase this past weekend and got a good chance

to go through some books and magazines.

Out of Necessity

2012-01-14T11:01:00.000-05:00

This tangled mess is another kumihimo braid.

I've made it rather long and I used plastic bobbins to hold the floss.

The bobbins are needed so that the really long floss doesn't get all knotted up.

The braid is 8 strands and the foam holder was purchased at a local craft store.

Directions for this braid come with the foam thingy.

This is what I wanted the braid for.

I very much need close-up glasses near me at all times,

so now I can hang them around my neck to keep them close at hand. :-)

The colors used are DMC 321, 603, 158, & 3839.

The black rubber thing that holds the braid

and the glasses together I purchased from an Etsy shop.

The little silver metal clamp is from a local craft store in the jewelry section.

The plastic bobbins I purchased from Knitpicks. Mine are the smallest size and you would need 2 sets--they come in a set of 6--not enough for an 8 strand braid.

l' Escargot

2012-01-12T13:41:00.000-05:00

A very special delivery from some very lovely neighbors.

We shared a duplex in Germany back when all our kids were much younger.

They are still in Germany--oh I wish we could visit.

This is the only way to eat those little snails--a chocolate version. :-)

Big Top

2012-01-07T12:26:00.000-05:00

Have always loved the Humpty Dumpty Circus when I've seen it in magazines and toy museums. There was a set for sale at auction, so I got up real close.

The Humpty Dumpty Circus was made by the Schoenhut Company between the years 1903-1935. I think this (above) is a reduced-sized set or assembly.

A website that has a lot of information about the circus is HERE.

A short article about the Schoenhut Company and circus is HERE.

My girls think the clowns are creepy--they are a little. :-)

Dollies & Shoes

2012-01-06T16:56:00.000-05:00

Meg and I stopped off at another doll auction. This time it was during the preview so we could take our time. I love these china doll heads. Those gently blushing cheeks.

I love to see the tiny shoes as well. These are much loved blue button-ups.

It looks like the doll actually walked many miles in these.

More walking......

I guess I like the dolls that are well-loved, maybe the best. Especially if they are handmade. This doll is about 4 feet tall-wow! I like her polka-dot body very much and the polka-dot dress over it with ric-rac detailing. A dollmaker after my own heart! :-)

Snow Day

2012-01-02T11:21:00.000-05:00

Our first snow--not much at this time but still it is swirling around and making the roads a little slippery. It has kept me home, which is a good excuse to continue on my hat.

The pattern is Debbie Bliss, although I'm using charcoal gray instead of beige.

The fabric basket is my pattern. I figured it all out before Christmas to make presents for the girls. I just finished this one earlier this morning.

Not very much snow, yet....... :-)

Welcome 2012

2012-01-01T08:14:00.000-05:00

We celebrated last night with a party in our basement.

Em hooked up a ball to drop.

(the pink box on the ball held confetti) :-)

And it was all cozy with a warm fire.

An excellent farewell to 2011 and welcome to the new year!

Demitasse Candle

2011-12-28T12:08:00.000-05:00

Easy-peesy!

I melted soy wax candle chips in a

little mason jar in the microwave

and poured it into the wick-ed teacup.

There was plenty of time to make sure the wick was centered

after I poured the wax in and the whole candle cured in short order.

I didn't add color or fragrance because

it said on the packaging that soy wax didn't take to these very well.

Has anyone tried and found out what works??

I will be on the lookout for more teacups in the future.

Wouldn't these make pretty gifts?

The little wooden peg doll is from Gail Wilson Designs.

Busytown

2011-12-27T09:52:00.000-05:00

I made this felt rabbit 11 years ago about this time of the year.

I was pregnant with Em and had found a Richard Scarry activity book

with the pattern in it.

I found another copy of the activity book this past summer

and couldn't resist snapping it up.

This is the pattern for the mouse girl.

This is my someday book....

someday I might use it....someday I may have little grandchildren. :-)

Until then I can enjoy the illustrations and ideas for activities.

Richard Scarry books are great rainy day/snow day books

to be poured over, and over looking at all the details.

All is Calm....

2011-12-24T17:20:00.001-05:00

Merry, merry Christmas!

Thank you all for visiting and enjoying my year with me.

Take care, stay warm and dry.

I will see you soon! :-)

To Market

2011-12-23T05:04:00.001-05:00

I am thinking of a European Christmas Market today.

The stalls filled with all sorts of things....some very strange to us Americans. Like a stall full of socks or brooms and brushes of different sizes.

I wish I could pop over there and pop back without the long flight and jet lag. :-)

A Long Night

2011-12-22T07:23:00.000-05:00

We had an evening filled with candlelight and a crackling fire.

Very quiet and soothing.

This candle holder has been created with a very thin layer of polymer clay on the outside of the glass. I can't imagine making the clay "cane" that was needed for this elaborate picture.

Tick, Tick, Tock

2011-12-21T17:19:00.000-05:00

Just so many days.

Not many more.....and a rush of wrapping and final tweeks to handmade gifts.

Sweet

2011-12-20T14:30:00.000-05:00

I like that we have a whole week with Christmas landing on a weekend.

We have time for cookie baking and maybe time to ice the cookies before they are all eaten. :-)

Socks of Blue

2011-12-19T08:26:00.000-05:00

Busy, busy, busy!

(Berroco Sox color 1454)

Little ho ho

2011-12-14T01:18:00.001-05:00

Gnomish wee santa in green gingham?

Kind of an odd little bugger.

Loved making the tiny hat and sewing his little pink nose.

Sushi, Anyone?

2011-12-12T04:59:00.001-05:00

A felt rice warmer for an ill special someone who adores sushi.

A new twist on a penny rug, eh?

I filled the felt pouch with rice so that once heated in a microwave for 30 seconds it becomes a cozy warm heating pad.

Frosty

2011-12-11T10:16:00.000-05:00

Cold, frosty mornings are sparkley

and lovely holly berries are so cheery. :-)

Christmas in Stitches

2011-12-05T09:56:00.001-05:00

A little holiday stitching project for you!

You'll find the pdf HERE.

Please let me know if you have any troubles accessing the pdf.

I made a wee pillow when I finished stitching.

I had the hardest time finding a fabric in my stash that made the embroidery POP!

The back of the pillow is dotted (yeh!) from the same fabric line.

Have Fun!!! :-)

Bumpy Red

2011-12-01T11:26:00.000-05:00

Isn't this ornament unique.

It has little bumps all over its surface.

It is on a small tree in our bedroom where the sun pours in each winter.

Ahhhhhh! :-)

Holiday Notes

2011-11-28T14:49:00.001-05:00

Make yourself a little holiday notebook.

Just print off the page below or get the PDF HERE.

Fold it up like the Thanksgiving and Notion booklets.

Keep track of gift ideas and holiday plans in a booklet small enough to fit any wallet.

Green & Red

2011-11-24T20:09:00.001-05:00

Gorgeous colors of the season. :-)

All Set

2011-11-23T03:44:00.001-05:00

Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving. :-)

State of Being

2011-11-21T13:44:00.000-05:00

Mostly, I am happy to live in a semi-chaotic state most of the time.

My house, somewhat messy, everyone going in opposite directions,

and my embroidery floss in a tangled ball.

And then I go and invite everyone over for Thanksgiving

and I get totally nuts,

with cleaning, organizing and making everything

"just so".

I am happy the house looks so nice, but golly

it will be nice to pull out my messy ball of threads again. :-)

Jammy Jars

2011-11-16T05:37:00.001-05:00

I love red & white string and

I love the red gingham jar lids of Bonne Maman jam.

I drilled a hole in the top of the lid and waa-laa I have a string dispenser.

Be careful drilling the hole because the drill can skip over the smooth surface.

I ended up with an off-center hole and had to even it up with tin snips. (not very easy or smooth)

I colored around the hole with a silver marker to cover-up the scratching I ended up with.

I made a second string dispenser for my sister

which because of my practice with the first one was much easier and not as messy. :-)

Vintage Applique

2011-11-14T16:42:00.000-05:00

Unbelievably small stitches on this vintage cloth hand towel.

The rolls at the bottom of this picture are a collection of paper tapes by Martha Stewart called "Vintage Girl"

As usual, loving the gingham. :-)

Note Taking

2011-11-09T08:41:00.001-05:00

Here is a little notebook for you to print out.

You can keep track of your plans for Thanksgiving.

I'm going to keep a grocery list, guest list,

and notes on equipment needed (dishes, chairs, etc.)

for our Thanksgiving get-together.

This little notebook is small enough to carry with me,

tucked into my wallet.

After you print it out,

slice an opening along the center line between the center two blocks.

Fold to make a small booklet.

Please see my past post HERE to see pictures how.

***Sorry if you tried to print this picture and couldn't get it

--I had it as a PNG file and not a jpeg.

Hopefully changing it helps--let me know if you still have trouble.

Sunny Autumn

2011-11-07T15:15:00.000-05:00

I finally put together a leaf collage from this years bounty.

Over the weekend, a walk in a little nature preserve nearby was a delight.

Who doesn't love watching a sun-dappled creek.

There are little creek trout in the upper center of this photo.

Years ago, when Meg was in second grade

we kept a little creek trout all winter long in a plastic milk container.

When spring came we let it go in the creek we got it from.

I home-schooled Meg for a few years back then

and have many fond memories of our time together.

The pink along the creek is an old-fashioned kind of burning bush.

It has a very open, loose growing pattern

and smaller leaves than the style you see in many yards.

Little red berries hang from the stems in the fall.

Mouse Mansion

2011-11-05T10:36:00.000-04:00

This is a gorgeous flyleaf from the Dutch book "Het Muizenhuis Sam & Julia" by Karina Schappman.

Please check out the posting about the book on Dutch Sisters HERE.

There are more pictures from the book there, including an adorable built-in bed.

The author's website is HERE with a bit more info.

I sure hope there is a plan to publish this book in English.

Wow!

2011-11-04T08:52:00.000-04:00

This photo is from a pinterest board and I just love this mushroom house.

A gypsy caravan playhouse in one corner of the yard, and this in another.

I could so easily collect playhouses! :-)

Road Traveled

2011-11-03T05:07:00.001-04:00

A milestone passes today.

One year ago I woke with Bell's Palsy.

It has been a long year.

The worst symptoms passed by April,

but I'm left with a bit of remaining stillness and/or twitchiness on the right side of my face.

This is minor, for which I am glad and also, I notice it more than others do.

At this point I can't imagine that my face will ever feel like it did on November 2nd, 2010 and for that I am sad.

But, it could have been so much worse

so I can deal with it

and thank goodness that I got my smile back which is what I wanted the most.

I was helped very much by those on the internet willing to share their experiences with the illness.

There is even a woman who video-taped herself each month trying to move her face in the mirror.

Unending thanks and love go out to my family and friends whose support I needed so badly.

And Now Featuring Autumn....Back Again For a Second Call

2011-11-02T09:17:00.000-04:00

Weird weather recently.

We had another episode of thunder snow on Monday.

I feel for those in the Eastern US though, with all the snow bringing down all those trees and wires.

Power outages stink!

Cool old fence wire that has become part of this tree

which was then downed by a storm some time ago.

Does anyone know if a mushroom can start out in this star pattern

or does it take on this shape as it ages and cracks?

I wish I would end up star-shaped instead of just cracking and aging. :-)

Happy Halloween!!!

2011-10-31T09:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Halloween!

A wee felt pumpkin brooch that I put together this month.

The eyes and nose were so small I resorted to needle-felting to attach them.

Another brooch I put together for Em's "Professor McGonagall" costume.

I used cardboard, hot glue and foil with gems attached.

I used the technique that I used for last year's Christmas ornament project in Em's class.

Yikes!

2011-10-29T18:03:00.000-04:00

We aren't getting accumulation here in Ohio but we just had a short spell of Thunder Snow.

Loving Fall

2011-10-27T07:05:00.002-04:00

Punkies all in a row.

Walking in the autumn leaves and enjoying the sun a couple of days ago.

We have had light frosts already but it hasn't taken down our salvia yet.

I'm so glad because I love the bluey-purple spikes.

Blue-Striped Happiness

2011-10-26T08:34:00.000-04:00

My daughter assures me that knitting socks is addictive.

Would my third pair in four months count? :-)

You're a Doll

2011-10-24T19:35:00.000-04:00

OK, everyone march, march, march....

March over to Three Poodles and a Nana.

She has made an absolutely beautiful pillow using my drawing of Polly's Pumpkin.

That is all for today--so go have fun exploring Mickie's wonderful blog. :-)

Hugs to you Mickie! You're a doll!

Polly's Pumpkin

2011-10-18T17:27:00.000-04:00

I drew this with great plans to stitch it up and make a mug rug but I haven't gotten to it.

I spent time today re-working some curtains in the bathroom.

I cut the full length panels into a cafe length and a strip gathered up at the top of the window.

This way we get our privacy but still get some natural light.

If one of you manages to stitch Polly and her Pumpkin up--I'd love to see it! :-)

Maypole Quilt

2011-10-16T16:45:00.000-04:00

I apologize for the rather sad photo that I took of this quilt.

It was museum lit which means you basically can't see the quilt very well at all.

There was a postage stamp quilt near this one all in feedsack fabrics,

with lighting so awful that I didn't even try to capture a photo of it.

In this quilt I love the children dancing around the maypole

and the inward scallops around the edges.

Wee Crop

2011-10-14T02:06:00.000-04:00

Tiny knitted pumpkins.

I started with a free pattern from Natural Suburbia.

I tweaked it to knit it flat and made one pumpkin larger by increasing the number of rows knit.

I made a taller one by eliminating an increase and decrease.

The little leaf is just a couple of stitches,

a couple of rows and knitting two together

before slipping the working thread though the last stitch.

Halloween Goodies

2011-10-13T12:59:00.000-04:00

Make this pumpkin bag for a Halloween treat!

Just click HERE

and a PDF will be at hand with the pattern pieces.

Pea Pods

2011-10-05T15:08:00.000-04:00

Yummy addition to our Chinese Chicken last night.

These snow peas have loved our weather recently.

Hey, just so you know--I will be out of town for awhile

so things will be quiet around the cottage.

The House That Mouse Built

2011-09-29T16:25:00.000-04:00

I just found this wonderful book,

"The House That Mouse Built" by Maggie Rudy & Pam Abrams.

It is just so lovely and clever!

This is a picture of the inside of the book cover.

Look at the hanging lamp over the table.

It is a pod with holes in it and electrified.

So many details to look at and admire. Love, love it!

Here is Maggie Rudy's website called Mouses Houses.

This is a little acorn lamp I made that is just dollhouse size.

I took one acorn cap and a slightly smaller-sized acorn turned upside down.

I glued them together to make the lamp.

Late September

2011-09-25T14:07:00.000-04:00

A few things are still growing in the garden.

We enjoyed a small crop of snow peas and some green beans.

I love going out to the garden and seeing the cows next door

and the sunflowers dipping their heavy heads.

We've had some sun here in the afternoons.

Perfect for changing sheets, opening windows,

and reading a magazine on the porch.

The new "Mollie Makes" has a crop of peas & carrots to crochet. :-)

Goofed!

2011-09-24T13:31:00.000-04:00

Yikes!

I put up the wrong linked PDF.

I'm sorry.....I've fixed it and so now you can download the whole booklet.

Click HERE or on the sidebar link.

Owl Postman

2011-09-24T13:30:00.000-04:00

So HERE is the pattern for the Owl Postman.

I made it of wool felt, handstitched.

If I haven't made the pattern clear enough, please let me know.

Again, in printing choose the "fit to printable area" option.

Notion--Autumn 2011

2011-09-22T17:14:00.002-04:00

Here is my little idea.

I thought that I would put together a bunch of fun things to do this fall and make a booklet out of it.

You can download the PDF on the side bar or HERE.

When you print it out, choose the setting, "fit to printable area".

There will still be a small border of white which you'll need to trim off.

Then fold in half and cut down the center line to open up the top of the paper.

Fold the paper as seen in the photos.

I hope you enjoy!

By the way--the pattern for the owl will be uploaded soon.

Approaching Autumn

2011-09-21T12:09:00.000-04:00

The start of fall decorating.

We had corn from the garden this year and here are the remnants decorating a front tree.

I have been busy thinking up ideas to keep me busy and inspired this fall.

Look for a small booklet of ideas to print out before the week ends.

I am really loving sedum this year.

The blue you see behind is an annual salvia (victoria blue)

that was just spectacular this summer.

Time Has Told

2011-09-16T14:57:00.000-04:00

Look who's feeling better!

He is king of his castle once more. :-)

He is off medication, show's little interest in his tail and thankfully,

sleeps through the night.

The lovely afghan is Meg's.

Doll Auction

2011-09-13T11:48:00.000-04:00

Meg and I went to a doll auction last week--only looking!

Here are a couple of pictures.

Pinnochios,

doll shoes,

and more accessories.

A few more pictures can be found here and here.

Hiding Behind a Little Face

2011-09-08T18:06:00.000-04:00

A small pair of scissors in a felt case I made.

I know I keep going back to the matryoshka for a design,

but in this case it really did fit the size and shape that I needed.

(and I still love the little dolls) :-)

A little slit in the back accomodates my embroidery scissors. :-)

Late Strawberries

2011-09-06T14:22:00.000-04:00

Mrs. Mouse is marveling over her late harvest.

The strawberry instructions were in the magazine Mollie Makes, issue two.

Eat Your Veggies!

2011-09-01T14:06:00.001-04:00

A very proud moment for me when Em asked to take my homemade vegetable soup in her school lunch. I made up the soup recipe all on my own and da da da daaahhh----it turned out. :-) I've not tried this before so I was super pleased. It doesn't use any meat product at all. I opened up the cooled container of soup this morning and was pleasantly surprised to find no greasy sheen on the soup. Yeah!! I used a vegetable base--like boullion cubes made by Superior Touch. Above is a picture of my lunch. Last night I had it for dinner and added frozen peas--nice green touch. I meant to add some green beans from our garden, today but forgot. There is plenty left so I'll do that next time.

Brown Hair and a Blue Sweater

2011-08-30T07:34:00.000-04:00

Just a little sketch using my new pen tablet. :-)

Oy.........

2011-08-28T20:34:00.000-04:00

Sorry I have been missing here. I am terribly frustrated at the moment.

We are having doggie problems.

Gizmo chewed on his own tail while at the kennel 4 weeks ago until it required surgery.

He has been a mess ever since. Not sleeping thru any of those nights since, despite medicines.

He whines continually, chases his non-existent tail and pouts about his Elizabethan collar.

(I don't blame him there. those collars are cumbersome)

We are still hoping it will get better.

It is a wee bit better recently--only up once each night and able to spend some time without the collar, so maybe there is hope.

We were surprised this morning to find that our hollyhock,

planted this year had shot up and bloomed.

When did that happen? Must have been in the recently groggy days.

Doesn't this poor guy look sad?

40"s Doll Quilt

2011-08-19T19:54:00.000-04:00

A pretty doll quilt that I found on an Etsy shop HERE.

I love the hand piecing--all hand stitched and slightly wonky.

The edging has a lovely rosey pattern.

Chop, Chop

2011-08-17T04:19:00.001-04:00

It will eventually be cold enough to use all this lovely, newly chopped wood.

Won't it?

Too Early for Sock Knitting

2011-08-16T16:19:00.000-04:00

Close-up!

The moon got me up in the early morning today and I had the crazy idea to start decreasing for the toe on my second sock to finish it up. I must blame the moon for starting the decrease too soon.

At 4am I decided I must rip the toe back to just before the decrease.

The sock was simply turning out way short.

I could either leave it open to allow for my toes to pop out or rip it back.

By 5am I did not want to wish anyone a good morning. Uggh!

The picking up of loose stitches was a mess. All turned the wrong way and dropping through.

At one point I had four needles and two crochet hooks all picking up stitches at the same time.

Happy am I that it all came out OK.

Braving a third pair. :-)

A Second Pair

2011-08-14T17:50:00.000-04:00

Still practicing.

I am feeling more assured in knitting this pair. Not so many thumbs or needle-fumbling.

The yarn is Red Heart, Heart & Sole in Toasted Almond.

Yarny

2011-08-12T19:43:00.000-04:00

Bowl of yumminess!

A group of us went to a warehouse yarn sale today and I for one am exhausted.

We walked into the warehouse just after lunch and the area where the yarn was

looked like ants on a sticky sweet.

The boxes of yarn, covered in people.

Mostly nice, polite grabbing of yarn,

but I was clearly out of my element.

I got some colors but with no plan I ended up with quite a mish-mash.

The bowl above is some other yarns that I have short pieces of in my art area.

Bed Pocket

2011-08-09T16:53:00.000-04:00

I just made this bed pocket for Em.

She has gotten a loft bed for her birthday

and now has a place to stash her book, flashlight and journal at night. ;-)

Morning Sun

2011-08-09T04:32:00.001-04:00

Beautiful Cleome in the morning sun.

While we were gone on vacation the weeds took over and lots of flowers flopped over from being hit by heavy rain and heat but these beauties are going strong and forming seed pods just below the flower heads that will be ready for me to collect and plant next year. Hurray!

Hearts Game

2011-08-08T16:55:00.000-04:00

Vintage cards from a 1950's Hearts game (Whitman Publishing).

Love those big earred elves.

Bears & Monkeys

2011-08-07T13:09:00.000-04:00

A lovely endpaper illustration of Blueberry Hill

where Little Brown Bear, his family and friends live.

Love the otter family all swimming in their pond.

This is Little Brown Bear, his parents and friends,

the peddlar and White Rabbit having a picnic.

Both of the above illustrations are from the book

"Little Brown Bear and His Friends"

by Elizabeth Upham (1952).

The stories are cute but the illustrations

by Marjorie Hartwell are heart-stopping. :-)

I would like one of those peddlar carts, wouldn't you??

Same author and illustrator for this story.

"Little Brown Monkey" is the title (1949).

This picture book seems very familar and I love the monkey momma's dress.

Yum, coconut cake!!

Comforter and Pillow

2011-08-05T08:39:00.001-04:00

Just a little project while I was at the lake.

Here you see the gingham quilt and pillow on a nice doll bed.

Here is the little embroidered pillow I made of felt.

I just plopped down any old flower shape in my favorite colors.

And here is the same quilt and pillow in a little fairy home near the lake.

I fashioned a little twig bed and two acorn lamps

for the fairies as well as a wee broom.

The acorn lamps were made from a small acorn

turned upside down and glued inside a larger acorn cap.

The broom is just a pine needle cluster and a stick

with a little bit of string wrapped around them both to hold them together.

The twig bed I am not happy with--I used wire to hold the twigs together

and it got really unwieldy. I'll need to try again.

Vintage Finds

2011-08-03T07:55:00.001-04:00

Shopping around a variety store that was going out of business after many, many years

I found a bag of quilt scraps for 1/2 off the $3 tag.

I can't say that I would have picked the fabrics from the get-go

but it will be a nice snap of change to add depth to a project.

Not that I have any project planned--yet. :-)

I found two of these dry paint transfers that I hope will work.

They were probably from the 80's.

Lots of little finds in this store,

10 yards of 100% cotton ric-rac for 50 cents,

cocoa brown cross-stitch fabric for 75 cents,

and some ribbon from the 80's with strawberries, tomatoes and cherries on it.

Cottage Bed

2011-08-02T08:11:00.001-04:00

I wish I could transport this room back home.

This is from our cottage by the lake in Michigan.

The light in the morning is soft like the slight lapping of water on the dock outside

and in the afternoon the sun slants in to warmly wake you from a nap.

The bedcover is an old pink calico that has a wool blanket in the inner-lining that has been yarn-tied.

Just scrumptious!

Shopping

2011-08-01T09:55:00.001-04:00

When I was a kid there were still lots of stores like this (Woolworths, Kresge, Murphy's) with a candy counter and everything all displayed on tabletops, in their own little glass box.

I wandered around this store up in Michigan feeling very nostalgic,

admiring all the old-fashioned stock of hairnets, shower caps, pink foam curlers

and the old-time displays of hard candy and saltwater taffy,

to be purchased by the pound and packaged in small white paper bags.

This is the kind of place to find small kites, water pistols, sand toys,

embroidery floss, Flair markers and Dennison star stickers.

Socks at the Lake

2011-07-31T09:55:00.000-04:00

My first pair of hand knit socks.

I stalled out getting the second sock started and then stalled again finishing the foot.

I finished it in a hurry one morning at the lake when it was in the fifties.

The yarn is Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Weight by Premier Yarns.

Vacation Time!!

2011-07-23T12:05:00.001-04:00

We are headed to one of our very favorite spots.

Lots of relaxation....ahhhh!

Five Foot Lily

2011-07-20T12:02:00.000-04:00

This is a beautiful Canada Lily that is growing wild in a corner of my Mom's garden.

It just appeared a few years ago and has dazzled each year.

Here's a link that has a little bit of info. on this lily.

Each flower looks like a parasol.

HP7 part 2

2011-07-19T08:56:00.000-04:00

Yep, we saw the final movie of the Harry Potter series.

This board-above-was up at our local theater showing the Hogwart's school houses.

We enjoyed the movie, except the very sad parts,

which had Em and I looking at each other in the dark and wondering why we were torturing ourselves.

But, all's right with the wizarding world now!

Summer Blooming

2011-07-13T13:03:00.000-04:00

Did you ever look closely at the flower of the zinnia? All those little yellow floweretes.

Beautiful!!

We have got the 4H judging over with finally and I am so proud of Em.

She was very poised and only a little scared to go speak with the judges. :-)

Velveteen Rabbit

2011-07-12T10:16:00.000-04:00

Isn't this guy a cutie.

His name is Cinnamon Bun and he is so jumpy,

he likes his nose rubbed but doesn't like being held--at all.

He has been with us since April, part of a 4H project.

Em has her 4H rabbit judging today.

Sewing and Growing

2011-07-10T17:21:00.000-04:00

Em and I have been sewing.

A 4H project for this summer was to make an item of clothing so Em chose a skirt.

She has finished it and will go to judging this coming week and a style revue the following week.

Em is getting so grown-up and very tall.

I'm remembering making her a twirly skirt for kindergarten not so many years ago. ;-)

Purple Power

2011-07-06T10:22:00.001-04:00

I have been waiting on you to bloom, you beautiful morning glory.

For the longest time you have swirled and twirled your way up my fence and today you burst open.

More purpley goodness.

I made this bag for my mom.

I kind of just made up the pattern by looking at pictures of bags I admired and combined the ideas.

The beautiful fabric with the lettering on it is a fat quarter found at the quilt show we went to last month.

I used up every last bit of it on this bag, not even the smallest scrap left.

July Fourth

2011-07-04T13:46:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July America!

One Sock, Two?

2011-06-29T08:47:00.001-04:00

I'm guessing that every person out there who has ever knitted their first sock is fascinated by it.

Sits and stares at it in wonder.

Wow, did I really knit THAT,

(and how am I ever going to do it again)?

Tutorial for My Project Bags--Part Two

2011-06-28T05:00:00.001-04:00

Now, to put this bag together!

After completing all the steps in part one we can move on to what I'm doing here in this picture.

I have placed the lining inside the outside piece and lined up the side seams.

I have folded back and pressed a hem of about 1/2"- 3/4"

on the outside piece and the lining so that the hems face each other.

You'll notice that the lining is a little longer than the outside piece

(it was cut a little longer for this purpose).

I have done this because I like the lining peeking out along the edge.

If you don't like this you can just fold the lining hem down a little more so the edges line up.

This shows a very close stitch line, topstitching the two top hems together.

I did two lines of topstitching along the top.

You can see that the lining is peeking out over the edge of the outer piece.

Now on to the drawstring casing,

At the ends of the casing I pressed back 1/2"

and then press the two long sides to meet in the middle of the wrong side.

Then I pressed back the casing ends another 1/2" and stitched it flat.

This provides a good, strong opening for the drawstring.

I pinned the drawstring casing to the project bag with the ends meeting very closely at one side seam.

Here is the drawstring casing at the side seam after I topstitched it down.

I went back and forth over the open ends of the casing to tack it down well.

The drawstring is made by folding the drawstring fabric in half,right sides together,

stitching down the length, turning and pressing.

Then the drawstring is threaded through the casing with a safety pin

(to aid the threading process) and.......

Voila!!

You have yourself a project bag. :-)

Please let me know if any of my instructions are confusing.

Also, I would love to see your finished project bags.

Tutorial for My Project Bags--Part One

2011-06-27T05:00:00.006-04:00

Here it is!!!

A new project bag with instructions on how I put it together. :-)

OK, so the very first thing to do is pick out two or three fabrics which you like together.

Cut out one piece for the outside of bag (32 1/2" x 16 1/2").

Another piece for the lining cut (32 3/4" x 16 1/2") (just a 1/4" longer than the outside piece).

Cut a piece 2 1/4" x 33 1/2" for a drawstring casing

and a piece 2 1/4" x 44" for the drawstring.

This will give you the pieces needed for a bag with the finished size of 16" x 16".

I have made bags in other sizes, so you would have to adjust the measurements for that.

Next, plan and make an embroidered project or use another decoration for the front of the bag.

I quilted my embroidery by hand first,

and then I free-motion embroidered the redwork to the front of the bag.

I placed it a little lower than the center to take into account the later drawstring casing placement.

Here I am stitching the outside piece along both sides, leaving the top open.

I placed it right sides together and used a 1/4" seam (included in measurements).

Turn and press the outside piece.

Stitch the two sides of the lining piece with right sides together,

1/4" seams, leaving the top open, but don't turn it.

Next time....putting it all together.

You Just Never Know

2011-06-25T05:11:00.003-04:00

You just never know where you are going to run across lovely fabrics.

The other day the girls and I stopped in a Goodwill.

Meg is on an archaeology dig this summer and needed some jeans.

Anyway, I found these very pretty blouses, gingham and flowers--in all the wrong sizes.

A little light bulb flashed and I thought, hey--fabric!

These suckers can be cut up and I get lots of fabric for a really good price.

What a deal, huh? :-)

Tutorial on the way--for Monday and Tuesday.

Have a good weekend!

Perfection in Pink

2011-06-24T07:01:00.002-04:00

The weeds are just about doing me in after all the rain we've had.

Have company coming this weekend so I am trying to pretty up my garden.

Feedsacks

2011-06-23T07:00:00.001-04:00

At the quilt show, Friday, one of the vendors Lancaster Traditional Quilts 123 sold vintage feedsacks.

They had lots of new fabrics as well cut in assortments packaged in little clear boxes.

Each box had a clear example of each fabric in the assortment. Yummy!

I picked out a small package with an assortment of the vintage feedsacks.

I love the floral best but also the embroidery look-alikes.

Not to forget the red dots either.

Magic Squares!

2011-06-22T07:00:00.001-04:00

Last week my mom taught me and Meg a new knitting pattern.

It makes squares as if by magic.

They are knit all in a line with two decreases which magically turns it into squares.

You pick up stitches to start a new square so the squares don't have to be stitched together at the end.

This technique can be found in a pamphlet called The Rambling Rows Afghan, designed by Carol Anderson and Pat Penney, published by Cottage Creations.

I'm making only the large and small squares right now--a long term project. :-)

Quilts

2011-06-20T07:25:00.000-04:00

Snail's Trails is one of my very favorite patchwork patterns.

It was on view at a quilt show that I had a chance to go to on Friday.

I shared the day with Mom and Meg and we exhausted ourselves with fun. :-)

This vintage r/w/b quilt was in a vendor's booth.

Isn't it lovely?

All those curves......

A different vendor was upset that I was taking pictures of his gorgeous booth

(there wasn't a "no photos" sign at his booth),

but I promised not to share the photos anywhere. I wish I could....

Anyway, the gorgeous booth was filled with buttons, ribbons and sewing ephemera all arranged by color.

So there was a blue area, a red area, purple, etc.--it was so very pretty.

So many pretty colors!