Hoping for Calmness...

I have been thinking about all my customers in the path of Sandy, and hoping and praying you are all safe.     I, like so many others was glued to the TV last evening, following the news on this devastating storm....so many states are affected, so much damage, it makes your heart ache.  Stay safe everyone, and we will hope and pray for calmness and a speedy recovery to normalcy, once again, for you and your communities.

 

I've been  going through "stitcher's withdrawl"...all my WIP's are finished.  While watching Sandy coverage last evening, I started working on a Christmas sampler that I have had charted, with intentions of a 2012 release...that didn't happen.    It is a large sampler, and with my casual stitching habits, it will probably take me until autumn of 2013 to get it stitched.

 

And

the antique reproduction, Frances Pool sampler is done!!

 

 I've really enjoyed stitching this piece.  I started her in February and Frances was one of those projects that I picked up and put down several times over these past several months...casual stitching.  I like that kind of stitching...no rush, no holiday deadlines to meet...just a few minutes of stitching a week.

 

She is beautiful in her "jewel-toned" flosses, tones of flosses that I don't usually use when designing.   It was fun to work with a different range of colors of flosses.   Framing is next...  I'm thinking she would look really pretty in a cherry wood frame of some sort, with perhaps a silver beaded insert...

Tentative plans are for a  holiday-time release for this sampler. 

 So, if you need an idea to put on your wish list, keep Francis Pool in mind! 

Also,
Our floss keeps inventory was replenished last evening.

 

With thy Needle & Thread,
Brenda

NEW PATTERNS!

Thread your needles...

'cause NEW PATTERNS are here! 

"Merry Yuletide"
10" x 20" pillow
worked on 22 count Fine Ariosa, over 1 & 2 threads
Rusty jingle bells sewn to ends of pillow adds extra detail & charm.
-model stitched by Suzanne Garber-
 

"Letters for Santa"
10" x 22"
The use of jumbo sized rick rack & candycane striped twill ticking is the perfect finish for this pillow!
-Model stitched by Susanna Baker-

"Heaven and Nature Sing"
12" x 12" pocket pillow
A pillow with a pocket to fill with fresh cedar pine, tallow berries, vintage sheet music, Christmas cards...or whatever makes your heart sing!

 


"Winter Stocking"
6" pine-filled hanging stocking

 

And as always, we have the necessary supplies available to support each new pattern.  A big "THANK YOU" goes out to model stitchers, Suzanne & Susanna...

your work is the best!

 

With thy Needle & Thread,
Brenda 

 

Pretzels & Brazil Nuts...

A few birthdays ago,

my dear husband gifted me with this rustic outdoor bench

 that wraps around our crab apple tree,

 a tree that sits next to our front door,

 and

 I. love. it.

(you done good honey)

 

  Summer time you will find it full of various potted plants,

old bird houses

 and

other ditties that I have found over the years. 

 

 At Christmas time

you will find potted sruce tips,

 fresh pine, winter berries

 and

 perhaps an old pair of ice skates.

 

Here is my Autumn version of the bench...

I filled the bench with various size, shapes and colors of these... 

with freshly picked bittersweet entwined throughout...

are you getting the picture?
Good.

This years harvest of hedge apples

 were really too big

 for my various ironstone bowls

 or platters

 for indoor decorating.

 

Darnit, now what am I going to do with all these hedge apples?

 

AND THEN

 I had this brilliant idea...

 

I'll tuck some of them around the pumpkins

on my tree bench...

orange & green, wonderful contrast,
PERFECT....

If you aren't familiar with the hedge apple,

 they sort of stink,

and
 they ooze a sticky substance.
 

 Old wives tales say they are suppose to repel spiders,

 if you keep a few cut up in your basement

over the winter months.

 

 Hmmmmm...

maybe they would repel those damn little bushy tail varmints?

{she thinks with a twinkle in her eye}

 

Brilliant idea,

I thought...

And the photo above pretty well sums

up my latest research...

The pumpkins are now gone,

not because I made pumpkin pies with them...

 

The bittersweet is finding it's way

to the ground.

Not because I put it there...

{sigh}

 

Awwww,

and

poor little bushy tail

only has hedge apples to snack on....

Hmmm...

 

Sort of like

 when you

get down

 to just

 the pretzels and Brazil nuts

in the bowl of Chex Party Mix....

 

you soon realize

they aren't so dry

and bad tasting after all...

 

and

 so much

for my

 hedge apple squirrel repellent theory!

 

Maybe I should stick to pattern ideas

and

 forget about a career

 in pest repellents...

 

You win squirrel,

Brenda

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bath Time!

Each day, after my work day at Country Stitches ends, I come home to sit at my kitchen table and enjoy my last cup of coffee of the day and watch the birds come in for their late afternoon feeding. 

 It's a quiet time for me, a time to reflect upon the day and what needs to happen tomorrow, think about what's for dinner, or just to simply sit and sketch...putting ideas to paper.

My kids often times call me at this time of day,

it is my favorite part of my day...

Yesterday,  I was entertained by a group of congregating/migrating robins.     They weren't all that concerned about using my backyard bird bath as a watering hole, or doing their acrobatic moves to pluck berries from the bushes,  rather I sensed some urgency that they were in need of a bath.    My photos are a bit fuzzy, as I was taking these through my kitchen windows, and at this time of year are in need of cleaning...

{sigh}

 

 

Six birds a bathing...

 

And then I spotted this... 

and at this point I think know I was more excited then the bathing robins.
 A pair of Cedar Waxwings!
 My first sighting of this bird in my yard, ever.  They are common to this area, just have never spotted one, as we don't have the cedar trees in which they like to feed in.  I'm guessing they may have been feeding on Viburnum berries, along with the robins.

 

Today is going to be another Indian Summer type of day here in Iowa.

It's going to be one of those "wish I didn't have to work sort of days"...

 

The summer drought has put forth some of the prettiest leaves, ever.

One lonely little leaf...

just daring to be different.
 

Makes me think of a favorite autumn-time verse...

Autumn is like a second spring,

when every leaf

becomes a flower.

 

I just wish it didn't have to end...

 

Have a good day everyone,

Brenda

 

Meet J.M. Gardner, 1888...

Here she is,

isn't she sweet?

Worked on 35 count linen, over two threads, the JM Gardner

measures just a mere 7" x 7". 

   This is a relatively quick stitch, in terms of sampler stitching, and will look extra special at Christmastide in her red and green flosses.   

Floss kits and linen will be available for purchase too.

 

X X X X X

 

 

 

NEW FLOSS KEEP...

The ever popular floss keeps will also be available in the JM Gardner design.   These floss keeps keep your floss organized and at your fingertips while stitching.

These make wonderful gifts...think Christmas gifts!

X X X X X X

 



And lastly,

the JM Gardner Brooch...

a tiny 1" gold plated pendant is home to a color photo of the sampler.

A glass like resin protects the piece.

The pendant dangles from a filigreed-style brooch pin.   

A perfect addition to a big woolly sweater or jacket lapel.

 

Items will be posted on our website later in the day for purchase.

 

With thy Needle & Thread,
Brenda



New found treasures...

I enjoyed a "sister's weekend" with my sisters and their dear husbands. We traveled to our home state of Minnesota and took in a relaxing weekend in the Mississippi river valley towns of Red Wing, Wabasha (yes, Grumpy Old men) and Lake City.  

 

A visit to an antique shop in Lake City turned up a couple of "antique treasures" for me

that I couldn't resist.

No, not the sampler,

nor the buttons.

This...

a rusty hook,

and these...

 not the thimbles,

those clam shells. 

Silly purchase isn't it?

  A couple of old clam shells with holes in them...

 When I showed them to the dear husband,

 he gave me

 "the look"

 like I must have holes in my brain....{sigh} 

 

 

In the 1800's the Mississippi was full of clam beds

 and

 the button business

 was booming along these river towns.

  The rusty hook (1st photo)

 was used on the clamming boats. 

 By nature, a clam likes to sit at the bottom of the river,

 with it's mouth open,

facing up river,

just waiting for some morsel of food

 to find it's way into it's mouth.

These hooks,

 that were drug across the bottom of the river,

would find their way into the clam's "mouth"

When these hooks touched their mouths,

 they would clamp down on it

and

well,

the rest is history for the clam.

 

The clams were then dumped into large boiling pots of water,

they died from the heat of the water,

the meat was then recovered

and

 the shells were used for button making!!

See the holes in the shells?

 

 

The men would punch out the blank buttons

and it was usually the younger boys

that did the finishing work.

 

Button making often times

would involved the whole family,

women would sit in their homes

sewing buttons onto the cards.

 

I've found myself,

 a time or two,

 sewing buttons onto old cards and photos...

I think I grew up in the wrong century...

Anyone else?

 

I'm happy as a clam with my new found treasures

and love their history!

 

And another thought,

schoolgirl samplers?

How fun would have school been,

if it would have involved stitching samplers?

Yep,

I definitely grew up in the wrong century!

 

With thy Needle & Thread,

Brenda

 

 

Trying...

to get my ducks in a row!

 

 

The JM Gardner antique reproduction sampler is back from the framers,

it is lovely! 

 

I always try try try to be prepared

 and

 ready for the releasing of a new chart,

with all the necessary goodies needed to support the chart,

available and in stock.

 

Floss shipment for the chart arrived,

received only partial shipment on one color,

none of another color, backorderd.

Frustrating.

 

Ugh...

 

So,

 as it is,

I'm just waiting...

waiting for threads and linens,

before releasing JM Gardner...

trying to get all my ducks in a row!

 

In the meantime,

I'm putting the finishing touches on a couple of

NEW Christmas designs.

For those of you who have stitched

the "House of Blues"

&

"Hilda's Alphabet Brew",

there is a Christmas version of this pillow coming!!

 

Have a good day,
Brenda

 



Are you scissor crazy?????????????

you know,

 crazy about scissors?

 

Hold onto your garters ladies,

look what arrived in today's mail!

NEW scissors to tug at your heartstrings!

 

The Vineyard Scissor...

Just 3 1/2" long with winding vine engraved details.  Available in Gold and Primitive Black...they look like antiques!

How many of you scissor hoarders out there own a pair of fish scissors?  If not, all scissor collections need a pair of fish, no? 

3 1/2" scissors in the shape of a sword fish....and the best part is they don't even stink!  Available in primitive black and silver.

Scissors are now posted on our website for purchase...just in case you need another pair of scissors :)

And because I'm a scissor freak, scissor hoarder, or sucker for scissors,

lover of scissors,

 I am most excited about this...

a sweet little chatelaine !

 

Similar to the chatelaines worn by a housekeeper in the 19th century,

to hold the necessary household items,

such as scissors, thimble, keys or watch.

I have chose to decorate mine with old buttons and pearls. The chatelaine hangs from a piece of vintage silk.

I've been wearing it as I finish up the piece that is currently in my hoop,

titled,

"Let Heaven & Nature Sing".

A wintery piece to get out for the holidays,

but will be one that can be kept out all winter.

The finish is still a bit uncertain,

but I am hoping to adorn it with antique sheet music

in a collage-fashion.

 

I have these Chatelaine Scissor Cases on order,

more on these to follow at a later date.

 

 

It's a beautiful autumn day here in the heartland, the hot dry summer is making for some spectacular autumn colors.  Our lake is now still as can be, looks like a sheet of glass...an autumn time occurrence here only...we are usually windy with white caps. 

 

  I must try to find a few moments to sneak away from pattern instructions & stitching to get out and enjoy it and maybe even snap a few pics.

 

Have a good weekend,

Brenda

Coming Soon!

J.M. Gardner Antique Reproduction Sampler Chart

Just awaiting word from the framer to come and pick her up...not too much longer now! 

Floss Keeps & brooches will also be available featuring this wonderful miniature sampler.

 

Have a good day,
Brenda

 

Floss Keeps!

Our floss keep category has been updated with inventory!

 

There are two new additions...

Mary Bartle, featuring two spunky brown dogs...wonderful for all the dog lovers out there!

Jane Shepherd 1817, featuring gardener's, fishermen, various trees and floral motifs.

 

Hurry on over to here to take a look at all of the floss keeps that feature color photo snippets

of antique samplers from my personal collection!

 

Have a good day,

Brenda

Good bye hernia!

Today is surgery day.

Son Matthew is going in for a procedure today... getting a sports hernia fixed. 

He gets to have a little piece of mesh-like fabric sewn into him to mend his tear...

sort of just like mending a tear in a pair of jeans.

 

It's bothered him for sometime several years since his college baseball days,

 being more bothersome as of late.

Couldn't be from riding his bike across the state of Iowa, participating in a half triathlon, climbing the steps of the Incline, playing softball, or the hundreds of rounds of golf he's golfed this summer...

 

His sweet girlfriend Megan is filling in for Mom today... taking him to surgery, bringing him home, etc...

Thanks Megan!

I talked to him on the phone last evening. The main topic and concern wasn't surgery, how big the incision, recovery, how many days of work he would miss, etc, etc... but the fear and unknown of what all they were going to shave, pre-op!! 

He even offered to pre-shave...

save a nurse the hassle,

you know!

Speed things up a bit...

 

That's my Matthew.

 

Wishing you a speedy recovery,

 sonny boy.

Love,

Mom

 

 

 

 

Long time no stitch...

Well, hi there Frances!

How have you been?

Long time no see.

Long time

 no stitch...

For those inquiring minds,

the Frances Pool antique reproduction

 is back in my hands.

I'm no different then any other one

who stitches...

I work on something for awhile,

things are going good,

I see a finish close in sight

and

then

you

notice

a

stitching

error...

 

 

and that is when I said,

see

 ya

 later

Frances,

and she was folded up

 and

put away,

until another day.

 

Until today...

I've spent this lovely late summer day

frogging

my stitching error.

To make things worse,

the stitching error was in the petite stitches.

All my smaller letters were one stitch too short....ugh!

Not my favorite stitch to stitch,

and definitely no fun to frog!

 

On a brighter note,

the J.M Gardner sampler is done!

It turned out really wonderful...

I cannot stop looking at it!

I.LOVE.IT

Tomorrow I will visit my local framing shop

and hopefully find a frame similar to what I have in mind

for the finish of this sampler.

 

There will also be J.M. Gardner floss keeps

and

brooches too!

 

Have a good week,

Brenda

Mexico Bound!

Upon driving up our driveway the past days,

I 've been welcomed home by droves of migrating monarchs,

peacefully flitting about.

 

I couldn't resist...

I had to get the camera out

and

 shoot a few pics.

The late afternoon sun

made for some beautiful

background bokeh effects.

 

Monarchs catching a little rest

 and

working the leaves of our fruit bearing trees...

crab apples, service berry and apricot.

 

Trees that all bloomed too early

 and

 got nipped by frost,

therefore,

little to no fruit

 was bared. 

 

 However,

 these are still the trees

 in our yard

 that the migrating monarchs

 choose to congregate in.

(crab apple tree)

 

Did you know...

Each season there are 4 to 5 new generations of monarchs,

 but just one generation migrates,

 the last generation of the year. 

 

These monarchs that are seen hanging in our fruit trees

 will not completely mature

 until they reach their Mexico destination. 

(apricot tree)

 

Once they arrive in Mexico,

 the long and warm days

 will trigger the reproduction organs

 to mature

 and they will begin to reproduce.

Migration of the monarch has always amazed me. 

 Having never made the migratory trip before,

 the offspring

will travel the same route

 as their past generations did...

no GPS or Google Earth needed!

 

Have a good weekend everyone,
Brenda

A little field trip!

During my visit with the grand-darlings we went on a field trip.

A little jaunt up Interstate 35 to the Reiman Gardens

on the beautiful campus of

Iowa State University.

 Each summer the garden has a theme that involves a special exhibit.

 This years exhibit is the

Nature Connects sculptures.

Sculptures that are built with Lego Bricks!

 

Here we have the American Bumble Bee...

There are 16, 383 lego pieces in this guy!

Just outside the Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing is a Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly...

37,481 Lego pieces create this work of art.

Blooming at the entrance to the Antique Rose Garden

 is a towering rose

 built with 41,242 Legos.

 

The gardens are in full bloom,

there are many photo opportunities

in front of the beds,

but this little one prefers

the water over the flowers...



somehow,

this doesn't surprise

his g-ma!

Just checking to make sure we see the pretty water fall...

within a matter of seconds the

flip flops are off

and our pant legs are rolled up!

Time to wet our toes...

Passing the Bald Cypress Allee, and around the bend,

you are greeted by the Hummingbird and Flower display.

(31,565 Lego pieces)

Marvelous! 

And though it is one of the smaller displays,

I would have to say this is my favorite...

3 little Goldfinches hanging from a feeder.

Notice the seed in the feeder is Lego pieces!

Moving along,

we approach Lake Helen...

 

The water lilies are putting on quite the show.

Real ones

and

Lego ones...

A koi and 5 Water Platter's...

more Lego art.

See the little frog?

It took 530 Legos to piece together

that little frog! 

 What's does Beckham see?

 

More water?

You guessed it!

 

Shoes are off,

pant legs rolled...

annndddd.....

so much for the pants!

Off they go too!

Time for another little toe-dip!

 

And all gardens must have a Gardener!

Although, I really am sort of feeling cheated here...

shouldn't it have been a female??

(37,497 Lego pieces)

Miss Avry joined us on this little field trip.

She enjoyed her stroller ride,

fresh morning air,

and snacking on her fingers...

 

Germinating acorn...

 

A Common Green Darner Dragonfly...



 

Approaching the prairie portion of the gardens...

The prairie is home to a display of various birdhouses made by Iowa artisan. 

Here are a couple of my favorite birdhouses.

An eight sided barn...

complete with a tiny quilt

encased within the haymow door.

And another favorite...
An apartment for birds!

 

Grazing up on a little bluff that overlooks Strafford Gardnen is the Bison. 

A bison and her calf!

Take note of the bird perched on the mother...

This display uses the most Lego pieces. 

 Over 70, 000 Legos and hours upon hours to create!

Amazing.

Look...

a Lego lawnmower!

This ends our field trip.

It made me want to go home and play with Legos!

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The creator of this traveling exhibit is Sean Kenney,

and his five person staff.

To learn more about his amazing work,

you can visit his website at

www.seankenney.com

There are a couple of sculptures that I didn't get pics of...

you can view them all on his website.

 

Have a good weekend everyone,

Brenda