Garden Tour

Nestled in amongst the corn & bean fields on a gravel road in rural Iowa is a gardeners paradise called The Prairie Pedlar. The Prairie Pedlar is owned & operated by Jack & Jane Hogue. Their gardens have been featured in many national publications & if you are ever in the area it is definitely worth seeing. I treat myself to a visit at least once a summer. Come along and take a tour....Russian Sage border beautifully greets you as you enter.
An old Sears & Roebuck barn is used for wedding receptions. Take note of the Double Aster quilt block on the barn. Prairie Pedlar is part of the Sac County Quilt Block Barn organization. Keep an eye out for more on this in a future blog.

Did you ever make Hollyhock dolls when you were a child?







This is Queen Anne's Lace and can be found growing in the ditches in Iowa in the summer. It is a beautiful, lacy white flower that works great in cut arrangements. Can you find the bee?



More Queen Anne's Lace








Don't you just love the bright green foliage next to the Bee Balm?









Flowers can be found everywhere...in an old bicycle basket...




...even in an old muffler!




Rather then cutting down this dead tree they filled it with a menagerie of birdhouses...very whimsical!




Notice the old mirror in the garden? I love how the old barn reflects in the mirror!






This is a new addition to the gardens this year and is totally breathtaking. We just sat on the bench and took it all in for several minutes. This is an old chicken coop that they rescued from being torn down and moved it onto the garden site. The children's garden club planted the flowers. The Prairie Pedlar has a wonderful gift shop & this little building houses the sale items.




The brick used for the path around the chicken coop comes from an old creamery that was being torn down.




The Prairie Pedlar also sells many annual & perennial plants. Rather then the plants being housed in a typical greenhouse theirs are placed on the ground along a walking path.




Hens & Chicks planted in an old wooden chicken nesting box.





This piece greets you at the door of the gift shop. Clay pots are strung on a steel rod...quite a conversation piece. I hope to make one of these next year.











What a great way to recycle an old sink!






I hope you have enjoyed the journey through these gardens & remember to take time to smell the roses.....



Brenda

NEW CROSS STITCH PATTERN - ABC Pinkeep

Oh it is hard to capture how tiny this little pinkeep really is...so tiny & sweet! The bird measures just a mere 3" tall and is constructed from 25 count flax linen. The cross stitched motifs are worked over 1 thread using one strand of floss. The strawberry emery that hangs from the beak measures just 3/4" tall and is constructed from red flannel with a green wool hull. The bird is then simply mounted onto an antique Singer sewing machine oil can. These types of oil cans are readily found on ebay & antique shops. Poke rusty old pins into pinkeep & find a special little spot in your heart & home for this little bird.

Happy Stitching,

Brenda Gervais

To purchase this pattern, visit us online at www.countrystitchesonline.com

New Autumn Patterns Coming Soon!

A fun autumn pattern for all you cross stitch lovers! The acorn is worked on 22 count over 1 thread using DMC floss. The acorn cap and backing is stitched from the civil war reproduction print. The piece is then stuffed nice and plump and topped off with a twiggy stem for added detail & texture. Looks great tucked in an old wooden bowl that is filled with dried pods, acorns & rosehips.

Named after the nursery rhyme this pumpkin headed pair are all decked out in their Halloween attire. Jack even has his pail...a pumpkin pail, of course! Lets hope Jack doesn't fall down and break his crown! The bodies are painted, sanded and then distressed for that old look that we all love. Jills candy corn necklace is needle punched and looks good enough to eat!

I plan on making a bushel and a peck of these fun & folky pumpkins to tuck in every nook & cranny of my house. The pumpkins are the fancy type that we have all grown to love. Pumpkins are constructed from osnaburg that has been painted, distressed and then waxed for a great prim look. Twigs are used for the stems with rusty wire vine tied to the stem.

The release date of these new patterns is June 16th. We are taking pre-orders currently on our website.

Happy Stitchin',
Brenda
http://www.countrystitchesonline.com/

New Fall Arrivals

We are excited about the upcoming release of 1 NEW cross stitch pattern & 2 NEW sewing patterns. These new patterns will be ready to ship on June 16th. Pre-orders are now being taken on our website - www.countrystitchesonline.com

We are excited about the upcoming release of 3 NEW patterns for your Autumn stitching! These patterns will be ready to ship in approximately a week. Preorders are now being taken on our website.

They're here!!!!!

Our shipment of threads just arrived this afternoon from Valdani. There are 15 NEW colors. The new colors are available both in the 3 strand floss as well as the size 12 pearl cottons. New colors can be viewed under our Valdani 3 strand floss & Valdani Pearl cotton categories on our website. Check these new colors out at http://www.countrystitchesonline.com/

Happy punching,

Brenda

When planning your garden....

Coming soon....a new cross stitch pattern titled "THE PUMPKIN PATCH". The pumpkin is worked on 28 count linen over two threads with pumpkin, black cats & star motifs. The piece is then stitched into the shape of a white lumina pumpkin and then stuffed real firm and plump. What makes this piece so wonderful is that a real pumpkin stem tops this piece off. SO......when planning your garden you may want to pick up a packet of pumpkin seeds so you have stems!!!!! If you aren't a gardner then you will want to visit you local pumpkin farm for the pumpkin stems this fall. This piece will look great this fall in your large trencher bowl with acorns, mini pumpkins and gourds nestled around it.

An email newsletter will be sent to our subscribers announcing the release of this pattern when it is ready.

Happy stitching,

Brenda Gervais

WHAT'S NEW AT COUNTRY STITCHES....

A sneak preview of the new punch needle designs that will be released in the near future. The pattern titles of the new designs are as follows:

Flag Day (pictured above)

Land of Liberty

Fraidy Jack

Sammy

Give Thanks

Peace on Earth

Dancin' with the Stars

Mitten Fun

If you aren't already signed up for our email newsletter please do so. We will be sending out an email newsletter announcing the release of the punch needle pattern designs. New cross stitch, dollies & wool applique to follow.

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I am also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the new 3 strand floss & pearl cotton collections from Valdani. If you haven't tried the Valdani threads yet you really do need to give them a try. They are beautiful! The collection is call "Heirloom" and there are 12 new dull & tarnished colors in this group. The new colors are as follows:Rust, Withered Green, Blackened Teal, Nostalic Rose, Ancient Gold, Washed Orange, Darkened Blue, Forgotten Lavender, Khaki Black, Melancholic Purple, Blue Black & Faded Brown. I can hardly wait to "play" with these new colors....have I mentioned a box of new Crayola Crayons was my new toy of choice as a child?? Some things never change!

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Last but not least, we have two new color collections of wool felt that will be arriving soon. Watch our website for their arrival.

Until later,

Brenda

A sneek peak....

Previewing 2 of my 8 new punch needle designs that will be released shortly. The new pattern titles are as follows:

Land of Liberty

Flag Day

Fraidy Jack

Sammy

Give Thanks

Peace on Earth

Dancin' with the Stars

Mitten Fun

These designs are a mix of everyday, patriotic, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

We are also anxiously awaiting the arrival of the NEW Heirloom Collection of Valdani 3 strand floss & pearl cotton. These are beautiful dull & tarnished colors and I can't wait to "play" with this new threads....have I ever mentioned my favorite toy as a child was a brand new box of colors???? Somethings never change!!

Two new color collections of wool felt will also be arriving soon, watch for this as well.

Until next time,

Brenda

Coming to Gordman's this fall....

I received some exciting news today....Boo Jack & Jack-in-a- Hat have been picked up by the Gordman's stores. These are reproductions of original pieces that I hand sculpted from paper mache with wool trim. Also picked up are two long skinny screen printed pictures will wool applique accents...both with a Halloween theme. All items can be found in Gordman's Department stores this fall.

Brenda

A FUN place to visit....

One of my very very most favorite places on the world wide web to visit is The Pioneer Women. This site has great stories, great writing, great photos and great recipes....what could be better!
Enjoy!

P.S. I did hear a robin yesterday...Spring is here!
Brenda

Waiting for Spring.....

I have been keeping my eye out for my first robin sighting. Somehow there is that sense of hope that Spring is just around the corner once I see the first robin. Although folklore has it that it snows 6 times on a robins back.... Looks like we are going to have a week of thawing days & hopefully we will loose our winter blanket.

Speaking of birds....I have finished a new cross stitch design featuring our feathered friends with one of my favorite verses. "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark". This is an early candle pocket that I worked on 28 count flax linen with 1 strand of floss over one thread...oh so dainty! Grungy beeswax tapers are then tucked in the pocket for a great early accent piece to place hearth-side.

Hoping for Spring,

Brenda

Cabin Fever!!

Brrrr......

Well it is 60 some degrees colder (with wind chill) today then it has been the past couple of days. Old mother nature is reminding us that it is only February and it is still winter. We are having a good old fashioned blizzard here today in Iowa. At times the neighbors homes are just blurry images. Think it is too nasty to venture outside today. I will just stay at home, do some design work and take care of my dear feathered friends. I had so many visitors today....just a few pics to share with you!

Mr. Cardinal decided to feed on the ground because the feeder above is loaded with house finches. In about mid to late February this guy will start to sing his beautiful courting song. He can also be seen feeding the female during their courtship....what a great guy! These are beautiful birds and I spend lots of time watching them throughout the year.


Here is MaMa Cardinal and a lone little Junco....



A American gold finch dressed in his Winter feathers. His feathers will turn a brilliant yellow as Spring approaches. These little creatures visit the feeders in small flocks. Iowa's state bird.


The little downy has decided he is going to have some suet for lunch. These little guys get very tame...will just sit on the post and watch me fill the feeder.

Here is the little Downy's big cousin the Hairy Woodpecker. His coloring and markings look just like the Downy, but this guy is much bigger. He is in for some suet as well.

I have spent the day filling feeders and keeping the birds fed....now it tis time to put a pot roast in the oven for our dinner.


Stay warm,
Brenda

Snowed In!

Such a treat it is to have a cardinal visit the feeder! By far my most favorite bird. In about mid to late February he will start singing his courting song. He sings the song only during the mating season. The cardinals do mate for life. During the mating season a male cardinal can be seen feeding the female...what a guy!

A female cardinal visiting....brrrr she looks cold!

A Downy Woodpecker enjoying some suet. The Downy's and the Hairy's look the same but the Downy is larger in size and has a much longer beak. These little guys visit the suet blocks several times a day.

Here is a Hairy Woodpecker...going to have some suet for lunch.

e is a Goldfinch dressed in her winter colors. This is our State Bird and as Spring approaches his feathers will turn a brilliant yellow. These birds visit our feeders in small flocks.

Hop on Over!

We have begun to upload the new Spring 2008 pattern designs onto our website. They are on the last page of the NEW ITEMS category. We are now taking advance orders for these patterns and will begin shipping in approximately a week.

Keep an eye out for a FRESH NEW LOOK to our website in the real near future. We will have some new and exciting features to the site. A email newsletter will be sent out to our subscribers announcing the GRAND OPENING. The current site is up and running right along as we work on our new site, so feel free to shop online. Sign up for our email newsletter if you already haven't!

Think Spring,
Brenda

Looking forward to Spring....

New Springtime patterns are coming real soon! Patterns for punch needle, punchneedle rughooking & cross stitch too! We will keep you posted as to when the new designs are released!

Website troubles....

For the past 10 days I have been unable to login into my website to make updates as my webhosting company is doing some maintenance. The website is still up and running and we are receiving orders without problems. We are sold out of the Create & Decorate magazine and I am unable to go into the website and mark that item as sold out.

Winter Wonderland!

I've decided it would be a good day to curl up in a warm cozy chair next to my big window and work on my new spring pattern designs. It may be cold and snowy outside but my thoughts are of spring time flowers, bunnies & gardening.....

Ah yes, winter has arrived! Makes me want to put Christmas music on and start decorating the house. Decorating at the Gervais house will begin this weekend. The tree will come in on Sunday night and lights & decorations will go on on Monday evening. I will spend the rest of the week decorating the rest of the house.

How does a kitty spend a snowy afternoon?? Agassi is enjoying this snowy afternoon curled up on my wool rug that sits on my old bench next to the big window in our living room. He is being entertained by the squirrels (who are up to their chins in snow) scury around looking for peanuts.

Decorating with Spruce Tips

Filling my flower pots with spruce tips is a holiday tradition. Two pots are filled and ready to be placed on either side of our front door. What are Spruce Tips you ask? We Minnesotan's (even though I now reside in Iowa, I still consider myself a Minnesotan) have the pleasure of using these for our holiday decorating. Spruce tips are white or black spruce that are harvested in the bogs of the Northwoods of Minnesota by the DNR (Dept. of Natural Resources) and then auctioned off to local green houses. They are actually a regenerative crop that can be harvested again and again. The tree tips, though quite small, have the form and foliage of the more mature trees, often bearing tiny cones.

I use the same pots that my summer geraniums were in, leaving the dirt. I simply poke the tree tips into the dirt. Each pot contains one larger tip at the center with 3 or 5 smaller tips filled in around the larger one. This year I chose to add stems of fresh winterberries to my pots for a bit more color. A red ribbon bow will be tied around each pot, before placing them at my front door. The Spruce Tip pots make a great winter yard decoration. After the holidays I simply remove the red bows and leave them out all winter.

As the winter comes to an end the Spruce Tips start to dry out and drop their needles, making for a wonderful brown sticky looking tree with small cones still hanging from its branches.