turkey feathers

Slip, Knit, Pass

This cozy little scene is making me so happy.  Watching as Grace puts the finishing touches on my scarf.  And the yarn.  Beautiful hand-dyed colors so perfect for the season--in a soft merino blend.  We found it last month in a sweet little shop  on the coast.  She caught me drooling over it and offered to make me something for my birthday.  (Oh--Be still my beating heart!)  The openwork stitch was a new one for her, slow going at first, but my, how those needles are clicking up a storm now.   Openwork Silk Rhapsody Scarf pattern from artyarns.com

Crewel Jewel

 

Sometimes the source of inspiration comes from unexpected places.  Like when I recently found this bundle of colorful wool yarn at a thrift shop; undoubtedly, remnants from someone's needlework projects.  And I might add, quite a find for a quarter.  Score!  Looking at it, I began to imagine all the possibilities.  But due to time constraints and other priorities, I had to set it aside.   Then, the following week, I wandered into another shop and behold--a set of old crewel-work patterns just waiting.  I tell ya, sometimes it's uncanny how these things happen.  I knew immediately how I would use the yarn.  The little bird design is the result of some finessing on my part, and will be included with the June bonus designs on the PatternBee website that go live on Monday.  The embroidery can actually be done with floss or wool.  (I used one strand of wool with a crewel embroidery needle for this--or use 3-4 strands of six-strand floss or more, if you are so inclined.  Pearl cotton will work beautifully as well.)  Click on the birdie to see it finished.  I goofed and printed this one in reverse though, so the bonus design will actually be facing the opposite direction.  It's stamped onto hemp cloth which is similar to linen in texture and feel, but much more substantial, I think.  I picked up this piece in a small shop out of town, but have also been experimenting with goods from Dharma Trading Company; really love this weight in particular for a variety of needlework projects, and it's also suitable for clothing.  $16+ py may seem pricey, but it's 59" wide.  One yard will go a long way.  (I'm thinking like: zakka smocks and aprons--yes, definitely aprons!) 

This has been such a busy week with lots of things happening, and people coming and going.  We had an impromptu dinner party for twelve on Thursday.  A little bit of a celebration.  The weather has been incredibly nice too, and with friends visiting from out-of-state, we took full advantage of it and felt a backyard BBQ was in order. Even had our very own live Celtic band.  It was perfect.

On the flip side of the property, day three of garden wall construction continued.  I'm actually headed outside to get my hands dirty.  Looks like a great day for it. 

Have a good weekend doing what you love!

Fresh Goods

OK.  So here's what's up.  My sleeve, that is!  Sometimes when you get an idea, you just have to see it through or it drives you crazy thinking about it and I've been thinking about this one for months.   It took awhile to find time and pull all the various elements together, but my wacky plan, ready or not, goes live today!

I've  added a new link in the right sidebar.  See it over there with the little birdie?  I'm pretty excited to tell you that, this is actually a *MAGIC* button and a surprise awaits you on the other side.  What kind of surprise, you ask?  Well.  If I tell you that it won't be a surprise silly!  But, I will say--that if you like to make things, bake things, or just be entertained--then you'll want to check it out.  (Hint:  the first freebie has something to do with this quilt I've been working on.)

 

Some things will be offered for a short time--24 hours or less!  Others might hang around a while longer.  How long just depends.   It's all very mysterious you see.  And I won't necessarily be mentioning new additions in future blog posts either, so don't forget to go and look or you might miss something.  (After you look you can get back here by clicking on the redwork turkey on the header.)  I'd really love to be able to throw in a complimentary donut and a cuppa coffee too, just haven't quite figured that out yet.  But I'm working on it.

Just Bobbing Along

A night out, time shared with friends, thoughtful trinkets, and a little chocolate made our Valentine's Day especially sweet.  This was dessert at one of our favorite restaurants.  The Mister and I always order just one and share it.  The straws are rolled edible white and dark chocolate-- I can't tell you how amazing this mousse is.   Besides all that goodness, we did manage to get some work done and successfully swapped out computers over the weekend.  Mine desperately needed a make-over and was complaining loudly.  (Think it had totally assumed my personality!) I'm still getting used to the new keyboard along with my new glasses; hitting the backspace button more than usual and feeling tipsy, like being on a small boat that's about to heave you overboard.  But, please, pay no attention.   I am pretty excited right now, because I have something NEW up my sleeve for visitors here.  You will have to wait and see though.  It's a work in progress.  Oh, and do you like my new blog banner?  I'm finding that, like shoes, I want new ones for every occasion. 

Trimming the Tree

It was snowing a little this morning, and it's snowing on my blog now too--with a little help from Grace.  We put our heads together and came up with the new banner to celebrate the holiday season.  I love how magical it looks.  The background scene is an actual photo of our backyard taken a few years ago, before I planted the Glory Bower a.k.a. "peanut butter" tree, between the house and the garden shed; the fawn was a frequent visitor this summer, Old Man Christmas hiked in from the North Pole of course, but no one seems to know who the spooky ghost lad in the window is...hmmm.   A child of Christmas past, perhaps?  Creepy or cute...you decide.

We got our tree yesterday and spent the entire afternoon hanging glittery, sparkly things on it, lingering over hot chocolate and nibbling homemade cookies.  The girls have vastly more patience than I do when it comes to untangling and stringing the lights.  They both get "good elf" awards for their efforts.  I'm so lucky to have their help.

One of the things I love most about decorating the tree, besides breathing in that wonderful scent of pine, is going through the ornament boxes and finding  little treasures that have been stashed away out of sight and out of mind, like these pom pom baby slippers.  I think they look adorable on the tree.  Someday I will decorate a small tree with all kinds of baby shoes.  After I made these a few years ago, I continued to get requests for the pattern so it was included in my book.  It's the same one as the wool Posy Baby Slippers, just add a 1/4" seam allowance if you make them from fabric. 

Another craft from the past; my Recycled Star Ornaments.  I originally made them to hang from the garland swags that were draped on the banisters, but decided I really liked them on our tree this year.  Our theme is "vintage" so they fit perfectly.  I like that they're really big and stand out amongst the smaller bits and bobs and they cost practically nothing to make.

Sweet Ice-Skate Ornaments...also in my book (page 40).  These have been dusted with a little snowy glitter to give them a frosty look.

There, I think that just about does it.  I love a tree that reaches all the way up to the ceiling.  I just want to sit and stare at it now.  Or settle in with a good holiday movie.  We watched, "In the Good Old Summertime" (Judy Garland & Van Johnson) last night.  Sarah loved it.  In case you haven't seen it, it's an old-fashioned Christmas musical, that title is misleading.  It was a remake of "The Shop Around the Corner" (Jimmy Stewart & Margaret Sullavan), both movies influenced "You've Got Mail" (Meg & Tom).  Guess you can't keep a good script down.  I just found out that the little girl in the last scene is 2-year old Liza Minelli.  Another holiday fave is "Desk Set", with Tracy and Hepburn.  I love them in this movie.  Tracy plays a computer nerd who gets the girl with his wit and charm.  Among other things.  What are your favorites -- any recommendations?

A Little Inspiration

Although I'm not exactly sure where the Kreativ Blogger award originated (my sincere apologies to whoever thought this one up), thank you to Green Bee for choosing me as a recipient!  The rules are simple.  No truth or dare.  No do or die.  Just name six things that you love, and pass it on to six others.   Easy enough.  I think I can do that.  And a nice way to pay it forward.  My six things today:

I'm continually inspired by Mimi Kirchner's work, but especially crushing over these little numbers.

1. autumn girl with cashmere hair
2. girl with skinned knees  (I see myself at ten)
3. tattoo men--brilliant use of toile!

4.  Japanese cuteness of a different kind : kitty in a box.

5.  More of the usual kind:  hedgehogs (thank you Mrs. Pilkington!) 

6.  Very excited about more green choices for the home, especially the tankless water heater.  More here.   I have so many questions about these.  Anyone have one?

Next...calling on six inspiring blogs to share the love:

1. happy zombie (good clean zombie fun)
2. bitter betty (always delightful craft)
3. apron thrift girl (she's having a give-away!)
4. fresh vintage (ideas galore from vintage finds)
5. domesticali (fresh daily musings)
6. little cotton rabbits (knit & a darling calender)

And, thank you Crafty Crow for sharing my acorn cookie recipe, several peeps have emailed to say that they liked them!  And yes, the recipe is correct, no eggs, no oil. 

 

*Cute images from Tartan.  What's inspiring you today?

Tread Softly

Look what we found out in the backyard yesterday.  My heart skipped a beat when I saw this little guy nestled down in there.  Mama Doe apparently left her new fawn to nap while she grazed on the other side of the yard.  It can't be more than a few days old.  So cute!!

Weekend Notes

The Mister walked in the door last week with this pretty armload of flowers to start our collective celebrations.  They're still working their charm on me this morning as I sit here gazing at them on my desk.

The weekend celebrations also included cake!  Chocolate of course, from a local bakery.

And . . there was a BIG BOX and BIG excitement!

So BIG, that it made a scaredy-cat out of Lily when she heard the big box coming, scuffling slowly down the hallway like some great lumbering beast.   Her tail puffed up like a pampas plume and she tried to hide.

But when it spoke, it was music to her ears.   

Bambi

Easter is early this year and I do seem to be having time issues with that, so we've decided to just keep things as simple as possible around here.  We're planning a mid-day brunch with our collective families so there's a little prep and baking to be done, but before I slip into my apron and get started, I wanted to leave you with a little Spring inspiration.   We rarely see deer during the winter (where do they go?), but they're slowly coming out of hiding again and this little guy was the first to poke his head out.  The girls and I were in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up after lunch, and we looked up and there he was just standing there, as still as a statue, just mesmerized.  He stood staring for the longest time. Just watching us.  I'm not sure who was more entertained, him watching us, or us watching him.  Or if he was seeing his own reflection in the glass for the first time.  Maybe thinking his double was a buddy.  He lost his mother, and had been tagging along with another doe and her twins last year, but it looks like he's on his own now and doing fine.  After a little grazing on the hill, he settled down in the vinca vines for a nap.  The vines are scattered with tiny blue flowers now, a sweet sight and a reminder of life anew.  I'll be back next week.  Have a wonderful holiday!

*Welcome Spring*

Happy Chewing Gum

It's Valentine's Day and I've got some calorie-free sweetness to show you this time.  Just a few little things to brighten your day the way you brighten mine when you stop by to say hello.  I'm still making surprise visits to your blogs when time permits, and as always, am so inspired by all I see and read.  I love this crafty community!  You guys have the biggest hearts too.  Speaking of hearts, if you're my age you may remember having these kinds of Valentines when you were growing up in the fifties.  These cute images are actually printed on fabric though.  I couldn't resist them.  Especially the colorful vintage flowers & polka dots prints.  And of course, the charming, lost in translation messages!  I  don't have a clue what I'm going to do with this yet, except that it will definitely be something fun. I ordered it last year from ReproDepot.  It's called, Doll Doll by Atsuko Matsuyama printed by YUWA.  They carry a lot of neat Japanese fabrics now, and they sell out fast.  I looked for this and didn't see it available any more, unless I missed it, but no worries because there's always more cuteness up around the bend.  More pix of this fabric here.  Have a L-O-V-E-L-Y Day! xo