turkey feathers

Planting a Vision

I really love this rainbow river rock.  It's gray when its dry but turns vivid colors when its wet.   To an eight year-old this is magical.  We're using it to define the pathways in our new "enchanted garden".  There was also the making of a moss basket that was planted with candytuft, so the candytuft fairy will have a place to rest. 

Here's how things are shaping up.  I planted some Corsican mint around the clematis to add a little natural protection from cottontails who've been seen visiting.   We found the pair of antique iron, child-sized shoe forms buried in the yard; this seems like the perfect place to display them now.  Still lots more to do! 

Sweet Substitutions

A fond farewell to KIDS.  It was good while it lasted. I'm saving all my copies.  The remainder of my subscription was applied to Everyday Food.  The first issue arrived in the mail a couple of days ago, and soon after, the girls were tying on their aprons and mixing up these yummy Shortbread Bars.(This is how they looked before we ate them all.)  

Take Five

We're making progress in the "enchanted garden".

This is what we started with three days ago.  And that was one seriously wicked rose vine that had to be taken out.  I love old roses, but this spot gets only a few hours of  morning sun so it just got all leggy and wandered in search of  it...or victims.   I'm not quite sure which though, remembering the number of times it snagged me and my clothes!  Last year, I think we had like one or two roses on it.  Not worth getting poked and pricked for.  Three years ago, right after we moved in, I'd cut this nearly to the ground (because the siding had to be replaced and repainted), and it grew back with a vengeance and a vendetta.  Honestly some of the canes were about an inch or more in diameter with huge thorns like claws.  Yes indeed, there were moments of sheer terror when confronting it this weekend.  Really though, I was kind of sad to see it go, the few roses it did manage to produce were pretty and I love the romance of climbing roses.  Another time, another place perhaps.  There's a polite little clematis in its place now and I'm content with that. 

Update on the peony...it's taking its time...keeping me in suspense.

Reveillez vos sens

I've started a few sewing projects, but as it warms up, the great outdoors keeps calling "yoo-hoo" so I've been slow to actually finish anything.  This dainty bag is one I started over a week ago and have been working on, bit by bit, in between all the real-life stuff that always takes the wheel. 

My starting point for this was an old pillowcase, part of a set my grandmother gave the Mister and I, as a wedding present after we were married.   

At first I stored these away wrapped in tissue, inside the scented box they came in and just admired them from time to time because I was afraid to use them.   Eventually I succumbed and the cases are now shot with holes from years of use, bleach, and time, but I've managed to salvage the little 'Hers' monogram here for remembrance.   

The faded cotton toile worked beautifully with this I think. The rick-rack, daisy trim, and eyelet lace add a bit of confection to "tempt your senses" (hence the post title).  And that candle, from Bistro, is quite lovely; Cranberry Citrus has been my favorite for awhile now.

Cat in the Cradle

Here's a new favorite corner!  Or maybe I should say, this is Lily's new favorite corner.   

I finally worked up the courage to ask the Mister to chop the old changing-table in half to make a cat crib.  I've had the idea for a while but, you know, sentiment gets in the way sometimes.  No telling how old this thing is, we bought it at a garage sale for a few bucks many years ago, and it's seen a lot of diaper changes.  Well, I covered the foam pad with a pretty vintage fabric but then I started thinking of all that loose cat hair, having to remove and wash it (often) to keep my allergies in check,  and decided to toss an old towel on top.  Easier to wash.  Lily seemed to feel more at ease with the towel anyway, and has hardly moved from this spot since I set this thing down on the floor a week ago.   It's tucked away behind the sofa and is the perfect spot for bird watching and sunbathing.  Hmm... I think this post might just qualify for use what you have and fave corners! 

Vistas & Visitors

They're back...

No you're not seeing double, there were three. 

We were greeted first thing this morning and it was a bit of a surprise; we haven't seen deer around since last fall.  Or any evidence of sad beheaded flowers.  Not yet anyway.

But we're at-the-ready--with the cages over here.  Aren't they lovely?  Though, once this area becomes more established I'll remove them.  Deer will browse just about anything that's tender, especially new plantings no matter how "deer-resistant" they claim to be.  Certain things tend to bitter-up naturally as they mature, like these nice rhododendrons and azaleas, so the deer will  should hopefully pass them by eventually. 

Keeping my fingers crossed just the same. 

We planted this bed last year, it's the main view from the kitchen window and I love looking out each day to see what's happening here.  Yellow and purple blooms appear now.   And our Harlequin Glory Bower ("peanut butter tree"), is budding for the first time!

Happy Birthday PatternBee

I can hardly believe that it was a year ago this month, that we launched the PatternBee website!  When I began making a few of my collectible patterns available on ebay six years ago, I had no idea that this would grow into the business it has become.  It was so unexpected.  It's also been a wonderful experience connecting with others who also share a love for vintage needlework.  I can't tell you how many folks have written to tell me about an old pattern they discovered on the website that they'd lost, or had remembered from childhood, or wanted to make again for a grandchild.  Or the number of people that have sent me their old patterns to be restored and shared.  Or sent pictures of the things they've made using the patterns.  Even so, I still consider this just a hobby, a labor of love, and for now I'll continue to make my patterns available for those who seek them out.  I have no big plans beyond that.  I'm content with what it is and enjoy the opportunity to share this with others who are on the same "sentimental journey".   Thanks everyone (and you know who you are) that continue to support and contribute to this project.   I really do appreciate all you "stitching friends" out there! 

Lambkin Love

 Last week, we were driving through the countryside passing farms along the way with fields of fluffy sheep.  The lambing season ended a few weeks ago and the ewes and lambs have been sent out to pasture, some of them only a few days old, but already romping in the grass and kicking up their heels the way only young animals do in the spring.  SO adorable to see that. 

There's always the odd black one too; hence the saying, "the black sheep of the family", an old colloquialism for being 'different'.  Sheep can see in color (although not as well as humans), and have wide- angled perception that allows them to watch for predators without turning their heads.  In other words, hard to sneak up on one with a camera, as you can see!  

Anyway, speaking of lambkins, I found this interesting pattern that someone had traced and had tucked inside a pattern envelope.  I'm guessing this is as old as the pattern it was found with, which isn't dated; maybe 1940's or 50's maybe.  It has the number 1218 written on it adding to the mystery.  The pieces are full of pinholes as if it had been used many times.  A clue to it's cuteness perhaps?    I decided to see if I could make a doll from it using my wool blanket by omitting the seams and just hand-sewing the wool using a blanket stitch. 

It turned out so cute!  I now realize why the pattern has so many pin holes in it.  I consequently drafted a new pattern and have uploaded it as a PDF to share, because I knew you would want one too.  Click on the link and print:  Little Lambkin 

Happy Spring!

                                                          

Yellow Bird Bag

 Orange Friday!  And using what I have.

I just put the finishing touches on this dainty little bag that's going out to Didine who's been waiting a very long time (and very patiently I might add) to do a swap. Used this same bird motif again, but did the embroidery in different colors to blend with the warm golden yellows here. I'm really having fun making these little tissue pouches, which are making the rounds again on lots of craft blogs. The super talented and generous Cassie aka Bella Dia had this tutorial for one. And I thought I saw another one on craftster too. They're quick and fun, and make use of scraps left-over from bigger projects. I've made about a dozen so far. This one's going along with the bag, that will have a few more surprises tucked inside. Now, off it goes to the shipping post.

Birthday Bag

This bag went to a sweet pal who had a birthday last week.  (She sometimes peeks at my blog so I couldn't show it off until now without spoiling the surprise.)  I used all the same details, including rick-rack and another of those fabulous buttons from LK.   I had a bit of fabric left and made a matching tissue holder too.   She really loved it, and that made me happy! 

Spring Forward

Two lovely bunnies, hopping merrily down polka-dot lane, singing as they go, "to market-to market jiggety jig", on their way to find a lovely chocolate egg to put in their basket.  (Little do they know, I've already eaten them all.)  Made from this kit (now discontinued).