The Last Rose of Summer

The Last Rose of Summer. . . . I think a fitting name for another new pattern for Nashville. The combination of several of our rose-pinks, greens and our ever popular Pond Scum color. It is kind of what I would call a 'modern' color combination for these motifs that came from a simply stunning old sampler that I own. Yes, the entire sampler will be available sometime in the future, but for now I will tempt you with my updated version of these motifs. Since I took the picture of the pin keep I actually ended up adding some pins to the ribboned edge. I love making my own pins for the edges of pin keeps, using silk pins and beads from the beading store.

I love needle cases, especially customizing them to make them my own. I blanket stitched two hand-dyed wool pieces together for the inside needle pages and attached them to one side. on the other I made a small pocket where a handmade ATC (artist trading card) I made with fabric and a spider web rose in our chenille. I had entitled the card "The Last rose of Summer" when I traded it with a friend. Now it has its own pocket for safe keeping. . . . .

Until later. . . . .as I do indeed dream of the Last Rose of Summer, or rather look forward to the first rose of summer during this time of winter.

Cecelia

La Fleur Memory Keeper, Button Box & Pin Keep

A preview of something new for Nashville. La Fleur Memory Keeper, Button Box and Pinkeep.

Gather old vintage buttons or purchase new ones to make these items personalized by your own buttons. Inside are several pockets to hold old letters, pictures or other memorabilia. You could finish the memory keeper into a lovely thread roll if desired also. Rolled up and tied with our hand-dyed 13mm ribbon the roll fits perfectly in the Paper Mache box which was painted and aged with Bri-Wax. The Memory Keeper is a separate pattern and the Button Box and Pin Keep a separate pattern. We will have a third pattern available in March/April that is a needle case, beeswax holder (yes we will have a special waxer also), and a button scissor fob.

Our hand-dyed 1/4" velvet ribbon finishes off the edges of the pin keep and the top of the button box. We made our own beaded pins using silk pins and beads. If you wanted to change the colors of the flowers and stitch on a neutral linen this would be lovely and we have many choices in velvet ribbon available to match our Silk 'n Colors.

Using Pumpkins & Black Cats!

I loved Halloween Jack Needle Roll by Stacy Nash Primitives. 

I had this stitched using our Silk 'n Colors Pumpkins & Black Cats

I love the soft variation of color you get when you stitch with 1 or 2 strands of floss, even in a color as dark as this one is in the full skein.

I hand dyed the wool to use in finishing.  I quilted around the tree (?).  I like the effect of the quilting and it helps with the slight puckering you get when a piece this large is rolled up in needle roll style.  Originally I'd planned to quilt around all of it, but my daughter suggested that would be 'too much'.  What do you think? 

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Check back soon for the 'versatile blogger award' I am giving within the next couple of days.

Until later,

Cecelia

Be Happy

When I found these type set blocks on etsy I had to purchase them because this is what my Mom said each day to us as we left for school.  As a grumpy teenager I hated this, but now I appreciate the wisdom in her saying this to us each day.  I believe the 'be' denotes an action on our part to find happiness in our circumstances.  Thanks Mom for your wisdom!

The Witch Is In!

My Halloween Village is ready for trick or treaters to knock on each door.  Do you Dare?

After all, the witch is in. . . .

She also announces that the winner of our contest for the free bath salts and the wonderful halloween kit from Fern Ridge Collections is  Wendy!  You need to email me your answers after looking at Fern Ridge Collections website as stated in the previous post  and then I will send you your package.

All About Pumpkin & Blog Give-a-way

It's All About Pumpkins for me now that it is October.  Pumpkin plus Vanilla Hazelnut has to be just about the best pumpkin fragrance in the world this year.  Available in bath salts (pictured above) and in soap.  Now for that pumpkin recipe I promised:

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

3/4 C white sugar

1/4 C vegetable oil

2 eggs

3/4 C canned pumpkin

1/4 C water

1 1/2 C all purpose flour

3/4 t baking powder

1/2 t baking soda

1/4 t ground cloves

1/2 t ground cinnamon

1/4 t salt

1/4 t ground nutmeg

1/2 C semi-sweet chocolate chips

Oven to 375-400 degrees (we use 375)

Grease and flour muffin tins or use liners

Mix sugar, eggs and oil.  Stir in pumpkin and water.  Combine flour and spices with baking soda and baking powder.  Stir into wet mixture.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Fill muffins cups 2/3 full and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Now for the give-a-way.  I'm giving away a pumpkin bath salts plus a kit Little Witches from Fern Ridge Collection.  I love their designs!  You must leave a comment and then if selected be prepared to email me three of the Fern Ridge kits names that use our threads.  This means that you must have visisted their website at:  www.fernridgecollections.com   Look under Counted Thread kits - needlebooks.  Enjoy their website and good luck with the contest.  I'll announce the winner and ask for you to email me your response next Tuesday.

Off to the dye pots,

Cecelia

   

Wool Pincushions

Three simply wonderful pincushions designed by Elizbeth Angus of Sunflower Fields Pattern Company use some of our hand dyed threads!  Liz is an amazing designer and beautiful needle artist.  She used our Silken Peart 30/3 and our Sanibel on all of these pin cushions.  She is selling patterns for these and all the threads are available from us for stitching them. 

Fall Pumpkins!  My favorite time of year.  If you'd like to see more of Liz's pincushions please visit her blog at:  www.sunflowerfieldspatternco.blogspot.com.  You can contact Liz for ordering assistance!  

Sunflowers - summers happiest flowers and such cute ants!  Love them on pincushions and not between my toes!!  I am loving working with wool and our threads. 

Next blog post will have a give-a-way plus a great fall pumpkin recipe.

Until Later,

Cece