The Thread Gatherer

Using Pumpkins & Black Cats!

2011-11-27T07:39:00.000-08:00

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?

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

Until later,

Cecelia

Be Happy

2011-11-26T23:17:00.000-08:00

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!

2011-10-23T07:45:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-04T09:39:00.000-07:00

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

2011-09-25T07:33:00.000-07:00

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

Winner announced!

2011-09-01T09:17:00.000-07:00

We drew a winner this morning! Kathy Ayotte, you are the winner!! Please email me at: thethreadgatherer@msn.com with your address so that I can send you your threads and body care products! Thanks to all who entered and I am sorry that everyone could not be a winner this time. We'll have a thread give-a-way in the next few days on the blog.

An Itty Bitty Reminder of a Great Big Contest

2011-08-31T17:16:00.000-07:00

An itty, bitty picture of a soap bar to remind you to enter our contest for $100 in threads and body care products (retail value). You must enter BEFORE Sept 1st by going to our facebook page for our body care business - Mathair Earth and 'like' our page on facebook and leave a comment that you are a stitcher. I'm a little disappointed that more of you haven't done this - but such a great chance for those that have entered to win. (Okay Liz, you must enter now and don't worry about giving someone else the chance!) We make the best handmade soap - sorry this sounds a little braggy - but it is true. Shea butter, olive oil, rice bran, grapeseed, cocoa butter, coconut, palm (sustainable), palm kernel, avocado are just some of the oils we use in our soap. Lather - moisturizing - more lather, you get the idea. Plus, the scents are to dye for!!

Anyway, gotta get back to the dye pots -
Until later,
Cecelia

Follow Us On Facebook Contest!

2011-08-24T06:01:00.000-07:00

I really had trouble with blogger on my previous post and could not get it to edit the post. Thus this picture was not included nor was our contest!

Pictured is our soap rack at the farmers market and below is our Juniper Mulberry Soap with Juniper Essential Oil and Mulberry Fragrance Oil to slightly sweeten in. It is smelling like a sweet forest as it cures.

Now for the contest. Would you like to win $100 retail value in a combined gif basket of hand dyed threads, soap and body care items? It is easy to enter. Simply go to our facebook page for our soaps which is Mathair Earth (Mother in Gaelic)

and 'like' our page. You also must leave a comment and somewhere in your comments note that you are a stitcher. Thus, 2 things to do - like our page and leave a comment that you are a stitcher. If you comment here you will not be added in the contest as we are trying to get 100 people to like our facebook page for Mathair Earth. We don't fill your inbox with posts. My daughter did say that you can choose an option to not receive posts if you wish. I'm not very good at Facebook so I'm not too much help in this area. I hope several of you will enter this contest - it will be an awesome gift basket!

Maritta will check the facebook comments daily and enter you into our 'drawing jar'. We will choose the winner on Sept 1st.

Still dyeing - threads that is until later. . . .

Cecelia

Dyeing Rainbows

2011-08-22T17:50:00.000-07:00

I've been away for a long while. . . .time seemed to pass so quickly since my last post. I've been dyeing. . . .threads that is. As you can see we also hand dye knitting yarn to sell at our local farmer's market during the summer. Color is the driving force in my life whether stitching, quilting, beading or making soap. We also hand dye the ribbon we tie our hand dyed soap with. It has been interesting to watch the color of the dyed yarn bring people like a magnet into our booth.

We are also working on some exciting new colors to be added shortly to our Silk 'n Colors line.

We just released our fall scents in soap last week at the farmer's market - gingersnap, caramel apple, tobacco flower (a favorite), eggnog, pumpkin nog, coconut mokalata, huckleberry lavender, frankinsense and myrhh, and juniper mulberry with crushed mulberries on top! Something for everyone in warm, inviting, spicy or sweet. We also made some hemp milk in our soy milk maker and made hemp milk soap. This is similar to the finest goat's milk soap you will buy with a rich, creamy lather. We made a fun soap using Hemp Milk and Hemp oil - Mary Jane's Flower (Cannibis Flower). It sold out at the market and I have to make more! I have to admit that I didn't have a clue at first why my daughter wanted to name if Mary Jane's Flower ( I get it now). I think I might be the only one on the planet that was clueless to this slang term. . . .

Persistence Pays Off

2011-05-23T09:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes persistence pays off! I saw this antique rack at an antique store being used to display old linen hand towels. I literally begged to purchse it for months. One day I got a phone call that a rack in much better condition was available and she was holding it for me! People were wanting to buy it left and right before I got down there. Isn't it interesting? When I launder and then cold mangle my handwoven linen towels I hang them on it to dry. Today I took pictures with some wool skeins hanging on it for you to see. Those legs stick out quite a distance from the base - so far that if you aren't paying attention you can trip over them and hurt your knee quite badly (this took some of the fun out of this antique for a bit!) Maybe I'll learn not to chase the cat without watching what is around me!!

Now, for the winner of our recent Chocolate Contest:

Margaret, you are the winner of our Chocolate colored (brown) Silk 'n Colors and a tube of German Chocolate Bath Salts!

Email me at: thethreadgatherer@msn.com

so I can mail out your prize!

Still dyeing - threads that is,

Cecelia

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies with Mocha Cream

2011-05-18T11:06:00.000-07:00

Makes 20 cookies. From March 2002 Bon Appetite and recipe is by: Elinor Klivans
Ingredients:
Filling:
1/2 C semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 C whipping Cream
1 T instant coffee granules
3/4 C powdered sugar
6 T unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 t vanilla extract
Cookies:
1 C all purpose flour
3 T unsweetened cocoa powder
1 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/2 C unsalted butter, room temperature
2/3 C packed brown sugar
1/4 C sugar
1 large egg
2 t water
1 t vanilla extract
1 t instant coffee granules
2 C semi sweet chocolate chips (12 ounces)
1 C chopped pecans
For filling: stir chocolate chips, cream and coffee granules in heavy saucepan over medium heat until chocolate melts and coffee dissolves. Cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes. Using electric mixer, beat sugar, butter and vanilla in bowl until blended. Beat in chocolate mixture. Refrigerate until beginning to firm up about 8 minutes. Can be make ahead and refrigerated. If you make it ahead you will need to allow it to stand at room temperature until just soft enough to spread. (2 hours)
For cookies:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt into bowl. Using electric mixer, in another bowl beat butter and both sugars until well blended. Add egg, 2 t water, vanilla and instant coffee. Beat well. Stir in the flour mixture. STir in chocolate chips and nuts. Drops by tablespoonful onto prepared sheets, spacing about 2" apart. Bake until tops are just tirm to touch and no longer shiny, about 13 minutes. Cool on sheets 10 minutes and then transfer to racks to cool.
Place half of cookies, flat side up on work surface. Spread with 1 T of filling, leaving a 1/4" border. Top with second cooking, pressing to adhere. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours. Serve cookies cold.
Enjoy!
Now for the blog give-a-way. Add a comment regarding your favorite chocolate and if a specialty chocolate where you purchase it. Spread the chocolate love by sharing a website if possible. The random drawing will give the winner a few of our Chocolate/brown Silk 'n Colors and a tube of our German Chocolate Bath Salts. It smells SO GOOD that you may want to eat some good chocolate after your relaxing bath!! I'll do a random drawing on Friday!
Until Later,
Cecelia

Chocolate & Lace

2011-05-16T18:26:00.000-07:00

I've been learning how to make Bobbin Lace with a group of friends from my Weaving & Spinning Guild. I'm still at the baby-step beginning stages of learning so I can't show you any wonderful lace, just yet. However I wanted to share these beautiful bobbins that I just had painted by an artist in the UK. She called them 'Chocolate & Lace' because they have the wonderful chocolate swirls with lace painted on the top. Notice the tiny painted bead on the spangle. In addition, I had the bobbins inscribed with my Mother and Father's names and birthdates. There is hardly a word to describe their beauty. They are a true keepsake that I will enjoy using as I make bobbin lace. In case you are interested you can see other work by this artist at: www.janetretter.co.uk. Now a glimpse of my lace pillow and my current lace lesson which is called 'spiders'.

Notice all the different bobbins I am using. You also use many, many pins in the making of lace. I'll be excited to show you some real lace sometime in the future. It is all about thread I guess. . . .in stitching, lace making, weaving and of course all about color.

Do any of you also know how to make Bobbin Lace?

Watch for a delicious recipe for Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Cookies with Mocha Cream tomorrow and a chocolate give-a-way!

Still dyeing - threads that is,

Until Later,

Cecelia

Back to Colors - Simply Orange Today

2011-04-22T11:41:00.000-07:00

During Elizabethian times people who could wear orange were dicatated by English Law - called the Sumptuary Laws. Social standing and wealth as well as religious, biblical and Christian symbolism was reflected in this color which we call Orange. Orange is considered a symbol of courage. I love burnt orange, orange peel, peach, persimmon, phoenix rising, and orange essential oil. There are several types of orange essential oil and they all smell different from one another. Orange is the national colour of the NEtherlands. Orange Sun designates good weather on the Queen's Birthday which is coming up April 30th. Perhaps you've heard of William of ORange, the protestant English kind (1689-1702) who was the great-grandson of William the Silent (now isn't that an interesting title!). Orange is a sacred colour of Hinduism. We think of Orange and Brown when decorating for Thanksgiving. Orange is a favorite color around here and the orange hand above is our new logo (designed by Mariah, my daughter) for our line of exquisite Shea Body Butter.

Hope. . . .for Spring

2011-04-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Hope. . . .If winter comes can spring be far behind?

One of my favorite quotes and spring is here in Idaho! I loved smelling the spring hyacinths on my hands and knees as a little girl. I still love to smell them this same way - now I just make sure none of the neighbors are looking in my direction first. . . .I'm not as dainty as I used to be! I'm getting the garden seeds ready to plant also, starting a favorite black plum tomato variety and several kinds of hot and sweet peppers that you only get to enjoy if you start the plants yourself.

Thanks to all who wrote and took part in the blog contest honoring my Dad. A few wrote me privately about taking in dinner to a neighbor in need and other kind gestures. I agree with one comment that we should live each day doing nice things for others that take us to that higher level of living. I still believe in 'random acts of kindness' and 'paying it forward' when we either make an opportunity to give or take advantage of a situation we see as we are about our week. I put those names in a jar who either wrote on the blog or emailed me privately and the winner is. . . . .JoAnn of Des Moines. She wrote: "Our quilt guild is currently making quilts for the veterans at the Des Moines IA Facility. I was not personally acquainted with anyone there but I did have a good friend, Vernon Spinner, at the Marshalltown facility who passed away recently. His roommate, Henry Williams, came to the funeral bringing a letter he wished to have put in the casket. It stated: "Vernon Spinner was the world's best roommate." He also felt that Vernon was a gift from God. So in makng the quilt of red, white, blue and gold, I quilted "in appreciation for service to our country" and also included his other comments down the side. Yes, Henry and I both had tears in our eyes when I gave him the quilt last week."

I have JoAnn's Address since she wrote me an email privately and I will be sending out the Silk 'n Colors to her! Congratulations on being the winner of the contest. JoAnn. I imagine my Dad is smiling a big smile right now!

Keep stitching & giving.

Until later,

Cece

I Wish You Enough

2011-04-02T07:17:00.000-07:00

I Wish You Enough. . . .

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright

I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess

I wish you enough "hello's " to get you through the final "Good-bye"

We just buried a great man yesterday. The military honors were very touching. I had the great priviledge of having Gale Armond Allen as my Dad for nearly 56 years! He was 95 years old when he died. He was a 'pay it forward' kind of guy. Always generous, dependable, honest and always giving of his time and wordly goods to better someone else's life. In his honor I am giving away $95 (retail value) of Silk 'n Colors. However, the contest involves some 'pay it forward' on your part. Do some random act of kindness over the next couple of weeks and then return and share it on this post. I'll put those names who share their experiences in a jar and we'll do a random drawing. Spread some kindness in your small corner of our world.

Until Later,

Cece

Dyed On A Whim Packs - Inspiration

2011-02-14T06:55:00.000-08:00

December's Dyed On A Whim Pack with

Mary Klein's Stump Work!

Isn't this breathtaking! Mary belongs to our Monthly Club and this is what she did with December's Pack. I have never tried Stump Work, but now I am intrigued. Thanks Mary for sending in this photo.

Now a little information on the packs. This year I am selecting a photograph, piece of wrapping paper, paint chips, or anything else that catches my fancy as the color inspiration for that month. We always include Silk 'n Colors in each pack (at least one, but often two). Other ribbons and threads from our other lines are added. Sometimes I dye a special limited edition color, or hand dye lace. When I include beads they are a selection of many types and colors that blend with the threads. We figure the costs of the pack by taking our regular wholesale prices on the threads/beads/other items and adding $10. If the pack is selling to you at $35 then you are getting regular retail pricing of $50, for a savings of $15. Shipping is an additional $5 per month in the US for priority mail. You also have the choice of fabric included in the pack. This is quilting batiks, hand dyed velvet, silk dupioni etc. Crazy quilters love this option. The fabric is usually a size that would work to line a small needle book. Special offers and occasional little gifts also find their way into the packs. If you would be interested in joining us you can phone me at (208) 387-2641 or email me at: thethreadgatherer@msn.com We'd love to have you join the fun! Also, Happy Valentine's Day!

Miss Beatrice Hedgerow

2011-02-04T07:09:00.000-08:00

I guess I just used that womanly trait of 'changing my mind' today. I decided to go ahead and post the picture of Miss Beatrice Hedgerow. Truthfully, Picadilly Paisley and I (we're one in the same if you haven't read my previous post) have a couple of other offerings as well for market. More on them later. . .

Beatrice charms bees and gathers flowers. . . .sounds like a relaxing life if you ask me! Maybe not the bees, but I do love honey butter on fresh baked bread. I've been day dreaming of my vegetable and flower gardens. It is almost time to order my garden seeds. I hope to do this over this weekend.

Still dyeing - threads that is!

Cecelia

Who is Beatrice Hedgerow & Picadilly Paisley?

2011-01-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

For those of you that follow Jenny Bean - she now has a new friend, Beatrice Hedgerow, who charms bees and gathers flowers. She grew up in an old stone cottage in the English Countryside. She is designed by Picadilly Paisley (who also happens to be me). I'm designing a pattern here and there when not dyeing. . .threads that is. There is a larger companion sampler that will introduce Beatrice. I'm not showing it until market. This is Beatrice's Sewing Tray - "Now I know My ABC's". I have to give credit for the idea of the sewing tray to the Blackbird gals when they showed a sewing tray at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat!

I found the antique looking draw pulls at a restoration hardware online source and I think they are the perfect addition to give the sewing tray- handles! I'm working on some additional pieces to the sewing tray. It is stitched in Silk 'n Colors on 28 count Wheat by R&R Reproductions.

A slightly odd designing name I've chosen in Picadilly Paisley. I have a beloved Brittany Spaniel named 'Paisley' and Picadilly, well I just liked how they sound together!

Until Later,

Cecelia

Berryhill's Tomato and Basil Soup

2011-01-16T18:38:00.000-08:00

I love good recipes. I love to share them as well. I also love to receive a good recipe from someone, it is one of the best presents!! Today I'm sharing a recipe from a local catering company that was in our newspaper. It is truly a delicious Tomato Soup. Hope you enjoy. . .

Berryhill's Tomato & Basil Soup

2 ounces butter

2 cloves garlic

1/2 C yellow onion, diced

1/2 C leeks, finely diced (white part only)

1/2 C celery

2 ounces flour

1 pint vegetable or chicken broth

1 pint half and half

1 teaspoon worcestershire sauce

1 15-ounce can italian tomatoes crushed or diced

1 Tablespoon honey

salt and pepper to taste

Basil, fresh coarsely chopped

1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar

Directions:

In medium suacepan melt the butter over medium heat and add garlic, onion, celery and leek. Cook until tender. Add flour to make a roux, cooking a few minutes longer. Remove pan from heat and add broth, cream and worcestershire sauce, whisking together. REturn to heat and add tomatoes, honey, salt and pepper, basil and rice vinegar. Simmer for 20 minutes. Serve with additional basil chiffonade (finely shredded basil leaves).

I have also added a roasted red pepper chopped, thinly sliced zucchini and rice to this soup. This time we used fat free half and half which changed the 'look' of the soup but not really the overall taste. Real Half and Half gave it a more rich, even creamy look.

Until Later,

Cece

Needle Arts and Handmade Books

2011-01-14T05:26:00.000-08:00

Do you combine needle art with other creative interest? This book is something I taught at the Shepherd's Bush Retreat last September. It combines handmade fabric books, hand-dyed ribbons used in embellishment, cross stitch, pictures, pockets, favorite papers. Sometimes I even include needlepoint and punch needle! I will show more of the inside pages in another post. How many pillows and framed wall pieces can you have at one time in your house? If you are like me, wall space is at a premium at my house and I like to have other things on my walls besides all stitched pieces. So what to do with all the stitching you are doing? Some of it can find its way into handmade books that the recipient (or yourself) will treasure for many years to come. If you can't stand to put one actual piece in a book then take a good color photo of it and put it in the book! Some of you will have a heart attack here, but pick yourself off the floor and just consider that sometimes you have a framed piece that you no longer want to hang in your home. Cut it up and put it in a book!! Maybe this is enough for today!! I promise you that if you have a handmade book sitting on a coffee table or arranged on a shelf in your home on an easle type stand that people will simply 'have' to pick it up. They cannot stand it until they have looked inside!! More on these handmade books later. . .

I'm off to the dye pot. . .still not dyeing white!!

Cece

p.s. would you like to learn this concept?

Is White A Color?

2011-01-13T06:57:00.000-08:00

White as Snow. . .
White light. . . .
Winter White. . .
Snow on snow on snow. .
Walking on eggshells. . .
White fever. . .

White Sale. . .

White Creme de Menthe. . .

White Feather. . .

White as A sheet. . .

White Elephant. . .

White Friars. . .

White with Fear. . .

White Lie. . .
Phrases and words of white. But is white a color? Read an interesting discussion of this and yes white is a color. If you google "Is White A Color" maybe you'll get the same site I did on www.colormatters.com where there is an interesting article on this. I was unable to get the link to work. Sorry. Mary O'neill says this about white in her book: HAILSTONES & HALIBUT BONES
" White is a Dove
And lily of the valley
And a puddle of milk
Spilled in an alley -
A Ship's sail
A Kite's tail'A wedding veil
Hailstones and Halibut bones
And some people's
telephones.

White is marshmallow
And vanilla ice cream
And the part you can't remember

In a dream.
White is a pair of
Whispers talking.
White is the beautiful
Broken lace
Of Snowflakes falling
On your face."
I love white work, white lace edgings and all the 'shades' of white if you believe that there are 'shades of white'!!
I'm starting to plan my stitching projects for the coming weeks. Some are in getting ready for market that is in February. Others are for my pure enjoyment.
Do you think white is a color?

Our 3 winners for the Dec drawing are: Elizabeth Ann, Wendy, and Sudukc! The first one to email me also wins the extra item! Please email me your addresses so I can send out your items!
Not dyeing white today -
Cece

SLeep Tight Santa!

2010-12-29T20:17:00.000-08:00

Sleep Tight Until Next Year Dear Santa! As we wind down the old year I imagine Santa is getting ready for a well deserved winter's sleep. As this is my final post for this year I have a couple of give-a-ways!

Enter your comments on the following: What was your favorite Christmas as a child? Did you believe in Santa Claus?

I did definately believe in Santa. I remember one Christmas at my Grandparent's house in Buhl, ID. I was about 6. I was sent to bed so Santa could come. I was so excited I couldn't get to sleep. I was in a bedroom that was under the eves of the house. It was snowing and the wind was blowing. The branches of the ivy that clung to the window were shifting in the wind and lightly brushing the window. The moonlight streamed through the window above the bed. All at once I was sure I heard Santa's sleigh bells! I was thrilled beyond belief! Was it my Uncle with the sleigh bells? My vivid imagination? I never really knew, but it was a magical moment that I have never forgotten. Guess what I still believe in Santa. . . or the spirit of the giving of Santa. I think my favorite Christmas has to be the one I received my favorite doll, Nancy. I will post after Christmas about her. She rests in my cedar chest after all these years. I was 3.

What do you win? I have 3 packages of hand dyed silk threads (6-7 colors of about 2 yards each, with a coordinating ribbon and a Santa Beeswaxer). If you bend a piece of copper wire and heat it in a candle flame you can turn the Santa Beeswaxer into an ornament. One of the 3 winners will also receive the Un Natale Da Ricamare 2009 Booklet on Ornaments and recipes which I was a part of for several years. I will choose 3 winners and then draw one from those to also receive the book. I look forward to your stories of Santa and your favorite Christmas as a Child.

Blessings at this season -

Cece

White Sage & Angels

2010-12-29T08:45:00.000-08:00

White Sage & Angels

White Sage has been used for years in ceremonial purposes by Native American Indians for clearing negativity inside and outside ones self and dwelling places by the use of smudge sticks. Herbally speaking it has been used in steam to treat colds and respiratory ailments in sweat lodges. Bees love White Sage and native birds eat the seeds. It is made into herbal teas. Often quite pungent in smell, it can also be very soothing when not overpowering. In soap it is said to be a natural deodorizer so I think it makes a great kitchen and garden soap! I recently made two batches of new soap using White Sage Butter as well as our Shea Butter. White Sage Soap has a lovely, light herbal scent. Sage, Sweetgrass and Cedar Soap is 'pure heaven in the forest' type scent. Other soap scents are available on our www.soaponawhim.etsy site. We only have a few of our available scents listed even there at this time.

The Angel is a freebie design I made by importing a black and white ink angel photo I found into my cross stitch design program. Now for the deals:

If you'd like the free angel pattern you can send me a stamped, self addressed envelope. I'll mail you the free pattern for the angel.

The other 'deal' involves our soap and our threads. If you purchase any of our soap on our Etsy site or phone us to place a soap order you can add on to your soap order any of our threads or ribbons and we will discount them 50% off our suggested retail price. This deal is only available from today until January 3rd, 2011. You can go to our website www.threadgatherer.com to find our phone number or contact information. Remember that we usually have over 30 different scents available at any given time so you can ask us for scent families of citrus, spicy, floral, fresh, sweet etc. and we can tell you what is available at this time. So, try a great soap, (stitchers do like clean hands to stitch) and save on threads all just for followers of my blog! In addition, we will include your free Angel Pattern with any soap and thread orders.

All the best for the New Year!

I'm off to the dye pots!

Cece

More About Green

2010-12-27T19:14:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the long delay. . .it has been a hectic month. I loved all the recipes, and we are gradually trying each of them. Although we did have our open house it was without homemade cookies except for my springerle that I had made early Dec. We had a flooded kitchen. . . .if you do not know how to turn off your water at the main turnoff at the street I recommend it!! I did not, and the turnoff valve for the hot water under my kitchen sink was corroded till it would not move and after 10 minutes of steaming water you can imagine what my kitchen looked like. A ruined hard wood floor, etc. Luckily my neighbor was home and knew how to turn off the water. It turned my December upside down in one afternoon. Anyway, now for some good news. Carol you won the cookie contest blog give-a-way! Please email me your address so I can send you $50 in greens (silk 'n colors!!). Carol submitted a Chocolate Candy Cane Cookie Recipe and she was the chosen comment #.

I forgot that I started spotlighting green earlier in the year. I guess I'm just now finishing 'green' up! Now for some information on green:

The symbolic meaning is renewal of life and nature.

Green has a Biblical meaning and is the Christian color for the season of Ephiphany.

There are many cheap dyes and plants that produce a variety of green colors.

Green is closely associated with the medieva legend of Robin Hood.

Green is said to be the most restful color for the human eye. Some say that green can soothe pain and has great healing power.

I hope you had a lovely and restful Christmas.

Dyeing - threads that is - until later. . .

Cece

December Greens

2010-12-01T18:22:00.000-08:00

Welcome December! I couldn't decide on a color for this month - between red and green so I will feature both. . . .and most likely white since we are having beautiful winter weather here in Idaho.

I love feather trees! One of my favorite ones is our minty green feather tree which we always decorate with our bird ornaments.

What colors come to mind with green? Mint, forest, olive, fern, pine, chartreuse, spruce, grass, holiday green, leaf green, and moss. Do you decorate with greens for Christmas, have a fresh tree, or bake green cookies?

The winner of our NOVEMBER CONTEST was comment #3 by MARGARET!! Please email me your address so I can send out your fall stitching packet! My email is thethreadgatherer@msn.com

Now, for a December contest: Leave me a comment with your favorite cookie recipe. Can you tell I'm looking for a new recipe to try? This is worth $50 in Silk 'n Colors for the winner - all in some of my favorite 'greens'. We'll pick this winner on December 5th!! So don't delay as I need a new recipe before Dec 8th as we are having a soap and body butter open house on the 12th!

More later as I'm now dyeing - green that is.

Cece

Simple Joys

2010-11-14T16:18:00.000-08:00

Simple Joys, the evening sun glimmers through yellow leaves against a steel blue-gray sky. Such is an autumn evening in November. Other moments of simple abundance I found this week included a short stop in an antique store. Browsing the past, looking for old block type and looking at faces in old pictures. Wondering what life was like for them as n'er a smile ever crosses the faces of the pictures of that era. What simple joys do you savor in life? You can win the Dyed on a Whim pack featured in the picture if your comment is chosen. I won't judge the comment itself, simply choosing a number from the comments left. Please list a minimum of 5 things you find as 'simple joys' or 'life savors'. I can't wait to hear from you.

You can join our monthly Dyed On A Whim Club and receive packs such as the one we are giving away. (this was our last pack for November). ALways color coordinated, always filled with wonderful threads for stitching and embellishment. Sometimes includes limited edition colors such as the hand-dyed lace this month. You can email me from the website or at: thethreadgatherer@msn.com if you'd like more information on our club.

Until Later,

Cecelia

Freedom is Not Free

2010-11-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

I copied this picture from my inbox today as it tells a poignant story. I also wanted to share a recent article from our local newspaper. It brought me to tears.

Stephanie Cook wrote the following: "I had the priviledge of going to a football game a few weekends ago, a professonal game where all the fans are sitting and cheering their heroes on the field. Little did I know that I was sitting three seats down from a real hero. His name is Aaron and he was at the game with his parents. The seats they were in were donated by season ticket holders so Aaron could go with his parents to see a professional game. Aaron sat very quietly down from his mom and dad and didn't say much, but as his father talked to the people in front of him I learned a lot about Aaron. He was shot while in Afghanistan and had been in San Francisco for two months rehabbing at the VA. His folks were hoping to take him home to Utah in the next couple of weeks. At one point Aaron needed to get up and walk, and his father had to help him. As he passed in front of my husband and me, I was able to see the immense scar that ran down from his neck along his spine. I helped to steady him as he stumbled as his legs didn't work all that well. The young man looked no more than 22, and as he passed by me, I was so humbled by all that he had given for his country and for our freedom. I marveled at all that he sacrificed so that I can live in comfort and security. So to Aaron, my hero in Seat 5 in Section 35 in Candlestick Park, thank you for braving the horror of war, for defending what you believe in, and for coming home. But most of all thank you for making me realize just how much I really do have in my life. Freedom isn't free. It is bought and paid for on the backs of young men and women."

So today, I too am thinking about Aaron and the countless others who lost their lives preserving the freedoms that I enjoy. There aren't words to express my gratitude and may I never forget. . .

Until Later,

Cece

A November give-a-way is coming up in the next couple of days!

Happy Halloween & Blog Winner!

2010-10-31T11:32:00.000-07:00

This is another example of using our hand-dyed velvet ribbon with cross stitch. You can stitch your selected word or words and then hang silver soldered charms/silver charms or whatever you wish off the ribbon. I can see a skelton key and other found objects used this way as well.

Happy Halloween! This year I didn't do too much with our porch decor as we are putting the carved pumpkins on our balcony. I love winding colored wire and using it for a quick pumpkin decorating idea.

Thanks to all who entered the blog contest. I was going to draw tomorrow morning but last night my daughter was in an auto accident involving my car (no one hurt and the other people's fault) so best outcome for the situation in my opinion! I will be busy with work and getting the car fixed/dealing with insurance etc. so I will be busy tomorrow morning. Number 6 comment is the winner. So if Natasha will email me at thethreadgatherer@msn.com with your address I will send out your package!!

I enjoyed reading your Halloween quotes which you shared!

I'll be posting another blog contest early in November. Be thinking about those moments, food, etc that you find are 'Life Savors'. I will be asking you to comment with at least five to be entered in the contest. I will probably include them in an upcoming newsletter. I do a Life Savors Section each time I release a newsletter. Here are a few of ones that I am thinking of this time of year:

1. Hot Apple Cider & Homemade donuts. . .

2. Harvest Moons. . .

3. Skeleton Keys & Old Doors. . .

4. A fresh bouquet of flowers. . .

5. Finding a deserted bird's nest

6. Making homemade jerky

7. A new candle. . .

8. A written note from a friend. . .

Start thinking of some of your life savors so you can share them with us and possibly win the November drawing.

Dreaming in Color Until Later,

Cece

All About Orange

2010-10-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

Brittany Spaniels are referred to as Orange And White and this is our beloved, Copper, now an avid bird dog and hunting companion.

Never, ever tell a beautiful strawberry blond haired gal that they have orange hair - never!! I have to admit that I covet the beautiful hair of my daugher, Maritta on the right and my granddaughter, Sophie on the left in the funky orange hat.
Maritta is Sophie's Aunt even though they look like they could be mother and daughter.

Pumpkin, Copper, Brass, Apricot, Tangerine, Blood Orange, Carnelian, Terra Cotta, Peach, Rust . . .
All names we give to the many shades and hues of that elusive color orange. This color perhaps sparks more controversy in color than any other hue. It is a 'love', 'hate' type of color response. You must agree, however, that it radiates energy. When you add a little white or black to orange we get colors that have broad appeal such as terra cotta or peach. Physically orange stimulates creativity, appetite and encourages socialization. Some interesting facts I found on orange:
Orange is the color of the sacral Chakra, also know as Svadhisthana. This charka is located beneath the naval, close to the genitals. This sacral chakra is linked to the sexual organs and reporductive system. Opening this Charka will free fertility and inherent creativity.
Gemstones that aid this Charka include carnelian and orange agate.

American Indians associate the color orange with kinship.
In Ireland, the use of orange dates from the reign of William of Orange, the protestant English King and a Dutch Standholder.
In China and Japan orange is used to symbolize happiness and love.
Orange is the national color of the Netherlands because its royal family owns the principality of Orange.
"Orange Blossom Special" was a song by Johnny Cash

Orange can grow on you I believe. I used to think I didn't like orange too much and now it is one of my favorite colors!

Velvet Ribbon for Finishing

2010-10-27T13:42:00.000-07:00

Here is the hanging pumpkin I stitched on 19-ct linen using my Silk 'n Colors. I used two piece of foam core (1/4"). I laced the cross stitch to one piece and glued a piece of hand dyed wool fabric (felt like) to the other piece. I then glued them wrong sides together, covered with a clean cloth and weighted them until glue dried. I rusched our hand dyed 1" velvet ribbon. I used several left over pieces in various colors. You need about a total of 4 x the length you are trying to cover with rusched ribbon. Thus, if I needed 40" around the entire piece I would have used about 160" of ribbon. I use either beading thread or sewing thread to do the rusching. Knot the end of your thread and begin at either side at the bottom of your ribbon. You will be sewing in your gathering stitches along the length of the ribbon. Begin taking small running stitches with the thread working in a zig-zag fashion from left-to-right or right-to-left depending upon which side you begin at. After you have stitched about 6" of zig zag lines in running stitches, gather this up. It is beautiful isn't it and oh so easy. Continue your zig zag running stitches until you have rusched enough ribbon to cover the area you are covering. The length of your stitches as well as space between stitches determines the end result of your rusching. The important thing is to keep your stitches the same spacing, and the zig zags the same size. Since I used different colors I did them each as separate pieces. You will need to securely knot your thread at the end (I like to do a tacking stitch) to hold all of your gathers together! I used a good tacky fabric glue to glue the ribbon around my cross stitch piece.

To hang the piece I formed a hanger out of copper wire and added ribbons tied onto the wire. I coiled the wire around a pencil to give the handle a couple of interesting designs.

If you'd like a free copy of this pattern just send me a stamped/self addressed envelope. I also stitched it as a white pumpkin and it was cute that way also. I'll post a picture of this as a white pumpkin in a day or two.

Ribbon for rusching is aavailable to purchase directly from us retail mailorder. Call me at our number on our website: www.threadgatherer.com or email me from our website. I usually have many colors available. The velvet ribbon is $3.00 a yard for the 1". You can also rusch our 7mm ribbon and this is a beautiful sachet or pinkeep finish.

Until Later,

Cece

A conversation with a Black Bird -

2010-10-26T11:41:00.000-07:00

Tell Me Dear Bird Friend -

How can I use Velvet Ribbon in finishing my needlework?

Our next blog will be a show-and-tell.

In the meanwhile, don't forget to enter out contest to win the handmade soap and Silk 'n Colors. You need to leave a comment on the previous post. I'm drawing next Monday morning. . . .

Until later -

Cece

Anise Blood Orange Soap & Thread Give-A-Way

2010-10-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

Since it is Orange and Black this month, I am having a give-a-way!

You will receive the last bar of handmade soap I have left of my Halloween Soap of the Month. This one is scented with our own mix of Blood Orange, White Pepper and Anise. It is a nice scent and the glycerin soap contains Hemp seeds for exfolliation and give you a nice lather. In addition, you will receive a few Silk 'n Colors in Ink Black and the orange family. How to win? Leave a comment with your favorite Halloween poem or quote. I'll do a random drawing. I'll announce the winner on Monday morning. Good luck!

October Orange

2010-10-17T11:57:00.000-07:00

It is the month of Orange and Black. Popcorn balls were always a favorite treat at my Grandmother's House on Halloween Night. My recipe uses Jello so you can change the flavor and color as you wish.

Jello Popcorn Balls

1 1/4 C Popcorn, popped

1 Cup white Karo Syrup

1 Cup white sugar

1 C miniature Marshmallows

1/2 C butter

1 3-oz pkg. jello

Pop corn and set aside in large bowl. In sauce pan combine sugar, karo syrup and butter. Heat over medium heat until butter melts. Stir in dry jello and continue stirring until all sugar is melted. Add Marshmallows and stir to melt. Pour over popcorn and combine. Form popcorn balls if desired, or allow to set up and break into pieces.

Limeade Ice Cream

2010-07-21T04:41:00.000-07:00

Limeade Ice Cream - Tart and refreshing. A science teacher made Ice Cream with his High School students and this was his recipe. I made it neon green. My first taste was 'tart' but 'interesting' and I thought, "Not overly sweet!" and then I had one of those "Oh No" moments, as I'd forgotten the sugar!! There wasn't time to make it again before Mariah and her friends arrived so I did the only thing I could - stirred in the sugar - after the churning! Three hours later when the Kids arrived for ice cream it was smooth and creamy - no grains of sugar!

Limeade Ice Cream

2 3-oz pkgs. of instant lemon pudding

1 Cup Sugar

1 Quart Half 'n Half

1 12-oz can frozen limeade

1 12-oz can Evaporated Milk

Green Food Coloring

1 2-liter bottle of Lemon-Lime Soda

Combine the pudding mix, sugar, half and half, evaporated milk and limeade in your ice cream freezer bowl. Stir until limeade has dissolved. Add lemon lime soda to the fill mark on your ice cream freezer. You won't use all of the soda. Freeze according to your ice cream maker's directions using rock salt and ice. Makes 4 quarts.

Popular Phrases that Include Green

2010-07-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

First an image from our Idaho Mountain adventure in panning for Gold. We had a few days of vacation with Giulia Manfredini of Punti Antichi Designs and her husband and daughter who were visiting us from Italy! (L to R) is my daugher, Mariah, her boyfriend, Jordan, Mario and Giulia. It was a great day even though we didn't find any gold!

If you are not familiar with Giulia's designs you must visit her website at: www.puntiantichi.com She designs exquisite 3-dimensional pieces.

Now for a few popular phrases that include the word 'green':

Get the Green light. . .
Green Corn. . .
Green Thumb. . .
Green Room. . .
Greenback. . .
Greener Pastures. . .
Green with Envy. . .
Greenhorn. . .
Green around the gills. . .
Turn Green. . .
Going Green. . .

How green affects us physically:
Soothes
Relaxes mentally as well as physically
Helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety
Offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony.

Green was a sacred color to the Egyptians representing the hope and joy of Spring.

More on Green later. . . .
Cecelia

Going Green

2010-07-12T07:12:00.000-07:00

It is not hard to guess from the pictures that this month my blogs for the most part will be about the color green. Top picture is from my garden, and I love the chartreuse plant with the purple flowers. The bottom picture was taken while up in the Idaho Mountains this past week. I'll post pictures of this in the next day or two and tell you who was with me in the mountains!! For now, back to green. Cool Mint, Ivy, Seaweed, Olive, Camouflage, Leaf Green, Grass Green, Spearmint, Pond Scum, Moss, Chartreuse - just a few names of green that come to mind for me.

Did you know that there are 5 towns named Bowling Green, 10 named Greenfield, 2 named Greenleaf (one is in Idaho), 12 Greenville and one Green Acres in Florida. I remember another Green Acres from TV. More on Green Later.

The winner of the Red Violin Movie is Missy aka Birdy. You must be an amazing stitcher at age 109!! I loved that. Anyway, please email me your address so I can send you your prize. Missy also gets another gift included of my recent limited edition thread pack! In addition, there were 4 others who left comments. I've decided to send each of you other four the limited edition thread pack also! I am feeling generous today I guess. My email address is: thethreadgatherer@msn.com

You all are correct that the blood of his wife/lover was used to color the violin Red. It was a little shocking the first time I saw the movie! I missed the part where he used her hair to make the brush to apply the blood so I must watch it again soon! Thanks for all your comments.

Until Later,

Cecelia

Red Tails & Red Violins

2010-06-30T20:10:00.000-07:00

I was going to post a picture of my African Grey's Red Tail, but time is running short since I had a stressful day - not one of those Red Letter Days you enjoy having. It began with my Brittany Puppy of 11 months eating some of my husband's blood pressure medicine. A mad dash to the veterinarian to get Paisley to throw up took up most of my morning. I'm happy to report that she is fine tonight.

I was going to post a poem on Red from my favorite children's book - which I cannot find now that I am looking for it! I'll locate it later and share some of the poetry. I'm seeing 'red' as I can't find it!

Izzy, the African Grey would love me to hold her so I'm going to do that instead of making her pose for a picture.

I am, however, going to write about one of my favorite movies: The Red Violin. Since I play the violin it makes it even more interesting. Maybe I'll hold Izzy and watch the movie! Have you seen it? It is an epic adventure of mystery and obsession around a one-of-a-kind, red violin and the lives of all who touched it.

Now for the fun. Guess what was used to make the violin 'red' in color and I will draw from those who leave a comment with the correct answer. You have to accept my version of what they used to color it since I control the contest! The winner wins a copy of this wonderful movie. Good luck and post your guess in the comment section.

We are off tomorrow to another color.

Until Later,
Cecelia

Gift of Threads

2010-06-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

This Lovely heart graces the blog of a recent follower! Since it is Red (and White) and is a heart, and checkerboard as well, I think the owner of this blog deserves to win the gift of threads (Red Threads of course) I am giving away this month. So, If Colorado Blogger will contact me via email to give me her address I will package up a nice red package, filled with red threads and other red goodies in celebration of our Month of Red in June!

Pass the word about the blog as I am going to give a huge thread give-a-way when we reach 100 followers! In the meanwhile, we will continue to explore color, and I will find some interesting items to give away on my blog!

By the way, wish you were here to taste the salmon - it is delicious. . .

Until Another Day, Cecelia

Smoked Salmon Recipes

2010-06-24T12:14:00.000-07:00

I remembered that I have two recipes that are equally wonderful for smoked salmon. The first one is more of a Teriyaki Salmon and the second one is from my Son, Gage, who is a terrific cook and this is his personal recipe. Enjoy!

Teriyaki Smoked Salmon

2 C Soy Sauce
1/4 C salt
1/2 C brown sugar
1 C water
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp black pepper (fine grind)
1 C white wine (dry to medium)
1/2 - 1 tsp. poultry seasoning

Combine and stir until salt and sugar dissolve. Cover salmon with brine and refrigerate for 8-12 hours. Wash brine off and put salmon on racks to air dry for 1-2 hours or until a shiny skin look (dried brine) forms. Spray racks with pam or use foil. Smoke 5-8 hours at 130 degrees using soaked wood chips with your smoker 3-4 times. You will have to adjust cooking time to the degree of moistness or dryness you like in your smoked salmon.

Gage's Smoked Salmon

32-oz apple juice
2/3 C kosher salt
1/3 C brown sugar
1 teaspoon allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 whole cloves
1/4 tsp paprika
2 teaspoon dried onions
1 clove garlic, minced
1 sprig each of fresh lavender, sage, rosemary and a couple of bay leaves
Use fresh herbs if possible and dry bay leaves unless you are lucky enough to have a Bay Tree!

Brine fish in brine for 24 hours. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Smoke fish at 140 degrees for 2-3 hours or unil done. Fill smoker pan with wood chips a couple of times. This is based on using salmon fillets. Thicker pieces will require longer cooking time.

Enjoy!

Until Later,
Cecelia

Strawberry Jam

2010-06-23T14:56:00.001-07:00

It's that time of year - Strawberry Season. I made Strawberry Jam yesterday, the same way my Mother made it before me. Strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, fruit pectin and White Karo Syrup to keep the crystals from forming in the freezer. As I crushed the fruit I thought of all the times I helped My Mom make this same jam. . . .and I am thankful I learned to make homemade jams and jellies. For freezer jam we simply used the recipe on the MCP packet. Perhaps some of you have a favorite recipe for Jam. I have one I love for Apricot Jam that I will share during July even though we won't be blogging about Orange that month! Naturally I had to taste my Jam before I froze it!

Tomorrow I'll post a recipe for another 'red' food we are smoking today - fresh Salmon just in from Alaska. It is a wonderful recipe so check back tomorrow.

Until Later,

Cecelia

Red-Letter Days

2010-06-13T15:27:00.001-07:00

Red-Letter Days

The origin of Red-Letter days was written about in The Boke of Eneydos from 1490: "We wryte yet in oure kalenders the hyghe festes wyth rede lettres of coloure of purpre."

This transcribes to writing church festivals in red on calenders and more recently, any special day.

We are having a Red Letter Day in our family this weekend with the Wedding of a Grandson.

Another interesting quote from Aesop's Fables:

"A truthful Man, finding a musial instrument in the road, asked the name of it, and was told that it was a fish-horn. The nex time he went fishing he set his nets and blew the fish-horn all day to charm the fish into them; but at nightfall there were not only no fish in his nets, but none along that part of the coast. Meeting a friend while on his way home he was asked luck he had had. "Well," said the Trughtul Man, "the weather is not right for fishing, but it's a red-letter day for music".

What Red-Letter days do you carry in your heart of memories? I carry those days where my children were born or came into my life, saying good-byes to old friends and family at the gravesite, saying goodbye to my childhood home when it was sold. Some happy, some sad, but all moments in time that have made my life. Marriage, grandchildren, first days of school, Christmas' of past, a memory of a day at church. . . . moments that make a life.

Spend a few moments writing about your Red-Letter Days.

Until Later,
Cecelia

The Perfect Red

2010-06-06T12:17:00.000-07:00

Did you know that we can distinguish a single shade of color from the millions of colors in our world? Red, it seems is a very important color. "We roll out the red carpet, catch crooks red-handed, and dread getting caught in red tape. We stop at red lights, ignore red herrings, and celebrate red-letter days. Depending on our political persuasions, we wave the red flag or fear the red in the bed. When hot rage overpowers us, we say we see red." This quote is from a favorite book:

The color red is an ancient one and the quest for the 'perfect red' is a story that fascinates. Did you know that the bug Cochineal was the answer to this quest for the perfect red? "The History of this mad race for cochineal is a window onto another world - a world in which red was rare and precious, a source of wealth and power for those who knew its secrets. To obtain it, men sacked ships, turned spy, and courted death." This is their story.

You will not be sorry if you purchase the book by Amy Butler Greenfield.

More on Red Later. . .
Cecelia

The Color Red

2010-05-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

A portion of each month's blogs will be about what my life is immersed in. . . color. In June, I will share some of my thoughts and creative endeavors using red. You probably think it is my favorite color. . . when in actuality it is my least favorite color, (at least to wear).

A friend's posting of color names we give to red included: Burgandy, Carmine, Chinese Red, Crimson, Faded Rose, Flame Red, Maroon, Ruby, Scarlet, Naples Red, Cherry, Blood Red, Vermillion, Cardinal, Poppy and Lobster. I've already had some memories come to mind just from the mention of the name. For instance, the first time I tasted Lobster, the episode when my Aunt and her boyfriend faked a car accident with ketchup for blood, and scared my Mom, Grandmother and Aunts, making Strawberry Jam, and my first Red Rose. What memories of Red come to your mind? Here are some reds (among other colors) that I've been dyeing. The silk throwsters waste and cocoons are wonderful for creative embellishment. Our Elegance Velvet Ribbons is 'to dye for'.

Hope For Spring

2010-02-05T06:38:00.000-08:00

Hope is such a powerful word. I am dreaming of spring's tender green shoots, no glimpses as yet in the dark brown earth, but I know they are waiting. . . .

This yearning for green was evident in a recent dye day:

I follow a couple of blogs. One of my favorite being Tongue in Cheek. She recently wrote about medals and how we all deserve one. I loved her words: "For waking up in the morning and putting our best foot forward. For stopping and listening to a child when we are in a hurry. For loving one another even when we would rather turn our backs. For believing that darkness never conquers."

Simply wonderful words for a bleak day in Midwinter as I dream of green.

Until later.
Cecelia

Autumn's Beauty

2009-11-09T20:56:00.001-08:00

The tall grasses glisten in mornings first light. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful!

The warm, barefoot days of summer give way to the cool winds of Autumn,
Calling the wild to flight and the leaves to dance.
-Cecelia Stricklin

I'll be posting the tutorial on how to rusche ribbon this weekend.

Until Later,
Cecelia

Creative Cuts & More Mega Recipe Blog Hop

2009-11-09T06:06:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the blog hop that features the Apron Holiday Treats Recipe Kit. I loved the Treasured Family Recipes Blog Hop yesterday! As part of the celebration, Creative Cuts & More will be having a six day sale. 20% off the entire store -but only for six days! Make sure you enter the code: recipebloghop2009 during checkout.

In addition, each day there is a give-a-way. There is a twist however, go through the blog hop and leave comments for the designers and then return to www.diecutdiva.com. INSTEAD of leaving a comment, you need to share a recipe to have a chance at winning the kit. If you share the recipe on your blog and link back you get a second chance to win the daily kit. Lets make this a great recipe swap.

If you aren't arriving here from http://closeyourears.blogspot.com/ you can start the blog at: www.diecutdiva.com Haven't the designers done a fantastic job! I'm lookin forward to trying some great new recipes. I loved the paper and embellishments in our kit. I've used three additional hand-dyed ribbons on my aprons. Rusched ribbon adds a look of elegance and is quick and easy. If you don't know how to rusche ribbon, check back to my blog at the end of the week for a tutorial.

I made a pocket out of the extra paper included with your kit. The rusched ribbon is our hand-dyed ribbon from Thread Gatherer and may be special ordered from Creative Cuts and More. The Pink Ribbon is also from Thread Gatherer and is called Savoir Faire. The button and hand dyed wool is from my stash and I purchased the white tag from my local scrapbooking store.

For the Red Pocket Page I used the additional striped paper found in your kit along with the red Silken Ribbons 7mm from your kit. The 1/2" hand-dyed silk satin ribbon is #25 Forest of Greens from Thread Gatherer and may be ordered from Creative Cuts and More. Form the wreath after rusching the ribbon.

My cover Apron Page for the Album uses paper and diecuts found in your kit along with the remaining red ribbon found in your kit. i just loved the cookie cutter charms and die cut Gingerbread man. I made the apron tie at the top with the same Savoir Faire pink ribbon I used on the pink page. The only other item not found in your kit that I used was Sticklers Glitter Glue from Ranger.

Many thanks again to Terry of Creative Cuts and More for making this possible. Now your next stop is Cambria Turnbow

I'm sharing a recipe I received from a neighbor when I was about 12 (42 years ago!) It was a family recipe for Bretzeli. You will need either a pizelle or krumkake iron. I use an electric iron.

Bretzeli

8 large eggs
1 1/2 Cups butter
3 1/4 Cups granulated sugar
1/2 C whipping cream (not whipped)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 large lemon, juiced
grated zest/rind from the lemon
1/2 teaspoon lemon extract
9 2/3 Cups flour, sifted

Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the whipping cream and grated lemon rind. To the lemon juice add water (if necessary) to make 1/4 Cup liquid. Add to mixture and beat well. Stir in extract. Sift 4 cups flour, baking powder and salt. Add to the butter and sugar mixture. Stir in remaining flour, 3/4 cup at a time until a stiff dough forms. You may not use the entire 5 2/3 Cups flour. LEt stand overnight, covered in the refrigerator.

Heat your krumkake iron. Form about 1 tsp of dough into a ball and place on middle (slightly more toward the back). Close the iron and bake for 30-40 seconds. You do not want the cookies to be too brown so you may have to adjust baking time according to your iron. This recipe makes a large amount of cookies so plan on a couple of hours of baking time. They freeze well.

Hand-dyed Ribbons & Silk Carrier Rods and Scrapbooking

2009-11-09T05:56:00.001-08:00

Today I am posting a scrapbook page I designed using many of my hand-dyed ribbons and a hand-dyed silk carrier rod (one of the lower right hand squares). Incorporating beautiful ribbons that are hand-dyed into scrapbooking is something we at The Thread Gatherer enjoy. Tomorrow I am involved in a blog hop being put on by Creative Cuts and More. Besides seeing a variety of ways to use the Apron Holiday Kit from Creative Kits and More there will also be the sharing of some favorite holiday treats! So come back to the blog hop tomorrow!

Visit from A Ghostly Couple

2009-11-01T06:31:00.000-08:00

I must share a timely visit on Halloween Night from a friendly Ghost Couple (also known as my daughter Mariah and her boyfriend Jordan). I told Jordan that he'd better watch the other 'ghosts' as they'll all be floating around Mariah! They make quite an attractive ghost couple - don't you think?

Halloween 2009

2009-10-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

I love Halloween and always think of Halloweens as a child, as we walked through the dry leaves on those bone chilling nights. It was always so pitch black and spooky to me. We visited my Aunt Ruth's house each year for a homemade popcorn ball. She made a huge pan of them for trick-or-treaters. Something of the long ago past. . . .the giving of handmade treats.

I love my feather trees and decorating for Halloween is no exception. SO I'm sharing my pictures of our decorated tree this year.

Happy Spooky Halloween!