Persistence Pays Off

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!