Handmade Kindle Rest

There were a lot of good guesses on my previous post. I think Miz Lori gets the prize for ingenuity, LOL! Well, the title of this post and the photo below ought to clear up the mystery for you.

It’s a Kindle rest that I use at our kitchen table for reading!  And here’s my long-winded story about how it was created.

Can You Guess What It Is?

Would you like to hazard a guess on what I created in my studio room? Go on - guess! Hint: I created this back in January and have been using every day since then.

I'll post the answer this weekend!

Photo Challenge: Red

It’s time for another Brenda Photo Challenge! This is our February challenge, so we’re celebrating with a Red theme!

We visited a fall festival last year at a nearby Tennessee town. We had a great time, visiting at various craft booths, eating tasty barbeque, and listening to down-home country music. We were surrounded with old-fashioned, small town charm! A bushel basket of fresh red apples greeted us at the entrance gate. This image was captured with a little Nikon Coolpix S8000, and settings of f/4.4, 1/200 second, and ISO 100.

When we traveled in late 2009 over to Frankfort, Tennessee, we also visited the cute-as-a-button town of Leipers Fork. The exterior of an antique store with chippy red paint and a rusted Coca-Cola sign pulled me in for a photo shoot. This image was recorded with a Nikon D90, with settings of f/9, 1/320 second, and ISO 200. I applied a Topaz Adjust plug-in filter in Photoshop to emphasis the grittiness.

I took a special picture for this challenge and composed it in my studio room. In front is a vintage hobnail milk glass, filled to the brim with red perle cotton balls (used for redwork embroidery). An antique wooden spool cabinet serves as a backdrop. I found this Coats & Clark treasure on a vacation trip many years ago in Maine. I used my little Nikon Coolpix S8000 for the photo. The sidelight from the only window in the room was a bit intense. But I was trying to go a little bit artsy with this composition! I heavily desaturated the image and selectively emphasized the red cotton threads. The camera settings were f/4.6, 1/25 second, and ISO 400.

Now that you have seen my contributions to the challenge, please click on the link at the beginning of this post and find some other great Red images!

Grey Havens Christmas – Big Trees

We made room for two skinny Christmas trees this year at our new downsized home. This one is in the dining room, right next to the windows. It is decked with a wide assortment of Santa ornaments, mostly Hallmark ones that I have been collecting for over 25 years. Nearby is an ancient Jackson press cabinet which holds an assortment of blue and grey pottery. The bright red candlestick is a pottery piece that we adopted during our recent Seagrove trip. Peeking out from behind the tree is one of my numerous needlework sampler pictures which hang throughout our home.

The second tree is located in our cozy great room. Hubby declares that this is his favorite tree! Mine too! It is completely covered with handmade ornaments, primarily of the needlework variety. I created over 95% of the ornaments, with the remainder made by friends. (Please pardon my flat lighting, but virtually no daylight reaches this room and I had to use the dreaded flash on my camera.) A little angel bear that we purchased at a local craft show graces the top of the tree.

I used to be a member of a local needlework club. When I first joined, I got inspired to create a bevy of Christmas ornaments after admiring another member’s tree. Some of these ornaments are 20 years old now! Most were created with counted thread patterns. But other needlework techniques are also represented, including silk ribbon, needlepoint, crazy quilting, handanger, and beading.

There are also a few folded star balls that I made with fabric in my stash. If you are not handy with a needle and thread, you can certainly create those! Every year when I decorate this tree, I shake my head in amazement at the hundreds of hours of work that went into creating these treasures! Ah, the memories! I still stitch up a few now and then, but I have slowed down considerably now that arthritis has settled into my hands and my eyesight has gotten dim with time. This tree is also running out of room!

Stitches in Time

We’re still in the unpacking phase, but it is largely under control right now. We have both vehicles comfortably parked in the garage. Chaos is being replaced with order. Yeah! Opening up boxes, taped many months ago, has been the equivalent of an archeological dig. We also wrapped up many of our pictures with heavy brown kraft paper. So each unwrapping of a frame is like being reunited with an old friend.

I promised myself that I would get my office shelves decorated this past weekend with various treasures. Mission accomplished! To make the arrangements more interesting, I decided to include a few small frames, filled with my photographs or needlework. As I unwrapped the treasure shown above, I took notice of when I stitched it: 20 years ago this month. Little did I know then, what would transpire in those intervening years. Heavens, time sure has flown by!

This is an old sampler pattern (at least it’s old now!) by Sheepish Designs called “Meg’s Bunny”. It is stitched with cotton floss on linen fabric and mounted in a frame about 8 inches square. In researching the pattern, I discovered that I modified it a bit. That is not surprising, actually. Over the years I have changed many patterns a bit as I stitched them. I guess I like them a little bit unique! It’s rather funny to see my fondness for creatures like rabbits and birds goes back that far.

Did you notice the beautiful blue cloth underneath the sampler? It is a small table scarf, handwoven long ago by my mother-in-law. The pattern is called “wheel of time”. It takes great skill and patience to thread a loom and weave with very fine warp and weft threads in an overshot pattern like this. For many years, she was the head of the handweaving department at Berea College in Kentucky, and she was a professional weaver. So she knew her craft well! I would have loved to have met her, but she passed away about a decade before I met my sweet fella.

I thought you might like seeing a couple of our handmade treasures and knowing a little bit of their history. And thank you for indulging me as I reminisce!

Photo Challenge: Circles

Time for a new Brenda Photo Challenge! The theme is Circles. Our current challenge hostess, Jeanette of Net on the Net, picked the theme. Thank you, Jeanette!

The Capitol building in Colonial Williamsburg is quite impressive. The structure has two round-shaped wings, each with large circular windows. We enjoyed a harpsichord concert one magical evening, with these round windows as a backdrop to the musician playing the role of Peter Pellum, an 18th century composer. Important history was made at this Capitol building. On May 15, 1776, Virginia’s legislators unanimously adopted a resolution declaring their independence from England, two months before the Continental Congress in Philadelphia adopted the Declaration of Independence.

The photo was taken at f/7.1, 1/100 second, and ISO 200.

These canteens hang in Colonial Williamsburg’s warehouse for military equipment and gunpowder. Known as the Magazine, this building dates back to 1716. Over the years, it has been used as a market place, church, and storage space for military supplies during the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.

The camera settings were f/4.8, 1/13 second, and ISO 800.

I am making some lavender sachets and decided to use fabric yo-yos for embellishment. I picked an assortment from my fabric scrap pile, mostly consisting of hand-dyed Bali cotton, and quickly stitched up this lovely pile! Don’t these bright colors make your heart sing?

This photo was taken at f/5.6, 1/40 second, and ISO 200.

200th Post Celebration!

Marty has been keeping a close eye on my blogging tally, and he now tells me that it is time to celebrate my 200th post!

The direction of our country has been much on our minds lately, with governmental policies and actions wandering away from the original intentions of our founding fathers. But our patriotic spirit is alive and renewed, particularly after our trip last month to historical areas in Virginia, where the foundation of this grand country all began. Memorial Day is fast approaching and July 4th is just around the bend. Our brave military men and women fight and sacrifice daily to protect us and our allies from harm. I am proud to be an American. And there are no apologies here for my pride.

So I created a little giveaway prize that proudly displays the American flag! It shown as a little scissor-keeper in the above photo (scissors not included), but it can also be used as an ornament. I stitched it using a chart from a new Stars & Stripes booklet by the The Prairie Schooler, and finished it with a handmade twisted cord.

Here’s how to enter:

(1) Leave a comment on this post and tell me something that makes you proud of your country.
(2) For an additional entry, snag my celebration photo and put it on your blog with a link back to this post. Be sure to tell me in your posted comment if you have done this!
(3) If you enter and follow my blog, you will get a third entry!
(4) Entries outside the U.S. will be accepted. However, only entries from bloggers with active web sites will be eligible.

The last day to enter is Monday, May 11. Good luck everyone, and thank you for your friendship!

Photo Challenge: The Eyes Have It

Time for a new Brenda Photo Challenge! The theme is The Eyes Have It, picked by the current challenge hostess, Brenda of What's UP down South. Thank you, Brenda, for choosing an interesting subject!

You would never win a staring contest with the fellow posing below. This is a totem pole in the Northwest section of the Memphis Zoo. (I think Brenda may recognize it!) The photo was taken at f/8 and 1/250 second.

It didn’t take much coaxing to get Cosmos, my sweet horse neighbor, to come over to the fence and model for me. To show the texture of her coat, I applied a poster edges filter to the digital image. The camera settings were f/8 and 1/1000 second.

I was lucky to catch Cosmos turning her head to look at me directly, and I quickly framed up this lovely image with her mane in the out-of-focus background. The photo was taken at f/9 and 1/1250 second.

I also decided to add a little goofiness and springtime cheer to the challenge by snapping a photo of one of my stitched ornaments. (Marty was going to arm wrestle me if I didn’t include it, LOL.) This ornament graces a doorway handle in our solarium. I created this little rabbit several years ago with wool felt and embellished it with silk ribbon embroidery and seed beads. The hare is popping out of a bed of flowers and the double-stacked button eyes add to its comical expression. The camera settings were f/5.6 and 1/25 second.

Photo Challenge: Holiday Decorations

Once again, it is time for the latest Brenda Photo Challenge! The subject is Holiday Decorations, picked by the current challenge hostess, Kim of Caffeine Is Life.

The vast majority of our Christmas decorations remained in our attic storage this year. We also refrained from putting up any large trees. The theme this year was simple and easy! But we still have plenty displayed to show that our hearts live in the Christmas spirit.

(Please roll your computer mouse over the photos for captions.)

Little Trees

Joyful Scenes

Christmas Folk Art

I hope that you enjoyed this little tour!

Noah’s Ark Stitchery – Cows & Elephants, Oh My!

I stitched two more Noah’s Ark stitchery patterns a couple of weeks ago. They turned out really cute! The designs are from a block-of-the-month series by Lynette Anderson Designs. (See the convenient link in my right-hand navigation bar.)

The cow/rainbow and elephant patterns were published in May and July, respectively. Yes, yes, I am out of sequence! Last month, I did the June pattern for the delightful kangaroos. The stitching is tiny. The cow/rainbow picture measures 3” by 5”, and the elephant picture measures 2-½” by 4”. I took a little design liberty with the first one and added two white, puffy clouds. The sky looked kind of “nekkid” without my additions!

I will be starting the August pattern soon. It is a folk art portrait of Noah with two giraffe friends. I better get busy because the September pattern will be posted next week! Ack, where did this month go?

Silk Ribbon Embroidered Pillow

I bought this lovely pillow back in June for a dear friend’s birthday gift. Now that I have given it to her, I can finally show it off! Isn’t it adorable? I love the little bee zooming in for a landing on the flowers. The embroidery on the pillow was done with silk ribbon and cotton floss. If my friend ever grows weary of it, she can regift it back to me! LOL!

I purchased the pillow at a local lavender festival from Lana of Honeysuckle Lane's Simple Joys. I have admired her exquisite handiwork for years, and I was delighted to finally meet her in person. She has been recognized by Early American Life Magazine as one of the very best folk artists in tradition American crafts, and her work has been featured in other national magazines as well. And now that I have met her, I can attest that Lana is as sweet in person as she is talented! If you want to buy her beautiful creations, she has several online sources, including etsy.

Photo Challenge: Numbers

Time for the latest Brenda Photo Challenge! The subject is Numbers, picked by the current challenge hostess, Karen M. at Loved and Engraved.

Handmade Numbers – Below is a section of a needlework sampler that I completed in May 1995. (No, my memory is not that good. I read the label on the back of the frame.) This is one of three of the Garden Samplers, Book No. 45, by The Prairie Schooler. The chart was issued in 1994 and now out of print.

Those are little peas surrounding the top part of the sampler and framing the cross-stitched numbers. The set of three samplers hang in our upstairs hallway. I love the early Prairie Schooler designs because of their folk art appeal.

Timely Numbers - This is a close-up of our grandfather clock in the great room. It was handmade by hubby’s uncle (who has since past away). A master woodworker, Lawrence enjoyed making clocks and was also an antique clock dealer. The dial and works are from Germany, and he made the case out of black walnut. The wood was from a 100 year old tree that was in the front yard of his wife’s childhood home.

Monetary Numbers - With all of our household budgets under scrutiny these days, I had to include a money photo! We have a few coins and paper money left over from our trip to Ireland in 2001. Shortly after that journey, Ireland converted over to using the Euro. How can you resist the charm of that nun on the five-pound note?

Noah’s Ark Stitchery - Kangaroos

I finished up another Noah’s Ark stitchery pattern as part of a block-of-the-month series – the kangaroos! This wee block is smaller than shown on your computer screen. It measures 2-1/4 inches square. So the stitching is tiny.

Lynette, a talented needle art designer from Australia, is graciously providing the free patterns on her delightful blog, Lynette Anderson Designs. I have a convenient link for you located on my right-hand navigation bar.

I am running a few months behind on my stitching. The block for the kangaroos was presented in June. I will be making the cows (May) and elephants (July) come to life next!

Photo Challenge: Patriotism

Time for the latest Brenda Photo Challenge! The subject is Patriotism, picked by the current challenge hostess, Karen at Faith of a Single Mom. We didn’t attend any 4th of July celebrations this year, so I am presenting pictures from my personal archives for this challenge.

Furry Patriotism – Our old pooch, Buddy, was the epitome of the all-American dog. He was a Belgian Malinois with great European lineage and lazy ears. True to his breeding, he was smart as a whip, energetic, dignified, and always ready to serve and protect.

On July 4, 2000, I interrupted one of his gleeful outdoor romps to take a snapshot of him in front of a patriotic garden flag. He was five years old at the time and had a mountain of energy. He was rather impatient when I gave him the “sit-stay” command. Just behind me, to my right, was his large plastic ball, his favorite toy. See how he leans to the right and his eyes are NOT on me or the camera? He’s staring intently at the ball, ready to go charge it, and insanely bark at it in his doggy bliss. He was vibrating from excitement and whimpering his impatience. Good, old-fashioned American impatience.

It was a quick snap. One nanosecond after I said “all done”, he was no longer visible through the camera lens. ZOOM, off to play!

Handmade Patriotism - We have a lot of Americana folk art as part of our cottage décor. This is a stitchery that I created two years ago, coffee-stained, and fashioned into a mini-quilt. I stitched dark red seed beads around the picture border, added some star-shaped stitching in the background, and placed star pottery buttons at the corners. This patriotic folk quilt is hanging right next to my desk in my home office.

Historic Patriotism - We have visited Portland Head Light in previous vacations to Maine, and we couldn’t resist seeing it again during our 2006 New England trip. This historic lighthouse is located southeast of Portland, in the town of Cape Elizabeth. George Washington commissioned its construction and appointed its first keeper. Operational since 1791, the light has steadfastly helped protect the ships coming into Portland harbor through the years. Portland Head Light is one of the most photographed lighthouses in America.

Photo Challenge: Orange

I decided to participate in the latest Brenda Photo Challenge. The subject is ORANGE, picked by the current challenge hostess, Morning Coffee.

Even though we live in “Big Orange Country” for the University of Tennessee, we don’t decorate with orange. It is a scarce color here around the cottage, but I managed to find a few things.

Natural Orange - These marigolds line the flowerbed near to the garage. Summer is not complete without marigolds to cheer you!

Handmade Orange - A couple of years ago, I taught myself how to do needlepunch with this first project. I couldn’t resist the hopping bunny design, and it is cheerfully complimented with a bright background of orange bali fabric.

Vintage Orange - Little antique alphabet blocks come in handy for all kinds of impromptu signs!

Another Yard Sale Done & Found Treasure

We held another yard sale this past Saturday, and there was a much better turnout than the one in April. The weather was spectacular and all of the people who showed up were gracious. How lucky is all of that?! We even had one shopper who called on Sunday and came back on Monday to purchase more items!

We still have plenty left over for another sale in June and there are many more new items we can add next time. On Sunday, we went through the arduous task of packing the leftovers. This time, we also decided to pack up some things for Goodwill donations and also the used book store.

I was putting the books in sacks and loading them into my truck. Absentmindedly, I was thumbing through the books, just to make sure that there wasn’t any folded money or other treasure lurking between the pages. My compulsive neurotic tendencies just take over my body sometimes, LOL, because I have already gone through these books twice already.

Ah, my neurosis paid off! Low and behold, I found one of my hand-made treasures in a book! I cringed when I remembered that one lady at the yard sale had picked that book up and carried it around for a while, but then she decided to put it back and not purchase it. I stitched this little bookmark about a dozen years ago and had not remembered its fate. I thought perhaps I had given it to a friend. But here it is, ready for me to put it back into service!

Spiral Rope Beaded Necklace

I have made quite a few of these necklaces in the past few years. Some I keep, and some I give away as presents! I sent this recent one to a sweet lady on a Delphi forum that I regularly visit. We had a “mosty posty” contest in April to see who could chat the most. I offered to do the prize and this necklace was result.

I stitched the necklace with the spiral rope chain pattern, using delica beads for the core and 11/0 seed beads for the outer spiral. I completed it in a 24-inch length and a continuous style. So it can be conveniently popped right over your head without any fumbling with a clasp.

I love how the colors turned out, and it will be the perfect complement to a dressy or casual jeans outfit.

Noah’s Ark Stitchery

I just finished up a couple of stitchery patterns as part of a block-of-the-month series. These stitchery pieces will ultimately be joined to make a small “Noah’s Ark” quilt. Lynette, a talented needle art designer from Australia, is graciously providing the free patterns on her delightful blog, Lynette Anderson Designs. Here are the results of my current stitching efforts.

By the way, these blog pictures are WAY bigger than the actual sizes of the needlework. The rabbits picture is 2-1/4 inches square, and the dove picture is 1-3/4 inches square.