Primitive Heaven!

Yesterday we headed to Connecticut for a change of pace and since we were headed in that direction, I couldn't go without visiting my favorite prim shop, Milltown Primitives. The store features five rooms, each one decorated in 18th century reproductions and antiques. It is like visiting a museum, each room is set up like a room in a home and there are so many wonderful pieces that I walked around and around, seeing something new each time.

Robin is a wonderful host and her husband is part of the team who makes wonderful reproduction furnishings. Robin is also an accomplished cross stitch designer who was featured in Early American Life and is thinking about starting up her line of patterns again. She was kind enough to give me one of her iron on designs to try, so I will be working on that and feature it in a future blog posting. Her designs are done with iron on patterns, so perfect for those of us who have poor eyesight and love to work on linens or osnaburg.

Here is one of the larger rooms and this is just a section.

I am bad at shopping, I tend to refrain from buying too much for myself, but I thought I deserved a treat this week and when I saw this banner, I just had to get it. It is made by a local artist and of course, it is perfect for a textile artist;) I need to redo my peg rack, and today I threw up the wreath and added some dried florals to it, so later I might make an old dress or sack, things to hang on the rack.

And here are the rest of my goodies, one item is not mine, but I have been looking for one and I wanted to grab it while I could;) The yarn is hand spun, prefect for my needle felting projects.

If you are ever in the area, Milltown Primitives is a must, on your places to visit.

I send blessings and well wishes to all of you this Easter.

Good Friday!

Today was truly Good Friday. It was a beautiful day and I was having a good day, health wise. A day like today is when I truly feel blessed. We went for a ride down the back roads to the prim store, that will be the second part of my post tomorrow. Then we went to Stonington Connecticut. It is a town on a peninsula and filled with historic homes that line the streets, which are so narrow, we had to pull over to let others pass. But it was well worth the drive down the narrow streets to get to the point, for a view of the Atlantic Ocean.

I took this photo with my iphone and noticed the rainbow of light coming down from the top, truly ethereal.

There is also a lighthouse museum, but it isn't open till next month.

After enjoying our visit at the Connecticut ocean, we rode back to Rhode Island and took a walk at the bird sanctuary. It was a bit windy and cool, but it was a nice brisk walk. Before we left the Stonington area, I saw a thrift store, of course I had to stop. I found a couple of yards of wool from one of the stores that closed a few years ago, only 3.00 for new wool, not bad. It is a tan brown, but looks grayer in the photo.

Heartfelt Thanks!

I am touched by all of the wonderful comments and outpouring of your loving thoughts. I truly appreciate each and every one and it warms my heart to know that I have the support and understanding of so many friends.

Today I worked on my wool quilt. I have sewed most of the blocks, just an edge left to do on one piece and one block of pennies. I plan on doing a little extra embellishing and stitchery on some of the pieces, then I will sew on the back and maybe a black binding.

Moki never sits with me or on the couch, but today, he tried getting onto my chair or actually the quilt. He did not care if it still had pins in it, it is wool and kitties love wool. When I laid it on the couch to take a break, he was there within seconds. Now he is on it again, sleeping soundly and comfy without the pins.

Sadly Missed....

Casey  (April 28, 2000 - March 24, 2013)

    HEAVEN'S DOGGY-DOOR

My best friend closed his eyes last night,
  As his head was in my hand.
The Doctors said he was in pain,
  And it was hard for him to stand.

The thoughts that scurried through my head,
  As I cradled him in my arms.
Were of his younger, puppy years,
  And OH...his many charms.

Today, there was no gentle nudge
  With an intense "I love you gaze",
Only a heart thats filled with tears
  Remembering our joy filled days.

But an Angel just appeared to me,
  And he said, "You should cry no more,
GOD also loves our canine friends,
  HE's installed a 'doggy-door"!

         jan cooper '95

Wool Quilt and New Stitchery Progress!

Today I played around with my wool pieces until I got a layout, that I liked. I had some spaces so I added a patchwork and a striped block and at the suggestion of a follower, some pennies. I also added the green blocks and the plan is to stitch words on those. I am doing a blanket stitch to keep it simple and easier than trying to do too many stitches on one big piece. I did a little bit today and got tired so I grabbed my stitchery to work on and what did I find underneath, a kitty block that I had set to the side. Now I need to rethink how that will fit in, but I am sure I can redo the top area and shorten the long piece. I added the longer piece and planned on making the applique later, which is good, since I will change that out to fit the kitty in.

What do you think? I realized I started this in 2009, time sure flies by;)

Another project I am working on is a stitchery called Blackbird Sings which can be found in Kathy Schmitz's book, Simple Pleasures in Redwork. After I find the stitchery, there will be a border and it will measure 23" x 26", the largest stitchery I have done but perfect to hang for spring and summer.

The original is done in lighter colors with a touch of black, I am going with black and a touch of color.

Contest and Freebie this week at Babycakes Blog, be sure to visit and wish her a Happy Anniversary!

Wool Quilt!

I decided to take out one of my unfinished projects and finish it, my wool quilt. I had a few things to sew down and some stitchery to add faces and windows, and finished that. Then I laid it out on the backing I am using for it. My original plan was to make the blocks, then sew scraps of wool together to fill in the spaces. But, I have no idea what layout I had to do that, makes no sense to me now, lol.

So, I need to rethink it, maybe make a few more blocks and still do some fillers. I am thinking that, instead of sewing the pieces together, I might work it as a crazy quilt. I can use a scrap piece of backing and lay the pieces down and then add wool and overlay it to the back and stitch it down that way. Something to think about and mull over.

The blocks were done with various patterns that I have in books, you will see a bit of Jan patek in a few of them. It is a fun way to make your own quilt, pick out appliques that you like and make them into one quilt. Any suggestions or ideas, are appreciated!

The top block is a possibility for another applique piece. This is what happens when you put something away for a year, you forget what you were doing;)

Sunday This and That!

Today was cold but nice enough to get out for a bit and enjoy the day. Sundays are a good day to head down to the coast for some shopping and sights. My big buy was an extra long pillow to wrap my old bones around;)

We got to watch the ferry, as it came in.

Followed by the fishing trawlers.

I love to kayak, but this is a bit much for me and way too cold. A perfect day to get out and enjoy seeing what the rest of the world is up to.