Bead Shop Find

Look what I found in a box? I remember purchasing them awhile back. I hung one up on my wall & put the rest in a safe place (lol). I bought these at Bluestem Beads in Porter, Indiana.

Cathy: Originally, I thought they would be interesting scissor fobs. One reminded me of a Dove's Eye (hardanger). Simple cord or braid & tassle? The shop owner told me they are put on beaded necklaces OR silk cords. I just liked them ; ) I participated in an EGA GCC beading course & made a couple amulet bags & got carried away with beading for awhile.
Jenna: As I recall, they are a low grade jadeite. Next bead shop trip, I'll verify!

Not much stitching to share ...

The boys are on Fall break from Middle School & High School. We didn't do much because they have head colds. I don't want their germs! Been wanting to do something traditional, quick, simple -- & pulled these out:

Started a bookmark. It is an EGA Petite Project - Sampler Bookmark by Periwinkle Promises / Barbara L. Rakosnik. (c.May 1998) The center has blackwork motifs (I think 5 repeats of the leaves). There are bands of rice stitches + double back stitches (I might do long arm cross instead). I'm using silk mori on 32-count twilight blue linen.

Also started N.Hinde 1778; A miniature Sampler (c.1991 The Scarlet Letter.) I am using red silk (AVAS 945) - cross stitch over one - on 32 count antique ivory linen. This should be 1 3/4" x 2 3/4". In the directions it says to "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date, using letter forms from the alphabets + numerals above." I am thrilled about the heart motifs. And who can resist a spiffy alphabet?

Here is a photograph from the pattern leaflet (of the finished sampler). Says on the pattern: "Genuine miniature samplers like this are relatively hard to find. They usually feature a simple monochromatic alphabet, or a short sentimental verse. The former type, called "plain work," usually originated in working class schools. This "plain sewing" sampler is English, probably from Lancashire (or perhaps, more specifically, Lancaster)....The original piece is in a private collection"

Autumn Pumpkin

Pumpkin Keeper designed by Cynthia Zittel of The Drawn Thread. 32ct Belfast Driftwood. I'm thinking to make this one into a pincushion & stitch just the pumpkin for a fob.

I was happy to receive Vol 41 - Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly. The front cover has an interesting spool holder designed by M.Cox.

Jenna: Not sure about a tuffet because the button would coverup the pumpkin.
Cathy: I use wool roving or quilt batting in my pincushions.

Lucky

c.1999 Bent Creek,Inc. The Black Cat designed by Marsha Worley & Elizabeth Newlin. 41x57

Chelle: It is on 32ct Twilight Blue linen.

Sunrise in Indiana

The morning greeted me with this.

FAMOUS by Naomi Shihab Nye:

"The river is famous to the fish.

The loud voice is famous to silence, which knew it would inherit the earth before anybody said so.

The cat sleeping on the fence is famous to the birds watching him from the birdhouse.

The tear is famous, briefly, to the cheek.

The idea you carry close to your bosom is famous to your bosom.

The boot is famous to the earth, more famous than the dress shoe, which is famous only to floors.

The bent photograph is famous to the one who carries it and not at all famous to the one who is pictured.

I want to be famous to shuffling men who smile while crossing streets, sticky children in grocery lines, famous as the one who smiled back.

I want to be famous in the way a pulley is famous, or a buttonhole, not because it did anything spectacular, but because it never forgot what it could do."