More about Hannah

Since Hannah's arrival this week, I have been thinking about ways to make her feel more welcome and a part of Thistle manor.

I found some wool in my stash box to line the bottom of the box, a Kelmscott ruler and thread winder and a pair of scissors with two birds.  With a name like Birdwell, a pair of scissors with two birds on the handle seemed appropriate for our Hannah.

"and write thy name upon the heart"

Isn't this a beautiful quote?  I may alter it just a bit for an AppleJack Valentine "and write thy name upon my heart."  

Hannah's Quaker sampler--more stash digging and I found a scrap piece of leftover vintage Maritime linen from Lakeside and some Gloriana silks.  Which should I use the black or the red?

Hannah Birdwell

Hannah Birdwell

AppleJack, Callie Mae and I have been on postman watch.

We have been keeping a watchful eye for the arrival of Hannah Birdwell.

Today was the day, Hannah's stitch box arrived.

This slide top stitch box is dedicated to Hannah Birdwell, a little nine year old Quaker girl who lived with her family in the year 1800 in south eastern Pennsylvania.  If you look hard, you will find Hannah's name written on her heart, hidden under the lid of the box.

  A perfect fit for Grandmother Bessie's room and her other Pennsylvania roots.

The box is very detailed with motifs.

Wool from the stash to line the bottom, a needle minder, a special pair of scissors--Hannah has found her happy place.

Happy Birthday and The Sampler House

Happy Birthday!

Our Miss Callie Mae Calico is 7!

(She has been asking about her new condo, her parents have not gone shopping)

The Sampler House

With Thy Needle and Thread

35 Ct Straw by Weeks Dye Works

NPI silks

An enjoyable stitch--makes me know why I enjoy needlework so much.  Off to that stash to choose another project.  The poor mailman is avoiding me (again), anxiously waiting for a market delivery.  

Bountiful

Maybe it was the harshness of the winter,

or the sound of laughter while raking leaves with the neighborhood children

perhaps it is healing of my eye

Spring 2014

A most beautiful and bountiful sight!

The Sampler House

With Thy Needle and Thread

The Sampler House

35 ct Weeks Dye Works--Straw

NPI silks

While I am waiting for the next installation of The Colonial Gathering, I have been stitching on The Sampler House.  By the way, have you seen the sneak peek of the next project?  The Sampler House is a fun stitch--the big old house reminds me of the stone houses in Pennsylvania and I love the size and color of the alphabet.  Looking at the A, I think I need to add a few more stitches.  As this is a small design I hope to have it completed before the next club kit arrives.

Now, completely changing the subject, Spring officially arrives on Thursday.  I think I am hearing a collective sigh of relief to the cold temps and winter.  On a happy note, the daffodils arrived before the dandelions, I saw the first one in the grass today.  Am still looking for the return of the robins, they seem to be waiting to make sure Winter has retreated.

Spring's Debut

Welcome back Spring!

You are a sight for sore eyes.

A return visit from a dear friend

Nothing says spring like the first daffodil blooms

Thank you Mother Nature for the beauty of Spring

Thinking Spring

AppleJack came home from grocery shopping and under his arm he had white tulips.  He said he thought it was time to start thinking spring.  This Sunday the clocks will spring forward one hour which means there will be more daylight hours in the evenings.  I will gladly give up one hour of sleep to have more daylight hours in the evenings. 

The temps are still quiet cool and I am not convinced winter is ready to retreat and allow spring to make her entrance, AppleJack is right--it is time to start thinking spring.

Time to start thinking about spring flowers and trips to the gardening centers.

Spring--time to let the barn yard animals out to green pastures, blue skies and warm sunshine.

Just in case the Easter bunny does not like jellybeans or robin eggs, I left him a carrot.

The Lenten Rose started blooming just prior to the Ash Wednesday service--they know spring is coming.

Deep down inside Mother Nature knows it is time for Spring to make her glorious entrance.

Coverlet Birds (Remembrance Piece)

The Scarlet House

Coverlet Birds

Mystery stash linen--I think Birds of a Feather

NPI silks

As I put the finishing stitches into this piece, AppleJack looks over and says "I bet you will always remember this piece."  He is correct, I will always remember stitching this piece.  I began stitching this piece, the weekend my vision problems started, I completed the piece nineteen days post surgery.  In my warped sense of humor way, I am naming it the one eyed bird piece.  

While talking with my Mother yesterday, I asked her what had happened to Grandmother Bessie's hankies.  Grandmother Bessie had an eye problem with one of her tear ducts and her eye was constantly weeping.  She carried a hankie in her apron pocket or purse to catch the tears.  Grandmother had everyday hankies and special hankies for church and visits with friends.  No matter if she was pulling weeds, making beds, visiting with friends or cooking, Grandmother always had a hankie at her disposal.  Since my surgery, my eye like Grandmother's is in a constant state of weepiness.  I'm not sure if anyone still sells hankies, but I can certainly see the valve of having one in my pocket.  Am hopeful Mother will be able to locate some of Grandmother's hankies--a nice reminder of a shared struggle.

As I was ironing the Coverlet Birds I asked AppleJack "what's next?"  We're off to the finisher or the framer or the long arm quilter.  Nope:  finish one piece, time to select another.  Grandmother found a way to knit and quilt with her eye challenge and I will find a way with mine.