~ Winter Gatherings ~

Welcome to the beginning of a fresh new week!

I'm in the process of re~organizing my

daily routine.....from night owl to early bird!

For years its been my bad habit of sitting down to stitch 

in the evening and not wanting to stop....so we 

usually get to bed somewhere between

11:30 p.m. ~ 1:00 a.m.,

which meant usually getting up at 7:30 a.m.

BUT

I've decided this NEEDED to CHANGE!

This past week I've faithfully been in bed

before 10:00 p.m. & up before 6:00......I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

*****

~ Studio News ~

I would like to extend a big thank you for the lovely

response to my new pattern that was released on Friday....

Mary Mustardseed ©2014 Scattered Seed Samplers

For all of those who placed an order,

your package will be shipped 

today on Monday :)

***

Have you ever taken a close look at what birds use

to build their nests?  

Here is a close~up of some old discarded nests.

Upon a close examination you'll see some large twigs,

small twigs, a few feathers, and some 

different colored thread fibers....courtesy of stitching snippets!

I never throw away any snippets or scrap threads, I save

them up all year long and in the Spring I scatter them 

outside where my feathered friends will find them.

Looks like a few of my threads found their way into these 

old nests :)

***

Many of you may remember the special mama Robin who

built her nest on my back porch this past spring.

Well I've decided to make a special little Christmas tree

 decoration in memory of her and her babies.....

 First I gathered a nice dried branch,

Mama Robin's ORIGINAL nest....just as she left it!

 My dear mother~in~law Ruth made the wooden Robin stake.

Can you tell my mind SEEMS like it's more on SPRING?

Then the branch was placed into one of my Grandma's

old creamery milk cans from her farm, the nest 

was then carefully nestled into the branch,

and finally the little wooden Robin was added.

BUT

 On Friday I'll share the finished

 little stitching tree for the Studio all decorated!

***

On Sunday I told my husband I needed a break,

 and that I wanted to go to my favorite shop in Tomah, Wisconsin....

~ The Market Place ~

Looks can be deceiving, from the outside you'd never believe

the beautiful old woodwork throughout this big old house!

Check out the outstanding old archway,  and beautiful old 

trim work above all the windows and doorways!

Love the little tree placed into the antique potty!

Wish to could hear the lovely music the shop owner plays, 

and the wonderful holiday scents in the air.

This old house has 11 large rooms & 5 closets filled with primitives,

antiques, woven cloths and gifts!

I've NEVER gone home empty handed, here are a 

 few of the goodies I found.....

~ 31" long knitted stocking ~

Once home I dug through my stash of old sock stretchers,

and found a perfect fit!

Now, I just need to tuck in some greenery.

I've had my eye open hoping to find a nice old dough bowl....

I instantly fell in love with this one!

Plus, I found a sweet little pair of child size socks, 

and some old crocheted lace edging....now my 

mind is focused on Christmas Decorating!

My eyes are totally trained to be on the constant outlook for

old frames....I'll have to design something just to fit

this one of a kind treasure.

***

Which makes me think about the plans I have going on in 

my head right now, about getting caught up so I 

can get started on my next project.

The next event coming up is 

♥ VALENTINES  DAY ♥

*****

~ Weekly Soul Food ~

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not,

neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;

yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are ye not much better than they?

~ Matthew 6:26...KJV ~

*****

How is your Christmas decorating coming?

Until Friday, country blessing too all!

Stay warm & toasty,

~ Kindly, Tammy ~