A Primer for a Country Dwelling ~

Welcome dear friends, hope you enjoyed a 

Blessed Easter Sunday!

Growing up my mother always made holidays so special...now

I just have fond memories to reflect upon!

With all my grandparents, and both my mom & dad

laid to rest, life is so different...gone but never forgotten!

 So when holidays come and go I focus on;

honoring the past,

celebrating the present,

and embracing the future...it works for me!

~~~**~~~

This morning I woke to heard my 

special pair of sweetheart Mourning Dove's 

cooing outside my window... 

 They've been gathering twigs for their nest...I'm on a 

mission to discover where their nest is hidden!

~~~**~~~

I know it's still early here in Wisconsin, but

that 10" of snow we received last week is finally gone,

and the grass is getting green!

Chives are really taking off, 

and ventured out to the garden shed to start 

gathering some garden tools...

 Next, I need to gather some rakes & my wheel barrow!

I'm just doing some early cleanup...no planting yet!

THE FRESH AIR FEELS FANTASTIC!

~~~**~~~

I have a new book to share with you today...

Spring release to the 

"Simply Country" book series 

This series by Judy Condon are softcover books.

 This new release has 144 pages.

A little sneak peek...

 This Primer is full of good topics and suggestions!

I love old coverlets...

 I'm still searching for one that is affordable, these can

be very high priced...especially if they are dated!

Old hooked rugs make a room look so cozy...

The early housewife did not display hooked rugs

like we do...she used them!

Mirrors add a nice ambiance to a room...

I love how old mirrors were once referred

to as "Looking Glass"!

Oh my goodness, SAMPLERS....

Samplers were admired and examined close~up

because it was customary for visitors to view the stitchery 

and honor the accomplishment of the needleworker. 

A cursory glance was seen as ill~bred.

Hence, samplers displayed in an authenticated room 

today should be hung at eye level and easily viewed

close~up as in the past.

Changing things up...

At least twice a year, spring/summer and

autumn/winter, a home can become totally refreshed!

~~~**~~~

Studio News...

~ Kits for Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club are shipping this week.

~ The first week in April "Martha Howells 1849" patterns

will be shipping.

~ The fourth kit for The Sheepish Needle Samplar Club 

will be released in mid April.

~~~**~~~

Weekly Soul Food...

"Thou hast turned for me my mourning

into dancing"

Psalms 30:11...KJV

~~~**~~~

Be wise, be kind, be gentle, be true...delight 

yourself in simple things!

 ~Blessings of Joy ~

Tammy

Springtime Hide and Seek...

Welcome dear friends...hope you're enjoying this 
special "Good Friday"!

Today, I would normally be sharing 
"The Early Workbasket", but time wise it just didn't 
work out today...sorry!

I've been very busy studying and planning for upcoming releases...

I'm getting so excited about new things to come!


I have an announcement to make in regards to my 
Antique Reproduction Sampler "Martha Howells 1849"
that was released on Monday...

AVAS Silk Thread Packs will be available soon!

Au Ver A Soie is the manufacturer of
Fine 100% Silk Threads in France since 1820, 
and is the Silk Thread World Leader!

With over 605 shades to choose from, 
skeins are 8 meters (8.749 yards), 
with 7 strands.

Threads packs for "Martha Howells 1849" are on 
order and hope to arrive next week.

Once they arrive the listing will be added to my
Etsy Shop...an update will be posted here on my blog.

~**~

Meanwhile, Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club Kits are
getting ready to ship out next week on or before March 31st...

Memberships are available through my Etsy Shop,
please click HERE if you are interested in 
joining!

~**~


Do you have an old straw hat lying around?
If so, look at what you could do with it...

Turn it into a cozy little bird house!


Simply cut a bird size hole in the top part of the hat.
Then nail or staple it to a old piece of wood shaped like this...

Add side awnings for shade, and attach a wire 
for hanging on the back!

~**~

Mother nature sure loves to play hide & seek
when it comes to SPRING...especially
in the month of March!

On Tuesday, we were enjoying beautiful 61° weather,
but on Wednesday we received 10" of heavy
wet snow...yuk, yuk!

The snow even made its way onto the 
back porch of the farmhouse.

 Mr. Toad looks a little put out...he doesn't like
getting his toes wet!

~**~

Weekend Soul Food...

For God so loved the world,
that he gave his only begotten Son,
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life.

John 3:16...KJV

~**~

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful Easter weekend.

Approach thy task each day with a grateful heart!

~ Blessings of Joy, Tammy ~

Martha Howells 1849 ~

Welcome dear friends to the wonderful 

season of Spring!

Friday, the custom frame for 

Martha Howells 1849 was ready for pick up!

I love framing and it seems like a long

time since finishing anything with a frame...

My first Antique Reproduction Sampler titled

"Martha Howells 1849"

©2016 Scattered Seed Samplers

This lovely early 19th century "Busy Bee" motif sampler was 

stitched on 35ct Weeks Dye Works "Straw" linen, using 

AVAS silks (pattern will include DMC equivalents). 

The "Busy Bee" verse reads...

How doth the little busy bee

Improve each shining hour

And gather honey all the day

From every opening flow'r

If you look close you will find one Queen Bee stitched 

right below the verse.

Silk thread was scarce back in the early 19th century

and many times the young schoolgirls would run out of 

a color they were using and would have to substitute with 

whatever colors they had in their sewing basket.

Such is the case with little 10 year old Martha...she 

had to finish her border on the right hand side in different

colors than the other three sides...love, love, love this!!

Backside before framing.

I purchased this antique sampler on a Sunday,

and that is why I referred to it as my 

Secret Sunday Sampler...I'm so happy she is 

finally framed!

Martha Howell's pattern is for sale in my Etsy shop as a...

 "PRE~ORDER FOR THIS NEW RELEASE...WITH A

SCHEDULED SHIP DATE THE FIRST WEEK IN APRIL.

I'm hoping to also offer the AVAS Silk threads as 
thread packs in a separate listing...I'll post an update
 as soon as they are ready!

If you would like a reserve a pattern early, 

please click HERE

~**~

March weather is so unpredictable,

this is what Saturday morning looked like...

Simply beautiful and enchanting!

All our snow WAS completely gone, 

but now it looks like the dead of Winter...

I just stay positive...

Telling myself that "this too shall pass"!

And sure enough, as quickly as it appeared, it was 

completely gone by Sunday morning...just in time

to welcome in the 1st Day of Spring!

~**~

It was such a treat to enjoy Spring like weather

on my Birthday!

I was gifted the most wonderful gifts from my husband 

and son Samuel...

Antique Ash & Sweet Grass Sewing Basket, this is now my

favorite sewing basket...I can't stop admiring it!

I must find time to "Spring Clean" my sitting alcove

to find just the right spot to display my sweet gift from my  

sweet son Sam...thank you, thank you, thank you Sam!

I've got an idea of how I'm going to personalize this basket!

The condition is amazing for its age...

All the little holders are still intact and came filled with

an old thimble and scissors!

I love this open storage basket...

So very, very, very special indeed!

My husband knows I'm always looking for more stash jars...

Both heavy old glass, but can you tell which one 

is older and more desirable?

If you said the larger one on the left you are correct...

 

When purchasing old glass look for bubbles in the glass

and a faint pink hue in the glass...two true signs that

the glass is very early!

Plus, he knows my weakness for old pinkeeps...

Makes me think of the old saying;

You have to kiss a lot of frogs to find your Prince!

With the sparkle of these little glass eyes,

I know I've found my Prince...

He has found a good new home!

Another weakness I have is for cabinets with little drawers...

This is so sweet, painted metal cabinet with little

brass knobs!

The drawers are nice and clean...

Can't wait to start filling it up with sewing goodies...thank you Bill!

And a BIG THANK YOU & HUGS to ALL

those who sent me Birthday Wishes on my

Facebook page, emails & PM's...

You're not going to believe this, 

because I can hardly believe it myself, 

but I received a grand total of

747 Birthday Wishes ~ Thank you so much

for making my day EXTRA special!!

~**~

Weekly Soul Food...

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

The Lord make his face shine upon thee,

and be gracious unto thee:

The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee,

and give thee peace.

Numbers 6:24~26...KJV

~**~

Enjoy a wonderful week,

see you on Friday!

Blessings, Tammy

This is a roadside photo of how Sunday,

the 1st day of Spring looked in my neighborhood...

The Early Workbasket ~ Metal Thread Stands

Welcome dear friends!

 Wow, can you believe it...Spring will officially

arrive on Sunday!

Hip Hip, Hooray!

Today, I'm happy to announce some good news...

Yes, I'm finally ready to start gearing up for the new

Schoolgirl Samplar Club!

So, if you enjoy early motifs, alphabets, symbolism,

 houses and much, much more...stayed turned 

over the next several weeks all the details!

~♦♦~

Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club Updates...

The scheduled ship date for kit number one

is on or before March 31st.

*** PLEASE NOTE ***

Little Sparrow Pinkeep Club Memberships 

DO NOT AUTOMATICALLY RENEW like some

clubs...if you are on the installment plan and want your

membership to continue for 2016...you must let me know 

either by an email or call me at (608) 799~4418 to

confirm your renewal...thank you!

I'm happy to announce my dear friend Ona is

helping me with the kitting process!

What a blessing to have extra helping hands...we make

a perfect team!

~♦♦~

The Early Workbasket...

Metal Thread Stands; cira 1875~1940

Metal thread stands were typically made in either

England, Germany or the USA.

 USA; painted metal, four spindles, pincushion; c.1935

Thread stands are perfect to add to any sewing room...

Both practical and eye catching!

Typically, a metal thread stand will include a center pincushion...

Corduroy was a popular pincushion covering during the 1930's. 

The number of thread spindles will vary according to the style...

 Double tier, center swivel mechanism.

Some will have the added feature of a center thimble holder... 

Perfect for a quilter or wool applique project!

Here's a view without the thread...

USA; eight spindle swivel thread well, polished metal; c.1930 

Some with have a fancier base...

Similar to the last one, but no thimble holder! 

Wrought iron ones will tend to be more elaborate...

This style has everything...pinkeep, six swivel spindles, lower 

storage area! 

Love the old pinkeep mounted on top...

 So many fun things to keep your eyes open for while

out rummaging and antiquing!

Hope you all enjoy spending time in your special 

stitching room!

~♦♦~

I'm looking forward to spending a relaxing Sunday

with my family as we celebrate my 

55th Birthday...

 It's hard to believe I'll be 55...I sure don't feel like it!

Some say when you hit your "Speed Limit" year, 

you're suppose to slow down...

 Nope, not me...not a chance!!!!!!

~♦♦~

Weekend Soul Food...

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,

whose mind is stayed on thee:

because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3...KJV

~♦♦~

Hoping Spring's arrival in your neighborhood

is sunny and warm!

Many Blessings,

Tammy