The Early Workbasket ~ Oil Cans

Welcome dear friends!

I'm sorry to keep Humble Hare Handwork Club

members waiting in suspense to see

the fourth club model...

After completely stitching the rabbit, 

then deciding the color shade wasn't just right,

I was faced with the huge set back of frogging

 it all out and restitching!

So, after several nights of stitching into the 

wee morning hours...I'll be finished with

the stitching tonight!

Saturday, I'll be out fabric shopping for just

the right backing...hope to have a finish on Monday!

~**~

Today's Early Workbasket...

 One of my fondest early sewing memories was

learning to work my Grandmother's 

treadle sewing machine.

I remember being so fascinated with it! 

The first lesson she taught me was to always 

make sure it was oiled properly!

Singer offered wonderful oil cans...

It's easy to know for sure if you have an authentic 

one or not, because the early oilers were always

nicely stamped with the "Singer" logo.

I have several "Singer" cans in my collection...

A small (3" tall), medium (5.5" tall) and large (10.5"tall).

These oil cans have become a favorite sewing 

room collectible...

The small one has a decorative edge around the spout, 

this is the only one I have that has this.

 Usually, they are plain... 

Like this one!

General oil cans are also fun to add to a collection...

On the left is an Eagle, middle one is copper, 

and the last one is unmarked.

The length of the spout can be fairly tall... 

Plus, they can be easily given a little color with spray paint!

I love this one...

When we bought our farm back in 1999, 

this sweet little can was left in the basement!

So wonderful to look at...

And so practical...I love useful sewing goodies!

Hope you enjoyed today's topic on old oil cans!

~**~

Weekend Soul Food...

Is any sick among you?

Let him call for the elders of the church;

and let them pray over him,

anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

James 5:14...JKV

~**~

I'm excited to go fabric shopping tomorrow,

hoping to find something really special!

If all goes well...I'll have a model to share on Monday!

Kindly, Tammy

Needlework Notions ~

Welcome dear friends to this mid winter's day!

Do you love looking into your sewing basket 

and seeing fun needlework notions?

What better passion could a properly lady have,

than to surround herself with lovely 

needlework tools making her 

stitching extra special!

I love seeking out the finest needlework products 

for your needlework addictions, 

and making them available to you through

my little Etsy shop!

Today, I'll be sharing a preview of new notions that will

 be added to my little Etsy shop later this week...

Both large & small "Daisy" scissors with a unique 

primitive matte finish...I LOVE these!!

Or, perhaps you love a more primitive simple look...

Large round looped or square lace handles, 

with primitive matte finish.

Do you love Cats?

Check out these unique "Cat Snips" in primitive matte finish!

Maybe you love the look of silver...

Small "Daisy" scissors with shiny silver finish or

square "Lace" scissors with primitive silver finish.

Or, are you a "life if goode" neeedleworker that 

loves fun bright colors...

Oh, how fun...makes me smile just looking at these

sweet little "Daisies"!

Bird lovers favorites...

Little "Storklettes"!

Moving onto Needle Minders...

Something for everyone!  

Needle minders are a great way to keep track of your needle

when you put it down between threadings or get up to

take a break!

Using the slide apart magnets on the back side of minder,

simply place either your fabric or chart between

the two magnets!

Next, Thread Keepers...

~ Red Queen Threadkeeper ~

For those who love Heart & Hands...

~ Wooden six skein threadkeeper ~

And for those who love an elegant look...

 ~ Lovely "Mother of Pearl" Acorn or Strawberry ~

Mother of Pearl Thread Rings...

These attachable little thread rings are perfect for 

finishing a project into your own threadkeep!

 Mother of Pearl Thread Winder...

So lovely, comes with a color photo showing how 

to wrap the thread.

I'm so excited to start adding all these wonderful

goodies to my little Etsy Shop over the next several days!

Will try to add them A.S.A.P!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/scatteredseedsampler?ref=hdr_shop_menu

~**~

Look at what I found while out feeding the birds this morning...

Four little delicate two~toned bird feathers!

Any thoughts on what kind of bird these belong to?

So, so very sweet...I'll have to do something special with these!

~**~

Weekly Soul Food...

He shall cover thee with his feathers, 

and under his wings shalt thou trust:

his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Psalm 91:4...KJV

~**~

Well friends, I have a super busy week ahead of me,

so I better get busy and sign off for now!

See you on Friday,

Kindly, Tammy

The Early Workbasket ~ Helping Hand

Welcome dear friends!

It's just amazing how time flies when you're having fun!

I find myself seeking moments of stillness

just to organize all the ideas flowing

in my head!

Please let me show you what's in today's Early Workbasket...  

The incredible working hand!

A raised fist is a symbol of "resistance and unity"...

This sweet little ivory hand with brass hardware is 

actually a needlecase.  

Early sewing tools were made to serve a purpose...

An Early Workbasket would not have been complete 

without an awl/stiletto of some sort.

This one is beautifully hand carved and in mint condition.

So wonderful to hold and wonder what the 

  original owners name was and what they looked like!

This extended hand has a lot going on...

First off it's proper name is a "Stanhope" needlecase, cira 1860's.

Named after the politician and inventor Lord Charles Stanhope

(1753~1816), who invented a microscopic lens the size of a pinhead.

This needlecase in the shape of a French parasol,

its tip still intact, has a "peep" in the handle which displays

a miniaturize image.

Secondly, on the other end it serves as a crochet hook, 

which unscrews to open to the needlecase chamber...

Even though the threading is in worn condition,

it is still in good working condition.

My favorite helping hand is this little brass clamp...

I love using this on a regular basis!

When working on a large sampler, 

it works perfectly to hold my rolled linen.

It's truly a one of a kind...I've never seen another one like it!

On the side it has a small ring attached...

Originally, it probably hung from a Chatelaine.

(Chatelaines will be a future topic)

Collecting "hands" has become very popular and because

they are rare...makes them very sought after!

But, not impossible to find... many thanks to Etsy and Ebay!

Looking at this next piece, how old do you think it is?

Beautiful craftsmanship, heavy brass throughout, 

including the necklace chain, quality high power magnifying glass,

beautiful cut stones.

Believe it or not...I bought this brand new about five years ago!

I purchased it through one of my favorite mail order

catalogs, "Victorian Trading Company"

Excellent quality reproduction...5 Star Rating!

Hands were a popular theme not only for sewing items...

But, also for practical household items like this bottle opener!

These Hand and Heart openers can be found as 

original antiques and also reproduction ones are available.

I love the look of Milk Glass, how about you?

These handy little hands can hold so many different things!

Fairly easy to find when out antiquing, 

 always available on Etsy and Ebay.

Hope you enjoyed today's topic on "Helping Hands".

Do you have a favorite hand in your collection?

"Happy Hand Hunting"!

Please join me next Friday, to see what will be in  

The Early Workbasket...

You just never know what I'll randomly pick for a topic!

Do you remember my special little helper that

 I shared on Monday's blog?

I didn't know at the time what she was called, 

but I received a lovely email from a lady here in 

Wisconsin sharing her knowledge of bird watching!

She shared with me how incredibly fortunate I am to have

this little friend...very few in Wisconsin.

She is from northern Wisconsin, were there has been only 

one sighting of these adorable critters.

Wow, I had no idea...a Tufted Titmouse!

~**~

I bet you thought I forgot about the Valentine's Day

gift giveaway drawing, NOPE...

Just saving the best for last!

Congratulations to....

Laura T. from Belvidere, Illinois!

Here is a list of my Spring passions ~

~ spring cleaning

~ Lilac bushes blossoming

~ getting outside for long walks

~ spying my 1st Robin of the season

And a big thank you to ALL those who shared 

their love for Springtime!

~**~

Weekend Soul Food...

Give her of the fruit of her hands;

and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:31...KJV

~**~

Yay, Today is Friday, and I would like to thank 

you all for being my friends!

Do you need to seek out some moments of stillness to

recharge YOUR creative batteries?

Wishing you all a fun weekend ahead,

Kindly, Tammy

This last photo is courtesy of my son Samuel...AWESOME PHOTO!

Back waters on the Mississippi River, LaCrosse, Wisconsin. 

Hip, Hip Hooray for February!

Welcome dear friends!

Alas, the chapter to January is closed,

and we can now turn the page...

This morning I woke to the sweet sound of my 

country Mourning Dove's cooing their hearts out ~♥~

Today, the sun is shining brightly, sounds of melting snow,

birds singing happily, then...my husband informed me

  a blizzard is headed our way for tomorrow! 

But, I won't let that get me down, 

I'll just think more happy thoughts...

The first thing that came to mind was a special

little Valentine's Day gift drawing...

Here is the chosen gift... 

The winning name will receive ~

 * one antique porcelain scissor stand 

* one pair of white Storklettes 2.5" scissors 

The antique porcelain scissor stand comes directly from

our old fence lines here on our farm.

To enter YOUR name in the drawing simply leave a 

comment telling me what YOU like most about SPRING 

 either at the bottom of this post OR

through my Facebook page...

https://www.facebook.com/tammy.black.9085

PLEASE INCLUDE ~

* first name, first letter to last name, city & state

(example: Tammy B, West Salem, WI)

~*~

Studio News...

This week I'll be designing  

Humble Hare Handwork Club's 

fourth pattern.

Hope to start stitching this weekend!

~*~

Look who was waiting for me on the 

back porch this morning...

Patiently waiting for the daily seed to arrive...where is she?

As I was about to open the back door...

Her little head turned to look right at me!

Well hello and good morning...

Happy day to you!

She's so smart and knows exactly what's in that  

big old green rusty barrel...

I couldn't ask for a better helper!

~*~

Weekly Soul Food...

Remove far from me vanity and lies;

give me neither poverty nor riches;

feed me with food convenient for me:

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?

or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Proverbs 30:8~9...KJV

~*~

Blessings to you my friends for a full 

and productive week in your sewing corner!

Kindly, Tammy

February's first sunrise over our farm this morning...