Hijinks

 

TGIF.

Indeed.

 

Here is you a Friday time waster - 360 rare vintage photos taken at beaches.

 

I happened upon this when I looked in to weather.com to check the day's forecast.  It is to be low 60s today......in May!  JOY.

 

Have a great weekend.

 

Wee bonnets

Are you watching "Call The Midwife" on PBS?  It is sadness and happiness all wrapped up together over there.  Also a fair bit of knitting. 

I loved when back in Season 1 Sister Monica Joan was making a little stuffed doll and reassured Chummy that she would be fashioning it a beret. 

The photo above is from Season 2; episode 5 and there are all  manner of wee knits there.  If this gives you the hankering to stitch up a quick bonnet, here's a link to many free patterns on Ravelry.

Easter Joy Attend You

Apr. 9, 1909

Dear Belle:

We were all glad to have a letter from you.

I think Mamma will be writing before long.  She has been about down with the grip but is feeling about as usual now and Lulie is taking her turn at it.  I have 30 little chickens out for Easter.  We had our potatoes planted yesterday.

With best Easter wishes

MMW

Loved this one!  I couldn't decide, though, how it should viewed.  The flowers and eggs looked odd to me if over on their side.   Easter was April 11 in 1909. 
What did Easter look like in 1909?  Here's a group photo posted on Flickr.

I've Got Peace Like A River

Spring is here.  Actually it arrived a couple of days ago - according to the calendar.  And it is easy enough to believe with absolutely EVERYthing budded and bloomed even if the thermometer hovers around 40+ in the daytime and dips lower at night.  I do not mind an extension of cooler temperatures.  I'm sure we'll have plenty enough heat later on.

Even with this cool spell I hardly need wool gloves but that's what I'm knitting and Boy Oh Boyardee have these ever been FUN so far.  I have had an unexpected free day to be home and have just enjoyed the relaxation of getting this project started. 

I ordered a couple of colors of Quince & Co. yarn.  Finch in two colors - Crow and Frost.  We have had both around the cul-de-sac these past few days. 

100% American wool : 100% Enjoyment

I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river,

I've got peace like a river in my soul.

more little Xs

 

With embroidery of the blue Simpler Sampler complete, I went right on to another project.  I cannot find a photo of the finished design to show you, but it is a Mary Beale design entitled "Glory of the Lord" and actually requires more than one color!  Consequently it is going much slower and is a bit less entertaining that the fun blue one.  Still the colors are soft and nice and I expect it will be just fine.  Again I'm sticking to basic little Xs and  no specialty stitches. 

 

Already I've messed up.  Sigh.  The intent was to put that geometric border in first as it would serve as a great guideline for stitch placement for the rest of the floral design.  I got over half done when I discovered I was using a lighter shade than intended.  Well!  That took the shine off.  Now my plan is to do all of the interior and decide how it looks.  It may be just fine.  If  not, I can always pull that out and restitch (although that sure doesn't sound like fun!).

 

Speaking of samplers and embroidery, do you read the Blue Garter blog?  She has a wonderful post on such a special piece of stitching that she inherited.  How I would love to see that in person as well as all the other goodies she mentions.  What a treasure! 

 

I also got a chuckle reading Juju Vail's discovery in an old sampler.  Inspiration is everywhere.

 

And  now, here are two totally UNrelated things:

 

#1 - an update on the tulip tree

 

 

in spite of the crazy back and forth warm and cold weather we've been having, the tulip tree has bloomed and was not severly affected by the couple of times that the temperatures neared or reached freezing.   This tree is near the post office and I always root for it to make it as it is truly lovely when all bloomed out.

 

#2 - Paper Lace!

Wow!  This artist is talented! 

Resting Place - for pins

So have you watched all the episodes of season 3 of "Downton Abbey" yet? 

I sometimes felt like the tug of war was with my emotions.  A lot happened in season 3, huh?!

 

I have to say that the plot lines often take second place in my interest to the all the wonderful costumes and lush set props.  Oh, my.  It didn't hurt either that the final episode took place in Scotland and, in addition to the magnificent scenery, we got kilts and tartans and some fair isle.

 

While searching around looking at images of costumes, I ran across a free pattern for cross stitch and made myself a pin pillow.  Considering all that took place this season, I stitched mine all in black and added a few jet beads to the tassels on the corner. 

 

Would you like to stitch one of your own?  Pattern is found here.

 

And if, like me, you enjoyed all those beautiful dresses, see more from the collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art here.*  My favorite may be this one but then I haven't had time to look at all 8,229 of them!

*found this link over at Mason-Dixon Knitting. 

My Blue Heaven

There are a couple of smallish knits in project bags that travel in and out of the house with me.  Progress is being made but slowly. 

Instead, lately, I have been more in the mood of working with a threaded needle.  Before Christmas I stitched a spot sampler Christmas stocking; just basic cross stitches, nothing fancy and all done in one shade of deep red.  Very satisfying. 

I had in mind to do a sampler [sort of like this one], perhaps a Quaker spot sampler [lovely example here], but I am determined these days to work from patterns that are already in my library.  Goodness knows I have plenty!

So while the one I selected is not exactly what I had in mind, it is proving to be just the thing for me.  The actual name of the design is "Toile Sampler" by Laura Holtorf Collins and I have it in book published in 2003 by Better Homes and Gardens A Cross-Stitch Christmas Needlework Treasures.

As soon as I finish wallpapering that bit of snow under the sledding boys, I will do the alphabet and it will be done.  Not done as in finished or framed, but stitching completed.  Sometimes that is as done as my things get.  It's the journey, not the destination. 

When whippoorwills call and evening is nigh,

I hurry to my Blue Heaven.

A turn to the right, a little white light, (the Ott Light!)

Will lead me to my Blue Heaven.

Valentine Thoughts Sublime

 

Feb. 7, 19??

(postmark too faint to read)

 

Hello Henrietta: -

how are you, Im fine and I hope you are the same.  Well supose you are having some good time out hear.  How does this weather suite you  it fine, I supose taking in all the good times the same hear.  So by by. [sic]

 

(signed at top left)

From a Friend of yours E.M.

ans soon

 

 

I do wonder about this writer, especially her age.  The card, although a tiny bit worn at a corner, was just too wonderful to pass up - the pansy, the bright colors, that ribbon.  Ah, all so nice.

a bit of Hardanger

The holidays are over.  I enjoyed a lovely time at the yearly holiday party with those talented lace makers.  Doris brought the tree and quickly decorated it with all the handmade ornaments.  Not a single one was from me.  I thought I'd better get that remedied so I pulled out my pattern for my favorite little angel, a Hardanger piece designed by Rita Tubbs.  It is included in the book Hardanger Christmas by Janice Love.  Here it is with embroidery complete but not yet cut away from the surrounding linen.  I wouldn't be surprised if it lingers in this state for some time! Sigh. 

I had such FUN stitching her and was reminded, once again, how much I enjoy this style of embroidery and I did a few other small pieces while I was in the mood and had the chance.  Naturally I then also pulled out lots of my other patterns and dreamed of doing a big piece.  Perhaps later in the year I will.  Fingers crossed.

Goodies

 

Sometime last fall I learned that Barbara Foster over at Handy Hands was working to get the old English Aero shuttle remade, and made well.  Their new Aerlit is now available and comes is all kinds of yummy colors, like Cherry Vanilla, Vanilla Raspberry, Mint Chocolate.  So you know I had to try that out. Chocolate bobbins!    I have only had time for a quick test run, but I am satisfied and look forward to using it more in the future.  One can never have too many bobbins ready and waiting to be filled. 

 

That wonderful Lizbeth thread is sometimes available in local Big Box stores, but in limited colors and usually not many solids so while I was ordering I went ahead and got a couple of balls of size 20 in a nice pineapple color in case I go wild and decide to try that Pineapple Reticule.



Historical Knitting

 

The Jan/Feb 2013 (2013!) issue arrived and it will soon be on newstands.  It is the 7th Annual Historical Knitting Issue and invites us to discover Cranford's knitting ladies.

There are patterns for two projects based on Jane Gaugain patterns published in the mid-1800s.  What fun!

 

There is some serious knitting and many lovely reticules in that photo, yes?

 

"I do love knitting.  You sit and think your own thoughts, and nothing hinders;

you are infinitely lazy, and yet you are

accomplishing a good deal."  

Harriet Prescott Spofford / Harper's Bazaar, November 5, 1892

 

Rush out and get your copy.  How else can you  be both lazy and industrious?

 

Boxing Day

A nice quiet day around the cul-de-sac.  Thankfully no bad weather here.  A little reading, a little tatting, and snacking (of course!) continues.

Christmas

(postmarked New York, New York)

Dec. 22, 1911

Wishing you a Bright & Happy Yuletide.

Mother is getting along nicely thank God for it.  

We are all well with the ex-ception of baby.  She has got a cold.  

Box is on the way.  I guess it will be there by the time you get this.  

I sent candy..Whiskey.  Drink Hearty.

From Jim

Keeping Christmas

KEEPING CHRISTMAS

How will you your Christmas keep?
Feasting, fasting, or asleep?
Will you laugh or will you pray,
Or will you forget the day?

Be it kept with joy or prayer,
Keep of either some to spare;
Whatsoever brings the day,
Do not keep but give away.
                     Eleanor Farjeon

A Joyful Thanksgiving

(postmarked Pittsburg, PA)

Nov. 23, 1909

Don't eat too much turkey and think of poor me that can't get it

for less than 35 cents per.

With kindest regards, I am still, your friend

K.E.M.

Found back in the summer.  Not the prettiest card I've ever found but I don't see that many for Thanksgiving.

Hoping it will be a JOYFUL one at your house (and with plenty of pie).