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.