Spring Has Sprung

As most of you know the weather in Northern Iowa has been UNBELIEVABLE!!

The garden shed has been emptied and plants have begun to peek through the dirt.

I thought I would share with you Dad's latest creations.  

Above is the very latest................these were all assembled on Sunday afternoon.  I believe that is is going to be a fountain?  It is located just off the swing that Dad has built.

This is/was a failed attempt...................Dad took a large rubber ball and cut it open and poured cement in it to make an orb.  Good idea but it needs work yet.  Somehow the ball deflated and Dad didn't get the final result that he wanted.  I imagine that he will conquer it yet..............He is very clever.  

My son Sam got to spend the day with Grandpa looking for the PERFECT sized ball......................think they should have bought 2!?  :)

I am anxious to see how the garden evolves this year.  We are so ahead of schedule with the weather that it is a little weird!

Happy Spring!!

Out on a Limb..............................

Mom and I have always had a love of cross stitch Samplers.

  

We have recently noticed an increase in cross stitch projects.  Is cross stitch making it's way back?  We have no idea but decided to branch out just a little.

We came upon this new pattern by Country Stitches called "House of Blues and Browns."

It is a cross stitch sampler at one end and then brown ticking (which we LOVE) at the other end of a pillow.

Sooooo we decided to take a risk and order the patterns and all supplies necessary to complete the pillow.

We try and think about what we would like in a kit and relate that to our customers.  We have neatly packaged ALL supplies neccessary to complete this wonderful project.  We have even included a needle and a nice see-through mesh bag.............................just in case you buy it, tuck it away and forget what you bought?!  :)

All you do is grab the bag and you are good to go!  Simple.  And we love Simple!!

Now, we packaged 6 kits and when they are gone.........................they are gone!  

If you are interested please let us know.  We have already sold 3 kits.

We are waiting on the back order of the ric-rack but decided to put the kits out anyway.  If you do purchase the kit we will send you the ric-rack with free shipping.

The kit retails for:  $39.95

Ariosa 22 count, approximate finished size 11.5 x 13 (pillow size)

P.S.  We are anxiously awaiting linen for 3 more cross stitch kits.  These are from a different designer (which we adore) and I will post as soon as the linen arrives.

For those of you that think your eyes are too bad for cross stitch...............there are these things called magnifying glasses (2.50) and they work great.  I keep mine tucked in with my kit so they are always there when needed.  

New item in the shop

Remember this?  I just recently posted this punchneedle eye glass case as a new item in the shop.  Well,  we found a WONDERFUL  young woman to do some punching for us so we could get our samples ready for the Spring shows.  

Here is the finished product.  I assembled it yesterday and I must say it took about an hour from start to finish.  Everything was done by hand BUT it was not difficult.  It is very cute and a simple little project.................especially if you can get someone to do the punching for you. ;)  

Thanks much Emma!!

We do have it kitted up in the shop for your purchase.

A few more skeins were added so the price will be just a bit more.  Emma was kind enough to keep track so you will have everything that you need to get it punched!!

Change is Good

When you make changes in your house it always leads to something else................Here is Mom's studio with a few added changes.  It isn't complete yet............still waiting on the electrician to install some lights.  

New curtains................don't they look great with the brooms hanging on the lower portion?

A new cutting table!  Mom has been wanting a new cutting table that would fit the decor of her house.  A few weeks ago Mom and Dad headed out after church for a little day trip.  They brought back this piece and it fits perfectly...............I'm jealous!

When the room gets it's finishing touches I will put some new pictures up!

Happy Hooking and have a Fabulous Monday!!

New Punchneedle by Threads That Bind

Log Chute punchneedle is screen printed on weavers cloth.  The design measures 5 1/2x3 1/4 inches. The kit includes the floss.  $21.95

Bumper Cars measures 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches.  The kit includes the floss and pattern screen printed on weavers cloth.  $11.95

Tilt a Whirl measures 5 x 5 inches.  The kit includes the floss and pattern screen printed on weavers cloth.

$20.95

"Spec"tacler New Goods

Just In...............2 NEW patterns by Threads That Bind.  Above is Spinning Spectacle. It measures 6 1/2 x 3.  We are selling it as a kit.  The kit includes the pattern screen printed on weavers cloth and the floss to get you started.  The kit retails for  $22.95

Blocked Spectacle is another punchneedle by Threads That Bind.  The spectacle case measures 6 1/2 by 3.

The kit includes the screen printed pattern on weavers cloth and the floss to get you going.  I can't wait to get started on mine!  $18.95

It's Gardening Time

Judy Condon's 2nd Gardening book has arrived.  It's filled with lots of wonderful Country Gardens.

The book retails for $24.95

Under Construction

Dad and Mom were able to get their hands on some re-purposed flooring.  They have been wanting to take the carpeting up in the office and Mom's studio.  Dave helped haul in the bundles of wood floor before we left for NYC.  The deal was the floor was to "sit"  1 week prior to installing.

Dad got a bee in his bonnet and decided BOTH rooms would be completed by the time we arrived home!  In 2 days time the floor in both rooms were laid and the wainscoting was beginning to go up.  

Get this........................Dad started at 3 a.m. Saturday morning and Mom "drug" herself down at 4 a.m.  They worked 2 full days laying the floor.

 If you thought they were crazy before now you know for sure!!  I wasn't even able to take any before shots!

Mom's studio with the floor laid and the wainscoting almost up.

Believe it or not as I write this EVERYTHING  is already back in place!

Wainscoting waiting to be installed

This mess is no longer.  The new floor looks like it has been there for years...............it fits right in with an old farmhouse like theirs!

ONE room of carpeting left........................wonder how long it will take Dad to "rethink" that one?! :)

One article from ATHA and 12 strips

Remember this?  Yes, it was posted as 1 of my MANY unfinished projects.  

I joined ATHA about a month ago and received my first issue.  I read it front to back and came out with a light bulb moment.  As most of you know I have had a hard time getting motivated these days.  

In the article Lucille by Imogene Lehman  Imogene recalled a class that she had taken with Cynthia Norwood.

Cynthia said just 12 strips a day.  

So, I gave it a whirl.  The first day 12 strips were all I could handle.  When I finished I laid out 12 more strips for the next day.  Day 2 lead to a few more than 12 strips but that was okay with me.  Again, I laid out my 12 strips for day 3.  

Finished the oval around the lion!  How simple was that and WHY did it take reading an article to push me into gear?  Hmm..............................no clue.

All I have left on this rug is this little 4x4 square.  It will get finished today sometime.  

So simple........................................ yet so important!

12 strips a day.  If that's all you have time for that's great, anything else you hook is considered a bonus in my book!!