Party's over?

I'm a very lucky girl. The last birthday celebration was today at my Grandmother's house. She had the table decked with her best china and we used my great grandmother's flatware. The dearest of stitching friends were there; a beautiful, oh-so-good brunch was prepared and my Mom made her fantastic chocolate cake. When I was leaving the house to go to the party, my husband reminded me that January was coming to a close very soon -- I guess no more birthday parties for me until next year!! Sure has been a memory-making time of it. I love my birthday - no matter the number. Yep, sure do. I do think I've had enough cake though - today's was divine.

Nancy gave me a beautiful, cosy Vera Bradley cover for my Kindle and you have to see this precious vintage kitty tape measure from Betty! To add to my Jane Austen shelf, Liz gave me a book that I'm eager to read soon.

- - -

Miss Maddy feels any day is a day for celebrating life so I'm with her. Have a good one.

link love

::cinnamon bread ~ looks heavenly
::these ear warmers are up soon to make ~ I'm still thinking it will be cold & stay cold
::such a sweet Valentine freebie
::M.C. Beaton mysteries are always good ~ reading this one now
::bought this ~ had to have
::oh MY does this popcorn look good, or what?
::and this
::loved this book that my Mom recommended
::off to make my nightly tea, happy week-end!

Have you met Clara?

Excited to see the Jan/Feb 2012 issue of The Needlework Retailer in my post box this morning ~ extra happy to see this particular issue because it includes a plug for my latest Clara design, Clara's Knitting Sampler 1891.

For those not familiar with this publication, it's sent to Wholesalers & Designers as a showcase of new products. One of my distributors included this pattern of mine to advertise. Not only is it extra publicity for my designing business, (Yay!) but it is one of my favorite design ideas, Clara.

There are four designs centered around Clara ~ my maternal Great-Great Aunt Clara. She escaped Russia with her husband and came to the states in 1924. The designs are a journaling series embracing an era gone by in domestic sweetness. Look for another Clara design coming out later this winter! Currently, these are the patterns available:

Clara's Skating Sampler 1891
Clara's Worke 1891
Clara's Christmas Dance 1892
Clara's Knitting Sampler 1891

simple sewing

Whilst spending too much time on Pinterest recently, I found a simple, very simple, sewing idea that is so practical. There were some old shirts of my husband's that were perfect to cut up soooo here's one little pouch I made! So clever -- why didn't I think this up? Easy peasy. Perfect for a pair of ear buds.

For the tutorial, go here!

Get your joy on! + free pattern

Taking joy in life is a woman's best cosmetic.

~Rosalind Russell

I've never been one for wearing lots of makeup - just the basics, please: face powder, blackest mascara, a touch of eyeshadow, and lipstick. Lipstick is a must. I never go out of the house without lipstick on. If I have lost my head in this mommy-world I dwell and for some reason leave the house without lipstick IN my purse, I'll turn the car around. I know, I know -- but I do.

When Ben was in preschool (many years ago now!) there was a classmate of his who told his mother I was Mrs. Red Lips because of my daily lipstick-ed self. Too funny. Lipstick is my favorite makeup item, I guess you could say, and I can never have enough shades of rose. I blush quite easily so never wear the stuff.

SO when I came across the above quote recently, it spoke to me. Joy is something hard to wear at times but it really should be something we never leave home without. Spreading joy to others throughout your day can do wonders you'll never fully know. Strangers, angels unaware, who pass along joy to us during a given day ... well, you see how it goes. Next time you brush your cheeks with powder, add a touch of life's joy to your outlook, inward and outwrad. I did so today, extra much, while Zack was running around the playground. Time is fleeting for all of us and enjoying the small moments in a busy day, a hard week, a stressful life, can be just the thing to carry you.

At lunch there was a little bird hopping along the sidewalk, probably trying to figure if it's winter or spring as it's in the 50s here! Watching this little bird made me smile, that silly kind of smile, and here's hoping he (or she!) has joy in flights this afternoon. Anyhoo, when I got home I designed this little freebie for you to enjoy. May it bring you joy and remind you that joy is in your grasp.

My Little Bird, a free pattern
Copyright 2012 The Sampler Girl
(click chart to enlarge)

whew! 42 ... so far

So far 42 isn't that bad! Lots of celebrating over the week-end and another party at the end of this week with stitching gals too! I'm a very, very lucky girl and blessed with a wonderful family and such thoughtful, caring & loving friends.

My husband took me to Bobby Flay's Burger Palace for lunch on Friday and it. was. delicious. Delicious. Fun. Hip. Cool place with good food. There are a few scattered around and this one in Washington, DC opened last August. I chose the Dallas burger and DH got the Crunchburger. We shared fries and onion rings (because we couldn't decide on one) and left happy.


It wasn't too far from Georgetown Cupcake sooooooo we scored another terrific parking place and even an empty table at Georgetown Cupcake which was exciting since I had never been in their newer location. I had ordered online some cupcakes for my Mom's birthday a few years back but had them shipped. If you're familiar with this cupcakery's show on TLC, DC Cupcakes, then you surely know they are quite busy and usually have a line out the door and down the block. I chose the Red Velvet Cupcake and DH had a chocolate & vanilla one. They gave me a birthday cupcake free which I let Ben devour after school that day -- he said it was "fantastic, oh wow, ... and thank you, Mom!"


Saturday evening my family took me out for Italian food and I tried to savor but still inhaled a favorite dish, Mushroom & Parmesan Baked Ravioli. Mom brought a Caramel Chocolate Cake which was. divine. Can you tell the gym didn't see me this weekend?

So yesterday evening, some of my dear girlfriends took me to Mike's American Grill where I enjoyed a fantastic (and big!) salad, finished with a pretty presentation (with candle!) of Key Lime Pie. I sure didn't go hungry the past few days!!!

- - -

I received so many lovely gifts. I have to share with you this beautiful bag that my friend, Cindy, made for me. I love it!!! It is gorgeous; she does beautiful work. Cindy has her own needlework business and makes the prettiest purses and totes. ::If you're interested in Cindy's bags, you can email her for more information ~ her email is cxslone@gmail.com

- - -

Off to put the kettle on for tea ~ have a great week and Happy Chinese New Year!

my birthday scarf

Zack: Mama, are you 18?
Me: (trying not to burst out laughing) No, I'm 42.
Zack: (eyes big as saucers) Really?
Me: Yes.
Zack: Oh.

- - -

I was just getting used to being 41; I really liked it, more than 40 but it had a nice ring to it. You know what I mean? Sure, 29 was nice too; not yet 30, but we can't go back there sad to say. Now 42, eh? No comment ... yet.

- - -

I found this gorgeous ruffle fabric and had to do something with it. I tried to make a skirt but have to redo the elastic part ~ don't even ask. So I had some of it left and made an infinity scarf out of it. Just stitched a wide strip together to make a large circle and voila! a scarf to wrap around twice. I love it!! They had the fabric in several others colors -- perhaps I need to make a few more.

My husband took today off from work to be with the birthday girl-me so here's to a fantastic weekend planned. See you on the other end of it ... until then be cosy and creative! I'll eat cake for you.

New Pattern, Winter Greeting Souvenir

Finally, a release for January!

Oh MY is it cold! Funny how the weather can be wintry here and summery elsewhere in the world but warm days will come again for us; I'm sure. Meanwhile, Jack Frost is visiting and I'm keeping cosy indoors with my designing, my books and my knitting. The boys are hoping for snow days to arrive ~ me too. This little pattern is my winter greeting to you.

The newest pattern is now available. Enjoy!

- - -
Click HERE for details on Winter Greeting Souvenir.
Design by Tanya Marie Willis Anderson, Copyright 2012
Pattern available in EPattern or Mailed format.

Got books?

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” - Jane Austen

I think I've posted that quote before but it's such a good one! Reading is one of my most favorite things to do. I set a challenge to read 90 books this year -- sounds easier than 100, right? So far I'm on a good pace.

- - -

Finished an interesting read this week, What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.

I was really mesmerized by the plot - Alice, (aptly named since she went down her own rabbit hole of sorts) falls during a spin class at the gym and in doing so has a doozy of a headache and no memory of the last 10 years! The story was gripping from the start but it did go on and on and on too much and then ended rather quickly. I felt like I had fallen down that rabbit hole and then hit the bottom hard! Perhaps that was the author's mission all along. While the book wasn't a 5-star read for me, it was thought provoking.

What if you woke up and it was 10 years later than you thought it was? What if you didn't recognize your children? Remember the pangs of childbirth? Remember the day before the day before the day before yesterday? Remember your husband? Remember what you loved to drink, eat, do? Remember your friends? Remember milestones in life? Pretty tough to imagine since I do remember all those things, some are hazy and some more vividly than others! The book gives the reader a look at Alice's life as it was presently and it was shockingly different than she could have imagined it to be. The book's goal, I think, was to make the reader pause at her/his own life path.

Sometimes we think our lives will turn out a certain way. They don't. They may have elements of what we wished for, dreamt of, worked toward, but our road was set for us long ago, to follow and live so it's just one big surprise after another whether we like it or not, good or bad, sour or sweet. God has a plan. I know He does. I'd like to think that if I woke up tomorrow and missed a decade of my life, that I'd still be surrounded by my wonderful, loving family and have the life I have now, just with a few more gray hairs and lots of more books in the house. In order to achieve the life we want, we need to be in the present and not be bogged down with trivial distractions that clutter our path and keep us from living the life we are meant to live. Being the real you and keeping consistent to your true self is essential. Don't ever be somebody you're not and always give everything of yourself even when you don't get anything back in return.

- - -

Quite a different book is Red Sled by Lita Judge.

Zack and I read this picture book this week and it's a true delight. With hardly any words, the story flows along for the imagination of the reader, which makes for the best kind of picture book! The illustrations are darling - a bear spots a red sled in the snow leaning against a cosy house; he borrows it at night to take woodland animals for spins in the snow. He then returns it by morning so the child can use it once again, perplexing the child with the footprints in the snow. The ending is so adorable - the child sees it is the bear who borrows the sled and goes sledding with the animals too.

Life can be a mystery but we can be part of it and enjoy the ride. Even if goes by fast on a sled!

Do you like my hat?

“In the nineteeth century, knitting was prescribed to women as a cure for nervousness and hysteria. Many new knitters find this sort of hard to believe because, until you get good at it, knitting seems to cause those ailments."
-Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

This hat took me 8 days to make ~ not bad I guess but it seemed to take longer. I didn't knit every day but I'm such a hurried stitcher/reader/knitter - silly, I know - but I want to be done with it and move on to something else exciting to stitch, read, and create. I do savor the projects, lest you think I zip through things too quickly - it's just that I've so many things I want to make. Ah, that's the rub, isn't it? The pattern grabbed, found on the Lion Brand Yarn iPhone app, grabbed my attention and I liked it immediately because it was longer in the back and flops, make sense?, a wee bit when on. You cast on 80 stitches and knit for 12" so it is quite warm and cosy. I've a little cold so I wore it around the house all last night. Then like a pair of slippers you wear too long, it grew hot. So methinks it will be ideal on snowy days to come. Bring on the snow!

When I asked little Zack if he liked my hat, he said "Yes, Mama - I like it 151 percent!"

Indigo in Lowcountry ~ the legacy of colonial woman, Eliza Lucas (1722-1793)

In general then I rise at five o'Clock in the morning, read till Seven, then take a walk in the garden or field, see that the Servants are at their respective businesses, then to breakfast. The first hour after breakfast is spent at my musick, the next is constantly employed in recolecting something I have learned least for want of practise it should be quite lost, such as French and short hand. After that I devote the rest of the time till I dress for dinner to our little Polly {her younger sister} and two black girls who I teach to read, and if I have papa's approbation (my Mamas I have got) I intend [them] for school mistres's for the rest of the Negroe children . . .
~wrote 17yr old Eliza Lucas in 1740.

- - -

Once there was a young lady named Eliza Lucas. She was born in Antigua in 1722. Her father, Lieutenant Colonel George Lucas, a British Army officer posted in Antigua, had moved his family to the Province of South Carolina in hopes that the climate there would prove better for his ailing wife. He was called back to his military post in Antigua; war broke out with Spain. In a few years, he became Lieutenant Governor, and this left his daughter, Eliza, to run the estate and to care for her mother and a younger sister, Polly.

In addition to running the plantation, Eliza taught her sister and two slave children how to read and write, studied music and art, wrote letters, and studied enough law to be able to draft legal wills for nearby residents.

Eliza's father sent indigo seeds to her from the West Indies which she experimented with for several years, eventually perfecting a process of making blocks of indigo cakes to be turned into dye. The dye, (England had relied on the French for this before), was in great demand. It was used in military dress and coats of the era.

In 1744, Eliza married a widower, Charles Pinckney. Charles was a Chief Justice of the South Carolina Province. The couple had four children: Charles Cotesworth, Thomas, another son who died, and a daughter, Harriott. After her marriage, Eliza continued experiments with hemp and flax, reviving the silk culture in the Lowcountry. She took over management of her husband's many plantations and Charles Town properties after his death in 1758.

Eliza's two sons were national figures. Charles Cotesworth Pinckney was a General in the Revolutionary War and a signer of the United States Constitution. Thomas Pinckney was also a Revolutionary War officer, later a General, and then United States Minister to Spain and to Great Britian. Eliza Lucas Pinckney lived to see America win its Revolution. She died after a short illness in 1793 in Philadelphia, where she had been taken for cancer treatment. She is buried there. At his own request, George Washington was a pallbearer at her funeral.

Eliza Lucas Pinckney remains a prominent woman in South Carolina's history.

- - -

Indigo in Lowcountry, a Sampler Tale
copyright 2005 The Sampler Girl
Click HERE for details on this pattern.

Verse on sampler is from one of Eliza's favorite hymns and reads:

When all thy mercies, O my God,
my rising soul surveys,
transported with the view, I’m lost
in wonder, love and praise.

Through all eternity to thee
a joyful song I’ll raise;
for, oh, eternity’s too short
to utter all thy praise!
-Joseph Addison (1672 - 1719)

A Grateful Heart, free pattern

I began this year's Gratitude Journal the other night. The idea, from my 2012 daily re-read, Simple Abundance, is an excellent one and makes me mindful of the simple blessings in each 24 hours. While not every day is paved with bountiful goodness from start to finish, there are golden days, beautiful moments, priceless parts that I wish would never end, could never stop, and might last forever. In the good and the bad, sun and the rain, snow and the ice, it is comforting to remember our blessings, big and small, and even though we go through our own life's trials, there's always someone having a more difficult time of it. May we each find comfort in our own blessings to blanket us on those extra stressful times and carry us through with Faith.

Anyway, the book suggests finding a pretty notebook to record your 5 daily blessings/gratitudes so this is mine. You can see my current favorite writing instrument nearby, a squishy zebra pen who, when pressed, bulges his eyes out wildly!

The following proverb was in a recent entry of the book and I liked it so much that I wanted to stitch it and have it on my nighttable to remind me about being grateful for my many blessings.

Gratitude is the heart's memory.
~French proverb

Here is the free pattern of its verse so you too can embrace your blessings, hold them close and jot them down for memorykeeping.

A Grateful Heart, a free pattern
Copyright 2012 The Sampler Girl
(click graph to enlarge chart)

Count your blessings ... count them one by one!