a day most special

A few weeks ago, I was invited to help decorate at the Vice President's house the weekend after Thanksgiving. Today was the day and what a memorable time of it! I helped decorate one of the Christmas trees in the Garden Room and it was hard work but the fun kind of work where you don't really complain about sap on your hands or aches in your back but take everything in around you and the history in the walls. There was Christmas music floating in the air to set the mood and even lunch served for us to enjoy (and pumpkin pie too!).

The house was built in 1893 for Naval Observatory superintendent and in 1928 it became residence to the Chief of Naval Operations. Congress set it aside in 1974 as the official residence of the Vice President, however the Navy still owns and operates the house. The Vice President can borrow artwork and furniture from museums around the country and let me tell you ~ the Bidens have decorated beautifully. It was truly stunning and cozy wrapped together.

A memorable and BIG day for me. One I'll never forget.

I went for the hand mixer ... came home with a TV

I've always wanted to wait in a long line infront of a store the day after Thanksgiving with other eager shoppers, fresh from deep sleeps with bargains on the brain. I've come close several times to actually getting up and venturing out in the early morning hours but instead thought it absolutely nuts (well, it is) and flipped the alarm off to get more sleep and left a bit later ... missing the best deals. No more.

Last night when everyone gathered at our place for Thanksgiving dessert (it was a progressive meal of sorts and quite fun that way), I was telling of my idea of bracing myself, finally, for a Black Friday morning, starting at 2:30AM. Somehow I convinced my dear brother to come along in my festive frolic and when his car pulled up the driveway shortly after 3 this morning, I could feel the sales adrenalin kickin' in! Oh MY goodness - it was raining, who knew?, and VERY windy and yes, cold. He was bundled for the arctic and I was the same but when we got to the store, the store was open!!!! What???? No sprawling line around the building? Well, Walmart did something different this year and they did a good job of it. They opened the store earlier (unbeknownst to me and my careful time planning though - the ad said 5AM!) and formed lines at each big bargain item. Ok, so I was glad I didn't have to stand in the rain and wind and cold but my experience wasn't as tough as I had thought it should be. It was almost too easy. Rumor had it that the lines at Target down the street were wrapped around the building and someone said her husband was in a line to Spain at Best Buy which I wouldn't even venture to in the dark of night.

I stood, and then sat (ok, that made me feel like I was in line for something) on the hard Walmart floor and chatted with other frenzy folk around me. The girl next to me had been there since 1AM and was nodding off every now and then. Customers, staff, security ... were so friendly and I was surprised, why?, how many were so nice and not pushy at all. There were three others who were doing this whole shop-way-too-early thing on Black Friday for the first time so I felt like I was in the first timers line. When it was approaching 5AM, the buzz of excitement filled the air and people got to their feet and began to wind around the paths as directed. The person behind me said it was like being at an amusement park! So I got the $4 hand mixer AND a 19" flat screen TV. Ok, other things but those were the highlights.

My brother took me home at the late hour of 5:30AM and I then headed to Target and Michaels Arts and Crafts and then crashed at home around 8:30. It felt like noon. A big nap helped and restored my energy to plug in the TV ... and give that hand mixer a test.

*There were several who had problems getting on the website today as the server was down for a short while, so I extended the SALE through Monday 11/30, 12AM EST. Patterns, kits and selected needfuls are discounted 16.21 % ... enjoy the rest of your holiday week-end!

16.21% off SALE !!!

In celebration of the first Thanksgiving in the year, 1621 ... there is a SALE going on at my webshop honoring a 16.21% discount off patterns, kits and selected needfuls. Thanksgiving sale goes from 1PM EST today through Monday, Nov 30th, 12AM EST.

be ye thankful

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. ~Melody Beattie

Happy Thanksgiving!

new pattern - The Prudence B. Sampler Hanging

Well, it's ready ... the last pattern of the year from The Sampler Girl.

The Prudence B. Sampler Hanging is a dear one with verse by Louisa May Alcott that reads: This sampler neat was worked by me, In my Twelfth year Prudence B.

Alcott's little story, An Old Fashioned Thanksgiving was the inspiration behind this design. Fancied into a sampler hanging with patchwork fabric at the bottom, it brings homespun goodness to any room it adorns.

All details on pattern can be found on the website.

Do you see the heart?

Mom got us started on enjoying this cake by Ina Garten and it's a favorite already around here. I made one yesterday for my little brother's birthday ... he turned 33 on the 16th of the month and we managed to get everyone together last night for dessert. When the cake was done, I was sure one of the layers had a heart on it. See it?

I never make the frosting which the recipe suggests although it's probably amazing but can frosting works fine too.

Off to see New Moon this afternoon for some mommy-time out! I realized that the past several posts have been all about food!!! I have been working away of course and I have a new release coming out next week ... The Prudence B. Sampler, my last pattern for the year.

more

I added more Handmade Jane Austen Needle Books to the website this afternoon. They are custom made in Derbyshire, England and a delight for any stitching Janeite.

Enjoy your Saturday!

deja vu

Remember a Friday not so long ago? Maddy is in her pre-weekend place again. She looked at me and didn't budge much ... just Mama Kitty with her camera again. Stay put. She'll take her pictures and go away. Out of my warm-from-the-sunshine spot.

Happy week-end ... Maddy says don't over do it.

gooder than good

What was I thinking? I only got one box. Crazy woman. I'll know next time. If you have a Trader Joes anywhere near you, run, don't walk, there and get at least 2 boxes of their Pumpkin Spice Whoopee Pies. Oh MY are they good. Gooder than good. That's right ... your grammar will go out the window and your eyes will roll around in bliss when you eat one.

Let me open the box for you ...

Ok - now go get your own. I need mine.

fringed finish

I stitched this last April and finally finished the bugger this afternoon. Mightly simple I will say but it's very sweet sitting next to a kitchen lamp.

I love Pineberry Lane's designs ... I have Wendy's newest Christmas pattern calling my attention. Soon. I even have vintage jingle bells for it!

in the bag

That's right .. one chocolate topped cookie just waiting to join me for tea. Sometimes, a day just needs a bakery visit. Don't you agree. Well, it was Zack's idea. Hope your day is sweet too!

good eats

Great dinner! I halved the recipe and used chicken tenders instead of chopping up chicken - wonderful flavor. Stove Top makes cranberry stuffing now and it was perfect with it.

From one of my Gooseberry Patch cookbooks ...

Honey Baked Chicken

3lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, chopped

3-4 T butter, melted

4 T Dijon mustard

2/3 cup honey

1 t salt

2 t curry powder

Place chicken breasts in ungreased 13X9 baking dish. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for one hour and 15 minutes, basting occasionally until chicken is tender and evenly browned.

Kitty Kringle's Pattern Book for Christmas ~ NEW!

7 patterns within sure to excite your Christmas needle ... 4 models shown here ... all details on the website. Booklet available as Mailed Format or EPattern format. Enjoy!

NEWS!

The Sampler Girl has been interviewed for Quilt Country, a French Magazine. Issue is due out December 10th! For information on this issue, please contact Vero at her shop, Born to Quilt, in France. Her website is:http://www.borntoquilt.fr/

art & research

Yesterday at the church bazaar I was happy to get a framed original watercolor for $5 ~ it is signed Hazel Camp. Through my research I found a neat snippet about the artist that read:

Soap and watercolor. That's the evolution of Hazel Camp's life. It began when she was a first grader, staring at a white, blah sheet showing a bar of Lifebuoy. ``I colored it and won a prize,'' Camp said. ``I've been painting about 35 years.'' She paints Monet-style - a very impressive impressionist.

It's very alluring with the rain movement and the umbrellas - I love it! The picture picked up the sunshine, sorry for the bad photo as it is behind glass as the sun was shining brightly through the windows when I took it!

A thrift shop find later in the day yesterday I found a framed copy oil painting with the name, Maurice Utrillo in the bottom right corner. The word in French for windmill, moulin, is stamped on the back of the board. The colors and windmill drew me instantly to this $2 find and the research behind this one is really fascinating. It looks great in the kitchen. I only found one reference to this very painting online as Utrillo did many windmill pictures.

Apparently, Maurice was born to an artist model, Suzanne Valadon, who posed for famous painters of the day such as Renoir and Degas.

"After Maurice was born to Suzanne Valadon, she went to Renoir, for whom she had modeled nine months previously. Renoir looked at the baby and said, 'He can't be mine, the color is terrible!' Next she went to Degas, for whom she had also modeled. He said, 'He can't be mine, the form is terrible!' At a cafe, Valadon saw an artist she knew named Miguel Utrillo, to whom she spilled her woes. The man told her to call the baby Utrillo: 'I would be glad to put my name to the work of either Renoir or Degas!'"

if you could pick just one ...

Sara in ND posed a really tough question to me ... which would I rather marry ... Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice OR Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. Such a hard decision ... I think I'd go with Gilbert because I've loved him longer. I'd have to add Col. Brandon into the mix ... he would score higher for me than Darcy actually. Remember it was Col. Brandon who said “Give me an occupation, Miss Dashwood, or I shall run mad.” But then it was Darcy who said, “You have bewitched me body and soul and I love…I love…I love you.” However, Gilbert said, “Anne, I’ve loved you as long as I can remember.”

Great inquiry, Sara ... now who would YOU pick, dear Blogger friend?

new needle books

These arrived this morning and I just added them to the website. These pretties are handmade in Derbyshire, England and a delight for the stitching Janeite. Each is screen printed on the front with a quote from Northanger Abbey and sewn inside with vintage fabric plus a natural felt page for needles. Lovely! I have 8 in stock ... click HERE for all details.

s p l a s h

When it rains, the best thing to do is go to Wendy's for lunch (you get a cool clock toy!) and then come home and splash in puddles until Mama says it's time for nap. Oh and tell your Mama to bring her camera (keeps her busy and forgetting the time) ... it makes for fun pictures.

Meet Kitty Kringle ... and a sneak peek too!

Kitty Kringle's Pattern Book for Christmas will be available on Monday! There are 7 patterns in it sure to entice that Christmas needle of yours. Kitty's given name is Elizabeth but she prefers to be called 'Kitty'. No, she isn't a cat ... I've been getting emails about that and she was dreamed up my me and is about 16 years old, lives somewhat like Laura Ingalls Wilder in a place and time not defined but where needlework is domestic bliss. This is her first booklet and surely not her last. I have deeply enjoyed bringing Kitty to creation! This is one of the designs in booklet ... Christmas Bells Hanging Pillow.

Happy Week-end!

more blessings

About to hit the hay when I came online and saw an email from Jennifer D. in GA who had stitched up Blessings for You freebie as a pinkeep and made it very primitive by coffee dyeing it and adding cinnamon sticks inside. I bet it smells wonderful! Your finish turned out terrific.

Looks like Friday slipped in when I wasn't looking ... enjoy yours!

comfort food

I was going to make Mom's recipe for tuna noodle casserole but decided that the mushrooms and tuna wouldn't go over here so I changed the recipe somewhat and the outcome was very good and perfect for a rainy night's meal. Here's what I came up with...

Chicken & Broccoli Noodle Casserole

1 package thinned, boneless chicken breasts - cut up in strips about 2" long

small onion, diced

olive oil

garlic powder

kosher salt

black pepper

one can cream of chicken soup + 1/2 the can filled with skim milk

bread crumbs

1/2 cup shredded parmesan cheese

butter

egg noodles (cook to package directions)

Season chicken after washing and cutting with desired amounts of kosher salt, pepper and garlic powder. In skillet, swirl olive oil a few times and saute onion and chicken until almost cooked. Add broccoli and finish cooking. Meanwhile cook the noodles. Butter baking dish and pour in drained noodles and chicken/broccoli mixture. Add soup + milk and mix well. Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese ontop and then top with desired amount of bread crumbs. Cut up 2 Tablespoons of butter and toss it randomly around breadcrumb layer - this will help in the crusting and browning - yum. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes and enjoy! I fixed crescent rolls to have along with and opened a jar of apple butter from the farmers market to make the meal perfect.

Toy pickup before bedtime took us longer tonight ... Zack was quite busy getting everyone lined up "to watch the fireworks!". Oh my it was adorable. Looks like Bear had a good seat, standing on the high chair ... and I was pleased that the Mama also got a chair and didn't have to stand.

had to share

I've had a headache since the getgo this morning. Maybe it was induced by the near-midnight pumpkin bread baking ... or the constant rain ... or too much Teletubbies but my day perked up when the mail included my order from Monique with a surprise in it! If you haven't ordered one of these darling s-t-i-t-c-h bracelets then you must ... they are sooooo fun. I love mine and it fits perfectly. She tucked in a precious 2010 magnet calendar from her recent stitching weekend to Branson for me. How thoughtful ~ thank you, Monique. It's already on the frig. Those goodies, broccoli cheddar soup from Panera and a chocolate bar from the store made my day. Now I can work!

pumpykin

Well, that's how Zoe says it on Rolie Polie Olie. It's another wet and wild day here; more rain and downpours and more Teletubbies echoing through the house. Zack has discovered this show to be fascinating as of late, that is until Olivia is on. There's a house being built nearby that Zack calls 'Olivia's house' so I gather this is where she will come to live. Oh my ~ someone just spilled the tubby custard and one of them stepped in it ... don't ask me who, I never could remember who was who. Ben loved Teletubbies and happily likes to make fun of them now. Ah, 10yr olds.

Ok, back to this pumpykin post ... The pumpkin bread came out very good last night ... or shall I say early this morning. The recipe made 5 overflowing loaves and it's very tasty. It was quite late when the loaves were done but I had to try a piece so I wolfed down a steaming, hot piece and well, all I tasted was burning heat and the cold milk that soothed my throat afterwards BUT breakfast was extra good when it was fully cooled and all the flavors had set, and my taste buds had recovered. The recipe is one from Gooseberry Patch that I found online. I usually use the standby Betty Crocker pumpkin bread recipe but it's fun to try others now and then. Yes, that is a big bird plate ... we eat on only fine paper products here. Enjoy!

Spiced Pumpkin Bread

2 cups canned pumpkin

3 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 cup oil

four eggs

3 1/3 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

three-quarter teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Mix pumpkin, sugar, water, oil and eggs in a large bowl; beat until well mixed. Set aside. Stir together remaining ingredients in another bowl; slowly add to pumpkin mixture, beating until smooth. Grease and flour two loaf pans or five/six mini loaf pans; divide batter between pans.

Bake at 350 degrees for 60 to 65 minutes for regular loaves or 50 to 55 minutes for mini loaves, until a toothpick inserted in center tests clean. Let cool in pan for 10 to 15 minutes; invert bread onto a wire rack to finish cooling.

wednesday, late

Michelle H. sent in her finish of Blessings to You freebie ~ lovely pinkeep!

It's still raining, actually pouring, and I have a hankering for something pumpkiny. I found a wonderful sounding pumpkin bread recipe online sooooo I'm about to make some loaves. It's only 10:30pm ... the night is young. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Where did all the umbrellas go?

Rain, rain and more rain. That about sums up the day here. Ben's school yard had little flags spelling out USA for Veterans Day and it was beautiful ... all that red, white and blue on such a colorless day.

Spent the morning getting teeth cleaned (it always rains when I go to the dentist - no joke) and then cruised Target's aisles and felt like Christmas bargains flew into my cart. The holiday scented Glade candles were on an endcap waiting for me to pass by so I'm smelling bayberry spice right now. I lost track of time. That always happens at Target. On the way out, Zack practically begged for pizza as apparently the snacks while shopping and testing every car's noise button in the toy department weren't sufficient to sustain him until we got home for lunch. So we dined in the glamorous Target cafe. He has many latest things and today's is asking if Olivia (the talking pig from the picture book and tv show) can come over. Over and over ~ can Olivia come over, Mama? What am I going to say? It has to be yes, of course, she can ... now if a talking pig in a red and white dress comes knocking at our door tonight...

So here's the view. Cozy to be inside. Looks like Zack parked his car in a different place. My little hutch is getting filled up more and more every day. I love that piece! Oh and my mom and grandmother returned from their trip to Ohio and brought me some handmade in Ohio pottery pretties last night.

christmas is coming ...sneak peek here!

Started this morning off at the church kids consignment sale and Santa's elf found treasure. About to head over to the weekly farmers market before all the good apples are gone but wanted to tease you just a little bit I leave :) I've finished a NEW booklet entitled, Kitty Kringle's Pattern Book for Christmas. It will be ready mid-month if not before. Here's a peek at one of the patterns in it, St. Nick's Woolen Pocket!

Ok, we're outta here. Enjoy your Tuesday!!!

november sunshine

The high today is 75 degrees. Perfect playground weather. Zack had a blast running in the sunshine ... it was as if the sun was smiling just for him. Happy Monday to you!

sunday late

Sunday's doorprize winner from The Needle Retail Show orders is ... Deborah M. from Sharon, MA. Congrads! The show is now closed ~ thank you to all who cruised the show as it was a first run of its kind. Thank you to Cindy for hosting all vendors.

Week-end seemed to go by so fast here. I have some new Christmas patterns which are finding themselves in their own booklet entitled, Kitty Kringle's Pattern Book for Christmas ... to be available in a week or so. I've really enjoyed putting Kitty's designs together ... wait till you see ...

you win

Just randomly picked Saturday's doorprize winner at The Needle Retail Show ... congrads to Toni W. in Edgewood, KY! Show continues through Sunday afternoon (11/8).

you win

Friday's doorprize winner is Martha K. from NY .. congrads! Another winner will be randomly picked from tomorrow's show orders. The Needle Retail Show continues through November 8th.

true comfort

Maddy wishes you a good week-end ... she's too tuckered to meow at you right now ... consider yourself hugged.

it makes me happy

I think I might have a problem. I snapped a few pictures of my new little hutch last night and when DH noticed I was bringing them up on the computer for download, he said, you know, you could just look at the cabinet instead of taking its picture. So today ... I made Harvest into a primitive tablemat to display on a shelf. It's just too darn cute. So, yes I have a problem. A good problem. I make presents for my furniture. I need to finish filling the shelves but have a few good things in them so far and snapped these pictures today for you. Simple pleasures.

you win

Morning Glory! Just something I say. Always have. It's Friday ~ woo hoo!! Congrads to Helen S. from OH ... she's Thursday's Doorprize Winner at The Needle Retail Show. I randomly select a winner each day from the show's orders ... show continues through November 8th.

Happy Week-end!

thursday finds

I picked out the next two Christmas ornies to make but got sidetracked by Stacy Nash's Harvest Pinkeep Drum pattern in my stash. I had planned to make it last year. Do you have a few like that? Anyhoo, I am not sure it will end up as a drum as I'm no master drum maker but we'll see what it wants to be when it's done. I stitched H A R V E S T last night ~ the zig zag was fun. I didn't get a stitch done today but hopefully tomorrow I can finish it. It's another fast stitch.

Zack and I went to IKEA this morning and I drove the 40 minute ride home at 35mph (made a lot of friends on the highway doing this) because I had a cabinet from the AS IS department hanging out my little outback's trunk. There was nothing wrong with it ~ just a floor model and it looks perfect to me. I had to have it. My kitchen is all the more cozier with it in it. You know it's a keeper when I left IKEA without having lunch in their cafe and drooling over the Swedish meatballs but I had to get this to its new home. It's happy here. Very. IKEA had their Christmas ornies and such out and my oh MY was ever giddy. That will be in another post ... best to work some this evening and fix a cup of tea first. Enjoy your Friday to be...

ding dong

The Christmas clock started ticking for me today and I thought it was time to make some ornaments! So my first one is Christmas Bell, a pattern in last year's Stacy Nash's Simply Christmas Booklet. It was probably the fastest stitch ever and making the bell was very simple with the template given. See the jingle bell at the bottom? I love this little thing!!

It's only 11pm ... think I'll pick out ornament no 2 to make ...

nothing much, just me typing

Is it only Tuesday? Feels like I've used more days this week already. Oh yes ... lack of sleep ... everything blurs after awhile. Last night, I finished up designing two samplers to be released in January ... filled more orders and managed to get distributor inventories ready for today's post batch before I threw myself to bed. I've never been one to be idle.

Started the morning with a parent-teacher conference, bright and early. Hard to believe first quarter has come to an end. I think days move quickly in Fall, don't they? With the movement of the leaves? Just a theory. I took several minutes this morning to admire the falling leaves.It was as if a squirrel conductor was in the backyard, tapping the patio with a nut, and commencing the leaf flurry to music. Very beautiful ... in the air ... not on my driveway.

I hear Zack waking from his nap ... Ben is getting better ... being sick is NO fun ... school tomorrow? Well, he thinks not but I think so. Best to put a chicken in the oven if we want to eat dinner tonight. Done working for the day and methinks I need to put the kettle on for my afternoon tea now.

**Don't forget to attend The Needle Retail Show ... begins Thursday early afternoon. Oodles of shops and designers listed, including me!, showcasing offerings for your stitching desires.

goodbye boo ... hello turkey

I quit working some time after lunch and spent a good part of the afternoon taking down Halloween stuff. Throwing all the candy (still can't fathom why no one gave milky ways - what kind of neighborhood is this?) in one big bag and hiding it ... but I know where it is. The few yard things that echoed Oct 31st have been put back in the shed and my Gather Friends banner is swaying in the crisp evening air as it was last November. Thanksgiving decorations are now out and about, and almost smiling as they look forward to their time on display. I had stitched Stacy Nash's Turkey Hill last year and framed it but today I took it out of the frame and made a pillow instead. I like it much better ... more cozy looking and fits nicely in the setting on the mantle. I brought out the name pillows which grace the table at Thanksgiving and how simple and festive they appear now ... as if turkey day were tomorrow. I'm glad it isn't ... not a lick of stuffing in the house other than polyfil. Enjoy your night!

*new for November*

Two NEW patterns released on this first day of November ...

Monsieur Darcy (Mr. Darcy)

Dedicated to all my French stitching friends and customers the world over. J'espère que vous aimez ce design. Merci pour votre patronage doux. Stitched on linen with DMC and made into a pillow using old quilt scraps to embellish.

Jane Austen Pincushion Doll

Miss Austen holds one of her novels and stands ready to house your needles! Stitched on 7ct Beige Klostern with overdyed threads (DMC conversion given in chart). Pattern also includes border around Jane Austen with the letter ‘J’ should you wish to stitch design on linen or another fabric and sew into a needlebook or matching scissorkeepe!

There's also a NEW free chart ~ Blessings to You.

Color Code

V DMC 834

O DMC 581

X DMC 3750

| DMC 931

/ DMC 932