The view from my October window

By on 10-23-2010 in Original photos

maple and oak leaves

The maple and oak leaves have been glorious this year. The crystal clear blue of the sky in the mornings makes you want to wake early and be glad you are alive. Unfortunately this morning we woke up to our first bit of snow.

Christmas in October

By on 10-20-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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Mr. and Mrs. Santa are wooden lawn figures, but wouldn’t they look great at big pillows? They were published in the Family Circle Magazine, December 11, 1984. They could also adorn a wall hanging, worked in Red work embroidery to be included in a vintage quilt or simply painted on smaller wooden plaques for ornaments. I wonder who the little girl is? Where is she now? She sure is cute.

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Christmas in August

By on 8-26-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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August is the month to start preparing gifts for Christmas. Jams and jellies from this year’s fruits and herbs would make great gifts. As gifts they need to be presented with frills and covers. Crafts Plus October 1995 magazine published some very pretty, but easy and quick covers to make during this busy month. Susan Bolton designed the apples in the basket which could be put on apple butter, apple sauce or apple jelly or anything else apples. Mary Driscoll designed the ‘cool mint’ stencil. Mint jelly was a favourite with my mother-in-law at all her turkey dinners. There is also a palm tree which would look great on a jar of jelly made from tropical fruits. A hardanger cover is also included which could go on any jar you give at Christmas.

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You can download all four patterns shown, plus the hardanger cover instructions here. It is a 222kb pdf document Jam Jar Covers, Crafts Plus Sept/Oct, 1995

Christmas in July

By on 7-14-2010 in Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Original Pattern

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Summer is finally here to stay. It is hot, hot, hot. July is another snowman month. This time Freddy is wrapped up in a stocking cap. He is outlined in chain stitch and French knots give him his polka dots. Enjoy and feel free to use this pattern as well as the first Freddy pattern from March. A mention would be great and expected as a goodwill gesture.

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