A silver dawn in the Ottawa Valley

By on 1-17-2011 in Original photos

I woke to a brilliant Mars in a clear deep blue sky. Predawn drew me outside to watch a silver sun rise. A perfect, snappy winter morning in the Ottawa Valley.

Silver Dawn
As the sun appeared above the horizon, clouds moved in to reflect the light, creating molten silver.

sun through oak tree
Our old gnarled oak tree framed the silver rays as the sun rose higher…….

sun through apple tree
along with the crab apple tree.

snow post
Snow lies everywhere, the day so cold the snowflakes are individually frozen to the post as natural diamonds.

Vintage Night Owls….a very cute pair of ‘hooters’

By on 1-13-2011 in art quilts, Embroidery, Vintage Patterns

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Two more owls for everybody. Every time I see an owl somewhere it reminds me of my late mother-in-law. These are for her. This pattern was published in the McCall’s fall/winter 1972-73 magazine, decoupaged on a wooden box purse. Wouldn’t they look great painted onto a silk scarf or maybe appliqued onto the center block of a little wall quilt. They would also do justice to an embroidery block, especially redwork.

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Christmas in December….the Christmas Story in Stamps

By on 12-06-2010 in art quilts, Christmas Patterns, Embroidery, Original Quilts, Vintage Patterns

Christmas story

These figures were published in the McCall’s Needlework Fall/Winter 1959/60 magazine. They were stamped on paper (the lower photo) as well as on wood for free standing decorations. With the new medium for carving stamps I can see these modernized and stamped onto a Christmas wall hanging or table runner. They could also be used for redwork embroidery and beading. I have posted Mary, Joseph and Jesus here.

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You can download the full set of Christmas family, shepherds, wisemen and animals here:Christmas Story Stamp Patterns

Meet Ginger and Snap, two Christmas gingerbread paper dolls

By on 12-04-2010 in Paper Dolls

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Ginger and Snap, gingerbread cookie paper dolls, have come along just in time for Christmas. They are an early Christmas present to all. They live at the North Pole with Mr. and Mrs. Santa. They love helping around the house as well as working with the reindeer. Cocoa and cookies are their favourite North Pole snack.

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Here are line drawings of both Ginger and Snap to colour. They will print out on an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet. Don’t forget to give both of them ‘white icing’ decorations. Have fun this Christmas.

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