It must be Friday the 13th,

because you're hearing from me again so soon.  Here is my second release for this month.  Her name is Mary Ann Louisa Boston.  Yes, there has been a lot of Mary Ann's lately, and still another Mary Ann is about to get charted.  It must have been a very popular name back then.  I don't usually buy antique samplers like this, but I couldn't resist the little motifs at the bottom, especially the tiny dogs.  They are about 1/4 an inch stitched on the 40ct. Legacy linen from Picture This Plus that I used.  It is charted for Needlepoint Silks and a conversion to DMC is provided.  There is a fair amount of over one on it, sorry.  Please don't hate me!  It's Mary Ann Louisa's fault.

 

The beautiful frame is from Valley House Primitives.  Thank you, Janet!

 

 

My friend, Sandy has already stitched Button Eyed Cat, and finished it in such a clever way.  I love the blanket stitch around the "31".  Thanks for the great idea, and for allowing me to share it.  I think you just gave me an idea for Christmas!

Have a great weekend everyone!

If fall won't come to me...

I am always very, very anxious to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.  Obviously, our heat gets old after several months of 100 plus degrees, but I just love all things about this season.  I can't wait to uncover the patio wicker and enjoy my morning coffee outside.  I like putting out a few decorations, and spent some time today doing just that.  So, even though the calendar and weather tell me that fall is still around the corner, I'm jumping the gun.  Here's a few photos:

 

I bought this wall cabinet years ago in MN, and it's one of my favorite places to dress up for the holidays.

 

 

If you've visited my blog in the past, much of this will be old news.  I pretty much stick with the same old stuff that I like.  I get a kick out of all the glittery pumpkins in odd colors, they are fun to look at in the stores, but not for me.  Each year I find myself simplifying, which means more natural things like gourds and bittersweet. 

 

 

A simple little display like this is more my style.

 

 

 I have been experimenting a little with moving some samplers around.  I know someone will be curious about the large one in the center.  It is an antique.  Ellen Strick was her name, and she stitched her sampler in 1849 when she was 9.  It will be reproduced at some point.

 

 

Last year I finally got around to finishing Halloween Queen from Notforgotten Farm.  I just love her!  This year, I found the black and white checked pumpkin at Home Goods.  I'd like to make some velvet ones just like it.  Maybe next year...

 

 

This is a new design that will be ready to ship later in the week.  It's called Button Eyed Cat.  I used 40ct. Cedar Plank from Lakeside, and Tomato, Raven, Oatmeal, and Gold Leaf sampler threads from The Gentle Art.  The orange border is rice stitched over four, but can be done in cross.  I wanted buttons for the eyes, but they are also charted to look like buttons if you'd rather stitch them.  For the fob, I used black rick rack, and sewed a button on the back for a simple finish. 

There and back...

 Hello, I would have posted these photos from The Attic's Summer School Soiree much sooner, but we immediately left for a trip to the Midwest right after.  If you're interested in seeing photos from the trip, you can find them on my other blog, Road Trip With Ruby.  We had a wonderful time at the soiree, and if you weren't there, you should have been.  I got very little sleep and felt like a walking zombie afterwards, but the time spent with everyone enjoying what we love was well worth it.  Who wants to sleep when you can be inspired by all of this:

 

 

 We all brought things to show and share.  Some were antiques waiting to be reproduced.  Some were new releases and projects in the works.  So much to ooh and ahh over.

 

 

 These lovelies above are from Priscilla's Pocket.

 

 You can see a couple of the soiree projects including Linda's from Samplers Remembered.  The antique sampler is to the right.  I can't wait to get started on mine.  We had fun making the scissor fobs and boxes for the pincushion in class. 

 

Here's a couple of antiques that will be reproduced.  Linda's reproducing the mostly pink one to the right now.  She's using 50ct. linen!!  The other two are mine and they'll be along eventually.

 

 

 I wish I had taken more pictures of everyone, but there was just so much going on.   Hi Robert, I hope you enjoyed your side trip to the Grand Canyon, and I'm so glad you didn't fall in :)

 

Cindy seems to be listening very closely to what Deb is saying.  Cindy and I were roomies, and we had so much fun.  Thanks, Cindy!

 

Here's Jean and her "faculty".  We sat together, laughed much, brainstormed a little about next year's event, and enjoyed ourselves a lot! 

 

 

 I thought I'd show you one of my finds from antiquing.  I have searched high and low for a real antique spool cabinet that wouldn't break the bank.  Well, I finally found the perfect one.  I spotted it right away and stood with my arm around it until the dealer arrived.  It is in really nice original condition and the back is what I love the most.  It sits next to my stitching chair.

 

Other than the cabinet, I only bought a few other things.  I did see a few samplers, but nothing came home with me.  I had to have the mouse on the canning jar.  He or she is supposed to be the "keeper of the buttons" according to the tag on it.  I have plenty of buttons that need a keeper!

 

 

 I worked on this while away.  The design is from Primitive Hare's Primitive Atmosphere's booklet.  Remember me telling you about the 50ct. linen that I was anxious to try?  That's what I used for the pin cushion.  It measures about 2 3/4 x 2in. and is so cute and tiny.  I tea stained it and added the pinned buttons.  Behind that is my start on the Ellennor Whitehouse Sampler from the current issue of SANQ.  I'm using 50ct. Meadow Rue and Tudor Silks.  The linen isn't as difficult to see as you would think.  I love it!  

 

 

Oops, I almost forgot.  One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to Picture This Plus in Kansas.  I love their linen, and it was wonderful to meet Marilyn and get a tour.  My husband had to drag me out of there.  Be back soon with a new release to show you.

A quick post...

to let you know that my second release for this month is now available.  You might remember that this was my project from last year's Sampler Soiree at The Attic.  It's called A Sampler Grows.  Legacy linen (40ct.) from Picture This Plus was used with NPI's: 183, 184, 184A, 208, 224, 242, 245, 321, 694, 976, 986, & 992.  Conversion to DMC is provided with the chart.  The majority of stitching is over two, but the verse is over one, as are several motifs. The checkered lawn is done with the easy peasy rice stitch, but could be done in cross.  The garden trowel is from By Jupiter.  The 3/4 inch Wild Berries rick rack trim is available from Crescent Colours.  The chenille may be available as well.  I actually dyed what is shown for the kits last year.  The scissor cases were my gift to the attendees.  I have three left so.......... I will be doing a giveaway on my Scarlett House Facebook page for this design sometime this week.  Check out my page and watch for it!

 

Stitch counts are:  pin pillow  119w x 64h

                                    fob         25w x 34h

 

 

 

 

When I last showed you Mary Ann Farmer, she was without a frame.  She looks much better now.

 

 

This is a snippet of a sampler that will be coming soon.  Lovely shades of taupe and teal.  After this finish, I am taking a much needed break, and will stitch something for myself.  I plan to work on Charlotte Clayton while we are on our upcoming vacation.  I also snagged a piece of the new 50+ uneven linen that is now available.  I can't wait to try it.  Everyone who has tried it says that it's not difficult.  I'll let you know...

Busy as a bee...

Where or where does the time go to?  My good intention is to update this blog regularly, and I'm failing miserably.  I could blame it on a number of excuses, like I'm busy designing, reproducing, stitching, and so on.  I could blame it on the heat, and the fact that I seek refuge in the pool frequently.  My hope is that you will be happy to hear from me, irregardless of the time in between posts.

 

 

Say hello to Mary Ann Farmer.  I have been secretly calling her the "summer sampler".  The colors remind me of all things in that particular season, and is in fact dated August 27th, 1834.  You all know I am a fan of red, and I thought these colors would bore me to tears.  Quite the opposite happened, it was a very soothing stitch.  My fabric of choice for this one is 40ct. Doubloon from Picture This Plus.  It has the perfect mellow yellow tone.  NPI silks were also used, and the stitch count is 259 x 193.  I hope you like her.  Charts will be ready within the next two weeks.

 

 

I have also been getting my kits ready for the Summer School Soiree at The Attic.  The inspiration for my project is a one room school house that I drove past in northern Idaho many years ago.  It was grey stone with dark red paned windows, and I was in love at first sight.  I'm looking forward to the event, and if you are coming...can't wait to see you there.

After that, we will be heading to the Midwest to see family, antique shop, and eat the foods that we miss from there.  I'm excited because we will be taking the motor home for the first time.  I have visions of all the nooks and crannies that I can pack (hide) my shopping finds. 

I'll do my best to be in touch soon...

She Feeds Them Well

 

 Happy Mother's Day!  I have a new release to share.  It's called She Feeds Them Well.  I confess to being a bird fanatic, and as I type this, there are two starlings splashing in the bird bath right outside my window.  I never get tired of watching their antics. We have several feeders in the yard, which need constant attention.  I particularly enjoy the little yellow finches, but no bird goes away hungry.  My sister is even more obsessed with attracting them to her yard, so I designed this for her.  I used the new Cedar Plank from Lakeside (which I LOVE!), and Sampler Threads from The Gentle Art.  Colors needed are: Forest Glade, Tarnished Gold, Apricot Blush, Soot, Garden Gate, Harvest Basket, Chamomile, Buttermilk, Pomegranate, Tin Bucket, Weathered Barn, Mustard Seed, Old Hickory, Pumpkin Pie, Picnic Basket, Piney Woods, and Espresso Bean.  Stitch count is 127w x 130h. 

 

 

 

I had to include a duck on the sampler in honor of these two.  They practically live in our front yard.  I suspect they have a nest on the golf course, but show up daily for the cracked corn I throw their way.  It's a real zoo around here at times.  A rabbit lives under the rosemary bush and is often seen beside the ducks, along with a dozen of gambel's quail, and the occasional road runner.

 

 

And totally unrelated are the two big jars of buttons.  It was late one night and I was browsing EBay when I came upon the auction for 12lbs of buttons.  There was only 14 minutes until the end of it, and I was curious enough to bid.  I love vintage buttons, but I think I was even more intrigued to see just how many made 12lbs worth.  I found these big Ball replica jars at Hobby Lobby, which perfectly hold most of them.  I have no idea what I will do with them all, but it's safe to guess that a future design will include a few. 

Good Company

 

Good morning!  I thought I'd share an updated photo of Good Company.  Here are the particulars:

40ct vintage Pear from Lakeside Linen

Stitch count: 271w X 131h

Belle Soie Silks:  Mudpie, Attic Tea, Noir, Berry Cobbler, Cobblestone, Limestone, Wheatgrass,

Weathered vine, Sister Scarlet, Icing, Mer Bleu, Moss, Espresso, Enchanted Forest, Tortoise Shell;

Angel Blush, and Puritan Blue.

I actually used Malted Milk in the model, but I just learned that it is no longer available.  Angel Blush will work in it's place.  Conversions to DMC and cotton over dyes included.  Charts will ship this week.

To answer the question about the sampler rug.  I found it online at Sturbridge Yankee Workshop.