Early Christmas Gift

My Father in Law on Monday was at an auction, one he goes to regularly. While he was there he picked up some things

he thought I mite be able to use. Ed came home from the farm Tuesday and told me there was some stuff in the bed of the truck for me. I had to stop my cleaning (yes I’m still cleaning, I am almost done though) and go get my surprise.

When I got the bundle up stairs I found four embroidery frames the kind that work like a scroll. One of them even has feet to stand on a table. A separate stand that I can put the frames on to keep a hand free when embroidering. You can use it with frames or hoops. The piece de résistance is a Schacht tapestry loom it is the 18” model and was made in 1979. So I’m cool with that and all pieces are with it.

So I am more than happy that my Father in Law was thinking of me while at the auction. He saved me a couple  of hundred dollars on equipment that I can’t afford right now or just would do with out.

O by the may he only spent two or three dollars on all the pieces.

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New York

A week ago Ed and I went on our yearly Christmas Shopping trip to New York City. We enjoyed ourselves as we always do. We went to Chelsea Market, Strand, Union Square (Christmas Craft Fair and Farmers Market), Macy’s (got to go too Macy's), Eataly, Donut Planet, Lord and Taylor (that one was a first for me and so was Donut Planet), Grand Central Station, Trump towers, FAO Swartz, St Patrick’s, Rockefeller and of course Time Square. I think I named all the major spots, I’m sure I left out some place we ducted into along the way Since it was raining most of the day.

While I was up there or over there how ever you want to look at it. I of course picked up some things. Like a couple of books, ok three to be exact (Thumbelina is telling me to tell the truth) two embroidery and one on palm weaving which is really cool, I finished reading it and can’t wait to get some palm come spring. You can also use native grasses and or straw, your not restricted to using palm.

I also picked up a body brush. This type of brush is soft and is used to clean the skin naturally with out soap. You only use this brush once a week and not on your face that skin is to sensitive. To use it make gentle circle motions, starting on the arms and working up. once you are done you rinse of in cool water and you can use a light moisturizer. You feel very invigorated when your done and the use of the brush not only exfoliates the skin it also helps with blood circulation. I got it at Whole Body which is part of Whole Foods.

Even with the rain Ed and I had a wonderful day in New York. We both say every time we go we could live there. Now all we have to do is come up with a million to buy a place.

What I've been up to

I have been busy with fall cleaning (Yes it's still fall). When I say clean I mean take everything out of the cabinets and off walls and so forth. To give the place an excellent cleaning before the new year. I only got the kitchen cleaned so far. I have also decorated the front porch for the holidays. We got a Moravian star that we have hanging and we got some greens and had some fun. I have the rest of the place to clean and we are also on Christmas cookie duty this year. We have no clue what kind we are going to be making but we'll figure it out. 

Surprise

I was at an auction on Saturday, which had your typical house hold goods. Some furniture, lots of books, china, house hold items, tools and the like. Going through a coupe of the boxes on one of the tables I found some cool stuff. So when they got to that table I bid and got 2 boxes for three dollars a box. So what was so cool in those boxes you may be asking. I will allow you one guess so take a chance and think about it before you scroll down.

 

 

How's it going, do you got an answer yet?

 

 

Ok ready for the answer (you may be saying, God this better be good the suspense is killing me).

 

 

The first box was filled with craft books from 1946 and earlier. From tatting to crochet, knitting, weaving, sewing, mixed media and I even got 2 women's day magazines as well. A very large amount of wealth for three dollars and the really cool thing is out of this box I now have a Jiffy Loom and Weave – It book. I have PDF copies of both but I never thought I would own an original.

The second box is cool just not as old. That one is filled with mixed media, crochet, fashion and the lot form the 80’s. like I said cool not as exciting as the first box, but still a wealth of knowledge and one of the crochet magazine I used to get from that time period.

So below you will find a photo album with pics of the books and magazine for you to look at. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Rooster 2

I have completed the first quarter of the rooster including all the detailing. I wasn’t sure if I should finish all the cross stitching first and then go back to do the backstitching or just do it all at one time. I choose the one time method I figured it wouldn’t hurt and it made more sense to me to do it all at once. So now I have three quarters to go, I will post a picture when I get the cross stitching done.

Rooster

Back in August Ed and I where in Hobby Lobby (if I've been good sometimes Ed takes me there). While we where walking around we got to the needle art section (next to the yarn, knitting, tatting section). He got a phone call and while he was talking I found a cross stitch rooster. The really cool thing was instead of grapes, this rooster is surrounded by olive branches with olives amongst them. I thought that was the coolest looking rooster. Ed finally got off the phone and I showed it to him and he liked it as well. So I got it.

I started it about a month ago, after I got the Christmas pieces done. This is the upper right hand corner. When its done it will be 12” – 12”, once  I finish the cross stitching in this section, I will put the detailing in this section. Then I will work on the upper left corner. When I get the detailing done I’ll post about it.

Antique Pattern Library

I was searching the web for some cross stitch patterns and came across the Antique Pattern Library. This Library as some very old pattern and pattern books that are free to download. The site remains a free site by taking in donations (which can be made on the site). If you have a chance check it out I just started checking it out my self and what I found thus far is really cool.