Saturday, December 29, 2007

I'm just finishing my baking..........


....as with everything else this year, I'm behind schedule by about a week. I'm finishing my baking today so I can get it packed up and shipped. This little cookie is my favorite........Scandinavian Pepparkakor. While I was rolling them this morning I remembered the year my cats got into a bit of trouble. Molly and Willy were only about 5 months old, I was making triple batches back then to give to my staff and coworkers. I make my cookies miniature, this guy is 2 inches tall. I used to make hearts and stars also and I frosted them the traditional way with an icing that was made with gelatin. It was almost like working with marshmallow except it got stickier as it dried and when it is completely dried it is hard.


........Well, I was using the dining room table to dry them.......hundreds on racks. Molly was chasing Willy (the little black one) all over the house and all of the sudden I heard this clacking noise.......oh, dear..........there was Willy covered in sticky cookies starting at her front paws with a few hanging from her tail. When I finally caught her, she was terrified, I tried to pull them off and of course it was like they were crazy glued to her little body. Needless to say..........she had a bath. She was never quite the same after that night. She's gone now but this picture from that Christmas is in my kitchen.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.........and I wish you a peaceful New Year.

Barb

Saturday, December 22, 2007

Merry Christmas One and All!



We've been so busy getting ready for the holidays, we've been neglecting our blog. So, we'll wish you all happy holidays and make a resolution to be more chatty in the new year -- which is not so far away . . .

That's Sarah's Christmas tree pictured above -- the tree that undecorates itself. For every ten ornaments I put on, one falls off. It is a fraser fir and the branches are a little on the limp side. Next year, I'll get one that is sturdier.

Here's a close up of some ornies. That sweet charm of my dog Cairo was made by the very talented Lana Manis of Honeysuckle Lane (if you don't know her work, visit her at http://honeysucklelane.blogspot.com/ and http://www.honeysucklelane.com/). The angel behind and to the right of the charm was made by Rachael Kinnison of the Lady's Repository Museum (http://ladysrepositorymuseum.blogspot.com/) and Diamond K Folk Art (http://www.tdiptmercantile.com/artists/diamondk.html), who also makes the most amazing reproduction dolls I have ever seen.



I have some other fabulous hand-made ornies that I'll try to take pics of and post soon. In the meantime, drink a lot of eggnog and eat a lot of cookies! Life is short. Indulge a little.

Best wishes,
Sarah

Saturday, December 1, 2007

Barb's Been at It Again!

Here is her newest creation featured on The Primitive Gathering, which was just updated.( http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/ )



How fun is he? I think he is charming with his sweetly cocked head and all his vintage trims. Barb's got other treasures listed, as well -- some wee winter wabbits (see previous post), some snowmen and other charmers, too. Go take a look and do some Christmas shopping -- after all, it is December 1 -- only 24 shopping days left!

Stay warm!
Sarah

Sunday, November 25, 2007

Wee Wynter Wabbit Invasion..........


......everyone will be updating on December 1st on The Primitive Gathering website, that will be it until January 15th. I will have another large piece and some smalls and ornaments. Here's a sneak peek.

Hope you will all stop by to see all the wonderful new creations.
Barb

Monday, November 19, 2007

Country Parlor Holiday Sale



The fabulous Country Parlor Holiday sale is coming up this weekend -- as always -- the three days following Thanksgiving. So get yourself over to the Grange at the intersection of Sound Avenue and Church Lane in Riverhead! Doors open at 9 am on Friday! It is the best holiday sale on Long Island and is more than worth the trip!

Barbara transforms the grange into a magical wonderland of handmade treasures -- dolls, ornaments, baskets, rugs, embroidery, weaving, jewelry -- I can't remember everything! It is fabulous, and you should come if you can! Barb and I will have our stuff there once again this year, as will more than 30 other artisans.

If we don't see you again before Thursday, have a great Thanksgiving!

Sarah

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Barb's Latest Offering on The Primitive Gathering


Barb has been hard at work on wintertime goodies. Here.s her newest creation: Mr. Beau Jingles and his dog Shivers. How cute is that? You can find him for sale on The Primitive Gathering: http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

LIGRA RUG SHOW, Melville, NY

Barb and I will be vending at this show here on Long Island this weekend. Come and visit.


The Long Island Guild of Rug Hooking Artists (LIGRA) is having a rug show this Saturday, November 3, 2007, 10 am to 5 pm, at the Presbyterian Church of Sweet Hollow in Melville N.Y. from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. please come and enjoy this great show with over 100 rugs, 13 vendors and four workshops. Featured are Carrie Martin: How to Hook a Doll, Lucille Festa, Hooking a Wide Cut
Primitive Rug, and Jon Ciemiewicz, Hooking a Macaw's Head. Jeannine Happe will teach a rug hooking 101 class.

There will be door prizes, a raffle rug, baskets and punch needle .

Admission is $5 dollars Beverages and desserts will be available for
purchase.

Friday, October 26, 2007

New York Sheep and Wool Festival

Barb and I are just back from our second year as vendors at the New York State Sheep and Wool Festival. What a fiber fantasy! What a long weekend! What a great show for vendors and buyers alike! Once again we shared our spot in Building A with our friend Susan Borger of Lavender Trifles. We were happy to see repeat customers and old friends as well as new customers and new friends.

Here's a couple of shots of our booth.








This festival has something for every fiber fanatic -- from alpaca yarn to hand-dyed roving, from clothing to sheep's milk yogurt! I enjoyed every aspect of the weekend, but I grew particularly fond of these two llamas -- Biscotti Chip and Irish Cream.



I also loved all the sheep, goats and alpacas as well.





I've got more pics, but Blogspot isn't letting me upload them. Maybe I'll post some more tomorrow. At any rate, the moral of this story is: Come visit us at the 2008 New York State Sheep & Wool Festival! You won't regreat it!

Sarah

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Happy 50th Birthday to Me!

When I was speaking to my friend Jean in Kentucky about my birthday yesterday, she said, “Uh, oh – you’re going to get black balloons and black icing on the cake, and all that gloom and doom stuff!” And, I said, “No, I don’t think so. I’m going to make it sparkle.” And I told her this story.

About ten years ago, when my mother was dying from emphysema and lung cancer (yes, she was a heavy smoker, and yes, you need to quit RIGHT NOW if you smoke!), I was traveling back and forth to Connecticut from Long Island by ferry on a weekly basis. On one particularly sad trip home, when I was facing the fact that my mother was indeed going to die, I parked my car next to a fire engine red Volvo station wagon. It was driven by a gray-haired woman of about 50, wearing jeans and a beautiful Pendelton wool shirt (which I would have loved to have used in a hooked rug), and a gorgeous diamond bracelet. She was playing with 2 dogs that she obviously adored, and who adored her right back. She looked completely at ease in her life, and she looked completely happy. I decided right then – sitting in my car feeling sorry for myself – that I was going to be like her when I turned 50. I wanted a trusty dog by my side, a red Volvo wagon, and a diamond bracelet to wear with jeans. Of course, what I really wanted was to reach middle age happy and at ease in my life.

When I arrived home, I told my husband Peter about my decision. He smiled and listened with half an ear and went back to work. I told my dear friend Paula about it too, and she got it immediately. Of course – why should I be surprised? Paula really listens, and she is gracious, generous, smart, kind, and she lives her life with more integrity than anyone I know. She has dealt with more loss and adversity in the past several years than any woman should have to, but every day she faces the world with warmth and curiosity and makes it shine. When people ask me what I want to be when I grow up (no, I haven’t quite grown up yet), I always say, “A writer.” When people ask me who I’d like to be when I grow up, I always say, “Paula.” So, I fused the image of the woman on the ferry with Paula’s fine qualities and filed the picture away in the part of my brain that wasn’t still refusing to face the fact that I would someday reach the half-century mark.

And here I am. Fifty years old. Have I become the fictional woman I created 10 years ago?

I have a wonderful little Jack Russell named Cairo who makes me smile everyday – even when he has to go out at 3 in the morning.

I have a red Volvo wagon – garnet red, not fire engine, but it’s close enough. It’s a dream to drive and is about as safe a car as there is.

And, yes, while on vacation last spring, I bought myself a diamond bracelet. I couldn’t bring myself to buy a big fancy shmancy one – you could feed a third world country on what a tennis bracelet costs, but I did get a little bit of bling.

But this is all just stuff. It’s not what really matters, is it? This is what matters: I have a wonderful family -- my slightly eccentric, artistic, and handsome husband Peter, who works hard and plays hard and let me get the Volvo, my absolutely gorgeous, smart, kind-hearted daughter Clara who has made the sun come up everyday since she was born 19 ½ years ago, and my talented sister, friend and business partner Barby (I’m the only one allowed to call her that – you have to call her Barb or Barbara or watch out!) who can turn a piece of wool and a strand of thread into a cunning little creature that probably comes alive when no one is looking. I’m pleased to say that Paula has moved back home to Greenport after an exciting and adventurous year in Manhattan, so I can follow her wonderful example first hand again. And I have many friends in the actual world and the cyber world who inform and energize my life on not just a daily or hourly basis, but minute by minute. That’s what matters.

I’m going to wear my sparkly bracelet everyday from now on – or until I lose it (I have a history of losing good jewelry in weird ways – I lost a watch Pete gave me for our 5th anniversary in a porto-potty, and on a boat ride last year, Clara’s friend Lea lost her balance and accidentally ripped a beautiful earring (another gift from Pete) out of my ear and sent it overboard. I still have dreams about sitting in a beachfront restaurant in the Caribbean, ordering a whole grilled grouper and finding my earring inside . . .). I'm going to wear it not to show off, but because it is a symbol of how life can sparkle.

When I finish here, I am going to make a donation in Paula's name to OPLC (One Laptop per Child, (http://www.xogiving.org/) a group that provides laptops that only cost $100 to children in developing countries, enabling them to have access to a good education), to pay tribute to her, to the stranger on the ferry who inspired me, and to the many friends I have made online through my magical Macbook Pro (and to alleviate the guilt I feel for wearing diamonds that probably aren’t free trade). Then I am going to get back to work.

So what have I learned in 50 years? It’s not youth or jewelry that make life dazzling – it’s the way you choose to live it.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

6th Annual Newtown Rug Show


Barb and I will be at the Newtown show this Saturday, selling our wares! I will be debuting the pattern for Juggling Jack O'Lantern. Come and visit!

Newtown Hooked Rug Show
Reed Intermediate School
3 Trades Lane
Newtown, Connecticut 06470
203-270-8293

Show Date: Saturday, October 13, 2007 9:30-3 PM
Speaker: Meg Little
Meg Little, nationally-recognized textile artist, will speak on "Developing Design Ideas" and "My Philosophical View of Making the Every Day Special" . She will also show the commercial aspects of her technique, and tell us how she combines education, experience and her own designs to create customized art rugs for sale.

Workshop: Susan Feller
Susan Feller, artist/teacher/author, will lead a 3-hour workshop entitled “Manipulating Fibers for Dimensional Effects.” Ever thought your design could “come to life” if only you knew how to make it happen? Jump out of your box and learn to work in 3-D! Susan will show you how to use a variety of materials and techniques to create exciting new work. Register for this exciting workshop!


The 2007 Newtown Hooked Rug Show will be presented in the cafetorium of the Reed Intermediate School--where everything will be in one convenient location. Rug displays, vendors, speaker, workshop and lunch will be under one roof, with plenty of on-site free parking for vendors and shoppers.

Yup, it's gone!

I'm having a BIG birthday tomorrow, and deleting the post is a gift to myself. I am moving forward, toward positive things! Hope everyone else is, too.

Thanks to everyone for all their support.

Sarah

Sunday, October 7, 2007

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!


...........Boo left to move in with Jane and her Yorkshire Terrier (whose nickname is Boo!) last week. I do miss him sitting on the sewing table.

Sarah and I are getting ready for the Newtown Rug Show next week. I have lots of dyeing that needs to be done and still more sewing...... the following weekend we are off to the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool festival.......this has been a busy month.


6th Annual Newtown Hooked Rug Show
Saturday, Oct. 13,2007; 9:30 AM to 3 PM
Reed Intermediate School
3 Trades Lane, Newtown, Connecticut

NYS Sheep and Wool Family Festival
Saturday and Sunday October 20 & 21, 2007
Saturday 9-6 Sunday 10-5
Dutchess County Fairgrounds
Rhinebeck, New York

Try to stop by and see us if you're in the Hudson Valley leaf peeping!!!

Barb

Monday, October 1, 2007

Happy October 1st!

Today is the day -- new updates on The Primitive Gathering -- and the beginning of the October Gift away! Check it out!

Sunday, September 23, 2007

The First Day of Autumn


....should have been today.......we woke to a bright ,sunny day with a chill in the air. It will be warming back up this week but at least the mornings will be cool.

Our first show is this weekend, the 27th Annual Fall Festival and Craft Show at the Hallockville Museum Farm. It's a great old place on Long Island. I will be a vendor and Sarah will be with her Rug Hooking Guild selling and demonstrating. There will be tractor pulls, pumpkin picking, horses and other farm animals, music, food and a corn maze. There is a winery across the street that has wine tasting and hayrides. All in all it's a fun weekend for the whole family.

I need to get back to the sewing machine..........maybe we'll see you there???

Hallockville 6038 Sound Avenue Riverhead, New York Saturday and Sunday 10 to 5.

Happy Fall!!!
Barb

Saturday, September 15, 2007

The Primitive Gathering Update

is today! Check out all the new great offerings. Lots of Halloween & fall goodies abound.

Here's a peek at one of my listings, Ezra, the green gourd goblin:



And here are some of Barb's offerings:



Go take a look!

Thanks for stopping by . . .
Sarah

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Happy Halloween........coming soon


Well, we've been so busy getting ready for our show season we've neglected our blog a bit. I always think I have so much time and all of the sudden it's September and I'm in a panic. My first show is on Long Island at the Hallockville Museum Farm. They have been doing the show for 27 years, there are all kinds of activities besides the Craft Show. This year they will have pumpkin picking, a corn maze and a larger demonstration area for traditional craft demonstrations. They have tractor pulls using antique tractors, cows and sheep and just alot of fun. It falls on September 29th and 30th this year. Sarah's rug hooking Guild will be there , too. They will have a sale tent as well as demonstrations...........maybe we will see you there?????


This little fellow is currently on Ebay looking for a home, thought you might like to see him.


Barb

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

The Middle Name Game Continued . . .

Can I just copy Barb's in a different order? My middle name is Jane, so that would work! Also, I introduced Barb to Java chip, so I should lay claim to that! I am not good at this stuff . . . but here goes.

J for Jack Russell lover -- I've had 3: Milo, Ruby and Cairo

A for Arty -- I love to mke and create all sorts of stuff, especialy hooked rugs

N for Needle puncher

E for Easy Going, at least most of the time



Here's who we tag:

Lana from Honeysuckle Lane, Annie from Chickadee Primitives, Jackie fro TFC Folk Art, and Whendi from Whendi's Bears.

Sarah Jane
who doesn't use her middle much at all . . .

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

The Middle Name Game

...........we were tagged by Sweet Lorraine of Piecake Primitives............my name is Barbara Jean so here goes............
J- Java Chip Junkie.......best coffee icecream, thankyou Starbucks!!!
E- Ebay seller...........thimblefolk and hallowedhillprimitives.
A- Artist.....born that way, runs in the family.
N- Needlework tool and pincushion collector....(to name a few LOL)

I'll wait for Sarah before we decide who to tag.......................

Monday, August 20, 2007

and the seasons....they go round and round....



It's been delightfully chilly here in New England since this Friday past. Today it is cloudy and showers threaten, feels more like the end of September. I'm a good one for wishing away the summer. While I love the fresh fruits and vegetables and flowers I loathe the heat and humidity.

While I was chatting with a friend this morning, my gaze was on the hydrangea bushes on the other side of the driveway. I had picked a large bunch from these bushes in late June. When I brought them home I just threw them in a pot with some water and had to run back out. I thought they looked so beautiful, I took a picture and sent it to Sarah. My intention was to divide them up in my white McCoy vases and scatter them around the house, she thought they looked so pretty I should leave them....and I did. They lasted 3 full weeks and I was sad when they had to be tossed. So, this morning as I said goodbye to Irene I picked another armful and couldn't help but think of how the summer was almost gone.I brought them home and put them in the same pot and thought I would share with you today....and for some reason Joni Mitchell started singing in my head and hasn't stopped.............and the painted ponies go up and down......we're captive on a carousel of time......we can't return, we can only look, behind from where we came......and go round and round and round in the circle game..................have a happy day. Barb

Monday, August 13, 2007

Something new . . .

Here's something new I am working on that relates to my new listing on The Primitive Gathering. (New updates will appear on August 15th.) Barb thinks we should coordinate our booth better at shows by having similar items in different mediums. So look for a relative of this happy jack o'lantern on the Primitive Gathering in a couple of days.



I'll have this guy ready to go soon, too -- I may list him on ebay after I fill in al the holidays and mount him on something ot the other . . .


Sarah

PS: He's really much nicer looking in real life . . .

Monday, August 6, 2007

The PGKS Bird Swap

I was part of a small swap among members of The Primitive Gathering of Kindred Spirits, an eBay discussion forum, last month. The theme was birds -- just about Deena's (our moderator and creator of the swap) most favorite critter. We had 3 weeks to create something birdy. I, of course, was late finishing mine! The due date was the day we left New York for Wisconsin to celebrate my father-in-law's 90th birthday, so I was preoccupied. But I got my finished project in the mail the day I got back.

Of course, I hooked a mat, since that is what I do. My swap partner was Jenny of Country Rustic. She makes fabulous birdhouses. (View them here: http://www.picturetrail.com/country_rustic) So I hooked one of her birdhouses -- minus a bit of detail. I included her business name as well a couple of birds and a star. I think she liked it . . . .



My swap package was waiting for me upon my return from the midwest. Deena made me a beautiful blue box topped by a nest and a graceful blue bird with a paper tail, a cd of soothing piano music and a small, grubby candle.



Swaps can be great fun . . .

Just a little more than a week til the midmonth update on The Primitive Gathering. Be sure to visit on the morning of August 15th!

Enjoy the day,
Sarah

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

New Stuff for Sale!!


It's the first of the month, which means The Primitive Gathering has new merchandise for you to purchase! Go to www.theprimitivegathering.com/ to see all the new and exciting stuff our friends have made. And check back on the 15th to see our new offerings!

Happy August!
Barb & Sarah

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Black Cows


It's been hot and sticky here in Greenport the last week or so, and I have been dreaming of Black Cows. When we were little, my six siblings and I loved this sweet treat our father made for us on sultry summer nights. They're called root beer floats in other parts of the country, but in Connecticut in the 1960s, we called them Black Cows. I haven't had one in years, so today I gave in to my craving. I got out one of my favorite Block Optic Depression glass tumblers and filled it with vanilla ice cream and root beer. I added a straw and a beautiful silver spoon then sat on my porch swing to enjoy it.

It was every bit as delicious as I remembered . . . . . . .

Thursday, July 26, 2007

Let me introduce you to.................


Mr. Whipstitch, my personnal assistant. He is also Mayor of the Thimblefolk...................I made him for the opening page of my website which has yet to happen. Sarah and I have our own business names and mine is Thimblefolk. I had originally sketched him several years ago as sort of an elf but as I started working on him he took his own personality and presented himself as a distinquished gentlemen from the 1800's.

I found his thimble hat after many months of searching, it is actually a pewter shot glass that is about 2 inches long. I decided in keeping with my love of wool to needlefelt his head and his clothes (except his linen shirt and silk cravat) and the pincushion are all made from wool. He measures about 12 inches tall. He sits on my table in front of a giant pair of scissors and smiles at me all day long....................although he may just stick me with that needle if I don't get busy and start sewing again.

Have a happy day, Barb

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Here's where I create...........




...............I used to eat my meals at this table, now I am lucky if I can find it under the piles of fabric, patterns and tools. My quilts, hooked rugs and most of my vintage sewing collectibles are in this room so I am always surrounded by my favorite things.


I live in a tiny 3 room cottage just a short stroll from Long Island Sound so there's a limit to what I can do. This is the only clothes closet in the house and it was turned into a sewing room (that was until the wool took over).








That's Clo Pin (her real name, she's a vintage piece and her arms and legs are clothespins) sitting on the pile of wool.............she's saying "if she puts one more piece of wool in this closet.........





Enough for today.........I need to make a mess again. Barb

Friday, July 13, 2007

Angels for Brianna Ends Tomorrow!!!

Get your bids in!

http://angelsforbrianna.blogspot.com/

Here are the stats we just received:

Check this out....

$13,560.97

We had 661 visits yesterday, 10291 hits altogether, and 4599 unique visitors.

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

News from the Auction

We just received some statistics about the auction. It's really exciting to see how much has been raised and who is visiting the site.

Visitors from Iceland, Germany, Sweden, UK, Australia, Norway, Canada, US.

We are getting a ton of referrals from artists blogs - hope they update them with our fixed status and Money raised.....

Stats were way down on Tuesday. I am hoping that the artists will email their mailing lists/groups and let people know the site is up and perfectly operational.

Funds raised total: $ 11,164.00

including donations of $2,670

Stats are:

3334 unique visitors

7800 hits from all over the world.

Angels for Brianna Auction -- Wow!

The auction for the angels is in full swing now! It is great to see all the interest and all the money being made in Brianna's memory. If you haven't bid yet, get busy!

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Angels for Brianna Auction


Well, here is a sneak peak of my "angel"................I can't wait until tomorrow to see the rest.


Barb

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Angels for Brianna Auction


Sarah and I have been busy making our angels for the auction. It will start Sunday, July 8th @ 10 a.m. PST and end Saturday, July 14th @ 6:30 p.m. PST. This is where to go to view and participate..............angelsforbrianna.blogspot.com.........there are over 50 artists participating, all of whom have created an angel in Brianna's memory. If you wish to know more about Brianna, visit iva-and-family.blogspot.com.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Happy 4th of July!

It's only July 1, but the fireworks have already started! We have beautiful weather here in the Northeast. I'm hoping it will last through the holiday.

It's been a week since the Quiet Corner Rug Show -- a long time without a post, but I was hoping Barb would take up the slack this week. No such luck! She'll do anything to avoid writing.

We did okay at the show. We enjoyed the day, which started really early (we got up around 5:30 and left at 6:15). We were greeted by a whole passel of men who carried everything for us! Thank Bob, and Son-of-Bob (whose name is actually Kevin). We talked to several friends -- Barbara of Basket Garden Farm and Judy of 3 Bags Full had a booth -- and made some new friends, too. We had several repeat customers who remembered us from the Fairfield Grace show in April and the Newtown show in October. Lori Brechlin of Notforgotten Farm stopped by with her daughter and her sister. (Lori had a hooking group that Barb was a member.) And Barb's current rug group -- Kathy, Carol, Judy, Mary and Colleen came and bought, too!

Here's a shot of our booth:


And a shot of Barbara and Judy's both:


All in all, it was a lovely day. We'll be vendors next time, too. This will be a biennial show, to give members time to hook more rugs.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Quiet Corner Rug Show, Woodstock, CT

Barb and I are off to the Quiet Corner Rug Show at the fairgrounds in Woodstock, CT. We'll have lots of rug hooking patterns, wool, needle punch supples, Barb's woolly whimseys and other stuff, so if you are in the neighborhood, come see us.

I am currently in show overdrive, trying to do in one week what normally takes a month. No matter how much or how soon I start to prepare, I never get everything finished. So wish us luck!

This is one of my new patterns:



Here are the particulars:

Quiet Corner Hooked Rug Show
Woodstock Fairgrounds
Rte 169 & Rte 171
Woodstock, CT 06281

Saturday, June 23, 2007
9 AM to 3 PM

Many hooked rugs will be on exhibit. Vendors, demonstrations, food, and raffles. Linda Repasky, teacher of punch needle, will be lecturing and demonstrating. Parking is on site and free. Entrance fee: $5. For more information, call (508)476-3727.

Hope to see you there!

Sarah

Friday, June 15, 2007

New Updates on the Primitive Gathering

Today is update day on The Primitive Gathering website. Want to see and purchase some fabulous stuff? Go to http://www.theprimitivegathering.com/ and enjoy!

Here are some pictures of our stuff for this month. These are mine:



I love this needle punch box. I saw an antique weathervane and immediately thought of Emma Lazarus' famous poem, The New Colossus with the line, "I lift my lamp beside the golden door."



Here's the inside.



Here are Barb's updates. As always, her attention to detail is amazing!



Percy and Polly Puddleduck are so cute -- even their backsides are adorable! To see those pics, visit http://www.picturetrail.com/hallowedhillprimitives



Barb and I hope you all have a wonderful 4th of July!

Enjoy these sweet summer days!

Sarah

Monday, June 11, 2007

Wool

I started selling my rug designs a couple of years ago. It is always so satisfying when someone makes a purchase -- and it is really fun to see your design hooked by someone else. Barb has a friend -- well, I guess she's my friend now, too! -- named Kathy Blake Parker who hooks like a speed demon. She recently agreed to help me by hooking up some of my new patterns so I can use them as displays at shows. I give her the pattern, she hooks it anyway she wants, and then I get to borrow it back. It is really nice for me, because I can't possibly hook them all up myself.

So here is our first collaboration. I think she did an absolutely fabulous job on it. I love the dark sheep and the contrast of the dark background and the light foreground. And the word "wool" really sparkles.



And here is my version.



Kathy's rug makes a much more dramatic impact!

Now I'm off to pull weeds! Enjoy the day.

Sarah