An Introduction. . . .

I do believe you've seen this little face before but fear I failed to properly introduce you. Previously referred to as "the family dog," this little moppet is actually named Stormy and more like a fourth child than anything else. Initially he was intended as a pet. . . . three years ago my daughter decorated a brown paper lunch bag with dollar signs, stationed it on the entry table, and informed us she was saving for a dog. For if only she had a dog, a pet of her very own, all would be right with the world! That bag sat there for months. The occasional sympathetic visitor would add a contribution to her meager collection but considering the cost of purchasing a dog is well into the hundreds, she was getting no where fast. The local animal shelters were of little help due to the limited number of breeds we could welcome into a family of full of allergies.

In the end it was Pop and Grandma to the rescue! My mom's persistence and my dad's wallet assisted greatly in the adoption of our newest baby. And I do mean baby! I don't ever remember having a puppy. All of my childhood dogs came from a shelter already potty trained and sleeping through the night. The cutest puppy in the world became a nightmare at sundown. Up every three hours to go out, whimpering every time he saw the crate, and outright barking if you put him in it. Weeks later it was my sleep deprived husband who finally ditched the crate and put the dog in bed with us where the little booger promptly curled up in a ball and slept straight through the night for the first time ever! To this day Stormy's favorite person in the house is my husband, although he minds me well enough considering I'm the one who feeds him and takes him out.

I'm also the one who takes him to the groomers and it was definitely time for a visit! Surprise!


Six hours later and another dent in the wallet and this is what we came home with! We actually prefer the moppet look but he sure smells better this way. . . . and remember where he sleeps! All of that grooming was not in vain, however, for he was invited up to visit my parents with me the next day. He has a special stash of cookie treats there and grandma has a very hard time saying "No!" To work off all those extra calories, his Pop took him for a nice spring walk during which I got a special treat of my own. . . .



. . . . a trip downtown to my favorite store ever! The Alphabet Soup is located at 263 Union Square in Milford, New Hampshire. The town center of Milford is adorable and a hub bub of activity hosting numerous festivals, concerts, and more parades than I can count.

Nothing is better, however, than to step through this door!

There are treasures everywhere and for every season. When I decided to have Christmas in July for my mom's birthday several years ago I headed straight to Alphabet Soup. Sure enough I had my choice of feather trees, advent calendars, and Santa paper dolls. The white drawers lining the walls of the shop are filled with the most beautiful glass ornaments and table linens you can imagine. Birdhouses, garden signs, and antiques are scattered everywhere. The very best surprises for me are always held in this cupboard.

It's always so much fun to meet and greet with Lucy's relatives!

These two little chicks absolutely stole my heart. I love their little dotted kerchiefs and can only imagine the gossip their squawking about.

Before I knew it my time was up and I had to leave to catch the afternoon school bus arrivals back at home. . . . but not before I snatched up two cheery cards for some long distance chums. The colors on them matched quite well with these buttons my mom acquired while out antiquing earlier in the week. They were an extra prize for me to take home. She must have known my supply had dwindled from making so many yo-yo flower pincushions recently. Now I can get back to work and put those buttons to use!

All except for these, that is. They caught my eye immediately since they look as if they were made of jadite. Even next to the real thing I'd never guess they were actually made of plastic. I used to have so much of that stuff , we even used it as our everyday tableware for awhile. Once I had little ones around, however, I quickly learned it was best not to use glass dishes. For those of you serious Fire King collectors out here I'll spare you the tragic details of that story. Needless to say, most surviving pieces were either passed along or sold off as a result but I just couldn't bear to part with this little Scottie. He's a real favorite of mine and stands his ground as a family pet of sorts from the safety of his cabinet shelf.

Ready to Go!

If I had to pick my favorite fabric in the whole wide world it would have to be gingham! It's the perfect accent to almost any other fabric, comes in not only a variety of colors but also check sizes, and it's sure to put a smile on your face. I imagine the perfect gardening uniform would begin with a gingham jumper, topped by a floral apron with pockets, a straw hat, and of course those wellies! The sight of these little drawstring bags therefore makes my heart all aflutter. . . I've had such a good time making them I almost forgot what's inside. . .

. . . Peek- a -boo. . .

. . . it's the first set of Pick-a-Lilies!

Of course I couldn't let well enough alone. . . so after the bags I wrote a little ditty. It was so much fun I wanted to share it and why not? Especially when I had some gingham paper!!! In the end I have to say I'm quite proud of myself but not, as might be expected, for the Pick-a-Lilies, the bags, or the poem. No, a far greater achievement in my book is the fact that I accomplished all of those things AND kept up with the enormous amounts of laundry that seem to be created in this house! Not once in the past two weeks has anyone called out for clean socks or underwear, nor have they stood wrapped in a towel in the laundry room waiting for their jeans to dry. Job well done if I don't say so myself!

Just in case you didn't get a chance to meet earlier. . . this is Lily Sue . . .

. . . and this is Lily Jane. I'm especially fond of her lace up bodice. My husband and I have been obsessively watching the John Adams mini series with Paul Giamatti. I've always admired Abigail Adams, and to see her so beautifully portrayed by Laura Linney was a real treat, and I'm sure, the inspiration behind Lily Jane's bodice! I shall have to be very careful to moniter my movie viewing while making the next batch of Lilies. . . who knows what could come out of a Hell Boy/Iron Man marathon!

Inspirations

One of the bi products of creating YO-YO Flower Pincushions is a lot of fabric scraps! If they are bigger than an inch I absolutely cannot bring myself to throw them out. I used to toss them in a basket for future rummaging but found the time it took to locate the exact piece I was looking for to be exorbitant. I decided to be a bit more organized this time around by using a kitchen tray to collect my mini scraps into a color wheel of sorts. As it turns out, I love this system . In working from the tray, however, I began to associate it more so with a painting palette. Just like those long ago days of college painting classes I began to hold the tray in one hand, while with the other, dabs of color would be picked up and applied to my canvas. I have to say the cheery red gingham "canvas" of my ironing board is much less intimidating than those big blank gesso covered ones that used to stare me down! As one thing always does seem to lead to another around here, these painterly reflections reminded me of something awaiting my attention. . . . .

. . . . . a very unusual "canvas" and in the third dimension no less. I cannot tell you how scared I was to actually perform this next step in the doll kit. That first brush stroke was really hard to do but within a few moments I was enjoying the results. So much so, in fact, that I went a little "paint happy" in areas I was not supposed to. The directions show the Basic Doll is to have only her upper torso painted and the Doll's Doll only half her legs. I on the other hand painted it all...oops! I also think my button placement on the shoes is incorrect but that's what makes her mine! And now that she's mine it's definitely time to name her. . . . . so let me take a moment here to introduce you to Nellie and her wee doll Sally Anne.

Having recently received a sweet rosebud mouth Nellie was quite anxious to put it to use. It was from this source, in fact, that I heard tell of Lily Red and a possible painting project in the works. I headed over to make inquiries but found Wayside Cottage deserted for the day. Paint swatches and sketches were scattered about and her pencil roll left unfurled. Perhaps the sunshine outside her window was just to tempting. . . . .

. . . . . and Lily Red was out greeting some early spring shoots!

My jaunt over to the cottage was not in vain, however, for my brief peek inside was enough to inspire a bit of planning for my own humble abode. Does anyone remember the fabric I ordered form the T-Party? It arrived way back in January and ever since then I've been collecting bits and bobs to coordinate with it. Putting it all together in a pile helps me to visualize the next steps. I've got some big plans to make a very small room something special. To be honest, anything will be a vast improvement over the space's current condition and I'm not saying anything more than that until it's all done! Oftentimes, when I talk too much about a work in progress the end result suffers terribly. I like the excitement of not knowing exactly how things will evolve and in most cases it's very different than I initially envisioned. When I share my early plans with someone, I tend to confine myself to the boundaries of those descriptions. And so, as you might imagine, I've got numerous project plans going on at any given moment. Some are acted on immediately, others take years, and most will never see the light of day.

Here are the beginnings of one such "secret" project with origins stretching back way over a year ago. Can you guess what it is? Of course, by now the wooden pieces are highly recognizable as the main components of those clothespin dolls that are all the rage. When I discovered a lone packet of these pins and beads I was desperate for a wooden doll of some sort. Not feeling confident enough to carve my own I saw these as a great alternative! My only disappointment was in the fact that the legs could not bend. The "secret" project to amend that situation is still under wraps but in the mean time I found an alternative use for the upper body. The donut shaped mutant next to them is a key element and also was a real booger. You don't even want to know how many failed attempts I made trying to perfect a method for creating what is really nothing more than a stuffed "O" . . . . at least I did them all in muslin first! Thank goodness for all those YO-YO Flowers because that is when real inspiration struck. Believe it or not, what you see here was actually a great revelation and only a few steps away from success.

Once again painting was involved only this time with real paints and palette.

Referencing scribbled doll ideas in an old sketchbook made painting the faces really quick and easy. . . of course that's not counting the hours of doodle time put in over the years!

And so in the end, what began as my desire for a little wooden doll has materialized into this. . . the creation of a "Pick-a-Lily" Pincushion. She will soon be joined by others in my shop where each will be thoughtfully named and the picking may be done.

Collections

I do believe it's in response to this snowy, snowy winter (another 12" this weekend past!) that I have begun making these YO-YO Flower Pincushions. Initially I made a few only to replace what had sold in my Etsy shop. They were such a cheery sight, however, that I decided to make another...and another...and another. I might not be able to get out in my wellies yet but there's nothing stopping me from creating a cottage garden of blooms right here in my sewing nook!

So far this one is my favorite. I call it "Hitty Red." Somewhere, in my recent obsession with Hitty dolls, I stumbled upon an image of one wearing a dress made from this very same print. Being that I already had a stash of this fabric squirreled away for some future project, I took it as a definite sign that I must get myself one of those dolls...and create a wardrobe for her!

In amongst my obsession with the YO-YO Flowers I received a request for more of these patchwork pin pillows. These are always fun to create, especially if I can get my hands on a new fabric with images small enough to for the center charm pieces. My exciting new addition to the collection is the gardening girl with a watering can. Someone else also make it into the batch . . . .

. . . Little Bo Peep! Some of you may recall hearing tell of her most unfortunate accident with a rotary cutter last October. I'll have you know, when it became necessary to size up her patchwork block this time around, scissors and a steady hand were carefully employed.

While working on those pin pillows I thought quite a bit about the recipient of them. She is a pincushion collector. How very strange that I had never considered collecting these items myself...until now that is! I've got oodles of them scattered about but they exist for me in a purely functional manner. I've still got this first one I ever purchased. I think it came from the dollar bin at Jo-ann Fabrics and boy does it look it! It's long since been retired to the back of my sewing drawer, pins and all.

Yes, I've become a pin snob. I absolutely love the longer version with the shiny colored balls on top. Not only does the bigger size make them easier to work with (and find when dropped on the floor!), but they add a happy sparkle to everything they touch. Most days you can find an entire forest of them here in what is probably my most used pin keeping device . . . .

. . . . this doll's chair is a favorite of mine (and yes I do have a collection of these too!) It was a consignment shop find several years ago and found its way to my sewing table from pure aesthetic taste. Then one day, having failed to set out a pincushion before sewing I randomly jabbed a pin into it's cushion and the habit was born.

By the way, I must tell you, that's my beloved Emma sitting in the chair. She's a Sewing Star creation that I purchased at a Back Road Event teddy bear show. It was great fun and the artist's creations were amazing. I bet you think I'm going to say I have a teddy bear collection too. Not so unfortunately, therefore explaining why I purchased a pink elephant at a bear show.

It is with this piece that my pin cushion collection will start. It is actually the only one I have that serves a purely decorative purpose. I originally bought it because of the three little pastel pins which I thought were so darling and such a perfect match. I'll be keeping my eyes open for some "friends" to join him. Believe it or not flea market season is only a few months away and I can only imagine what treasure I'll find!

Cottage Caretaking

February school break has come and gone leaving mom with her head spinning. Numerous play dates, doctor visits, dentist appointments, late night TV watching, bowling competitions, and more pizza than I care to remember have left their mark. So once those dear little student bodies half dragged themselves to school on Monday I set out to reclaim the house! After taking stock of the situation it was determined a good deal of scrubbing and sorting would be in order. And it seems I wasn't the only one with some housekeeping on her mind...

...for Lily Red was hard at work over at Wayside Cottage! With apron on and broom in hand she tackled each and every corner of the place. By mid-morning the cottage had been cleared of all its' jumble.


No sooner had the broom been set to rest than Lucy popped in for a visit, as was becoming their habit. "Oh, I'm ever so happy to see you," said Lily Red. "And what good fortune you've brought your scissors along as I'm ready to start unpacking my things. If you'd be kind enough to help by cutting the twine I'd be forever grateful!"

Lucy of course was more than happy to assist her friend. Luckily, Lily Red had a ladder (previously employed to reach the ceiling cobwebs) and so Lucy was able to reach just the right spot to make the perfect cut.

As the twine tumbled down Lily Red was able to pull away the lid and finally release the contents of the box. A lift top desk and a four poster bed were revealed along with some smaller treasures. Lucy relished hearing all about them. She was most interested in a portrait painting which Lily Red explained was of a very famous author. "Someday I hope to be an author just like he was," explained Lily Red. " I've even got the tools of the trade, a journal and a favorite pencil. With them I'm going to write about our adventures to come!"

Before long everything was tidied up. Lucy was hoping to cut some wire to hang the painting but Lily Red wanted to wait. "You may think me attempting to be a Renaissance Woman, but I do believe in addition to becoming an author, I'll try my hand at painting...walls that is! "

Bits and Pieces of the Weekend Past

What a vast improvement a working furnace can make to one's weekend! Free from the coats, blankets, and five foot radius around the portable heater, I was amazed how much I as able to accomplish. First a little TLC was given to my sewing nook. I've actually surprised myself at how well I've been able to maintain the orderliness I worked so hard to achieve during my "Where I Create" overhaul last fall. My main goal this time was to dig current works-in-progress out of a hutch in my bedroom and find a more "inspirational" method to store them...one that would not foster the "out of sight, out of mind" dilemma. The stairwell banister proved to be an excellent solution! By draping an old baby's quilt over it I can even pin up smaller projects so as to keep track of them. It's my very own little design wall and production line all in one.

Having re-discovered these pastel nine patch squares I made several years ago I set to work making a mini quilt top out of them. Several weeks ago Humble Needle posted a great tutorial on making the tidiest mitered corners when attaching the binding to a quilt. I've wanted to try it out ever since I saw it...and soon I should be able to!

I've also been wanting to acquire a book I read about over at Blueberry Cottage, "The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady" by Edith Holden. What luck it was for me to accompany my husband to a "new" old bookstore he discovered several towns over, for not only did I find that treasure but another little gem too, "Cottage Gardener" by Jackie Bennett. The illustrations in both are quite beautiful although one of them in particular almost negated the sale in it's entirety. . .

. . . for wouldn't you know it, my first flip through Holden's book landed me on page 50 where I was introduced to the Adder who is apparently "very plentiful in some parts of England." Oh where are those wellies when you need them! Luckily I was soon distracted by Bennett's sweet pea trellis suggestion.

Speaking of England, did I ever mention I finally acquired the long sought for Christmas issue of the British Country Living? Well I did! I have enjoyed reading this one over and over again even though the holiday is now long gone. It might even be my new favorite so far. Lucy's too apparently. . .

It seems she's been doing a bit of moonlighting! If I'm not mistaken, I do believe she is perched there on the second shelf down in a hutch pictured on page 127.

Someone else is finally able to "perch." By Sunday night my basic doll and her little friend had been assembled and let me tell you it was a lot harder and took a lot longer than I ever would have imagined. Granted, putting the legs on backwards, having to CAREFULLY remove them , and then reattach them in the correct direction didn't help. The arms remain separate on purpose...apparently they are to be attached after the body has been painted and may require a pair of needle nose pliers to ease the sewing procedure!?! Wish me luck!

And the winner is...

I do believe Lucy and Lily Red are fast on their way to becoming the best of friends. Once the details of our February Giveaway had been shared the two sat down and got right to work...and a more perfect match I couldn't imagine. Lucy took to cutting out some lovely hearts while Lily Red wrote out the entrants names in the loveliest penmanship. Then, when it was finally time for the drawing, a most amazing thing happened. My children, yes those very same creatures that previously rolled their eyes at my doll play, wanted to participate! There was even a bit of a rumble among the three as to who should get to perform the actual selection process. In the end it was unanimously decided that I should organize two more giveaways in order that each should have their own turn! So stay tuned! For today however, I am happy to announce the lucky winner to be. . . . .

. . . . . Martha from Miss Van Droo! (Please e-mail me with your address and the Sweet Hearts will be on their way.) Her doll book recommendation was Hitty by Rachel Field which I am currently reading and thoroughly enjoying each and every page. So many of the books have been quite delightful but I have to say my favorite thus far has been. . . . .

. . . . . The Doll's House by Rumer Godden recommended by Suzanne at Blueberry Cottage. I love Tottie, the little farthing doll, as much as the Queen did! And the fact that Tasha Tudor illustrated the story was an added bonus. It's a story that warms the heart!

I extend a big "Thank You" to all participants and an even bigger one to Wayne, the repair man who fixed my furnace today. It's ever so nice to have a warm heart AND a warm body!

Winter Blues and the Arrival of Lily Red

Oh woe is me...considering the events of the past weeks I have devoted this day to a bit of self pity. It began innocently enough with a car that wouldn't start due to the extreme cold. That in itself is to be expected at least once a year here during a New England winter. Ditto on the perpetual colds that take up permanent residence in our home every January. The sudden "death" of the digital camera, however, was completely out of the blue as was my broken tooth with crown work to follow...Yeah! And for a little added spice to my days it seems the checks I ordered form the bank have been lost in the mail!

A spot of tea and time spent knitting to sooth the soul you say? Not so I reply, for a sensor in our furnace broke and now the vile thing blows out a stream or cold air through the vents. Good news, however, one small part and it can be fixed...next week once the distributor sends it! So for the second time in two months our home is without heat. The teapot therefore, is to warm my hands and the knitting one of the few projects I am able to work on while huddled under a blanket. I have promised myself that should I ever win the lottery, the construction of a fireplace will be my first extravagance!

Apparently wooden dolls are quite tolerant of the climate for a wee one was spotted making its way through the bramble earlier today.

Imagine our surprise when that same wee wanderer was seen peering in the window at Wayside Cottage! Could it be...

Why yes it was! Our long awaited Lily Red had finally arrived. Introductions were made all around followed by a brief inspection of the cottage. Lily Red found it full of possibilities and being quite anxious to make it home Lucy presented her with the key. "I'm ever so happy your finally here," she said. "And your timing is perfect as something very exciting is happening tomorrow. Do take off your cape and I'll tell you all about it!"