Brooches

Little Snow Bird in Crocheted Nest

I have been exploring all the things I can make with a crochet hook and a bit of yarn and have had the most fun making dishcloths, scarves, and mug mats. But my new favorite thing is making brooches. I scored a lot of brightly colored virgin wool yarns (vintage, or course), lots of skeins and have been feverishly crocheting flowers ever since. I am awaiting some lovely vintage pearl half-round buttons that I found on etsy to put some more of these little pretties together. I just love the punch of color and uniqueness they add to a coat lapel, hat, scarf, etc. Here are a few of my creations so far...

Flower Brooch in Coral with Gray Daisy, Purple Center and Green Leaves

Red and Gold Daisy Flower Brooch with Vintage White Pearlized Rose Button

Little Red Bird in Crocheted Nest

Flower Brooch - Bright Yellow Rose Bud with Green Leaves


Flower Brooch - Bright Orange Sherbert and Turquoise Blue with Yellow and Spring Green Buttons

Flower Brooch - Extra Large Turquoise Blue with Red and Gray Blue Center Green Leaves

Thanks for visiting me today - These brooches, as well as other crocheted items, can be found in my shops. There will be lots more to come - this is too fun!!

Happy New Year

A Winter Wonderland

Mainz, Germany

This time last year, we were on our way home from Germany. We visited Mainz, Koln, Heidelberg and Frankfurt. The train rides between the cities were one of my favorite things. We passed ice-covered vineyards, old farmhouses and castles. It was very cold and snowy, kind of like being in a snow globe - what a magical Christmas. Hope you enjoy the pics and Happy New Year!!

The Heidelberg Castle

The Inner Courtyard of the Heidelberg Castle (only part of it - it is huge)

Overlooking Heidelberg from the Castle Wall

The Heidelberg Castle

The Castle Beer Keg

The Castle Wall

The Rhine River

The Dom (ca 1200)

Two of The Dom Windows - Inside

Me and Becky at the Dom

Waiting for Santa...

Some of you have asked to see our new granddaughter, well, here she is! At six months old, in her old-fashioned sleeping cap, Rebecca is waiting for Santa to deliver lots of gifts for her tree!

Hey - I think this one is for me!

Christmas Time is Here

From Charlie Brown Christmas

~~~

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

~~~

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a New Year full of blessings!!

Vintage Needlecraft

I recently purchased a lot of vintage linens found in an attic trunk. Some of them are Victorian. I am just so enamored with the detail work on these linens.... the cutwork, the embroidery, the edging - it is all fabulous! I always imagine the hours it must have taken someone to finish these beauties. Most of this fabulous needlework is done on huck linen toweling aka hucking and huckabuck (a relatively coarse weave of fabric originating in Sweden ca 1600 and before). They all washed up nice and white and are just a sight to behold and a pleasure to touch. Here are a few of my favorites...

Intricately Crocheted Doily

Beautiful Roses Cutwork and Embroidery Tablecloth

Tiny Pink Roses Trimming on Huck Linen Towel

Monogrammed Victorian Bath Towel - W

Lovely Cutwork Butterfly and Embroidery on Huck Linen Towel

These linens and many more in my shop.

White Christmas - Cottage Style

from ArtfulMstudio

The Cottage Style Street Team on etsy is a wonderful group that I am proud to be affiliated with. They are genuinely caring and, did I mention, extremely talented. They tirelessly promote for each other and create some of the happiest art represented on etsy. This post is dedicated to the CSSTeam. I am presenting a sampling of the White Christmas goodness artfully crafted by these ladies...

from HeathersCottage

from LittleThings1

from SunshineandRavioli

from karlanathan

from OutOnAWhim

from SouthernLadysVintage

from VintageByCrystal


from CatnipStudioToo

from MyEuropeanTouch

Etsy's Front Page

My Homespun Christmas Wreath was on the front page of etsy today. I have had other items on the front page, but have never gotten to see myself on the front page - I didn't even know it was in a treasury. This wreath was made from jute webbing, a straw wreath, some straight pins and hot glue. I also made little ones to intermingle in with the garland going up my staircase. We are definitely having a homespun Christmas this year!

Thanks to Elllipsis for including it in with her treasury!

Crochet Fever - I'm Hooked!

Well, I've got it. If it came with a fever, I would be burning up! I had forgotten how much fun it is to crochet. Have not done it in decades... it all started when looking for scarves to accompany the wool coats I bought my daughters for Christmas. Could not find what I wanted - nothing was just right. After all, my baby is freezing her tail off in Germany now and needs coverage and warmth. So I thought, well, I used to crochet, I can just make her a scarf ... one visit to the Hobby Lobby Walls of Yarn and I was hooked!! Wow, the yarns... there are so many fabulous textures, weaves and colors. You don't have to be a "fancy" hooker (hehe) to make gorgeous scarves, just a few simple stitches! Here are some of my creations so far...

These are for sale in one of my etsy shops. Click on the pics to link there - Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!!

I am Thankful...

http://www.ducttapeanddenim.etsy.com/

~~~

I always think about my daughter Becky, who is living in Germany now, this time of year. She was five and in kindergarten and asked by the teacher what she was most thankful for and she said "cranberry sauce".

As I get older, I am mellowing some, as all good cheese and good wine does. I am a little fatter than I would like to be and my knees don't work as well as they used to, but I do see that I have much to be thankful for. We all do. This crazy world that we live in just goes faster and faster, spinning out of control. Or it seems to be, but we must remember that it is not and that our faith is not in this world, but the one to come. Those of you that know me know that I put my faith in the Lord, I have to. Life is just to scary without that firm hand to guide me and that unconditional love that envelopes me and carries me through life.

It has been a tough year for us, three deaths in our family, some surgeries, family illnesses and traumas, but the Lord has been faithful. In amongst the turmoil, there He is, with His steady hand and loving arms. He is there for all of us, we just need to call out to Him and open our hearts. So this Thanksgiving, inspite of it seeming to be one of the worst years of my life, it really has been one of the best. The best because all the hurt that I have felt has drawn me closer to Him - I am most thankful for Jesus. He has surrounded me with a wonderful loving family and caring friends. I am thankful!

I wish you all the best Thanksgiving ever, and though times are tough and it seems there is no answer, there is, He is standing right in front of you, waiting. All your problems will not go away, but you will have a friend, that sticks closer than a brother. Happy Thanksgiving, My Friends - Enjoy your friends and family and be safe!

Some of my favorite Thanksgiving items from Etsy...

http://www.littlethings1.etsy.com/

http://www.goodandplenty.etsy.com/


http://www.dizzeelizzee.etsy.com/


http://www.truluxe.etsy.com/


http://www.basketsbypeggy.etsy.com/

The View from My Chair

I just love this time of year....the swan song of the leaves in brilliant colors and the sky is so blue. It was warm here today so I headed for the back porch with a book and parked myself in my favorite chair to enjoy the warm sun, blue sky and quiet - could not resist a pic or two to share - Hope you enjoy....

Thanks for stopping by - hope you all have a great week!!