Monday, July 27, 2015

Lately

Sun Blaze :: New-Old Sampler :: Forage :: New-Old Pillows (made from antique kilim rugs) :: Cousins, all in a Row :: Summer Rain :: Seed :: First Fan Club :: Did I Break Child Labor Laws? :: After the Braid

Monday, July 20, 2015

*NEW* Take Heart

Recently, there was a charmingly naïve, skinny and tall, really worn and primitive band sampler that I nearly won on ebay. It was one of those days when I totally could have been present to place the winning bid, but completely spaced the timing and therefore lost the auction. I was so sad, and irritated with myself, because I had planned to share it with you all, not to mention the fact that I really wanted to hang it on my wall! Because I now couldn’t offer it as a pattern in good conscience, I chose a completely different verse, different colors, different motifs, but tried to capture the same feeling and dimensions. It was a super quick little sampler to stitch up, taking me only four days, and the size is perfect for hanging on an end wall or the side of a cupboard.

The verse is a favorite of mine from the Bible, found in John 16:33, the full verse reads, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Stitch Count: 55 x 256
Model stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions’ 32ct. Star’s Hollow Blend
Using Classic Colorworks': Cocoa Bean, Hazelnut, Honeycomb, Olive Branch, Used Brick, Weeping Willow


This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will be going out to my distributors and the shops on my automatic shipments list soon. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Camping Out... Almost

I don't know which one had the idea first, but sometime during the beginning hours of the day, the plan started to take shape. And the excitement grew as the day progressed. They were going to camp out in the yard all by themselves!

Daddy helped pitch the tent and I offered suggestions as to what they might want to take with them.

As the hour grew near, they were practically giddy with excitement.

Sleeping bags were unrolled and pillows fluffed.
Games were packed as well as flashlights and snacks, and they had permission to stay up as late as they wanted. They were in absolute kid heaven.
I must confess that I had very strong doubts that it would last. But they carried onward with such momentum, that I wondered if perhaps I might be wrong.
Tucked in at last, hugs and kisses given, prayers said, I left them to their planned fun time.
They weren't exactly right next to the house, but this is their territory and they seemed quite comfortable with the situation.
I think I had been sitting in my evening stitching chair for maybe ten minutes when the front door opened and two little people walked in, pillows in arms stating that it was "too quiet" and they just "couldn't fall asleep". The Daddy made them march right back out to the tent for another try, which lasted about another 45 minutes. During which, they were apparently both in tears.

Maybe next summer...

Thursday, July 16, 2015

Summer Days

When I look back on this Summer I will remember it as a hot one.

Hot and dry and wonderful.

Don't get me wrong, its not the heat that I have loved.

What I have loved is the pace, still full of stitching deadlines and chores, but with time to breathe, to study, to read out loud to the kids, to have playdates with friends and cousins, to spend time with my sisters (both have just returned for the Summer after three years away).

And the kids, my dearest heartbeats, hearing them giggle and play and fight and negotiate and have the freedom to just be kids together. I adore them. I adore their ages. I adore their grubby fingernails and dirt-embedded necks, her growing batch of freckles, his shade-seeking tendencies. The only thing that could possibly make this Summer better than it is would be for the Farmboy to get to shed his work responsibility and stay home with us.

Oh, and air conditioning. That would be nice too.
Homegrown :: Family :: Pulling Weeds :: Ahead of Schedule :: Marionberries :: Before there was Stained Glass, there were Butterfly Wings :: Oxalis :: Together, Always :: Faded :: They Beg to Chase Me Up the Driveway :: Morning in the Greenhouse :: Spirea :: This is Why I have Eyelet Curtains and Wooden Windowsills :: Summer Read-Aloud #2, Charlotte's Web :: Growing :: Clothesline at Sunset :: I Would Hide there Too :: Washington Side of the Columbia River :: Sign of New Life

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Bangs!

For most of her life, my baby has had one-length hippy-child hair. She has never been a big fan of wearing any kind of decoration in her hair, and pony tails and braids only last an hour or two before they are torn out and her hair is once again liberated.

But lately she has been wanting a change, so I begged my hairstylist and bribed her with blueberries to come visit us and work her magic.

A little backstory... I have curly hair. I was born with waves which turned into curls when I was in my early teens. Up until two years ago when I found Mychal through an extensive online search, I had never had a haircut that didn't result in tears and/or frustration. It is apparently difficult for most hairstylists to compensate for the temperamental nature of my individualistic hairs. So most of my adult life I have had long frumpy hair styles that didn't really feel like "me". She not only rescued my head from years of boredom, but has become my friend.

So it really didn't take that much convincing to get her out here with her adorable son and equally adorable baby bump.

And the results made my sweetie so very happy.
"Now our hair matches, Mama!"