Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

I always drag my feet when it comes to pumpkin patch time. I can't explain why. I just don't like them. But my kids... they think about field trips to the pumpkin patch with great longing. So, being the good mother that I am, and very glad that their new school lets all of the elementary kids go together instead of splitting into grades, I signed us up.

It rained the day before and it poured the day after, but on the actual day of our field trip, the heavens opened and beams of light and warmth flooded the earth. Which is a very good thing, because I most likely would have called it off otherwise.

We were once again at Liepold Farms in the next community over, and this time, I told the kids, there was no choice for them. If I was going to take them to the pumpkin patch, they were going into the corn maze with me, no complaining allowed.

We picked out pumpkins, posed in plywood cutouts, went on a hayride around the property, and then we conquered the maze.

And I actually had fun.
They wanted to go back again the following weekend with their Dad, but I said no... the pumpkin patch is only a once a year thing. And I'm really, really glad.

Friday, October 09, 2015

*NEW* Pincushion Street

I don’t remember where I saw the quote, perhaps it was printed on a journal cover or some such item, but as soon as I saw it, I knew it needed to be stitched up in a sampler... “Come in the evening or come in the morning. Come when you’re looked for or come without warning.”

Reminds me of former days when we weren’t all addicted to our electronic devices and Sunday afternoons were reserved for popping in unannounced at a friends’ house. I absolutely love the surprise of someone showing up on my doorstep without calling ahead because it tells me that they are comfortable enough with our relationship to know they will be welcomed with open arms, no matter what.

Stitch Count: 251 x 140
Stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions’ 35ct. Classic Homespun

Using thread from The Gentle Art: Brethren Blue(2 skeins), Bayberry(2 skeins), Apple Cider, Picnic Basket, Caramel Corn

And from Weeks Dye Works: Grasshopper, Red Rocks

Conversion to DMC available on request.

The frame was thrifted, then re-finished by me.


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

Just Really a Lot of Pictures

No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to get caught up on posting pictures. So with an unexpected free day, I'm going to blast you with back-dated posts that will be rather picture heavy. Back-dated, in case you didn't know, means that I'm posting in November, but can tell them to publish as if they were on schedule. In this case, October.
We Grow Them Big in Oregon :: Black Cat :: Misty Horizon :: Mama Got a New Camera :: One of my Four-Stringed Babies :: Shimmer :: The Big Drop :: Hardy Kale :: Chartreuse and Fuchsia :: Web :: Change :: Almost Ready :: What's Up, Doc? :: Gone to Seed :: Downpour :: Is Your Mouth Watering? :: Sunset :: Days Gone By :: School :: Brussels are on the Menu :: Freestyle Mario :: Wispy :: Hello Coffee, Have I Told You Lately that I Love You? :: He Left the Motor Running :: How to Make a Cardboard Arm :: Stitches Past :: Building a New Road :: Wooly Bear :: Reflection :: Perch

Thursday, October 08, 2015

October Light

The light has changed.

It is somehow darker around the edges, more luminous at its heart.

A light of extremes, neither blinding nor burning anymore,
but instead choosing to illuminate just the edges, leaving shadow to illustrate within its glow.

I wander through its beams, captive and captor, my only weapon a camera.