Window Shopping

While browsing this site yesterday, I took the liberty of digitally assembling my own dream stack of pantry boxes (Sulpher! Red Chalk! Currants!)...

And while I was at it, I put a few other things into my imaginary shopping cart.











Now if only I could come up with about a kajillion dollars so I could actually check out. Donations, anyone?

When I Replace My 15-Year-Old Vehicle

I hope I can find one at my local dealership just like this:

It can fly. It protects plants. It has a ladder to climb on.

It bends in the middle. It has a water hose and a tool holder.

There is a fence to keep the driver safe. It has a bucket to carry things in. It has awnings for shade when it gets hot.

And it is solar powered. Yep. Everything a girl could ever want in a vehicle.

Besides, it looks super cool too.

The Other Something in the Works

You might recall this post awhile back, when I teased a little about a building project that was being started?

Well, I finally have more to show you (much more- lots of photos coming), and am about to give you an explanation...



My Mother and Father in-law have been raising and breeding Labradors for several years. They have created a community of families that is pretty special- families all linked by the puppies they have bought from Alderwood Labradors. They really love their 6 adult dogs (4 Mamas and 2 Daddies), but due to a long and serious illness, came to the realization that they just couldn't keep the business any longer.



We spent a few months talking about what it might look like if we were to take over the business, even before there was serious talk about letting it go, because we anticipated that it would most likely come to this end. I am a total novice when it comes to animals, having been raised in a mostly pet-free home, but I am also not afraid to try new things, and look forward to our kids learning to be with and love animals from a young age.


Yep. You guessed it. We said yes! We really wanted to keep the dogs in the family, and also knew that we would be silly to say no to the opportunity of replacing a good portion of my old corporate-world income from before the kids were born.



My hard-working husband, with help here and there from a few dedicated friends, is getting closer to the end of the building process, and we will soon be able to move the dogs to our property. And shortly after, starting in March, we expect four litters of puppies to be born within two months of each other.



Never fear, my passion will always be my needlework business... Heartstring Samplery is not going away! We are simply "enriching" our lives by adding a canine family. This blog will remain much the same, with the addition of all things doggie, and I expect that once the Labrador business and website have been fully transitioned, that we will begin to see some of the dog families reading this blog alongside all of my stitching friends. And I am truly looking forward to seeing what that will be like!

And now I have caught you up to speed. This is how it looks on this dry and cold morning...

A world of flat colors, frozen grass and dirt. At 25 degrees with little humidity, the ground feels like tundra, but OH! the stars last night were incredible! February is a month of dull colors in Oregon, the vegetation at the very deepest of sleep, gathering strength for that burst of life that is just around the corner. The Chick Chalet has been moving about the garden patch all winter, giving our girls a chance to peck and scratch and enrich our soil. A few tough herbs are still struggling to stay green in the herb patch, and the greenhouse stands ready.

There you have it. Now I have to go fold and stuff a bajillion charts for the big TNNA show in a few weeks. See you tomorrow!

Something New in the Works

I know... I'm always working on something new. But at least I don't tease you endlessly and never have anything to show for it, right?

This is what my Monday morning looked like...

A Crazy Quilt

And what is life? A crazy quilt;
Sorrow and joy, and grace and guilt,
With here and there a square of blue
For some old happiness we knew;

And so the hand of time will take
The fragments of our lives and make,
Out of life's remnants, as they fall,
A thing of beauty, after all.

From A CRAZY QUILT by Douglas Malloch

Picture of the Week

Yesterday

Not only was it drop-dead gorgeous weather (don't go getting all jealous- the rain is back today),

but I had the pleasure of meeting the Flying King of Dirt.

He was such a fast-flying King that he left his Herald behind and had to announce His Own Royalness as he flew. "Da-da-da-DAAAA! I'm the Flying King of Dirt!"

I need some of that enthusiasm and bravado.

Oh... Did you see? Back to the first photo... The chopped hair? Yep. That truly is me. Perhaps you didn't notice, since you don't see pictures of me that often. I haven't had my hair this short since college (a decision I regretted almost instantly). For me, "short" is shoulder-length. And that's how long this haircut was supposed to be. But someone forgot to compensate for my curls (that's the only excuse I can come up with on her behalf), because I resemble Shirley Temple.

And it was even a really awkward style too, until I got so sick of looking at it and took out my scissors to do my own repair work. Now its much better (Seriously! How is that even possible?). But still too short.

Everyone else says, "OH! Your hair is so cute!" Blah, blah, blah. Me? I'd rather be ravishing than cute. And my hair is one of my best features (if I do say so myself). Short just doesn't do it for me. So if you pass me in the street, please do me a favor, and don't say anything, unless its to tell me that you are SO very sorry, and to hang in there for a few more months until it grows out!

O Happy Day!

I'm Baaaaaaack! My Knight in Shining Armor drove down to the airport last night and picked up the package with our new modem in it, just so I didn't have to wait another day to finally get some internet action again.

I had forgotten what normal loading speeds were like. Our modem has been giving us grief for a bit longer than we realized. Living in the boonies has its drawbacks, I guess. Even this *fast* internet is nothing like what people in more populated areas get. We have to rely on satellite. I can only dream of the flash speeds many of you must take for granted. But who cares? I am able to post again, without taking up half of my morning to do so, and that makes me very, very happy!

I have missed you all.

I have a pile of things to tell you about, but first things first... Today is sunny and will get up to the low 50's, and we will be spending much of it outside getting things done, and soaking in some Vitamin D.

I promise we'll take a porch-swing Peanut Butter Toast break in your honor.

Because You Asked

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the March Edition materials list:

R&R Reproductions:
35 count Bitter Betty Brew

Weeks Dye Works:
1108 Honeysuckle
1269 Chestnut
2168 Monkey Grass
2220 Curry

The Gentle Art:
0115 Tiger Lily
0320 Old Brick
0560 Nutmeg
7061 Caramel Corn

Keep in mind that this is a small design. The flosses in italics you will need a couple of strands. The flosses in regular type you may not even need a full strand for, so feel free to rummage in your stash to find something comparable, rather than buying all new. But by all means, use this as an excuse to increase your holdings if you would like. (wink)

Choosing Threads

When I have a design idea in my head, I pick colors in my software that represent what I want the finished piece to look like so I can play with color and balance. But the colors in my software almost always misrepresent the actual threads.

So the next step I take is to dig through my pile of linen and threads and play until I find the shades I am looking for, and that also look their best with the background fabric.

Sometimes I will find a color that is perfection in my hand, then lay it on the linen and *ack*, it suddenly looks completely wrong.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the March Edition has been put on top of my Works In Progress pile...

Yes, that linen is green! I have never stitched on colored linen, but I just couldn't resist this time around. Get your supplies ready- once started, these little samplers only take a few days to stitch up. I plan to release this one soon.