Time to Work on Some Americana

Good Sunday morning to you!

I pulled out this very old WIP on my frame with threads and put in my Americana basket by the sofa.

Last night I worked on finishing the pink baby blanket and only have 12 rows to go...... YEY!

I was itching to start some stitching on something Americana with Fourth of July near.

I mean, who doesn't like everything Little House Needleworks?

This is stitched on 28 ct so easier on the eyes.

My camera color still is not the best even with working on it but.........

It's ready to go while I catch up on some Poldark Season 3episodes 1 and 2!!!!!!!

I found those full episodes on You Tube last night.

Anybody else like Poldark?

My basket has a handle but it's put down in the back. I picked it up at a junkin' store last Fall.

I have to wonder as I pull out my long time WIPS why in the world did I stop them?

I kinda know but they are loved again. For some time and until my heart skips a beat to work on another.

That's one good thing about stitching and knitting. We can choose. We can plan strategically or go at it whimsically, with no reserve. 

This one will be mounted in a frame on the wall added to my sampler wall near the stairs with other Americana.

I hope your Sunday is going well. The day of rest.

Just ask Abbie.  If the sun is not shining on your blanket, just move the blanket to the sunniest spot in the room and soak in the sunshine. Sometimes we have to pick up and move to the light ourselves.

Till later,

Jennifer

For Sale: Homemade Americana Primitive Candle Mats and Progress

I took a good bit of a break this week but intermittently did knit up some things and this special is first come first serve basis for 2 Primitive Americana Candle Mats.

Small candle mat~~~

This one measures 6 in x 6.5 inches and is knitted and primmed by myself this week. Coffee stained and oven baked at low temp to make a perfect Americana Prim set for you.

 A small candle or picture would be very pretty over this mat. 100% cotton hand made. The little silhouette black pic of the sweet girl with flowers was found vintage at an antique store. It's needlepoint actually and will in the future be reproduced for a cross stitch pattern. Stay tuned. I've got major printer issues right now and hope to get that fixed soon.

The second mat is the large mat. The measurement is 8.5 in x 11.5 approximately

This one is nice for the pantry with a wrought iron large candle holder (not included with order). Both are great primitive additions to your country homestead and they were made with lots of love.

Pick one or a set as you choose!

Large Primitive Americana Candle Mat is $10.00
Small Primitive Americana Candle Mat is $6.00

If bought as a set  $15.00

no international shipping at this time.
shipping within US add 2.00, only once.
Pay pal only.
First come, first serve basis HERE on THIS blog OR Feathers in the Nest FB page or at the email address on the Feathers in the Nest Facebook page.

This item is not in the Etsy shop.

These are made with 100% natural organic cotton and primmed naturally.

I hope you enjoy. I will be making more in the future. Christmas thinking and planning are already beginning at the homestead here in the North Georgia Mountains.

I've also been up to starting a new small lace scarf that has my second favorite color, dark teal in it.
Colorway is Fall Herbs.
Company is Crystal Palace

using free pattern  from Ravelry One Row Lace by Turvid.

Definitely will have to be stretched out and blocked to see the details after I finish knitting. This yarn is Bamboo, Cotton, and nylon. VERY soft but substantial and a nice stretch while knitting.

Interestingly, in the yarn store, the dark teal with the camel color drew my attention. The plum color in it also was a striking contrast; however, I've found while knitting in the car (as a passenger!), knitting in the outside daylight, knitting at home in different rooms, the teal can almost look hunter green of which I didn't want as an effect.

 

When blocking this scarf will easily stretch 2 additional inches each way and then you will be able to see the lace. I plan to make this a small length and use vintage buttons on the side.

 

I LOVE TEAL! Teal and plum colors are going to be very much in fashion this Fall and Winter as well.

 

Yup, all those itty, bitty holes will stretch a least 1 in out and look totally different after blocking.

Yummy Fall colors.

 

I'm envisioning this with a pair of dark teal skinny jeans and a light soft camel sweater.

 

 

Whatever you are up to today, I hope that you are at peace, safe, and enjoying a great Labor Day weekend!!

 

from the homesteaders at Fox Mountain, Sautee, GA.

Raising the Flag on Remembrance

I remember distinctly, as many Americans do, of what I was doing, where I was, and the circumstances as I heard the news on September 11, 2001. It will be a moment in history, a day, which was surreal as we stood watching the horrific events unfolding in all places hit by the terrorists who literally tried to fracture America.

It was a time and still is, especially each year on this anniversary to remember all the families and victims of this event and say a special prayer for them. This year, 9/11 fell on a day I have off, and I was able to watch the replays and the ceremonies in remembrance in New York, Washington, the Pentagon and the site where the heroic plane went down.

I still have chills to this day of how much a country with such terroristic beliefs, embeds their hatefulness to America.

As the names were read this morning on TV, it took 3 hours to announce them all and through that I picked up my Battle Hymn of the Republic sampler by Little House Needleworks and continue to stitch.

I stitched and stiched until I was determine to put at least one flag up. I have basted the Lakeside linen on my thrift store find/ frame of last week. I have to say, I really like it. Basic, simple.

This design is already designated to be framed and will have a special place on the wall in Mr. Darcy's home office as he dedicated 25 years of service to this country with several deployments due to 9/11.

I must leave this design right now to do some other chores today but hope to get back to finishing this flag and the other one by midnight tonight. I want to remember when I see this in his office that these flags were stitched on 9/11/2012.

Here are the new Storklette scissors by Kelmscott Designs still waiting for a new home, along with a beautiful sampler pattern. See side bar for the post to the giveaway which will end in 4 days.

Mr. Darcy is hard at work on the Hoosier cabinet and restoring it, it's looking beautiful. More pics to come.......totally sanded all the paint off the cabinet and will paint the inside white and the outside, stained to Special Walnut shade. We were both amazed at the quality of the wood underneath all the layers of old paint. We are then going to put black hinges and handles back on the doors.

Onward now to do some chores on my list of "things to do" that must get done today.

So glad you spent a few minutes with me today. I always look forward to your comments!

I think I've half-way straightened out the blog format for now.

Thank you so much for all the feedback. It helped me alot!

Jennifer

Hearth 'Tis Home

 

 

 

Hearth 'Tis Home

 

designed by Feathers in the Nest

 

copyright 2012

 

 

All it took was a little sunshine after 4 days of clouds and rain, a long chat with an old friend, a visit to a primitive shop to smell the Fall candles, and news that much cooler, dry weather will be here this weekend.

 

Besides a big front porch, I love a house with a fireplace.

I'm so ready for sweater weather and walking outside to the aroma of oak wood in the fireplace.

 

I thought I would share my thoughts with you if you need a small to hang in your home in a special spot or on the mantle to show your love for home.

 

colors and fabric of choice

 

 Suggest Americana decor colors like Gentle Art Freedom Blue and Liberty.

Framed in a small black wood frame.

 

Enjoy your Thursday...............

 

Jennifer

September and Other New Starts

 

September

 

The golden-rod is yellow;

the corn is turning brown;

The trees in apple orchards

With fruit are bending down.

 

The gentian's bluest fringes

Are curling in the sun;

In dusty pods the milkweed

It's hiddens silk has spun.

 

The sedges flaunt their harvest,

In every meadow nook;

And asters by the brook-side;

Make asters in the brook.

 

From dewy lanes at morning

The grape's sweet odors rise;

At noon the roads all flutter

With yellow butterflies.

 

By all these lovely tokens

September days are here,

With Summer's best of weather,

And Autumn's best of cheer.

 

But none of all this beauty

Which floods the earth and air

Is unto me the secret;

Which makes September fair.

 

'Tis a thing of why I remember;

To names it thrills me yet:

One day of one September

I never can forget.

 

~~~~~~~~~Helen Hunt Jackson from Poems That Live Forever

 

Through my life there have been many memories in September, including days of starting school and days of sending to school: new paper, new books, new pencils, new looks.

Methinks I have way too many projects going on right now. Many new starts.

 

New start on Battle Hymn of the Republic by Little House Needleworks

 

 

I'm using the recommended linen from the pattern.

 

 

And starting in the middle with DMC 611--drab brown. Alot of drab brown it seems until I get to the beautiful colors at the top and bottom.

 

 

 

Abbie thinks so too.

 

 

 

Yep, this is LHN's finished pic on their sampler pattern. I hope to find or get someone to make a frame just like this one, as I love the model frame here.

 

The colors are pretty. I usually start at the top left of a design but I started in the middle with this one.

 

Whatever new starts in life you are presented with and with whatever direction you take, I hope and wish you peace and love!

 

Till later,

Jennifer

 



Christmas ornie--O Holy Night

O Holy Night ornie

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

There are so many ornies out for Christmas but I designed this one just this morning to share if you would like add one or start on Christmas ornies early. Patriotic colors give it an Americana flair.

Colors of choice

linen of choice

This is Mr. Darcy's favorite Christmas carol as so the inspiration this morning. :)

Take care and enjoy what's left of Thursday.

I slept WAY too late and fixing to go junkin' for the afternoon.

Hopefully later tonight I can stitch some, and definitely for the weekend at some point.

If you would like to share you finish, email me at jennifer.dalenberg@yahoo.com and I will share your interpretation and finish here on the blog!

With love,

Jennifer

The Brave Wave---an Americana sampler

 The Brave Wave

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2012

  You can substitute your brave soul in the block as needed in honor or memory of a special one who helped to keep our country free! You could insert a date for deployments, date of homecoming, number of years of service, etc.

If you don't care for Americana or can't think of a special soldier or veteran, Soldier's Angels, an organization that has many sewing and stitching, as well as other volunteer activities for soldiers serving our country overseas, including the injured at the Germany hospital.

This would make a great ornie. For all crocheters and knitters, the hospital is always looking for blankets of hope. It's definitely an organization I'm glad to be a member of.

colors suggested are

Gentle art---old red paint

Gentle Art----old blue paint

Gentle Art----Strawbonnet

Gentle Art---Dark Chocolate

fabric suggested 32 ct Belgium Linen

or whatever colors and fabbie suit your fancy this patriotic season.

 

Happy Thursday to all kind readers and stitchers in or out of the land of the free!  :)

Starting Summertime, Fabric, and Colonial picture

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

 

I've got lots of designs and ideas for samplers on paper but my computer is not working right of which I work on them. I hope to have that fixed by next week!

I would recommend Gentle Art's shades of blue for this design.

Stitched 1 over 1 on linen could make a nice tag insert for luggage and the colors could be changed to blend in with browns and tans for our troops.

Peace to all.

My Memorial Day weekend is junkin' it at thrift stores just for fun and to replace some things. This Colonial picture of Mother and Child was just beautiful I thought. It is on canvas as well not print paper.

This red ticking fabric, with cute girl and puppy scenes, was too hard to resist for little of nothing I found this in a pile and is 4 yards of it.

Looks like a good way to freshen up the house for Spring. I could even make a shower curtain with this.

I love the little pics on the red ticking.

I think she looks prescious.

speaking of that...............

yup, pretty red ticking for Summer.

I have made some more progress on the sampler, My Everything, by the Sampler Girl.

Hope you are having a great weekend!

We are definitely welcoming Summertime.

Stay cool and till later,

Jennifer

Keys to My Heart ~~ The Brave Heart

The Brave Heart

Keys to My Heart series

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2011

using Gentle Art Fragrant Roses and Brethren Blue on 32 count antique ivory linen

Matthew Brandon is the name in 1986, on one cool September night, to give to my son. He was born almost exactly 1 year after I delivered my deceased son, Aaron, who died at birth.  I picked out the named Matthew as it means "a gift from God" and I felt truly blessed.

 There are many meanings depicted in research for the name Brandon, which is of Irish origin. The one that I really didn't realize would become his passion and who he is, ironically, is the Irish meaning, "Brave Prince".

And that is his strength.

There is personal meaning designed in this sampler.

I think so much of the military is focused on spouses, and they DO need alot of support through war.

From my experience, the military does not address the concerns of mothers of soldiers enough in this area of the country, which I hope I see changed in my lifetime.

During his Afghanistan tour, there were many emotional ups and downs for all extended and immediate family members, as was to be expected by all. I remember rubbing my palms raw at the community send-off ceremony. And honestly, I don't think he is or was mature enough to understand. He will though one day when he has his own. He will.

A Lieutenant called our home during this time for other information from us out of the blue. We talked and exchanged concerns and with the help of the chaplain, who had the kindest heart in the world and I owe alot to him........finally, I expressed it in one sentence. Of course, they hear mothers who are concerned and honestly, the helplessness of it is in need of some attention.

I said in complete random to this highly honorable man, "Sir, you have to remember, you wouldn't have this soldier without his mother/me giving him life."

 Of course, I realize that I have left out fathers in this and did not on purpose as they too, wring their hands and worry and try to support and stay strong.

But, I'm speaking from my heart and where these keys will stay forever regardless of a given situation.

~~~From every moutainside,

Let freedom ring

 from Our Country Tis of Thee

The Freedom Sampler ~~ in honor of American soldiers

Midnight Steeches!

Bent Creek

Land of Liberty

Stitchin' up some love for my country this Valentine's.

Speaking of BENT!

Laughter is the best medicine.

See if a couple of things make you giggle and if they do, I'm happy. I put these on Facebook and no one thought they were funny.............what's your favorite. Mine would be to skip everywhere you walk tomorrow.

and

confirming 2 or 3 times at the drive thru window, that this is a "to go" order.

16 ways to maintain a Healthy level of insanity.

1. At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hairdryer at passing cars, see if they slow down.

2. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice.

3. Every time someone asks you to do something, ask if they want fries with that.

4. Put a garbage can on your desk and label it "IN"

5. Put decaf in the coffee maker for three weeks. Once everyone is over their Caffeine addictions, switch to expresso.

6. Finish all your sentences with "In Accordance to the Prophecy".

7.Don't use any punctuation.

8. As often as possible, skip rather than walk.

9. Specify that your drive thru order is "To Go"

10. Sing Along at the Opera

11. Go to a poetry recital and ask why the poems don't rhyme.

12. Put mosquito netting around your work area and play tropical sounds all day.

13. When the money comes out of the ATM, scream "I WON I WON!!"

14. When leaving the zoo, start running towards the parking lot, yelling "Run for your lives, they're loose!!"

15. Tell your children over diner, "Due to the economy, we are going to have to let one of you go."

16. Send this to your friends to make them smile, It's called therapy.

Love ya'll!

Finished Sweet Land 1831, a Patriotic Pocket

Just finished this design by The Sampler Girl

Sweet Land 1831, a Patriotic Pocket

I used a different fabric that I already had in my stash and also stitched the word Freedom in red instead of the word Sweet.

32 ct cream linen

DMC and CC colors in Wavy Navy and Deep Blue Sea

I sewed two of the fabric pieces together and put an old dark red button on it because I had exactly the amount of material I needed leftover from another project I did last year. I couldn't believe I made the cuts work!

The backing.

The sleeping Abbie.

Who is now looking at my finished pocket while I take pictures......LOL

We have had a very hard night and day with Ren. Looks as if his one day at home doing much better was not so last night and today. He is not eating or drinking well. Doc call in the morning.

He did eat some chicken in the can with juice but today he flat refuses to drink water.

Anyway........don't want to get side tracked.....just a brief update.

He sleeps alot and unfortunately I think he has given up. We are just making him comfortable as we can.

I may just bring him home a junior cheeseburger from Wendy's tomorrow night.

He deserves one at this point.

Abbie has become very attentive to him and if he moves around, she goes to check on him and turns her head back and forth....she knows he is sick. Animals are so smart.

In all my life, and I've always had a dog as long as I can remember bringing them home as a little girl as strays......I'm amazed at their unconditional love, their uniqueness, personalities, and intuition.

Body guard is sick today with stomach troubles as well as myself. I woke at 5am with a burning stomach like I had swallowed fire. I hope ulcers are not back....but I think I have reasons for them to be.

BG is having some tests this week at the hospital so please keep him in your prayers. He is having unexplainable lower stomach pain that they thought was resolved with hernia surgery......then diagnosed as a kidney stone....nope.....then diagnosed as diverticulits 2 weeks ago......now after 2 weeks of antibiotics he suddenly got sick with alot of pain tonight.

When it rains, it pours.

Our vacation for a trip to Chicago to visit his mother, brother and sister-in-law are now postponed until we get alot of this lightning damage, car damage from hail, doggie issues, and health issues settled, if that's possible. I was so looking forward to that trip the week of the 4th. :(

Well, till later....have a great night's rest.

Jennifer