THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!

I love the way this little sampler turned out. It is a design by Lori Brechlin, of Notforgotten Farm. I love the little, vintage frame so in order for the stitchery to fit, I had to cut out a few reindeer that Lori had on her pattern, but the Santa and his sleigh are so darn cute! I also made a little sewing pocket from reproduction Civil War fabric in a nice cranberry color. And don't you just love coffee stained, pipe cleaner candy canes? I just can't seem to have enough of them! I have them through out my house and on all the trees. This little set of Christmas was made for a friend and I shipped it off to her this afternoon...hope she likes it!

It's so hard to believe that Thanksgiving has come and gone! My husband & I carried out our 37 year tradition and went shopping today. We didn't get up at 5 am, in fact we weren't even out of the door by 10 am....We just take our time and enjoy the day. There were so many people out, it's' hard to believe that there is an economic crisis. I never seem so find the really "great" deals that are worth standing in lines for hours and hours. We shopped on Wednesday evening and bought just about everything for the grandchildren...today was just a fun day.

A VERY SPECIAL BLESSING

This morning, we headed down to Cleveland Ohio, for an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic. It was a wonderful office visit! My daughter received such a blessing and a gift on July 10th of this summer. You see, my daughter has been a diabetic for 30 years. Renee was only 2 years old when she was diagnosed. Although, she had done well with her diabetes, the disease was starting to take it's toll on her body. After all, like they say, insulin is a "treatment" not a "cure". Well...to make a long story short...she had been reading that hospitals were doing more and more pancreas transplants. Renee had never seriously looked into the possibility of having one until her cousin, Doreen, had a transplant at the Cleveland Clinic three years ago. Doreen had such success with hers, that my daughter decided to make an appointment in June of 2007 to see if she would be a candidate. The transplant team at Cleveland are the most wonderful group of doctors and nurses one could hope for. After being on the waiting list for a year, she got the call on the evening of July 9th and on the 10th at 1 pm, Renee had a new pancreas! Her blood sugars have been absolutely wonderful since! No insulin, no poking herself 6-9 times a day to check her sugar. Although she is on anti-rejection medication and she did have a bit of a struggle with nausea on and off for the first three months, I am so happy to report that she went back to work on November 11th. It's amazing how wonderful she looks and feels...like a new gal! I don't think I have ever seen her look more beautiful and radiant! I thank God everyday for this true blessing and gift He has given her. I will always keep the family who so graciously gave this gift of life, to help my daughter and others, in my prayers. Maybe someday Renee will be able to meet this family and thank them personally. Have a beautiful weekend!

THREADS OF THE PAST

About a year or so ago on our BLESTB postings, one of the members had brought to our attention about an out-of-print issue of Country Homes, October 1988 that featured an article on reproduction samplers. The samplers were designed and stitched by a very talented young woman in the most primitive fashion. She stitches on homespun, linen, and what looks to be osnaburg. Her colors are the early blues, golds, and browns. In the article it states that she really didn't have a pattern, she just stitched. Well, after a year of hunting for this magazine on ebay, in antique shops, and "google-ing", I finally found this most treasured issue on ebay last week. I was so excited when I received it in the mail this afternoon!!!!!

It is a wonderful issue....although...all the issues were wonderful way back then...so primitive and early were the homes they featured. The young woman who made these samplers has a six page spread of her wonderful, primitive home! It was so worth the wait. If any of you, who love early style stitching as much as I do, have this magazine, KEEP IT!! for those who don't...FIND IT!!!
It is a very inspiring article that will keep your creative fingers stitching!! Twenty years later.... I wonder if this woman is still making these incredible samplers and if she still lives in her beautiful home.

CHANGING MY BLOG NAME

Hope this Sunday evening finds you well. I've been busy doing my usual Sunday routine...catching up on laundry, cleaning, and cooking. I decided to change my blog name from Union Star Primitives to The Evening Stitcher, since that's basically what I do...stitch in the evening!

BLESTB'S OLDE TYME CHRISTMAS

Yesterday marked the beginning of BLESTB'S Olde Tyme Christmas launch on Ebay. This is a very talented group of women,which I am so proud to be a part of, that take joy in creating and stitching the most beautiful early-style stitcheries. Everything from samplers to needlepunch items are being offered. Just go to Ebay's homepage and type in BLESTB in the search bar and you will be amazed at the creations my stitching sisters have to offer.

Also...you must check out the TDIPT Mercantile. This website is from another Ebay group, TDIPT (To Dwell in Primitive Times). They offer new items on the 1st and 15th of every month. These folk artists create the very best items for your primitive pleasure. They too, are a group formed from Ebay. To find them on Ebay type in TDIPT in the search bar.

The Primitive Rug Hookers are another Ebay formed group, that offer the most beautiful, primitive hand hooked rugs ever!!! If hooked rugs are your thing, please check them out. Type in PRHG in the ebay search bar. These ladies not only sell finished rugs, but also wool, cutting and hooking tools and patterns. They will have their annual "Snowman Ball" launch later this month.

I hope everyone has a great day especially since we get an extra "hour".. I am still fine tuning my "bloggin" skills...so please bear with me!