Saturday, November 09, 2013

Good Things to come ~

Good Morning Friends & Folk ~

As the days grow more chilly & shorter,
and after all farmhouse & farmyard chores are completed ~
it seems like I find myself more & more snugged up in my stitching chair by the wood stove...

I usually will put a kettle on that little stove
and listen to it quietly whistle it's tune while doing a bit of handwork.

there's something about a whistling kettle that reminds me of being home as a child ~
perhaps it was because my mom always made me a cup of tea in the morning before school?
Handwork & tea seems to soothe my soul ~ they go perfectly well together.

I have been dyeing our Old Farmhouse Linen© for the upcoming Christmas Open House
~ and thought I would also dye up some Osnaburg  for some of my stitching and finished projects ~

... I liked how it turned out SO well, 
that I will be offering it by the fat 1/4 yd. (approx. 18" x 22") in my Etsy shop
for those of you who don't care to stain your own or those that just don't have the time to do so.

Here is an example of the practice-piece I stitched on:

small sampler stitched onto my hand dyed osnaburg ~

Osnaburg,
being an uneven weave, can be used for primitive cross stitching 
as well as for dolls, penny rug backings, pocket/purse linings, sewing roll up linings 
and MANY other things...

I believe the stitch count is 18 stitches per inch 
(using one strand of floss over 2 threads of cloth)
or
35 - 36 stitches per inch 
(using one strand of floss over one thread of cloth)

 I'll be offering the cloth as soon as I can get it listed in the etsy shop.

this was stitched 1 over two (one strand of floss over 2 threads of cloth)
 and I thought I might show you the other sawdust projects I'm working on for the open house too ~
this is one of my Heart Pin Pillows ~
inspired by an antique found in Lancaster, PA a few years back:

it's a big one, measuring in at approx. 10 inches across
and using up scrap calico fabric from my work basket....

sawdust stuffed for a nice old heavy & floppy 'hand' or 'feel'
then...stained with my walnut stain & spiced.
 and here are just a couple of those calico barn cats now having expressions:

momma & two kits'
(... does the large one look grumpy to you? )

I still have to add their braided wool tails...
I will be here working in the shop today,
if you'd like to stop in for a visit and warm up by the wood stove....
bring your workbasket with you!!

Have a beautiful weekend my Friends ~
* Blessed be * 
Lori

6 comments:

Maddalena said...

Semplicemente meravigliosi !
Maddalena

Dogwood Farm said...

Such wonderful hand-mades!
How I wish you lived close by!!
Enjoy your day!

Unknown said...

Love the Amish heart pillow...you are such an inspiration...think I'll take a look at my scraps today. Have a wonderful Saturday!

Margs Primitive Quilts said...

Lori... If I lived closer..I would be right over with my basket in hand. You do wonderful prim work. Your stitchery is gorgeous! The prim kittens look great!Enjoy the week-end and stay warm.

My Colonial Home said...

Hi Lori,
Sounds like your life for the moment anyway is like mine - things have settled down for at least a couple weeks.
I never thought of cross stitching on Osnaburg cloth. I age mine for my Penny Rugs thought and do use it sometimes for backings. I really like working with that particular type fabric.
Your projects look wonderful. I'm partial to kitties so I'm loving yours!
Blessings,
Karen

Brush Creek Needlework said...

Love everything! I just left your blog on the other day just to listen to this beautiful music. Had my son, the musician, come to the sewing room to have a listen and tell me what instrument it was. He new right away of course!! I only stitch on stained osnaburg. I sand it a little also. It is a bit uneven and imperfect, but that is what I like best about it. Just got a huge load of sawdust myself. Love the smell and feels wonderful. Hope you have a lovely weekend!