Quiet Coziness....

All squirrelled up in my comfy stitching chair, I've been setting these past couple of days...

usually warmed by my constant companion Suzy, who curls up on my lap, feet or head
(usually my head when I'm fast asleep and drapes her tiny furry arm about my neck.)

I've stitched up a sampler pillow that I'll list on ebay this eve~stitched on osnaburg and backed with white chenille (sashing on front is red chenille) ~

Today is a loverly, cold wet & rainy day...perfect for a hot mugful of Turkey Soup and a bit of stitching while watching a movie...White Christmas?...hmmmm....Dances with Wolves?....no ~ White Christmas...maybe this eve I'll put up the tree for Hannah & I to decorate...

Hoping that your early Winter days are full of your favorite things...cats included.

Being Thankful ~

Here are some things that I'm Thankful for this year:

Dirty Dishes
(that means we have enough to eat)

the Alarm Clock
( time to begin a new day)

Drafty Windows
(that allow me to see my surroundings)

Arguments with those I love dearly
(that means someone loves me, too)

Holes in my Socks
(for the ability to walk)

Glasses
(that enable me to see)

Broken promises
(helps to strengthen relationships)

Stress
(if it weren't for that, I'd have no energy!)

Not your typical list of things, granted, but I try to look at life with a little different perspective than most I guess...

I want to know how it feels to want, to need, to hurt, to heal...
it strengthens character & makes us truly and humbly,.....
Human.

We surely don't have alot of money, but we do have one another.
That is a gift to be Thankful for, everday.

~Wishing you ALL a most Happy, Peaceful & Humble Thanksgiving Holiday~
Blessed be, my Friends...

Lori

Holiday Shop Hours & Gift Certificates

For those that have emailed, our Holiday Shop Hours are as follows:

CLOSED November 26 & 27
OPEN November 28 & 29
10:00 - 3:00

CLOSED December 23, 24, 25
OPEN December 26 & 27
10:00 - 3:00

CLOSED January 30 & 31
Open January 7
10:00 - 3:00

Our regular shop hours will resume January 7th, and will be
OPEN Wednesdays - Saturdays
10:00 - 3:00
CLOSED
Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays.

Please don't forget that we have beautiful Gift Certificates available,
in any denomonation ~

Thanks Friends, any questions?
I'm only an email away:
Not4got@aol.com

Blessed be!
Lori

Simple Things....

Some of my most cherished posessions are truly simple and humble...
I was looking around the farmhouse the other evening, as it was lit only by candle-light and being warmed cozily by the fire in the woodstove, and I thought to myself,
'I have such Simple Things'...
saying that aloud but quietly,
was a huge compliment that I gifted myself...

I'm not a 'store-bought' person.
I'm thrilled beyond measure with handmade & hand-done things.
I find Peace in knowing that something as humble as a worn tin apple corer
(that I use weekly for baking apple pies)
was at one time in the posession of another Woman before me...
that she, too, could have used that tiny metal thing
to fill her family's bellies with a warm treat....
I look for things that show wear, age, use...
Love.

Nowadays, things aren't made to last.
and they don't.
Our television set is almost kaputz,
and I think I'll enjoy the day it actually goes, as I'm not much of a tv watcher anymore
...I read, sew, listen to the radio...
I clean house, I tend to my animals & gardens.
I live Simply.

Think of this:
not even 50 years ago,
Women still saved buttons from spent clothing.
... the fabric from said clothing was turned into a quilt, patches for other clothing, rags for cleaning and then, finally, threadbare & worn, they were burned...
how many uses was that? Hmmm...
I try to do the same thing...I haven't bought 'new' clothing in a long time...I purchase 2nd-hand & gently used clothing...I sew patches from pretty calicoes & wools and I LIKE patches!
I want to take the time to mend an article that needs it...
it saves me money & hones my sewing skills to boot!

Think of all the things you can do around your Humble Home to help you live more Simply...
it may just unclutter your mind, free your spirit & help your environment...

"Use it Up..
Wear it Out,

Make it Do, or
Do WITHOUT!"

Blessed be, sweet Friends~
Lori

Found my Scissors...

I've decided to make a limited number of finished Paper Cuttings
(scherrenschnitte)
for Yuletide ~

The one pictured above is titled

"A Winter's Walk"

and depicts
the Jolly Olde Elf himself going for an evening walk
in the Holly Woods
(hence the punched-tin lantern he's carrying)

I'll be listing this on ebay this evening,
along with this:

I found this EARLY German Christmas Tree Topper in Ohio last summer,
and think it is gorgeous!!

it is hollow, like a textile bobbin, and had heavy glass 'candles' and star on top...
the tinsel has faded wonderfully
and it really looks neat when you shine a light in it...the 'candles' glow!!!

It's in expected worn condition, but I love it's primitive look...

I should be listing both of them around 8pm this eve, so you can better read their despcriptions~
Almost finished with a christmas sampler that I'm hoping to be listing this week too...

Saturday, December 6th, 2008 from 2-4 pm, I'll be demonstrating Needlework at

Oakland
The Nelson County Virginia
Museum of History...
I'll be dressed in my finest ca. 1800's gown & bonnet,
and will hold sampler-making and rug hooking demonstrations...
The museum will be decorated in period fashion for the Holidays, and there will be:
*Storytelling by costumed reenactor, "Govenor Thomas Nelson"
*The Lovely Harp Music of Quinn Egner
*Light Refreshments
*and exhibits on Rural electrification and Hurricane Camille

Adults $20 donation - Children under 12 $10 donation
With all proceeds going towards Oaklands future and Ongoing exhibits

If you'll be in the area, Oakland is located on rt 29 south,
across'd from the Tye River Elementary School ~

I'll be sure to take pictures and post them here!

Well Folks, I'm headed back to the farmhouse...
I've been printing and packaging orders most of the day ..
(THANK YOU!!)

Blessed be, My Friends,
Lori

My New Baby!

THAT got your attention, I'm sure! HA!

my new "baby" is a ca. 1900's Pfaff model #31 Treadle Sewing Machine!!!

I found it at Lou's Antiques Mall, here in Amherst, VA~
I have been wanting to sew on a treadle machine for...well, EVER!

I wasn't even looking for it, "she" sort of found me!!

I was poking around the basement of the antiques shop, which is chock FULL of all kinds of neat things, when I turned the corner & bumped into 'her' cabinet with my left thigh...I rubbed my leg, and looked down & saw a treadle-base, with a dome-shaped cover setting on top...
Usually, you don't find the machine still attached to the table base, but I lifted off the top & there "she" was...all black & chrome & shiny with her gold lettering & designs...


I opened up her little drawer and found all of her old silver-metal bobbins in there little holder...
I took out a spool of thread, and the stars aligned...
I actually threaded the machine & bobbin, and got her working...
I was amazed!!!!

WOOHOO!!!!

The belt that drives the wheel from the treadle was in sad shape,
so Peter fixed it for me & oiled her up, once we got her home here...

I have yet to get the bobbin tension right,
so I'm practicing, practicing...
I even found a booklet of instructions on eaby ~ (keep your fingers crossed that I win it!!)
so that I can see if I truly threaded her correctly or not...
now THAT would be funny if I did, huh?

I'm hoping to make some little wool doll quilts on it,
and when I do I'll post pictures here...

Do any of you own/use an antique sewing machine??

Well, I'm Done for the day, off to stitch on my little sampler....

Blessed be, my Friends!
Lori

A Success Despite the Weather!

snowflakes from Tennessee....

Mizz Pat Cross visitied our Open House & brought Show 'n Tell!!
Here she is holding her beautiful rugs that she hooked from my designs:
Good Witch (above)
and
Give Ye Thanks (below)
both Notforgotten Farm Rug Hooking adaptations can be purchased at http://www.spruceridgestudios.com/



Shoppers in line with their Goodies~

Lots of Patterns to choose from!

Red & Green Holiday inspired fabric in the big cupboard...

Trying to decide what to look at first!

Hi Folks!

Well, the Holiday Open House has come & gone...

My thanks to ALL that ventured out in the midst of a terrible rainstorm yesterday!
My sweet hubby even carried an umbrella & walked our guests to their cars~ Thanks Peter!

The shop was a flurry of activity, with shoppers, friends and new faces everywhere...
Felicia was busy at the front counter & cutting table,
I was trying to answer questions...
I hope I was helpful!!

Our new cross stitch designs were released, and they were a big hit!
THANK YOU!!!

We received so many compliments on how the shop is coming along, since adding the quality fabrics & patterns~ I'm so happy!!!!

My sister, Jo-ene (Jo), sent me up a box of little white snowflakes from Tennessee, that she hand-cut for this occasion...
I hung them from the ceiling beams, and they danced in the light & slightest wind...
I taped them to the windows, and to the glass front counter...
each one is different from the other, and each one is so intricate~
she adds a tiny cut-heart to each one, as her 'signature'...
I'll keep them forever....

Now that the open house is over, I'll have a little more time for myself and the farmhouse...
I'll be creating some one of a kind works for Ebay and decorating in the house...
I'm working on a Christmas Sampler, that I hope to have finished soon...
I've even pulled out the paper & scissors again to make some scherenschnitte,
with Holiday/Winter themes...

Well, I'm off to the farmhouse, I have a pot of stew on the stove (again!) and I just want to sit by the fire, put on a good movie...and stitch.

Enjoy the crisp weather, and don't forget to feed the birds~
Blessed be my Friends,
Lori

*NEW* Cross Stitch patterns are ready to go!!!!

All FOUR *NEW* Holiday patterns are ready to be shipped...

"Christmas Cat"

"A Happy Christmas"

"O Christmas Tree"

"A Christmas Sampler"

All patterns are $8.00 each. ~
$1.50 t0 ship (I gladly combine shipping!)

If you'd like to order, please email me at not4got@aol.com

Blessed be, my Stitching Friends!
Lori

Please Visit ~

The Deare Ladyes of Threade blog is up & running ~

please do visit
www.deareladyesofthreade.blogspot.com
to read the Welcome post and see what this on-line Guild for Needleworkers is all about...

if you'd like to join the guild,
please email me at
not4got@aol.com
or
deareladyes@aol.com

A new poll...

Many thanks to all who participated in my last poll....

I've just added another, if you'd be so kind.

Your opinions and answers help me greatly,
as I'm planning some retreats for 2009
and would love to hear your input!!!

~ ALSO ~

I am in the process of developing an on-line Guild for Needlworkers:

"Deare Ladyes of Threade"
The Guild for American Needleworkers
will debut soon, and I'll be sending out info & a newsletter
to all of my stitching friends ~

I'm hoping that by starting an on-line Guild,
we can become more connected by
starting up local chapters in our own areas...

If you have interest in the Guild,
please email me at not4got@aol.com

and I'll add your name & contact info on my email list...

It's raining here again today, so I'm in the shop decorating for the
Holiday Open House
on Saturday~

I may even get into the spirit a little more & start on the farmhouse!

I'll post pictures as soon as I can~

Blessed be, my sweet Friends~

Lori

Many, Many Thanks ~

Do you appreciate waking up in your own bed, to the sounds of birds chirping?
Thank a Veteran.

Do you enjoy eating a warm breakfast in the comfort of your own home?
Thank a Veteran.

Do you relish the long walks you take in the woods,
being able to work for yourself,
...shopping for whatever you want?
Thank a Veteran.

Have you ever thought to yourself
what it would be like living in another country?
...not having the freedom to express yourself,
your religious beliefs, your creative spirit...
maybe being told that you could not have another baby
or even have one taken away from you?

Thank a Veteran for all of this...
and more...

This Veteran's Day, I would like to Thank those
that have stood for our Country on foreign soil,
placing themselves in danger for our freedom,
... not knowing if they would be coming back home...

...and Thank you for allowing my daughter
to grow up in a Country
that has such Diverse & Rich history,
and an even more Bright, Promising future...

Thank You.

A pleasant Saturday at the Shop~

Our youngest model stitcher,
Noelle , (Felicia's oldest daughter)
works on a sampler model for us
as she sits in the shops' comfy 'Stitchin' Chair'

...Noelle is sweet 16!

Felicia at the front counter,
doing what she does best...SMILING!

(l to r) Jane, (my Exemplary Student Extrodinairre !!!),
Leslie (learning how to hook),
and Ann (also learning how to hook)
at today's little hooking class ~

Jane came in to hook for a while
& showed us some of her show 'n tell..
....always something wonderful!

Leslie & Ann both took to rug hooking like they had done it for years,

as each have experience in some sort of needlecraft...
~both did a fantastic job on their rooster purses!!

I just love when we can get together & share,
we all have something unique & different to talk about,
and usually, we agree! LOL!

a pleasant way to spend a Saturday, absolutely.

I'm hoping that your Saturday was spent
in the company of
like-minded Friends~

Blessed be!!
Lori

Smitten with Stitchin' !!

Don't you just LOVE these little beauties???

My new obsession ~
(aside from collecting ANYthing that has to do with antique sewing tools)
are these little Sewing Machines!!

The green one at the top is a
ca. 1950's "Betsy Ross" electric (runs too!)
that came in a beautiful Red faux alligator case...
it measures only 5" x 7"

The little blue one is a "Kay-an-EE", ca. 1950's ~
it came in it's original box, has a hand-crank,
and measures only a teeny 5 1/2" x 3 1/2" !!!!

They're on display here in the shop...

Do you collect any viintage or antique sewing items?
~~~~~~

Today is blustery, windy but a little on the balmy side...
not what I call a 'good' November day...
it has to be COLDER for me!

...althought the trees are almost bare of their leaves,
the walnuts on the ground are now turning black,
making for good dye-stuff and easier cracking of the shells for baking
(nothing like a hot Brownie with Black Walnuts!)

I'm happy that so many have taken my little poll over there on the right side of this page,
it really helps me know what my customers needs are~ thanks for participating!

Have yourself a 'good' November day...
grab a basket, go for a walk in the woods
and collect some pinecones for wreath-making,
fire straters or string some into garlands...

Be Creative!!!!

Blessed be, my Friends~
Lori
p.s. in the new Christmas issue of Country Living magazine,
there is a feature on Jones' Tree Farm,
in my old "neighborhood" of Shelton, CT ~
our family has visited there many, many times!!

You Primitive-Lovers will enjoy this issue for sure!

some pics of the shop ~

antique post office box/cupboard stuffed with
beautiful wool roving and supplies for needle felting

dolls, doll patterns & doll making supplies

new needle punch patterns
from top designers and old favorites

Old fashioned country kitchen
cupboard with calico& repro 1800's fabrics

more repro 1800 fabric on primitive shoe rack

Don't forget that we'll be holding a rug hooking class here
on Saturday the 8th,
if you'll be in the area & would like to stop in,
make sure to bring your hookin'
so you can hang out with us for a while!

we're still receiving more goodies for the open house daily,
so when everything is here,
then we'll decorate for the Season
...and take more pictures ~

Now, since I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, I'm heading back into the warm farmhouse to work on my stitching...
I hope you all have a wonderfully creative day!

Blessed be,

Lori

Happy November!

Hi everyone!...
I'm hoping that the first few days of November are finding you all
Happy & Healthy...

We will be busy for the next few weeks, getting the shop ready for the
Holiday Open House,
getting the new book printed,
and of course,

celebrating Thanksgiving

with our families...

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone at the Open House,
and I'll be taking pics of the shop real soon...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'll be offering the little punched Squirrel sampler (above) on ebay this evening ~
(I just love his fluffy little tail!!!)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The members of my BLESTB group on Ebay will be offering their Christmas & Holiday wares all month long, so be sure to visit their auctions...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Have a beautiful Autumn day...
create something!!!

Blessed be, my Friends,
Lori