{ Dyeing to try something new! }

Hi folks!

I've been stitching forever, it seems,

and it seems that I always overdye my finished work...

well for once I've decided to dye my linen before I stitch on it!

So
out came my dye pot, spoons, gloves & dye packets...

in goes the water, dye and linen~

out comes this
beeeeautiful linen
that I can hardly wait to start stitching on!

You can see in the picture above,
the 'before' on your left and the 'after' on the right...

I used Cushing's Acid Dyes,
and sort of mixed some colors together
to get what I'm calling
"Olde Flax"

a beautiful, mottled color~

the linen is 28ct and I am so excited to stitch a sampler on this,
that I will be designing one especially for this linen!! LOL!

I might even dye up some more and offer it on etsy if there's any interest...

Ok then, I'm off to STITCH!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

{ Loureda Geiste 1830 sampler }

Here is the freshly-stained model for my newest design,

"Loureda Geiste 1830 Sampler"

my sweet & talented Mom stitched the model for me
onto 18ct aida cloth, using 2 strands of DMC threads...

I have yet to frame it, but is measures approx. 10" high x 5 1/2" wide.

this pattern will be released along with another one,
"Rabbit Folk"
(which my stitcher, Robin, is still stitching...pics coming soon)
so look for them SOON!

Hope you like it!

Thanks so much for all of your birthday wishes!!!
I had a great day...

Peter cleaned the house, did the laundry, made me breakfast...
(no, you can't have him, I'm keeping him!!)
and
Hannah baked me a Fun-Fetti Birthday cake complete with Buttercream frosting...
(oh my bulging belt!)

I enjoyed a quiet day, stitching and punching...
...just PERFECT!

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

{ Today is Sunday...}

...it is a beautiful day!!!

it is warm,

sunny,

the birds are singing,

I am playing in threads,

...it is a Full Moon!!!

It is my Birthday!

I give thanks for being alive,

... to my Mother who chose to give me life~

for the chance to begin each day knowing I am where I should be,
...with a family that loves me!!

I give thanks for being gifted with
Good Friends
Busy Hands

a full Heart

a Generous Spirit
seemingly-unending

Creativity
and
Good Health!!

I will celebrate today
by honoring my past years,

and looking ahead with anticipation of what may

lie ahead of me...

all the while being

Thankful
for yet another year!!!

Thanks to you all, too, who keep me busy, thinking of new things to post here!!
it is wonderful to know that I have made a connection with so many of you,
and that you enjoy coming to visit me here on this blog...

Hoping you Celebrate Today, just as it is....

Blessings from the Farm,
Lori

{ out my window...revisited }

getting up this morning, I heard a racket going on outside in the farmyard...

our flock of Guinea Hen's were alerting us to something
(or someone?) foreign...

so I looked outside to see what the commotion was about,
and saw that we were being visited by the
Harbingors of Spring...

a small band of Robins....

hoping the view out your window is a beautiful one ~
...no matter what the weather.

Blessings from the farm,
Lori

{ Welcome little ones !! }

" For winter's rains and ruins are over,

and all the season of snows and sins;

days dividing lover and lover,

The light that loses, the night that wins;

time remembered is grief forgotten,

frosts are slain and flowers begotten,

And in green underwood and cover

Blossom by blossom the spring begins...."

can you see them?
there, next to the base of the ancient Ash
that once graced our front lawn...

...the little green spires of Spring,
bounding forth through ice & snow,

letting their fresh presence known to all who pass by...

(usually a chicken or two !!!)

although quite cold & windy today,
I will do as they;

and brave the weather just once more,

as I go on my way....

Thought I would share my tiny friends with all of you who are caught in that storm...
Hoping you have a sun-filled day of creative energy!!!

Blessed be!

Lori