house wren studio

summer digest

It's been a busy summer for me. And a lazy one at the same time. Lots of changes. A longer story to tell another day. Today I want to share a few things, one long overdue. Awhile ago I helped Betz White celebrate her 10 year blogiversary with a free cupcake pattern to download and stitch. It's a really sweet pattern and cooler weather will mean more cupcakes, both baked and stitched. (My 10 year blogiversary is coming up in November!)

And then yesterday, Rachel at Handmade U posted an interview with me about "putting yourself out there." I talk about my experience with that challenge in my creative life and what I've learned. Just telling you that the interview exists and encouraging you to watch it makes me wiggle in my chair. But it's there, so why not. And I do think there is something to take away from that listen. 

Through these warm weather months, I've been stitching. Finally finished my Into the Wild sampler, a tribute to my beautiful mom. You can get yours here.

This has been a quick summer. Are they all? It gets hot and we start to wish it away and then it's cooler and we wish for more days. The ones we have right now are the best. I'm getting my wool organized for hooking rugs again. I found a rug I started over 10 years ago and gave up on. It's so big! Inspiration seems to have settled in for a spell so I'm going to get back to it. I have most of the wool colors. I often use black for my backgrounds because it's easy to find black wool clothes to cut up and mix in when the stash runs low.

Can hardly believe that tomorrow it's September! 

 

new home

I'm moved in. I can't really believe it's been a week.

Tonight was the first night I cooked here.

I have found places for things.

And things for places.

Made makeshift curtains that will probably stay the duration.

Made the bed as I always do.

Dropped my bag on the same table as before.

But it's all changed. New noises, light from different angles. 

I walked through my house and cherry-picked the things I cared most about. Not always the ones I thought I loved. Now it's the pieces I need for storage and utility. Then the little things that just asked to come with me. Kind of surprises me. Somehow it fits together. Perfectly.

Exciting and sweet. Thank you for all the kind words of encouragement. 

Tomorrow morning, I'll update everyone on Vermont and the latest news for this session to come and the next in September. We have two guest artists scheduled for the fall. Come back and see. Very exciting and so honored to have these two join us. 

Next. 

january

Happy new year! (um, I can't believe it's almost the end of January.)

So much going on all the time these days. Winter weather, birthdays (my mom turned 85!), moving, quilting, stitching, baby showering, baby watching, shoveling, shoveling.

We made it though the terrible-but-not-bad-at-all-really snowstorm named Juno. All this coincided with my mother's move which was pushed up a day as we tried to get it done before the snows came. It was successful and she's in. Her new space is cozy and sunny and right in the heart of our pretty little village. I think she will be very happy there.

Maggie is ready to have her baby any day now. It's so exhilarating to imagine this little guy arriving and being in our arms within days. He will be amazed at all the adoring faces peering into his nearly every time he opens his eyes.

Other news- the Vermont retreats are sold out for the spring. Thank you!! That happened within days of posting here. 

I have a new sampler in the shop tonight. Just have to get it listed. And another one in the works. When it's this cold and snowy, there isn't an excuse not to have a stitch basket within reach. Thank you for all the recent orders from my etsy shop. I love sharing these designs with you.

Wishing everyone warmth and wonder as we head into another winter month. Reminding myself that today we are one day closer to spring!

july postcards :: out of the blue

There's a summer storm brewing outside. It's rumbling in fits and starts like an old car trying to get up a rough hill. The ride down the other side is going to be fast and wild. Love these mercurial weather days in any season.

Ran across my stash of woaded linens from my trip to France a few years ago. Finding something to do with them has had me kind of stumped. But then I saw an old teacup sitting on the shelf and a solitary spool of white thread. I didn't have a lot of time and decided to stitch a quick silhouette of the cup. More than once I've struggled to imitate blue and white imagery from dishes. It's hard. Easier to riff on it and do what I could to capture the feeling. For a 45 minute challenge, it went pretty well. Then I did another. I have a lot of blue and white dishes.  

After a long dry spell creatively, it feels like that old car coming up to the top of the hill. The ride down might be crazy fun. Just need to keep my foot off the brakes.

well, hello again

And suddenly, it is August. Busy days, lazy days. 

Gladiolas! Paints and threads. Pattern and color.

Our dear friend Lynne moved away so we had a farewell craft night and decoupaged a keepsake trunk.

Found an old, old, old book in my stash and discovered that there were state maps inside. We used all the states she lived in and then added copies of my vintage NY postcards. I printed the backs too and added messages to Lynne over the faint handwritings from the original senders. Really pleased with the finished trunk, but I'm so sad to see her go!

Finally finished this and reloaded the Etsy shop.

And then - and then! - Meleen and I went up to Vermont to begin prepping for the Fall Getaway. Oh, how I love it there!

We prettied up the rooms.

Stitching up curtains, digging through treasures, hanging pictures (and vintage pillowcases).

We took time off and wandered around the scenic country roads.

After all, it was village tag sale weekend. Every corner was dotted with signs, every road led to a sale.

This photo is all I took away from this barn sale, but I'm so glad we went. Seriously spectacular.

I came home so excited and inspired by our plans for the weekend. It sold out very quickly and we still have lots of inquiries about openings. Thinking we'll do it again at another time of year, possibly late spring or summer 2014, so if you might like to join us, email us at fallvermontgetaway{at}gmail.com. 

Hoping your summer is creative, busy .... and a little bit lazy too. 

I'll be back here Sunday night with a give-away for you. See you then!

mountain house

Just home from a few days teaching holiday crafts in the mountains. I adore this place and loved every minute of my time there. As if just for the event, a silvery fog and snow fell over the glacial lake and lodge as we arrived. All kinds of magic and beauty everywhere!

 

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I'm so far behind in my blogging I don't even know where to start. Never got to properly tell you about Quilt Market because we got caught up in the storm after. My Tilly fabric for Blend is shipping out to quilt stores now and I'm hoping it comes to one near you. So pretty! 

And thank you so much for all the nice emails and comments about the wreath. Makes me very happy to hear that you are enjoying that so much.

Can't believe that tomorrow it's December! In my Etsy shop, use coupon code THANKS2012 for 10% off through December 31. The samplers make great gifts and stocking stuffers for crafty friends and family.

in the meantime

It took me so long to blog the epic adventure to France that I completely skipped weeks and weeks of life here. It's been tricky getting back into the routine of things. I'll just blame it all on lazy summer days. Oh, and the Olympics kind of put the whole world on hold, didn't it? 

I uncovered this painting and decided maybe it needs to go over my desk. Just have to find the spot.

Having fun sewing again and remade the dress I ruined/transformed in France. 

Dear friends hosted a magical wedding out in the Hamptons. 

Many lovely days with friends and family.

Enjoying our kitchen table full of people, vignettes and summer.

The charm of goldfinches at the feeder and perching in the pot of zinnias.

The Saturday farmer's market.

Stitching up new projects to share with you.

And wow, look at that! Absolutely thrilled and delighted to see the strike-off's for my next collection, Tilly. 

Quilt Market in October!

catching up and filling in

First things first. Mo ran her half marathon in San Diego with great success! It was her first race and she hoped to do two things: run it all the way through without walking and finish in less than 2 hours. She did both, beating her time by 1.5 minutes! From NY and the miracles of technology, I was able to follow her using the Find Friends app on my phone. So cool. For two hours, I watched the little purple dot move through the San Diego streets and highways and cross the finish line.

Maggie and James were actually there, saw her twice on the course and met her at the finish. Big thrills all around! And a big thank you all for your support and interest in her effort. She raised almost $6,500 for blood cancer research! 

While hovering and watching that little purple dot, I finished my Cedar Ridge sampler. Heather finished hers too and I love, love her version, especially the bunny with the fluffy tail. If I stitch it again, I'm doing that. At her suggestion, I opened a flickr group for you on the right sidebar. You can post your photos and share what you are doing with my designs, finished or in-progress. It's really exciting to see what you are making!

Also I want to introduce my new pal, Millie. Although I've had her for years, I just rediscovered her in some jumble inside the studio. One snapshot turned into several and it seems she's starring in a series of random adventures around here. Today she heads to Saint Louis with me and then to France in a few weeks. You can follow her on my Instagram feed (housewrenstudio, #hws_millie).  

So off we go for the weekend workshops at Mary's studio. Always so much fun. Hoping the rest of your week is sunny, inspired, shared with a friend or two and perhaps a little bit silly. xoC

close

It's been raining for days and the budding peonies are all so heavy with water that they are leaning to the ground. Last evening I picked one nearly ready to open, brought it inside and put it in the studio where the light was darkening. Did you know that flowers sleep at night? Just like us, they rest in the cool darkness and recover the energy spent photosynthesizing all day.

This morning it was waiting for me, fully open, reflecting the soft light in every exquisite petal. 

There are lots of pretty little surprises around here. 

Places that catch the light (and the dust).

Bits that I've collected. Or made. Scenes that make me stop and think about how long I've been at this.

In fact, my next post here will be my 1000th! 

And that's something to celebrate with all of you, my friends!

Have a lovely holiday weekend and I hope to see you back here next week. xoC

sunbonnet girl needle keeper

Read this post on my new site at www.housewrenstudio.com!

Yesterday I stopped by the church to help with sorting in the linens room. The spring sale is tomorrow and Saturday. A little late to show up and help really, but you know, I've been trying to stay away. Can't do it though, all that bustle at the top of my town's main street calls to me.

My friends who work in the linens/sewing room knew I'd show up sooner or later and had a few treasures set aside for me. And this is the one that made me gasp. When I lifted her skirt and saw the little petticoat felts for needle keeping, .... ! 

Looking closely, I wondered why her bonnet was sewn all around the edges but not the front and it dawned on me that it was for a thimble! Brilliant (though a little creepy when you look into the dark hollow of the thimble tucked inside). I brought her home, found a thimble and knew I had to share her with you. Still time to make one for a Mother's Day gift. Or a super-sweet gift tag made out of paper ... her hidden petticoat could be little love notes for Mom!

I sketched up a quick how-to pattern for you. (Click to enlarge and right click to save.) She's 4 1/2" high made from 2 pieces of felt, the top piece cut without the shoes. Each of the little rosettes is felt also, anchored with a French knot. You'll also want a few inches of dainty lace for her petticoat and bouquet and some felt scraps for the petticoats to hold needles inside. 

Whoever made this donated their vintage orange felt a few years ago. Guess who bought it? 

Happy day, my friends! I'm heading back there again to .... um, help. xo