Monday, August 31, 2015

Country Farm Walk ~

Welcome friends, how was your weekend?

It sure ended quickly...hard to believe it's
Monday already!


I love to rearrange my collections every chance it get...


This neat old drawer works perfect for displaying old worn and
tattered pinkeeps.




A couple Puzzle Balls mixed in with a few Pin Rolls!



Some of my favorite storage jars are 
antique Tobacco jars...


In my collection, I only have one jar that still has the original
metal clips on the sides!




The glass lid is stamped
Patented August 28, 1900.





These old jars are just perfect are storing 
sewing notions!


Here are some of my favorite jars in the Studio...


Thy work great for buttons, bone rings, shell rings, ribbon etc.

The possibilities are endless!




The first one was my Grandmother's, the middle one was left in the 
farmhouse when we bought it, the last one with the
Greek key design on the lid I acquired over the years.




I love the bigger size...oil cans, skeins of ribbon!
The last one is not a tobacco jar, but also works great.




Now, here's the line up!

On Friday, I'll share more of my antique jar collection and 
how I use them for other things in the Studio!



The best way to clear my head, is right here on our farm!

Please join me for a relaxing 
country farm walk...


While walking along, I was amazed to find this tiny little tree
sapling in on open field of tall grass with the
sweetest abandoned birds nest!




I wonder what kind of bird nested here?




Queen Ann's Lace...waving good bye for 2015!


Love the little patch of bright Goldenrod next to this
soft shade of purple.




A few late bloomers still trying to show off their colors!



What a great natural color combination!




These Purple Coneflower heads are full of seeds, just shake
them into your hand and the seeds will fall right out.




The Goldenrod is in full bloom...this unique looking bug
is really enjoying it!


This week I'll be busy stitching the model for 
Little Sparrow Pinkeep's next club piece.

I'll share more on Friday :)




~ Weekly Soul Food ~

And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of
these is charity.

~ 1 Corinthians 13:13...KJV ~


Take time to enjoy the beauty that surrounds you!

Wishing you the best for this new week ahead...see you on Friday.


Two dove decoys...waiting to see what I'll fill the garden 
basket with?


Friday, August 28, 2015

~ Peaceful Rainy Day ~

~ Welcome friends ~

A peaceful rainy day,
I can't think of a better way to end a super busy week!

While walking out to the Studio this morning,
it was just starting to sprinkle here and there....


Greeted by a special rabbit folk...just peeking his
head out to get a free face wash!


I love the look of wet concrete folk...something so 
soothing to my soul!


We are expecting 3 inches of rain today, 
so far very gentle and the birds just outside the Studio
are soaking it up...


 Last week my power line was lined up with Barn Swallows,
now the crows have taken over!


The peacefulness of our pond surrounded by Pine trees.


The rain makes everything beautiful!


I've always loved the sound of cars passing by on a rainy day,
and the familiar country roads that surround my life!



The beautiful nearby parks and the Mississippi River!



How about you...do you enjoy a rainy day?


Here are a few reflections from earlier in the week...


Look who was resting on the brick of the farmhouse...a Dragonfly!


Very curious looking fellow indeed...my what big eyes you have!


This fellow hung around most of the day...I wonder
where it's headed next?


~ Studio News ~



The next design for Little Sparrow's Pinkeep Club is 
under way...will share more on Monday!


I'm quickly approaching 100,000 pageviews since
starting my blog!

To celebrate,
 I'll be doing a free gift giveaway soon... I'll keep you posted.


I would like to thank everyone for their support and wonderful
comments left on my newest pattern release...


"Miss Matilda" Pillow Tuck &
Harvest Pinkeep Necklace

All orders for Miss Matilda have been filled,
watch for her to arrive by Saturday or Monday :)


~ Weekend Soul Food ~

This lamb's ears and facial features are completely worn away from the 
natural elements of time...very old tombsone!

The Lord Bless Thee, and keep thee:
The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

~ Numbers 6:26...KJV ~


Enjoy a wonderful relaxing weekend...see you Monday!

Kindly, Tammy








Monday, August 24, 2015

Miss Matilda Released & Tutorial ~ Moriah's Fan

Hello special friends and neighbors...how are you doing today?

Are you bright and happy and ready to 
face the challenges of a new week?


Please let me introduce you to "Miss Matilda"...


"Miss Matilda" Pillow Tuck
and Pumpkin Pinkeep Necklace

Matilda's keeping her eye on that crow...while the pumpkin's
keeping an eye on her!

Matilda was stitched on 32ct Weeks Dye Works ~ Confederate Grey,
using threads from Weeks Dye Works (4), Gentle Art (1), DMC (1).

The finished size of the pillow is 6"W by 6.5" H.

Pumpkin Pinkeep Necklace...


The Pumpkin Pinkeep Necklace was stitched on
 30ct Weeks Dye Works ~ Tiger's Eye Linen, using
 glass seed beads for the facial features.

This pattern is for both the pillow tuck and the 
pinkeep necklace.

Do you like Miss Matilda? 
She would love to be stitched and adopted into
your home for Halloween! 

She is now available in my Etsy Shop, here is the direct
link to take you there...



Today's post will be a tutorial for
The Sheepish Needle Samplar Club's
first kit...


"Moriah's summer Token" Hand Fan

~ Begin by stitching design using 1 strand
  of DMC over 2 linen threads.

~ Make template using see~thru plastic like
"Quilter's Template Plastic" (Hobby Lobby),
mark center point by running a needle down 
thru the center of the template plastic.

Please click onto each picture collage for easy viewing...
then read the corresponding instructions to 
the number on each photo.

Photo Numbers 1~5

 No. 1 ~ My favorite medium weight cardboard is "Dry Mixed Media" available at Hobby Lobby in 15" by 20" sheets...I would not recommend foam core, it is to 
thick and difficult to cut into a circle with a smooth edge.  

No. 2 ~ Trace around template, cut out and mark center point with
needle...set aside.

No. 3 ~ Trace template onto ruff side of batting, cut 1 on trace line.

No. 4 ~ Use Elmer's Craft Bond glue stick on one side of fan board,
lay ruff side of batting on top, press down while
 smoothing out.

No. 5 ~ Use a needle to find the center point of batted fan board and mark with a pencil.


Photos 6~8

No. 6 ~ Find center point of stitched linen with a needle, match to
batted fan board.

No. 7 ~ Hold up to window to find the perfect alignment.

No. 8 ~ Flip over, using pencil, trace around fan board on the backside
of linen (be careful not to move linen out of alignment), 
set fan board aside for now.


Photos 9~11

No. 9 ~ Use needle & contrasting thread, do a running stitch on 
penciled line.

No. 10 ~ Use pinking shears preferably, regular scissors will work.

No. 11 ~ Round off corners only, leaving as much linen allowance 
as possible...will trim again later.


Photos 12~15

No. 12 ~  Sequin pins work best for this next step...this photo compares 
 a regular pin and a sequin pin...available at Michaels.

No. 13 ~ Place linen on top of batted fan board, match center points with
a needle.

No. 14 ~ Use running stitch as a guide, gently stretch linen over fan 
board so running stitches are over edge of fan board, 
use sequin pins to hold in place as you go around.

No. 15 ~ After pinning flip over to backside now trim off excess linen 
to about 1".


Photos 16~18

No. 16 ~ Carefully cut small notches all the way around.

No. 17 ~ Use small amounts of "Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue" as 
you work around the fan board.

No. 18 ~ Press down glued linen until smooth. 


Photos 19~21

No. 19 ~ Pull out sequin pins.

No. 20 ~ Use a needle tip to slowly pull out the running stitches...a few
at a time.

No. 21 ~ Thread completely pulled out.


Photos 22~25

No. 22 ~ Front side is now complete!

No. 23 ~ Lay a very heavy book on top of the fan board allowing to 
thoroughly dry for several hours (this is very 
important so fan board will lay nice and flat.

No. 24 ~ Attach fan stick to backside of fan board using a hot glue gun.

No. 25 ~ Overall look before finishing the fabric backing.


Photos 26~29

No. 26 ~ Trace template on back of Civil War fabric...trace line is stitching line, cut 1/2" beyond this line.

No. 27 ~ Use needle and contrasting thread, do a running stitch on penciled line.

No. 28 ~ Cut small notches all the way around.

No. 29 ~ Fold edge over using running stitch as a guide, pressing as
you fold.


Photos 30~32

No. 30 ~ Pull thread to remove running stitch.

No. 31 ~ Thread completely removed

No. 32 ~ Civil War fabric all prepped! 


Photos 33~36

No. 33 ~ Trace template on ruff side of 2nd piece of batting...cut on trace line.  Spray ruff side with Elmer's Craft Bond 
Multi~Purpose Spray Adhesive.

No. 34 ~ Press onto backside of fan keeping batting slightly in from outer edge of fan.

No. 35 ~ Position fabric design in correct direction on backside of fan.

No. 36 ~ Use matching thread to whip stitch around to complete fan.


Photos 37~38

No. 37 ~ Small gap over the wood where you can't stitch.

No. 38 ~  Better angle of this gap!


Photos 39~42


No. 39 ~ Aleene's Fast Grab Tacky Glue works great for this gap!

No. 40 ~ A thin tipped coffer stir stick works great!

No. 41 ~ Carefully insert glue

No. 42 ~ Press down for a nice clean sealed up gap!


All finished...enjoy your Moriah's Hand Fan!

Moriah could also be finished as a framed samplar...the choice 
is your!

Thank you for viewing, hope this tutorial was helpful!


~ Weekly Soul Food ~

The wind bloweth where it listeth, 
and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh,
and whither it goeth.

~ John 3:8...KJV ~


Hope everyone enjoys a great week!

Please stop back on Friday to see what's new.