Miss Maddie's

Journeys

2011-09-18T17:08:00.005-04:00

Every journey has a beginning and an end... every story a tale to tell...

Miss Maddies is embarking on just that; a new journey, a captivating tale...

Thank you so much for sharing this one...

Please visit me at my new blog LingLing and LuLu.

Challenges

2011-09-06T09:46:00.001-04:00

Even though it is much easier to travel a well-trodden path adventure and fulfillment can be found by climbing a wall or passing through a gate...

Life is laden with challenges, but alas strength comes from confronting them as overwhelming as they may seem... to find the velvet lining that lingers beneath.

As the month of September brings the final harvests closer to their climax, the Autumn rains begin to fall and the temptations of savory soups please our pallet may you find a moment or two to enjoy its splendor...

Cozy

2011-08-18T10:01:00.001-04:00

With our obsession for large, audacious places, it is refreshing to find that some still seek small and cozy as a much more tranquil choice...

This Lilliputian chapel along the Niagara Parkway has witnessed many a country wedding...

A tiny clapboard cottage with its inviting front door beckons one to visit within and enjoy a comfortable chair by the fire...

Even a simple stone home,

with the path leading to the side door and right into the kitchen encourages a weary soul to rest a spell...

Hope you too are enjoying these simple days of Summer and finding a place that's cozy...

Gifts From Nature

2011-08-08T11:14:00.004-04:00

The hydrangeas are beginning to wane and the sharp, shrill call of a new family of bluejays echoes throughout the treetops...

It had been a dry, hot July, but August has renewed the garden with frequent raindrops, cooler nights and a bounty of goodies.

The aroma of fresh basil lingers in the air as you brush by to pick the tomatoes...

Jam making, the canning of pickles, relish, salsa and pasta sauce occupy my days right now...
Some might question the intense labour involved but when I open a fresh jar of wild blueberry jam with honey on a cold December morn to spread on a warm baked scone... the effort is worth its weight in gold.

Enjoy the yields of fellow farmers by visiting a local market or roadside stand... the freshness of field to table is heavenly.

There's even some new knitting on the needles, a cowl in Malabrigo Rasta yarn.

Archangel is the colour... reflects the beauty of the blossoms wouldn't you say?

Tantalizing Reflections

2011-07-28T09:35:00.003-04:00

Windows are like mirrors to the beauty of the great outdoors...
Depending on the time of day, the season or the angle of light, reflections dance across an outside windowpane...

Be it vintage textiles airing on the line amidst a cloudy day...

Or a country field captured by the village church window...

The ability of the wavy glass to refract the vision before it is amazing...

August is upon us... enjoy the dog days of Summer!

Solitude and Serenity

2011-07-12T10:32:00.001-04:00

In this sometimes obligatory world in which we dwell it is an indulgence to seek solitude and serenity...

As I come upon the stillness of a country cemetery, blessed with tranquil surroundings and soul stirring statues I find the moments I treasure...

Sometimes slumbering on the caressing folds of a much loved eiderdown quilt, good book or glossy magazine in hand... the time passes at an easy and gentle pace...

Even strolling amongst the pathways of the garden where bright candyfloss pink hydrangea beckon a passing butterfly ...

the fragile petals of the mop-cap variety appear like tiny elfin parasols and the first petite florets
begin to unfold on the gooseneck flowers I drink in the beauty that abounds...

Hope you're enjoying your Summertime splendor too!

Tidbits

2011-06-17T09:59:00.000-04:00

Almost two months ago when our area endured relentless high winds for a day much damage followed...

Trees fell and the outcome was devastating. In one tree a nest of baby squirrels barely three weeks old, cold, eyes unopened and orphaned were discovered by my neighbour walking her dog. Knowing I had a soft spot for critters and having rescued several in the past she came to me and I set out to save them.

With feedings of puppy formula round the clock, they soon flourished.

Almost eight weeks later the two boys and one girl are now in the process of returning to Nature...

The peonies are at their peak in the garden right now. Sarah Barnhart's are my favourite. Their huge flowers and delicate scent fill my little cottage with unsurpassed beauty...
The aroma of yesterday's batch of rhubarb fig jam deliciously lingers in the kitchen...

I'd also like to send this special bouquet to June at 'Laughing With Angels' with the wish of a speedy recovery...

Have a wonderful weekend!

Illusions

2011-06-06T12:23:00.004-04:00

Though most of my gardening is devoted to growing organic fruits, vegetables and herbs the small plots of soil set aside for flowers seems somehow a reflection of my favourite colours...

Early June finds a passion for pinks and mauves from the azalea to clematis.

Even the first bloom of the David Austen old rose hidden well beneath the foliage seeking shelter from the hot afternoon sun is the palest of pink...

A soft new Japanese Noro King yarn is on the needles too...

gentle earth tones with a touch of delicate pink, it is the beginnings of an early Autumn cowl for a friend's upcoming birthday...

Have a great week.

A Magical Place

2011-05-26T11:07:00.004-04:00

When all is wrong in the world it is hard to imagine such, within the tranquility of the woods...

As you meander down the well-trodden paths venturing deeper into this magical place with the high pitched shrill of the meadowlark above it is easy to get lost in time and place...

Perhaps the forest fairies rest beneath a generous toadstool...

Or listening for the echoes of our ancestors seeking to find the huge oak burls that were once hand-carved into batter bowls...

Or a little pixie dancing amongst the decadent wildflowers...

Although Nature has her darker side with the beauty that lies before us all is quickly forgiven...

Recipes With Memories

2011-05-20T12:09:00.002-04:00

There are ever present links to our past that follow us through the days of our lives...

As the rhubarb ripens and the tattered, spattered pages from my great-grandmother's recipes are readied, I find the recollections of her most vivid as I prepare to make her rhubarb marmalade.
Amidst the washing, the chopping and stirring, the aroma that fills the kitchen takes me back in time...

The violets are ready for harvest too. Each blossom picked, infused and yielding the most delicious shade of purple-pink jelly... connecting me to the women in my family, long passed but whose memories I share with their recipes.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Blossom Fever

2011-05-10T09:04:00.004-04:00

Living in a vast fruit belt affords one the chance to prosper twice in a season...

Once from the beauty of the blooms that paint the orchards endless shades of pinks and whites and again later in the Summer when the luscious cherries and peaches droop from the branches...

I am not the only one smitten by all this blossoming, French, Austrian and Prussian china makers

once hand-painted their delicate porcelain wares in similar adoring motifs...

Alas Spring in all her glory...

The Perils of Nature

2011-05-03T11:14:00.003-04:00

When the perils of Nature strike it is often the inconvenience and suffering to humans that is felt most...
But trees, forests and wildlife also succumb to her wrath.
This past Thursday the winds throughout the peninsula reached 95+ km . (75m.) per hour and continued for the entire day... when all was said and done a path of devastation was left in its wake.

The mighty maple that stood at the top of our country lane, where once I waited as a child for the school bus lay victim to the gusts.

I gathered nests from the ground strewn willy nilly across the lawns... each a sanctuary but now no longer able to hold the eggs that were soon to be laid.
We may have had no power for 4 days measured by the stillness in the household but perhaps it was an asset, creating one to indulge in hand sewing, knitting, campstove cooking and reflection...

Strangely enough though the devastation was predominate in areas, beauty still dotted the landscape...

holding the promise of flowers and fruits yet to come...

Lilliputian Lovelies

2011-04-25T14:21:00.002-04:00

' Beauty can not be measured in size...
for it is simply a reflection of the loveliness within.'

SMM

I am always amazed how Nature has endowed such tiny little flowers with the visual impact of those 10 times their size and the enveloping heavenly fragrance worthy of great stature...

From these miniature daffodils to the violets and lily of the valley that will soon follow in my cottage garden I feel assured that finally Spring has arrived...

And for those of you that love the Lilly of the Valley and the colour pink I have discovered that the two are now available together. How yummy!

* Link for the pink Lilly of the Valley.

Daydreaming

2011-04-14T22:22:00.001-04:00

I sent this antique late 19th century jar to a dear blog friend and it has arrived safely into her hands...

Its aqua hues always stirred memories of collecting water polished pieces of glass along the beach as a child... daydreaming that they were jewels from a mermaid's necklace.

The tiny bubbles so delicately suspended in it's making were captivating...

Whatever garden delights it once held it has been passed on to another to enjoy.

Maddie is upon a rock looking out across the water... with her keen sense of hearing perhaps she can distinguish that very mermaid singing... calling out for all to find her treasured jewels.

Hope

2011-04-07T09:45:00.002-04:00

Yesterday marked a significant milestone for me...
A series of tests conducted over the past several weeks and a final examination by my specialist yesterday has concluded I am at last after 10 years cancer free...

Not wishing to dwell on the specifics of my disease I must admit even in the darkest hour I never lost hope...

On a lighter note I have been playing with a ball or two of Noro's latest Spring coloured sock yarn. With its rich cotton, silk blend around here we're knitting light-weight cowls for cool days and evenings. (after all this is Canada and there are still a few flakes flying about)

I bid you adieu and will close with the words of my favourite poet, Emily Dickinson...

' Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune -- without the words,
And never stops at all....'

* Painting 'Girl With Doves' by Charles Chaplin French Painter 1825-91
* Image 'Girl With Birds' Author - Kaycee as seen in ISSUE 55

Perhaps

2011-03-28T14:52:00.002-04:00

With a 2°C reading on the thermometer just outside the door, perhaps Spring is hiding beneath a thermal blanket and having a bit of a lie-in...

But we shall not despair... with Victoria magazine's newest publication in hand, 'Gardens of Bliss'

and a proper place to daydream (if only in my imagination) I shall indulge and savour every page...

As warm sunshine reflects off my sewing table and a sampling of French General's 'Pom Pom de Paris' fabric is calling out, I have chosen a fun project...

This Tilda booklet is bursting with cute and quick delights to create.

And with this wonderful antique ironstone soup tureen I captured at the auction, I'll plant crocus and hyacinth for a table top display... just so I can play in the dirt.

Have a great week!

* Pic of chairs amongst the flowers taken during my visit to the greenhouse last week.

Delightful

2011-03-21T11:49:00.005-04:00

Across our vast country there are still pockets of Winter, but here in Southern Ontario Spring has finally arrived...

The breathtaking beauty of a flower garden in full bloom is still months away but for a quick reminder of what's to come a trip to the local greenhouse tempts the senses...

Pansies whose sweet flowers look like smiling pixies have a spicy fragrance that is captivating en masse.

The delicate petals of the ranunculus are tipped in the palest of pink...

Row after row of frilly flowered African violets create a carpet of visual delight...

And the wonderful thing about a visit to the greenhouse is next week if one comes again there's always something new and fascinating to see...

Happy Spring everyone!

Vast

2011-03-15T10:22:00.002-04:00

As sunlight paints her way across the morning sky reflecting its pale pink glow off the jet streams in the atmosphere another day is dawning...

The air is rich in birdsong... each male heralding a mate with his saturating lullaby.

I've placed little mesh bags of yarn snippets gathered over the Winter and hung them from branches and hooks. I call them nesting bags.
Hopefully they will attract the busy builders to use them for their nests. I do hope my colour choices will match their decor..,.

A bright cotton market bag is on the needles. Doesn't that yarn just sing Spring...

Miss Maddie seems oblivious to the excitement... she's waiting for it to warm up enough to dig in the garden.

Have a wonderful week...

As The Crow Flies

2011-03-08T10:58:00.002-05:00

The sun is shining brightly on this brisk March morning. The birds are chirping and the laundry on the line is swaying in the breeze.

There is a vocal character cawing above me. I think she is stating her pleasure with the glorious day...

Projects have been simple knitted cotton bags for Easter gift giving.

Although I must confess I shall reserve a few for stashing my ongoing knitting.

Digging through piles of vintage fabrics, for remnants to make pillows for the front porch.

Alas Spring is on the way... I just hope its on the fast track... ' as the crow flies.'

Welcome March

2011-03-01T09:13:00.000-05:00

As we open the gate to the month of March and even though the snow drifts still lie heavy in the fields, I am most thankful it has not arrived like a lion...

The first signs of Spring initiate many auctions that keep me working regularly but I still find a chance to play...

Making buntings from vintage scraps fills my sewing table.

And inspiration has stirred with knitting swatches to felt... amazingly in harvest colours.

There is a distinct chirping of a Robin outside.
Enjoy your first week of March!

* Pic of gate and lion statue taken at the historic Queenston Heights in much warmer weather.

Interlude

2011-02-21T12:03:00.003-05:00

With only a week to go in February, we anxiously await the arrival of March...
Will she appear gentle as a lamb or wild as a lion?

Either way March will be welcomed...

Projects turn to using more Spring-like themes and hues.

And remember those snowdrops I'm so longing for under the pile of snow...

alas with the bright sunshine and warmer temperatures we were blessed with over the weekend they have begun to make an appearance.

Champagne anyone?

What's In A Name?

2011-02-14T09:55:00.005-05:00

I've often wondered how the names we gift upon our pets come to be...

My dear sweet Maddie (this blog's namesake) proper name is Madelaine Grace, joined our home almost 10 years ago and has added to the harmony and chaos ever since.

My daughter's dog Kai that lives in Alberta was a rescue puppy she took into her home and her heart.

My two cats LingLing (Empress Ling) and LuLu (Tallulah when scolded) are a lovely pair of Siamese. Vocal and mischievous they add a dimension of adventure, conversation and humour to the household.

As I journey around my favourite blogs and new ones I encounter, I seem drawn to those that share a critter or two (or more) in their lives...
Perhaps it is simply that these devoted pet lovers have a common bond in their hearts too...

So hug your partner, cuddle your children and on this special day we call Valentine's don't forget the furry, feathered and smooth skinned ones as well...

And you lucky Gals in the UK with the wonderful photos of your coveted snowdrops , mine are out there too, just under that snowpile that should be melted by June...

Creativity

2011-02-07T12:52:00.003-05:00

So when the wind is howling and the snow is falling, what does one do to distract from the weather?

Well you dig through a pile of antique hand-woven blankets that have seen better days and been loved for a century...

Or you sort through a stash of vintage velvets...

Gather the jars of treasured buttons...

Rummage up a few spools of old thread...

And hand sew a silly rabbit of course.

Featured in Maggie Bonanomi's book, ' Nature's Offerings' its a perfect way to pass the afternoon...

Memories

2011-01-30T16:46:00.003-05:00

As the short month of February begins and anticipating the first signs of Spring, it is a bit of nostalgia I find myself reminiscing about...

The picture was taken back in September showing the beautiful blue sky and fluffy clouds. The remnants of the wharf in the distance is where once the ships docked bringing tourists to the infamous Crystal Beach Amusement Park along the shores of Lake Erie. ( if you would like to read more about it's history click here.)

Park goers came by ship or train, horse carriage and automobile... to spend the day, weekend or Summer riding the roller coasters, swimming at the beach and walking the promenade.

The other photo taken on the weekend, where neither the lake, the sky or the horizon are separated, except for the remnants of the wharf where once the tourists disembarked... Perhaps if it wasn't for the howling wind, one may be able to hear the ghostly voices of the fun seekers that came and went.

Meanwhile I've discovered the little pixie hats knit up quick and are a perfect opportunity to use some beautiful handspuns...

Enjoy the week!

Wisdom

2011-01-24T12:51:00.001-05:00

A wise owl once said ' if it is frigid outside, stay cozy indoors...'

A magnificent Snowy owl surveying his kingdom...

It has been bitterly cold here in the Great Lakes region these past few days. Heeding the owl's wisdom it is by the fireside I have remained.

Indulging in a few knitting projects, such as this darling toddler pixie hat in the most luxurious handspun South African wool top and blue- faced Leicester yarn. There is a hint of sparkle spun in making it perfect for a special gift...

Perhaps he too is thinking Spring... alas my kingdom for a Princess as he takes flight.

Longing

2011-01-17T11:16:00.002-05:00

Though my heart is beginning to long for the beauty of my garden... the scent of the roses, the buzzing of the bees and the coolness of a fresh picked salad.

This is the reality... ice that encompasses the branches, but dances like diamonds in the sunlight.

I have discovered a delightful way to bring touches of green, be it ever so tiny into the room... to amuse even the smallest of pixies...

History on the Move

2011-01-10T10:43:00.003-05:00

In the region where I dwell there are hamlets and villages that pervade the landscape...
Rich in history they are in an endless struggle to remain constant...

This past week the former historic Queenston chapel was moved from its present location to stand on its original site next to the Laura Secord Homestead.

Built in 1862 as a Methodist meetinghouse, it has stood the test of time and shall be restored to its former glory... so once again the echoes of my ancestors can rejoice in song...

* Monument of General Sir Isaac Brock at Queenston Heights.

Frozen In Time

2011-01-04T09:30:00.004-05:00

The garden has settled into a deep sleep protected by a blanket of new fallen snow...

There are remnants of seasons past. The paperlike withered petals of a pink English rose late to have made her appearance in November...

Clematis seedpods that appear like gossamer petticoats befitting a fairy...

Even the birdbath with its delicate layer of ice lies awaiting the return of the frolicking birds...

The seed catalogues have begun to arrive and the gardening magazines will be soon to follow...

The essence of Spring is only a daydream away...

* Even a quickknit shawl reflects the coolness of ice crystals. The shawl pin that will be the finishing touch is from Pat at www.gardenofweedingirl.etsy.com

Moments In Time

2010-12-30T09:55:00.002-05:00

As the moments of 2010 fade into memory...

May the brightness of the New Year guide you with health and prosperity...

Welcome 2011.

The Magic of Winter

2010-12-21T10:35:00.005-05:00

" Winter is a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark upon a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour "
- John Boswell

The season of Winter has arrived...

we shall embrace its beauty,

endure its hardships,

and always think forward to Spring...

Merry Christmas!

*winter pictures taken by my daughter in Calgary, Alberta!

Simplicity

2010-12-17T10:28:00.004-05:00

Even though Mother Nature has revealed her less gentle side as her prelude to Winter, her presence evokes one to see the beauty she presents as well....

Not wanting or even attempting to upstage her perfection I enjoy the simplicity of the season. A welcoming wreath with birch bark accents enticing visitors to the door...

A handmade knitted nest ornament with a snowfairy mouse.

Simple antique child's stockings waiting in anticipation to be filled.

And of course I've been busy knitting (watching Nature from the cozy warmth inside). A bag to be felted from Noro Kureyon yarn. (Similar to the one in the background knitted in Malabrigo yarn only bigger)

Stay warm!

* Ferris wheel at the Festival Of Lights Niagara Falls Ontario.

Enticement

2010-12-06T14:27:00.001-05:00

Rarely effected by a shortage of words, I find myself visiting more than writing with this online journal...

Honouring the Holiday season with a richness of simplicity I enjoy connecting with other creative individuals sharing their knitting, quilting, crafting and decorating their homes with a little enticement from Nature and oodles of vintage finds.

All this inspiration has me busy filling the arriving Winter evenings with fun and creativity...

Beauty

2010-11-17T16:01:00.004-05:00

I am surrounded by bountiful vineyards...

acres of fruit orchards and fields. Protected by great bodies of water....

and at this time of year plenty of greenhouses.

I escaped for a few hours to be enveloped by the most beautiful of flowers and plants for the Holiday season.

* The frilly white petals of a new variety of cyclamen.
* Ice wine grapes awaiting the frigid temperatures to be harvested.

Inevitable

2010-11-08T09:02:00.002-05:00

The early morning dew along the banks of the river has been replaced by the glistening of frost...

The vines along the fence stand naked to the wind...

The sky seems bluer and the clouds are dancing in from the north...

November is upon us and thoughts turn to warmth by the fireside and keeping one's hands busy...

transforming beautiful yarn with the rhythmic repetition of a simple stitch harmonized by the clicking of the needles into something that borders on the edge of decadence...

* A snood for the cool November winds.
* A shawl I'm working on in mohair.

A Blessed Place

2010-10-26T15:05:00.001-04:00

As I travel across the countryside amongst the quaint little villages from auction site to appraisal appointment there is one presence that is constant among them... each has a blessed place.

Most are small in stature, built either of white clapboard, brick or stone... perhaps in the last century or early 1900's.

The colourful lead paned glass that adorns one or more windows is a tribute to a wealthy village merchant among the congregation or a prosperous harvest yielding donations....

Each has shared its tranquil surroundings to witness the baptism of babies, the union of a dedicated couple or the respectful farewell of those on their final journey...

Silent Witness

2010-10-15T13:58:00.004-04:00

The passage of time and the changing of the seasons is part of our everyday lives...

Not far from where I live stands a mighty sugar maple tree,

recognized to be the oldest of its kind in the entire country of Canada.

Massive in size, one can only imagine all she has witnessed and survived...

Maddie seems intrigued by the fact that this spot makes a wonderful place to ponder all the maple syrup the tree would have produced to smother pancakes over the centuries...

Hidden Beneath

2010-10-07T15:57:00.004-04:00

As Nature sheds her crimson cloak, there are secrets revealed beneath that linger on the branches...

Infatuated by the perfection of small birds' nests I indulge myself by collecting a few abandoned ones...

During the coldest of Winter's days they also will remind me that Spring will soon follow...

With the onset of cooler weather I'm indulging another passion... knitting a lovely cowl of beautiful superfine alpaca and wool Araucania yarn named Liwen.

Mementos and Treasures

2010-09-24T14:27:00.008-04:00

Working for an auctioneer affords me the unique opportunity to travel through time...

from past to present.

As is with most estate sales, one can glimpse into an individuals lifetime; an accumulation of tokens, mementos and treasures...

items they felt worthy of collecting or preserving.

Tucked away, displayed or coveted, each is a reflection of an era in our lifetimes...

* Items from an estate coming up for auction in October.

Shades of Autumn

2010-09-09T16:01:00.006-04:00

Some things occur that bring gladness to our hearts...

such is the colours of Autumn....

Buttery yellows, sunshine oranges and ghostly whites are some of the shades found in this years crop of gourds from my garden.

Even my knitting reflects the beauty of the landscape, from the subtle hue of the grape, to the ochre and taupes of the field...such a glorious season to enjoy.

Lofty Outlook

2010-08-24T08:42:00.005-04:00

As Summer begins to prepare for her exit... with darkness beckoning sooner on the horizon,

The flowering of chrysanthemums ,

apples ruby red and sweet dangling in the orchard, we begin to change our daily rituals...

As we journey through these days of promise and reflection one can not help but notice the sun shining on a grassy knoll,

the clouds beginning to appear dark and brooding... alas the prelude to Autumn is upon us.

* A group of cormorants perched in their favourite tree, overlooking the mighty Niagara River.

* Historic Fort George in Niagara-on-the-Lake was also most willing to relinquish its beauty for several of the photos.

Vision

2010-08-08T12:59:00.007-04:00

Sometimes one feels they can not see the forest for the trees...

But by setting one's sights on the facets that lie closer to your field of view opportunities of delicate beauty are revealed.

As the high pitched thrill of the cicadas echo overhead the penetrating rays of sunshine dance with wild abandonment on the growth below.
Queen Anne's lace yields her flowers to a passing bumblebee.

The ochre yellow Goldenrod begins swaying courtesy of a gentle zephyr.

The regal thistle with her crown of purple stretches skyward.

There is much to see beneath the canopy of trees... one needs only to linger for a short time to savour its delight...

Fruits Of One's Labour

2010-07-28T14:12:00.006-04:00

Even though the land seems parched and the humidity level balances on the edge of tolerance this is the time in the garden that truly inspires...

The bounty Nature yields is for enjoyment now and well into the cold Winter that lies ahead.

The woodpile stands drying in the hot sun awaiting the coolness of an Autumn's evening and the soft glow it shall reflect from the woodstove...

The ornamental gourds are forming bumps, swelling in size, soon to change to soft butter yellow and bright, vibrant orange... to bring harmony to the harvest table.

My new David Ramsey hydrangea has presented its first flower in soft luscious pink, the colour of candy floss... everblooming it shall great me with gifts until the end of Summer...

* The sheep in the vineyard are part of the natural cycle of dealing with the weeds that grow amongst the vines at Featherstone Estate Winery in Vineland. Located atop the Niagara Escarpment the owners have chosen this gentle way to give back to Nature as she presents delicious grapes to them.

The Passage of Time

2010-07-17T19:39:00.003-04:00

Tis true it is only July but there are subtle changes on the landscape...

the fields have yielded their first crop of hay.

The sunflowers are blooming in my garden

and down there in the lush green vines lie the beginnings of plump pumpkins, soaking up the rain water and basking in the sunshine...

One of my readers had inquired about a flower I had shown in a previous post.
They are called Goosenecks... small wonder why.

Rhythm of Nature

2010-07-06T14:51:00.006-04:00

We are locked in a heatwave and though we may wilt beneath its oppression, the functions in the garden continue like the ticking of the clock...

Unfettered by the relentless humidity or perhaps encouraged so, the flowers bloom forth with abandon.

So too is the journey of the bee, traveling hither and fro gathering nectar to appease her Queen and bestow the gift of honey to we humans.

I am thankful for the bright sunshine and as one takes refuge in a quiet corner on the porch or beneath a shady tree, it is a perfect excuse to do as little as possible and perhaps be a little creative as well...

Miss Maddie has found herself a comfortable spot to enjoy the lazy days of Summer.

Rhapsody

2010-07-01T11:31:00.007-04:00

If indeed Nature has a melody then it must begin with the dappled rays of the early morning sun...

As the warming glow transcends the horizon, the illuminating stream reflects the beauty found in its path.

For each moment of its arrival the mystical intensity is enhanced, sending the song forward in its rhapsody of Nature...

Pink Profusion

2010-06-25T09:53:00.005-04:00

As June surrenders its long days into July

And the rich, nurturing rains of Spring have yielded their magic...

My gardens are painted in pink.

One of my favourite colours is found in every corner and along each path.

A delectable concoction, a profusion of pink...

Mesmerizing Tranquility

2010-06-17T10:23:00.004-04:00

The repetitious clicking of the knitting needles...

The passing of the needle through the linen threads and counting of the stitches...

All must have had a mesmerizing effect for needlewomen of the past.

Even the shelling of the first crop of peas holds a repetition that is rhythmic, comforting, almost hypnotic...

Magically the kitties seem to find mesmerizing tranquility wherever they lie...

Life

2010-06-02T12:15:00.003-04:00

The Mood In Which You Set Out On

A Spring Or Autumn Ramble...
Is The Mood In Which Your Best Thoughts
And Impulses Come To You...
Life Is Sweet In Such Moods, The Universe
Is Complete, And There Is No
Failure Or Imperfection Anywhere.

~ John Burroughs (1837-1921)

Connections

2010-05-25T14:22:00.006-04:00

Our strongest connections to memory are those which are inspired by scent...

Even enabling us to venture as far back as childhood and the scent of early roses in Grandmother's garden...

Strawberry jam cooking in the kitchen...

A beautiful clematis clamoring up the wall of a secret hiding place...

And oh yes Madelaine is trying to get a whiff of that biscuit she buried earlier in the garden...

Hope you're enjoying all the scents of Spring that stir your memory too...

Wistful

2010-05-13T15:22:00.004-04:00

Strangely enough the word wistful follows wisteria for definitions in the dictionary...

The beautiful blue flowers dangling delicately across the arbour does fill one full of yearning.

Standing beneath its massive expanse, having grown for more than 50 years in this very spot allows one to focus not only on its grace but to consider all the pleasures it has witnessed and that have come to pass in the garden which lies at the end of its boughs.

Like most of the pleasures in Nature standing alongside the memories of our everyday lives...

Buttercup Yellow and Violet Blue

2010-04-30T11:23:00.008-04:00

With the changing of the seasons comes the alluring introduction of new colours in Nature.

And so does the invitation to knitting from heavy wools to light delicate cottons.

I am spellbound by the use of soft butter yellow and country blue, both of which come in many shades.

The clarity of the sky, a carpet of woodland violets, the deep colour of indigo...

old butter crocks and bowls, a delicate magnolia tree...

each one enticing creativity throughout the months of Spring...

* Artwork by Kim Jacobs
* Quilt catalouge Keepsake Quilting

Paintbox Of Perfection

2010-04-19T15:29:00.012-04:00

No one has a paint box quite like Mother Nature...

To awaken us from Winter's slumber she provokes our passions with yellows as magnificent as the sun shining brilliant on a Summer's day.

And once she has encouraged our attention her painting mellows to a softer side, dainty with whites and pinks.

Her paint brush is unmatched...

her choices pure perfection.

* Pictures taken at area historic homes, local fruit tree orchards and along the Niagara Parkway.

Between The Stitches

2010-04-12T11:33:00.013-04:00

It is an interesting concept, our realization that in order to save the environment we must begin to be more conservative... to reuse and recycle.

While this is a worthy cause we have only to look back at the mastering of frugality used by quilters in the past...

Today was a perfect cloudy sky and light breeze for the airing of the quilts.

I am amazed at the utilitarian ones sewn from scraps, harvested from clothing and pieced together for life anew. Each one a work of art and functional too.

Oh and this is my daughter's new puppy Kai. Though she lives thousands of miles away I'll be able to watch her progress through the modern gift of email.

Lessons Learned

2010-04-04T18:47:00.009-04:00

Just like the tale of 'The Three Little Pigs' when it comes to building homes we have learned a great deal over the years...

Though the first little pig had nothing to be thankful for as his straw house did not survive the huffing and puffing of the big bad wolf, had he taken a few tips from modern day builders of straw bale homes he may not have needed to make a run for it to the second little pig's place...

I have been observing the progress of this straw bale house since last Fall and its construction is amazing.

Now the second little pig's house made of sticks did not succumb to the wolf quite as quickly as the first's, it was to the third little pig's home where they gathered, that offered safety and protection from that big bad wolf.

Moral of the story... brick houses dot the landscape, in every tiny hamlet, quaint village and sprawling city across this continent and they certainly have stood the test of time and oh yes the big bad wolf as well...

* Illustration by Scott Gustafson

A Little Bit of Everything

2010-03-25T12:30:00.007-04:00

Auction season is in full swing ... every weekend finds me in a different place either setting up for a sale or sorting and cataloging the next one.

I did purchase a little booklet the other day that I would like to recommend to those with a passion for Jane Austen... delightfully small it is a quick read and full of wonderful illustrations. Perfect to peruse when one is running hither and fro.

Back on the knitting front I've gone nutty for nests, a delightful way to make use of those half skeins that are lying about and they'll make sweet receptacles for some Easter treats.

And of course as you can see Madelaine is just thrilled with the arrival of Spring.

Enjoy this last week of March...

Baskets

2010-03-18T11:58:00.016-04:00

A tisket a tasket I do love a basket...

Both functional and decorative, baskets have been with us down through the centuries, actually for as long as mankind.

Serving many a purpose, bringing out the laundry,

holding flowers in the garden,

Toting purchases at an outdoor antique faire,

Knitting,

Or a reminder of history...

And of course a perfect place for a nap.

* Painting by Leon Charles Huber (1858-1928)

Baskets, antique little girls' cotton dresses early 1870's from my personal collection.

Homestead

2010-03-12T10:42:00.008-05:00

As the geese fly rhythmically overhead destined on a path intertwined with the arrival of Spring, I often wonder what signs were revealing to the early homesteaders so that once again they could emerge from their Winter confines and begin anew...

Did they too hear the echoing call of the Whistler swans as the flocks foraged in the neighbouring fields...

When the brooks began to flow with the snowmelt did they realize it was time to begin the repetitious, labouring of clearing and plowing the land...

What encouraged the womenfolk to bring the heavy woolen quilts and rugs into the fresh air to be strewn about on fences and bushes, to whisk away the dust and dirt that had collected throughout the home, heavy with ash from the hearth for a good turnin' out...

Would she notice the sprouting of the hollyhocks out by the privy or the buttercups beginning to rise above the grasses awaiting the summon of the warming sunshine to bring forth their delicate flowers...

Would they hitch up the wagon and set out for the miller's to secure a sac of flour to replenish that which had dwindled over the harsh, cold Winter...

And would they brighten the church with a new coat of whitewash in anticipation of Easter service and the joining of community...

The rapture of Spring beckons today and lures us into the outdoors with the power very much the same as centuries ago...

* Photos taken at Ball's Falls Conservation area and Historic Jordan Village, Ontario.

Delights

2010-03-05T11:03:00.007-05:00

Anyone that knits, quilts, sews, creates... realizes there are always leftovers.

Sometimes only a few metres of yarn, ribbon, lace or small remnant of fabric remain.

These in turn can have an accumulative effect.

So one must seek a purpose for these snippets...

I shall contemplate such lovelies to devise a project...

If I could just put down this knitting long enough, in a new shade of Noro Furin blooming in new Spring colours...

March

2010-03-01T09:47:00.006-05:00

Mother Nature has chosen to set forth her invitation to March with the roar of a lion...

We hearty souls here in the Northeast have relinquished to her wishes and as the woodpile begins to dwindle, the snow continues to fall and the beauty of Spring lies hidden beneath 10 or more inches of ice crystals we shall patiently wait...

My little guessing game yielded two winners - Christine for the first correct answer. Pictured were indeed bud vases that were used in early automobiles to distract from the scent of wet leather ( the seats). The one on the right being that from a hearse which was positioned right behind the driver's head to bring the sweetness of the blossoms into the vehicle. The remainder of the names were collected and one was drawn from the old yelloware bowl. The second winner - Laura.

Thank you for playing...

May your March be filled with the fragrance of an early Spring bouquet...

* Flowers sent by my daughter to warm my winter weary soul.

Guessing Game

2010-02-21T16:14:00.008-05:00

My job (associate to the auctioneer) affords me many an opportunity to discover items that even I am slightly puzzled by...

Whether an arrangement of consignments in the church hall or the adventure of discovering and cataloging an estate tucked away for generations sometimes the beauty of a find is quite breathtaking. Many of these items have been showcased here over time, while others await unearthing.

Shown are 3 objects that have a purpose that you are to guess.

The first correct answer shall win a copy of 'Bright Star' on DVD. It is the newly released story of a secret love affair between the English poet John Keats and the girl next door Fanny Browne. A moving and touching tale indeed...

For the most interesting or shall we say entertaining answer the beautiful book 'Socks From the Toe Up' by Wendy D. Johnson.

All one has to do is leave a comment with your answer by completion of the game Sunday February 28th.

The winners shall be announced March 1st.

Good luck!

Whimsical Possibilities

2010-02-15T12:07:00.005-05:00

When seeking inspiration for a new creative project I often turn to pieces of the past to hearten my colour palette.

Hand-hooked rugs and mats whose threads were once vibrant bringing life into a room often dimly lit by candle or lantern... now well worn and faded with time offer lots of whimsical possibilities.

As captured in the bowls filled with yarn they help to entice a calming effect reflective of the hues painted by Nature.

The assorted threads and hand-dyed silk cocoons are almost a mirror image of the spectrum found in the rug.

I find this motivation most pleasurable...

* Hooked rugs from my personal collection.

Love

2010-02-12T10:08:00.004-05:00

' May the flame shine brightly
for the ones you love... '

Cast of Shadows

2010-02-10T10:16:00.006-05:00

Even on the bleakest Winter's day there shines a ray of sunshine just as it begins to set... reflecting its warm glow on a collection of utilitarian vessels gathered on the old farmtable.

Knitting projects awaiting completion are assessed in the receding daylight. Once the stitches and rows have been resolved they will be felted for an upcoming class I am to teach...

Vintage garments hang, requiring a gentle pressing before beginning their journey to a dollmaker who shall weave her magic with their threads...

And as twilight lingers the interior lights are to be taken into service and their gentle light will cause patterns to dance across the walls, drawing one inward to the quiet of the evening...

Sisterhood

2010-02-05T10:58:00.010-05:00

Every little hamlet has a piece of paradise and in the historic village of Jordan there lies a needlework shoppe 'Stitch' which tantalizes the senses of each one that enters its doorway...

The architecture of the building itself is a delight to the connoisseur of history... wooden plank floors, high vaulted ceilings and huge original pane windows that allow the sunlight to filter in, seducing creativity and imagination.

The proprietress Jocelyn captivates you with her knowledge, appreciation of the past and ability to make one feel a part of the community.

A sisterhood lingers within this place evolving from a desire to create something beautiful...

I for one have fallen under its spell...

Wishful Thinking

2010-01-31T14:27:00.004-05:00

Just shy of the halfway point through Winter here, we are always seeking ways to bring Spring into the home...

While potted tulips, hyacinths and daffodils tickle one's fancy they are short-lived.

The early Spring edition of 'Country Gardens' has just the solution. The article I found most intriguing was the use of antique and vintage vessels, orphans you might say to start new African violet plants in.

Nurturing several in my windowsill, one of which is from a cutting my Grandmother had given 20 years previous they'll make perfect specimens to take from and have established in time for gift giving at Easter, May Day or Mother's Day...

I can hardly wait...

* Painting by Sir Lawrence Alma-Tadema

Creamers, cups and cake plates from my collection of castoffs collected over time.

For Vanity's Sake

2010-01-21T16:26:00.008-05:00

Dressing tables originated in 18th century France. Called toilette tables because a small linen cloth (the toilette) was wrapped around cosmetics before placing them in a chest.

The 'Chambers Cyclopedia' of 1727-41 referred to a dressing case ' where in are kept paints, pomatums, patches and the pincushion, powder box, brushes and esteemed parts of the equipage of a lady's toilet.'

In England the Victorians also adored these vanities... containers and trays evolved specifically for them...

Over the years many items from the vanities of the past have found their way into the hands of collectors who cherish them for their beauty.

* Sentimental trinkets collected over the years.

Winter Whites

2010-01-14T21:52:00.001-05:00

Under The Moonlight

2010-01-09T16:24:00.003-05:00

The lure of the pink setting sun reflecting off the blanket of freshly, fallen snow entices one to tie up the skates and head for the frozen pond... skating in the solitude of the beauty that surrounds you under the moonlight.

All is quiet except for the subdued rhythm of the skate blade meeting the ice.
Almost sensual in nature it is a perfect way to spend a Winter's eve...

Except for the warm bread pudding awaiting your return.

* Painting - ' Evening Skaters ' Trisha Romance

January Wonders

2010-01-02T22:10:00.005-05:00

Living in the Niagara Peninsula one may witness a unique harvest that takes place when the temperatures drop below -8 celsius (17F) for several days.

Grapes left on the vines well into the Winter months freeze allowing the water content to intensify the flavours producing a luscious sweet ice wine...
Ice wine pickers arrive in the dead of night to begin to harvest the frozen clusters, then the grapes are immediately pressed to extract the nectar.

Coveted the world over there is even an Ice Wine Festival held in January.

Madelaine on the other hand would much rather snuggle indoors and let the humans partake of the harvest...

Beginnings

2009-12-26T15:15:00.002-05:00

As another year draws to a close, one begins to reflect on its passage ... the wisdom gained from experience, an inner indulgence of pride through accomplishments, the revolving door of gifted people that have somehow found their way into my life and the sense of community shared with others.

With the dawning of a new decade I hope to embark on fresh fields of learning, sharing time with fellow knitters, spinners, quilters and whimsical artists.

I look forward to 2010 and all the dynamic challenges it shall bring...

Happy Holidays

2009-12-21T09:41:00.005-05:00

Wishing you a Joyful Christmas

Winter Beckons

2009-12-16T14:22:00.007-05:00

The official start of Winter is but days away...
This solstice is shrouded in mystery; harsh and cold one moment, gentle and soft the next.

It is a season of walks through the woods snow crunching accompanying each step, starlit nights reflecting off the crystal blanket beneath, homemade soup simmering on the stove, a fire in the hearth and knitting in hand to while away the long evenings...

A kittie cozy I'm working on for Christmas... lined in vintage chenille it is a perfect place for a cat to snuggle in.

Holiday Hometown Tour

2009-12-10T20:40:00.012-05:00

The little historic town in which I dwell is a perfect vision of Holiday celebration.

Most decorating takes on a natural theme...

Evergreen boughs, garlands and beautiful wreaths adorning the doors...

There are candlelight strolls, horse drawn carriages and homes displaying the true meaning of Christmas...

Sleigh Ride

2009-12-06T21:42:00.006-05:00

Here in the North the arrival of Winter is often accompanied by the delightful falling of snow. The first heavier accumulation of the lacey, diamond-like crystals fashions one to envision the picture postcard recollections of a Currier & Ives print; complete with a horse-drawn sleigh and the romance of a Victorian outing...

So imbedded in our imagination, we often find ourselves relinquishing to the seductive portrait.

Or perhaps it is just a reminiscence from childhood of that jolly old elf in his magical sleigh...

* Currier & Ives print
* Paintings by Walter Campbell

Gates

2009-11-30T09:42:00.007-05:00

I've often pondered the evolution of the gate...

Perhaps early in history gates were as much a part of keeping evil out as protecting those within.

As gentler times emerged they became a place to pass through, to find the secrets held within, enter a garden or a welcome to one's home...

So open the gates of December and let its wonderment and celebrations begin...

" Every year at just this time,
In cold and dark December,
Families around the world
All gather to remember,
With presents and with parties,
With feasting and with fun,
Customs and traditions
for people old and young."

Helen H. Moore

* Painting by Trisha Romance

A Whiter Shade of Pale

2009-11-24T19:03:00.006-05:00

So many of the beautiful blogs I visit celebrate the colour of white...

I thought perhaps I could share a few of the things I treasure in a whiter shade of pale...

May you enjoy the special days of celebration that lie ahead this week.

LaLa Land

2009-11-11T17:58:00.006-05:00

Some animals adapt so readily to their environment...

But nothing amuses me more than a cat's ability to find a place to snuggle and drift off to LaLa Land...

Cats Sleep Anywhere

" Cats sleep anywhere, any table, any chair.
Top of piano, window-ledge, in the middle, on the edge.
Open drawer, empty shoe, anybody's lap will do.
Fitted in a cardboard box, in the cupboard with your frocks.
Anywhere! They don't care! "
Cats sleep anywhere.

Eleanor Farjeon (1881-1965)

Jack (of Babes From The Woods)

Partiality

2009-11-07T15:28:00.008-05:00

Hand-dyed variegated silk ribbon

There are many colours that occur both naturally and manufactured...

I would have to admit that I have a fondness for the infinite shades of teal.

Ranging from the deepest tones of a peacock feather to the subtle bluish green of a robin's egg... I find it revealing its partiality throughout the home.

Fat quarter fabric pieces for an upcoming quilting project.

'Tis November

2009-11-01T15:12:00.003-05:00

The flowers have all faded from the window box as it sits barren awaiting the dressing of the evergreens...

November is upon us... sharing her shorter daylight hours, frost across the fields and the promise of Holidays where we shall gather with family and friends once again...

View from the churchyard of St. Nicholas High Bradfield, Yorkshire, England my ancestral home.

" So dull and dark are the November days,
The lazy mist high up the evening curled,
And now the morn quite hides in smoke and haze;
The place we occupy seems all the world."

- John Clare

2009-10-26T18:40:00.003-04:00

When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
'tis near Halloween.

~ Author Unknown

*Witchy-poo vignette by Little Shoppe of Sorrows
little witch in pram by Kaf of Grimitives

2009-10-19T15:03:00.007-04:00

I have often heard pieces of lace, snippets of ribbon, ruffles and pink glitter referred to as girly things...

Be it paintings of Victorian children, delicate whitework quilts or yes even Prada handbags... these material items we covet bring a sense of euphoria to our sometimes everyday lives.

They can encourage an enrichment or appreciation for the delicate brushstrokes which cover the canvas, the detailed fine hand-stitching of a vintage gown, the master craftsmanship of a dollmaker or the quality design put into the tiniest detail of the things we love...
girly things.

* Painting by Lord Fredrick Leighton

Inspiration

2009-10-14T10:27:00.003-04:00

If you are a fabric and needlework addict like me then this is heaven on earth. Row after row of demonstrations, guest speakers, workshops and vendors... there is something to tickle every fancy imaginable.
So much beauty and inspiration to last throughout the long Winter months ahead...
And if that is not enough to set one's heart aflutter then the special collection at the Textile Museum will certainly fill the need.

I certainly know where I will be come early Friday morning!

Life

2009-10-08T11:50:00.004-04:00

I often cocoon myself from the perils of the world... choosing to stay sheltered from its harm and sadness.

But these past few weeks of flooding, earthquakes, tsunamis and the sudden death of a family member, Father of four, not yet 50 has brought me out of the confines of my paradise to the tragedy that befalls us all.

As with most faces of disaster we learn to pick up the pieces, reunite and move on...
Cherish every moment you have with loved ones be they human or four legged, devote yourself to finding the beauty in everything that surrounds you and indulge in time for yourself...

I for one have picked up my knitting needles and handspun wool (from a girlfriend that has spun and dyed these threads of delight) to pursue one of my Wintertime passions and once again shelter me from harm...

Journeys

2009-09-21T16:32:00.004-04:00

Reminiscent of the changing seasons or turning the pages on the calendar, life continually presents new horizons...

Whether embarking on a journey measured in distance, fulfilling one's creativity or relinquishing to one's self... indulging in these simple pleasures soothes the soul.

"Do not go where the path may lead;
go instead where there is no path
and leave a trail "

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

The Magnificent Maple

2009-09-10T19:17:00.006-04:00

There are many gifts that Nature bestows upon us; the breathtaking thunder of a waterfall, the heady scent of a rose, the fluffy, cotton clouds riding the horizon...We are blessed here in the Northeast by the annual chameleonic occurrence referred to as the changing of the leaves.

The birch adapts the colour of golden silk reflected off the creamy, white bark and the mighty oak bears shades of yellow through orange... but nothing is as vibrant as the magnificent maple.

The maple shows its glory in every shade and hue imaginable from the spectrum of red.

Apple red that first tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden...Deep red reminiscent of the ruby lips of a sweet lass translucent against her lilly white skin...Dark crimson from shades of the battlefield left upon the grass...

Instilled by cooler nights and shorter daylight the majestic maple makes her transition from the summer costume of green, setting forth a montage of red that has changed little throughout the passage of time...

Wannabe

2009-09-01T18:45:00.004-04:00

When we were little girls playing dress-up we dreamed of being a fairy princess...

And when the time for going to school arrived we wanted to be pretty and smart...

High school was next, shifting the wish list to include athletic, popular, well dressed...

As we matured popularity turned to marriageable, loving and devoted...

Looking back on life now the slate has been wiped clean. There are only a few things that remain important... healthy, dedicated, humble and most of all, I wannabe me...

Artwork by Nene Thomas

Bountiful

2009-08-23T10:29:00.002-04:00

More often than not each of us captures a moment from a season that lingers with us... carried on to the next one, sometimes through the years.

As the subtle hints of Autumn begin to appear, it is the bounty of the harvest that will remain with me throughout the coming months into the harshness of Winter and the freshness of Spring.

For you see every time I open a jar of cherry jam to spread upon my toast, peaches to partake of for dessert or sweet garden tomatoes smothering a pasta dish... the aromas of Summer shall return, igniting my memory and my taste buds...

Madelaine dreaming of cooler days and mosquito free evenings.

The Flounce

2009-08-16T13:58:00.005-04:00

Usually hidden beneath one's skirts the flounce has descended through time.
Often consisting of lace or broderie anglaise (eyelet) it was a strip attached to the bottom edge of the petticoat, nightdress or an infant gown.

During the Romantic Era it was incorporated into the gown itself; enveloping the sleeve or with sometimes as many as a dozen layers cascading around the hemline swishing across the floor.

Even when a widow was required by mourning etiquette to dress entirely in black, she had a flounce of black crape that encircled her underskirts to fulfill such a requirement.
Flounces have fallen in and out of favour throughout fashion history. Many have been salvaged to be used in vintage decorating and doll making.
I wonder if the Puritan women that first came to this continent and were forbidden to wear lace at the throat had a flounce secretly sewn to their petticoats out of view from persecution... maybe even in red to match their scarlet letter...

Kaleidoscope of Green

2009-08-05T18:06:00.006-04:00

Stalks of corn deep in hue reaching up to the clouds in the clear, blue sky...

The variegated shades of ivy reminiscent of a castle wall...

Brilliant chartreuse in a flower box highlighting the pink blossoms that surround it. Contrasting against the old window completing the vignette...

The season of Summer relinquishing her beauty for us to behold...

Wedded Bliss

2009-08-03T09:10:00.005-04:00

Tucked away on a rejuvenated downtown main street lies a hidden gem. Dubbed the 'Honeymoon Capital' Niagara Falls Ontario is a most appropriate spot for a Wedding Museum.

Having been treated to our own personal tour by its knowledgeable curator David Tetrault, I was intrigued to discover a collection of gowns and dresses chronologically displayed (from the mid 1800's to present day) for our viewing pleasure.

Each creation and accessory is artistically placed, enhancing the costumes that once draped the velvet-skinned shoulders, revealed the delicate waist and covered the trembling heartbeat of a young bride...

Harmony With Nature

2009-07-27T11:53:00.006-04:00

Since the beginning of creation we have relied on Nature to yield her gifts of fibers to weave into cloth.

From biblical times or of primitive peoples the process is exactly the same. With the exception of the handling of clay on the potter's wheel little has changed over the centuries.

'The growing of flax and the long stages it took to become thread,
Nature entered intimately into textiles from the past.' *

Wool harvested from sheep, fibres from alpacas, even goats and camels yielded forth the necessities... to live in direct cooperation with nature.

Barks, berries and flowers provided the palette for colour. With the discovery of Indigo, blue and white made their way into early cloth and garments.

Perhaps it is this connection that stirs our passion for collecting and caretaking of textiles from the past...

* Homespun Blue by Martha Sterns 1940.
Homespun wool blankets from my personal collection

Gossamer Threads

2009-07-14T15:38:00.008-04:00

Artistically arranged by loving hands and an imaginative spirit pieces of lace lie sorted and awaiting tags for an upcoming show.

Each one a reflection of its creator the light, delicate threads are as fine as a spider's web.

Some were cherished for years, tucked away to stir a memory or hidden beneath one's outer garments.

Others were utilitarian, woven for bedding, toweling and household use. Often initialed by the maker they were stacked in wardrobes, cupboards and dressers.

Each one a wonderment of their construction soon to be treasured by someone else.

* Gifted silhouette by Karen Otto (A`Musements)

* Tape and netted lace

* Bobbin and netted lace

* Cotton chemise crochet trim

* Homespun linen and pillowslips late 1800's

* Close-up of Man's waistcoat silk velvet 1840's. Entirely handsewn.

Beyond Words

2009-06-28T08:42:00.011-04:00

I awaken at first light serenaded by the cooing of the mourning dove or the vibrant song of the cardinal. With the dawning of a new day comes the promise of fulfilling a wish, creating something from scratch or venturing about through a field of memories...

Summer is the season of laid back, bare feet, impromptu gatherings and bouts of laziness provoked by unrelenting heat.

A perfect opportunity to indulge in a good book or a sentimental movie. There are countless flicks that stir my emotions, bring on the tears or fill my heart with gladness.

I must admit if I had to choose a favourite 'Out of Africa' would be near the top.

From the soundtrack to the cinematography (and of course Robert Redford and Meryl Streep) the very essence of the movie reaches into my heart and fills it with euphoria. It is an emotion beyond words...

So indulge in all those pleasures of summertime, cherish each raindrop, the bounty from the garden, the laughter of children along the beach... whatever stirs your emotions beyond words...

On The Porch

2009-06-16T18:20:00.007-04:00

Dating back over several hundred years the porch evolved from a place for family and friends to gather, almost into obscurity and back once again as a retreat, a place to while away the hours and one so cherished in our memory...

Very much a signature of North American culture, when television didn't exist and socializing was more of a neighbourhood affair, the porch was an integral part of everyday life.

As society changed along with architecture the porch no longer filled the role to which it originated.

But those of us with century homes, beach and lakefront cottages, hilltop havens... all played a part in the resurrection of the porch.

For partaking of time on the porch is one of life's purest pleasures.

* Pics of porches from my hometown
* My sleeping porch where I see Tallulah has found a perfect spot for a nap.

Contentment

2009-06-07T17:16:00.001-04:00

Several times a week my travels take me past a small hobby farm where the early morning sunlight casts a silhouette of ethereal beauty. The horses have come from the barn quietly in the wee dawn hours to linger in the paddock.

Do they dream of the open plains and endless grasslands or are they content to graze in the emerald green pasture, daydreaming of sugar cubes and apples?

Perhaps we should take note of their contentment...

Confessions Of a Packrat

2009-05-31T13:16:00.005-04:00

Truth be told everyday I go to work, I step from the present to the past. You see, I work for an auctioneer and it is my job to sort, appraise, record and separate the contents of a home, a life, a generation...

Most times it is thrilling to peek into drawers, boxes, attics and trunks that hold treasures that have been tucked away over time.

On a few occasions it can be overwhelming especially to a packrat such as I. Finding beauty or the possibility of a future for the smallest of mundane trinkets.

Buttons, lace, snippets of trim... all coveted by doll creators, mixed media artists and silly romantics (such as myself) that cherish these pieces of the past. Each one with a tale to tell and a history to share.

I hope I will be able to continue to work at this job I love for years to come... I'll just have to find a bigger house with a barn for storage.

* The pics are from an upcoming auction not my house.

Pardon My Swan Song

2009-05-15T14:50:00.002-04:00

Well as I'm sure you can tell Miss Maddie's Swan Song lasted all of two weeks and then I came to realize I had friends to visit and tales to tell... so somewhere amidst the other enjoyable pastimes I was pursuing I could find time to post and leave comments on others' blogs. After all, is this not a community of women with similar values, shared passions and unrelenting dreams?

And now for the tale...
The precious pair of swans (that I wrote of before) that mate for life have yielded 4 cygnets (what baby swans are called). Always under the watchful eye of one of the parents their soft grey to buff down and awkward toddling about has granted them the name of the ugly duckling. It takes a full year for the feathers to completely turn to white.

A male is referred to as a cob and the female a pen. She has an important role in history for her flight feathers were fashioned into writing instruments originally called a pen quill... later a quill pen.

I wonder how many feathers were destined to carry the ink that graced the pages of her manuscripts as Jane Austen brought 'Pride and Prejudice' to life.

All the swans of Europe can trace their lineage to the Royal Swannery of England. 'Birds Royal' was the beautiful creatures' title as only Kings and Queens (or a few favoured subjects) could keep them.

May this day find you cozy in your nest and dreaming of the beauty that surrounds you...

To Cherish

2009-05-08T20:14:00.006-04:00

A Mother's love
bestills the heart,
To cherish it forever...

Solace In The Woods

2009-05-03T17:58:00.004-04:00

Though the first blush of Spring has transpired into lush blossoms, heady scents and a blanketing beauty beyond measure, the woods has yet to reveal the realm she guards with secrecy.

Just before the leaf buds open on the towering trees, creating a shaded canopy of concealment to the dark, rich earth below the warming rays of sunlight permeate, melting the last of the Winter's snow.

From beneath the carpet of moss and fallen leaves the fronds of ferns and the delicate trilliums reach up to the sunshine to revel in its glory.

As a human intruder I can only partake of this revered landscape as I seek solace in the woods...

A Legacy In Stitches

2009-04-25T18:13:00.007-04:00

Amidst the names written in ancestral charts after the birth of a daughter and recognition of her marriage little mention remains of her life thereafter. Unless perhaps she married well, an account was made of her issue (children).

Much has been published or preserved in the form of male accomplishments example; ships' logs, town clerk journals, land ownership deeds... but sparingly the female counterpart. I recently came across a publication written in regards to the life
of an ordinary gentleman farmer from the early 1800's that rose through the ranks of the militia to Major and later became a woolen manufacturer. Of his two wives it says a few words of their names, dates of death and children they bore. From the original document, 'of his two wives we get no characteristics in the documents furnished us; probably not because they did not exemplify worthy ones, but because our informants have not yet outgrown the old fashioned reticence about the merits of ordinary women. No intentional slight met in such omissions.' (1888)

It is through needlework, samplers, quilts, linens and lace... that we are privileged to admire their work. Such creations of beauty were treasured, passed on and actually recorded in household ledgers for transferal from estates.

Anna Bramble wrought this pictorial sampler in 1832 extolling her fine embroidery to make her worthy of a good match (marriage).

Everetta Pattison in 1866 used scraps of wool, velvet and cottons to display her talent both in sewing and arrangement of colour bold enough to rival any present day art form.

The quilt would have made for a topic of conversation as she traveled about with her husband as he ministered to his worshipers from church to church.

So many women who bore children, died young or lived to old age have left their legacy in stitches.

*A special thankyou to Valda for the use of her Anna sampler.
* Everetta quilt from my collection.