tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72615846032029838772024-03-05T19:31:22.452-06:00The Purple ThreadThe Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.comBlogger109125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-9201214516223755372013-11-10T07:56:00.000-06:002013-11-10T07:56:02.287-06:00<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-13670516364955470922013-11-08T08:39:00.000-06:002013-11-08T08:39:29.166-06:00<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">New Leaf.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Since the leaves are falling at a fast and furious clip, I have decided that it is time to turn a new one and commit to this Blog. So, at the very least, once a week, you are going to see something here....interesting (I hope so)....new (of course).....fun (Yep).....so next week, take a peak here and we will venture toward the new year together ......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">Sharon </span>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-21128324503179995412013-06-10T13:09:00.000-05:002013-06-10T13:09:02.400-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7OrkImzX1fzjG_3YcOvyV5-oV0RAcV6b8Tg61pZYlv6voqXAD2lysYzSw6Kn-aKMbbLkWNKaLdrOXUHDCWPUEatYfp185bQmoNYbuZTqNw2YcKYc3U2Z1_l-W9SkMHRKoMcAbOusD_Y/s1600/Sweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7OrkImzX1fzjG_3YcOvyV5-oV0RAcV6b8Tg61pZYlv6voqXAD2lysYzSw6Kn-aKMbbLkWNKaLdrOXUHDCWPUEatYfp185bQmoNYbuZTqNw2YcKYc3U2Z1_l-W9SkMHRKoMcAbOusD_Y/s320/Sweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong>Every Woman's Journey</strong> </div>
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has been sent out to all of you have joined the club and the response has been WONDERFUL. Thanks so much to all of you. I believe there are still some spaces left if you have not become a part of this Journey. I have to admit that the one coming in September is just a super idea.........I will tease you that part of the outside is a deep Bordeaux colored wide wale corduroy ........</div>
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The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-5432776627189679992013-04-29T14:15:00.000-05:002013-04-29T14:15:30.254-05:00Sweet Land of Liberty......I am guilty and can not plead any other thing! I will try to be better and yet, I still work at my day job full time and my wonderful Purple Thread designing the rest. I will try.<br />
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In the mean time, please take a look at the Dyeing to Stitch information about the new "Every Woman's Journey" Club they have started. It will be 4 of my designs....one each quarter and they will be about Women and the Journey we each take.....the first one is called "Sweet Land Of Liberty" and is a mattress pin cushion. As always, the kit contains everything you need to create your piece. It is a fun stitch! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7OrkImzX1fzjG_3YcOvyV5-oV0RAcV6b8Tg61pZYlv6voqXAD2lysYzSw6Kn-aKMbbLkWNKaLdrOXUHDCWPUEatYfp185bQmoNYbuZTqNw2YcKYc3U2Z1_l-W9SkMHRKoMcAbOusD_Y/s1600/Sweet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7OrkImzX1fzjG_3YcOvyV5-oV0RAcV6b8Tg61pZYlv6voqXAD2lysYzSw6Kn-aKMbbLkWNKaLdrOXUHDCWPUEatYfp185bQmoNYbuZTqNw2YcKYc3U2Z1_l-W9SkMHRKoMcAbOusD_Y/s320/Sweet.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-73349263218119423782012-06-27T17:29:00.000-05:002012-06-27T17:33:20.964-05:00To Nora....With LoveI was sad today. Nora Ephron died yesterday and I will miss her. I did not know her but she knew me and you and our sisters and mothers and friends.......she knew us from the inside out. When I needed to cry I could count on her to help me feel whatever it was that troubled me. What a great gift she was to us. It is one more reason to believe that God may very well be a woman! <br />
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I spent a wonderful weekend with a group of women friends.......we are all different and the same......perhaps, for me, that is why I feel this loss of Nora Ephron....she would have fit right in with us.....she was every woman, any woman, and all women. <br />
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Although I am sad, I celebrate her life and am grateful for her being among us. I hope she went with peace and wish I could hold her family safe. I hope she had daughters. <br />
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When you are with the women in your life over the next few days, remember to tell them you love them. I give my love to all of you..................The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-89363207543495960372012-05-23T19:20:00.000-05:002012-05-23T19:20:53.695-05:00TraditionThere is a Tradition ...one might even call it an old wives tale. It has to do with knives and scissors. I heard this first at my sisters wedding shower, almost 40 years ago when our cousin Phyllis gave my sister a great set o knives and then gave her a penny. We all asked what the penny was for and she told us "When you give something that will cut...there is a belief that it will cut the love or friendship so you must always give something round at the same time". After that, as is often the case, I heard the "old wives tale" everywhere. A few years ago I visited a wonderful family at a scissor factory in France. The were very kind and gave us some beautiful scissors that day. When we were ready to leave I gave the mother and her two sons each an American penny. Marie Claire hugged me and said "You know the tradition!".....it was a special moment. So when I design kits that will be used with scissors, I include a penny for you to put inside so if you ever loan them to a dear friend or loved one, the penny will keep your love and affection safe. The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-4704518528278826712012-03-31T07:57:00.007-05:002012-03-31T15:39:09.150-05:00It's About Time......I know it has been forever since I updated my blog. I have been busy. I showed the first of my designs and kits at the Nashville Cross Stitch Show in February. The kindness shown to me by Pat and Ann of Dyeing to Stitch is more than I can ever repay.....the kindness of the women at the event was overwhelming.<br /><br /><br />I will always be grateful for the guidance that came to me in so many ways. Helping me make contact with new opportunities for raw materials and opening new avenues to meet people who are just so gracious and giving has been a true gift.<br /><br />I could not have put this together with out the help of my wonderful daughter and the sister of my heart!<br /><br />Many shops across the country have ordered these kits and if you need to know who is in your area, just send me an email at <a href="mailto:purplethreaddsgn@aol.com">purplethreaddsgn@aol.com</a> and I will be happy to give you their names.....<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWAGAptjy3xiUjwDU5YkJKs1Pe-FcFwUcQX9mm1Fl8Hh0W9qZLtSmLFIgiYK34Nm70K0pFQeyx0AMZdbA1pS5-gCLkiH4QJgAXijnNwOhFwGYiSiEGwJoItJeC-1SAr7kyFlsfv2j788/s1600/Box+Lid.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726049513733184146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWAGAptjy3xiUjwDU5YkJKs1Pe-FcFwUcQX9mm1Fl8Hh0W9qZLtSmLFIgiYK34Nm70K0pFQeyx0AMZdbA1pS5-gCLkiH4QJgAXijnNwOhFwGYiSiEGwJoItJeC-1SAr7kyFlsfv2j788/s400/Box+Lid.jpg" /></a> This box has all the "ingredients" to make this needle book that has several storage pockets on the inside, the "fortune cookie" shaped fob and the little pin keep.....what may be showing as black on your pic is really navy blue and looks super with the green. The edge of the box is covered with navy twill and the tail is how you open the box.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KQPEjwQ2q7V1tNmoitty8D3estu1G3P45NJ92aeovdhMXwJ7-Bp6dtujfPkr7WStB5-ikAWqalhQ6zxO-cLF0h9sCPB12CC1IFrzCkuLYybQ6M-aaRSHp8hUMASAyRb_RSB0iYtZA3o/s1600/Black+and+White+Front+A.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726046710656953202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-KQPEjwQ2q7V1tNmoitty8D3estu1G3P45NJ92aeovdhMXwJ7-Bp6dtujfPkr7WStB5-ikAWqalhQ6zxO-cLF0h9sCPB12CC1IFrzCkuLYybQ6M-aaRSHp8hUMASAyRb_RSB0iYtZA3o/s400/Black+and+White+Front+A.jpg" /></a> Coco Chanel was one of the great women of her generation. And I love all of her black and white designs. She was a needleworker of a different kind....and yet it was her talent and understanding of needle art that let her to her success. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>This scissor fob was inspired by the scissors shown with it and they are a treasured gift. The back side of it is also stitched with black thread and although the button on mine is from my vintage stash, the kits have a button of the same size. <img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726045771437982594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1_WqBxVQiSY2KABJKhzne1RPQW65ew2Uo3WTrshyphenhyphenCVm89_SeC0FaIW_rKvfgEfA0Oq7nAW0W2cV8kkkvkXf-w5SXWEa5P0cCkXdHnEV-M3kGzy_n7vFQ3D_sYJ75_W_j5iN_BxTuuL8/s400/StrawerryBleu.jpg" /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>My little Strawberry Bleu tells the story of my Sister, Mom and I spending early mornings picking Strawberries for Jam. They are precious memories and I look forward to many strawberries .....hopefully, a basket full of these designs. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcqWCo0Ah_DHhPM68IrElGj2aoIpxUEroV81iC2fStT5OwnGni93RreDVuv5FilhKBe-elWOLs0UGe5ZAGO5DrlRmspxtQ3xbxNTTJXl3cxT7XdIz_TYyOwwrUqrfEOfsKqS7_BtvAU4/s1600/Close+to+My+Heart+Final.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726044935879523090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcqWCo0Ah_DHhPM68IrElGj2aoIpxUEroV81iC2fStT5OwnGni93RreDVuv5FilhKBe-elWOLs0UGe5ZAGO5DrlRmspxtQ3xbxNTTJXl3cxT7XdIz_TYyOwwrUqrfEOfsKqS7_BtvAU4/s400/Close+to+My+Heart+Final.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>This one is named Close to my Heart and is two of my favorite colors.....Green and Purple.....actually, the fabric is lighter than it is showing here and the purple is less blue than it is showing here. I really have to learn how to adjust the colors in my pics.<br /></div><br /><div>I hope you like all that you see here!</div></div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-9274228356486708422011-07-17T09:05:00.014-05:002011-07-17T09:33:55.494-05:00Who Invented......................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS236Il6oYghPQ4Jif2wFGy9CVIHnrXTyIaym0MB97jGf7Jln_qtfaHoGx_I1Y8t8QRogcvTPDOUfON4dA94WsyKI0tOapr0JPa6shipI-Ypj7P0JWdtdyvrYj5TdPfTAOoY7lpcNNKIQ/s1600/AlGift1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630323240138257074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS236Il6oYghPQ4Jif2wFGy9CVIHnrXTyIaym0MB97jGf7Jln_qtfaHoGx_I1Y8t8QRogcvTPDOUfON4dA94WsyKI0tOapr0JPa6shipI-Ypj7P0JWdtdyvrYj5TdPfTAOoY7lpcNNKIQ/s400/AlGift1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Who invented prestitching as part of a Teaching Getaway Weekend was a "show off"....of the worst kind. As you all know, I am a lover of the projects of Jackie du Plessis...I truly believe our ancestors will be fighting over them in antique shops as the design and quality they all seek......Having said that....In late June I was at a class in Albany for a new project Jackie was introducing. <strong><span style="color:#6600cc;">There was no prestitching</span></strong>....it was a gift from the gods.....Everyone approached this class with a relaxed and really wonderful attitude.....<br /><br /><br />Jackie's projects for nearly a year are showing an abundance of freedom to create from her heart. I am not showing pictures yet of the new project .....but I want you to know the things we worked on over the weekend put us ahead in the finishing of the overall project and now the stitching will simply add to it's grandeur.......It is my intention to stitch this and have my Mother stitch on it as well and then gift it to my daughter.....3 Generations......<br /><br />Of course, I had to take gifts to all my friends in the class. The stack of boxes you see at the top is a pile of the gifts. The top is a design I created and then printed on paper that matched the box. It was cut to size and glued to the box top. Then I punctured each side, put through a ribbon and attached to the top with some cardboard punched shapes from one of the craft stores I haunt!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y_e7PxJdCV7Tz2KZ1zhkqptXSXOyqX5fAv87h7T5oI1mPjBexewmgFnEeC2HYQXZV2ybV5er4LvENUVDQ_Z2QOhxP5lR5k7g3QOE-qA-TK10Y4bIQFbL3UOwu58XtJBph-aJYMwjBzM/s1600/ALGift3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630323152575946482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Y_e7PxJdCV7Tz2KZ1zhkqptXSXOyqX5fAv87h7T5oI1mPjBexewmgFnEeC2HYQXZV2ybV5er4LvENUVDQ_Z2QOhxP5lR5k7g3QOE-qA-TK10Y4bIQFbL3UOwu58XtJBph-aJYMwjBzM/s400/ALGift3.jpg" /></a> Inside the box was a pin cushion I made.....traditionally, I make each of us a pin cusion of what ever design has struck my fancy that year. The White Paper Bobbins have a stamp of my favorite "zen" leaf. And the pouch....<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-iubjQ_jGs5EVFN4dtRRoUUf5fJSmfApWDmKdaIEq1J87AsotjYXx3oq7I_PDSm3LfajbsBWQxVfTaPBF2q6FluMtlZR7zHb5ZVQJMUsknjyuTszIH3Kgkwpod-LiUqB3mdYttwfLV8/s1600/AlGift4.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630323070806382994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-iubjQ_jGs5EVFN4dtRRoUUf5fJSmfApWDmKdaIEq1J87AsotjYXx3oq7I_PDSm3LfajbsBWQxVfTaPBF2q6FluMtlZR7zHb5ZVQJMUsknjyuTszIH3Kgkwpod-LiUqB3mdYttwfLV8/s400/AlGift4.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PvZ7jDZ4Ztp0pBvt1Bw7ZzQ0WzQkci1-N7d1-j2TOjYR68MY5bsBw3xpH5PhuyWW8T-nfX5GK2v0qkA-tkJBU8FxX96dptL1hF3NpJj7W1Ssg_KVhYUEK3K6Ob8N8hye9kIIbhKl8U0/s1600/ALGift5.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630322971069693618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7PvZ7jDZ4Ztp0pBvt1Bw7ZzQ0WzQkci1-N7d1-j2TOjYR68MY5bsBw3xpH5PhuyWW8T-nfX5GK2v0qkA-tkJBU8FxX96dptL1hF3NpJj7W1Ssg_KVhYUEK3K6Ob8N8hye9kIIbhKl8U0/s400/ALGift5.jpg" /></a><br />The pouch contains a picture and all the ingredients to make the little scissor fob below.......the pattern is from the box top!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYal0SYMUDEQb_lhZjAlHxLipitdP57kIZfRRJDuw-qrZOeHCAEsCC1tviyPGwylRqj6wc0tT_FiuexYHMrovF9J7tujCWeNZvWJ-0hpLYMQ4XajDc_eBean8SpqspcgXvPNHB45XOf4U/s1600/ALFob.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630322880408883922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYal0SYMUDEQb_lhZjAlHxLipitdP57kIZfRRJDuw-qrZOeHCAEsCC1tviyPGwylRqj6wc0tT_FiuexYHMrovF9J7tujCWeNZvWJ-0hpLYMQ4XajDc_eBean8SpqspcgXvPNHB45XOf4U/s400/ALFob.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I hate to admit it but making</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>this whole thing was more fun than you can imagine.....<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div>On the Thursday of our time together, we made a Bobbin holder. Mary dyed the things we used and provided everything we needed to finish.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Which as you know if you have ever attended one of these is a fabulous thing.....to go home with something finished......Each persons has the same beginnings but a completely individual end!<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUilzkwRtQvSx5RYB01F1a3he4WpwX0q1qzrWHciPB7yMqSeQXJQt8qzoM9vUAF2ifZmZPIYUcLdla3kTtaMNupiRHA8lvYFw9tqU8ORwS66Tk5liG1uvQ_AihFERSDVr4bPln7momMyM/s1600/ALProj1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630322562929484050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUilzkwRtQvSx5RYB01F1a3he4WpwX0q1qzrWHciPB7yMqSeQXJQt8qzoM9vUAF2ifZmZPIYUcLdla3kTtaMNupiRHA8lvYFw9tqU8ORwS66Tk5liG1uvQ_AihFERSDVr4bPln7momMyM/s320/ALProj1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XLlSGbHlPIYjdK06oKRTr7PaAvXJQFjtOP4s2qQFsfSvs4digJSohwAkNWiaum4PEwgfIJPpN8ItSeS9x53Avu3zWQU325FnrJ9DUvlKbBDq4DvAI7BpZs9pRSfnLvnwktZ2ZQCGMqc/s1600/ALProj3.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630322438791868482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5XLlSGbHlPIYjdK06oKRTr7PaAvXJQFjtOP4s2qQFsfSvs4digJSohwAkNWiaum4PEwgfIJPpN8ItSeS9x53Avu3zWQU325FnrJ9DUvlKbBDq4DvAI7BpZs9pRSfnLvnwktZ2ZQCGMqc/s320/ALProj3.jpg" /></a><br />I am roasting vegetables today for a Quiche for dinner and the smell through the house is marvelous.....one would think I have 10 people to feed instead of my 1.......<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NRX_loSIpp1J4dimoFlCrdfOYJxzT5vhrRkNPsXtFMIT0cqI_ZOaxE5hjobrx1bWHW9xGaknXupf2XkzXBgz6zLpADlp2AaaVkpQjJZFfiYG3azSgAofuZthq_OB3jOGIPLhJzFD4d4/s1600/ALProj2.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630322310967844226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9NRX_loSIpp1J4dimoFlCrdfOYJxzT5vhrRkNPsXtFMIT0cqI_ZOaxE5hjobrx1bWHW9xGaknXupf2XkzXBgz6zLpADlp2AaaVkpQjJZFfiYG3azSgAofuZthq_OB3jOGIPLhJzFD4d4/s320/ALProj2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-47878022265481902002011-07-16T07:33:00.007-05:002011-07-16T07:51:14.712-05:00BonJour<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4zECuIoYA9s2XldoZc0s-7mhrRlZFeKKHVFNsp97LYI65MLPA669BD1COrcKSk2t25GGQGGuMEd_rsLgIE0F6ImJO6cnwbxGSD_aOfxYWMLC9AnEKuw8iIbs8tYUYG4ZbD1tIscbmJs/s1600/Flowers.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629927862845294738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4zECuIoYA9s2XldoZc0s-7mhrRlZFeKKHVFNsp97LYI65MLPA669BD1COrcKSk2t25GGQGGuMEd_rsLgIE0F6ImJO6cnwbxGSD_aOfxYWMLC9AnEKuw8iIbs8tYUYG4ZbD1tIscbmJs/s320/Flowers.jpg" /></a><br /><span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">J'ai</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">décidé</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">d'être</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">français</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">aujourd'hui</span>.<br /><br />Which says, I have decided to be French today. This is being accomplish by my surrounding myself with sweet things that I love and sharing them with you. First the flowers on the right are perfect shades of purple and green. You can see in the upper right hand corner of the picture that the river is beautiful and calm this morning. This picture is in my <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">sunroom</span>/studio. It is filled on 3 sides with windows and faces the mighty Delaware river. What you can not see because of my clever photography, is the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Dupont</span> Chemical plant across the river. I have only lived here when there were leaves on the trees which mask the stacks perfectly. It will be interesting to see the view when the leaves are gone. <br /><br />I live in the southern part of New Jersey. It is very rural and filled with farms. I am about 20 miles from the heart of Blueberry country.....I went to the farmers market last evening and bought a bit of all the fresh NJ fruit they had. Peaches, two kinds of Cherries (Rainier and Bull Hearts), Blueberries, and, believe it or not, the last fresh local strawberries. This morning I cleaned and sliced all of them, squeezed a lemon and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">zested</span> it into the bowl, added some <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">splenda</span> and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">bisquick</span> (because I did not have any flour or cornstarch) tossed gently. Put it into the Pie Place and covered it with a combination of Oatmeal, brown sugar <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">splenda</span>, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">bisquick</span>, and toasted coconut.....see the pick below.....after about 40 min at 350 degrees...here is my French Fruit Tart<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVT77M-Icg3-WhroME6cxrrBFEtPyLhxdmtjBeuBPiKmSqEg4XfE6cFrSdMp838H_K2FEfXLHg-QuFrmPLOhcyxKBNt1w-uPGU8DWVQatROyDlqcDwNKstx543sHhI2SycpEdz50oHe0/s1600/Tart.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629927756494935810" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvVT77M-Icg3-WhroME6cxrrBFEtPyLhxdmtjBeuBPiKmSqEg4XfE6cFrSdMp838H_K2FEfXLHg-QuFrmPLOhcyxKBNt1w-uPGU8DWVQatROyDlqcDwNKstx543sHhI2SycpEdz50oHe0/s320/Tart.jpg" /></a> I spent several hours in the car yesterday and when that happens, I often chat with my mother. Yesterday, we were trying to decide what we would make for meals over the weekend......Poached Chicken Breasts popped into my mind to cool and use in a fresh salad. So, in keeping with my being French today, I gathers fresh herbs from my herb pots, sliced some onion, carrots, celery, and two garlic cloves. Put all of this with water and the chicken breasts (bone in) into a pot and simmered away....the smell was <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">magnifique</span>! The herbs you see in the picture are parsley and sage. I think it is a very pretty broth I have from the poaching.....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA7S7fl5Vn4f4L-TemeSIko42N69Ko1PDmEta6XxWiqn7VV6pZxeob9IP3KNaNcMgtawsDhzvNo84TsqFDl0yxYf01cb0KM6cqpdqrtuDDbYDfXMJTVYiGyneLkzhjaRVn2dMxprc04s/s1600/Broth.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629927645483146066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJA7S7fl5Vn4f4L-TemeSIko42N69Ko1PDmEta6XxWiqn7VV6pZxeob9IP3KNaNcMgtawsDhzvNo84TsqFDl0yxYf01cb0KM6cqpdqrtuDDbYDfXMJTVYiGyneLkzhjaRVn2dMxprc04s/s320/Broth.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />These breasts are cooling on the counter as I write this and will then be chopped for a salad for dinner.....not sure what else will be included. Any suggestions??????<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6sWtyIuyUPk9ujc8u7HhNxnLfLIcfg7V8siytYZqB42DERVM4UjyGmskamrtgRanJySmyK4NM7KqRSXcrbr5IF0TuM78Xt4cH9jcWhijqr2F5CvevbYLyl5bMhRdN-XVmHabItQuh6s/s1600/Chicken.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629927567359809426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ6sWtyIuyUPk9ujc8u7HhNxnLfLIcfg7V8siytYZqB42DERVM4UjyGmskamrtgRanJySmyK4NM7KqRSXcrbr5IF0TuM78Xt4cH9jcWhijqr2F5CvevbYLyl5bMhRdN-XVmHabItQuh6s/s320/Chicken.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtAEtec1ReFbEVoBfsq_6Iew1muxU3TQ3ctAy3SKys0V7nPPEfMonYlLNtSlKnhRRgBwFRV6p4Er72ewNNshY-9iGobkV_maHklAXadnD2GSxWTU1lGqAIGO0aSI1Q-sJ2JK8DbxN1Cmk/s1600/Flowers.jpg"></a><br /><br /><br />I am going to spend some time sitting in the sun reading this morning. It is on my list. Then a bubble bath and an afternoon of stitching. My evening is going to be matching finished stitched projects to their perfect fabric matches BECAUSE tomorrow is going to be a finishing Sunday.....that is when I set up the sewing machine very early - attach things together and then spend the day hand finishing them all. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-37187462895784864692011-06-29T17:25:00.004-05:002011-06-29T18:00:13.546-05:00Almost Any Excuse......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP0TV9RDO8aH0CzKcLlu0EQt2wlSCL0UC_0NO_NOtUeSZGNAhTh05GO__uTzxOLleiRqFhVk26U-mXanIZkdR9m6FNAkacYJVLVYYl21EIF12jmdlM-SrwEZDnws8e9Qkz9jUNv7JmpQ/s1600/WBWOMEN.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5623773584678096946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFP0TV9RDO8aH0CzKcLlu0EQt2wlSCL0UC_0NO_NOtUeSZGNAhTh05GO__uTzxOLleiRqFhVk26U-mXanIZkdR9m6FNAkacYJVLVYYl21EIF12jmdlM-SrwEZDnws8e9Qkz9jUNv7JmpQ/s320/WBWOMEN.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />This post is going to be varied and a bit random as my daughter would accuse me of being.....<br /><br /><br /><br />First the picture depicts my feelings about certain behaviors.....Last Sunday a calamity of errors caused me to make an illegal U turn and the "Well Behaved" line became my reason. Having locked all my keys in my car and having promised to take my friends to the airport, it was a hectic morning......My Friend Connie saved the day with her AAA membership and it took 2.5 seconds for the mechanic to open the door once he arrived 45 minutes after he was called. These things happen and they are the fodder for a life well lived.<br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em>COOK BOOK REVIEWS</em></strong><br /><br /></div><br /><p align="left"><strong><em>SIMPLY FRESH </em></strong>soon to be published is simply unremarkable. Beautiful photography and despite the adage that we eat with our eyes first , there has to be a reason for the second step. And yet, it might be a perfect "First" cookbook for a beginner who wants to entertain with simple recipes, no challenge, and ingredients easily purchased at the local supermarket.<br /></p><br /><p align="left"><strong>AMISH FRIENDS COOKBOOK: DESSERTS </strong><em>Oh, My.....COOKIES, as the Monster shouts. The cookie recipes in this book make my mouth feel the crunch on my teeth and the spices on my tongue. AND my mind wonders to the milk in the refrigerator. The ingredients are unusual and yet easily found. Ever had a rhubarb cookie? You will not find these recipes in a wee book at the grocery store check out counter. My only question, is regarding the quantity some of the recipes make.....will it be enough!</em><br /><br /></p><br /><p align="left"><em>The PIES....I am a woman who does not get a birthday cake, I get birthday pie. The crust recipes will rival my Mothers perfect crust. There are pie recipes here that are company worthy!</em></p><br /><p align="left"><em>I wished for more pictures. When I closed this book, I headed to the kitchen to look for the brown sugar. Buy some on your way home from the bookstore!</em></p><br /><p align="left"><em>I look out the window beside my computer and it is a beautiful sunset across the Delaware River. The sparkling water moves in the breeze and the leaves move like a .............well, like a leaf in the wind....</em><br /><span style="color:#ff0000;">I am honored</span> <span style="color:#6633ff;">and most fortunate</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">to be anAmerican.</span> <span style="color:#3333ff;">Celebrate this</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">July 4th</span> <span style="color:#3333ff;">with a song</span> <span style="color:#cc0000;">in your heart!</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><em></em></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><em></em></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="left"><em></em></p>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-22063957516340401202011-06-12T07:14:00.005-05:002011-06-12T07:32:15.199-05:00In the Mood.............<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6ctGsABVMNNZ6LKqN8u2rUVFs126nhuWFVC-4QdvuvfomoKLgNNndkKDTFLPXKh5iwkzI5GTKaeXnOtzbJBpyGRRrwYxntEjpxpQ89Q7aBBay06YolxY_2pLaiJ0J6XkeZDHtg3sVFw/s1600/Quiche1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308925433663522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6ctGsABVMNNZ6LKqN8u2rUVFs126nhuWFVC-4QdvuvfomoKLgNNndkKDTFLPXKh5iwkzI5GTKaeXnOtzbJBpyGRRrwYxntEjpxpQ89Q7aBBay06YolxY_2pLaiJ0J6XkeZDHtg3sVFw/s400/Quiche1.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />My friend Barbara Anne was supposed to visit for Brunch today but she got caught up in a Bid Deadline and had to reschedule. I had all the ingredients for this Quiche so I decided I deserved it anyway! The peas are from the local farmers market and I shelled them myself. The Vidalia is always a welcome addition to any dish. Shrimp are a favorite and these were just sweet and perfect. The Strawberries and Blueberries are some of New Jersey’s finest. A great bonus to living here in the rural part of SNJ.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf48vdAotrnkba7GrPkCfc4bF2y5ZCGR3aigaky3R0ibavh36W3NvDLJj0t19AgBfNNk5yxHWsZ9bPtEsRtZ1ZF3AwsqmbhI9ZXl4_LLUBo3JTERqv6fGePC6r3oHBAplCd9jA7Nl3UVg/s1600/Quiche.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 413px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 312px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617308628968573970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf48vdAotrnkba7GrPkCfc4bF2y5ZCGR3aigaky3R0ibavh36W3NvDLJj0t19AgBfNNk5yxHWsZ9bPtEsRtZ1ZF3AwsqmbhI9ZXl4_LLUBo3JTERqv6fGePC6r3oHBAplCd9jA7Nl3UVg/s400/Quiche.jpg" /></a><br /><br />I think pictures of food are just the most fun…..maybe in my next life I can be a stylist for food pictures. Do you love the little pea pod salt and pepper shakers? I am not a ceramic salt and pepper shaker lover but I think these are just too cute. And they take up little room on a table. The napkins and place mat are antique linens for my meager collection……they are hand stitched and I always wonder - first about the woman who put each stitch in the fabric AND about the stories they have heard as they sat prettily on the table.<br /><br />I am visiting some friends at the end of the month in New York. I am making them some gifts and it is a perfect Sunday to finish them……look for pics after I my visit.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-27900403462366198932011-05-26T06:09:00.003-05:002011-05-26T06:31:19.401-05:00Jersey Tomatoes<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUYE8o5YAL7a9WkEB0u7xrDhnCdHYxQxRzi7dguJlDBGbAvcaNOym60DBGKUiQbiB7zzXxngzyavy9Lv_jCvbizlipxH6Ee_MN7Z57_l40nLa-J_zr84QLxrXRTKgN-jjuzfMBfHezdw/s1600/Jersey+Tomatoes.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610980404610359378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUYE8o5YAL7a9WkEB0u7xrDhnCdHYxQxRzi7dguJlDBGbAvcaNOym60DBGKUiQbiB7zzXxngzyavy9Lv_jCvbizlipxH6Ee_MN7Z57_l40nLa-J_zr84QLxrXRTKgN-jjuzfMBfHezdw/s400/Jersey+Tomatoes.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The book is Tomatoland by Barry Estabrook....I know, I know - a book about tomatoes. Well, I started it last evening and could not put it down. It is not so much about tomatoes as it is about growing tomatoes. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>Somewhere Erin Brokovich and Norma Rae are wondering why the palms of their hands are itching........this is a book about the injustice of much of today's agribusiness. The horrible treatment of the migrant workers and the slavery they live. It is beautifully written. Not flowery beautiful - you just are drawn through each paragraph to the next. All I could think of since Oprah's last show was yesterday - who is going to bring this book to the masses? </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Charlie Rick, Alexander Livingston, and John Warner Scott are names you have never heard. They are the Babe Ruth's of tomato genetics and tomato history. Who knew? What would possess you to spend a part of their life in South America collecting tomato seeds? I don't even like dirty hands and yet, I wanted to be with them in those fields. </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>Then, of course, we have our heroes....Tom Beddard of Lady Moon Farms in Florida who is good and fair and smart. He grows tomatoes that taste good! What a novel idea for Florida growers. We have Tim Stark who makes that trek from his nearly organic farm in Pennsylvania across Rt 78 to the Union Square Growers market. Stark is a farmer and business man who sells off tons of wonderful tomatoes to the people of New York City and the restaurants that have discovered him......</div><br /><br /><br /><div>Now, somehow, I do not understand how Mr Estabrook could write a book about tomatoes and not have included the famous Jersey Tomato. My whole life, Ruth (my Mother) has proclaimed their perfection of taste and beauty. The sandy soil, she says, is the secret. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>This book is worth every minute you will spend reading it. Imagine how you will impress everyone at this summer's BBQ with your vast tomato knowledge!</div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-32847367855681872002011-05-25T05:01:00.004-05:002011-05-25T05:15:32.220-05:00Really Good Fiction or Not<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjARKUZCLEPcWTDNolCfp98YPvPeZa9ujJTfu6czV7HAv2zFlrR12p4w6J1J-7GzReMNWB64XZYaRCDRm_k2JAc_aFPipM4Ayt_daCN2PrZOxAqvuPVb2K5y0JVAMEnqxCHgzjRYNdn0/s1600/TendernessCloseUp1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610594509924727058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjARKUZCLEPcWTDNolCfp98YPvPeZa9ujJTfu6czV7HAv2zFlrR12p4w6J1J-7GzReMNWB64XZYaRCDRm_k2JAc_aFPipM4Ayt_daCN2PrZOxAqvuPVb2K5y0JVAMEnqxCHgzjRYNdn0/s400/TendernessCloseUp1.jpg" /></a> Yes, that does say J. Austen....<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Good Morning or Good Day depending on your time of visit. As many of you know, I am a voracious fiction reader. And, I must admit, much of it is escapist romance fiction. HOWEVER, I find that I am outgrowing this genre! Literally. The heroines are becoming 40 something or even 50 something and I no longer relate to their time and issues of life. </div><br /><br /><div>Now that I am 60 something, I need someone to write about the things in life that I am facing and their completely unrealistic solutions to the problems. Yes, I can still enjoy that well written story of the "Catch Up" generation such as my most recent read of HEARTACHE FALLS by Emily March. A husband who leaves his recently appointed Judgeship in Denver to follow our heroine to a small town to the west where her lifelong dream to run a small restaurant can be achieved......</div><br /><br /><div>Of course, they are more than comfortably well off so that we have none of those worries. and their children are all on their own with no crisis, and we have a suitable slightly curmudgeon father and dear female friend who can point us all in the right direction to find meaning in our lives. Ok, Ok, so maybe it was not well written but I read it in an afternoon. For the price of a movie ticket, I was able to escape for some time.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What do you suggest?</div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-30601453457444563202011-05-16T05:28:00.026-05:002011-05-18T05:38:21.345-05:00Maybe my Most Favorite.......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEkMLeP6Q1G2-04ujkWxQ5ASdWLFCAmq5qQD8rC9EvdUJMiUa8kndeiIsASc3JRPTSlfNouW7PG80YOIn0CZRPwrtXRuyc1m87yYYpywIwa2o2q6V9FT-pZcqQquBWalAeaRoaJGZ9F8/s1600/Purse5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607265250441729714" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKEkMLeP6Q1G2-04ujkWxQ5ASdWLFCAmq5qQD8rC9EvdUJMiUa8kndeiIsASc3JRPTSlfNouW7PG80YOIn0CZRPwrtXRuyc1m87yYYpywIwa2o2q6V9FT-pZcqQquBWalAeaRoaJGZ9F8/s400/Purse5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Celebration of Needlework was held in Nashua, New Hampshire several weeks ago. Jackie DuPlesis of It's Fine-ally Finished taught several classes and the one I had not taken before was "Purse Party Etui". It may be my most favorite. I spend much of my leisure time visiting antique shops and flea markets looking for the needle work of women of the past. I love to collect it and wonder what they were thinking when they created it....was it a gift, did they make it for themselves, was there a pattern or did they create the design. The little purse I show you here is worth of becoming antique treasure status and would be prized by anyone......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFA5-9-d02Roe8mlCdHKV9bDy49elKMMh5BRykfg-qe1oEAc4Cubuuq15eHOpStktVIoWmyAxqoECdEcV8-k0vUyqcd_LZhrIVIhsXBZc7_wTEVPUno7Gr9CqCyMlcvwQIgrdm6ENWHg/s1600/Purse2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607264425210881234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFA5-9-d02Roe8mlCdHKV9bDy49elKMMh5BRykfg-qe1oEAc4Cubuuq15eHOpStktVIoWmyAxqoECdEcV8-k0vUyqcd_LZhrIVIhsXBZc7_wTEVPUno7Gr9CqCyMlcvwQIgrdm6ENWHg/s400/Purse2.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div>This view shows the beautiful handle. It is a very stiff piece of wire (Our friend Darlene bent them for us into this perfect circle during the class) It is covered with the same silk ribbon that is used for the embellishment and closure. The handle is looped on each end and attached to the purse.<br /></div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXK1PE5dWpV0jI0nmTXpWKfOW-QH1cGVqZar6yAx4_IsAlIk3DoHn44pcHRWJkZhf1Km9ARVNgpvv1Zu-sxUPJOvz7SI7dMypeHddpjHeIfqGYhPyCoR080S7U4tXj7fpupG8icyzJsg/s1600/Purse3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607263296702632642" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXK1PE5dWpV0jI0nmTXpWKfOW-QH1cGVqZar6yAx4_IsAlIk3DoHn44pcHRWJkZhf1Km9ARVNgpvv1Zu-sxUPJOvz7SI7dMypeHddpjHeIfqGYhPyCoR080S7U4tXj7fpupG8icyzJsg/s400/Purse3.jpg" border="0" /></a> The tiny ribbon on the back edge is also silk and wraps completely around this piece. The pocket is created with a folded piece of silk that is woven to appear to be checked. I have put a pack of needles into the pocket so that you can see the size. </div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br />The front leaf of the purse is made into a pin keep with black silk grosgrain on the edge. I actually took apart one of my antique pin cubes to use the black head pins. Jackie included the large round pin you see as the closure I used to hold the silk ribbon in place. </div><br /><br /><div>This view of the inside shows you the fabulous striped silk and the sweet little needle page that is inside. I should tell you that Jackie gave us enough fabric, fiber, silks, wire handles, and ribbon to make 3 of these little purses. I chose the combination that I loved best and it is what you see here.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvyi3xjbPOoD1SMQk3tu3N2m1TTJX_yO2byWSJ89t2S_QN9xu_1iEAqrpzbpkrx1Et8P7pcHYBGNcpkJpxxBKsu_QGKRs7lbbfQcPZwZW07rn3NAjR8R787nt-KcU4rwggdVjQE7rB5E/s1600/Purse4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607262688024036210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWvyi3xjbPOoD1SMQk3tu3N2m1TTJX_yO2byWSJ89t2S_QN9xu_1iEAqrpzbpkrx1Et8P7pcHYBGNcpkJpxxBKsu_QGKRs7lbbfQcPZwZW07rn3NAjR8R787nt-KcU4rwggdVjQE7rB5E/s400/Purse4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1wq6yY2TkQWVN-HhNLXX1GZvReVFJ1rNfJAtVyFjZ3Q43EGOxOoJ9XtSgssVX-Sjmc-rj5J4n3gMqFgM_wy9zyzGGfcLNV-piDlXk7VOPaCdvbMeTC7ob4_3QDGXRPMDGtmZM8SgBy4/s1600/Purse1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607262021442483554" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm1wq6yY2TkQWVN-HhNLXX1GZvReVFJ1rNfJAtVyFjZ3Q43EGOxOoJ9XtSgssVX-Sjmc-rj5J4n3gMqFgM_wy9zyzGGfcLNV-piDlXk7VOPaCdvbMeTC7ob4_3QDGXRPMDGtmZM8SgBy4/s400/Purse1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>The finished product with some old cotton crocheted lace. It sits proudly on my fireplace mantle and now I wonder who will have it in the future. Hopefully, Elizabeth will treasure it and the efforts Jackie took to design it and create the wonderful fabrics, fibers,and ribbons that make it so special!</p></div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-46514422089737815102011-05-05T20:16:00.002-05:002011-05-05T20:21:40.791-05:00In honor of.....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK5By4FlUBfkO-ePB-0G89UQ4ktAw1agCoDoGlPucdTHse7Yeoj0iLBkPIFb-Xk8XUQ2evrdVNrm3ksp0t-bszKOoxyDEDhoPubX9iB7L8JUdXl88kbqbu2RvCjqRtTU9j2eO86TICx0/s1600/Celebration+Gift.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5603406095643993618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEK5By4FlUBfkO-ePB-0G89UQ4ktAw1agCoDoGlPucdTHse7Yeoj0iLBkPIFb-Xk8XUQ2evrdVNrm3ksp0t-bszKOoxyDEDhoPubX9iB7L8JUdXl88kbqbu2RvCjqRtTU9j2eO86TICx0/s400/Celebration+Gift.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Last weekend many of my stitching sisters were at the Celebration of Needlework in Nashua, New Hampshire. To say the least, a good time was had by all. I made a little gift for them. The stitched piece you see on the left, was photographed, laminated and then I punched some holes in it and turned it into a thread keeper. The crown and queen stitched are in honor of the more than lovely wedding that took place on Friday. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Thanks to all who have contacted me off line about sending things to the ladies of the south. It is the very least we can do!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>A wonderful Mother's Day to all of you who have children or who have nurtured the child in us all.......</div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-27450255172737720432011-05-04T10:43:00.002-05:002011-05-04T10:49:16.386-05:00Our Stitching SistersNo pictures today.<br /><br />Several years ago I sent Boxes of Patterns and Stitching stuff to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Australia</span> after the fire. Over the last several weeks our stitching sisters in the south have been devastated by tornadoes.....I have to believe more than one sampler was swept into the sky from which it has never returned.......<br /><br />Imagine your stash of Weeks Dye Works flying overhead in that awful whirlwind. <br /><br />Many many of you stepped up during my last venture. <br /><br />I would like to see up put something together....if you are all in, let me know and I will start to research the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">EGA's</span> in Alabama and Mississippi to see how we can help.....<br /><br />At the very least, I would like to recommend that when ever we gather everyone bring a kit you are sure you will never make and as a group send them off to the south.....<br /><br />I would love to hear your thoughts and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">especially</span> ideas.....many of you may have ways we can get things to our Southern Sisters!!!The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-16988550917456493222011-02-16T16:42:00.003-06:002011-02-16T16:46:40.465-06:00Coco - A Year Later<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rOokPyMC2MACPDv75XsruBPCr1fGySgs131mOjaRaN18R7Knx0F6PX_cNSKX3XdxnL381r8l1LTl96azQOJ1eSAuJ7LD8duELWthmloamA9707c_dIV-RI9zTba7ZpNXSMVF3FNSkZU/s1600/Coco.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rOokPyMC2MACPDv75XsruBPCr1fGySgs131mOjaRaN18R7Knx0F6PX_cNSKX3XdxnL381r8l1LTl96azQOJ1eSAuJ7LD8duELWthmloamA9707c_dIV-RI9zTba7ZpNXSMVF3FNSkZU/s400/Coco.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574421661217962098" border="0" /></a><br />Many of you saw the pictures of Coco as she was growing up and living in Chicago. Well, last Winter when I was getting ready to move, my daughter, Elizabeth, took her for a few weeks until I could get settled. This is where the story diverges....My version is that Coco and Elizabeth plotted against me so that Coco could stay a country dog instead of a city dog. Elizabeth's version is that I drug my feet so long to get Coco back that she fell in love with Elizabeth and would not leave. Which ever version works for you, this is Coco taking a nap on Elizabeth's lap and enjoying her life!<br /><br />My best girls...................The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-33248908573058716462011-02-16T16:28:00.002-06:002011-02-16T16:37:03.018-06:00I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED......<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4ziwk1nnGTBV2dhNmjr8gxte4t0RjoGGclewFfV5hhoGV684Wgij_D_kYngH9WfH2BVyIzc7iUKPgU1KfPp85zpGTUhxQKToFscHSxUv5EEfBiVKMuBNM41fInWxN4yIfu_KXnYEI8A/s1600/Mary.jpeg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4ziwk1nnGTBV2dhNmjr8gxte4t0RjoGGclewFfV5hhoGV684Wgij_D_kYngH9WfH2BVyIzc7iUKPgU1KfPp85zpGTUhxQKToFscHSxUv5EEfBiVKMuBNM41fInWxN4yIfu_KXnYEI8A/s400/Mary.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5574418022077864658" border="0" /></a><br />To make one of these, but I never take my glasses off except to sleep. Then in October when I was in Utah, my friend Mary complained about looking for her glasses! There it was, the perfect opportunity. So I made it for her for her birthday. Which is in January. It finally was put into the mail.<br /><br />It was great fun to make. I did not have a pattern just a picture of one I had seen while surfing the internet. But once I thought it all out, it was fine. It is weighted with round pocket weights I sewed on to a piece of batting and then basted to the bottom of the pincushion....The Glass pocket is lined with Warm and Natural so that it cradles the glasses..the Pincushion can, in fact, function as such.<br /><br />I think she is using it. Mary took this picture and sent it to me. <br /><br />I FEEL SPRING.......................Also, look for a new picture of my little Coco!The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-61059466220850733532010-12-09T17:58:00.002-06:002010-12-09T18:07:49.276-06:00A New Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszbi44v3nar1LW8q1JvHBcCc8hPkOyzwoS9LXQz9QX_KbBsEtpScHg1oILXZZu40vze7_Ycs3Af2rwePBL3nnKwYRTmeKMsSFbautP2y5CHWRYZGRiY8jiistT6Q8sQsxWJb47nnkExM/s1600/CUTE+PIN+CUSHION+SCRAPS.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 352px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548836630134820194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhszbi44v3nar1LW8q1JvHBcCc8hPkOyzwoS9LXQz9QX_KbBsEtpScHg1oILXZZu40vze7_Ycs3Af2rwePBL3nnKwYRTmeKMsSFbautP2y5CHWRYZGRiY8jiistT6Q8sQsxWJb47nnkExM/s400/CUTE+PIN+CUSHION+SCRAPS.jpg" /></a><br />Isn't this just the most adorable pin cushion. I know it has been over 7 months since last I posted here, but I have been enjoying the beautiful french blogs and thought it only fair that I put something here to share.<br /><br /><br /><br />This pin cushion is made from the corner scraps of a large round one that has these same fabrics. It is finished except for being stuffed and tufted so it shall be here another day!The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-64053902468888766612010-04-15T08:07:00.002-05:002010-04-15T08:22:54.376-05:00Not about Stitching<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpvuOJSkSa8-Eg6gggWI7pW9AZujZ2-LUSgol859JJ8eBigrVVKQjnCOkj9EObIMfKYT5nUZBvtMhCxE2ZrbSXVqm5dESwTexb0SCGmCMXzqUqHq7aPxwkjjhloXH2iN_eHOeso91JXY/s1600/LIZANDCOCO.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460350757115649602" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRpvuOJSkSa8-Eg6gggWI7pW9AZujZ2-LUSgol859JJ8eBigrVVKQjnCOkj9EObIMfKYT5nUZBvtMhCxE2ZrbSXVqm5dESwTexb0SCGmCMXzqUqHq7aPxwkjjhloXH2iN_eHOeso91JXY/s400/LIZANDCOCO.JPG" border="0" /></a> I have been terribly delinquent on keeping up with this blog and yet, I have good things happening in my life that seem to be taking up some of my time.......these are my two girls and they are as beautiful as the picture shows them to be.<br /><br /><br /><br />I am working on my projects for Europe....am 25% complete with Treasures of Comfort and 5% complete on Briar Rose....maybe pictures next week.<br /><br /><br /><br />Travel between Chicago and Philadelphia have become routine! I hope to join an EGA in Philadelphia some time this summer.....<br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, and who would have thought I would find myself a White Sox fan. For that matter, who would have though I would find myself a baseball fan. The scratching and spitting have never been attractive and yet, I find, there may be other things of interest that happen on the field. And off!<br /><br /><br /><br />I will try to be back sooner than later! Miss you all.The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-35979140995282194892010-02-09T04:04:00.005-06:002010-02-09T04:27:41.070-06:00Thistlewood<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mlklvYKJsGuCNthAasEOPbgnWc6huSzBs16qRqm6nw-lNBK0KTO6B4IjQ2lbudnoMFIK3arPwM2YcQQssOFXQ02B5JcFtIFeetXdAKgHFZ3eaPlAdpt1jYmu1siEAJbrjUbXcq3hzlo/s1600-h/ThistlewoodLarge.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436185959237730946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7mlklvYKJsGuCNthAasEOPbgnWc6huSzBs16qRqm6nw-lNBK0KTO6B4IjQ2lbudnoMFIK3arPwM2YcQQssOFXQ02B5JcFtIFeetXdAKgHFZ3eaPlAdpt1jYmu1siEAJbrjUbXcq3hzlo/s400/ThistlewoodLarge.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well here it is....stitched, pressed and ready for the trip across the pond! The <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">pincusion</span> is also stitched at the bottom of this fabric but my photo skills are not what they could be.....I LOVE the colors of this piece and can not wait to finish it. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwg214YNifiMbNmApKOwUBJiIVcT_z1nYzJhf66H9Bw152pBCbH92IH8RzcrrGqq3nndGCHEtmszZiYFBoJ2PIKddLMghFHEHQut5mFfNxW_B4FdVbnun8CQ3170mpoXxU-se6g_BvdI/s1600-h/ThistlewoodSmall.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 180px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436185734770741634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwg214YNifiMbNmApKOwUBJiIVcT_z1nYzJhf66H9Bw152pBCbH92IH8RzcrrGqq3nndGCHEtmszZiYFBoJ2PIKddLMghFHEHQut5mFfNxW_B4FdVbnun8CQ3170mpoXxU-se6g_BvdI/s320/ThistlewoodSmall.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><p></p><p>Jackie has offered to chart something that will add a <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">rememberance</span> of out trip to England. I thought of putting something here but the beautiful painted button that actually is to be in the center is something I can not leave out. </p><p></p><p>Someone who knows <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Thistlewood</span> might notice that the inside of the leaves are not the charted tent stitch.....In an effort to retain my sight, I made them a padded satin stitch. I love the sheen of the silk with this stitch....Jackie will not mind, she is very good about things like this .... generous of spirit! </p><p></p><p>Coco is in Pennsylvania visiting her sister.....I miss her more than I imagined. It does not take long for the little buggers to become part of your life.....</p><p>Chicago is bracing itself for "weather".....There is a heavy dusting of snow outside my window this morning and they are promising more by the end of the day.....I am concerned I will not get to Des <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">Moine</span> tomorrow. Very early flight and they may not have things cleaned up.....What will be, will be.</p><p></p>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-36893464635563994872010-01-27T04:58:00.006-06:002010-01-27T05:06:50.320-06:00Elephant Dog<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikezC5IT6iPMGA2GXmSi3mP5QOx1kfRvHW0e4L6NXI3y1S7JgVgQ3_o9DVkCuc-BOgxV21y3l5eocdKrqr0PPVIA1DeFDNTSUPtNfnOBdwdwZ4V3pMWOKwp3-v8JGAkUDwasimuVzk-d0/s1600-h/Crazy+Coco.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431373782626719970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikezC5IT6iPMGA2GXmSi3mP5QOx1kfRvHW0e4L6NXI3y1S7JgVgQ3_o9DVkCuc-BOgxV21y3l5eocdKrqr0PPVIA1DeFDNTSUPtNfnOBdwdwZ4V3pMWOKwp3-v8JGAkUDwasimuVzk-d0/s400/Crazy+Coco.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I could have begged and cajoled for a million years to get her to do this BUT I let her steal the vac part and she ran around for 10 minutes so proud of herself....and I got this pic....I can not believe she can see...</div><div></div><div>Sorry for the pet pic but she does make me laugh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMiaQn7jLEeO7w6Dsmz4157Pe69oLLr7KdlTm2W5jqToB1Aa_Kxu0Fh6xyL64yvZPp3IIhrOUQ-hSB2AH4_ui7fDyubO8DTO0DmFtImFdzHct_NQr_Be-4Du_RuPW175j0yKAtMlMPz4/s1600-h/Pincushionforest.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431373297028737074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMiaQn7jLEeO7w6Dsmz4157Pe69oLLr7KdlTm2W5jqToB1Aa_Kxu0Fh6xyL64yvZPp3IIhrOUQ-hSB2AH4_ui7fDyubO8DTO0DmFtImFdzHct_NQr_Be-4Du_RuPW175j0yKAtMlMPz4/s400/Pincushionforest.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>I made this little Pin Cushion Forrest as gifts.....and the red button pins were dyed in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">BBG</span> method! They are fun to make and I put large old <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">buttons</span> on the bottom for stability and weight.</div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-77992850647270728412010-01-22T05:32:00.004-06:002010-01-22T05:41:59.475-06:00Good Day<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wd2LC4jNGq2T9cl-5RbtcJzsZDWz8UTmP0aO4eAP7ZY9DO94rySDc9n1eBW82sSGFuOpdpnoqaPTSs-WMHpTqCCReuzE1Nez0czClhfCstakzMjNyagO8x1lc3Qita2OvEMze_SRr2s/s1600-h/EGACHALLENGE.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429526475015680290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3wd2LC4jNGq2T9cl-5RbtcJzsZDWz8UTmP0aO4eAP7ZY9DO94rySDc9n1eBW82sSGFuOpdpnoqaPTSs-WMHpTqCCReuzE1Nez0czClhfCstakzMjNyagO8x1lc3Qita2OvEMze_SRr2s/s400/EGACHALLENGE.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Last year one of the members of my EGA Chapter put a challenge together....She made some little thread paddles and our challenge was to make a cover for it....the challenge came in the bag you see here and it could be part of the challenge or not...</div><div> </div><div>When my friend visited in September we went to the fabulous Ribbon store here in Chicago and I found this ribbon....I love pears...so I designed this reverse of the ribbon and stitched it. The thread color was perfect and it was something we had been given as a give at the First Dyeing 2 Stitch Retreat several years ago. And as you all know, somethings just take on a life of their own. There was a bit of extra ribbon so it became a Humbug Scissor Fob and the other little Patch became an open needle page with the button in the center. I had photo copied the stitching with the ribbon and so that became the picture on the cover of the book.</div><div> </div><div>It was all great fun. We presented them at the last meeting and I have to tell you the work of these women was beautiful. One made a Crazy Quilt out of the bag. I count them as one of the great joys of my Chicago Life!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE7736O0nddExWlhHgOnRW1We2ITWuovSlmE9d6_wFjKcvJ4kYexaCnvCoAak8y-3AVkUiyu9wUz1rq3UrWnhB19q32rkpCqEqD5HSy7ffRUB-MWYmIDVVE02pgP8kYHJF2CVba2XDXY/s1600-h/COCOJAN.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429525883559705730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcE7736O0nddExWlhHgOnRW1We2ITWuovSlmE9d6_wFjKcvJ4kYexaCnvCoAak8y-3AVkUiyu9wUz1rq3UrWnhB19q32rkpCqEqD5HSy7ffRUB-MWYmIDVVE02pgP8kYHJF2CVba2XDXY/s400/COCOJAN.jpg" /></a><br /><br /></div><div>Here she is....4 Lbs of trouble....she thinks she is hiding so that I can not get to her to put her into her Crate so that I can leave for work....At this moment she is whimpering beside me because she wants me to throw one of her fetch toys....Lots of Work this one! </div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-62666847428526122782010-01-06T07:42:00.005-06:002010-01-06T08:01:24.717-06:00NEW YEAR BEGINNINGS<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqowFjkKS29tBqoidBmYyDVnCQvkMU6Qt_tsCUy_dkzV8udWCANkXokIl_HmbZ8unlUflPS3EKK_01EzH3jgdrEfx2AH7A5nLlcLTmW7e_NCw8BxfvG7q7Fa4ZDczWeWL889DhpxilKU/s1600-h/NEEDLEBOOKX.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423622983992102946" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqowFjkKS29tBqoidBmYyDVnCQvkMU6Qt_tsCUy_dkzV8udWCANkXokIl_HmbZ8unlUflPS3EKK_01EzH3jgdrEfx2AH7A5nLlcLTmW7e_NCw8BxfvG7q7Fa4ZDczWeWL889DhpxilKU/s400/NEEDLEBOOKX.jpg" border="0" /></a>The needlebook on the right is one of the things you should never admit. I was part of a needlebook exchange and did not realize that I was not to send to the person who sent to me. So the first one I made was promptly sent off to the woman who sent me one......Only for me to find out later that this particular exchange did not work that way. So since I really hate stitching things twice, I borrowed this pattern from my daughter and made a different one! I hope the woman in Austrailia who waited an inordinate amount of time, liked what she finally received!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This Stocking is part of a Blackbird - Loose Feathers that had an exchange. This pattern is from a spring book that is in other colors but I thought it lended itself to a Red and Green theme.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6jtNIMddPd0qVyJNykA6KA4Q6AiYdBz-0Sc_w4C9jsiwMIbxlGAgoPeqkTfRfBTnNu15v9rxLkkIH4z0XMZ1lqGTyXzwoPEmZm9TCzPtOvZR4YEjjk-EFeRMgFYsGFbd9qxWntYtT8s/s1600-h/STOCKING+X.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423622846543602162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK6jtNIMddPd0qVyJNykA6KA4Q6AiYdBz-0Sc_w4C9jsiwMIbxlGAgoPeqkTfRfBTnNu15v9rxLkkIH4z0XMZ1lqGTyXzwoPEmZm9TCzPtOvZR4YEjjk-EFeRMgFYsGFbd9qxWntYtT8s/s400/STOCKING+X.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNeMHU5o16LjPhj_CP4EH6t6KmhUs5DoS_fgATs1BEvpjxuUL-kH0DUnrXl321d-xpTHus82wvc8PjpjpE_LPFmm3wznEVYMqTaQkEzziSm7PAPLOWOYcjwEKePFAV63Wi7L-r0zubhA/s1600-h/Buttons2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423622136978049938" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNeMHU5o16LjPhj_CP4EH6t6KmhUs5DoS_fgATs1BEvpjxuUL-kH0DUnrXl321d-xpTHus82wvc8PjpjpE_LPFmm3wznEVYMqTaQkEzziSm7PAPLOWOYcjwEKePFAV63Wi7L-r0zubhA/s400/Buttons2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dqolOVnM2UlMxXTTufdMyClGkzl-b_Z576XcVP_AWqjiKtLeknj30sZmtAILILx0YdY1mMRl9ibXfQP0nOmy_ZH0ELq1FqBi8mH3pKmrOdEHgzAVr7Ua7H2acKbcxoB6q4HCgoOZZcs/s1600-h/Buttons1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423622069472336578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dqolOVnM2UlMxXTTufdMyClGkzl-b_Z576XcVP_AWqjiKtLeknj30sZmtAILILx0YdY1mMRl9ibXfQP0nOmy_ZH0ELq1FqBi8mH3pKmrOdEHgzAVr7Ua7H2acKbcxoB6q4HCgoOZZcs/s400/Buttons1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrndEipvm-jV4Ys0RmMP-MMJwmyU7J-JSqSMzNSwFL6f8Jwev2-_j5iEzILTOf6kDfiWeGjbLDivICLGJ0SWBo5nCTTt7bFmp-yaaY3ekL9iDMz1Ms1HMZDPLf_nsJroTeXBRAfiBOQUA/s1600-h/COCO.jpg">The other day I told everyone I was going to do the projects of Jackie Du Plessis. The one above was my very first and I got it at a Stitcher's Hideaway Retreat in Sturbridge Mass. By the way, if you ever have a chance to go to one of Sue's Retreats, run don't walk. They are a joy to attend. There is a not a detail she does not perfect!</a> (I don't know why this is blue and underlined.....)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Any way, The pictures you see above are the first project I am doing. The box on the right slides into the cover you see on the left....I have all the pieces of the box cut and covered....(ok, so that has been done since the class in the summer of 2008)...I have started the stitching on the cover and will post pics of the progress as it is worth showing. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>As some of you know, I am visiting London and Paris to take classes with Jackie. There is (of course) prestitching that is to be done. My goal is to complete the prestitch and this project by the trip. I would love to be able to take it with me complete....</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5423621984094362354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 225px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrndEipvm-jV4Ys0RmMP-MMJwmyU7J-JSqSMzNSwFL6f8Jwev2-_j5iEzILTOf6kDfiWeGjbLDivICLGJ0SWBo5nCTTt7bFmp-yaaY3ekL9iDMz1Ms1HMZDPLf_nsJroTeXBRAfiBOQUA/s400/COCO.jpg" border="0" /> </div><br /><div>This is my little bundle of ( 4 lbs) joy. It is rare that she does not have some toy in her mouth if she is awake! Pic was taken this morning as I chased her around the Living Room!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><div></div></div></div>The Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7261584603202983877.post-29903973178207663862009-12-31T04:45:00.004-06:002009-12-31T04:54:43.512-06:00December 31It has been shamefully long since I last posted. So I am going to try to start the New Year with a simple goal....note I did not say resolution.....just too strong a word...<br /><br />I am going to try to post once a week.....that will be 52 small <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">commitments</span>. I will try to put a pic of Coco since she is just fun to see. There are <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Christmas</span> pictures with her wearing her new "<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">Snuggie</span>" that are too precious.<br /><br />Stitching goals are very simple. There is a marvelous young designer named Jackie <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">DuPlesis</span> of It's <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Fineally</span> Finished. Her things are truly Heirloom/Museum Quality Designs. The kits have the highest quality fabrics and fibers. Here attention to detail in the instructions is just spot on.....<br /><br />I have several of these kits....<span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ok</span>, more than several. 2010 is a significant Birthday year for Miss Jackie and I have decided to devote the major portion of my stitching and finishing time to these projects. It is a little way to honor her and for me to finish these projects.<br /><br />Tomorrow I am going to organize this venture and I will try to take some pics of the current status of each project.<br /><br />Happy New Year to you all and the very best wishes for health, prosperity, and perfect crosses in 2010.<br />SharonThe Purple Threadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11128126106671824978noreply@blogger.com2