pincushions to California

I've gotten another wholesale order! These pincushions are headed for a shop in Santa Monica called Artful. Since we have decided to close our physical shop and concentrate on wholesale and internet sales this is another step in the right direction. We drove aways down the Mississippi River on Sunday checking out possible shops and galleries and found a delightful one in Maiden Rock,Wi. called Swan Song. As soon as I can make about 12 more pincushions we will be taking them down there. Delivering them ourselves gives us an excuse to stop at the Smiling Pelican bakery across the street from the gallery- wonderful bread and the best Apple Cardamom cakes! Tomorrow we are taking half a day to visit Stillwater and look into those galleries. I love daytrips!

early works mercantile

This is one of the pincushions I'm saving to sell as part of a set with a needlebook on a new site-http://www.earlyworkmercantile.com. It specializes in items that evoke the 18th and 19th centuries. The name of my shop will be The Needlewoman and should be up and running November 1st. I'm also working on an embroidered sampler and possibly a wool penny rug.

Hearts

Piecework magazine is going to have a Heart ornament contest in the spring. All the details will be available in October and the deadline is in April. There is to be 4 catagories all involving a different form of needlework-knit/crochet, embroidery/surface design, lacework, and quilting. The maximum size is 4", so this one is too large.

Since I'm going to be thinking about ornaments for Christmas now anyways I might as well think about hearts,too! I might try one for each catagory. Details about the piece above are on my lollishop site.

Citron and Plaid Pincushion

This is two views of the new pincushion. The side piece is the overdyed plaid from Merry Hooker Woolens. I love the visual texture of the plaid.

I am going to start Christmas ornaments soon and thought I might do some primitive styled ones in wool as well as my mini hanging pincushions.I'll also do some embroidered birds. It seems too early to think about the holidays, but if I don't I won't get it all done.

A new pincushion finished today. I also found another source for hand dyed wool-Merry Hooker Woolens- and bought some beautiful overdyed plaids and herringbone wool. I think they will add a nice textural look to pincushions and I plan to start rug hooking again. The blog for Merry Hooker is on my side bar, check it out!
It has been a sad day today watching Ted Kennedy's funeral. I am old enough to have seen all 3 brothers funerals( I was 7 when JFK was killed) and it doesn't seem possible they're all gone. A remarkable family.

Garden Flower Lavender Sachets

I love the scent of lavender.I've made these 4" sachets in a variety of colors and crocheted them for a vintage feel. These are listed in my Artfire and Lollishop shops.
As the retail business continues to be challenging in our brick and mortar shop we have decided to move the whole thing online. Our current,unused website will go away as a new one is constructed. Everything in our shop will be available, not just our own handmade items. This will allow us to highlight our other artists work- pottery, jewelry,wood turned bowls,handbags, blown glass,handmade cards, and much more! There will also be lots of other gift items including kitchen items, books, puzzles,and children's things. I will update here and link to the new site when it is ready.

crocheted gifts and cookbooks

I have spent the last few days replenishing my supply of crocheted soap bags. I had a young woman in the shop who dislikes the feel of a bar of soap against her skin and was thrilled to
see the bags. An average size bar of soap(or scraps) fit nicely inside and then use it as a washcloth. The little crocheted sachets are lined and filled with lavender- smell wonderful!

We also got our restock of retro cookbooks in. These are full of recipes and helpful hints compiled from Barbara Swell's extensive collection. Since I am attempting my first jam making session with my mother and sister this weekend these have been fun to look at.Unfortunately we are experiencing the hottest week of the summer right now after what has been a very cool season. Oh well.

I think I might do thumbprint cookies using my jam. If I do raspberry jam I would do lemon flavored cookies with the raspberry center. Even with the heat I am looking forward to this!