Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Some special treasures, first a gift, then some finds!

I hope that this finds you, my blogging friends, staying cool, wherever you are! I think that this summer will stand out in our minds for it's extreme heat and humidity! I know that last night, was so unsufferable to even sit for a few minutes on the front porch. I didn't even attempt to go for my nightly walk, because I just knew it wouldn't even be healthy for me! Now that said, I go every night, and usually don't even venture out until sometime between 9 and 10 pm, because of the heat. I try to walk at least 2 miles, and sometimes 3 miles, and when I come home, I definitely need a cool down period. But last night? No maam, wouldn't even attempt it! And I missed it...I just hope tonight isn't a repeat, but I am thinking that it might be. I love the changing seasons, and I don't want to wish my life away, since it is moving swiftly enough, but I can't wait for Autumn!!! Stay cool, wherever you are!

I got such a lovely thank you gift on Monday, from Faye. She sent me this sweet pin pillow, complete with special pins that she made herself! Isn't it the prettiest thing? I will treasure it, Faye, thank you ever so much. I don't have many smalls in my collection and each one I get is a special treasure to own! Also when saying your prayers, if you would add dear Faye's mil Ada, to your list, she is in need of them! Thank you and I know Faye would and does appreciate those prayers!
On Saturday, I decided to treat myself and make a trip to the antique mall that is about 5 miles south of me. I enjoy going once in awhile to see what treasures they might have. Love to have company along, but love to go alone too, because sometimes I just take my time and find more things, you know what I mean? I never fail to bring something home, but this trip, I was able to find some great things, that I have a picture of below:

The drawer is from an antique sewing cabinet and was in great shape, so I couldn't pass it up! Not sure yet what I will use it for, but I can bet I will find a good use for it soon! I love drawers, boxes and cabinets!! Another weakness I have is for glass canning jars...this one was a super buy and it said Drey (I don't have many that are from that company) and it is a larger size, then the quart sizes that you see everywhere. I wish I could tell you what size it is, but I am horrid with measurements, anyone help me out? Is it a quart and a half, maybe? I know it isn't a gallon size! Anyway, I love it!! I only collect the smaller pint sized antique canning jars and they are hard to find. As is this size. Also got lucky and found a couple more flower frogs, now I have four of these! Last but certainly not least, I found five, count'em five antique sewing machine oil cans!!! I was jumping for joy at the find, and the price was right, $4. each!!! Yay!!! I had a great time!!!
I do have a couple of stitchey pics to share, of a couple of my wips! Haven't had as much time as I would like to stitch these days, but I do try to put in a few stitches each day!

This is a really lousy picture of Blackbird Designs Loose Feathers #9 Sunflower House, my progress as of the end of July! A fun stitch, stitching it with the recommended colors of fibers on Old Mill Java by R&R! A slow stitch, since I have some obligation stitching to complete, but I have been enjoying every stitch.

Also another slow wip:

PLEASE do forgive the wrinkle down the middle!!! I needed to bring it upstairs and set up the ironing board, and I was just too lazy busy to do that! This is Beatrix Potter Sampler, not quite in her full glory, but one stitch at a time will bring that to pass. Just not sure what year that will be...She is stitched on 32 ct French Vanilla linen from R&R with Used Brick Crescent Colours fibers. I love how it is looking so far!!

That is about it for now! I am heading out for some early errands, before the sultry heat is in full swing! I want to thank you all so much for coming to visit, and reading and commenting! You all just make my day! If you aren't a follower yet, then I would be thrilled if you become one today!

Today, whatever you do, do with love and gusto!! And try and have some stitchey fun too!

Love, Jan

32 comments:

Vinniey said...

The weather here is extremely heat and I hate it too. Beautiful gift from Faye, I adored her finishing works. I love all your finds especially the antique sewing cabinet. Beautiful stitching on Sunflower House and Beatrix Potter Sampler. :)

Margaret said...

Nice finds at the antique mall! It's always fun to uncover those treasures. I love what Faye sent you as well. And your BBD WIP and Beatrix Potter WIP -- so pretty! I think with this heat it's hard to do any stitching these days. Sort of sad, huh? Enjoy your day!

Catherine said...

What a sweet gift from Faye!

Love all your goodies - stitchy and otherwise!

Mel said...

It seems for all those in the south getting lots of heat, those of us up north are freezing. it's been a cold summer in Canada.

The WIP's are looking great!
And Faye's small is lovely.

natalysneedle said...

I love the Sunflower House you are working on. It is beautiful. The pin pillow you got as a thank you is also fantastic. Faye did a wonderful job.

Andrea said...

Isn't the heat just so oppressive? I am a night owl anyway, but during the summer even more so, as I get most of the housework and baking done in the very late night hours!

Love your Sunflower House, that's one of my favorites! Stitched it a long time ago, but still haven't framed it. Seeing your WIP reminded me of it :)

Love your blog header picture, so pretty!

Great finds, I'm jealous!

Deborah said...

Wonderful gift from Faye. Sunflower House is just beautiful.I am with you about the weather this summer. It is awful.

littlebit said...

What a wonderful gift from Faye, Jan!
Your WIPs are beautiful.
OMG! That jar! It sure looks to be a gallon..I love it!! What a neat find.
You said it perfectly. I also hate to rush time, but I'm tired of the heat, and we've not had near what others have had.
Take care!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely gift to receive from Faye! Both of your WIPs are lovely!

Stay cool, dear friend!

Robin

Stephanie said...

What a sweet little gift from Faye! Congratulations on your finds, too! Love the little oil cans. How cute are they?!? Great progress on your WIPs. Can't wait to see more of them!!

Susan said...

I'm another one who finds the heat oppressive this summer. When it's 80 degrees at 6am, I close the door and head to the treadmill in the basement. Love the BBD design--I'm a real sucker for houses.

Lynn said...

We have been suffering here too with the heat and wicked humidity. Today was a real steamer!
I love your BBD Sunflower house. I have this one in my stash and I just adore it. Sooner or later I'll get to it!
The Beatrix Potter piece is lovely too.

Sherry :o) said...

love your wips - great progress and I agree, BBD is so fun to stitch. What a lovely thank you from faye. And again, I agree - come on cooler weather. It's terrible that even when a/c house, I work up a sheen moving about.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Great finds, Jan! I love wandering an antique mall by myself and just poking around.

Your gift from Faye is lovely. She does such pretty work!

Love your BBD WIP and Beatrix Potter WIP ~ both are gorgeous!!

The heat is killing me, too. But, we're supposed to have a great, cool weekend. Can't wait!

Nancy said...

I stepped outside yesterday, and it was like someone turned the furnace on full blast! I am so thankful we don't have high humidity though. Hope you get to start your walks again soon.

What a lovely gift from Faye, and I love all your finds, especially that gallon jar!

Beautiful stitching! I love Sunflower House especially, but unfortunately I never bought that pattern.

Carol said...

Faye's gift to you is so pretty, Jan! And I just love watching Sundflower House come to life--it is such a lovely piece.

This summer will, indeed be remembered for all the wrong reasons! I am longing for those cool, crisp autumn days to arrive :)

Brigitte said...

What a lovely gift from Faye. Enjoy.
Your WIPs are looking so great. And slow progress is also progress - every stitch counts. I particularly love the Sunflower House.

Loraine said...

Lucky you to get such a darling gift from Faye. She is so sweet!
Love your WIP's too. Just beautiful.
Stay Cool.

Melissa said...

Hi Jan!

I love drawers, boxes and such too! Lovely finds at the antique mall, lucky you! And those lovely gifts from Faye - so pretty!

I love the two pieces you are stitching.

Oh, the heat and humidity! We don't have it and I hope you get a break soon as I can imagine how uncomfortable that can be!

Karoline said...

Great finds and your wips look lovely

Mylene said...

What a lovely gift from Faye and both your WIP's are coming along beautifully.
Great finds too, enjoy!!

Carolyn NC said...

Weather here is a killer for any activity, for sure. Can you believe it's August??? Love the gift from Faye and your stitching. Truly lovely. :)

staci said...

Look at all your lovelies! Lovely gift, lovely finds and lovely stitching! Try to stay cool!

Unknown said...

Jan...thank you for your sweet comment on my blog today!

I love the new design and hope to add it to my wish list soon. Love your antique shoppiing finds...those oil cans are precious. Love the gift from Faye...she is soooo talented!

Your WIPs are lovely, and I can't wait to see them finished.

HAPPY STITCHIN'
Terri

Joanie said...

Your finds are wonderful! Love the canning jar, there's so much you can do with it.

Bea is coming along great and that gift from Faye? TOO DIE FOR!!

Love Sunflower House too. I may have to start it. That piece has been hanging around the stash far too long not to be stitched. Enjoy your weekend! Stay cool!

Unknown said...

A lovely gift from Faye. Wonderful progress on your two stitching projects. Stay cool!

MyLifesAStitch said...

What a wonderful gift from Faye. She's so talented, isn't she?

Love your WIPs, and your antique mall finds!! They're wonderful! Wandering alone can be some really great decompression time, can't it?

And, I'm with ya on the heat... it's been oppressive, and sooooo dry at my house, too! Well, humid but no rain (storms in my area, but thay have all gone around us for the last few weeks). I'm ghoing to have to start watering my plants morning and evening, poor wilting things!

Have a great week, and stay cool!

Katrina said...

Everything is just gorgeous!!!! Love all your WIPs and the gift is so cute.

Daffycat said...

I just love the pin pillow from Faye and your treasures from the antique shops! That drawer is really awesome!

Your WIPs are beautiful. LOL All my wips are wrinkled. Especially the smalls on linen...I work in hand and tend to crumple up the tops on those until they won't lay flat.

doris said...

Love your progress pics ... they're looking wonderful.

TinaTx said...

Hope your weather has cooled off a bit. Houston is just another way to say 'hot and humid' - we don't expect any relief until at least September, if we are lucky!
Lovely gift and what great finds you made! I miss having an antique store close enough to visit whenever I want.
Have a great week!

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