linens

Linens

Years ago, my parents worked in the summer together mowing lawns, painting houses and doing carpentry work. Being out of school, I would tag along. Sometimes the customers would invite me in to play with their children while my parents worked. It was on one of these occasions, that I saw and felt what would leave an impression on me for the rest of my life. Going through one bedroom to the play room of a beautiful house, my sight fell upon beautiful embroidered bed linens. As I walked along, my eyes commanded my hand to touch those beautiful threads and colors. I remember thinking to myself, I want my bed to look and feel like this! I thought about this throughout my growing up years and when I learned how to embroidery at the age of 10, I was always trying to embroidery things the way those linens looked. Just a short time ago, I came upon a box at a flea market, stuffed full of old embroidered linens. Among the bits and pieces of dresser scarfs and such, was one pillow case with the most beautiful border and embroidery, almost like the one I had seen so many years ago. So using that border as somewhat of a model, I came up with this border for some of the linens I want to sell. I love gingham's and florals put together. The blues in this seem to work perfectly. I am also in the process of crocheting a gingham afghan to accompany this set. I am in the process of deciding on what kind of embroidery I want to put on these cases. I think this is what takes me the longest in my decision making. Do any of you remember your mother's or grandmothers linens? Are you lucky enough to have had any passed down to you? I think what is even more lovely than the linens are the stories that go along with them, don't you think?

Country Roads

This is my favorite road. This road leads to our home and stretches for miles with only fields and ranch land on either side. Although it is paved, not many travel on it. This is where I walk with Sophie, talk with God, and marvel at what Mother Nature has to show. This is where my dreams are born and planned out and my worries walked off. It also has become a road that takes our children away to a busier, more exciting life and I hope one day will bring them back safely to us. It is filled with the sounds of distant cattle calling out, the coos of the morning dove and other wild birds gathering seed or supplies for their nests, and the late night serenade of the coyote. The peace that settles over this road and our home is priceless and I feel truly blessed and grateful.

Spring Flowers

Hello everyone! Life has taken me on a few detours, but although my hands haven't been able to get to my needle, my mind has been busy thinking of what to create next.

I love this time of year. The flowers on the grounds are starting to wake up and bloom in hues of every color imaginable. Not only do I love to work outdoors with this beauty, I cannot resist gathering bouquets of nature's blooms in material form. My head is full of ideas and projects waiting for my hands to get busy creating. How about you.... do you find that you never have enough material in your stash, and that new print just has to come home with you?

Happy Valentine's Day!

To all the wonderful friends I have made out here in "blog land". I have found all of your posts and photos so uplifting and inspiring. I feel blessed to connect and share with all of you a little bit of our day to day lives. Have yourselves a sweet and happy Valentines day! Blessings, Kathleen

Have you ever wondered?

While traveling back and forth, I always notice old houses and if I am not in a big hurry, I always pull over and take a picture. I love these old reminders of how life used to be. I always wonder who lived there, how many children were born and raised there and what were their prayers about. I always wonder what happened to whoever lived there. This one particular house pictured above is on the way to my childrens school. I inquired about it, and was told that no one would mind if I walked down to take a picture. If you notice the other pictures below, I had some very friendly company. I was not paying attention, oohing and awing over the house, when I heard loud stomping behind me and found these friendly horses right behind my shoulder. Of course, I can't resist horses, and spent some time petting them. I did not go into the house, for several reasons, but would have loved to take a peek inside. These houses remind me so much of my grandparents who lived out in the country in an old rambling house. They were together 62 years and raised 13 children, through some of the worst times, including the depression. Their house no longer stands, long ago pushed down to make room for a cotton field. But I always think back on them and the visits I loved as a child to their home. That is why I so love where I live now. If grandma and grandpa were here, we would all be on the porch, watching the susnset together.

a warm welcome