Stitching a Christmas Wreath

I love to stitch--that's when I have time or should say when I take the time!  I'm just a little behind on finding this free stitching pattern from Elefantz's website.  There is still time to download the free patterns.  I'm thinking there are many ways this little wreath can be used--I've saved mine on her Craftsy page--free till October 31!

Such sweet stitching!

Falling Leaves

Oh, Yeah!  It's fall when I can work up a few dishcloths in the shape of fall leaves!

Here is an interesting pattern that makes use of that stash yarn

Here's a free pattern from Country Lane Quilts

and here is tutorial on one of my favorite fall patterns--the Maple leaves!

I have a couple quilts that feature this pattern--easy peazy to make and 

so colorful!

Happy Fall stitching!

Treadling the Treadle

Okay, it's about time I did some spinning!  It's relaxing--once I begin--it's just getting

into the rhythm of treadling that treadle.

I have this lovely silk/wool blend from Ewephoric Fibers that needs to be ready to finish up

my year long knitted lace scarf--

I will do singles and ply with another single spindle spun silk

So, let's begin!  I set up my I-Pad, set it to movie mode, find a comfy

chair and treadle.

"She Came To The Valley"

I shoved this book into one of the boxes with the old recipe books--

 remembered mother being so excited that a movie was being made in the Valley

and she and her sister were going to be extras--no pay though, just the experience of 

being in a movie.

I pulled the book out the other day and opened the first page.

There was a sweet note from the author of the book, dated August 18, 1977

and on all the other pre-pages, there were signatures from the actors (Scott Glenn and Dean Stockwell), other extras, directors and various sundry movie people!  

She certainly had a wonderful time being a part of Valley history.

I also remember that she and my aunt worked diligently  on their costumes--nothing in return

but a chance to be in the movie.

I can imagine that their days were filled with dust, hot temperatures, hours of just

sitting--all for the glory of being an extra

I found a photo of Mother (left) and Aunt Sue (right) all dolled up in

their handmade costumes.  I think of the filming time and can't believe

they wore those costumes during the heat of the summer--"She Came To The Valley"

was one of the highlights of mother's life.

I found a DVD copy of the movie recently, but I didn't watched it--

I sent it to Aunt Sue--maybe, she'll watch it with her grandkids

and they'll share some memories of mother and Aunt Sue in their big adventure!

For me, I think I'll read the book!

Vintage?

No one was more surprised than I was with this find!

Why did she save this?

I remember these from 1960's when I was in nursing school--

kidney shaped

why this one was saved--well, pushed back in the closet, buried beneath towels--don't know!

Mother had been in the hospital many times and she always took home those plastic basins, but she didn't save those.

I couldn't find a date on the box

I looked for the basin on the internet but no luck--nothing like this one--

you can buy stainless steel basins.

Oh, well...............

what to do with it now??

The Things You Find

We are still on the road to find what Mother had stored in her closets......................

This has been interesting to say the least!

Pull out a few towels and then you reach in and find

This!

Who ever in my family played this instrument?  I can only guess it was one of my

brothers, as I know I didn't!  Maybe, Mother played it--no reason to ask her, she doesn't remember

one day to the next.

Then you read Wikipedia description.......

The melodica, also known as the pianica, blow-organ, key-flute or key-ute, is a free-reed instrument similar to the melodion and harmonica. It has a musical keyboard on top, and is played by blowing air through a mouthpiece that fits into a hole in the side of the instrument. Pressing a key opens a hole, allowing air to flow through a reed. The keyboard is usually two or three octaves long. Melodicas are small, light, and portable. They are popular in music education, especially in Asia.

The modern form of the instrument was invented by Hohner in the 1950s, though similar instruments have been known in Italy since the 19th century.

The melodica was first used as a serious musical instrument in the 1960s by composers such as Steve Reich, in his piece titled Melodica (1966) and jazz musician Phil Moore, Jr., on his 1969 Atlantic Records album Right On. Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal developed a technique consisting of singing while playing the melodica, resulting in a wide tonal and harmonic palette. It is associated with Jamaican dub and reggae musician Augustus Pablo who popularized it in the 1970s. 

Well, you have it!  Popular in the 1950-1970! The time period of our household!  Maybe, one of my brothers can clarify why Mother would save such a thing.

come back tomorrow to see what else we pulled out of mother's closets.

Generation Gap!

Yes, we are still working to distribute mother's household items.  I don't want to give away anything that can be used by one of our family members.  So, as we cleaned out shelves, pantry, drawers, I would take a photo and text family--"Do you want this?"

I found a whole stack of Corning Ware in the cabinet, so texted granddaughter--"Do you want some Corning Ware?"  Her text back was "What's Corning Ware?"  WHAT?  You don't know Corning Ware?  I was shocked!  Then I thought--she's only 25 why would she know Corning Ware?

Corning Ware has changed over the century--the sets are more colorful and the smart blue flowers have been removed--and yes, there was a snap on-off handle!  

Okay, another one of those generation gaps--but This Corning Ware set will be loved and used!

And No, she didn't want the Corning Ware!