thyme2sow

Hello again bloggers...

2010-04-28T09:44:00.002-04:00

Wow. it's been so long since I have set my eyes on you blog. How are you? I'm doing well, thanks. Starting over is sooo good for me. I feel great today, the sun is shining, it's a wonderful feeling to have the sun shine on your face. It's just another one of those amazing gifts God has given us to help us out with our daily struggles. You know, even if you were blind, deaf or disabled in any way, even in a coma in a bed somewhere, if you turn your face to the sun it WILL shine on you! And it feels the same to everyone, it's truly a gift that everyone gets to enjoy. It gives us vitamins for our bodies to absorb, it warms your skin and it does something to our insides too. It lifts our spirits, even if we were inside feeling its warmth through a window. Always remember to take a moment and feel God's warmth on your face...it's like a kiss from heaven...especially made for you! xoxoxo♥

Moving Forward....

2010-03-15T08:40:00.003-04:00

Well, as of the New Year I have taken on a different way of life. I am a happier person, I sleep better and I feel much better in my head. This new change has also brought many other good things for me. I have started a new job at a local nursery. My background is in horticulture and I have found that getting back to it has dramatically changed my outlook on life.

Just being around blooming plants lightens my heart and just does something to me. The smell of a freshly opening Hyacinth is so lovely to me, it makes my heart smile! I am glad that I had the opportunity to take on this job, of course with the help of my parents and grandmother also taking Autumn off the bus and staying with her until I get home!!! I just knew that getting back to work was going to be something good for us.

You know, I have been talking to God a lot more lately. I ask him to lend an ear and I ask him for guidance. I also Thank Him for all the blessings he has already bestowed upon me. I am grateful for so much in my life, and I will continue to serve Him in every way possible. It is easier to wallow in grief when the chips are down, but I have learned that this is the only life I have, this is the only body I carry around. Bringing happiness to myself should always be a part of my life. Allowing others to help and be thankful in tough times, staying positive when it is almost impossible to be, and allowing my heart to open to forgiveness are some of the things that I have learned to do throughout all of this. I'm still working on much more but for right now I am taking it one day at a time. Today is a good day and I am thnkful for it! Tomorrow is tomorrow...but I still feel positive about it and even if the sun doesn't shine, the birds will still sing and the flowers will still bloom. Thank you God for this day.
~Nicole

stitching...

2010-01-12T22:27:00.003-05:00

Yes, finally I took the time to pick up the needle and thread and I am stitching in this sunny, warm kitchen by the window... watching the birds. It feels so warm and cozy in this sunny room......I think I'll take a nap.......................................zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Christmas Pageant 2010

2010-01-10T15:10:00.005-05:00

It was a beautiful day for a Christmas pageant. The date was postponed originally due to the "blizzard" we had before Christmas. All of the angels were there and of course the animals and shepherds too. This year Autumn got to hold the Star that summoned the Three Kings. She would only do the part if her friend Hannah would do it with her.

So...here they are carrying the Star into Bethlahem with all of the angels following behind. What a sight they were, I guess I am partial because I am their Sunday school teacher after all! They really were adorable.

These are just some of the memories that I will chrish forever!

God Bless us all!
~thyme2sow

New Year, New Me!

2010-01-03T21:54:00.004-05:00

Well, I sure am glad that this year is officially over. I have never actually said that before this past year. My life just took a drastic turn in the downward direction and all I can say is...bring on 2010! Without really getting into the details of my misery, I have to say that if I didn't have my beautiful daughter Autumn by my side I would be a basket case. I have been using her as my crutch to get through the day for a while now. She is the sunshine that warms my heart. She'll never understand just what she does for me. I tell her constantly how much I love her, but when I say it I mean it with every inch of my being. She is my entire life now. I live for her.

My parents are the most wonderful people on this earth. They have been there for us and always have been. I never thought that at this point in my life I would be where I am today. It truly is weighing very heavily on my heart. I have to find a place inside where I can go and find some inner peace. I also know that I have to seek out a support group. I have been told that it helps with the healing process.

I look forward to posting again in the near future. It is something I intend to keep up in the New Year. After all, this is something that brings me joy and that is a positive thing for me. Good luck and love to you all out there this year. May you find peace and happiness all your days.

~Thyme2Sow

Christmas bazaar 2009

2009-12-23T09:06:00.015-05:00

For the past few years my mother, myself and grandmother and Autumn of course, have been in charge of the ornament table at our church's Christmas bazaar. This year since we had a lot of rain the Christmas parade was cancelled but we all still had a wonderful time selling ornaments and handmade items for our church.

Every year a woman that belongs to our church hand hooks a large rug to be included in the Chinese auction. This year she chose a beautiful country primitive scene with sheep and rolling hills...of course I didn't win, you would have heard me scream if I did! Here is her artwork...

Oh well, maybe next year!!!

The ornament table was all decked out with our handmade ornies, none of which were cross stitch! It seems that everyone likes the shiny sparkley stuff these days. We decorated trees and sold them that way also.

I thought it would be a good idea to sit at the handmade and stitched linen table...

I also perused the other tables. Look at all of the lovely items I found! I took home some of it too!!

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!

~thyme2sow

Fun in the Snow!

2009-12-20T12:41:00.004-05:00

Even though I am sick I still love seeing my little girl have fun. She makes me smile with her toothless grin. I love being her mama and just adore every minute of this. Here is Autumn and her friend having some snowy day fun.

Who has time to sew when you have a 5 year old anyway? I should name this blog AUTUMN...it's all about her isn't it?!

~thyme2sow

Winter is here!

2009-12-20T08:23:00.003-05:00

Winter has arrived and I have the flu! The only reason I am posting right now is that I cannot lay down for another minute, my back hurts from being still and I can't stand it anymore!! The snow is falling here on Long Island and it is a blizzard. Not bad for the first snowfall of the year for us. We should have about 20" by the time it is all over, it's been snowing since yesterday about 12noon and should continue till about noon today. Autumn is going to be so surprised when she wakes up...which should be soon.

Anyway, they had to postpone the Christmas pageant at church this morning. I wonder how many people will go out in this weather? I am on Alter guild duty this week too, it's a good thing my mom, my partner, lives right around the corner from the church! She'll have to take care of things...I love you MOM! and owe you one too!

I wish I was hungry and not nauseous. I'd love to eat a Christmas cookie right now. And a cup of coffee, but tea will have to do for now.

I think Autumn is waking up now so I am off to mother her. Too bad I can't kiss her too much, I would hate for her to get the flu for Christmas! Pray for us!

Have a wonderful day everybody out there! And be safe if you are in the storm.
~thyme2sow

Autumn

2009-12-16T00:28:00.003-05:00

I am the luckiest mother in the world. This Christmas I intend to make the most of every magical minute with my 5 year old daughter, Autumn. She is the light of my life and the love in my heart. I can not even imagine not having her around. Her laughter brings me joy, her sweet voice singing Christmas carols around the house makes me smile endlessly. I am alive because of her and I love the little lady that she has become. Dear God, please allow me to stay on this earth as long as possible to be able to see her grow into the fine woman I know she will be. Keep her in your loving care day and night and always let her know how much she is loved and adored. I give thanks for all of the days that I get to be her mother. Love you Autumn xoxox

Christmas dress shopping

2009-12-15T23:08:00.007-05:00

Dress shopping with my daughter Autumn is such a fun thing for me. It has become something I look forward to at Easter and now at Christmastime. She knows the drill by now, stand by the wall and pose! She loves to pretend she is either a princess or a rock star, occasionally playing air guitar while wearing a really fancy dress. That's Autumn for you, a joker to the end. My wonderful mother purchased two dresses for her this time because, as always, we couldn't make up our mind as to which one was more awesome. Here are the finalists...

Cute and festive...

this one was a winner!

this one I loved but didn't make the final cut...

another winner!

did you notice the matching doll dresses? How beautiful they both will look on the Christmas card this year!

I want to go back and get this one...soooo cute!

It was tough, but Autumn made the final choices and I think she did an excellent job at that. I don't look forward to the day when she doesn't want to carry on the tradition, but I know it will come. Until then I will take every picture of her that I can and document her beautiful young life because I love her to the moon and back. God bless my little girl and keep her young for as long as possible.

~thyme2sow

A chilly adventure!

2009-11-28T17:32:00.006-05:00

Well, we finally did it! Our family has been talking about cutting down our own Christmas trees for years and finally this year, my mother is 60 and grandma is 80, we took the trip up to our cabin in Windham and we cut down our very own trees.

It was a wonderful trip up. As soon as we got to the cabin it began to snow very lightly. We saw from across the valley to the other side of the mountain that a snow cloud was coming our way.

We bundled up and headed towards the right-of-way on our property. I scouted out some trees this fall and knew that there were some nice specimens up there. We all trudged over the field and picked out our favorites. Grandma picked out a small Hemlock and I headed toward the Pines. Autumn and I liked this one the best!

Dad liked this one...

After we all had our trees picked out and cut down we headed towards the cabin, warm and inviting with the stove burning brightly awaiting our return. None of us thought we would make it to 10 pm before getting too tired. We stayed in and hung by the fire all night, going early to bed.

I think we all decided to make this an annual trip up to get our trees. We brought all the left-overs from our Thanksgiving feast and we ate another great meal in the cabin. Driving home the next day was kind of sad. We never just stay one night, but we all knew that our lives were waiting for us at home.

Next year I hope that Steven can join us, as he had to stay home for work this time. Who buys lumber the day after Thanksgiving anyway? Every one's out buying Christmas presents!!!

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday feast. Looking forward to Christmas now more than ever!

~Thyme2Sow

Giving thanks today

2009-11-27T00:23:00.002-05:00

Just a little post tonight to say 'Thank You' to all of those people in my life who have been there through the ups and downs. Without the support of my friends and family I have nothing. I'm wishing for a more centered 2010 for myself. For others, a year filled with love and laughter. Today was a wonderful day filled with tradition and merriment. I pray for a more peaceful way of life for myself and the strength to get through each and every day. I have faith that things will be better in my future. Thank you Lord for this day.

Enjoy the weekend...I'm heading towards snow! More on that later...

~Thyme2Sow

A package arrived today!

2009-11-18T19:08:00.003-05:00

My dear sister Louise called the other day and asked me to be honest with her...she wanted to send me a few handmade vests that she made for her dear sweet daughter, my niece, years ago. She was trying to feel me out, see if I was interested and if I thought that my 5 year old would like to wear them. Of course I responded with a "yes" that I would put them on Autumn and give them to another little girl to wear and look adorable in.

When they arrived today Autumn was so excited to see what her favorite Aunt sent her that before the package was even opened she told me that whatever Aunt Louise sends her she loves! She opened the package and said "oooh mom...look...fabric!" kind of like trying to be excited to see something cool but was stopped in her "happy" tracks. I laughed, knowing that she was mistaking the vests for fabric...wonder why she would ever think that?! So I chuckled a bit and held up a vest and said "look, Aunt Louise sent you something special that was your cousin's when she was little!" Then the real "ooh" came out and I smiled again. She wanted to put one on right away and that really made me happy.

I'm posting a picture for the world to see how very special a sister Louise is to me!

Love you sis,

~Nicole (Thyme2Sow)

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T17:51:00.005-05:00

Halloween has come and gone and the weather stayed just perfect for our little trick-or-treater this year. We started at the park where children gathered for a spooky scavenger hunt...

and then to our high school for their first annual 'safe trick-or-treating' event run by the students themselves...

then onto grandma's for a little candy rustling in the old neighborhood...

we met up with some friends...

and then called it a night.

I'm sorry, but Autumn is the laziest trick-or-treater I know! She wanted me to ring the door bells, say trick-or-treat and even hold her candy when her bucket got too full!!! I did hold her bucket but that was all. When I was her age I walked for miles for candy, I always ate most of my candy that night and I never wanted to go in until it was so dark I had to. My daughter didn't even stop at every house, she just wanted to go to the ones that has nice decorations outside. Can you believe that she has only eaten 2 bags of mini M&M's since yesterday?! What's wrong with this kid? lol

I have a candy collector for a daughter, not a candy eater. I must say she really doesn't have the taste for candy, mostly chocolate M&M's...and that's about it.
So now what to do with the candy?....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I hope your day was spooky and fun!

~Thyme2Sow

Oh toooooth fairy!!!!

2009-11-01T17:31:00.005-05:00

It finally came out! Autumn lost her first tooth this morning at Sunday school. It has been hanging on by a thread for about 2 weeks and today was the day it decided to let go. She cried a couple of tears, I think because she didn't expect it to ever happen, but when she bit into her cookie it just popped out. What a day!

So tonight the Tooth Fairy will arrive after she has fallen asleep, and if all things go well for her Autumn will wake up to find something special left under her pillow.

Thanks again for the Tooth Fairy pillow Louise! It will be a wonderful memory for your niece and a great resting place for her sweet little tooth!

Love you sister!

~Thymw2Sow

Dad's Halloween Museum 2009

2009-10-30T21:11:00.003-04:00

My father has been collection all things Halloween since I was a young girl. It's safe to say that he just may be a Halloween maniac! I love going into Mom and Dad's house during the week before Halloween because it really is a sight to see.
In addition to giving out candies my father likes to mix it up a bit and give the children a choice between candy or baseball cards. He knows what the kids like! My parents live on a very busy corner and the neighborhood children come out in droves, especially since this year the date falls on a Saturday I am sure that the candy will be flowing at their house.

It really is quite interesting to step into the Halloween museum at Mom and Dad's house. I just had to document all of the interesting things that are on display there. I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with next year.

Happy Halloween!
~Thyme2Sow

Field Trip

2009-10-28T21:38:00.007-04:00

I love this time of year. But you already knew that!!! I was lucky enough to be able to go on my daughters first field trip with her kindergarten class. We went to a farm on Long Island called White Post Farm and enjoyed a fun afternoon with friends.

First we all fed the animals...

Then onto the tractor ride into the field for pumpkins.

It was a truly beautiful day. I really enjoyed watching my daughter with her new friends. I'm glad to have this opportunity to be involved with her school. She'll only be little for a short amount of time. I intend to live my life with her in the fullest way I know how.

I love you little one! God Bless you always.

~Mama

Madeline

2009-10-20T17:33:00.008-04:00

If my grandmother knew that I was posting pictures of her on my blog she would probably say..."oh, why would you want to do that?" But the real reason is that I truly love and respect her and always want her around me.

I find that since I am older now, 30 something...I feel a bit closer to her...woman to woman. I've always known that she has much love for me, but not until I came back from Florida in the late 90's did I really spend quality time with her, as an adult of course. I cherish these moments we have.

She is a great-grandmother one time to my daughter Autumn. She turned 80 in August and is a very active lady. She founded a quilt club at her local library with some friends 25 years ago called Patches and Pieces. She is a devine quilter, always by hand and everything very nicely done. She's always wanting to learn new techniques and teach them to her girlfriends. That's another wonderful thing about my grandma, she's a great friend!

Every chance my family gets we go upstate to our cabin owned by my grandmother. She loves the mountain air, as I do. She rises early and snuggles down after a hot cup of Lipton. When we are up there she likes to take a walk down our road and gather wildflowers as she goes, always coming back with a handful of sweet little buds ready for the old milk bottle vase we keep just for that. She loves the wild red Columbine that grows on our outer burm. They are spectacular!

Last time we were in Windham we made a really nice turkey dinner with all the fixins which all of us ladies shared in the making. The turkey came out superb, of course because she made it, and we all really enjoyed it FULLY. Of course it was a great meal that we enjoyed left-overs from all weekend. I took a picture of my mom and grandma in front of the oven as they were taking out the bird. It's kind of a tradition in our family.

I really feel blessed to have Madeline for my grandmother. I love our conversations and the time we spend together. I hope my daughter has as fond of memories of her as I always will. I hope she lives for a long time and has more wonderful healthy days ahead. Love you grandmother!

~thyme2sow

My next project

2009-10-19T08:20:00.006-04:00

So, I grew loofah for the first time this year in my harvest garden. It's mid October and I decided to do a little research and came up with some ideas.

I asked a Japanese friend of mine if she knew anything about this strange gourd-like, zucchini-like fruit/vegetable. She did a little research and asked her mom in Japan. She told me to soak it, cut it into slices if I want to, then wait. So that's what I am doing. It can be eaten when it is young, sauteed is probably the best way. I prefer to make it into a useful item for the household. A personal sponge. I'll let you know how it turns out!

It's Fall Y'all

2009-10-17T20:12:00.005-04:00

Little 'Jack'

2009-10-14T11:58:00.004-04:00

Another doll to add to my collection. Right now I am all about Autumn colors, smells, textures. I have been so inspired to create due to all of this that I decided to create a pumpkin boy doll. I used a pattern I found in one of my favorite magazines and changed it up a little bit. I really enjoy using coffee and tea to change the look of my fabrics. The added benefit to this all of course is the pleasant scent that you end up with. I am proud of my latest doll finish. His name is Jack and he is one of the characters I am using in my latest craft...childrens stories. I have always wanted to write a childrens book, and now I am really feeling the need to create one. Wish me luck!

A little more close up view of his cute face.

I love his little crow friend. I'm looking forward to creating more dolls, but have to start on some Christmas ornaments first...I'm going to decorate a small tree with only cross stitched ornaments this year...just for me!!!

Have a blessed day!

~thyme2sow

Random thoughts from the weekend.

2009-10-14T11:22:00.008-04:00

I had such a beautiful weekend with my family in the mountains. We baked pies, stitched, hiked, sang, antiqued, visited a local winery and so much more. I love spending time with my family. I am blessed to be able to say that.

Autumn is very lucky to be able to say that she has a beautiful great grandmother too. You would love her as much as I do if you ever met her. She is into everything that I am and she is the best quilter I know. I love spending time with her and talking, or going somewhere together and just spending time alone. I took her to a local nursery the other day and I took some photos of her there. It was such a lovely time.

Unfortunately the colors were a little past peak in the mountains but I really had a great time hiking in the woods with my 5 year old daughter, which I had on piggy back almost the whole way down...

Being away from home for a few days really gave me a chance to reflect back onto my own busy life. I am a homemaker these days and I find time to do a lot of volunteering. I think it is really important for people of all ages to get involved in their communities. I volunteer at my church and at my daughters school. I really enjoy it and hope that I can carry on for as long as I can. Thank you God for giving me such a wonderful family and for keeping us all in your loving care.
God Bless you all,
thyme2sow

Clovie

2009-09-25T08:21:00.005-04:00

Well here she is. This is Clovie, named after the clove, cinnamon, and orange peel tea I painted her with. She does smell lovely, not too strong, subtle. I enjoyed sewing her together and tweaking her raggedy expression. I wanted to keep it simple, so I added a small hair bow atop her pretty orange curls and then wrapped her heels with a ribbon of eyelet.

I tea-stained the clothes in the same liquid that I painted her in. Her top is a pretty, simple eyelet with a vintage cotton lace trim that I added on. Underneath it all she has on a pair of simple torn-edge short pants. I enjoyed trying to perfect her satin-stitched nose!

I really enjoyed sewing her. Now onto my next Halloween doll! Can't wait to show him off!!!

~thyme2sow

Autumn Harvest Doll

2009-09-16T17:34:00.010-04:00

I fell in LOVE ♥ with this adorable Harvest Doll when I saw it in my favorite craft magazine, 'Create and Decorate'. It didn't take that long to make, and now I am totally hooked on making dolls. This little sweetie is named 'Autumn' and her little sister 'Clovie', a play on the name 'Chloe', is soaking in a mixture of Cloves, Cinnamon, Orange Peel and black tea. I just took the original design and scaled it down one size. Here is how 'Autumn' bagan.

I began by cutting out the muslin and sewing her together after stuffing her tightly.

Then she took on a nice hue from a strong mix of instant coffee and laid in the sun to dry.

While Autumn was drying I made the clothes for her. I soaked them the diluted coffee mixture and laid them to dry. While that dried I painted her socks on and then made up her face. I used some very old buttons from my button jar for her eyes and purchased some acrylic yarn in the color of rust for her hair. I would have liked to use wool yarn, but the selection in the store I went to was not all that great.

When all was said and done I dressed her and presented her to my real little doll, Autumn. She loves her! I'm glad, because she is a little odd looking and smells of coffee quite strong. Anyway, I love ♥ her too and know that she will always have a place in my daughters' heart.

~thyme2sow

Remembering 9-11-01

2009-09-11T11:16:00.004-04:00

I will never forget that day, 8 years ago, while driving home from work in the early morning of September 11. As I listened to 10-10 WINS news on the radio in my car, I stopped at a traffic light, the windows in my car were down, it was a warm morning. As I sat and listened to the news reports tell the story of what might have been a plane off course hitting into one of the Twin Towers in our great city of New York, the hair on the back of my neck stood up as I began to let the thought of my own husband, fiancee at the time, a police officer in the New York City police department still at home safe, waiting to go in for his evening shift. I called him immediately and woke him up to let him know I was on my way home and to turn on the television. As I walked into his parents home, I could hear the television loudly playing the horrible details of what was unfolding at that very minute. It was horrific. We watched the whole thing from the safety of our own home, feeling every ounce of pain as we saw the people running through the very streets that my husband Steven would have to go through that evening. He waited for the call to be mobilized, then after waiting too long, he thought, he called in and was told to come in at once, every police officer was being mobilized, even those on vacation and on leave. As he was getting ready, I remember watching him pack all of those things that he had never had the chance to use as of yet, he was still a young officer, not even graduated from the academy and without a gun. HE was going into that war zone with a few cans of mace, a baton that he was not officially trained to use yet, a gas mask, gloves, vest, and some other things I found out later were to be administered to himself if he was caught in a situation where chemical reagents were used. This was terrorism, we knew from the beginning. We knew the Towers were going to fall. We were just waiting. How many people could get out? How many people narrowly missed death by missing work that morning? How many people went in when they shouldn't have? I've heard many stories about all of this. It is a horrible, senseless act that has brought together many and torn so many apart. Today I remember all of those that fell on that terrible day. I will never allow myself to forget all of those brave souls who tried to help a hopeless situation. Thank you Steven for going in, scared of what may happen, and for helping all of those people that you touched on what was a very sad day in history. God Bless the USA today and always.

~thyme2sow

First day of School 2009

2009-09-09T11:30:00.007-04:00

Well today is the first day of Kindergarten for Autumn and it started out great. My little angel woke up with the alarm clock...

...then into the bathroom, brushed our teeth and washed our face. Now for some breakfast...Yumm, waffles!

Then on with the prettiest first day of school outfit ever!

Now on with the backpack...very fashionable!

It's a good thing we didn't hesitate, because the bus was right on time!

And then she was off! Bye baby...

Just waiting with the cookies and milk I promised her! And the Wizards of Waverly Place doll... and the wand...

Hope you all had a good first day of school too!

~thyme2sow

Something Wicked

2009-09-02T20:03:00.002-04:00

***

By the Pricking of My Thumbs

Something Wicked

This Way Comes

***

I really enjoyed stitching this design by La- D-Da, my first finish by this designer.

It was also my first time stitching on 35 count "Havanna" linen by Weeks Dye Works.

I worked the entire project under magnification. It was done with one strand of floss

over two threads.

I purchased the chart and linen from 1-2-3 Cross Stitch online
and I was so happy with their customer service that I want to give them a shout out

and highly recommend them to anyone who stitches. The box came quickly and they answered all of my inquiries right away.

Thanks 1-2-3!

Now onto the next Halloween project...

~thyme2sow

Pumpkins 2009

2009-08-31T19:48:00.001-04:00

Oh My Gourd!

2009-08-29T23:35:00.003-04:00

Check it out! I grew these gooseneck gourds last season and have been so lazy about painting them up. Autumn made a birdhouse out of one of them, but after seeing one of these in the Country House magazine the other day I just had to take a chance and see if I could replicate it. I think the paint is too shiny on this one. I think the next one I paint will be crackle painted, with orange as the base color and black on the top. What do you think?

I also used glow-in-the-dark glaze for the inside of the jack-o-lantern's mouth. It looks really cool when I turn the lights out. I thought I would put Halloween candy inside too. We'll see...

The mini pumpkin and the mini gourd in this picture are the first of this years' harvest...couldn't wait to get one off the vine!
~thyme2sow

Pink Poodles for my Pretty Princess

2009-08-29T23:26:00.003-04:00

I have had this little pink sweatshirt sized 6X in my fabric bin for the past 3 years. I was looking in there last night and came across some cute dog fabric that I have also had for about 5 years and decided that I would put it together for my daughter Autumn. I appliqued the poodle on this sweatshirt and also onto this cute little pink canvas tote bag. I embellished the poodles with cute little pink roses and diamond collars. What do you think? She loves it and that's all I care about. Love you Autumn!
~thyme2sow

Earl to Bed, Early to Rise...

2009-08-29T23:02:00.004-04:00

Early to Bed, Early to Rise...that's what I always say. Too bad I don't heed my own cautionary advice. I stitch until I can't see anymore and then I close my eyes, sometimes. I have always been a night bird. I don't do mornings, as my friend Garfield always says, and I'm usually late when I have to be somewhere early.
Well, I have to change my ways. I don't want my daughter to have to deal with the same issues that I have. It's bad enough that my husband is the same way as I am, actually HE is worse.

So, I have new rules in the house starting tonight, tomorrow, really soon... As her first day of school closes in on us, 10 days and counting, I have adopted a new attitude. Early to Bed, Early to Rise...that's what I always say, of course I was talking about somebody else and just dreaming about it myself. But really, I am going to make a conscious effort to be a better rise-and-shiner. I know I can do it. I never thought that I'd learn to quilt, and I can, I never thought I'd be able to do one over one thread on 35 count linen, but I can and I do. This is just sissy stuff. My plan of attack is to get Autumn up early, give her a wholesome breakfast and send her off to school by 7:15am every morning for the next year. Then when she's gone I will curl up on her bed and sleep until she gets home at 2pm! Sounds like a plan. Wish me Luck...yawn.

~thyme2sow

Rummage sale unfinished find

2009-08-29T11:53:00.003-04:00

I found this unfinished, stained, vintage embroidery project at our church rummage sale this summer in the bottom of a bag of neatly wrapped linens. I am sure the previous owner had embroidered it and must have been so upset after putting so much work into it, because I found a small round orange/brown stain right in the middle of the project. I believe it to be vintage because all of the other unfinished charts in the bag were priced with very old price tags, from the 70's I believe.

Well, as we all know, it is difficult to remove stains from linens, and especially one that was so very dark in color. I decided to take a chance and use oxy clean spray directly on the spot. I left it sit and came back to it in about 30 minutes. I was surprised to see the stain had almost disappeared. I treated is once more and left it sit again. When I came back it was almost all gone.

Now that the stain was barely noticeable I decided to finish it by backing it with vintage fabric and some autumn buttons. I hung it over my stove in the kitchen and here it is. I do not know who did the work, but I will still display it proudly.

~thyme2sow

Autumn finish!

2009-08-20T10:56:00.006-04:00

This time last Autumn I started this beautiful table runner and never finished it. While I was organizing my fabric closet the other day I came across it and right away wanted to start in on it again.

It's not that I got bored with the project, or it was too challenging but I had a tough time deciding just how I would quilt it. Since I am a machine quilter right now, I decided to try free form quilting, or meandering for the first time. Well, after playing with the thread tension and colors I dove right in and it was fun! I am very happy with the way it came out.

Word for the wise...since this was my first attempt at free form quilting I recommend, just like they told me, to start from the middle and work your way outward. Baste the quilt layers together, because this WILL help you in the end from bunching the fabric in the back!

This Autumn table runner has a finished size of 20" X 52".

My Love of Lavender

2009-08-18T23:12:00.001-04:00

School shopping!

2009-08-03T22:07:00.007-04:00

Woo Hoo! School starts in a month and Autumn and I and my mother took a trip to the mall and did a little school shopping. Autumn starts Kindergarten in September, so this was a very special day for us all. I took pictures of some of the outfits...

~thyme2sow

A new friend comes to visit.

2009-08-03T21:49:00.009-04:00

A couple of days ago a friend of my husband found this little one crossing a busy road. I never had reptiles while growing up, but I quickly found a soft spot in my heart for this very active sweet little turtle. My neighbor, who is an experienced reptile guy, told me that he thinks it is a boy, maybe, and that 'he' might be about 30-40 years old. He is very healthy and seems quite content with us. I made him an inside cage and an outside area to hang out in.

He loves when I mist him and the only food I have seen him eat is one of my homegrown tomatoes. The plan is that we will hold onto him for a little while and then release him back into nature, maybe at the heavily wooded Nature Center in our town. I know that keeping him is not the best thing for a wild turtle, but Autumn and I are in love and just wanted a little time to get to know him. Sounds like a plan, right?

Look what I'm growing!

2009-07-30T17:07:00.008-04:00

I'm so excited! I have pumpkins on the vine. Today while weeding the garden I took some pictures of what I found. This pumpkin pictured above is an Heirloom variety called "Cinderella". I have about 4 right now and also have a couple regular Jack O'Lanterns too.

This one is a mini pumpkin...

I decided to finally use the old metal headboard as a trellis for the pumpkins this year.

What do you think? Excellent repurposing, if I may say so myself!

I've been harvesting many cucumbers and squash, beans and eggplant too. I have lots of tomatoes on the vine and am waiting to try a new homemade ketchup recipe I found in an Herbal Magazine. Recipe to follow...

~thyme2sow

Waterfalls!

2009-07-27T13:35:00.005-04:00

What a nice weekend we had upstate with family! After a hard rain on Friday night we had such a great rush of water coming down the mountain.

We also went to the Greene County Youth Fair which Autumn really enjoyed. We saw the young children get judged on their sheep and goat raising ability, played 'Cow plopping Bingo'...

don't ask...

and went to an outdoor flea market where I found this for $9.

I'm glad to be home but I am still looking forward to going back real soon...
~thyme2sow

Horticulture at University of Farmingdale

2009-07-23T00:10:00.023-04:00

It's a beautiful thing! I just had to go back and check out the gardens at SUNY Farmingdale. Prof. Iverson really has his students working up a sweat in the gardens there, they always look beautiful. Here are some pictures I took while walking around the gardens that I had been instrumental in creating while I was a student there. Enjoy!

Here is the Entrance from the North parking lot.

Just as you step inside the garden gate you are in the formal gardens where you will see 2 beds that are mimicked on each side.

Brugmansia...dorms in the background

Walking into the Tropical Gardens...

Lots of HOT colors...I love it!

Lovely reflective pool strategically placed

in the center of this lush tropical oasis...

Meandering through this cool sunken garden..

Looking over my shoulder for a moment...look ...

there's another small hidden path over there...follow the stones

I found myself on a large rock

in the middle of this shaded pond area...very peaceful and secluded

Through the trees into a clearing where this open terrarium

sits next to the Dutch Venlo style greenhouses...

I loved working in these greenhouses.

Then over to the herbed knot garden...

AAAHHH! Can you smell the herbs?

This garden can really be appreciated more from an uppermost vantage point.

Or from right where I was standing...

And speaking of herbs...did you see the lavender in the silver garden?

Don't miss it!

Hey look there's Prof Iversen.

Make a right through the Privet hedge into the Rose garden...

Tis a Rose..

As I was leaving the parking lot a huge black cloud came overhead

and opened up into a severe thunderstorm with lightning strikes and hail!

The roads immediately flash flooded and my 30 minute ride turned into 1.5 hours.

~Thank you God for letting me have that time in your Garden of Eden.~

~thyme2sow

Grandma's Quilts

2009-07-13T22:08:00.010-04:00

My grandmother is a great quilter. She first showed me how to sew and how to use a machine. I learned how to sew at the age of 8 but never really used the skill until I was older. I always admired her skills, she's great with colors and has always done all of her own quilting by hand. She formed her own quilt club with some friends 25 years ago called Patches and Pieces.
While visiting with her the other day I decided to take a few pictures of the quilts that she has made over the years. She has them all over the house and I love to touch them and wrap up in them too. She uses all of them, she loves to be able to toss one over your shoulders during the cooler months. She told me that she never really takes pictures of her quilts, so I made sure that I did it for her.

Here are the quilts that she has displayed around her house these days...but it is no where near as many as she has made over the years. Enjoy!

This quilt is a wall hanging and is called 'stack and whack'. I hope I spelled whack correctly!

Here are some more that I absolutley love.

She is really good with embroidery and cross stitch too!

This one was reproduced from an antique sampler.

This is her Colorwash.

Beautiful!!

~thyme2sow

American Museum of Natural History, NYC

2009-07-08T09:42:00.013-04:00

Have you ever gone to the Museum of Natural History? If you haven't gone...you must.

My husband and I took Autumn to the museum just outside of Central Park last week and had a great time. The museum has a lot to do and we didn't waste any time exploring. Here are some pictures of exhibits we had to see...

The exhibits are always changing. Extreme mammals was the latest exhibit and very interesting. I loved the primates and of course the dinosaurs. I have always loved the ocean life exhibit. They have a huge whale hung from the ceiling. It really is impressive and when you enter the room you can hear the song of the whale throughout the entire area.

For all of you dinosaur lovers out there this is the place to be. It is always such an impressive site to see the bones displayed throughout the museum. I think I read that their collection included over 1 million dinosaur bones! Pretty cool I thought. Standing near these dinosaurs gives you such a chill as they tower over you.

You bring Gum Gum, Dum Dum?

And of course some beautiful Indian textiles...

And of course a dozen or so elevator rides..

Go and see the museum if you have the chance. It's just a suggested donation at the door and you won't ever regret the trip!

~thyme2sow

Birthday goodies in the mail!

2009-07-05T16:49:00.005-04:00

Why is it that whenever it gets hot outside I start to think about the Fall? I think it is just because I have such a fondness for that time of year that as soon as Spring has passed I yearn for those cool days and nights all over again. Don't get me wrong, I love the summer. I am a summer child, born on a hot June day. I do enjoy the greens of the landscape, but LOVE the copper and the golds and the reds of Autumn. I even named my daughter Autumn, because it is so colorful and bright.

With that in mind, I recently purchased some new charts from 1-2-3 stitch with some birthday money. Pictured above are a couple of my new lovelies. I look forward to stitching on the 35ct. Havana linen, a first for me. Can't wait to stitch with the Weeks Dye Works hand dyed floss. Also a first for me.
~thyme2sow

Independence Day fun

2009-07-05T16:42:00.004-04:00

I hope everyone had a wonderful and festive day yesterday. It was a lot of fun here on Long Island. The day started with a quick breakfast then a bundt cake in the oven and some really creative and fun decorating of it...didn't take a picture because I forgot:( Then off to our friends party for lots of fun in their beautiful pool and a load of great food and drinks. After the party we went to the Fireman's fair and more fun on the rides and an awesome Grucci fireworks display afterwards. All in all it was a great day and the weather decided to stay beautiful for all of the days activities. Couldn't ask for more! God Bless America.
~thyme2sow

Me and My Dad

2009-06-21T15:59:00.004-04:00

This picture of my dad Gary and I was taken last October while we vacationed at our cabin in Windham, NY. My father is one of the sweetest men I have ever met. He is funny, he loves children and he and my mother have a wonderful relationship. I am so glad for the two of them. They really have found their soul mate in each other.

When I was 7 my mother married Gary, my stepfather. It was the best day of my life. I never felt that he wasn't my true father. He never treated me as a stepdaughter. Things just happened for us and it has been a blessing.

Ever since Gary has been in my life it has been fun. He always has me laughing and I love that quality so much. You would fall in love with him too if you met him! He's a man that loves to eat, mainly meat and potatoes, and is always happy at my house when he comes over for dinner. Once he told me that he would never eat anything green, then listed the few green items he has eaten and are 'safe'. He is married to a vegetarian, my mom, and told everyone that she doesn't eat anything with a face or with a mother. He cracks me up!

Anyway, we went to breakfast and had a very nice time. We all took a chance at the Chinese auction and lo and behold, my husband won the best prize! A $100 gift certificate to the Irish Coffee Pub. Awesome! Now we have a date for his birthday dinner on June 24. It's a lovely restaurant and we always enjoy ourselves there. Congratulations babe!

So now Father's Day is winding down and I have to do a little food shopping. I hope all of you fathers out there have enjoyed your day and continue to do so all year long. God Bless.

~thyme2sow

My Party

2009-06-20T22:54:00.009-04:00

I had such a nice birthday dinner at my parents house tonight. Ever since I was a little girl my mother has made a dinner of my choice for my special birthday meal. This year I chose BBQ fare. What an excellent choice I must say...

The lavender that we planted was in bloom down the front walkway of the house and I wanted to cut some but it started raining as soon as we finished supper. Here is what it looked like today. It smells soooo good. Don't worry, Louise, I will send you a bunch really soon!

Mom made ribs in the crock pot for 9 hours with her own sauce...they just fell off the bone. Corn bread, apple cole slaw...yummm. There were homemade baked beans, baked chicken and for my birthday cake there was a homemade angel food cake with lemon pudding and homemade whipped cream! Awesome!!! I took home leftovers.

My family was so very nice to me. I got gift certificates and fabric, cash for stash! and some very beautiful cards with such dear sentiments. I am a lucky girl...I know, I'm blessed!

Looking forward to celebrating Father's Day tomorrow morning with my Dad and LH. Up early to get into a pancake breakfast with the boys and Autumn. Our local historical society has an annual breakfast and the money goes to the society, which does a great job.

Now to bed with a very full belly. I thank everyone for celebrating with me another fun and memorable birthday. God Bless us all.
~thyme2sow

It's my Birthday, It's my Birthday!

2009-06-19T12:40:00.003-04:00

What a wonderful way to wake up! This morning at 6:15am my 5 year old daughter Autumn Rose woke me up by plopping a bag on my stomach and saying "Is it your Birthday now?" I said yes, and she proceeded to open the gift inside the bag and just before it made its way out of the bag she said, "I hope you like your new nightgown and slippers Mommy!" And I did like them very much. She picked out a pretty summer nightgown with fuzzy pink thong-type slippers. They are lovely and I feel sooo lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter. Thanks Mom...

After snuggling and falling back to sleep with my daughter in our bed my husband made his famous "mish-mosh", a recipe that his dad used to make for him and his siblings way back when. It consisted of eggs, cheese, leftover marinated chicken breast, and ...drum roll please...french fries! It was really good. He presented it on a plate with buttered toast triangles...Top Chef look out!

As I finish my coffee while I type this blog post, I reflect back upon past birthdays. This one is #36. My birthdays have always been very warm, sometimes very hot! After all June is the month for smoldering days. Today is very cool, maybe going to reach 70 degrees. We'll see. At least the sun is shining, it's been so wet here on LI. My garden is doing very well, I will post more pics in a few days. Today I will spend my day stitching and maybe go out and catch a sale at JC Penny's, I saw some very cute summer dresses there last week when shopping for Autumn. I am so due for some new clothes.

I would also like to say another Thank You to my bestest sister-in-law Louise. She sent me some BEAUTIFUL gifts. She knows I love to fondles the fabrics, not unlike herself. She works in a fabric shop and picked out some great stuff for me. I particularly love the paper doll fabrics that everyone is going gaga for lately. She knows me, I love her. She always packs her gifts so lovely. All tied in pinks and lavenders. I am such a blessed girl. I feel the love all the way from NC. Thanks so much Louise!!! Love you guys.
~thyme2sow

That's my girl!

2009-06-18T19:49:00.007-04:00

That's Autumn on the bottom right of the triangle, beaming!

Today was a very special day for our daughter Autumn Rose. She had her first gymnastics meet! Our daughter loves gymnastics. She and her friends had a great time and looked so great doing their tricks. My husband also got into the act by standing at the foot of the mini tramp while Autumn's coach jumped over him! Boy that guy can jump. What a show, it was great to see Autumn as a part of a team. She really has grown both in strength and with her teamwork. Her listening skills have also improved and so has her focus. I am glad that she is involved and look forward to September when she will start up again. Congratulations Autumn Rose, we love you!
~Thyme2sow

Puppy Update...

2009-06-16T14:20:00.002-04:00

As of last night, our house guest has officially left us. I am pleased to know the kind woman that took her. I found out that she lives only a few blocks away. Most of all I am hoping that the puppy never runs away and makes it back to our house! Could you imagine? Yeah, stranger things have happened.
~thyme2sow

PLEASE TAKE ME HOME!

2009-06-15T11:53:00.002-04:00

I will be the first one to say that I love animals. Love them love them love them. I currently have 2 full grown dogs, Havana and Gingerella. I love them with all of my heart. The other day my LH came home with a puppy. He said she was just visiting and would be taken by a friend in a couple of days. At this time the man has not come over to even see the dog and our sweet little house guest is getting very cozy on my bed next to my sleeping husband.

If anyone out there is in the market for a sweet little girl puppy, not yet named, aged 8 weeks, boxer mix with a great attitude and brains to match, please give me a shout. Leave a comment etc. I would love her to go to a nice home, she is great with children. My 5 year old is carrying her all over the house and dressing her up in all sorts of doll clothes. She is doing well with the other dogs in our house and we are all the time working on house and leash training her. She does well in the crate, just using it for when I have to clean the floors or when there is people food around. Seriously, if there is anyone out there that would make a good fit for this little sweetie, let us know. Thanks friends,
~thyme2sow

Our new house guest.

2009-06-09T12:08:00.002-04:00

Well ,my husband did it again. After promising not to he brought home a puppy. Of course he explained it away, saying that he knows someone that had their dog stolen right out of their car and was in need of a replacement. Well, my husband is always going to the rescue for someone, always putting himself last. Looks like I came in at the bottom of the list too, cleaning up after the puppy seems to be my job now. Here is a picture of our new house guest, Odie-Cutie-Cookie-Goldie-Sandy...you pick the name. She is a very good puppy and will make someone a very happy owner.
~thyme2sow

Everything is blooming!

2009-06-03T15:41:00.006-04:00

Since the rains have been coming a little bit more frequently lately, everything is blooming! My garden went in late this year but I know that since I started everything from seed it will do great. Looking forward to our harvest!
~thyme2sow

Memorial Day in Windham, NY 2009

2009-06-03T15:13:00.007-04:00

I Love our families' Mountain House in Windham, NY. It is such a peaceful place to be. I never want to leave when I am up there. From the minute you step out of the car the smell of wild thyme permeates your senses, and the view is absolutely spectacular! As soon as Autumn gets out of the car she runs toward the stream, which was running just a tiny bit this past visit. Our property is about 42 acres, and is mostly mountainous with a clearing through a right-of-way where there are power lines. This is the best spot for mountain berry picking! I usually find black berries and a few raspberry patches in there. I love hiking by myself and picking as much as I can in a zip lock bag, eating as I go along. The berries are usually their best about Labor Day. We brought our dogs this past weekend. My Weimeraner loves to hike with me while the Basset Hound hangs around the cabin and calls to us at the top of the Mountain.

We did a little work, well my husband Steven did some, while we were there. He put up some crown mouldings along the ceiling and we hooked up a water line from the stream to allow some running water to come to us at the cabin. It was a lot of fun work.

While we were working, we found a tree in the woods where a chipmunk was going in and out of. Autumn made a sign for the entrance of the "house". By the way, the chipmunk is called "Windy". We fed the wildlife all weekend, as we always do, and got a lot of joy out of it. Autumn loves to fill up the feeder with black sunflower seeds for the Black Capped Chickadees, which feed out of her hand, and peanuts for the others, mostly chipmunks.

Graduation Day!

2009-06-03T15:03:00.003-04:00

Congratulations Autumn Rose! What a beautiful day it was to see my 5 year old daughter Autumn graduate at the top of her preschool class. I have had the pleasure of being one of her teachers for the past 3 years and it has been a wonderful experience. Autumn is truly ready for Kindergarten. Good luck sweetie!
~thyme2sow

My favorites from the show

2009-05-04T16:59:00.017-04:00

I can't get a slideshow to run so I decided to just post the pics of my favorite quilts from the quilt show. My all time favorite is the hand-pieced, hand quilted traditional design wall quilt 'A Trellised Arbor' pictured in the previous post with maker Dawn S. Hayes, a very nice woman indeed!

Be sure to click on these images for more detail!
~thyme2sow

A World of Quilts

2009-05-03T18:49:00.006-04:00

Welcome to the Northern Star Quilters' Guild XXX Quilt Show in Somers, NY

What a fabulous show! Lots of beautiful quilts, many vendors and some really amazing speakers. What talent. I was so amazed at the level of creativity. Fiber art has come such a long way. Quilts are not just for the bed ladies... They are on the walls and on the floor! Made with recycled materials and sewn by hand and machine alike. The ladies in my family are hand quilters. I am the first generation of machine quilters, and I absolutely see the value of both endeavors. I LOVE QUILTS!!! I would have LOVED to touch them all, but I had to keep my hands to myself. Those were the rules...

I fell in love with so many of the quilts I saw today. I tried to win one, but I did not succeed. I did go home with a few fun things, though. We stopped at Pinwheels Quilt Shop at 2006 Albany Post Road, Croaton-On-Hudson, NY on the way there. I purchased a couple kits, but wanted to save myself for the Big Show. More pics to follow when I can figure out what is wrong with my slideshow!

~thyme2sow

Recipe: Honey Apple Cake

2009-05-02T17:14:00.003-04:00

You're gonna LOVE this one! This is a recipe I love to share with family and friends. I found this recipe in an Old Fashioned Apple Recipes book while vacationing at our country house in Windham, NY a few years ago. I've tried a handful of the apple recipes, but keep coming back to this one. It's a hit and everyone always asks me for the recipe. Now I will share it with you! Enjoy!

Honey Apple Cake
3 eggs, beaten
2 cups sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup honey
1 tsp. vanilla, OR 1/2 tsp. almond extract
3 cups sifted flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
3 cups chopped apples

In a large bowl beat together the first five ingredients. In another bowl sift together the dry ingredients and stir into liquid mixture. Beat well. Fold in nuts and apples. Lightly grease a 9 X 13 X 2-inch pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake 45 minutes.

optional topping...I just sprinkle powdered sugar on top and enjoy it warm.

~thyme2sow

Spring in my yard

2009-05-02T16:13:00.007-04:00

What a beautiful Spring day on Long Island. The trees are all abloom and this mornings rain has left everything very green. I've started many different vegetable and flower seeds indoors in my sunny front window. This year my Autumn garden will include Heirloom Pumpkins, Chinese Pumpkins, Gooseneck Gourds, and mini pumpkins. I've started 3 different types of Sunflowers, some for cut flower bouquets and some just for their immense size. I love watching birds and butterflies dance up high while trying to get some of that lovely sweet seed.

I've already tilled the ground in my Autumn garden and have to get the "Old Monster" tiller going to get the new vegetable bed ripped up. Fortunately we here on LI have a great resource for composted material at no charge. All you have to do is drive up and fill your truck. My poor Durango has seen lots of filthy trip there. P.S. Don't look under the seats! I'm surprised I don't have plants growing INSIDE my car! Just kidding, well... no not really.

So the vegetables we will grow this year are as follows.
Sugar Snap Peas, Green Beans, Cherry and Beef Steak Tomatoes. Zucchini, cucumber, and mixed peppers. This year I am attempting to grow Luffa gourd. Did you know that it is a vegetable? Only to be eaten while young, green and tender! The older plants can be harvested and used in your spa bath! Don't forget the homemade lavender bath soap. Oh yeah, Eggplant too. I will make a trip to The Peconic River Herb Farm with friends soon. I intend to pick up some herbs there. I love this place! Visit www.prherbfarm.com for a great source of specialty plants and herbs!

~thyme2sow

Getting ready for the Somers, NY Quilt Show

2009-04-30T21:31:00.007-04:00

How Exciting! I'm going to a Quilt Show in Somers, Ny this weekend! Woo Hoo! Look out fabric, here I come! Time to admire some of the most creative Quilts around. I'm hoping, of course, to win a Quilt...Wish me luck!

I was told that they also have a section for Cross Stitch! I would love to find some linen and maybe some hand dyed floss..

Click on the title of this post to learn more about the Somers, NY Quilt show!

~thyme2sow

Getting Organized!

2009-03-28T12:53:00.003-04:00

Alright, it's a beautiful Spring day. The crocus in the garden are blooming and I have the itch to go outside and putter. Autumn has a friend over and the hubby is out working. Perfect opportunity to get some work done! I have sooooo many things I would like to tackle...

My grandmother gave me a half finished latch hook rug project I would like to teach Autumn to do. It's a beautiful rose design, all done in different shades of pink. Perfect for Autumn's room!

I found the perfect size box for my almost finished San-Man project... would like to finish it today...

I would LOVE to put a coat of paint on the Salt Box doll house, but I need to do some prep work first...

I just got a book from the library on miniature embroidery projects for the doll house. Sooooo cute! More to come on that...

One more thing. I would really like to make a few nice Spring dresses for Autumn. I have such pretty fabric and just need the inspiration to start.

Well, the sewing table is clear and I have organized a bunch of fabrics and have gone through my chart stash and decided to get busy. Wish me luck!

~thyme2sow

Happy Girls!

2009-03-17T15:38:00.002-04:00

Today is a fun day at our house. Autumn has her best friend, Kassy, over and they are having a ball! I just had to share this pic of them tattooing eachother!

~thyme2sow

Yummy New Dessert Recipe!

2009-03-15T15:36:00.004-04:00

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm not Irish, but I do love to prepare desserts for our holiday suppers. Tonight dinner is at Mom's house, so I decided to make something new. A couple of days ago I received the new issue of Kraft's magazine, 'Food and Family'. Over the years I've been pretty successful with their recipes, and they are kid friendly too. Autumn pretty much made this dessert herself! Here's the recipe.
~thyme2sow

Happy St. Baldrick's Day!

2009-03-10T18:51:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to my brother-in-law, Anthony on the left, for raising over $4,000.00 for children with Cancer. What an unbelievable turn-out it was for a great cause. The St. Baldrick's foundation is raising money for children with Cancer for years now and seems to bring a lot of men mostly to this charitable event annually. This year the event was held at our local tavern, Fatty McGee's. My husband, Steven on the right, got in with the action and decided he needed a haircut too and shaved his head as well as his older brother Frank, middle. I'm proud to say that these boys did something wonderful that day! My little nephew Matthew did it too! What a cutie!!! For more information on St. Baldrick's visit this website. http://www.stbaldricks.org/index.php#

Oh Sweet Valentine

2009-02-15T15:06:00.005-05:00

To my dear husband, Steven, who is not here with me today. I Love You! xoxoxo
~Nicole

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T14:02:00.003-05:00

Enjoy this day and all it has to offer!
~thyme2sow

Pink is an Attitude

2009-01-31T20:44:00.002-05:00

Just a little something Autumn requested I stitch for her. It was fun. I was going to put it in a pillow but decided I would put it in a 5X5 frame. She loves it. I stitched it on 28ct evenweave.
~thyme2sow

Happy Birthday Autumn Rose!

2009-01-31T20:17:00.006-05:00

Where has the time gone? Tomorrow we will celebrate my sweet daughter Autumn's 5th Birthday. I can honestly say that I have been blessed to have been given this beautiful gift from God. Autumn has been an inspiration to me every day since she was born. She actually saved my life! When I was 3 months pregnant with her I received my first sonogram. If the doctors would not have been looking for her they never would have seen the tumor that had taken over my right ovary. In addition to saving my life then, she has enriched my life in countless ways up to this day. I believe I am a better person because of her, and I also believe that if I didn't have her I would never be able to understand the joy that I feel today. Her beautiful face makes me smile and cry. Her voice is so sweet it melts my heart. I know that these are the days to remember and I try to make each and every one special. Today I am happy and sad. She is growing more and more independent every day. This September she will start kindergarten and as her preschool teacher I know that she is heading for a bright future. God Bless you today and every day my dear sweet Autumn Rose. Mommy loves you to the moon and back!
~thyme@sow

Mini sampler finished!

2009-01-22T09:43:00.005-05:00

Here's my mini finish! The first piece for my salt box doll house project. Instead of waiting to research a mini frame I decided to finish the piece on a mini dowel. I fringed the edges and cross stitched a row just below the dowel. I also stitched the edges so that it will not unravel. this one is going over the mantle. Still deciding which piece to do next. More soon...

~thyme2sow

Miniature sampler WIP

2009-01-13T17:17:00.003-05:00

This is so much fun! It will take no time at all...

~thyme2sow

Finished! Now for the frame. Finished one strand over one thread on 28 ct. salt evenweave. The author is Margaret Major the chart is featured in her book Miniature Embroidery. I chose my own colors for the design. The website is http://www.gmcbooks.com/

My next project.

2009-01-13T10:36:00.004-05:00

One morning a few months ago I decided to take a different route home from church. It was a rainy afternoon and the streets were filled with puddles. As I turned onto a nice residential street I noticed that someone had put their garbage out to the road. I guess I noticed because the next day was not a garbage pickup day and no one else had anything put out. I actually drove past the house and backed the car up when I saw behind the black garbage bags was a doll house! I ran out of the car in the rain to look and back to the car to open the gate and back to the doll house. I tried to lift it at first and it was very heavy. I got it into the truck and wiggled it in. My daughter was yelling the whole time..."what is it mama?" As I got back into the warm car I told her I found something cool and it was for ME! When I brought it into our home I set it in front of the fireplace. I noticed as I looked closer that the original owner had painted it with exterior paint. Thank you! I'm sure that is what saved it. As it dried Autumn was getting very curious so I told her to open the front door. It revealed a completely carpeted 2 story home with calico curtains. I guess this would date the doll house to the early 70's when calico was popular. When I was a little girl in the 70's I did not have a doll house. My daughter Autumn has a beautiful Victorian doll house that she enjoys playing with and now Mommy has something of her own. I now know what my next project will be. I will paint the doll house RED with a BLACK roof and BLACK chimney to look like a salt box house! I will reuse some of the calico and stitch all of the bedding. I just remembered that I had purchased a miniature embroidery book at the same time that we purchased Autumn's doll house. I opened the first page and came to a tiny sampler. Perfect for above the mantle! There are projects for pillows, a black work bed cover and tiny area rugs! How cute!!! I am very excited to start on this next project and can not wait to post my first finish!
~thyme2sow

I Love Gingerbread people!

2009-01-10T19:21:00.003-05:00

I always remember loving gingerbread. The smell of it baking in the oven and the spicy taste of a warm cookie. This year I decided to decorate my hutch with some of my gingerbread collectibles. I use my folk art gingerbread bowls and mugs almost all year long. I love eating warm desserts out of the wide heavy bowls and I swear my coffee tastes better in those mugs! I guess you can imagine how happy I was to have received a beautiful wood framed, cross stitched gingerbread design from my sister-in-law in North Carolina! She did such a wonderful job on this piece and it looks so nice on my country style hutch. I have received so many compliments on it. I love it! I have been holding onto another cross stitch chart with the same gingerbread man and a snowman hugging each other. I started the design a couple of days ago and hope to have it finished and framed soon so that I can post the finished design and the designers information. Looking forward to posting the finished project!
~thyme2sow

My Girls.

2009-01-08T18:31:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures of my girls. My daughter Autumn is pictured with my 7 year old Weimeraner, Havana and then again with our 10 year old Basset Hound Ginger. They are a big part of this family and require a lot of love. I don't think there are more affectionate animals out there. I always feel missed when I am away from them. As an animal owner I feel it is important that my daughter grows up with animals to take care of and love. What a great life lesson to pass on to your children. An animal's love is unconditional, and sometimes that's just what you're looking for! Love you girls!

Great find!

2009-01-04T17:40:00.002-05:00

Sometimes when you're looking for something you can never find it! But it's when you're not looking when you find the good stuff. This year at my church's Christmas bazaar I found a beautiful hand stitched Christmas stocking finished with Gold floss, ribbon embroidery, beads and charms. The stocking is backed with a Christmas red wool felt. It is lovely. What a great job the person did that made this beautiful stocking. I paid very little for it, as only a stitcher would know it's true value, and it really is something that I probably never would have done myself. As you know I am the one who likes to FINISH my projects! I will proudly display this item with my Christmas 'things' from year to year with pride, and give props to author unknown.

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T18:30:00.002-05:00

It's finally here, 2009! Now for the resolutions... Or should I say, here is the list of things I would like to do in 2009.

#1 I resolve to eat less and exercise more (sounds familiar, oh yeah that was last year's resolution!)
#2 Spend more time with my husband and daughter doing fun things outdoors.
#3 Less clutter!
#4 Out with the new and in with the old! I'm on the search for antique kitchen gadgets.
#5 Create at least one great project each month and post them on my blog!
#6 Read more, play more piano, pick up the violin again.
#7 Create another plot in the yard just for pumpkins and gourds, to be my "Harvest Garden".
#8 Get Autumn to bed earlier and spend more time with my loving husband! ;)
#9 Plant more perennials and flowering shrubs.
#10 Go back to school and work toward obtaining certification in preschool education!
#11 Learn more sign language with Autumn!

Wish me luck!

~Thyme2Sow

2008-12-30T13:26:00.004-05:00

This is my first attempt at a 40's style Pinwheel doll quilt. The finished quilt measured 16.5" X 20.5", the finished block size was 4" X 4". I turned one of the blocks into a pretty pillow using coordinating Christmas fabrics. I stuffed a mattress and tied the center in 6 places. I included a little eyelet nightie with the bed, to fit an 18" doll. The entire bed was raffled off at St. Mark's church Christmas bazaar this year. We sold over 200 chances for it, which made me happy since it all goes to the church. The woman who won it was a friend of my grandmothers. That sealed the deal for me!

Christmas 2008 bazaar crafts

2008-12-30T13:08:00.004-05:00

So this year I decided to get more involved with my church's Christmas bazaar. I have been, as of recently, a member of our Episcopal Church Women's group and since they are directly responsible for the bazaar my mother and I decided to operate the ornament table with my grandmother on my fathers side. The projects that I think I enjoyed the most were the Angels. We made the muslin bodies and then used reproduced vintage hankies for the dresses and adorned the heads with ribbons and made faces. Each angel came out different and they all sort of took on their own personality. We made 6 in all. My favorite was the sewing angel!

2008-12-29T13:18:00.006-05:00

It's a warm December day on Long Island. The grass is very green from all the rain we have been having and I'm enjoying the sun filtering into the front room of my house. The Christmas tree is still twinkling and my 4 year old daughter, Autumn, is enjoying a cup of cocoa after a brief swing outside. I've decided to start putting away the Christmas decorations a little at a time to take away some of that 'Christmas clutter' that likes to come around this time each year. There are no sewing projects on my table today, so I will end with a list of books we are currently reading that I recommend to those mothers like me who enjoy reading to their little girls!

~Thyme2sow

The Mary Frances Sewing Book or Adventures among the Sewing People
by Jane Eayre Fryer

Little House on the Prairie
by Laure Ingalls Wilder

Stranger in the Woods, a photographic fantasy
by Carl R. Sams II & Jean Stoick

Happy Reading!.