June 1st, 2020
Dear Friends,
It's quiet tonight in my world. The air is still for the first time in days, and the only sound from my window is our backyard creek, icy from the winter snowpack rushing past me and on to other windows and ears and souls. It is that gentle time between day and night--the sun just melting into the Salt Lake and the moon trying to lift itself above Mount Ogden. There is an unsettled calmness to the evening which eases my heart a bit as I know that we are actually in a world fraught with division and fire. We are a nation divided, and we are a people dealing with anger, loneliness, frustration, and fear. All of these intense emotions spiraling through our communities which are still cobwebbed in Pandemic perplexity. And on a night like this, I do not think that this is how we are meant to be. We are beings who want to be happy, to be kind, to be in community, to feel safe, to uplift others, to live in justice. So what do we do when it all seems out of control? I don't know...
Perhaps we cook something to share even if we can only share it with those in our own little world. Even if it isn't the greatest meal or treat. Even if it is just something made with love for those around us and shared virtually with those half a world away. Or perhaps we can stitch something that makes our hearts sing. Something lovely, something hard and challenging, something shared with a friend, something that takes our mind off the news, out of the anger, and right back into our own, tiny center of peace and joy. I think that is what we can do. And just maybe, it will help for a minute our two. And maybe that is enough for now.
These past 3 months have been a test to our human spirit for sure. Living in isolation, off our balance, unsure of what to expect tomorrow, or next week, or next month. Just think of the things you have done that you might never have imagined and be proud of your creativity. I spent a Sunday afternoon not long ago on a virtual walk with one of my boys all over Washington DC. He isn't a talker, and I had that whole time to just listen to him ramble while he rambled on his walk. That was an unexpected gift. Every Sunday we play a trivia game with our other child on FaceTime. He writes the questions and we try our best to accumulate enough points to wager some on the final question. Sometimes we do. But we always laugh a lot, get to see what they have fixed for dinner, and check out new hair styles and growing beards. Those are the best times of the week. And then there is the Saturday cooking challenge which Teri started a while back to give us, the boys, our siblings, nieces, and friends something to look forward to each week. We have made many pizzas, pastas, and last week's hamburgers. Bob is always a little disgruntled as he thinks it should involve voting and winners, but he sort of misses the point of the frenzied texts of delicious dinners, happy faces, a sense of being together and sharing a meal Simple gifts given during a unique time in a strange world.
So...Utah...Ogden...Shepherd's Bush.
We are still moving along in our unusual half-opened, half-closed world at the shop. As our county slowly begins opening up again, we are facing the daunting task of beginning to return to a new kind of normal. We have finally gotten our mail orders and porch pickups down to a workable system, and now we face the task of opening the doors again in a safe and thoughtful manner. And in the meantime, we have lots of wonderful projects to keep you busy and content in this brave new world. Read on ...
Be True To Your Heart
by Shepherd's Bush
Chart
This new little leaflet will be a joy to stitch, and holds the truths that we need to face the world around us. We can send you just the booklet or gather all the darling supplies to get you started right away.
Teri is going to be filming a new shop tour--hopefully this week, so watch on our FB site as well as on the home page of our website. That sounds exciting,
And in the meantime, here is small display to make you feel a bit happier in this crazy world. I just love how she gathered together a collection of "feel good" pieces for these times.
Be of Good Cheer
by Shepherd's Bush
chart: $4.00
Here is a chart that is perfect for right now. It is stitched on 18 count linen so the stitches are big and easy to see. Add the buttons and you are finished. Underneath it is our free pattern. You can find it on our website under celebrations. Really?
Our Americana table is set up, and the holiday tree is covered with ornaments that celebrate the season. Where was I when she did all of this?
Two new shop models
Bless our Land
by Plum Street Samplers
Chart $10.00
I just love this sweet piece of Paulette's. Jill Framed it in a great frame and it is a wonderful addition to this year's Americana display.
Star Spangled Spectacular
by Brenda Gervais
Chart $
Another wonderful addition to our summer collection.
Our latest Sheep wall
The center of the display is Paulette's Shepherd's Song- Gorgeous isn't it.
Left top: French Woolens by Plumstreet Center top: Shepherd's Song byPlum Street Right top: Shepherd's Hill by Chessie and Me. Center row left to right- Patchwork Sheep by Herat in Hand, Welcome by Homespun Elegance, Sheep Heap by Plum Street, All Is Well by Shepherd's Bush. Bottom left Judge Not by Plum Street, Woolimina by Plum Street (we really like her sheep)
Summer Notes is on the shelf below this display
Summer means bees in Utah, we are the Beehive state, so we just love bee designs.
New at the shop
North Wind Santa
2020 Prairie Schooler Santa
card: $5.00
Kits will be available
We have sent Santa out to be stitched. As soon as we get hime back we will figure out buttons and backing fabrics. He is so darling!
Haunted Hill Road
by the Little Stitch Girl
Chart $12.00
This stitched up so sweet. We have used a great spooky linen and added a few buttons.
Halloween is coming.....
New fall kits from Mill Hill
large buttons and bead kits $15.50
small pumpkin ornaments $8.50
Coming from Teresa Kogut in a couple of weeks
Feel free to pre order them
Land That I love
Book: $16.00
Snarky Cat
chart: $10.00
Groovy Gary, Frightened Fred
Chart: $10.00
Since Travel is not going to be easy this summer, how about stitching your vacation. Center top is Paris by Satsuma Street. She has charts for many famous cities. Open Road Abode (left)
These are darling camper inspired stitching for Yellowstone and The Tetons. She has many small camper charts. Top Left: Cape Cod Keeps by PlumStreet Samplers.
Center row from let to right, Travel Trifles by Shepherd's Bush, La Vita Bella by Shepherd's Bush, Alphabet by JBW designs. Bottom is Summer Snapperland by Bent Creek
Women of the Mayflower Sampler
by With Thy Needle and Thread
(the ultimate travel piece)
This commemoration sampler will be perfect to stitch this fall. It won't be available until late August, but it has to be ordered soon, so don't delay if you are wondering if you want to sign up.
There are many different options.
Pattern only
Pattern and fabric- Linen- 40 count, 36 count, 32 count, 28 count and 18 count aida,
or add threads too.
If you want to be a part of this lovely journey, please call us to pre-order. We have only 1 opportunity to order this piece and the deadline is approaching.
Thankful Sheep
by Shepherd's Bush
Kit: $20
And here its a small commemoration piece that we did a few years ago. Just in time for 2020.
Our Urban Garden
Teri's urban garden at the shop is growing like crazy. This climatis has never bloomed so beautifully, and with the hot days of June, everything is taking hold. I am worried about our Farmer's Market, so this little garden is going to have to shine!
The garden has had to kind of tumble up this year, Teri has not had the time to tend it as usual. She planted broccoli.... 4 plants and they have taken over--well, the leaves anyway- when does the broccoli come????
For the last 2 years Teri has planted pumpkin seeds, with no success. A dear friend told her to put out a pumpkin in the garden at the end of fall and leave it there all winter. WOW pumpkins galore.
She picked her first Pea yesterday. It was small but she said it was yummy. She is going to have a bumper crop.
I hope you can find your happy spot this week. Maybe it is in your own burgeoning garden or by a little river, or in your favorite chair with a sampler in hand. These are the places our hearts lead us and it will be there that we can finally feel safe and well. Those are my wishes for you.
fondly, Tina
