Early September

End of Summer, 2015

Today's harvest...

  Dear Friends,

Our garden is loving this hot weather.  The tomatoes are finally ripening, and the cucumbers are quickly growing in secret--hidden within the overgrown vines.  One day, if I really search, I see tiny, baby ones hanging off their stems and the next day, they have grown 6".  The cherry and pear tomatoes have been spectacular and have provided lunch for much of the summer, and this week our bigger tomatoes are rapidly ripening.  The beautiful and mysterious purple cherry tomatoes are slowly becoming darker--yet no riper.  Teri thinks that they will eventually turn orange, but I am not so sure about that.  I just hope, that for all their exotic beauty, they will eventually acquire a luscious flavor.  The beans are still prolific, and Bob has taken to steaming them and making a wonderful salad with impossibly thin slices of sweet onion and a French vinaigrette.  Now I wait impatiently for a new crop to grow.  The basil plants are as tall as I am, and the peppers are small but tender and delicious.  The zucchini and winter squashes have been the most beautiful plants in the garden, and yet have failed to produce a single vegetable.  Oh sorry, we did get 1 zucchini.  Really???  Most people grow hundreds of zucchini, and we can accomplish only 1 very small one. But on the other hand, maybe that was just right for us.  And the baseball...not so tasty. 

This is certainly an extraordinary time of year.  There is just nothing like that quiet transition from summer to autumn, warm to cool, light to dark.  And how I love it.  But the first of September always brings me the slightest feeling of panic.  School is starting, and where did the summer go?  Why does the time have to go by so quickly?  This year, Peter taught summer school and didn't make it home at all, and Christian was only really home for about 2 two weeks.  How do we cram a summer into such a short time?  Movies, favorite restaurants, special dinners, walks with Lindbergh, sitting outside late at the dinner table talking and swatting mosquitoes, homemade ice cream, washing bedding to go back to university, jumping car batteries and driving up to the mountain to rescue the car and child when the battery dies again.  Ahhhh...summer..fall..life.

August was such a busy month at the shop.  Teri, Nancy, and Reeta were busy turning the shop around--putting patriotic pictures at the back and bringing out Halloween.  The days are busy with lots of customers, chatting, and gathering projects.  In the back of the shop, Sue and Lynnette and I have been having a great time  getting the Fold assembled, packed and shipped.  And now we are working flat out getting things ready for the Harvest Market Hop which will be here next week.  We have such lovely things to present for the market, that Teri and I can hardly wait.  Be sure to watch our blog Thursday morning.      

Shepherd's Fold:  Part 6

Reach

We were so focussed getting this little kit ready to go that we sent it off without even a letter to explain.  So sorry about that.  This little kit completes the Shepherd's Fold series.  I hope that some of you are busily working on it even as I write.  It will work up very quickly and was a lot of fun to finish.  I have to say that I am a bit sad to see it come to a close.  It has been like my little child for almost 2 years and now I have just sent it off into the world.  Ah....But I think I shall appease my soul and add a few things to it every now and then, so get stitching and don't be surprised if you see something fun and new down the road.  I have a few ideas turning around in my mind.    

 Harvest Market Hop

Our pop-up needlework market--Harvest Market Hop--is going to be here next Thursday, Sept 10th. Shops all over the world will be able to go online and see new fall designs and treasures from over 30 vendors.  We have spent the summer with some of our friends--Cecile from Just Another Button Company, Diane from Puffin and Company, and Paula from Kelmscott Designs-- bringing this idea to fruition, and I think it is going to be a fun time for everyone.  We will post our new things on our blog  at 11:00 am EST and then we will update the blog that evening with some of the things that Teri has ordered throughout the day.  This will continue all through the weekend, so get ready to have a blast browsing.  If you see anything out there that you would like us to order for you, just give us a call.  How fun!  Can't wait! 

Market week at Shepherd's Bush

Our Market Week celebration will begin with our Birthday Party on Wednesday, September 23 Noon to 5 and continue all week through Saturday.  We will have all the new market things out and ready for you to see as well as cupcakes to enjoy.  On Wednesday, we will have homemade ice cream as well.  So plan to come throughout that week and enjoy the Harvest Market Hop with us.

In the meantime, you can have a great time looking at everyone's sneak peeks on Facebook by going to the link below and just scrolling through.  Our customers and friends have had a great time seeing what is coming.  

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Harvest-Market-Hop-Needlearts-Tradeshow/848096145281400?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Market Sneak Peeks from Shepherd's Bush

Joy to Ewe

Complete Kit:  $30.00

Chart:  Free with Purchase of Button $8.00

We love to do these fun designs on 18 count linen.  We will show the whole piece on Thursday morning, just watch the blog or our Web Site to see all of our fun new things for Fall.

Harvest Home Fob

Other Sneak Peeks from the Harvest Hop

just to whet your appetite... 

Plumstreet Samplers presents 

4 new designs...

                                                   

N. O. Bodies Home

by Fern Ridge

A sewing case with surprises inside

Harvest Block Sampler 

by Nikyscreations

This looks so fantastic...can't wait

New Fall Themed Sampler and pin cushion 

By Jeannette Douglas

Gorgeous!!! 

Limited Edition Thread packs

by the Thread Gatherer

The Threadgatherer will have not one, but four limited edition thread packs. Two are Halloween Themed and include a free Bat Bees Waxer. A beautiful new color in Silk 'n Colors with matching ribbon in 4mm and 7mm also. This sounds so delicious.  

Back to the shop

Center  Halloween Display

Teri can't wait to rearrange the shop so almost all our Halloween pictures are out in the front of the shop.  We have the patterns, and we are happy to kit up any of these fabulous designs. Just let us know what kind of fabric you prefer stitching on, and we will pull everything together for you.  

Here is the start of our Christmas displays...

Spiral by Jardin Prive

Chart $8.00

This is another great design from Nathalie Cichon from France.  Nancy stitched this one for us on a fabulous grayish purple 30 count linen with a favorite purple overdyed floss.  Isn't it fantastic.  We have to order from her almost every week.

Hand Dyed Bulky Chenille

by Lady Dot

$6.00 for 3 yards 

Aren't these just so beautiful.  Our friend, Lois from Elegant Stitch is doing hand-dyed ric rac and chunky chenille and they are fabulous.  Perfect for finishing little pin cushions.  Just hard to decide which color.  The names are so charming... Chickie, Bear, Ballerina, Jack, Witchie, very fun.  

Limited Edition Gentle Art Threads

 $2.40 each

We just received some limited edition Gentle Art Threads (Sampler threads.)

They are limited in quantity, but such fun colors and perfect for that one of a kind project.  And fabulous names such as: Hot Tamale, Goldenrod, Kansas, Illinois, and Pretty Purple Green.   

Here are some projects our customers have shared with us...Pretty awesome! 

Thanks so much for sharing...

French country Witch: by JBW 

card $6.00

Des is a stitching diva, she has finished JBW's Witch (above) and Primitive Hare's Spooky Countdown (below).  Teri wants to start this every January... maybe this next year,  I love it, but I want Teri to stitch it for me.   

Spooky Countdown: by Primitive Hare

Chart: 

Jack's Bash: by Plum Street Samplers

Chart $14.00

Jenny Stewart just picked up Jack's Bash from Jill, our Framer. Both the stitching and the framing are unbelievable.  

Witch's Night Out: by Brenda Grevais

Chart $10.00

Christine Bird is stitching this great Halloween design on 10 count hand-dyed Tula.  She is making it into a pillow, and you can see her fabrics at right.  It's going to be so spooky.  

And finally--Peach Pavlova our favorite summer dessert.  

When Peter was in the 6th grade, he chose Australia as his country to research all year long.  One of the months he had to do a report on the food of his country and Pavlova was one of the recipes that he found.  We tried it and have made it ever since.  This lovely meringue is fabulous with fresh berries as well, but hard to beat Utah peaches when they are in season.  

So if you are in for a simple and delicious summer dessert, give this one a try.

Fresh Fruit Pavlova

4 egg whites

1 1/4 cups white sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons cornstarch

1 pint heavy whipping creme

about 2 cups fresh fruit--your choice

Beat egg whites until stiff.  Add the sugar 1 tablespoon at a time beating well after each addition.  When all the sugar is added, continue to beat until the mixture is thick and shiny.  Gently fold in by hand:  vanilla, lemon juice and cornstarch.

Place parchment paper on a sheet pan.  Scoop the mixture onto the parchment and carefully spread into about a 9" circle.  It will be an inch or more thick, but roughly about 9" in diameter.  Bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees.   It really shouldn't be very brown, maybe just starting to color a bit--not like a meringue pie.  Remove from the oven and cool completely.  When ready to serve, whip your creme and add a tablespoon or two of sugar.  I don't really like the creme especially sweet, but you might.   Pile the whipped cream on top of the meringue and then pile the berries or peach slices on top of that.    Serve heaping spoonfuls in bowls and put the remaining Pavlova in the center of the table so that everyone can just reach for more.  It doesn't really keep, so just keep on eating.  

Well it is late, and I am off to bed  Enjoy your weekend and Be Safe!!!  Find a quiet moment to stitch and eat fresh tomatoes and Pavlova.  Then get ready for the Harvest Market Hop on Thursday.  See you then.  hugs, Tina

Late summer

Late Summer 2015

 Dear Friends,

       Summer in downtown Ogden is hot and busy and fun. Our painted horses are out on the streets, the farmer's market is bursting, and surprise food trucks, park concerts, street festivals, baseball games, and bike races keep our little historic district hopping with people.  Within our 3 square block area there is always something going on well into the late night.  If you haven't been here...you just need to come and visit.  For some reason this summer, these old painted pianos seem to surprisingly pop up here and there on street corners.  We went to a movie over the weekend, and as we were walking back to our cars, I heard piano music.  When I looked over, there was Christian playing one of the pianos.  Ah...summer.  

The garden is doing super well.  Finally, we have tons and tons of tomatoes on bushes that are gowing everywhere.  If it will just stay hot and dry long enough for them to ripen we will be happy.  In the meantime, the cherry tomatoes are ripening quickly and we can gather a few for lunch or dinner every day.  Today, I noticed that one of our bushes is growing purple cherry tomatoes.  They are quite amazing.  Not quite ripe I think, but soon.  Today we harvested beans, tomatoes, cucumbers and a baseball.  Yay!  Teri is making pickles tonight.  They are the best--thanks to a yummy recipe from Inez (Adam Original).  She makes 100 quarts and we will be very pleased to get 6 pints.       

We have eaten Teri's Peasant salad every other night for dinner.  It is just the best right now when all the ingredients are fresh and perfect, and really you don't need anything else.  Heaven!  

At the shop, we are frantically getting the 6th part of the Shepherd's Fold ready to ship out. We are sort of hoping for the end of this week, but I think it will really be the first of next.  It is a very fun one, and I hope that everyone just loves it.  I can't wait.  We do have a couple of fun new kits ready now as well.  Both are very fun and quick to stitch. They are ready now, so if you need a new little treasure to finish up your summer stitching, just give us a call. 

Gathered Moments 

by Shepherd's Bush

Kit: $24.00

Shepherd's Bush wooden tray $ 23.00

This little stitching tray was a lot of fun to do.  It is stitched on 32 count linen with overdyed floss and silk threads.  It fits into a darling wooden stitching tray which is available separately.  I have mine sitting on my desk at work, and I just love it.  

Our trays come with a piece of foam core for easy finishing.  

Friend

 by Shepherd's Bush

Kit: $16.00

We have had so many requests for a friendship kit, that Teri has designed this sweet pattern.  It is stitched on 10 Tula and comes with the threads, and a darling bird button. Everyone loves these kits in our shop from young people looking for a transition from kid's kits to adult pieces, to adults looking for a quick project that is easy on the eyes.  If you haven't tried a Tula kit, you really just have to.   

Fold magnet 

$8.00

This darling purple flower is a wonderful addition to your Fold stitching box, but is such a darling magnet fixed to your project for saving needles.  I stitch with some kind of a magnet all the time, and I love it.  I definitely need to get one of these.  

New Charts in the shop.

We have been very excited to unpack the new designs from Paulette and Brenda.  We have chosen the perfect fabrics for all of these wonderful new patterns and we have all the fabulous overdyed threads that they need, so if you need supplies, just give us a call.  Nancy is stitching the Serial bowl #3 and I will instagram it when she brings it in... I will add a photo here too. Bees and beehives are just synonymous with Utah summers.  Sue is trying to persuade us to put a beehive in the back of the shop by the garden.  hmm...something to think about.  Just not so sure what bees would think of the baseball stadium next door.   

Blackberry House 

by Plum Street Samplers

Chart $14.00

 Serial Bowl #3 

by Plum Street Samplers

partial kit $20.00 (no fabric included)

This is so darling...and remember that they are only available for a short time.  Be sure to get it before they are gone.  

Olga's Tart 

by Plum Street Samplers

chart $10.00

October 31st 

by Brenda Grevais

Chart $12.00

Bobbing for Pumpkins 

by Brenda Gervais

chart $12.00

Grateful Thankful & Blessed

by Brenda Gervais

Chart $12.00

Witch's Night Out 

by Brenda Grevais

Chart $10.00

 

 I think she has already pulled it all together to send out to have it stitched.  

Isn't Halloween just the best?

Histoires de Moutons

  by Jardin Prive'

4 charts $26.00

Lynnette has completed her sampler.  It is just beautiful, and we have loved seeing it come together.  It is a 4-part sampler from a sweet designer in France.  Teri is becoming quite a friend since we have to reorder it so often.  It can be stitched separately or all together like Lynnette and Reeta did.  Good job girls!!!

Little House Ornament Sampler Series

We have been having a lot of fun with this Ornament series.  Our friend, Sylvia McClellen shared this photo of her completed ornaments so far.  These designs are released each month from Little House Needleworks, and we have an automatic for the kits.  Teri chooses fun 32 or 35/36 count fabrics, adds a button and tweaks the colors.  Give us a call if you would like to join in.  We are just sending out #8.  Thanks Sylvia for sharing your beautiful work.  

.

Ah...enjoy these last few weeks of summer.  I know that the days are still hot and sometimes a bit muggy--well for Utah, anyway--but the nights are cool with that little bit of an edge to them, and the crickets are heartily chirping well into the early morning.  School is starting next week, and I'm afraid that Fall is quickly coming our way.  So...I plan on spending a few evenings this week outside stitching and taking some walks with Lindbergh.  And I hope the same for you.  Be safe and happy.  

until next time, Tina 

Lazy Days of Summer

Lazy Days of Summer

Hi everyone.  We hope you are having a wonderful summer.  We are so excited to be visiting the farmer's market each Saturday, to pick up fresh veggies (until ours ripen),  yummy crusty bread, and young sweet corn.  I never really feel like cooking when it's hot, so corn and tomatoes and a few beans make the perfect meal.  (Bob might not agree).  These long days are perfect for stitching well into the evening.  I am working on the new stocking for this year and it is so much fun.  I am hoping it will be ready in September.  I'll do a sneak peek on the next blog. We have so many great  new things in the shop, we had to share them with you.  

Halloween is out, Teri, Reeta, Nancy and Lynnette have been busy moving things around to put out the first part of our Halloween displays.  Our Spooky tree has come in and is filled with darling spooky ornaments. we will keep adding to it all season.  

Here are a couple of great new Halloween pieces  

Ana:  by Nora Corbett

Pattern $13.00

Pattern with embellishments $ 28.50

This beautiful witch is part of a witch series by Nora Corbett.  She is simply so glorious.  A dear friend stitched this for us and then moved away and then passed away suddenly.  He loved stitching Nora's designs.  Donny stitched all the time, and we always loved seeing his projects.  We miss him.  

Hocus Pocus:  by Barbara Ana

pattern $10.00

Amy stitched this for us and it is darling!!!  We really love Barbara Ana's designs as they are so quirky and joyful.  This one is going to be such fun for Halloween.  

FABULOUS New Prairie Schooler Charts

We always look forward to the new Holiday charts from Prairie Schooler.  These are so fabulous.  Teri has already sent out Witching Hour and the 2015 Santa to be stitched.  We are awaiting the backing fabric for the new Santa.  It is a knock out.  As soon as we get some of the stitched, we will post them so you can see them.  What is especially sweet about these designs is that Teri finds the most fun, and unusual colors of linens to stitch them on and they look fantastic.  Can't wait to see what she has going.  

As a side note, we were devastated to hear the Prairie Schooler girls will be retiring this year.  Their charts are so much a part of our industry, they will be missed, missed, and missed!  Maybe they will reconsider... 

Histoires de Moutons:  by Jardin Prive'

4 charts $26.00

Lynnettte and Reeta are both stitching this wonderful sampler from a friend in France.  It is a 4 part chart and is soooooooo fantastic.  We have changed the colors.  Lynnette used blue as an accent color, and Reeta used Purples-of course.  

Fold Update

We are almost ready to ship part 6 and are hoping to do this mid-August if we receive the rest of our linen from Zweigart. So keep your fingers crossed.  We are hoping to have a couple of very fun new designs ready at the same time, so be sure to check our blog the 2nd week of August.  And we thought that we would show you a few fun new things to go with your Fold in case you want us to add them into your shipment.  

Fold Flower Needle magnet:  $ 8.00

These sweet flower magnets will match your Fold series perfectly.  Sue and I have been busily and magnetically working on these and have had a lot of fun and laughs as magnets fly everywhere.  I took one home to use as I have been working on my new stocking, and I love it!!!!! I hope you will as well.  

Puffin and Company Needle Nannies: $12.00

We love these super strong magnets.  These are very fun to add into your stitching box.  There are many different styles, so be sure to check them out on our website.  These are some of our favorites.  

Needle Minder: by Kelmscott

Star $6.00

Sheep $8.00

Heart $6.00

I think Paula's magnets are darling and very unusual.  Super sweet.  

Tiny Flower Scissors: by Kelmscott

$11.50

These new Tiny Flower scissors are such fun are they not?  Very joyful and lots of great colors.  

Purple Scissors.... I have a passion for purple scissors and wouldn't they be perfect in the Fold box? 

New Shepherd's Bush Beehive Charm: $4.00

(limited quantity)

Last year we did a leaping lamb charm and this year it is a retro beehive charms.  Very fun for scissors or bracelets.  We love them.  

Lynnette and Reeta dreamed up the scissor fob idea.  If you want to use your charm for a scissor fob, let us know and we can include a little clip (.50)  

Lizzie Kate Mini Mystery

Set of 3 patterns $21.00

Embellishments $14.00

Different options are available for fabrics and threads

Lynn Schaffarzick has finished her part 1, and has kindly shared her photo.  Thanks Lynn, it looks super.  It is not too late to join us for this little sampler.  Each of the three parts, comes with bonus pattens, a scissor fob, a pin cushion, and another sampler.  so sweet...  

Here are all the supplies isn't it is great.  

Garden Update

The tomatoes have turned into large bushes, the cucumbers are just starting, and we have had 2 zucchini.  Sue says we need more bees...so more flowers next year.  

Our winter squash is climbing everywhere, up the fence, around the poles, lots of blooms, and...not so many squash...

Oh well, Happy Summer and Happy Gardens and Happy Stitching:)