A Holiday for America

"Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof."
- inscription on the Liberty Bell

Happy Birthday, America!

Whether you're attending your town's 4th of July parade, local field day or muster, cook-out or fireworks, enjoy a safe and happy holiday with friends and family!

We've finally broken through the clouds and rain in Maine and will have a mostly sunny weekend, whooppee!! Time to play outdoors!

Have fun!

Summer Sale Winding Down!

We're in the final hours of my 15% off "Summer Sale", ending at midnight today, June 30th. People have been getting some great deals as everything on the web site (in stock) is on sale, including already-reduced Sale Bin items. I must clear out inventory to make room for new things that will be coming along for fall and the holiday season, so come out and take advantage of my over-zealous buying habits over the past several years! In a few weeks much of my inventory will be offered at a joint Fiber and Folk Art Flea Mart (info below in a previous post or on my What's New page on the web site) and what's left will probably be off to eBay.

Still raining in Maine! Wait, I can make a poem out of that:
The rain in Maine is sogging up my brain!

That and my poor annuals that are turning to mush... But, the one gleaming bit of hope on the horizon is Saturday, the 4th of July - we're actually supposed to see some sunshine! Now that will be something to shoot off a few fireworks about!

Have a safe and happy 4th if I don't get the chance to post again before that.

Passings

It's been a sobering few days with the high-profile celebrity deaths in the news. Two on the same day with Farrah Fawcett losing her battle with anal cancer, then the shocking news about Michael Jackson. Jackson's death immediately took over news reporting, putting Farrah Fawcett's story on the back burner and all the news media scrambling to put memorials and tributes together for both of them. God, their heads must have been spinning! Mine was just trying to comprehend it all. Then yesterday we heard about famous pitch man Billy Mays (OxiClean, Orange Glo, etc.) and his surprise death after being hit on the head during a rough plane landing in Tampa. Today's news seems to rule out the hit on the head as a cause of death, listing underlying heart disease, but my money's still on the hit on the head. I'll be very interested to know the results of Michael Jackson's autopsy. Liza Minnelli was quoted as saying, "All Hell's gonna break loose" after the results are in, perhaps she knows a lot more about what Jackson might have been taking. At any rate, it will be news for some time to come. Reminds me of the whole Anna Nicole Smith story when she died abruptly after accidentally overdosing on drugs.

Now I realize and understand what Michael Jackson did for music, changing rock 'n roll completely, but I was never a big fan. However, I can't seem to get some of his early songs out of my head the past few days. And I can't seem to separate the more sordid side of his life from his musical talents. That's how I'll remember him for the most part.

So it's been a disconcerting few days, my thoughts dwelling on death and the darkness in people. I am unsettled, feel very vulnerable and unprotected. All the continued rain isn't helping. We had such a glorious day in Maine Saturday, my spirit just soared! It's amazing what a beautiful, sunny day can do for the soul! Thank God for that day, it may help get me through the next few with more rain forecast. The local news folks were even talking about landslides and roads washing away with all the rain. The ground is just so saturated. Crops are being damaged, plants and flowers ruined, mushrooms and dampness everywhere! This is summer?? June, my birthday month and usually my favorite, has been ugly, gray and sad. Maybe Mother Nature is a little depressed over all the death and bad news lately too. Can't say I blame her!

I hope things are better where you are!

Take care,

Random Updates!

Finally posted on the web site: As described in my previous post, new patterns by Pineberry Lane and Notforgotten Farm are in stock and finally made available on my web site. I actually had the patterns for several days or so before having a chance to actually sit down and update the site! I won't re-post pics here, check out my last post to see a couple of samples. Better yet, visit my web site and click on What's New for the whole write-up and all the pics - clicking my Simple Folk banner will get you there.



Restocked and also ready for purchase are some popular patterns from Country Stitches that recently sold out including Sarah's Garden, a charming cross-stitched pocket or "huswif"-style sewing needful. Two doll patterns by Pineberry Lane are back including Herman & Petunia, which sold out quickly before Easter.

Shepard's Shade by Threads That Bind is finally back in stock, this one has been hard to get but we have a handful. I saw a newer one by TTB called Chalkboard Lesson too and that is available as well. Both for punchneedle.



Mark your calendars! The 2nd Annual Fiber and Folk Art Flea Mart, presented jointly by Simple Folk and Primitive Pastimes will be on Saturday, July 25th from 9am-4pm, rain date Sunday, July 26th, same times. Location is Primitive Pastimes, 410 Walnut Hill Rd., North Yarmouth, ME. This is Kim Dubay's shop/studio and the event will take place in her garage. We'll be clearing out inventory in order to make way for new stuff for fall. Get great deals on patterns, books, supplies, woolens, handmade and imported folk art and lots more. Call Kim for more info: 207-829-3725.

On a personal note, I've just celebrated my birthday at the beginning of the week. Kind of a milestone birthday - and I'm not telling which milestone! - but birthdays and New Year's always cause me to take stock of where I am in my journey through life. Still at a bit of a mental crossroad in terms of my business but I've got time to carefully consider a few options before choosing my next path. Stay tuned!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Coming Attractions

   

Soon to be available are a couple of delightful new patterns for primitive cross-stitch from Pineberry Lane. Shown above is Ann Lancaster's Needle Book with it's quilt block-like motifs, inspired by a pocket sampler stitched in an orphan asylum back in the 1800s. The second picture shows the inside of the needle book. Another design is a neat sampler titled A Faithful Friend. You'll love both. Several out of stock patterns have also been reordered so look for those two. Announcements will appear here and on my What's New page when patterns have arrived.

   

New cross-stitch designs coming soon from Notforgotten Farm include Skeleton Keys and The Good Witch Sampler. I'll also be getting the newest little design booklet in the series, Herb Tyme with artwork that can be used as needlework, rug hooking or needlepunch. Lori Brechlin's artwork has always enchanted me and it will be good to get some new designs from her back in stock!

New patterns will also be coming from Stacy Nash Primitives and I'll share sneak peeks once my order is confirmed. Two primitive-inspired sewing books and a wonderful journal cover. Awesome stuff as usual!

Well, the Camp Wool hook-in in September down in Wells, Maine is now full! Over 200 enthusiastic rug hookers will converge upon The Coastal House on September 14th for a great day of hooking, visiting and hopefully shopping with myself and the other great vendors that will be there. If you were one of the folks who got a spot I hope to see you there! I've got my thinking cap on for special goodies to bring and offer just for this event. I hate to wish the summer away but I can't wait!

Enjoy your weekend - more yard work awaits me but I'll also be dropping in down at Camp Wool to say Hello to LeAnn who runs the shop and check it out. I'm sure my husband will be thrilled! (Browsing quilt and wool shops isn't exactly his cuppa tea!)

'Til next time,

Memorial Day

I hope you've enjoyed a safe and happy Memorial Day. It's a day to remember those who have fought and died to keep us free to live the lives we've built with family and friends. I remember my dad today, a veteran of WWII who wrote the following poem titled "This Honored Day". It was published in the Westborough News, Westboro, Massachusetts on May 22, 1992.

This Honored Day

Sound the taps and dip the flag,
You honor us this day's retreat,
We feel the tremble on the ground,
From dedicated marching feet.

Wave high those little flags in hand,
Yet gaze on ours; they fly so well,
Reminders that we fought and died,
We entered into battle's hell.

Leave us now this day we've met,
For you will wait another year,
To honor us with your respect,
Though we are always near.

With faded sounds,
The bands now gone,
The high-pitched flute,
The muted horn.

In quietness you take your leave,
You came to honor,
Not to grieve,
This honored day.

Robert S. Thomas

Tweet! Tweet!

Birds do it... Lots of people do too - tweeting, that is! I've recently set up a Twitter account! Click the link under Links You'll Like and come fly with me!

Enjoy a safe and fun Memorial Day!