Anxiety....

  Is this what they call March Madness???

I  wouldn't call myself a worrying kind of person, but as the days go on, I find my level of anxiety getting larger and larger...heavier and heavier.  Everyone is just fine here, I am working working working...one really great thing about working for oneself...by oneself~ I'm hardly ever around people...so not difficult to do the social distancing now recommended!  I am keeping my news watching to a minimum, just once a day in the am, and then not very long...because the Corona is all anyone is talking about...and like I said before...I have just reached my saturation level. 

So in an attempt to keep my mind busy thinking about more light hearted pursuits~ I thought I would pull some things from stores and share with you all. 

Anyone have a guess as to what this is???? I left it big, so do click on and enlarge!

Back home

with...Treasures!

  I apologize for letting the blog slide this past month, was super busy with my order for a private needlework seminar and show at Colonial Williamsburg. As you can see, we were graced with beautiful weather~ 

  This year I designed and made special thread palette sets with one of the Williamsburg coaches on the fronts.  I took several things to sell as well, some of which the remains are in the ETSY shop, which I should also say, is back open now.

I love to design for special events~ something special no one else will have!

  I had alot of fun in Williamsburg this year, love love love the trades~ folks are always so passionate & eager to share their knowledge...I had a riveting conversation with the gals in the Weaver's Shop. If you recall I have a pair of rug mittens in the collection that are similar to the rose design of a piece hanging in the shop~ it is a knotted rug, whereas my mittens are knit, with the same effect of that thick full pile. 

Aren't they great? We were talking about how usually in clothing the pile is to the inside of the garment, not the outside. 

I did not come home empty handed of coarse... for those of you who have never been to Colonial Williamsburg, the Prentis Store in the historic area sells only items made by the craftsmen/women at the trades shops....so if you want something special, go there! Last year I bought several skeins of wool made and dyed at the Weaver's Shop...I was lacking greens tho. ( I have planned a pair of pockets for Wood) So this year, I was elated to find a nice selection of colours...and concentrated mainly on the 'uglies'.  Same as in quilting & beadwork...embroidery is no different~ its the 'ugly' colours that will make your work stand out and bring harmony to a design. An extra special treat, was that they had linen yardage....which they have not had the past two years I have gone. (If the weaver's have left overs from historic projects, they will sell the overage in the Prentis Store) This is 20" wide, Irish Fancy linen woven in a twill pattern~ so I just may make Wood's pockets from this instead of another linen I had set aside!

on eBay this week!

Will you be my Valentine?

 Do you have a lil Ladye around 5-6" tall in need of companionship? Thomas Henry would love to make her acquaintance...or perhaps you have a class of young, impressionable students that would benefit from a stern but caring schoolmaster?

 Thomas is on eBay this week~ just click the link in the sidebar to my eBay specials!

19th c Tinder Ad?

 Regency Male Seeking Female Companionship....

 lolol Ok I just couldnt resist!  I love Thomas Henry to death~ hes such a nice fellow...hard working....compassionate, kind~ but hes been a bit depressed as of late because all his friends are talking about what they are making for their true loves this Valentine's Day...and he alas, is alone. 

I keep telling him he needs to quit reading so many books and get out and meet people...but he's pretty shy. 

As you can see he is a Handsome fellow!  I told him I would ask my readers, if they should know of any young Grodnertal or Peg Wooden that is looking for companionship?

Mr. Tipton suggested they go to towne and look for a fresh new silk Top Hat to bring his spirits up....and whilst there, will have a proper photo taken...so better put on his coat so they can be off!

Those Knobby Knees

No need for Embarrassment Thomas Henry.....

I often find myself wondering, if I were a dollye...just when would I have liked to have been made?  As alot of you know I teach at the Bath Textile Summer School certain summers...and how on Earth could anyone in their right mind live in Bath, England, and not just be head over heels in Love with  Jane Austen and the Regency era in general?  I have been reading several of Jane's books & letters....and as fate would have, had a special order for a male companion doll of said era....and thus, my obsession with Regency gentleman began.

Alas...this last grouping of boys has my girls swooning at every sight. I have never seen them so frazzled...so agitated, so ....fussy!

There is good reason why a nice Regency Dandy is few & far between....well, a gentleman doll of any period 19th c and before. Their wardrobes are so involved....so many pieces tailored to fit their every curve perfectly...the time it takes me to dress one gentleman, I could have dressed four ladies.  These little guys are so much fun tho, I thought you all would enjoy a picture of Thomas Henry's knobby  little knees, before he puts his trousers on.(no need to avert one's eyes....his manliness is well hidden within his long shirt!)

Available in my ETSY Shop

17th c Beaded Stumpwork

  For those of you who have been asking if I have any leftover kits from my class last year at Bath Textile Summer School in the UK, I have listed one of the few in my ETSY store. Pretty much EVERYTHING you need to make m'Ladye is included in the kit, and the figure shown in the listing, is the exact one that will come with your kit!

Also in time for Valentine's Day, a cute little thread palette~ a hand painted token of Love inspired by a gorgeous 19th c paper Valentine 

How do I Love Thee?

Let me count the ways...

 ~ you can find them both here in my ETSY store.  

Things Never Change

Mr Tipton....

oh my... such a tight fit Mr Tipton ....

me thinks Ye has enjoyed too much merry~making this Christmas...

I hope I dont have to let out his trousers