A Post for Jody

About two years ago (or could it be three by now?), my sweet blog friend Jody posted that she had some heirloom hollyhock seeds to give out, if anyone would like some.  I’ve never had hollyhocks, but I remember seeing a beautiful row of Hollyhocks at Piper’s Quilt Shop in Salt Lake years ago, so I jumped at the chance.  Hollyhocks are biennials which means that they need two growing seasons to bloom.

Last year, the green parts came up, but it sure didn’t seem like they did much growing.  Turns out, the bunnies were nibbling on them, so I thought that they might not return this year.  They did come back and I watched that plant like a nervous hen, all spring and into the summer.  Poor Jody, every now and then, I’d e-mail her wondering why they hadn’t bloomed yet.  There were buds, but they weren’t doing anything.  “Patience” she replied.

And finally.  Bloom, bloom they did.  Aren’t they gorgeous?  Look at all that yummy pollen there, just waiting for some lucky bee.  And I love the pretty green stars that peek out from behind the petals.

Thank you, thank you SO much Jody.  I’ve enjoyed these beautiful flowers immensely and I think of you every time I see them.  If you, dear reader, haven’t been to visit Jody, you are missing a true gem.  Jody writes beautifully about life on the Prairie where there’s never a dull moment.  Her latest post is a classic case — there’s even a very cool video that would be perfect for your nature-loving children.

And now, I fear, I owe ALL of you a BIG apology.  In my last post, Karen correctly pointed out that I used the “C-word”. The shame! I make it a point to harangue anyone who uses the “C-word” in the summer (in fact poor Karen was my victim last year), so it’s especially grievous that I have sinned. What comes around, goes around. Please forget I ever mentioned it, and I do hope you’ll forgive me as I retreat to my little corner.

XOXO,
Anna

Bunnies and Kitties and Bears, Oh My!

Those of you who have been hanging around here in ThimbleannaLand for any amount of time know how much we Looooove our Bunny Pincushions.  Love, Love, Love them!  From time to time I make a batch and have a giveaway or sell a bunch in the Thimbleanna.com store.

And almost every time that happens, someone asks me for a pattern for the bunny pincushions.  Sadly, I always have to say that the pattern is a 1989 pattern by Lori Karper and it’s copyrighted, so I can’t give it out.  Then, I’ll usually do an internet search, just to see if any information on Ms. Karper has popped up since the last time I did an empty internet search.  All I ever find is maybe an ebay link or two to one or another older pattern by Ms. Karper.

So.  Imagine my GREAT excitement and surprise one day last spring, when I got an e-mail from THE Ms. Karper herself.  Only there’s been a name change which is why I couldn’t find her.  Lori Karper is now Lori Valley and it’s been my great delight to be able to get to know the mother of all my bunnies!  Lori  has had an unbelievable 20+ years since the original bunny pattern was published — full of ups and downs and she’s come out on this end as one of THE sweetest people you’ll ever meet.  AND, BIG BIG exciting news — she’s re-issuing the bunny pincushion pattern AND she’s added a Kitty, a Bear, and a Puppy.  WOOHOO!!!

It’s so funny, because, over the years, I’d always thought how fun it would be to make other little pincushion animals.  I had a chance over the weekend to make up a Kitty.

And a Bear.  The original bunny pattern had the stitching on the paws, but I always made my paws plain.  For the kitty and the bear, I did the extra stitching and I love how it turned out.  (Both the Kitty and the Bear are made from City Weekend by Oliver + S.)

One of my favorite things about the bunny pincushions over the years has been the fact that the ears can be used to hold needles.  The Kitty and Bear ears are big enough to do that too.  (And you thought your teen had ear-piercing problems.)

Look how sweet — the kitty (and the puppy, who I didn’t have time to make) both have little tails.  Those might make good needle holders too.

Another thing I love about Lori’s patterns is that you can make them your own.  My faces are a little different than Lori’s.  And I thought this time I’d have some fun experimenting with a contrast fabric on the inside of the ears.  I really like how they turned out.

And one last very special thing.  Lori calls her patterns “You Are Loved” Patterns and she’s included a “You Are Loved” tape that can be sewn into the side seam of each pincushion.  The whole time I was making the kitty and bear, I kept telling myself “Don’t forget the You Are Loved Tape”.  So, of course, you know, I forgot it.  I pinned it on the side of the bear though, so you can see how cute it’s supposed to look, sticking out of the side of the pincushion.

I’ll stop talking now.  I’m sorry this sounds like a big sales pitch — I really don’t want it to be.  You know how much I Love my pincushions, and I know many of you have been wanting these patterns.  Lori is working on her own website (which I’ll link to when she’s done) but until then, you can buy them in the Thimbleanna.com store.  You can also get extra “You Are Loved” tapes in case you want to make more than one pincushion with a message in it’s side.

‘Cause Christmas is coming soon and I think these make great gifts for all of your crafty friends!  ;-)

XOXO,
Anna

Jam

Hello Boys and Girls. Ha! I was just practicing for all of you here in the states who are busily getting your children ready to go back to school in the next few weeks. I do miss those frantic days.

Last weekend MeMum and I made some Raspberry-Cherry Freezer Jam.  When the boys were little, I planted some raspberry bushes at our then-house and that’s when I first started making this jam.  It’s from an old recipe that’s quick and easy — if you’ve never made jam, this is a great place to start.  We made two batches of 8 jars each in just under 2 hours.  It’s reeeeaallllly good if you like raspberries and cherries.

Raspberry-Cherry Freezer Jam

3 cups raspberries
16-oz. can sweet cherries, drained (reserve liquid)
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tablespoon lemon juice
5 cups sugar
Reserved liquid plus water to make 3/4 cup
1 3/4 oz. pkg. powdered fruit pectin

Fully crush raspberries; measure 2 cups. Finely chop sweet cherries; measure 1 cup.  In 4-quart bowl, combine raspberries, cherries, corn syrup, lemon juice and sugar; mix well. Let stand 10 minutes.

In small saucepan, combine liquid and powdered pectin. Heat to full rolling boil, stirring constantly; boil 1 minute. Pour hot pectin mixture into fruit mixture; stir vigorously 3 minutes. Ladle jam into clean jelly glasses or moisture-vaporproof freezer containers leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Cover with tight-fitting lids; label. Let stand for several hours at room temperature or until set. Store jam in refrigerator up to 3 weeks or in freezer up to 3 months. Makes 8 cups.   (Free jam labels here.)

I love this stuff. I think I’ll use it in that Raspberry Almond Bar recipe — Yum oh Yummy Yum.

Have a good weekend!
XOXO,
Anna

La.a.a.zy

Well, talk about some lazy blogging.  I don’t have a clue where the summer is going.  And I’m thinking that maybe like Jennifer, I’m suffering from the blahs.  The German in-laws have gone home and so have TheFirstChild and SweetiePie, who left on Friday morning.  TheManoftheHouse was supposed to be gone until Saturday night and I think I hurt his feelings Friday night when I wasn’t jumping up and down for joy to see that he’d come home a day early.  It wasn’t that I didn’t want to see him, but darn!  I was really looking forward to a nice long bath while reading my new American Patchwork and Quilting and maybe even being able to put my hands on the tv remote control.  {Siiiiggghhhh}.

Anyway, when everyone was still here, we all decided to ride bikes downtown one night and go to a baseball game.  There were 11 of us on 9 bikes (one tandem and my youngest niece riding on a fender) and I think we created a bit of a spectacle chaining all those bikes together out in front of the stadium.  We had a great time and the highlight for me had to be when I crashed into TheFirstChild and fell off of my bike!  Too bad we don’t have a picture of me splayed out there on the street LOL.

It was also really fun for me to watch TheFirstChild explaining baseball to the German relatives.  Baseball isn’t a European sport and there are a lot of little intricacies in the game that we who watch it all the time don’t even think about.  TheFirstChild is rabid about baseball, so he was the perfect tutor and I could tell he loved sharing his passion.

During the seventh inning stretch, CrazyBIL, his brother, my nephew and TheFirstChild all tried their luck in the batting cages.  CrazyBIL’s brother did an amazing job for having never played baseball!  The night whizzed by and at the end we were treated to fireworks, which was a fun surprise.

So, now we’re all back to normal and I’m having a little trouble being motivated.  As I mentioned in my last post, I’d run out of the bee fabric that I’m using to complete my latest UFO.   I owe the fabulous Miss Jean (oooh, go check our her pretty new baby) a BIG thank you for finding a place where I could order it.  I’d already ordered twice, only to have my orders later canceled.  Now I have no excuse not to get back to work!

Oh, and one last thing.  I always think it’s funny when someone rants on their blog.  Abby ragged on vinyl and fondant this week and totally cracked me up.  Check her out for a good laugh!

XOXO,
Anna

Oh!  And Thanks for all the twine orders — I hope you all love that stuff as much as I do!

Having a Divine Time

Whew!  Our boring July has become very busy.  We have several visitors here in ThimbleannaLand.  MeMum has a longtime friend visiting from Florida, MyDadLovesMeBestSister has her in-laws from Germany, and we have TheFirstChild and SweetiePie for a week.  We’ve had lots of fun getting together and I’ve had a great time practicing my long-forgotten German and watching the kids laugh until they cry.

Everyone arrived within 2 days of each other so I made some of our favorite poppyseed bread, wrapped it up in parchment paper, tied it with my new favorite twine and took everyone a little present. 

A few years ago I couldn’t find baker’s twine anywhere.  Now I’ve found this Divine Twine and I love it.  There are so many ways to use this twine.  I love it for tying packages of any kind.  And when I get some time, I want to make this cute little bunting.

Since I love this twine so much, I’ve added it to the Thimbleanna Store.  On my Fun Stuff page.  The page where I put special things that really make me happy and inspire me to make pretty projects and gifts.

As is traditional for my favorites, when I add them to the store, I offer them at 20% off.  And if you run over there and buy some, I’ll give you my extra special Poppyseed Bread recipe that everyone loves. 

Just kidding - you already have my poppyseed bread recipe.  Now, I’m off to try and figure out how I’m going to finish my current UFO – I’ve run out of that little bee fabric.  Hope you’re having a good weekend!

XOXO,
Anna