Boxwood and Berries~Day 1~

 ~This lovely old pincushion was an unexpected treat from Maggie~

You know how sometimes you look forward to something so much that you blow it up in your mind to unrealistic proportions…so that when it finally comes, you are disappointed by the reality? Well, even in my most vivid imaginings, I couldn’t have dreamed up the Boxwood and Berries Gatherings. A gathering this perfect could only be dreamed up by fabric designer, Jeanne Horton, of Country Sampler in Spring Green Wisconsin.

Simply put, Boxwood and Berries was the best of everything. The best people, the best projects, the best shopping…the best trip I’ve ever taken.

I left early on Friday morning, and with music blaring, drove across the farmland of Illinois and then into Wisconsin. The scenery was breathtaking and as I rounded each bend in the road I exclaimed aloud to the creator, “Magnificent!”, “Well done!” and “Thank You!”… “THANK You!”. I always seem to do my best praising in the car…

  

The area around Spring Green is incredible, with rolling hills and farmsteads dotting the autumn landscape. It’s so beautiful that architect Frank Lloyd Wright built his final home there and is buried in a nearby cemetery. I arrived in town around 6pm and found my way to my modest motel room. It was nothing fancy, but the owner was sweet and my room was clean. The property was beautifully landscaped with flower gardens and gazebos for the use of guests, and there was always hot coffee in the office.

 The wonderful, independently owned, "Arcadia Books" in downtown Spring Green. What more could a girl ask for?

Oh, I dunno, how about alfresco dining in the town square?

In the morning as I drove into downtown Spring Green I was mesmerized by the waves of yellow leaves along the streets and the gorgeous treetops filled with fall color overhead. Pulling up in front of Country Sampler felt like a dream…I was finally there.

Being the new kid in class, I wasn’t sure where the school room was, so I wandered into the shop looking for help. I was overwhelmed by the extensive inventory in this four star needle arts shop. Everything on my wish list was there…and more. But it was almost time for class to begin, so I pulled myself away and walked to the classroom where everyone was just finishing breakfast. 

I could not have received a warmer welcome. Jeanne immediately jumped up to greet me and invited me to sit at her table with my hero  Maggie Bonanomi. Now seriously folks, I had to keep pinching myself, trying not to fawn or drool. Do you have any idea how long I have admired this lady’s work? And here I was, at Boxwood and Berries, casually chatting with Maggie Bonanomi!

So now let me tell you how absolutely silly I am…it turns out that Maggie is just like everyone else. She could by all rights be a Diva, but instead is one of the warmest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. And Jeanne is just as lovely, she was so kind and helpful to me during my stay…she went above and beyond to make me feel sincerely welcome. Both ladies were so generous in sharing their knowledge and friendship that I felt like I’d known them all my life.

(Front Row, L to R) Kim, Liezbeth, Nel, Patti~ (Back Row, L to R) Stacy, Maggie, Carla, Wendy, Linda, Els, Nicki, Me and Jeanne.

And...as soon as breakfast was finished I was greeted by the sweet and talented Patti from Winding Vine Wanderings. She brought everyone over to say hello, including Linda whom I had chatted with through email. Oh my goodness what a group! Talented, funny, helpful, kind…I knew it was going to be a fabulous four days. I was fortunate enough to share a table with Patti and Kim, a seriously wonderful duo. Patti is as patient and helpful as can be and Kim kept me laughing.

Now, a little about the school room…Jeanne has created a wonderful work space for her students in a building that adjoins the shop. A row of big windows across the back wall let in lots of natural light and there is plenty of room for displays, workstations and even a buffet table at the front of the room. We were seated 3-4 ladies at each of the big round tables. 

On that first morning we were greeted by a rustic wire basket filled with sumptuous hand dyed wools and the pattern for Maggie’s project. I’ll be honest, it was a little overwhelming to compare that bundle of wool to the magnificent bedcover hanging on the classroom wall…but in true Maggie fashion, she broke the project into easy steps and gave us the confidence to begin. One of the best things about Maggie’s projects is the relaxed way she approaches things. With a true make-do attitude she encouraged us to piece together fabrics as needed and make the project our own. This mind-set is just one reason her finished pieces have such great character. 

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

We worked until lunch and then had a bit of free time to see the sights. Patti, a Boxwood and Berries veteran, graciously led the way to visit "Yore", a wonderful primitive shop in Gotham, Wisconsin. We wandered through lovely vignettes featuring antique furniture and fall decor.

A favorite corner at "Yore".

After our adventure we went back to the school room for dinner and a truly fabulous trunk show. Maggie displayed the pieces she stitched for her new book, "Buttonwood Farm", and shared her inspirations for each one. What an absolute treasure to hear her tips and creative process first hand!   

Maggie sharing inspirations from her latest book, "Buttonwood Farm".

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

Maggie's finished pieces were incredible...what a thrill to be able to  closely examine each piece! They are beautiful in the book, and even more so in person. I admit that I was hanging on Maggie's every word during this session...Patti graciously shared her photos with me.

 

 Jeanne and Maggie hold up the "Buttonwood Farm" wool bed cover. This was made from several cream wool blankets pieced together. The motifs were stitched from Maggie's collection of antique blue calicos and hand dyed wools.

(Photo courtesy of Patti Gagliardi)

 Jeanne offers kits for Maggie's designs in the shop. Of course I bought this one.

  Maggie's (and Stacy's) finished pieces were on display in a corner of the classroom for the duration of our stay. It was wonderful to be able to admire and study each piece at our leisure. What a treat! 

 The wool hearth rug "might" have been my favorite design from the new book...although it would be hard to pick just one. This is definitely on my to-do list.

Some of Maggie's small projects from the book.

I’m rather a slow stitcher and at the end of the day had only constructed the backing of the bed cover and cut out the endless small pieces of wool for appliquéing. Back in my motel room, I spread my project out on the bed and stitched down some of the larger motifs. It was very satisfying to see some progress on such a large project.

My night ended quietly with a phone call home, to tell Mr. Kattywhompus about my day. Poor man, he listened to every detail and even pretended to be interested. Mostly he was just happy to hear the delight in my voice. I feel blissfully asleep that night dreaming of cross stitch samplers and velvet sewing boxes…

Tune in next time to hear about our fabulous day with the extraordinary Stacy Nash...

Blessings to you,

Rhonda 

(Please forgive the crazy spacing on blogger...it's being temperamental today)

~Mother's Day Wishes~

This photo of my Grandparents Ralph and Beulah Dalton, with seven of their eight children, was taken around 1942. My mother, Martha, is in the middle row on the far left. 

~No Love like a Mother's Love~

"There is no love, like a mother's love, no stronger bond on earth... like the precious bond that comes from God, to a mother, when she gives birth.

A mother's love is forever strong, never changing for all time... and when her children need her most, a mother's love will shine.
God bless these special mothers, God bless them every one... for all the tears and heartache, and for the special work they've done.

When her days on earth are over, a mother's love lives on... through many generations, with God's blessings on each one.
Be thankful for our mothers, for they love with a higher love... from the power God has given, and the strength from up above."

~Jill Lemming~

 

~Happy Mother's Day!~

Until next time...

Rhonda

Tuesday Display Chain

Each Tuesday, Misi of Gable House Musings, chooses a theme and invites bloggers to play along with her 'Tuesday Display Chain' by featuring items from their collections. The theme this week is "Make-Do."

In my grandmother's day, when folks had a need, they'd look around to see how they might "make-do" with what they had. It was a common practice for people to pass down or patch clothing, fashion a needed tool, or share what they had with a neighbor.

I can't count the number of times I heard Gram recite the old saying, "Use it up, wear it it out, make it do, or do without."

As I was looking around our home, I realized that we "make-do" with a lot. Almost everything, has had a previous owner...or two. Rather than running around photographing every stick of furniture in the house, I thought I'd share a few favorites.

A litter of goofy sock cats, stuffed with rags.

 

 We've all made at least a couple of these pincushions, haven't we? Both of these started with candlestick bases.

 This old blue bench serves as a coffee table in front of our craigslist sofa.

A make-do apothecary, made from old crates and cheese boxes.

And speaking of my gram...she made literally hundreds of teddy bears over the years. These from my childhood, are my favorite "make-dos" ever. Their "fur" is made from cast off winter coats. I can remember Gram allowing me to cut the cardboard that lined their footpads. The large bear, was Papa of  "The Three Bears"...Baby Bear is wearing his second skin-because I wore the hair off his first. Momma Bear now lives with my cousin.

I still have Gram's original pattern...she made bears in three sizes.

I wonder how many of her bears have survived?

Baby Bear

I hope you've enjoyed today's Display Chain. Hop on over to Misi's blog to see the other fabulous contributors! Until next time...

Mercantile Gatherings Magazine Holiday Issue Giveaway!

Guess what's just arrived in my mailbox? That's right, my Mercantile Gatherings Magazines! I've been waiting rather impatiently for this issue as I am planning a special gift for my Mom based on the article I've written. It's a sort of tribute to my grandparents...remembered from stories Mom has told me over the years.

The ladies at Mercantile Gatherings do a splendid job on the magazine and I feel truly blessed to have the opportunity to write for their publication. This issue is filled with all the wonderful photos, patterns and stories you've come to expect...along with a few new features like recipes and tutorials. I think you'll love it as much as I do.

With the Holiday issue hot off the press, I thought I'd share the love with a little giveaway...

To be eligible to win YOUR copy of the magazine, you must be a follower of my blog, and leave me a comment on this post by Friday, October 8th, one week from today. I'll announce the winner here on Friday evening.

Until Next time...

PS. I've found a peanut doll!!! Shhhh....don't tell!

Sweet Beulah Land

The photo in my header is of my mother. It was taken on her first day of school. Her sweet little dress was hand sewn by my grandmother. I always smile when I see this photo, because my mother confided to me that she was embarrassed because she was wearing homemade underwear beneath her dress.

Beulah Irene Gill was born and raised in central Illinois where she helped cook and serve meals to the hired men on her family farm. It was good practice for feeding her own large family during the lean years of the great depression. At Gran’s well attended funeral service there wasn’t a person there who hadn’t eaten a meal at her table. She was well known for serving hearty and delicious country fare. Gran taught me how to bake bread and cookies, preserve food and make homemade sour kraut, among other delicacies. As we cooked together, I can still remember her telling me, “I only put good things in there”. It showed.


My grandmother was my hero. She was an angel of mercy in her small community, providing meals, distributing clothing, and tending to the sick, while raising eight children of her own. Although Gran never finished high school, she was trained as a nurse. When the local doctor couldn’t come fast enough…neighbors called on Ma Dalton. She delivered over one hundred babies, losing only one. It still made her sad to talk about that “one” 40 years later.

Gran loved people and never spoke unkindly about anyone. She was saddened when folks didn’t do as they should and always said, “We’ll just pray for them”. She read to us from her bible, sang hymns and taught us how to fold our hands and pray.

Gran sewed on a treadle sewing machine for as long as I can remember. She made quilts and teddy bears for every baby born into the family…and everyone was family. When I was a girl I watched as row upon colorful row, her nimble fingers braided a room size rug, fashioned from her father’s old wool clothing. Nothing went to waste.

As a child, Gran’s house was my favorite place to visit. I recall hurrying up the stone lined path, the “smack” of the screen door, and then my own mother’s voice calling out “Mom?” Gran greeted us in an apron and a smile, always asking, “Are you hungry?” no matter what time of day it was. Then we were off to the garden to pick strawberries, or green beans…or maybe a bundle of daffodils.

In the winter, if there was snow, Gran bundled us up and took us sledding. She slipped plastic bread bags inside our boots and woolen socks over our hands to keep us warm and dry. In the springtime she led us through the woods and pointed out “Jack in the Pulpit, “Dutchman’s Britches” and “Snowdrops”. She taught us how to identify trees and songbirds.

It was at Gran’s house that I had my first taste of a Burger King “Whopper” and heard The Beatles singing on the radio (although she didn’t approve of their long hair). Gran pointed out “fairy rings” in the grass, taught us to make daisy chains and to dance the Charleston. She read to us from “The Tall Grass Zoo”.


The thing I remember most about my Gran was her love of children. She was always surrounded by them; from wiggling, squirming babies to teenagers…they naturally gravitated to her. She sat at the “kids table” at holidays, and always had a babe in arms. I recall the squeak of her wooden rocker as she soothed my oldest son. I am thankful that she got to hold each of my babies and pronounce them, in turn, “brilliant and beautiful”. Gran holding my youngest son is one of my last and best memories of her.

My Gran was kind, loving, smart, funny, creative, frugal, and industrious...and until the last, her gentle hands were never still.