It's All About The Squirrel

Squirrels in my "Schoolgirl Samplings" design...

Today's post is all about the squirrel - this might sound funny, but I do have a reason for this statement...and I might just make you giggle while I make my point...

Squirrels have been mentioned several times on my blog...mostly when I am traveling and manage to get a photo or two....they are also found in my design work - in fact, there are multiple Blue Ribbon Designs that contain a squirrel or two...and squirrels have been part of multiple classroom conversations during my recent teaching events. In fact, on my last journey, during the New England Stitcher's Retreat, a squirrel pewter pincushion was the gift everyone wanted during the "Yankee Swap" game - that cute little squirrel was stolen quite a few times during the game (can you believe it - someone actually stole it from me! - boo hoo) and was the definitely the most desired gift...we had a lot of fun giggling about that special squirrel. On that trip, while visiting King Arthur Flour (before the Yankee Swap game), I even purchased an adorable little squirrel cookie cutter.

Since September, when I  traveled to Buffalo, New York, squirrels have come up multiple times in conversation...especially after I posted a photo of a black squirrel I took at Niagara Falls State Park. It always interests me to see the color of the squirrels at each of my teaching destinations - here in Iowa, our squirrels are mostly fox squirrels...but as I have traveled, I have seen grey squirrels, black squirrels, and red squirrels...it always seems to become a topic of conversation...one day I hope to see a flying squirrel (a girl can dream!).

A black squirrel I photographed a Niagara Falls State Park...

A squirrel I photographed at Camp Bethel in Haddam, CT (staying at Sue's Cottage
before teaching at Stitcher's Hideaway)

An Iowa Fox Squirrel

So, I guess I should (finally) get to my point - on Friday, a surprise package arrived in my mailbox...it was the cutest T-shirt...of course it has a squirrel on it and the words "The Squirrel Whisperer" - I started giggling immediately - what a delightful gift! It was actually a random act of kindness (RAK), as there was not a card or note enclosed (it came from the manufacturer)...no information, whatsoever (I am not sure if this was intentional or not). Those of you who know me well, know I send personal hand-written thank you notes...and without the information of the sender, that is pretty much impossible...so here I am publicly thanking the wonderful individual who brightened my day and sent me such a fun gift (I hope the sender is reading this)! You made me smile and I am truly thankful for your thoughtfulness and kind gesture - please know you made me so very happy, I adore my new t-shirt, and I appreciate you!

With Needle And Brush

In October 2010, while on a teaching trip for Stitcher's Hideaway, I was blessed to be able to visit the "With My Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley" exhibit on display at the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT. This exhibition was on display from October 2, 2010 - January 30, 2011 (exhibit program seen right). The guest curators were Carol and Stephen Huber and their marvelous display included approximately seventy embroideries, watercolor sketches, and portraits - most were from private collections (rarely seen) - and all in excellent collection. I was in awe as I studied the various techniques and read the histories - the use of silk was incredible and I was quite surprised at many of the materials used. Although no photography was allowed in the exhibit halls, I still have a clear vision of many works in my head, as they were absolutely breathtaking.

At the time of the exhibit, I was able to pre-order the 112 page book that featured this amazing exhibit - With Needle and Brush: Schoolgirl Embroidery from the Connecticut River Valley, 1740-1840 by Carol and Stephen Huber, Susan P. Schoelwer, and Amy Kurtz Lansing (and this wonderful book was finally released in late October 2011). This is the first book to explore schoolgirl needlework of the Connecticut River Valley - identifying the distinctive styles developed by teachers and students at schools from New Hampshire to Long Island Sound. This gorgeous book contains 89 illustrations - 80 of which are in color - and is definitely a lovely complement to any sampler book collection. Each sampler plate contains detailed information and object entries by the Hubers, making this a wonderful historical research/reference book for those interested in historical needlework. I purchased the cloth hardcover edition, but there is a paper cover version available, as well.

For more information and details for purchasing this extraordinary book, visit the website of Stephen & Carol Huber...if you have an interest in historic needlework, then this brilliant reference will not let you down...it is a gorgeous representation of a phenomenal needlework exhibit.

A Day To Play

Hello friends! Here I am posting from Haddam, CT....where I am thrilled to be staying at Sue's marvelous cottage on the Connecticut River - isn't her cottage absolutely adorable??! What a treat to be able to spend the whole day here - seeing the beautiful sights, hearing the history, and spending some one on one time with Sue from Stitcher's Hideaway - I had the most wonderful, relaxing day! We arrived last night - got a good night of sleep and spent today exploring. This morning we enjoyed a nice breakfast and chatted away...then we took a walk around Camp Bethel where her cottage is located - what a beautiful place to spend a day away - so quiet and calming. I was particularly interested in the history of the camp and the area...and was amazed that many of these cottages were built in the late 1800's early 1900's. Each cottage is fun and unique...and all have wonderful stories and histories...



















The view from her cottage is AMAZING...I could gaze at it for hours!...and we enjoyed a nice lunch from her balcony sitting room overlooking the river - lovely! We were surrounded by beauty and I was able to see so many inspiring things...

Including this adorable squirrel who I managed to snap a photo of while it was peeking at us from around a tree.

I was also quite taken by the camp's quaint Boyd Memorial Chapel, nestled in with all the cottages and surrounded by nature...where generations have gathered, worshiped, and married (including Sue and her husband!).

After taking our walk and enjoying lunch with a spectacular view of the river, we headed to Eagle Landing State Park (only a few minutes away) to take a riverboat cruise of the lower Connecticut River. It was a perfect sunny day and we thoroughly enjoyed our trip down the river - and although the trees were just starting to turn colors - the view was "out of this world"....plus we saw lots of local wildlife - including large beautiful swans. It was so relaxing and just what we both needed after preparing for the upcoming retreats.

After the riverboat excursion, Sue was kind enough to take me to Colchester, CT to visit Colchester Mill Fabrics - a HUGE fabric store with just about anything you could want or need for any sewing/quilting/crafting project. I found a few wonderful new fabrics and some beaded trims that will be making the trip back to Iowa with me.

Then we headed to the shore for dinner. We went to a marvelous place called Saybrook Point Dock & Dine in Old Saybrook, CT, where we ate in the waterfront dining room overlooking the ocean. Before heading inside, I couldn't resist taking photos of a nearby lighthouse and the seagulls that were perched so perfectly on all the dock posts.

All this already, and I have only been in Connecticut for one day - I feel so extremely blessed....and so thankful to Sue who invited me to make the trip early, shared her world with me, and showed me the area. Tomorrow we head to Mystic, CT and the retreat fun begins! We have a few really cool stops to make on the way, so I will have more to share - then the class set-up begins. I can hardly wait to meet the students and teach "Pocketful of Peppermint" - it is going to be a great week!!