Silver pussy willows growing in our field…

The magnificent rooster pheasant that comes to feed in our yard…

The early morning song of the robin…

The smell of soil warming in the sun…

Bright green chives, always first to come ‘round…

The unmistakable song of the “duck” frogs in the marsh…

Doves cooing in the eaves…

Tightly furled buds of sedum poking through the mulch…

The bright flash of daffodils and forsythia in neighboring yards…

The ticking of the grandfather clock…

A pincushion full of pins and needles…

A bit of stitchery waiting to be taken up…

What are your joys this month?

"Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.”

~~ Robert Frost, "A Prayer in Spring" ~~

 To the LADIES of Quaker Hill Town:

The Sisters Proper

Desire to announce they will commence classes on the

5^th of September next at their schoolhouse in Old Dye Road.

There they will provide instruction to young misses in PLAIN

& FANCY NEEDLEWORK, tatting, DARNING, lace making

& spinning.  Strict regard will be given to cultivating in their

young charges GOOD & PROPER MORALS & MANNERS.  Tuition

three dollars per quarter will include a needle, thimble, &

material sufficient to complete lessons.

Such would have been the sort of advertisement the Proper Sisters would have published prior to opening their school of needlework in the mid nineteenth century.  And a fitting way, indeed, to introduce my newest pattern ~ Proper Sisters School of Needlework!  This folky design is a remake of my first pattern for the Prim Sisters Club.  As I wanted to keep that particular design exclusive to the club, I tweaked the design here and there, added some things, turned the good sisters sideways, and changed the name from Prim Sisters to Proper Sisters.   The original is stitched on Weeks Dye Works Corn Silk linen (30 count) using a combination of The Gentle Art and DMC threads.  Stitches include cross, satin, straight, and Algerian eyelet.  The pattern is available on my under Featured Items as well as on Pattern Mart.  AND ~ the finished sampler you see here is for sale on my Early Work Mercantile page! 

That's all for this month.  But before I close, I do want to wish each and every one of you a blessed and happy Mother's Day!

May the blessings of thy God wait upon thee and the sun of Glory shine around thy head;

May the gates of plenty, honor, and happiness be always open to thee and thine.

May no strife disturb thy days, nor sorrow distress thy nights,

And may the pillow of peace kiss thy cheek, and pleasures of imagination attend thy dreams!

Until next month, my friends, I wish you an abundance of blessings!!!