Pineberry Lane

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Sunsets red and quiet air;

Ponds are ice and trees are bare;

Fields are frozen far and near;

February days are here.

Bitter cold the night draws down

On the country and the town,

But in cheerful warmth we sit,

As the old room’s lamp is lit.

~~K. Pyle~~

Welcome February! While it is true that the ponds are ice and trees are bare, and the grasses in our field surely shiver in the bitter air, there is still much joy to be found in February. For one, now that winter has laid the fields low, I can see that the pussy willow which fell victim to the utility company’s cutting machines when they came through two autumns ago, has returned! Perhaps the wild rose bushes will follow this summer. Autumn was not the same without fresh rose hips to cut and bundle and share with you. Another thing that brings me great joy in these wintery months is feeding the birds. A simple pleasure to be sure, but one I can’t imagine doing without. This year I added a small feeder just outside my living room window where I can slyly peep through the blinds and watch my feathered friends come visiting. This morning I found sparrows and black-capped chickadees and white-breasted nuthatches taking their repast as plump mourning doves were industriously cleaning up the seed on the ground. I could watch their activity for hours - it never becomes tiresome. Those are some of my joys as February rounds the corner. What are some of yours?

With the arrival of February comes the release of my newest cross stitch pattern, “Token of Love”. A pretty redwork sampler just in time for Valentine’s Day. Included in the pattern are instructions for making your own sampler pillow as well as a pair of sawdust stuffed strawberries. The pattern may be found under Featured Items at right. I do have one finished Token of Love Sampler Pillow for sale on my Primitive Gathering page, which will be updated on February 1st. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on The Primitive Gathering.

I’ve added some new items to my Flea Market pages, including my collection of unused Netty LaCroix patterns. I had always planned to make these but I have come to the conclusion that I never will, especially since my heart and hand are more inclined to needlework these days than primitive dollies. Some of the packages are a wee bit worn from being moved around over the years, but the patterns are intact. I’ve also added a huge, old tin funnel that would make a terrific primitive Christmas tree base and a vintage black enamelware pot perfect to put on your porch filled with flowers come spring – and it already has drain holes in the bottom.

In addition, I now have two sizes of old fashioned scissors! You will find both sizes under Needfuls. The larger size is wonderfully heavy in the hand and they cut through the thickest wool with ease. I also have a shipment of old mill bobbins arriving in a couple of weeks for those of you needing make-do bases. And I’ll be adding new punchneedle frames in the coming weeks, too. I’ll send an email when they arrive and are uploaded.

Be sure to check out The Primitive Gathering this month – we have a new look there! Sara has created some new graphics and they are wonderful! And there is a new layout. As always, you'll find a grand selection of offerings from the wonderful artists showing their wares there.

Until next month, my friends, I wish you many pleasant hours…

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