Help! What Are These Things?

Alright all you knowledgeable vintage folks out there, I need some help identifying what is this thing?  Fiber and knitting, crochet folks, read further down for helping me identify some fibers I bought too.

Bought it in a consignment shop for $3.00 along with the Bakelite crochet hooks below.  It was all in a sewing basket, but I only wanted these pieces.

Yes, I crochet too.  These are more for fine detail work.

Need help here too.  What is this?  All you fiber folks, take a look at this lot and let me know what it might be.  Bought this lot for $1.99 and would like to make something with it.

This is incredible soft and lightweight.  The two bundles appear hand gathered, if that makes any sense, not like how you buy fibers from the store.

This multi-colored pink, yellow, and white fiber bundle was tucked into the same bag, and I know what this is.

Found this gem.  A large spool of white cotton thread, great for all my tag making. 

Found some more really pretty fiber.

If you have friends that are into fibers, please ask them to let me know what a few of these things are, I sure would appreciate it.

Oh yeah, for some reason I am unable to respond to every ones postings.  With my new computer system that runs Bing, Blogger won't recognize me.  I get blocked.  So until I can figure this out, don't think I have been ignoring you all.

Thanks for the help.

Valerie

Uppercrust

Bill and I adventured out to a new area of town in Gainesville today.  You may not think it is a big deal, but when you live out in the country, exploring and finding new places to eat and shop can be fun.  We had a late breakfast at a place called The Flying Muffin.  All I can say are the grits are the most amazing I have ever had, and I've eaten a lot of grits.  These had sharp white cheese in them.  Yum!

We then strolled over to a French pasty shop called Uppercrust.

The minute you open the doors you are overcome with the smell of herbs and fresh baked bread.  The back wall behind the counter was lined with French Pain aux Noix, baguettes, French Pain de Campagne Rustique, Epi, the variety of breads were overwhelming.  We chose this rosemary herb baguette for dinner tonight and will have it with a bottle of our Running Waters wine.  (Yes, I make wine as well.)

Freshly made pastries, croissants, scones, and cookies are lined up front and center in the glass display cases.  I would have had a picture here of two chocolate chip cookies, but we ate them in the car before we got home.

Teas, wines and other imported goods from France and Italy lined the other wall.  It reminded Bill and I of our adventure out on the backstreets and shops of Venice, Italy.

I picked up this can of Harney & Sons tea called Midsummer's Peach.  It is a decaffeinated black tea with peach flavorings.  More than likely, I'll have mine iced!  Love the canister too.

Have a blessed day,

Valerie

Summertime Tag Series

I'm having fun making these Summertime Tags.

We have butterflies everywhere in the garden and orchard this year.  They are so pretty and wanted to include them as part of this series.  I designed these tags titled Butterfly KISSES in black and hot pink colors and printed them out on my laser printer.  Then I hand-stamped the butterfly in black ink and hand applied the the cotton candy pink ink on the wings.

The magnolia trees are blooming here in the South.  The From the HEART series I did captures the beauty of the flower on this vintage looking tag set.

With all this heat, it is time to escape to the beach and walk the seashore.

This series of tags has the theme of beach, seashore, and seashells.  I like the pearl on the seashell tag, it adds a little dimension to the piece.  Also, the aquamarine colors on the starfish tags remind me of the seaside.

Hope you enjoyed this Summertime tag series.

Valerie

Get It Before the Racoons

My Spring garden is just wonderful this year.  Lots of corn to pick, shuck, and can.

I'm just having to hurry up and get it picked before the racoons get it.  They have already started getting in and helping themselves during the night.  Ooh, that makes me mad!  They are sneeky little varmints. 

Hard work, and a lot of "fresh" fertilizer paid off.   Doesn't this ear look so pretty.

The water is boiling, so I have to go finish cooking up a few ears for dinner tonight.  Pass the butter, please.

Valerie

Honoring Our Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

Honoring those men and women who have sacrificed their lives serving our country.  It is because of them and those serving in uniform today, that we enjoy the freedom we have.

God Bless The U.S.A.

A Broken Foot Won't Keep Me From Crafting

I can't believe this happened to me.  Yep, broke the left foot in two places. No, I don't know when or how this happened.  Six weeks in this boot and stay off of it the doctor says, right!  Doesn't she know I have a garden to tend, canning to do, animals to keep, wine making, fruit to pick, oh this is terribly inconvenient.

The only good part of this is having time to sit and read all the latest crafting magazines from Somerset studios. 

Picked up Memories, Artful Blogging, and Where Women Create.  Yeah!  This should keep me in the right mindset for a while.

There is a wonderful article on Fabric Collages by Nancy Maxwell James in this edition of Memories.  Visit her blog too at http://sugarlumpstudios.blogspot.com/

Blessings to you all,

Valerie

Home Is The Sweetest Type Of Heaven

Count Your Blessings is on the cover of this cute memory verses mini album. The title plate, "Home Is The Sweetest Type Of Heaven is metal and crowned with brown and cream colored mulberry paper flowers.  A vintage button anchors the corner.  An abundance of fibers and ribbons cover the binding ring of this lovely album.

Each page has a pocket containing a tag with a memory verse from the Bible and a journal area on the back.  The back of each tag has been stamped with flowers among the hand drawn journal lines.

The enjoy life page has Prima Lace and room for photos.  Embellished with pearls, a hand-made jeweled stick pin, feather and a note card tucked into a flower border.

The peacock and flowers page has an art deco feel to it.  Plenty of room for photographs here.  Prima lace hold another card for journal or picture space.  I added rhinestones to the chandelier and note card for an added elegant touch.

The fun page has a botanical theme on its pages.  Butterflies, fruit and flowers frame the photo areas.  I embellished this area with a Tim Holtz time piece, an envelop stamped with a time piece, and a paper clip topped with a time piece.  The card on this page fits nicely inside the clear envelop.  A cute bronze eyelet and fibers top the card.

The live your dreams page has a soft vintage feel to it with its cream and mint colored pages.  The card is held in place with a paper clip among the matching color trim anchored by two black roses.

This mini album packs in a lot of photo area and journal space 

I hope you enjoyed seeing this Scripture memory verse mini album.  It will make someone a great gift and is available on my etsy store http://www.etsy.com/shop/FaithfulCrafter

Have a blessed day.

Valerie