Fall in May

It is incredible how quickly time seems to be passing by. I stepped inside Hobby Lobby today to grab a couple of DMC skeins and they already showcasing their Fall items even before summer has officially begun. 

It made me think FALL, and I realized I am not ready for the Fall yet, because I didn't have time to enjoy Summer yet. The transition from one season to another appears to be happening faster than ever, making me feel like I barely have time to fully enjoy each season before the next one arrives.

The sight of autumn decorations in the store while we are still anticipating the warmth of summer is a bit disorienting, but serves as a reminder of how fleeting time can be.

 

I abruptly stopped posting on my blog 7 years ago back in 2017. After festively greeting a new 2017 year on January 3^rd, I couldn’t even imagine that in 20 days I would have realized that 2017 was the worst year in my life.

On 23^rd January 2017 I tragically lost my son Egor at his 21.

The life completely changed, my heart shuttered in small pieces, my soul died, my brain fogged, my eyes were puffed from endless crying, and still… 7 years later it still shockingly hurts, and I don’t know who I am anymore and why I am here. The purpose of life is lost and there are still so many questions. I miss Egor terribly, his personality, his jokes, his smile, his wise advice, his opinions.

7 years later, today, I decided to come back to my blog. I realized I need a space for a rant, just a place where I can keep sharing my thoughts (or, I would rather say, to learn how to speak again), my ideas, my work. So, please, be patient with me…

Small things make big days,
Natalia

Happy New Year and Free Pattern!

Натсупил Новый 2017 год! Я так долго ждала его, очень рада, что високосный 2016 позади, даже не смотря на то, что для меня он не был плохим. Но я всегда прибываю в радостном ожидании нового года с надеждой, что следующий год будет еще лучше. Как всегда душа полна новых идей и новых планов.

Ну, о планах попозже, а сегодня я хотела бы поделиться новой схемой. Точнее она не совсем новая. Схемка ковра была закончена аж в 2013 году, но вот совсем только недавно, перебирая свои закрома, я наткнулась на нее. Ах, сколько таких вот забытых схем еще лежат на полочках...

Reproduction of an antique Konya Prayer rug, free pattern ONLY FOR PERSONAL USE!

ENJOY IT!

Happy New Year!

http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/free-patterns

Natalia

Dollhouse Miniature Needlepoint Rug VERA

I started stitching the medallion of this rug years ago when a pattern was not even completely finished yet. Sometimes I am so excited to start working on a new project that can't wait till I finish charting a pattern. So, I had to put it a side and wait until inspiration to finish the pattern hit me.

A message from someone asking if the pattern is available reminded me about that forgotten carpet. I finished charting it, surprisingly for myself, in one breath literally. I called it VERA, that translates from Russian as Faith, to honor my Mom who always has been teaching me to finish anything whatever has been started. So, better late than never, true? The carpet was finished last October.

The rug is so fine that can be easily rolled and carried by little people.

This rug is stitched on 49 count silk gauze with Gutermann silk floss (only 4 colors) and measures 5" x 10" with fringe.

Miniature needlepoint rug VERA is available as a finished rug, as a pattern and as a kit at my website www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com. If you interested, please, follow the link
http://www.dollhouseneedlepoint.com/apps/webstore/

Natalia

Nutcracker's Museum in Leavenworth, WA

A Bavarian village Leavenworth, that is located in Chelan County of Washington state, is a perfect gateway for a weekend.

Being there so many times never have had an opportunity (for some reasons) to visit a Nutcracker's Museum till yesterday.

A big Mouse Nutcracker meets you at the front door.

Then just wall shelves full of thousands of nutcrackers of all sizes from all over the world and centuries. For example, this nutcracker was displayed in a pub in Amsterdam from 1850 to 1950 when the building was remodeled, it was carved in Germany.

This Erzgebirge Miner was carved in Germany as well, in the 19th century. Note the candle that miners carried to determine if there was a sufficient oxygen in the air.

There are shelves full of mechanical nutcrackers for those who are interested.

No doubts that miniature nutcrackers attracted my attention first. Unfortunately, not for sale...

Working miniature mechanical nutcrackers

This pyramid was handcrafted in the Erzgebirge and was a gift from Erstes Nussknackermuseum Europas (First European Nutcracker Museum) located in Neuhausen, near Seiffen. The 3 small wooden nutcrackers in the pyramid are working nutcrackers.

More lovely mini nutcrackers

This incredible carving of a nutcracker only 5.1 mm was done by Herr Gunter Werner Gotz of Germany. Mr. Gotz made it out of a toothpick. He had to make 9 tries before completing it. The mouth DOES open, but a mechanism through the mountain operates it as a finger could use too much of pressure. Can you see it?

Another striking miniature and the smallest angel that I've seen (Have you seen any angels?) is the next one. This tiny little angel also was carved by Mr. Gotz and was in Guinness Book of Records in 1999.

It can be seen through a magnifying glass only

The nutcracker at left was made by John Bruce of Bruce's Woodworks of Utah. The Match Stick Nutcracker actually works. Then, his nephew Greg Bruce of Washington had to try his hand, and made the tiny one left of the match stick. The "Running Nose" was made from the nose of a wooden toy soldier nutcracker produced in Bruce's Woodworks. The engraved nutcracker, made from a single piece of cherry wood, was carved by Mr. Bruce as a gift to the museum.

The nutcrackers at the museum are also presented through cross stitch

and needle lace

...but enough talking. Please, enjoy the rest of pictures of a fine collection of nutcrackers from all over the world.

This is my favorite - Shakespeare Nutcracker

and one more that needs a comment...
This Nativity was carved for the museum by Weichelt in teh Erzgebirge. Mary and Joseph are nutcrackers. The base is in 2 parts and the figure bends back to reveal the place for a nut. As a figure bends forward the nut is cracked.

Have a wonderful evening,
Natalia