An Ode to Scissors

Recently, in one of my table cleanups I realized how many pairs of scissors I've accumulated and how valuable each and every one of them is.  That lead me to look into the history of scissors.  Scissors were most likely invented around 2500 BC. The early scissors were the 'spring scissor' type comprising of two bronze blades connected at the handles by a thin, flexible strip of curved bronze which served to hold the blades in alignment and to allow them be squeezed together and to pull them apart when released.  Notice the carving on these blades.

I have a total of six pairs of scissors in my studio and I'm sure that's a small number compared to other stitchers/crafters.

My original, many years ago, is the red handled pair.  At one time, there was a scissor/knife sharpener who appeared each spring at one of our local fabric stores.  Sadly he gave up his trade.  My red handled scissors became my 'paper and anything else' cutters.  They were replaced by this beautifully floral decorated scissors which cuts like butter through even felted wool.  

As for little scissors I have four pair.  Two are straight blades and the other two are curved blades.  The turquoise pair is older and has become a paper cutter.  The others are all fabric/ribbon/thread/yarn cutters.  My favorite pair are again, the floral design curved scissors.

Do you have a scissors story -- I'd love to hear it.

"I play with scissors for the shear fun of it". Anonymous

Cookie Mouse

Uh-oh!!!  This is the first inkling I've had that the mice are in the pantry!!  That my friends is not a good thing!

This package of cookies is larger than the mouse -- but obviously that hasn't deterred him a bit.

Oh please, don't turn your back on me and pretend I'm not watching you.  You've been caught -- one cookie and you must go back to your nest!

"If you give a mouse a cookie, he is sure to want a glass of milk." - Laura Joffee Numeroff 

Queen Anne's Lace

What would summer be without the fields of Queen Anne's Lace?  I have always loved this flower but this year they seem even more special to me.  They are so delicate and if a little breeze comes by they move slowly back and forth.

I even love the name -- it gives this flower dignity to me and history and brings images of tea being served in a castle garden.  Isn't life wonderful!

[please note that the field picture came from Richard Bowman because I was unable to get a good perspective from my camera].

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting to grow sharper." - W. B. Yeats

Flower Mouse

I had an unusual request the other day and of course it involved a mouse.  [Just a side note, these things are popping up all over]

I walked into the dining room and there was Flower Mouse -- trying to figure out how to get dirt from outside into her planters so that she could grow some flowers.  

Can you believe it that she took one of my antique silver spoons, my tin sprinkler pan and my copper 'basket' and then expects me to fill them with dirt?

Well of course I told her no - that if she really wanted flowers she could scamper outside anytime she wanted to.  Thereupon she turned her back to me and hasn't spoken to me since.

"Oh the summer roses, perfect for wearing a hat." - from Stuart Little

Of Stuff and Things

When I begin a project I like to have everything at hand.  In fact I like to have more than I'll probably need -- just to be on the safe side.  

So you could say that my 'mouse journeys' started with a trip to Etsy.  There I found two wonderful sources for felted wool - TaDaa Studio and Felt On The Fly.  Each has beautiful colors and were so helpful in my search for 'mouse' shades.

Next came thread.  I dove into my stash of "Wildflowers" thread by Caron.  These were left overs from my punchneedle days and with their variegated tones turned out to be perfect.

Ahh, a few smooth rocks for weight.

Last, but certainly not least, were the buttons.  Now who could ever have TOO many buttons?  Not I certainly.  No matter what I'm working on, I always tend to add new buttons to my collection just in case...

So my days of procrastination are over and it is time to get stitching...

"There's nothing wrong with procrastination.  Or is there?  I'll leave it to you to decide, but only if you have the time." - Craig Brown

Lavender Mouse

For years I have had this delightful little pot in my studio.  It holds lavender and periodically I run my hands through the seeds just to enjoy the scent.

As you can see, my lavender pot has recently been invaded by a cheeky little mouse. Not only did she get into the pot, but she also sowed lavender all over the shelf.

What did I do?  Well of course I couldn't turn this darling over to the outdoors and all its dangers, so for now I've appointed her "Guardian of the Lavender".  I hope she takes her new position seriously!

"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle

Summer Colors

This is the time of the year when the 'hot' flowers bloom.

You know the ones, the reds and golds and oranges.

The colors just look "hot" - almost like fireworks and wienie roasts and basking in the sun.

They are very short lived, probably because of heat and dryness -- but very eye popping while they are here.

"Summer afternoon -- summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James