Something Old, Something New

Greetings to everyone, here's wishing you all the best on this summer solstice!  I do think there's something magical about this day, though I've yet to ever shape it into a traditional practice of any sort.   Hmmmm, maybe I should start honoring the longest day of the year with a return to the longest project I've ever worked on, namely Miss Hannah Pepper? I just think I might have something there, but more about Miss Hannah in a little bit. 

OK, so to follow the flow of this post's title, let's start with something old, 160 years to be exact.

Last weekend's beach adventure took us across the state to the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse, first begun in 1854.  I love the history of this particular light.  The land was surveyed by a young Robert E Lee and the lighthouse itself was engineered by George W Meade.  Ironically, these 2 men faced off against each other as opposing generals at the battle of Gettysburg.

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Although this lighthouse isn't the tallest or the one with the most steps we've ever climbed, it's a challenge to make the top.  These steps just put you at the entrance of the light itself, with those inside the light being very steep and narrow.  Whew!!  But well worth it once you get there, because here's the view from above.

Another delightful surprise turned up while taking a look around the restored lighthouse keeper's cottage.  I found a bit of stitching on the dining table. 

 

While I'm sure this isn't an original piece of the home, and it may well not even be an antique, it was still fun to find it there among all the other lighthouse memorabilia.  Sadly, Florida's humid climate isn't very kind to textiles, so one doesn't come across much needlework at all in  lighthouse museums here.

So that's the old needlework.  On to the new!

After bringing Miss Frances Eden to a graceful finish, I was sooooooo ready for something light and smooth sailing, nautical in fact.  And I came up with 2 that suited perfectly, though one of them has gotten more of my time and attention than the other.   Who could resist this winsome little ditty?

On close examination, I realized  this project would be the perfect size for lining another one of my cigar box lids.  So I've been working on these 7 sailors pretty steadily in the hopes of getting them done before my love for them cools.

Gotta love a sampler with so much swagger!

The other little sweetie I've taken up with is Mary Goodburn, who's been hanging out in my stash for an unfortunate length of time.  She's an old lady from The Examplarary, circa early 1980's.

I picked Mary up during my Examplary phase, a period of time spent trolling e-Bay for out of circulation treasures.  So far, she's been nothing but agreeable, almost to the point where I'm not all that excited about the work so far.  But I couldn't say no to her little ship,  too bad (or maybe thank goodness?)  it's at the bottom of the piece.  If it was at the top I might not ever finish her.  Maybe it's her muted tones that are less than exciting?

So this brings me back again to Hannah Pepper.  She's re debuting in the stitching lineup tonight, the longest night of the year!!  And the goal will be to have her done by December 21, the shortest night. 

 

Thanks Krista for the shot in the arm!

So this brings me up to speed, though I'm stull wondering how I got here?  Thanks for checking in on me!

Summer Houses

Hi there and welcome to June!  Summer is officially underway.

I'm so pleased to share the final stitches went into Frances Eden yesterday afternoon. Loved every stitch of her, but I'm glad she's done.   Frances has definitely been more patient with me than I have with her.  Simple girl!

Her bottom crazy house was fun up until that last orange panel with the doors.  Then suddenly it was like trying to swim in jello - lots of bright color, but not going anywhere very fast.

What do you think?  I'm a bit concerned that the size, color and total solidness of the crazy house overwhelms the rest of the piece.  But even if it does, there's no turning back on it now.  Just the fact that I put my initials and the year in over one stitching  means like it or not, she's finished!

So what's next?  I swore on a stack of Bibles at the beginning of the year that I'd see the end of Hannah Pepper before next New Year's Eve.   Well, I can only try to keep that one, but I've taken a good hard look at what remains of Miss Hannah, just to reach the conclusion that unless I win the Florida lottery and can quit my day job, that may not be doable.  She'll get done alright, or a at least taken back up soon enough, but I really need a summer vacation sort piece right now.  Something beachy and fun, not too complicated.  Hhmmmmmm, I feel a stash dive coming on........

There have been some other summer houses on the radar lately, two of the traditionally navigational sort.  A morning spent on Little Gasparilla Island gave us the chance to revisit two old friends. 

The Gasparilla Island Lighthouse, all metallic and steam punk in its faded glory,

 

 

And the Boca Grande Lighthouse,  all serene and tidy.

 

Perfect days like this one don't come along very often.  We made the most of it, exploring, swimming, beach combing and enjoying each other!  A lunch of ceviche and cold beer topped it off.

As always, thanks for stopping by.  Here's hoping all is well with your summer houses!