Victorian Tea

Sunday May 5th was the 5th annual Victorian Tea @ the wappingers falls historical society, Mesier Homestead.  What a divine day!  Weather cooperated and all the ladies came dressed in their finest and looked absolutely gorgeous!  Thanks to all of my friends who came out to join in the fun!
Funds raised will be used for preservation of the homestead and preservation of local history.
Please go to the website for more info.  www.wappingershistoricalsociety.org.   The Mesier
Homestead is open for tours one Sunday a month--check the schedule---private tours can be arranged
Please consider visiting the Homestead which dates back to 1741.  The current exhibit "Dutchess Bleachery Exhibit"---traces the time-line of how a small village played such a significant role in textile history.  The homestead/museum displays several examples of  cloth,textiles,quilts,sewing notions, and historical fashion of a bygone era.  In the gift shop you will find many of my handmade items reflecting the era of the home--from tea mats to tea cup pincushions, to quilted wall hangings and shadow box art, you are sure to find a special treasure for yourself or a unique gift for that special someone!  Join us at the homestead to re-live history, and ensure its preservation for the future!
www.wappingershistoricalsociety.org

Victorian tea

Hi Everyone,
Hope all shared wonderful Passover and Easter holidays with those they love and cherish!   After what seemed like a long winter, I wish all a renewed, refreshed, and inspiring spring!

As I have mentioned in the past, I have become involved with my local historical society:  Wappingers Historical Society- in Wapppingers Falls, NY
The society is dedicated to preserving our local history, which includes Mesier Park and Homestead Museum located in the village of Wappingers falls, New York.
I have become involved on several levels:  Sewing draperies/curtains for the Homestead Museum, and attending training for educational tours.
I am also pleased to announce that several of my handmade items will be represented for sale in the museum gift shop.  Items for sale have historical significance to the history of the homestead and surrounding communities.  Also for sale are wonderful prints And books, many by local artists/authors.
opening day for the season will be April 14th 2013---- be sure to mark your calendars!
The new museum Exhibit: The History Of The Dutchess Bleachery ---- is a fascinating historical time-line of how the small village of Wappingers Falls, played such an important role in textile history and manufacturing.
Please check out the website: www.Wappingershistoricalsociety.org

Reneesews and sews and sews and sews!!!

hi everyone --------Well, I guess from the title you figured out what I've been up to----yes I've been stitchin'!!!  Here's what I've accomplished-----made another pair of  curtains for the historical society, just a few more to complete and the whole first floor will be done!
Completed  my red and pink sweet baby quilt--looks really charming---love those embroidery stitches!   Hope to have it up on Etsy real soon!
Shipped off a baby quilt that I completed for a charity for children in need at St. Luke's Hospital.  This charity drive is being run by Victoria Findlay Wolfe of BumbleBeans.com .   She is a wonderful quilter, with amazing free spirit.  She produces very happy quilts with powerful use of color and design.  Plus she pays it forward with many acts of kindness and charity.  Check her out on the web.
Well gotta get back to sewing,and sewing, and still more sewing!
Will post soon, with more sewing adventures, until then, and as always
Laugh(even at yourself), be happy, and keep stitchin'
Warmest Regards,
Renee

Quilt show adventure

hi everyone----yesterday I ventured off to New Jersey for the quiltfest in somerset.  Lots of inspiration,and a fun trip---okay so here's the low-down:  Some masterful works and really special talent in the exhibit hall.  I particularly fell in love with an Asian beauty---fabulous creative design, beautiful workmanship.  It was also nice to see some modern work displayed as well.  A beautiful exhibit from the Hoffman challenge of handmade dolls.  Great to see some embellished and amazing art quilts as well.  Vendor mall could make one take a second mortgage!!!   The temptation to purchase treasures calls to you in every direction!!!  Okay, so what did I cave into: First, just so you know, I absolutely melt fot antique/vintage textiles and trims.  With that said, several vendors were selling just that!  I purchased beautiful old trims for pillows dolls and who knows where else they will be lucky enough to land on.  The vendor explained these trims were salvaged from old ,beyond repair quilts and other textile items.  I LOVE it when something so beautiful is salvaged,and will have an opportunity for "new life".    Continuing on---yep, you guessed more purchases included an old lace doily , an old linen/embroidered dresser set ----oh so sweet with bubble gum pink beautifully embroidered stitches!  Something that could not be passed up was a beautiful ,finely stitched quilt block from around 1870.  How special is that!  Old wooden thread spools from fabric/sewing mills that are no longer in business, and reproduction charming 1930's fabric rounded out my days shopping!!!   Lucky I had to leave to make my bus to travel back home, otherwise I would have really gone broke!  Actually a few hours more would have been nice to explore the exhibits and maybe attend more demo's /lectures----ya know ---renee never gets enough!!!    Soon I will be preparing for my annual Vermont festival trip----can't wait
hope all had a happy day,
As always,
Let out your inner creative being, be happy, and keep stitchin'
Renee

What's new at Reneesews ?

Hi everyone, welcome to my creative world----hope all had an inspirational day!
Working on several things at once---as usual.  Sewing and finishing up more baby quilts.  Working on a baby quilt for a charitable organization .  Need to work quickly on this one ----there is a deadline--- since the quilts are needed for babies in crisis situations.  Nothing like using creative talents and making something hand-made for someone in need.  I'm trying to design something really happy, cheerful, and comforting!!!    Next on the agenda -----I' m excited about attending the New Jersey Quilt festival tomorrow.  I think I attended several years ago???   In any case I've heard really nice things about this event.  Some wonderful exhibits for inspiration, and a large vendors mall to purchase sewing/quilting goodies.  Sounds like fun to me---I will let you know how the show went, what was motivating, and what special purchases I made on treasures that I could not resist!!!
As always,
Wishing you a life of  happy stitches!
Renee

Frustration

Hi everyone!  Well, you read the title of this post "Frustration"' Yep---every sewer has days like this--so let me tell ya about mine---okay so I'm sitting by my sewing machine last evening, all ready and motivated to finish this wonderful baby quilt---guess what?  A quilters nightmare----my sewing machine JAMS---eeeeech!  Not exactly what I said , but can't print that.  Attempted to repair it for several hours last night --no luck.  Again tried this morning----Machine still not working.  Amazing how supportive my family was.  Daughter Darlene, woke up to check on my machine repairing progress,and my son James', called when I was at the repair shop.  Kids know me well, Renee without her sewing machine,makes one mean mom!
How did this sewing nightmare end?  Turns out machine worked perfectly in the shop---took it home and working just fine tonight.  Still do not know what caused it to jam up,or how it magically repaired itself.  Maybe it knows me well----like my kids,and didn't want to deal with my mean side!

Well this delay has put me behind schedule, back to my wee hour sewing---lots to catch up on
Wishing all---
Happy(not frustrated) sewing
Renee

Today's Agenda

Hi e everyone,hope all had a great day!
Okay,so what was on my agenda for today?  Treasure hunting at a local antique shop,and lunch with my best pal and sweet daughter.  Had a great time.  Treasure hunting was not as successful as intended.  I was hoping to find more old vintage linen/lace and general sewing stuff.  No great bargains today.  I often seek out these journeys as I love to re-purpose old stuff into new fabulous creations----especially using old linen and vintage fabrics.  I have an extensive collection, and often create wonderful goodies with them.  I hope to be listing some real soon on my esty shop: reneesews, over the next coming months. Some of my latest vintage offerings have included tooth fairy pillows, and lovely throw pillows that work so well with that shabby chic look.  Lunch was great---always good to share fun days with those you love the most.  Also on my agenda for this evening is finishing my red and pink baby quilt.  It's coming out so cute---can't wait to complete this gem!  Will keep you posted as to my progress, and other adventures of interest I become involved with,-----(and trust me Renee always has an adventure or two to talk about). ----so check back soon-----
As always,
Happy stitchin',
Renee