April Snow Showers.....

are just plain ridiculous. 

And now on to more pleasant subjects.

Season's and SaltGlaze....

in punch needle!  Ronda has finished the models of all season's and the patterns are in the works!

Visit Ronda at

simplethymeprims and see her offerings!

I am having a bit of a love/hate relationship with Facebook....as if that's anything new.  I would truly like to just close it up and do all of my news and updates from here but I'm afraid I would be leaving out many who might want the news of what's happening here on the Lane, so.....

I will continue with it, for now anyway and see if they will address my Page issues!

It would help me to know how many of you are actually receiving this update to your inbox....if you could just send a quick reply or leave a comment it would be appreciated, and help me decide what direction to take.

I do have the plans in the works for a Spring/Summer Sale.....haven't decided on a date for sure but thinking mid May.  Lots of antique smalls, some great primitive furniture pieces, 

handmades, wool, candles, soaps.....and well, some of all the wonderful offerings you remember from the Farm!  We will be using the Barn at Saltbox too.  It's a perk to know the new caretaker so well!

I think that's it for tonight....I feel like I've bounced you all over in this post.  Hope none of you took a bad bounce!  

I'll leave you with a picture of one of the wonderful hand wrapped willow wreaths we'll have to offer.

....from teeny tiny cuties, to big bold and beautiful ones!  Great for indoors or out.  

Wishing you all a wonderful week.....
Open Stitch here on Wednesday....10am-2pm.  Just RSVP to join in the fun!

From the Lane,

Sharon

Stitching time......

Stitchers will be gathering here at the Lane tomorrow night, Wednesday...and of course the regular groups gathering in the month of April and beyond so I thought it appropriate to share this now as an important FYI for them and all of you who stitch.

Now, I am always working on the "mental preparation", I mean we're always thinking about what we're going to sew, stitch, punch or hook next....aren't we?  Never ever would we think of a 

lackadaisically approach to something so important....right?

For sure my dishes will be done and it goes without being said about making the beds, I mean, you know....to stitch and not have the threat of a fire and the fire department arriving to find an unmade bed!  Not gonna happen here.  My mind will be free.

Making myself attractive could require a bit more work but I do always try....I have those dresses out on the line right now and will bringing them in shortly to iron them up for the classes.  

The chalk is at hand and I have pockets in all my sewing dresses so I can just tuck that tube of lipstick and my powder right in.....just in case you know.  How horrid would it be to have a visitor or heaven forbid my husband to come home unannounced and find me in an uplipsticked, unpowdered, wearing a dirty dress mess!  

Not gonna happen :)

Gosh, I feel so much better having shared all of this with you.  Please feel free to share with any of your friends who don't happen to read my page....you just never know when....

We will be starting an "Open Stitch" here on the Lane on the first Wednesday of each month, 

10am-2pm.  Gather up a project you're working on or if you don't have one I'm sure I have a kit or two here that you'd like to get started on.  Lots of wools and threads to choose from and sewing novelties as well.  

An RSVP is required to attend so I will know how many to plan for.  

Coffee with all the fixings, water and a munchie of sorts to enjoy as well.

Cost to attend will be $5.oo and include all of the above as well as a coupon towards future purchase!

Call 231.629.1385 or email yellowdoglane@gmail.com 

to RSVP.  Come join the fun here on the Lane.

You might like it so much you'll want to join a Cellar Group!

I bet this makes you even more happy that I shared all the Sewing Prep info with you :)

Make it a great day.....

From the Lane,

Sharon

From the Lane......

Wishing all a wonderful Easter....filled with the love of God, Family & Friends.

The sun is shining bright here on the Lane this morn.....

May it shine on you and yours today as well.

Blessings,

Wayne, Sharon, Sophie and Isabelle

Robins and Redwings, Songbirds and.......

SNAKES!

Yup, this ones for you Miss Tilda....I'll know you've read in when I hear the scream :)

We've been out and about cleaning up things around the yard, making new brush piles and burning old ones.  Seems this big fella might have had a home in the big old brush pile that Wayne set afire.  He made his way out in to the driveway and I think he may have been "heated" out of hibernation as he was more than a bit lethargic for a snake.  Sophie didn't know quite what to make of him, nor him of her.  I tried my best to shoo him into the grasses but he just couldn't seem to get his motor running.  Sad to say that Wayne found him later in the day, more than a bit squashed.....I apparently took him out with the Blazer.  So this will be the last you'll see of Spark....although I'm sure there are siblings lurking somewhere amongst the leaves and grasses.

I gauged him to be all of 4+ feet.  A big boy at that!

Now that I've most likely caused many of you to eek and possibly even leave the page I'll offer you this pretty pic taken out the breakfast nook window.....

It's a beautiful Sunday first day of Spring morning here on the Lane.  So nice to hear the birds chirping, the peepers singing and oh that green grass popping!

A full week on the calendar here, with two groups of Stitchers on the schedule, two days of haircuts, a dentist appointment and a BOE Workshop.  I shan't be idle enough to find much trouble, but....that certainly doesn't mean I won't.  Trouble seems to find me all on it's own!

Oh gosh, one more thing that's coming this week as well....I'll be heading off to the Breckenridge 

Promise of Spring show on Saturday....can't wait for that!

Also finding time this week to get a few things scheduled in to the future dates spaces.  

I have decided to have an "Open Stitch Day", that's what I'll call it for now anyway....

thinking it will be the first Wednesday of each month here in the Cellar Studio.

Thinking of setting a date for a late Spring/early Summer sale as well.  I have some great pieces that need new homes and I also have managed to stitch up some things and I even ordered in a bit, so.....

check back in for more info on these and more.

Take time to listen to the song of the birds.....

From the Lane,

Sharon

So excited.....

the full patterns have arrived for our 

WillowTreeHill Sampler wool bedcover!  

The Cellar Stitchers will be the first to see and start the stitching of the Block of the Month,

Block 1 tomorrow.  Two more groups of Cellar Stitchers will start theirs next week.

Pattern/Kit for Block 1 are also packed and ready to ship for those that placed orders and the full pattern packet is available as well.  Full pattern price is $28.oo and can be picked up here on the Lane or I would be happy to mail as well.  All wools for each block or the entire bedcover are also available, please contact me at

yellowdoglane@gmail.com or 231.629.1385

Some "Open Stitch" Days coming soon.....stay tuned if you might be interested in joining us here in the Cellar!

Oh....and one more bit of news.

Sweet Ronda from Simple Thyme Prims has been very busy punching away on the new punch needle designs from YellowDog, a sneak peek....

SpringGlaze!  

All Valdani Perle Cotton thread.  

I am excited to be offering this design along with several others very soon in pattern form.

I am so grateful to Ronda for doing the actual punching for me on these, without her help I'm not sure I could have made these become a reality.

Thank you Miss Ronda xoxo

Visit Ronda at

simplethymeprims.blogspot.com

to see her wonderful creations!

Have a wonderful rest of the week....

please stay in touch.

From the Lane,

Sharon

What a beautiful day......

we were blessed with here on the Lane! 

The thermometer was very close to the 70 degree mark.....unusual for an early March day here in Michigan, but.....I embraced it.

For starters I located my tub of spring decor and pulled some things out that I think might work her at the Lane house.  This little tulip is perfect of the porch table but that about as far as I got with the decor as I got just a bit sidetracked with the outside work.  

Sophie and I picked up all the sticks.....she is really a good helper with that chore!  

Swept all the bricks off, the garage and then.....cleaned and tidied up the Herb Garden.  

A bit of a break in the midst of our day of chores to take a quick trip to our township hall to vote...well, actually we had already voted absentee but I will be working the upcoming polls and I wanted to go and get a feel of things and meet the ladies I'll be working alongside.  

Soph of course went along for the ride and as we pulled in I said to her, "gosh, I thought our driveway was a mud run but goodness this parking lot is even worse"!  We found a somewhat less soggy spot to park and I skipped here and there avoiding the worst on my way in.  Luckily I had my work boots on and they're hard to hurt.  Then.....the departure.

As I walked out to the Blazer there was a little car getting ready to leave.  I watched her drive out on what appeared to be higher ground.  Well, the ground here this time of year can be very deceiving.....and, was it ever.  Before long I was at the front of her car instructing her to come ahead a bit and then BACK, as I pushed.  On about the third try I could feel I almost had her out of the ruts she was in.....and that's when the tires started spinning and the mud started to fly.  Yes fly.  All over.  Mud on her pretty white car....mud up the front and side of me....a bit on my face and even some in my hair.  At this point a couple of voters coming in came to assist and we were able to get her free.  

I didn't know the lady....that didn't matter.  I just knew that I would want someone to help me if I were in that predicament.  Did I foresee the mud bath?  It did enter my mind but I really didn't give it a second thought as we still needed to get her out.  It was just mud, it will wash out.  She is unstuck and along on her day.  I have a good feeling because I could help her at least a bit.....

I hope she will smile when she thinks of me be plastered with the flying mud and know that it didn't matter.....I'll clean up good.  I have before.  

Now, I have mud on my face and in my hair...my boots are caked with it.  I also have dirt under my finger nails and a couple of small blisters.  My hip and my back hurt.  

Nothing a good scrubbing and a couple of Advil won't make better......

The best part is I feel joy in my heart for a day that was so blessed....

mud and all!

And, one more thing.....Sweet Sophie reached over and licked a bit of that mud off of my face when I got back to the car and crawled in.....that was the frosting on my cake today!

Hoping you day was as full as mine......

From the Lane,

Sharon

Sunlight and Shadows and the Joy of Sharing......

A phrase my friend Tilda uses often when she is speaking of her love of photography.....

when I spied this reflection of the window from the morning sun shining through I literally ran for my phone/camera, all the while giddily saying, "oh my gosh, oh my gosh, wait till Tilda sees this"!

I thought it was beautiful and I knew if no one else thought it was much of anything that Tilda would.

I haven't personally shared it with her yet....but she will see it here and I know she'll smile, as I hope many of you will.  

It also made me think of the joy it can bring when you're able to share something with someone, knowing they'll get the same joy out of it as you do.  

It might be a thought, an action, a memory, a photo.  

Your thought could be a compliment to someone telling them you like their sweater......

Your action, the simple opening of a door for someone to enter before you.

A memory, an eventful antiquing trip and the great finds.

A photo of a great old crock.....or a photo of sunlight and shadows.  

What little effort and time it would take from our days to make a point of sharing a little joy with someone.....

Someone we know, or someone we don't.  It doesn't matter where or who it comes from....

it's always nice to have a little joy in your day!

We have an extra day in February this year.....

Hoping I've filled this 29th day of February with thoughts of joy.....

and better yet, thoughts of who you can share of bit of joy with.

Soon,

From the Lane.....

Sharon

WillowTreeHill Sampler.....

all of you are seeing it here first!

It isn't the best photo but if you had seen the effort I put in to getting this shot you would appreciate.  

Should I just say.....bedcover displayed on our bed, with me standing on top of the rolled coverlet, that's on top of the apothecary that's on top of the blanket chest that's at the end of our bed.....hanging on to the pencil post of the bed on one corner while reaching out with the camera hand and stretching out to try and get it all in the shot.  While remaining upright of course!  

There are a few embellishments that I intend to add for myself but will hang it on a wall later today for the photo for the pattern front.  

The Girls at Blackberry Primitives are working on the big wool order sent along to them and as soon as it arrives here at the Lane, me along with a couple of my helpers, will be measuring, cutting, folding and kitting the first block up for everyone!  

I'm so excited about this project!

I have two full classes that will be working on their blocks here in the Cellar Studio once a month until finished.  If there is enough interest I would love to add an additional class.  

I will also be packing and shipping these off to those not close enough to attend the classes.

A confirmed order last night from California....thank you Jul!!

If you would like more info on the bedcover, classes, etc.....

please email me at

yellowdoglane@gmail.com or phone at 231.629.1385

Enjoy this bit of spring we're being blessed with in February!

From the Lane,

Sharon

Penny Candle Wrap.....

our project for Wool School this week with the Cellar Stitchers.

Easy, simple, useful and pretty to boot!

Kit's available for pick up or to ship.  Space available in upcoming class as well....

we'd love to have you come join us here on the lane.

For more info or questions, just email me @

yellowdoglane@gmail.com

Five new needle punch designs coming soon as well!

Hope you're all having a fabulous week.....

From the Lane,

Sharon

Happy Valentine's Day.....

not just a day to celebrate your true love, but a day to celebrate

true friends.  

Good true friends seem hard to come by at times in today's world.

With all the social media, internet and the like there are times when you think everyone in the world

 wants to be your "friend" ~

I Googled the word "friend", see there you go....internet,

as I was going to pick out the simple definition and share it here with all of you, but....

I guess I didn't realize that there are actually dozens of different definitions for the word "friend".

Well of course this made me ponder the word just a bit more and you know, there are lots of types of friends.....

There are best friends, pretend friends....big friends, little friends and just right friends,

red and yellow, black and white friends.

Old friends and new friends....and the list could go on but if I had to choose the best type it would be the

Tried and True type.

And with that said I would like to share with you part of a note that my friend Tilda sent along to a group she refers to as "The Ralph's".

I got my Simple Life magazine today. I have only read Lizzie's story and looked at all the pictures, and will pay more attention to it tonight. But in Jill's opening letter, on friendships, she had a paragraph that jumped straight out at me.
If I ever get my book written, there will be a chapter on my friendship with BrunieMae. We have history.
Some of it could never be captured in print. Most of it borders on marginal hysterical. We laugh a lot.
We can finish each others sentences. We know what the other is thinking simply by looking at each other. And often, it is not good. It is just eyes meeting, knowing what the other is thinking. No. Not always good, as our insides are erupting in laughter.
Jill wrote: Those (friends) are the kind you like to go on road trips with. And laugh until your stomach hurts. And junk food until your teeth fall out. And you end up driving 20 miles out of your way because
you were talking and missed the turn.
Roads trips with Brunie? Oh, we have had many. We have talked for days on end with no stop. How can you talk so long to someone you already know so well? What do you talk about for 3 days?? Junk food?
We are always armed with red licorice. Many bags of it. Or tootsie rolls. Wrong turns? WRONG TURNS??? We make the SAME wrong exit every time when going into Indiana. We KNOW it, and we still make the wrong exit. Every time.
We turn into the wrong driveways. And no matter what she says, it is NOT always my fault !!!
We have butter mishaps. And bad hair days. And problems at toll booths with coins on a hot hand day.
And we repack trucks. And repack again, and again yet.
We laugh.
When I read Jill's words, I thought of all these things. We have SO much more. We have a common word. Nothing else needs to be spoken. Just the common word.
We have secrets no one else knows. And never will.
This is a friend.

I will just say that these words Tilda wrote and shared with everyone, warmed my heart....

made me smile and reaffirmed what I know...

She loves me as a friend for who I am, not because I'm exactly what she wants me to be, but because I am me.  Sometimes I'm good and sometimes I'm bad.  I make mistakes and try to make up for mistakes.  I'm human, I'm not perfect.....

and Tilda loves me just the way I am.

Tilda ~ A Tried and True Friend

Wishing all of you, my friends, a wonderful Valentine's Day.....

send along a note to one of your tried and true friends, it just might make their day!

In true friendship.....

From the Lane,

Sharon

There's no place like HOME......

and a trip away just instills that deeper!

Just back from the Market in PA and although I enjoyed the time away, seeing and catching up with old friends, making new ones and seeing all the offerings for some possible upcoming sales.....

it's still oh so good to be home.  

Lots of laundry to catch up on and a few other things as well....one of them being catching up with all of you.  I so totally thought I had posted in February but obviously.....not!  

I'm not sure where my mind is sometimes, not with me I'm guessing.  

My bedcover design is almost finished.  The border has been added and now just a few embellishments and it will be ready to photograph for the pattern.  

I am still awaiting the wool so that I can start on getting the first block into kit form, hoping for it to arrive soon.  

I feel like I am in sort of a brain fog this morning.  Hoping it is just from all the travel and activities of the past week and not that I'm coming down with a bug.  Way to much on the "to do" list to be dealing with something like that.  I had planned to tell a bit of a story to all of you this morning but the words aren't coming to me, so.....

I will share a pic, wish you a great rest of the week and a promise to send another note along soon.

From the Lane.....

Sharon

p.s. See the little red ware plate?  I was able to tuck a small bunch of those into my luggage and bring them home with me to offer up for sale!  Stay tuned.....