{My Embroidered Roses in 19th Century Danish Pattern}

Just before we came to the USA I had to finish this 19th century Danish counted cross stitch embroidery with roses in 47 colors, on black cotton. It was very hard to see... but I'm often called a pit bull so once I start something I won't let go of it. Easy said for doing this in The Netherlands, where sunshine is sparingly; especially in April. It was meant to be a pillow but after straining my eyes and working so hard there was no way I would use this as a pillow, so we had it framed by our favorite Irok Gallery. ← click it. Scroll down to see the pattern and me working on it and the finished hand made wall hanging framed. All for the LOVE of roses...

It really had 47 colors of DMC mouliné embroidery floss; quite a challenge as it had to be counted on the black cotton and with limited light as the sun is very sparingly in April, in The Netherlands. This was again, like my knitted rose sweater, from the Dutch Ariadne magazine for handwork.
Learn from Mariette
Anyone interested in this antique pattern, I can provide it to you for a small fee.

Danish Pattern by Permin - Copenhagen, Danmark

Here I am, April 1983, still in The Netherlands working on it. Mauzie my Dachshund is in the chair next to me. The sweater I'm wearing is also handknit by me. You further can see the filet lace crocheted curtains that are now hanging in our veranda here in Georgia/USA.

Finished hand made work; framed and haning on the wall in our living room.

Detail of my counted cross stitch hand made work.

Here it hangs on the wall behind my leather chair for reading. On the left you see our indoor shutters folded open.

This you recognize from my earlier blog about: {BOOKS In Our Living Room} ← (click it).

{AJOUR KNIT JACKET FOR MY NIECE MAARTJE}

It has been quite a while since I did have the time to knit. But one of the most intricate knitting I've ever finished, was this short sleeved ajour jacket. My niece Maartje was the lucky recipient. 

My brother Martin is a great photographer!

From a May 1981 Anna Burda magazine.

However I never musterd enough patience to finish the embroidery too...

Instead, I added some nice antique brass buttons!

Maartje has added a few years since this photo was taken...

Our friend Johnny from Dublin, took this picture of the two of us in 2005 when we did tour with him and his wife Hannah through the Netherlands.

Sweet Maartje...
I'm wearing my Escada Sport trench coat.

For someone who gives a lot and never asked for anything, the best will not be enough...

For such a beautiful handwritten card with kisses from Maartje, it was worth it for every stitch of intricate ajour...

Labour of love!

♥

{MARIETTE'S BACK TO BASICS LLC's RIBBON CUTTING}

FINALLY it got published yesterday in our local news paper! My official ribbon cutting that had been postponed so many times. In 2008 when I started my business we first went to The Netherlands for a wedding. Returning home from the wedding, we joined with Anita, our foster daughter, at the airport and flew back with her to the USA. She stayed with us and went back on a trip to The Netherlands again for the 50th wedding anniversary of Pieter's eldest, and now only brother. We also celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. In February of 2009 we flew once again back to The Netherlands for my parents' 60th wedding anniversary; our 61st trip to visit family and friends. In October of 2009 we flew once more to The Netherlands for the first reunion of the Practical Training College about Mushroom Growing, that husband Pieter had founded. It was fun to see former colleagues once again... When we got back home I became sicker and sicker with excruciating pain. My severe health problems and weight loss, resulted in being completely paralyzed on January 9 of 2010. That set me back so much that we had to work hard in order to catch up on everything. Again we discussed a ribbon cutting with our Dublin Laurens County Chamber of Commerce. Now it was Pieter who made us have to postpone everything again; he had his quadruple bypass on September 3rd. So the year was ending fast again but we decided to have it done on November 30 of 2010.

Here it is; the huge scissor for the ceremony done by the City Mayor and County and Chamber Officials.

Green is the color for Dublin and the Mayor also is wearing a green shamrock, the symbol for Dublin. See my blog post from December 30 for the symbol ← click it.

♣

The news paper article from our local Courier Herald, February 17 of 2011.

Pieter giving a little speech... one of hundreds that he gave over his life time.

Some snappy remarks and laughter!

A happy gathering!

With our dear friends Maria Runggaldier and Heinz Krassnig from Ristorante da Maria and Dublin Farm "Come Home To The Country". See my earlier blog post about {AGRITURISMO & GERANIUMS - PELARGONIUM} ← click it.

In the living room explaining about my classes Learn from Mariette
and showing also some vintage Lampe Berger alongside the Giovanni Raspini silver gifts (← click it) from Italy.

Down stairs in our Rose Suite showing them more items like hand carved wooden cherubs and angel heads from South Tirol, Italy; antique Delft Velsen table lamp; antique Limoges table lamps (← click it);

 high end French antiques and French Country Style (← click it).

It also was dear friend Maria, Lady Chef from Italy, who helped me out with the refreshments for that day.

Using my Cottimaryanne table linens, in a rose damask, from Italy; see earlier post: {Camellia Debutante & Chocolate} ← click it.

Dublin Mayor and Ms. Willie from the local Chamber of Commerce, lead us to the refreshments...

♣