Needlework Curiosities At Vanderbilt

Of course I was hoping to see needlework items at the William Vanderbilt Museum and House. I really wanted to take a photograph of the sewing room on the house tour, but photos were not allowed. The sewing room was in the servants quarters off of the kitchen. There was an old Singer sewing machine and some other items. But in the cultural artifact collections there were two interesting things. First, this collection of native handwork....look at the beaded necklaces!  Totally handmade and very interesting!

Then I saw this bone thimble in the center of the photo. Hand carved. Beautiful!

Another interesting detail I noticed on the grounds outside the house were the meticulously designed gravel and rock walkways, sidewalks and entryways. 

 Just for sheer pleasure and enjoyment of the coloration, here are some iridescent butterfly specimens that would be inspiration for embroideries. Hmmm......

Long Island Traveling & Wee Care Gowns

Before we set off on another trip (this one to Long Island to spend with our daughter, son-in-law and his family during Christmas) I whipped up two Wee Care gowns and one bonnet to smock on the flights. I can accomplish so much when zipping through the air, or sitting around waiting for the next flight. Here they are:

We had a wonderful time in Long Island visiting with our son-in-law's family. We toured two wineries on the north end of the island. Beautiful agricultural area and pretty houses. Then we toured the William Vanderbilt's Eagles Nest Mansion and Museum in Centerport, Long Island.

It was beautiful and very interesting. William basically traveled the world collecting all sorts of specimens. They are housed in several areas and buildings of the museum. My husband is reading information about William's famous ship 'The Alma' and admiring the model of it in one of those rooms.

The outside courtyard gate is reminiscent of a Spanish or Italian villa.

And the gate where you enter is also unique. You can see the Long Island Sound on the left: there are beautiful water views from several of the rooms in the house. 

It was a wonderful trip seeing Tim's family again, and seeing interesting sites and towns of Long Island!