Dog Tails - Free Pattern and - EUREKA! - eBay Treasures

Good morning from COLD Iowa.  We're under another Winter Storm Watch and Winter Weather Advisory.  I'm ready for spring!  I know Hubby is, too, as he's been reading seed catalogs.  Yep - we have been smitten with cabin fever.

Vickie posted about her poodle pin cushion find on eBay on her blog ( A Stitcher's Story).  Of course, being a dog lover, antique lover, stitching lover, yadda, yadda - I felt the urge to check out pin cushions for sale. And what a find (or should I say "What finds" - notice the plural).

Several months ago, I was given a miniature of a mother and child (pictured on the left).  It was on cardboard, the back being an advertisement for Prudential Insurance.  I didn't realize it was a pin keep until I started browsing eBay.  Well, I happened upon another one and had to have it - they look like the go together, don't they?  And there are pins along the sides of each.   Does anyone know the year(s) Prudential put these out?  I'd love to know.

My next find was a lovely pewter pin cushion made in the UK.  Isn't this adorable?  If you look on the back right side, there's a removable thimble.  The pin cushion is the sewing basket in front of the thimble.

If you can't already tell, we love our dogs.  Emma is my little lap puppy - 5 pounds of energy, mischief and love.  Bella is Hubby's "Real Dog" - 90 pounds of Farm Dog, protecting us from everyone and everything - all done because she loves us.

I happened to see a saying the other day and was inspired to create a quick, simple pattern.  I hope you enjoy it.  (I got the charms at Hobby Lobby).  I used 32 count linen. You can find the pattern here.

OH!  Please take a look at the tab I created at the top of my blog called "Free Patterns".  That's where I will keep all the free designs I've created so they don't become buried in blog posts.  If you've stitched any of them, I'd love to see a picture.

Stay warm and stay in  - and surround yourself with stitches.
Cheers!