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museum books—followed by exquisite laces and sumptuous fabrics that are reproductions based on original samples from ald mills. Once the “background” for the room was set, Sandi focused on what went on the walls, Whether they depict persons, florals or landscapes, Sandi says, “the pic- tures have to have a romantic look or feel.” She searched for frames cut from old molds and purchased ones in silver tones she felt were more unusual than gold. “An antique picture of a bride—or even just an old, tered picture in a vintage frame— can add a fect 7 f touch to a room, But Sandi's guests always tell her that what really captivates them are the “little, tiny things” that fill their rooms. Sandi has proven resourceful at finding an assortment of suitable treasures: a hand-crocheted coverlet, a pin cushion once used by small, feminine fingers and fragrant sachets, to name a few. Presenting amenities with a touch of grace and nostalgia is another one of Sandi's subtle but important means of evoking romunce in a room. Translucent glycerine soaps in jewel tones are offered from a silver candy dish. Bubble bath packets fill a vintage basket lined with a cro- cheted doily. Plush, thirsty tow- els are draped invitingly over the rim of a clawfoot tub, To further pique the interest and imagination of her guests Sandi intersperses her favorite collectibles throughout the inn. ‘The rooms abound with charm- ing antique dolls in authentic dress and toys once enjoyed by children long ago. While a hint of romance is essential for hosting an inn, Sandi emphasizes that the same principles can be used to make Above: Fi IN LOVE with Leslie Pridgen’s pure white afghan, It's both beautiful aud simple to stitch. Left: & COUN- TRY HEART RUG will warm his heart and keep the fires burning. Yarn by Coats and Clark: your own home into a special retreat. Romance blooms in a setting laden with creature com- forts, fancy frills and delights that tickle the imagination Editor's Not or information about the Liberty Rose Inn, contact innkeep- cers Brad and Sandi Hirz, 1022 Jamestown Road. Williamshus Virginia 23185: tel, (757) 253-1260. =s{THE MAILBOX SHOW & TELL Dear Country Afghans. T’'m enclosing a photograph of the afghan that I made from your 1996 issue. I have gotten many complements on how beautiful it is, made it in shades of pink for our motor home. Thanks again for your wonderful magazine. Sincerely Phyllis Warren Jackson. Mississippt ‘Thank you for sharing your cre: ation with us. The Stained Glass Flowers look equally lovely in CLEAN OUT YOUR CLOSETS Dear Country Afghans. 4 Lam sending thi in the hope that Country Afghans will be interest ed in helping the residents of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota/Nebraska, The reservation is located in one of the poorest counties in the nation and is home 10 25, 000 Lakota (Sioux), half of them under 16 years old. The win- ters are bitterly cold and many fumes lack central heating. Tam collecting yarn and unfin ished knitted or crocheted projects which I march up with needle warkers who are willing to com- plete them. L could also use but tons and fabric 4 fellow knitter Meg Swanson told me about this project seven years ago. She and have been shipping a.carton of custom-knit items to the reservation each year, Last year enlisted the help of other needleworkers nation- wide and we were able (0 ship 30 cartons! For more information, send a SASE to Anne Rogers, Strait To | Petersburg, PA 17: 0 Lemon Street, E. 20-1134 or contact her via fax (717-898: 7909) or e-mail (ARogers 626@aol.com). The Heart, 6 ‘Thank you for your help Anne Rogers Note: Anne Rogers ds individuals and organizatio wrhich collect everything from tooth= bprushes 19 eanned goods. Please help! KIDS CAN DO IT, TOO! Dear Country Afghans. Warm-Up America! is a pro- gram that gathers volunteers from around the country to knit and crochet blankets. Last year, over 30, 000 warm winter blanket were sent to people who desperately needed them. Recently, students in elementary and secondary schools have jumped on the band wagon, fo0. Both girls and boys are learning 10 make simple squares | expressly for the pur pose of urning them | into afghans for Warm | Up America! Ifyou have the 1 to volunteer at a local school, I'm sure your efforts will be wel: comed. The afghans your schoo! produces will most certainly be welcomed by grateful recipients Want more informa- tion about Warm Up America? Free instruc- tion booklets and infor- ‘mation on participating in the program are available by sending a SASE to: Craft Yarn Council of America, P.O. Box 9, Gastonia, Dear Country 1 really enjoy your mag Although I have made many of the projects in each issue, Lam unable to find just the right design 10 use at my summer house, I've decorated the porch and several rooms with wooden sail boats lighthouses and other “beachy” items. Do you have any afghan patterns that would go with my decor? Perhaps sailboats or seashells? Christina Kay George Virginia Beach, Virginia Dear Christina: We asked several of our design- ets if they could come up with something with summer-house style. Turn to page 5 for the results. Our Summer Starfish is perfect for sand, sea and chilly evenings, EEE Collecting fEz=z3 DECOY DUCKS Hunting for a bargain? Enjoy these alternatives to expensive antique carved birds. By Cynthia E. Georgeff ntique decoys—the “real thing” in terms of duck memorabilia—were accessible and reasonably priced just 20 years ago. That was the time (o start a collection. Toslay, the cost of an authen- tic, hand-carved antique decoy can equal a car payment or even approach a mortgage payment. Gone are the days of finding a bargain at a flea market. The demand has grown over the years, supplies have diminished, and prices have fise ly. But, don’t despair! There is an alternative to Collecting. authentic decoys which can be fun and imaginative. You can start a collection of “quacks,” Quack decoys aren’t genuine antiques, But they still have dec- orative and functional values that’s all their own Decoys can fit into any decor. Porcelain, jade or ceramic ducks provide a feminine touch. Wood- carved decoys and bookends have a masculine flavor. Baskets, banks, and magnets just say “fun.” And, crocheted decoys, such as afghans, pillows or mag- azine holders, add a cozy look to room. In the Living Room, put up a decoy-theme wallcovering and ander. Browse a local art sale to find an original paintin oils, acrylics, pastels or water- done in Take a closer look at the embroidered mallards. They are worked in cross stitch. lors. Create a shelf or tabletop or hollowed-o m papier-mic! wood. If you pre- fer a blue and white color scheme collect Oriental duck ware. Add a few items sculpted from jade. Start with duck-print bed linens to turn your bedroom into a hunter's haven, If you'd like a coordinated ducky bathroom, there are shower curtains, towels and mats to choose from. Don’t forget about sculptured soaps and night-lights. Craft shops and shows are a good place to find newly oys and one-of-kind items, Look for decoys covered in seashells or beans, ornaments, door stops, banks and lamps, Consideri y kitchen? You'll find entire sets of china with mallard motif well as glasses. coffee mi cookie jars and antiques mall to find vintage salt and pepper shakers or spoon rests. si e outdoor crea- t 1 let them grace your front door, welcome mat or mailbox? Your local home center probably stocks do: ucts that are find what you are looking for? Browse mail order catalogs to find unique duck items, While merchants and artisans have made it easy to collect quacks, they certainly haven't made it easy to choose! Opposite page, above: Here are a pair ‘of ducks for your den or family room. MarySally Smith used cross stitch ‘on the wings and chest of this LOW. The DECOY DUCK MAGAZINE HOLD- ER can double as a caddy for a pen ‘and pad or your current erachet project. Opposite page: Our DECOY DUCK COVERLET is perfect for the avid sportsman, It's worked in single ero- chet to keep him warm whether he's sitting in a row boat or a recliner,

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