Potpourri

Have traveled a bit this summer.  Collected sights and memories and now that I'm perched for a spell, I'm having fun viewing all that I have taken in.  Swell visits.  Companionable people. Fun car trips.  Nothing on a National Park Scale, but lots of lovely visits with some of my very favorite people. Miss Vivien, of course.  And here at Baby Girl's Baby Shower for her Baby Girl, Vivie and I clued in on each other and quite honestly, it took me awhile to see anything else.  We spun a neck grabbing hug as we caught up on all our lovins.  The photo of the grandest gathering of lovely young women was taken at Squirrel Park.  Aptly named.  And there were actual squirrels there, not just a Mimi crawling up a slide for her granddaughter.  In the heat.  After traveling three hours.  For a special party. Vivie and Mimi had to have some time. In her piggy tail photo, V is wearing a dress that Mimi made her.  Didn't think the fabric or pattern could have gotten much cuter.  I was wrong.Then there was the Niece Lovefest.  Eldest/Admin is absolutely smitten with her Unborn Niece.  She could not wait to feel for herself the magnitude of movement that Baby Girl is experiencing.  I walked in on this moment.  Two sisters with the Baby Mind Meld.  Adorable.Kindred Spirit Friend, Stained Glass Artist, author, poet, most precious of friend.  And we are quite silly as well, climbing into the back of her seatless RAV, indulging in Whitey's Ice Cream.  We laughed and giggled as we traveled to her gracious home, while our Hubby's caught up on their lives and listened to the Two Buds in the Back.  And our Leaving Photo had to include, Pearlman, her doxie, who just at that moment wanted to be a Cory.As Crazy Dee was purchasing some Spectacular Gem adorned sandals, I came across this sign that really does define us.  She still owes me $10.00.

Peek a Boo.  I see you, most Wonderful Granddaughter.....Mimi loves you......

The Vacation Market Bag:

While packing for The Trip, I realized, I'm sure, as the cobbler did when sending his children outside without any shoes, that I had no proper book bag.  This summer, I have made over a dozen of these things in all shapes and sizes, but, alas none for me.
Despite the busyness of travel preparations, I sat right down at Close Friend Sewing Machine, determined to have a mama's collection Market Bag of my own.
My vintage stash provided the tablecloth that had spent too many days outside on various tables to be useful as an actual tablecloth anymore.  But never no mind!  It's good parts made an excellent weight for the transformation into useful market bag.  Cast away hand towels of long ago made an appropriate pocket and seasons ago blue and white striped porch cushion fabric finished up the project with a fun lining.
Stout and solid to carry the multitude of books that I think that I need on holiday.
I believe I did read from three of them, including my Bible and notebooks that go with that, so the lugging of my little library was not totally wasted.
Fun things, new tote/market/book bags.
Fun thing to carry around previously used/loved items in a whole different form.
Fun thing to have collections that constantly shift and change.

What does your favorite tote bag look like?

Vacation Views

This sign pretty much describes our vacation.  Call it the 'Whatever/whenever/Or So Vacation'.  Four Older Folks with no agenda, no plans, no tickets, no appointments, just lots of free time and a beautiful backdrop.  Hubby so needed a Nothing Vacation and thanks to the benevolence of Crazy Dee and Crazier Don, they made it happen.  If you remember from last March, http://sonowiknow.blogspot.com/2010/03/prayerful-productivity.html, the wonder of still having CD around is more than a miracle.  All I could think of on this vacation with her, was how crazy different it could have been.  How lost I would be without her and how very thankful I am for a reprieve.  This vacation, we laughed and carried on like we  had no tomorrow and last March, her tomorrows were very much in jeopardy.  This Lazy Vacation had some lovely relaxing moments interspersed with some serious shopping and bargain bagging and just to make sure I stayed grounded, My Close Friend, Sewing Machine, came with.  After all, I have a Baby Quilt to make.  And what would relaxing be without sewing?  I finished another crocheted market bag for Eldest/Admin en route and tinkered with quite a bit of embroidery in the car while I tried to ignore Crazier Don's wild driving.  I kept my eyes to the mountains or my hand work and tried to ignore the highway.  Or racetrack that I think CD thought we were on.  Whew.So on this More Than Pleasant Sunday, take some time to take in my views for the week:The brook that ran right outside our window, the swing that helped me organize my home life, the balcony where I spent some quality quiet time, the handmade ice cream place that made me forget my frozen yogurt regimen back home, the lazy mill near a pretty amazing sewing shop, the mountain cabin that was built in the 1800's on the side of the Smokie Mountains, and of course, the Skyline Tram up the mountain.  Do not be deceived.  I was NOT on this.  I took the photo of CD and Hubby on their climb upward.  I wasn't THAT relaxed.Refreshment.  Perspective. Peace. Quiet.  Rest= Vacation for Us.  Thank you Lord.

Simple Sewing Saturdays: Volume Twelve: Resourceful Resources

You are never too old to learn something new.  Daily, yea, hourly, I find new things about life and all that is this earthly adventure. That's what keeps it so darn exciting.  Even though I have been sewing since 1971 ('70 if you count an elective Home Economics Course that I cheated through), I am amazed at the amount of Sewing Knowledge that I do not possess.  In that regard, I am gratefully appreciative for those that can instruct me in the basic and the advanced type of sewing that I so admire now.  I remember my first How To guide; a Butterick published book; spiral bound and full of helpful illustrations.  This book stayed close by my in my Early Adventures in Sewing.  I am now infatuated by the young women that are incredibly talented and possess an incredible amount of technological and business savvy.  I am their biggest fan,standing in awe of how they do it all.  Pictured are some of my current Sewing Crushes.  I LOVE these books and know that you will too.  Weekend Sewing: More Than 40 Projects and Ideas for Inspired Stitching by Heather Ross.  heatherbailey.typepad.com/heather_bailey/  A wonderful book promoted by all my favorite bloggers and referenced often.  This past week whilst on my vacation, I stumbled across this sweet little fabric/pattern store,http://www.patternhutch.com/, absolutely jammed  tight with amazing fabric and the patterns that I see online all the time.  And there, waiting for me to purchase the Perfect Vacation Souvenir, was Heather's exceptional book!  I got to look it over and see why so many love it.  Hubby was more than willing to let me purchase it.  It was vacation, after all.  I spent the evening pouring over the patterns and recipes, (yes, Heather has wisely added some yummy recipes for those heavy sewing days!)  I'm telling you, no respectful Sewist should be without this book.

And then there is my new hero.  Anna Maria Horner annamariahorner.blogspot.com authored her book, Handmade Beginnings, last year.  I snatched it up after previewing it AND finding out that Baby Girl was expecting.  I believe she wrote it just for her. It is filled with great baby/mama making things and great sewing instruction.  Then, just as I was standing in awe of her mothering (six children) sewing, designing, business expertise, she goes and wows me with her writing skills. annamariahorner.blogspot.com/2010/08/bridge.html.  So amazing.  Bring your tissues. 

This next book arrived while I was gone on vacay.  I feel like I know about it from the countless times it is referred to in my favorite bloggers writings.  I have admired the quilts made from this pattern: www.soulemama.com/soulemama/2009/04/log-cabin-promises.html .  I knew that I had to make this quilt.  Fabulous.  This past year, I have acquired a Pretend Granddaughter that absolutely loves a quilt that my mother in law made for my Eldest Son many years ago.  The poor quilt is worn to pieces but she is smitten with the love woven into it.  I want to make a quilt woven with love for her.  But I need help with fabric artisans far ahead of me, so I purchased Suzuko Koseki's book. I LOVE THIS BOOK.  Beautiful projects.  Great illustrations.  It shall get passed down to my progeny worn out. 

While this Simple Sewing Saturday's Volume is not really a  practical instructional, it indeed references books that we all need as sewists/newbie wannabe sewists.  Learn something new in sewing today.  Sewing develops patience, detail, understanding of procedure and the importance of being careful.   These skills leak over into all areas of our lives, so utilizing them  in the sewing realm helps me to see the importance in all those other areas.

So, I thank all the brilliant authors that have shared their knowledge with me so that I can share it with you.

P.S.  I have a secret.  I have a friend that is coming out with a book soon and wonder of wonders, privilege of privilege, she has invited me in on it!  Coming Soon!  Watch this space for more details!www.craftleftovers.com/blog/

I love marbles.

I love the colors, the randomness, the feel of these seemingly insignificant objects. I have collected them for as long as I can remember.  For some amazing reason, I always seem to land in a home that has hidden a few of them inadvertently and my gardening adventures has me unearthing them years, decades after the marble ring has been put away.  I love the discovery.  I dig my trowel deep down, usually hiding a tulip bulb for it's winter sleep and while breaking the clods of dirt, a eureka moment of the find appears.  In the darkness of the soil, the shiny, colorful glimmer from a jewel of childhood appears.  I sit back on my heels, clean the marble on my jeans,and examine it closely.  Depending on the milkiness of the design, you can generally tell the decade from whence it came. Then, once I determine that, then the stories of it's journey into my hands begin.  I often wonder about the little guy that owned one.  He is counting his marbles and checking to see which one of his collection he lost to his buddy at their game after school.  Sadly, he notices that several are gone and he wonders how he lost so many to his friend.  Unknowingly, the elusive marble rolled away from the marble ring, and throughout the game, got walked into the earth by he and his buddy.  The years, the rain, erosion, sends it deep into the ground.  Until that day when I am gardening and discover the near pristine age old marble appearing in my tulip bulb hole.  If he knew the thrill that I get from each find, he wouldn't have been so sad to have lost it.  My collection does not just sit there.  My little visitors to my porch completely enjoy handling and rolling these little gems.  They too are entranced with the colors and the smoothness.  And being modern children, they have no concept of the game that the marbles represent.  Until they visit Nana/Mimi/My Debbie.  I will tell them about the rope circle and show them my large shooter marble.  I tell them of the dreaded Keepers, when you take big roulette type risks.  I show them my marble/jacks leather pouch that I have had in my possession for 50 years.  And thus another generation will leave their mark on the earth.  The rolly marbles that leave my porch and fall into my flower beds will no doubtedly end up in some other glass jar years from now.

And that is exactly how it should be.

Silver Friend

www.ritabunny.com

It is so like God.  Just when you think that you are past being pleasantly surprised, He shows up and does something sweetly unique and encouraging.  He lets you know that He knows your needs and the desires of your heart and that He has a plan in it all even in the smudgy, inky times.

I have known of Sculptor Friend for many years.  Our paths crossed like a crazy crossword puzzle.  But we never took the time to pay attention.  We waved and spoke quickly as our lives ran parallel courses.  Until now.  Now, we are at cross paths and have bumped into each other on our destinies.

Gardening brought us together.  Our passion for our art and our business will keep us united.  SF has years of experience in the business of home ran craft and I am newbie supreme.  SF has a desire to teach others that are where she was years ago and to integrate all the new technology that aids and abets that kind of home industry.

So it was with a great delight that I was invited to enter her studio and to sit with her for hours while we shared stories, amazed at the similarities.  While she painted and I shot questions and concerns at her, she quickly reassured me that I can do this.  That I can start a business with what I have, what I do and what I love.  I watched and listened in awe of her tenacity and determination and was glad that I felt a kindred spirit it to it all.  I cam home pleasantly, overwhelmingly exhausted, like one becomes having drank in an ocean of information and ideas.

A Silver Friend, that's what she is.  Valuable as gold to me.
Thank you Lord for how you work and who you use....
May I be worthy....

Beautiful Views

Kindred Spirits friend is an artist. I have seen her work in many mediums but by far, her work in stained glass is my favorite.  I was the very pleased recipient of one of her first works years ago.  On my stay at her home this past weekend, I was able to catch up on all her current works.  I get lost in the talent, the color, the design the soul that she puts in to each work.  I've owned my piece for nearly 12 years, and I still stare at it. She has this uncanny ability to interpret a thought, idea into the slimmest of pieces of glass and join them together to create a work of art singularly hers.

This one is called Deb's Garden...She interpreted in glass, my curved garden path created by BG's  Hubby and my propensity for nasturtiums.  I would know it anywhere....

You know what?  Her talent is only superseded by her wonderful, loving self.....
And I am blessed to count her as my Kindred Spirit Friend.....