settlers peace

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Prop Shop

Every now and then, I think that I could really love photography, then I realize that what I really love are the props.  O. had her senior pictures done yesterday and I loaded the van with some things, just in case we needed them.  

I am happy to say that the photographer made use of them and I am anxious to see the photos.  Really anxious.

Tonight is her prom, she looked lovely and amazingly grown-up.  My how time flies.

Maybe something more creative than alterations soon.

Pipe Dreams

Man, oh man, life is crazy.  AKA-Parenting is not for wimps.  I want to sit down and write a creative blog post and tell you about my latest inspiration, a pile of fabric.

Okay, that about covers it.  

In real world, I want to write 'the diary of a wimpy parent'.  As in, it would be so much easier to just bury my head and let life go on, but that is just not who I am.  I'm simply feeling rather overwhelmed with the approaching year-end of school.  I know it's a few months away, but with a junior and a senior in the house, they are counting down the days.  Last week S. was awarded a very significant award, called the Circle of Success, the only junior to receive it this year.  There was a very intimate banquet to honor the students and teachers that were being recognized for their significance in the school.  So proud.  Tonight is the last soccer game for O. in high school and will be Senior Night, a farewell of sorts.  She also got her college acceptance letter yesterday from her number one pick, so happy for and proud of her.  There is just so much excitement going on.

While they are both so happy and supportive of one another, tears soon followed at the thought that what they have had for so many years together, is about to change.  Drastically.  To even be a bystander is difficult, to be the parent can make one a wreck, it all comes back to knowing that I, too, will have a drastically different life in days to come.  I embrace change and see it as a chance to grow, and I think that they will too, when the time arrives.  But man, oh man, until it happens, I'm expecting roller-coaster ride living.

May creativity be my escape.

Words of wisdom, encouragement, and prayers much appreciated.  

Dazed and Confused

S. was conspiring with a friend today on how to completely annoy another friend through text bombing.  She was wondering aloud when I overheard her say, " I wonder what A. hates?  Oh! Oh!  Let's send her pictures of us!!!"  I guess mean and ornery can be funny, too.

The weather has had me so discombobulated lately that I can't seem to find my way up.  I was crazy busy finishing the pink stack n whack quilt and prepping the house for a baby shower. The quilt went home with the baby, and I forgot to get pictures of any of it.  However, I did have a leftover piece of this

Food photography is down right difficult when you're hungry and others are swarming around you asking "Is that the last piece?"  I let them have the crust crumbs that were still in the pan.  I made a gluten free version, just to try it.  Yummy good, but so rich that I will pass on birthday desserts next week.

We went to an Antique Show this past weekend and had a good time looking around.  I love old buttons, fabrics, and trims, but was in complete overload by the third booth.  So many beatiful things.  I made it home with this calling card and 3 flower buttons from the 1860's.

No ideas on what to do with them as of yet but to look upon them and admire them.  It was very inspiring to see so many lovely things, and made me want to come home and dig through my treasures that are stashed away, and them the overwhelming feeling comes right back.  It's time to do some spring cleaning and a bit of de-stashing!

Day 4

Well, the weather here has been quite the topic.  Today was the 4th day this week with school cancelled due to snow.  This cartoon says it all!

Day 1, I went into the sewing room and worked like crazy.  So much fun!  Day 2, I began losing steam, but finished the projects of Day 1.  This was really against my grain as I wanted to start a new project each day, but I am so happy to have these little guys done.

Pattern is Effie and Ollie Elephant by Heather Bailey.  Now to choose one to put into a pincushion swap at The Quilt Asylum.  Day 3, I awoke the girls early so as to keep somewhat of a schedule, and paid the price ALL day long.  Teens can be so annoying.  Day 4, I avoided the lioness' dens completely and retreated into the sewing room adding sashing to some blocks on the design wall, simply hiding from the kids and avoiding looking out the windows at our captor.  Photos to come when I remember to carry the camera upstairs.

In an act of desperation, D. has bought us a Wii and Just Dance 2.  An attempt to keep us entertained and burning off some of the calories that we've been consuming while creating sweets in the kitchen.  I don't know if we are burning more calories dancing or laughing at each others attempts!  

So far, I guess that we are fairing pretty well, but really, I am over the snow.

Oh, and just last Saturday, yes, back when it was 70+ degrees outside, we celebrated my Grandmothers 90th birthday!  Such a firecracker she is.  Happy Birthday, Grandma!  

Packing up

Before I put these away, I wanted to share with you what I brought home from a handmade ornament swap.

Pipe cleaner tree by Julie Upshaw, embellished wool heart by Tonya Littmann, painted inside and out-glass ball by Judy Kriehn, felt and metal snowflake by Carol Morrissey, worlds smallest tablerunner :) by Sharon Zeiner, Zentangled stocking by Sandy Brawner, melted glass tree by Becky Jackson, and the tin house I made.  The funny thing was that they were supposed to be fiber related as we are all part of an art quilt group known as the Twisted Stitchers.  Rebels, that's what we are, unwilling to believe that the rules apply to us, even if we do make them.  What a fun night and a great group of very talented women!

Another bit that was recently packed, was a submission that I made 2 years ago to Stampington, I finally got it back.  As much as I'd love to brag and celebrate that my work was published in the winter issue of Sew Somerset, I'm much more relieved to have the submission returned after such a lengthy visit.

I've learned that submissions to publications are a great way to grow and stretch, AND that you should not submit your most cherished work.  I felt that it had to be something that meant a lot to me to be worthy of publication, it really only amounted to added stress.  I have no doubt that the submissions were well cared for, but I would have been so much further ahead to have sent something that I wasn't too attached to.  Lesson learned.

Here's hoping that the new year doesn't pass as quickly as last, and that we find laughter, love, and adventure around every corner, and........that I get to the computer to blog about it!  Happy Creative New Year!

 

It's In The Bag

 

Or not.  In an effort to actually finish some projects, do some shopping and polish off the decorating, I'll be back next week.  

Wishing you all the Merriest of Christmas'.

My How Time Flies

I've been blessed with 24 years of marriage to this wonderful man and that amazing grin.  Can't you just hear him asking those curious questions - You just cut it all up and then sew it back together?  What do you doooo the whole time your on a retreat? Do you really think that it's a good idea to buy more chickens? and then shaking his head as he allows me to grow and do the things that make my world go round.  And of course none of it would be possible or mean anything without him.  Happy Anniversary, Mr. Johnson!

Rhythm and Routine

I must say that I'm doing a happy dance, not just because the girls are back in school, but because it gives ME structure and hopefully I'll get back in a routine.  A routine of house cleaning - can't wait to clean early in the morning and have it stay that way for hours again - routine of creating, blogging, writing, walking, etc.  I'm always so anxious for summer and NO routine, but enough is enough, I need structure.

S. celebrated her Sweet 16, and requested a punching bag as her gift.  I must say that it got a work out after the very first day of school, not real sure what that means. 

My sewing room is still trying to recover from the furniture swap.  You would think that moving one piece out and putting one in its place a rather simple feat, but alas, the piles say otherwise...

I've been taking advantage of the situation and really going through stuff and nesting.  Maybe it has to do with the reality of the girls growing up and me having to settle in on me, strange, but I like it.  I'll reveal more when it gets to that point, but here is a shot of a corner that makes me smile every time I go upstairs.

Artwork by S. and my stash of silk and velvet scraps.  More to come, hopefully soon!

The Energy of Change

I have been so energized by some of the changes taking place in the house.  More and more projects and distractions, but very exciting.  In one of the big furniture moves, we had to unload all of our photos from the cabinet they were stored in.  Some in photo boxes, but many still in the packets from being developed!  Then add to the mix that neither of the girls have a baby book or scrapbook AND milestone birthdays THIS month, I hit panic mode.  

O. turned 18 last week and S. will be 16 this week.  So, in the midst of chaos, I've tackled a scrapbook of sorts for O.  And I do mean chaos.

As much as I'd like to think that it is about her, I think that it's turning out to be more of a love note to my daughter.  It's more my style than hers, but really, what can we possibly give them worth more than our hearts?  I'll let you know how it progresses.

Her birthday dessert was a real hit, we're still on a sugar high.

Butter Brickle Ice Cream Bars

2 1/2 Cups Crushed Rice Chex

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 butter, melted

1 cup pecans, broken into pieces

1 cup coconut

1/2 gallon Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Mix Chex, butter, brown sugar, pecans and coconut together in a 9 x 13 pan.  Toast in oven at 300* for 30 minutes.  Stir often to prevent burning.  After toasting, take out 1/3 crumbs and reserve.  Leave remaining crumbs in pan to cool.  Then spread 1/2 gallon softened ice cream on crumbs in pan, cover with remaining crumbs.  Freeze.  Remove from freezer a few minutes before serving.  Cut into bars and serve with caramel sauce.

Enjoy the days, the count down to a routine schedule that comes with school days is on!