settlers peace

Having Fun

We somehow get wrangled into puppy sitting occasionally.  A real arm twisting ;)

He is SO cute it almost makes up for all of the antics he is up to when he is here.  He looks a bit like a mini Jeffery, is as bull headed but with 10 times more energy. 

Everybody sleeps well after Diesel goes home.

D. has been telling me of these really cool walls painted in Dallas that we needed to go see.  When we were in town recently, we drove by and couldn't resist hoping out and taking some snapshots.

They were funny, jumping into new characters within each painting and adapting to the scene.  It was so entertaining watching them evolve and then bust out laughing at themselves, it was the highlight of the trip.

I've gotten a few more liberated baskets made. 

I'd love to hear what you have been up to lately!?!

Refreshed

North carolina was beautiful.  O. had a soccer game each morning and the rest of the time to do as we pleased.  We cruised the area and marveled at trees, lovely, tall trees, quaint neighborhoods, college campuses, and quirky shops.  A quick thaw after the game on Saturday, we headed to Chapel Hill and Trader Joe's.

As we were walking about, big huge snow flakes began to fall, so beautiful!  

We found the Clothing Warehouse and ducked inside for some shopping and fun.  Vintage clothing at it's best, and atmosphere to boot.  O. and C. tried on clothes, and I warmed my feet by the fire-this old console TV with a show of constant flickering flames, you can't help but smile.

So much fun and amazing kids to laugh with, but I had a my fair share of looking at this, too.  

It just does a body good to get out and see new things!  

Refreshed, inspired and ready to start on Christmas!

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping......

into the future.  Man, time just seems to be slipping by.  Here it is December 1 and I've made no progress on any holiday preparations.  None.  No Black Friday shopping, no stacks of handmade items to giveaway, not a single decoration.  I've been tied up with O. and soccer tournaments and will be at 'the big one' this weekend.  Then, I think, I will have a bit of time, but I have to admit that I am already wondering "Do I really want to go through the effort for such a shortened time ?"  I'm hoping it's a yes, but only time will tell.

I am looking forward to our time away, and catching up on some girl time, maybe it'll make all of this time slipping a little more bearable.

 

 

Forward Motion

Well, I can't say that I've hit a comfortable stride yet, but I am at least moving in the right direction.  I am finishing some projects and have avoided starting any new ones.  First up was getting the binding on this quilt.

While it looks rather nice on my bed, it is a gift for my niece's 16th birthday.  

I'm trying to spend time daily in the sewing room, wether organizing or sewing, and I am constantly amazed at how much gets done with just showing up.  I am also reminded of the investment of time in these projects.  It is so often that I think "I'll just whip that together" and it sits unfinished because I lack the ability to forecast the time involved.  I'm getting better by forcing myself to spend the time to complete those projects, even though the intended deadline has passed.  And it feels so good when they are d-o-n-e.  It sheds new light on wether or not I want to start a new project, too.

With the start of school we have also begun a new soccer season.  The weather around here can be spotty, and since we live 1-2 hours from the games sites, our weather doesn't always look like the weather at the fields.  Last week, we were experiencing thunderstorms and flash flooding but at the game location 2 hours away, sunny.  Being the super prepared woman that I am, I packed beach towels for after the game, bags for muddy cleats, and hand quilting for observing as I watched from the van.  I am totally a sidelines mom, unless it's pouring like it was at home.  We drove for an hour and had stopped to get food when I realized that this super prepared mom had completely forgotten her purse!  No cash, no credit, no ID, no insurance, nothing, nothing but enough gas to get us to game and home.  What to do?  What to do?  As we travelled on, munching on almonds, hoping it will carry them through the game, I realized that I would be very close to a quilt shop and I just might know someone there.  Heaven smiled down and I found a friend.  With the biggest smile and warmest heart, she handed me cash and suggested I write my phone number on my arm in case of emergency.  Who does that anymore?  Oh yeah, middle aged, forgetful, over prepared and desperate women facing 2 more hours of driving in these storms.  Moments later, we've had a snack and get word that the game has been cancelled.  We turn around and head home, back through the storms that have followed us here.  Eventually we emerge the other side and see the most beautiful, full arching rainbow, with a faint double on the outside.

 The next time I hear myself thinking how prepared I am, I will stop and thoroughly question that thought.  God's amazing grace of friends in distant places is as precious as a rainbow after a storm.  Thank you, Carol!

Sweetness of time

We recently had a day to wander the back roads close to home.  Traveling down new highways we came across an estate sale sign and had to follow.  The trip there was full of anticipation and wonder as to what we would find, and just how far off the beaten path we would go to find it?

 We let it unfold before us and took in the beauty of nature and time at every turn.

 

The sale was pretty much sold out when we arrived, but I was gushing over some beautiful pink roses growing along the house and the homeowner came over and cut me a bouquet.  Don't they look lovely against the black console of the truck?  The generosity and kindness of the gentleman warmed my heart throughout the day and I smiled every time I opened the door to get in.

 

Back to the highway and headed no where in particular, we came across a sea of cars along the road.  There was a huge car show going on and the entries filled the parking lot of this small town school.  We found a space along the road and hiked our way to the show.  

 

Can you imagine trying to park it in the tiny lots now, as I'm sure it was before power steering, and the gas bill for cruising it?  But what fun when it happens!  Next we spent some time shopping the isles of some antique shops in a sleepy little downtown.

The purchases were few but the treasures were many.  Time with Dean and the spirit of adventure will be with us for much longer than stuff.  A perfect way to celebrate our anniversary of 23 years of marriage, a treasure for sure. 

Workin'

Well, I have been working on some projects.  I have had an eye for leaves lately and decided to applique some onto brown linen.  Makes me think of a photo from Washington last year,when I realized that there really were pink leaves in nature!  I made a journal out of the linen piece for another project that is in the works.

I have also been helping S. with a dress for the Homecoming dance.

Note the green tulle, what a lovely first project!!!  Anyway, the dress was finished, and I'd love to show you a picture of her wearing it, but she couldn't seem to take a sane photo.  This is as close as I could get.  

At least her feet didn't hurt during the dance.  She hasn't worn matching socks in years now, but I do wish the shoes had been washed!

I had the opportunity for another 'joy' moment this past weekend.  I had the privilege of spending some time in a building that I have admired for years.  You know those old buildings that could tell stories of ages long ago, the mystery of what those walls could say, so intriguing.  A quick tour just won't work, it takes time to soak it in, that was the great part, I had time inside this old place.

While the outside is weathered a bit, the inside has been restored and is beautiful.  The woodwork is all original, along with many exposed walls.  The small windows on the fourth floor are all trimmed in metal and wood, as is much of the ceiling up there.

The first floor even has the original shelving for the mercantile business that was there a hundred years ago.

I just can't call it anything except a blessing, to have something like this just handed to you.  Pure joy and bliss, such are God's gifts.

 

Missing.....

I've been away at summer camp, a leader in the senior girls cabin last week.  It is always so fun and rewarding to spend time with teenagers, mind you, a break from my own.  I love my girls dearly, but time spent with other kids gives me a fresh perspective and new found appreciation for the life of all teens.  Days were spent on the beach, hanging out, knotting friendship bracelets, and competing in team events.  We had time for worship and Bible study and a time to share all that they are experiencing, along with the trials of NO computers, cell phones and ipods!  What a time to actually get to connect with others instead of through little technical gadgets, refreshing.  It's always interesting to hear how the guys entertain themselves, with what seems like self torture to us, when they are without all of the gadgets as well!  It was a week of hearty laughs and tearful sighs, a time to treasure as time goes by.

I'm feeling recovered and back in the swing and am completely absorbed with the idea of a sewing room re-do.  I'll keep you posted on progress.  Hopefully something creative to share with you soon.  Have a blessed day, I have missed you!

The challenges we face

Ahhh,  I'm back home from ArtFiberFest and re-entry into daily life is a challenge.  Well, honestly, a let down.  It is so much fun to go on a retreat with friends and get to be creative, and all the while spend the time laughing.  The dirty dishes and dog hair just don't compare.  I'll have some photos of my projects, probably next week, as they need a bit more embellishing.  But here's the crew.

Jeanne, Linda, Tammy, Cindy and myself.  And then myself and Lori.

It is so much fun to meet up year after year, and pick up right where we left off.  Jeanne was a newbie this year, and the cool table always has room to expand and welcome new friends, so make plans to be there next year, you won't be sorry!

And as a catch up, I have neglected to post my finished project for the guild challenge.  We were given 3 fabrics and allowed to add 1, making something approx 18" square.  My biggest challenge was not the fabric choices, but being limited to only 4 fabrics.  It was a challenge for this scrapper!  So I made two, one within the confines of the rules and one my way.  Here they are.

It was good to stretch myself, and Tracy was so excited to get them.  She is an amazingly supportive person, so positive and giving, a great role model in so many ways!  And boy can she crank out the quilts, she knows no fear in trying new things in quilting.

So, back to the unpacking of supplies and projects and maybe finishing them up soon.  Have a great day!

Luckiest Girl

I must say, I am the luckiest girl in the world.  Not only does my husband support my creative adventures, he buys me cool gifts while I'm gone!  I thought that it was generous enough that he let me be gone over our anniversary (22 years, yea!), but he gave me this awesome colored pencil display case when I got home

It will come n handy as I begin organizing my art space, maybe that is was he was thinking!  I have tons of pictures to share, so grab of cup of tea, and enjoy a long post of show and tell.

First up, these are from the inchie swap done at AFF, hosted by Marylin Huskamp

What amazing little pieces of animal fun, all in a one inch square!

Then I was in the plushie trade, as well.  Remember the little guys jumping on the bed in an earlier post?  They were my offering.

And these are what I brought home.  So much personality in that bunch, and what creative ideas!

The only thing that has, so far, found a home, has been the banner from the banner swap, hosted by Heather Bluhm , mine were the elephants, posted about here.

So, all of these swaps happened on the first night!  My head was spinning with inspiration and joy, to have so many new treasures to take home.  But don't think for a moment that it slowed me down on vendor night!

Rug hooked chicken pillow and cell phone cozy by Mary Stanley  

Bird art print by Tracie Lynn Huskamp  

Floral images on fabric by Carol Strand-Siebers  

Painted clutch and fabric panel by Alisa Burke  

Odd Ball Charm Zine by Alma Stoller  

Box of hand stitched cards by Tammy Gilley

Tiny House ornament by Syd McCutcheon

But the real reason that I went was to take classes with awesome instructors, refuel, reconnect with and meet new artist friends and to reveal in the creative energy and spirit that ArtFiberFest is.

I took the Book of Intentions class with Lisa Engelbrecht

All painted on unprimed canvas and will eventually be turned into a fabric book.  What a wonderful class.  Lisa is such an awesome instructor and really gets you to dig into you own art.

Next up was Nature Inspired Fabrics with Tracie Lynn and Marylin Huskamp.

THIS was my favorite class!  Maybe because I am so proud of that bird!  This started with a piece of very white fabric, and I painted the bird and dyed the background, with much help and lessons learned from the teachers.  Thanks for all of the pushing!  I have been wanting to get into painting more, but the idea of canvas' wasn't doing it for me.  I may have found a perfect combination!

The last class that I took was Little Things To Wear with Mary Stanley.  It was the perfect saturday class.  There were only 4 of us in the class and we were able to sit and stitch and enjoy all of Mary's stories.  Pure bliss.

Much to add to these as time goes on, it was a wonderful class and so many ideas to try.  Mary is a very generous person and so creative, wish we were neighbors!

I think that about wraps up the photos.  What a blessing from above to be able to experience such trip, I cherish all of the connections that I made, the goodies that I brought home and the inspiration that just seems to be percolating through my veins!  Have a blessed day and do something creative!

Old Songs for a Get-a-way

I've had John Denver running through my mind this past week, you know, Leaving On A Jet Plane, Sunshine On My Shoulders.  Yep, I took a little leave with my friend Cindy, and headed to Port Townsend, Washington for the ArtFiberFest Retreat, and we got that sunshine while we were there, too!  We had a great time and had wonderful classes.  I have photos to share, too.

Partners in creativity and adventure.

Fish from JJ's Fish House in Poulsbo, WA on the way to the fort.  Great fish and chips.  We ate dinner at 3:30, time change is a killer on eating and sleeping schedules!

The pink leaves were AMAZING!  I have seen vintage pink velvet leaves and always thought them a bit unrealistic, I was wrong!  They are wonderful on the bushes, but I really liked the contrast of them against the dark mulch.

This was the view from the dining hall as we ate breakfast one morning.

The view from my room!  We didn't explore the grounds much this visit, but we found all of the good food that we could,  Lanza's Ristorante, Waterfront Pizza, and Khu Larb Thai,  and shopped from the time we left home.  I'll post pictures of my treasures and class projects once I get some more unpacking done.  Oh, and all of the great trades that I was in!  What goodies I brought home with me!  Best get back to the laundry and grocery list that I need to be working on.  Be back again soon!