Reflections

CC License View

I am making a list of things I want to accomplish this coming year. A new beginning....

Really it is an illusory beginning. Each new day that we rise up and go is a "new beginning." I have pulled out a sketch book that I bought to sketch in and I want to begin a journal again of thoughts, words, ideas, dreams. I have put a poster board of goals in front of my desk.

I have found inspiration these last few days. Inspiration that I consider a gift. A phone call from a dear artist friend whom I treasure.

A phone call that has inspired me to get along in my creative endeavors. Something that can lead to some very exciting possibilities for me in the future. 

I have found an artist that has inspired me to rise above limitations

and do better with what I have.

CC License View

I am thinking about although life has been more difficult then I ever dreamed what I treasure most are

the moments I share with my family.
Each time my children share some insight or we laugh together,

having good food and a roof over our head and being healthy...these are the things I am grateful for.

I am also grateful for the circle of women who visit here and always leave me with a sense of gratitude and a smile.

Finally, for those of you following along this (pictures above) is what I made with the woven red fabrics...a little shirt for this elfin fellow that is a gift.


I will raise my cup of tea to you and....

I am wishing you and your families a Happy New Year !

<3

I really like this blog: http://urban-patchwork.com/?cat=11

http://digsandbean.blogspot.com/

http://skunkboycreatures.blogspot.com/

Merry making

CC License View

Stitched up this.....I am a little slow this year...

CC License View

This is a picture of the family dessert competition. My eggnog cake is missing in the picture. It was tasty and the judges liked it, but it did not win : (

CC License View

This is one of the winners along with the cake in the jar! It was a lot of fun!

CC License View

So after all the food and fun... time for a more nutritional way of eating. I found these at the library.

CC License View

This book is beautifully illustrated and is family friendly. Enchiladas, breakfast potatoes, Sherried tomato soup, skillet cornbread just to name a few recipes....mmmm!

<3

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and yours!

<3

a little bit "risky"

CC License View

I have been restless for the last few nights as I have not felt 100% so while laying in bed awake I began
to think of my little Christmas project and I decided  to transform the quilt pieces into a woven piece...
a little bit risky, but I think once it all comes together into what it is meant to be it will be perfect.

CC License View

yesterday morning before work daughter #2 and I took a quick picture together. I love these

little moments we share. We giggle and have fun and it makes my day before work brighter.

: )

it's all about red

CC License View

I decided to go through my stash and find different shades/prints of red. I wanted more of a solid feel but with slight texture. So the various little patterns give that textured feel. This is the start of something I am creating for a gift. : )

CC License View

I cut out the squares very random with no thought of perfection. I quickly stitched them on the machine and I will begin adding some hand stitching.

CC License View

A new found book that I plan on reading. Frida has always fascinated me. She took her tragedy and  made it into art. She was complex and simple. She struggled with life, as we all do. I think that is why I am drawn to her....


note: the movie version with Selma Hayek was really well done.

CC License View

This book looked intriguing...I'll let you know once I read it. 

the answer...

CC License View

My answer to all the craziness : )

Mexican hot chocolate!

This is my version:

1 cup of whole milk

2 tsp. cocoa

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 tsp. of sugar

a pinch of chili powder to taste

a pinch of cinnamon to taste +

cinnamon sprinkled on top

 and lots of whip cream on top!

(sometimes I add cardamon, and omit vanilla)

: )

a gift of roses

CC License View

(a felt snowflake)

Quietly and gently this beautiful gift came to me....

CC License View

You see I was not expecting such a lovely gift to arrive.

With great surprise I opened the package...

and I found this lovely hand stitched quilt of roses.

I love the spiral of beading around the roses and seeing each lovingly stitched bit of thread...gorgeous!

CC License View

There are bits of fabric from France, England, Holland and even India all stitched with love from Isabelle in Switzerland:

http://isathreadsoflife.wordpress.com/

This is a treasure and my heart is full...

with deep gratitude "thank you from my heart."

<3

making

CC License View

Yep, this is what I am up to....crocheting 100% cotton washcloths or dishrags, which ever you prefer. 

CC License View

I let daughter #2 pick the color of yarn, which I think is so much fun because it is variegated!

CC License View

Obviously, this is not perfect and it is my first try, but I am loving the imperfections : )

CC License View

I think I am getting better at this.....??? (to the right). I wanted to make something that would be useful and practical for gifts.

Have a great day!

<3

denim quilt

CC License View

I had wanted to show these pictures sooner but my internet was out from Tuesday until today (Friday). Our last kitten is sooo curious about anything and everything. I laid out the quilt to photograph it and she jumped right in.

CC License View

The quilts were made by my friend Becky @  http://snailcloth.blogspot.com/

Have a great weekend!

<3

Comfort

CC License View

Today was all about "comfort"....I made my homemade pumpkin soup...Nothing says warmth and comfort like a bowl of soup...mmmm.


This is my homemade recipe:

~fresh pumpkin cooked and pureed~ready to put in a soup.

or I used ~1 can of pumpkin puree

~1 fresh onion
~enough olive oil to saute' onion

~ approx 2 cups chicken broth or vege broth (I used chicken broth)

~ approx 1 cup cream (I used half and half)

~salt

~pepper

~curry or cumin

~tamari pepitos (pumpkin seed)

~smoked gouda cheese

~saute` onions in olive oil until they become clear. Add spices to the onion. Add pumpkin  puree` and chicken broth. Stir on low heat until hot. Add cream and stir. Remove from heat and garnish with  shredded smoked gouda cheese and pepitos or your favorite topping.

CC License View

This came in the mail a few days ago and is such a comfort.
2 beautiful handmade quilts from a dear friend. They are made from scraps of recycled denim and have hearts (my favorite) in some of the squares. 
                                   Thank you <3

I am...

CC License View

CC License View

CC License View

I am thankful.

(this is being added to the Boro Madona quilt)

<3

Chocolate, children and limes

CC License View

Drinking this: Lime + water because I bought a whole bunch of them for a really good price.

I am working a lot....

I have a house full of children....3 extra boys and 1 extra girl plus my 3.

I love love love this picture...

this  is how I feel. 

: )

CC License View

and eating way too much of this for comfort.

It's all good...

: )

Wolf

I enjoyed watching this and thought I would share it with you....

powerful!

CC License View

My daughter <3

Happy !

CC License View

The thrifting goddess was smiling on me today!

I walked up the Christmas aisle at my favorite thrifty store and look what jumped out at me....

My eyes got really bright and a smile lit up my face.  "I said to myself it has to be mine, only .99 cents and made in Japan."

CC License View

Even with all it's little chippiness and wear...I am happy and smitten...

Thank you thrifting goddess : )

<3

Smile!

CC License View

I bought some new fluorescent DMC thread and look who wanted to get into the picture....

CC License View

I have not mentioned that in September we became the proud parents of kittens, from the alleged fixed cat we took in last winter.

: /

Two are already gone to a loving home and the white one is promised to someone. (she is the sweetest and honestly my favorite, yep I am playing favorites.)

CC License View

2 curious little kittens....

<3

Un stuffed!

CC License View

I know this is not pretty but this is what I worked on yesterday. You see I am trying to slowly get through all the projects that have been lying around for months. This is the arm of a doll and you see how those little fibers are coming through the fabric? I kept walking by and looking at the doll thinking she was somehow getting dusty from neglect but upon further inspection I realized it was polyester fibers coming through. I thought surely if I pull them off that will be the end of it. Nope!
I wanted natural fibers like 100% cotton or wool stuffing. At this point no such luck locally. I found some organic cotton on line. I will say I found a combination of bamboo and polyester locally and I opted to purchase that so I could finish this project. I unstuffed the doll and used the bamboo/poly fiber fill. I will say it is 85% better but, not perfect.

CC License View

This is the bamboo/poly fiber fill. Notice it looks more like cotton.....

CC License View

This is the nasty stuff...notice the shiny fibers! They are stiff and work their way through the fabric continuously. eeuk! 

I know this stuff is part of the plastic/oil industry. Seems to me the natural fibers are sooo easy and readily available but instead we are inundated with this stuff at the sewing stores! Just saying....

CC License View

I finally stitched up a doll dress using scraps of 1930's reproduction fabric.

Just need to make her knickers and do her hair.

<3

Give Away Ideas

The first "giveaway" information is:


My favorite makeup remover. Dr. Bronners Magic "All-One!" Fair Trade & Organic Conconut oil.
Yep, you got it. Go right to the oil section of your Whole Foodsy Health store and ask for the coconut oil.
It will look like a solid white shortening.  It smells sooo good. I am a coconut fan. (Notey: If your allergic to nuts or coconut then this is not for you.) It cost me about $10, but it will last a L-o-n-g time! You only use about 1/2 the size of a dime or less per time.Just wipe on eyes and tissue off. Wah la!   I leave my jar on the counter in the kitchen. Good for cooking too. : )

CC License View

p.s. I am sure you noticed I switched back to my old blog format. I missed my blog roll showing. I like seeing when there is a new blog post.  Plus this feels "home-ee" : )

Now I just need to figure out how to make my header not so big and in your face. lol!

<3

after the fact

CC License View

A recent find...I have just begun reading this book. Love it!

Part 1, “Handbook for Earth-Connected Parenting,” gives techniques for developing a child's inner wisdom and sense of the sacred: dream journals, visualization, Tarot play, talismans, and interactions with the natural world

Part 2 is a guide to the specific seasonal festivals, and offers a comprehensive collection of practical and enjoyable ways to celebrate the sacred days of our ancestors. Make a bean rune divination system, gather smudge sticks, grow grass pots, assemble a “dream pillow,” create altars the authors offer easy-to-follow suggestions. 

CC License View

Although it is after the fact aka Halloween I am still enjoying this candle lampshade....

CC License View

reminds me of shadow puppets.

CC License View

finished this!

CC License View

almost done with Frida Kahlo. I want to add some earrings and perhaps add more detail to the flowers.

Trying to figure out how to add the 5 o'clock shadow with thread??? I have had to rip it out twice!

: )

Remembering

CC License View

This is what I call my 5 minute altar. I planned on really taking my time and preparing but.......life happens and calls one in too many directions. So I accept with gratitude a few moments to remember those I love.

CC License View

Hoping your day was special!

<3

Snow!

CC License View

Our first snow.....

Yes, I am still here...just busy. Still working on my embroidery skull. I hope to have some things to show later. Until then...
<3