Pillows All Done

New pillows--one with ruffle, the other with a graphic (from The Feathered Nest) printed on to muslin then sewn on to burlap.  All of the pillows are the very simplest envelope style.  The bird nest pillow shows that even after I thought I'd gotten the fold ironed out of the burlap, I was wrong.

I love the way the new fabrics lighten and freshen the mood.  Fee thinks it a bit too girly, but doesn't really mind as long as I leave his recliner alone.

 The above footstool has a long story behind it.  When I was pregnant with Erin, we were living in a huge old house near Ruston.  I'd just bought a quilt book, although I was decades away from actually making my first quilt.  I commented to Fee that I wished I had a footstool, and he said he thought there was one in the barn.

Yes, there was.  Who knows how old it was then and that was about 37 years ago.  The top came off, revealing a little storage space inside.  And what little miracle...a doll-size Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt was there.  I was reading my first book on quilts, wanted a footstool, found a footstool AND a beautiful little quilt!  Couldn't have been more perfect.

Linking to Not Just a Housewife and  The Trendy Treehouse.

Below...playing with my little "point and shoot" camera.  Which appears to be lost now... I had it a week ago and can't find it.

Hearts and Flowers

OK, no flowers, but I've been doing a little crafting in anticipation of Valentine's Day decorating.

 

 I've been  making some clay hearts, playing with paper hearts, bought Valentine M & M's to put in a jar (these aren't going to last long!), and found a cute kitchen towel at Target. Maybe I'll have found and/or made more Valentine related stuff and actually begin putting things together in a way that satisfies me.  I keep finding creative ideas all  over the blogosphere!

I saw this at Peg's Sister Sal--makes you think...

Let's put our senior citizens in jail & our criminals

 in nursing homes..

This would correct two things in one motion:

• Seniors would have access to showers, hobbies and walks.
• They would receive unlimited free prescriptions, dental and medical treatment, wheel chairs, etc.
• They would receive money instead of having to pay it out.
• They would have constant video monitoring, so they would be helped instantly if they fell or needed assistance.
• Bedding would be washed twice a week and all clothing would be ironed and returned to them.
• A guard would check on them every 20 minutes.
• All meals and snacks would be brought to them 
• They would have family visits in a suite built for that purpose. 
• They would have access to a library, weight/fitness room, spiritual counseling, a pool and education...and free admission to in-house concerts by nationally recognized entertainment artists. 
• Simple clothing - i.e.., shoes, slippers, pj's - and legal aid would be free, upon request. 
• There would be private, secure rooms provided for all with an outdoor exercise yard complete with gardens. 
• Each senior would have a computer, a  T.V., phone and radio in their room at no cost. 
• They would receive daily phone calls. 
• There would be a board of directors to hear any complaints and the ACLU would fight for their rights and protection. 
• The guards would have a code of conduct to be strictly adhered to, with attorneys available, at no charge to protect the seniors and their families from abuse or neglect. 

As for the criminals : 

• They would receive cold food. 
• They would be left alone and unsupervised. 
• They would receive showers once a week. 
• They would live in tiny rooms, for which they would have to pay $5,000 per month. 
• They would have no hope of ever getting out.

Tiny Tim & Winter Fairy

Using white glue, I re-did this frame to get a weathered, crackled look.  The top pic shows a close-up.  Underneath is the Tiny Tim framed picture with its "new" frame.  Tiny Tim came from a flea market purchase years ago; it still appeals to me, although it is cut from something like a magazine, very thin paper.

Above is a picture (from Oct. or early Nov.) of a cloth and clay doll I just couldn't like.  I'd already done the clay over the cloth head, but the body shape (and I really had an idea in mind for this) just wouldn't work the way I wanted.

The other day, I decided to finish her as a Winter Fairy.  I liked her much better painted and dressed, so I added a halo and put her at the top of the tree.  Her dress is from a woven metallic napkin from Pier One several years ago.  I knew those napkins, which were purely decorative and not for real use, would come in handy some day.

Today, I'm really going to finish the sachets.  Yes?  

(More) Christmas Decorations

The third crumpled paper bag has a beaded handle and another Graphics Fairy image of a reindeer in the snow.  Fee's carved Santas are always my favorites.

 The finished little bread tin, all covered in moss; a small plant looks like it belongs.

Using what I have and natural greenery from the garden makes it feel more ours.  Not that I don't have some artificial greenery, including the tree!  I just like having the mix. 

I wrapped some pretty ribbon around an old wooden spool and put out an old wooden darning tool.  After taking the picture, I added another wooden spool (a tall one) and later a child's wooden shoe last to the group. (didn't take another picture after adding the shoe last).  I love the way the old wood has such soft patinas from being handled often over the years.

Michael's had these tiny ornaments in "mint," and into a glass bowl they went, looking nice and shimmery.

 Isn't it nice to bring out all the old, tried and true decorations?  It is satisfying to see them again.  Then finding something new to add to the mix, like the tiny ornaments in a glass bowl, to keep things fresh.

It's fun to visit other blogs and see the creative way different people decorate for the season and to get inspired and creative.  I'm editing all during the weeks leading up to the big day...moving this here and that there, adding another vase of greenery, a bow, a bit of lace, adjusting, straightening, re-arranging...

Today, I'm planning to do a bit of last minute grocery shopping (and it probably won't be the last "last minute" grocery shopping this week, but I've thought of a few things I need.

We've warmed up again, and it is supposed to reach the mid-70's today, so I also need to get out and plant the pansies we bought Sunday.

 Have a great day!

'Tis the Season

I've not had much time lately for the computer, and I have a lot of catching up to do.  So many blogs to visit!

I made 3 bags using images from The Graphics Fairy and filled them with greenery from the garden.   Using brown wrapping paper that I crumpled and ironed flat, I printed images directly on one bag and onto muslin for the other two.  Added a little lace, sewed them up and added handles, then filled them with greenery wrapped in a wet paper towel and covered with plastic wrap to keep them fresh.  Need to get some candy canes to add to them.  Forgot to take a picture of the third bag, but will get that one later.

In the top right corner is Laddie's hat with a little holly for a reminder.  I love that hat; he always looked so sporty in it, and the addition to the hat band gave it a Christmas touch.  The  flower ornament on the top bag is just left-over scraps of muslin, lace, and brown paper sewn together.

  Found a bag of moss purchased for another project a while back, and began adding it to a tiny foil baking tin and a small tin can to hold a plant and a candle.

(the text should read "Wet paper towel to keep moist;...")

Wrapped some bark around a green candle and put it in the can with moss, feathers, and berries--perfect fit.

  An old book cover that I've had for years and that only sees light during the Christmas Season, oranges and lemons, beloved soup tureen:

 Another image from The Graphics Fairy on sheer fabric and framed.  I'm not terribly pleased with this and may change this out later.

My favorite time is at night with just candles and tree lights, some Christmas music, and a cuppa green tea. 

After some bad storms yesterday, today promises to be beautiful!  I have so many things in mind to do today since I have to be out for some errands anyway, but I'm still in pajamas, drinking my coffee; the impetus to shower and dress has so far eluded me.

Amelia, Chris, and Bryce Eleanor are in Florida for the wedding of one of Chris's cousins.  Hope they have a wonderful time!

Corners of our home:

Some of the books I've been reviewing on my book blog.  Finally, making in-roads on this task.  Need to gather the books by my reading chair and get busy on those, too.

 Love the newest Buddha...

 Gonesh makes the best incense!  In fact, it is the only incense I've ever liked, but since discovering it, there is almost always some burning in one of our several incense burners.  If you haven't tried it, visit Spiritual Scents and try lavender or sandal wood--heavenly!

Several years ago, I found two old flower prints at a flea market and had them framed.  I love them both.









This is a print Fee found at Discount Builders (strange place to find all kinds of things). 

The flower prints are on my side of the bathroom; this one is on his side. 

We also have a Blue Dog, a Story People, and a framed Chinese piece in the bathroom.  Easy to want to spend time there.

Early this morning, I took this picture coming down the stairs from my studio.

Now, on to the shower, a brief foray with straightening the house and putting on the laundry...then out the door!

Hope you are all having a good Friday!

Friday

 Back in the studio:  quilts stacked in cubby holes.

My crone doll, and an old bisquit tin, and a gift from a mail-art friend.

Yesterday morning, I did the flyers for our free yoga classes on Saturday, Feb. 13.  A perfect way to honor both Heart Month and Valentine's Day.  Delivery today.

Amelia came yesterday to pick up the papers that Katie had brought the day before.  I'm so loving this arrangement!  We ended up having lunch at a new deli -- great food.  We each had a California Club, with Cannoli for dessert.

Isn't this quilt wonderful!  Beautifully done and so true!  Found via Cactus Needle. This is only one of the blocks.

Love the simplicity of this Valentine shadowbox!  Found in Nina Glaser's Etsy shop.

Have to shower and get ready for yoga, errands, etc.  Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Quilts and Kittens

I'm so enjoying visiting quilting and craft blogs again.  Here is a terrific idea from Sew Take a Hike:  A ticker tape quilt using those tiny scraps that you hate to throw away.  What a great idea.

 And these lovely hearts from Gerdiary!   She was inspired by these cheerful hearts over at Rough Around the Edges.

Yesterday was chilly, but the sunshine was wonderful.  A picture of our entry way, a place where the sun shines in and brightens my day.  None of the Triad were lying around in the sun when I took this, but it is one of their favorite places to sprawl, warming themselves in the sun.

Edgar, Lucy, and Stinker have grown considerably, but Edgar is the largest, and delicate little Stinker is by far the smallest in her little black and white tuxedo.



Another favorite location is on the stairs that lead to my sewing/yoga studio.  I have a great time running a little laser light up and down the stairs for them to chase.  Even fat cats need exercise.  Here, Lucy uses Edgar's head as a pillow.

Flowers, witches, and more books...

Fee brought me flowers the other day, and they are still gorgeous!

Don't you love this tea towel? When I saw it, I couldn't resist and each time it catches my eye, I smile!
More on the pillow...
Here are the books Danielle of Sourcebooks sent me:

My Lady of Cleves by Margaret Campbell Barnes
Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken
and
The Ladies of Longbourn (The Pemberly Chronicles - another one based on Jane Austen's characters.

Thanks, Danielle! I will review them on A Garden Carried in the Pocket soon.

October Pleasures

Isn't October a lovely month? Those cool snaps that occasionally make their way to our area provide such delight, such energy, such improved spirits. Fall has always been my favorite time of year, and certainly the relief from our hot, humid summers justifies a celebration.

Time for banana bread...
and Louisiana Hayride bean soup (my version...
There has been no studio time lately. I've mostly been attending to daily chores, playing catch up on several duties that tend to get put off (delayed, forgotten), reading...anything but sew.

The table began catching books and laundry and (although not yesterday) newspapers.
Thinking about what to do with our little cottage and small garden area down at Raft Bayou requires searching through some of my books and magazines...
Have Laddie's laundry folded and ready to go. That little spray bottle has a quick mix of spearmint and lavender for a sweet scent.
Avoiding the studio has not been a deliberate choice-- more a too lazy to think period--but the fallow period has gone on long enough.

I began working on the back of a pillow yesterday. I had already uses scraps and left over borders, so I just added here and there until I had the right size for the back. Then I decided to embroider a little...

But there are still a lot of book distractions and Daniel Jackson of Sourcebooks sent me some delicious books that made my day yesterday which I'll tell you about later, but I'm very excited about these!