Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Grayson's Stamps

Grayson was having trouble
thinking about what to give to his friends
Addison and Keifer
for Christmas

I suggested carving rubber stamps for them
He knew immediately that the stamp for Keif HAD to be Snoopy
So, he sketched Snoopy on the doghouse
and carved it in about 10 minutes (!!!!)

Addi is a fairy girl so she got this
beautiful fairy stamp

I am really in awe of Grayson's ability to just pick something up and DO IT..
....beautifully......

what a gift

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas to All

Happiest of Holidays!
I hope that your wishes come true and there is peace in your home, if not throughout the world. Things have calmed down here. We walked Canyon Road, bundled in our winter warmth, heard some spontaneous caroling along the way, paused by the fires burning in front of many of the houses... and had some hot chai at the Teahouse before coming home. It was a beautiful night, even though quite cold. We met friends along the way and it felt so nice.

Thinking of you all on this day........ with much love..... xo

bluebird of happiness

Thought it was time to bring a little smile back into the blog
Here's a little bluebird on a heart.....ready to start the day singing
Lots to be grateful for and no time for "poor me"
What is it about the holidays?
Happy Holidays....

Sunday, December 18, 2011

change......challenges....

As the year ends - holidays upon us - I am feeling very sad.
I don't really think of myself as being a sad person, but there is something inside that does not feel quite right - something is missing. A lack of spontaneous joy? Days feel duty-driven and I find that I tear up at odd moments with thoughts of times past.

In the last two weeks, I have moved my mom out of the house I grew up in where she has lived for the past 51 years. I was making the effort to just see it as something that must be done and try not to dwell on the fact that we will no longer be staying at 2615 Bridle Path when we visit Austin. All the familiar rooms and things in the rooms that need to find new homes. So many memories - both happy and not-so happy - strong emotions swirling around.
Mom's new place is beautiful (see it here) and I know that she will be extremely happy being there...but.......when I stop to think about it, it does make me sad. Memories of being kids, the tree in the back yard when it was soooo small (and now HUGE), the oak leaves that fell from the trees and filled the front yard in the fall (we used to "build" leaf houses and play for hours)....the white horse on the shelf in the living room....Dad's drawings filling the wall above the couch, the windows in the breakfast room.........

I don't do well with change. But, change is inevitable.
Decisions that will "change" something in a moment - soooo hard to make!

On Sunday, while standing by the window in Mom's new place, I received a call from our cousin Darrell. He informed me that Cullen's uncle, Doyle, had died that morning. Becky, Darrell's wife, Doyle's oldest daughter and Cullen's first cousin (one of my favorite people), could not find a flight to Amarillo to get there that night. I told him that I was in Austin and flying home to arrive in ABQ at 6:30 and if Becky could get a flight to ABQ, I would drive her to Dalhart (up in the NW corner of the Texas panhandle) Then, I realized my car was not at the airport 'cause Cullen had, unusually, dropped me off. I called him and he said he would pick me/us up. Becky caught a flight to arrive at 7:30. It worked out, as things do sometimes.
It was a really nice drive (4 1/2 hours) with clear weather and good conversation. I was exhausted, as I am sure both Cullen and Becky were, too, but we got there in one piece and were at the house the next morning. Cullen and I left in the early afternoon to get back (Grayson was home alone - got himself to school and everything!) Cullen turned around the next day, Tuesday afternoon, to go back for the funeral. I'd thought we would both go Wednesday morning, but the weather looked challenging, so he took off and got there without a problem.
School was cancelled in Santa Fe on Wed due to the ice and snow.

Life is so tentative. We do not think so when we are in our teen years - and don't even know what it is in our early childhood. I guess it is part of the wisdom we gain with age....and experience.

This year, I lost three uncles - my Uncle Gene (cousins Marian and Tom's dad on my dad's side), my Uncle Don - Mom's brother, and Doyle, who was my uncle by marriage - and my dear cat Miss Marble Fat Cat.
Death is hard. I have found that over the years I have been able to get through most days in a fairly normal way - laughing, smiling, happily waking up and doing things I love to do, having the random "bad day"...but getting through it....until something happens to someone I care about. I begin to feel myself shut down and find it difficult, on occasion, to give comfort to those effected. It brings it all back - the sadness, the bleak feeling of loss, complete despair.
I wish I could move through the feelings and be of comfort to those I love. There is a certain amount of inadequacy in wishing to comfort someone who has lost an important someone. There is always the question, "What do you say?"
Cullen has reminded me that all one need do is give a hug and let someone know that you are there and you care. You really don't have to say much of anything. It helps more than you know just to feel that someone is thinking about you.

It is late. There is a melancholia in my heart. I am tired and sad and not sure how to find that bit of joy to smile with. I know that tomorrow is a fresh, new day and that does always make a difference. I am looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning.....
As my aunt Barb said, "...remember the "cliches" of each day" -
"Life goes by too fast, don't waste a moment"
"Tell the ones you love how you feel"
"Show affection every chance you get..."
I will add "Find one thing to smile about each day" and
"Do the things that make you happy"

2012 is around the corner. I am thinking about my resolutions.... I'll let you know what they are when I decide.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Happy Birthday to Stephanie!

Here's the card I made for my friend Stephanie for her birthday today - #60!
Happy Happy Happy Happy Day to YOU!!!!!
xoxo

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Mom's BIG Move

Kiki, my mom, had a BIG move yesterday. The moving van came and sat out on the street in front of the house my brothers and I grew up in. I watched as they took each box and piece of furniture and rolled it out to the huge vehicle. A little emotionally challenging for me.... and certainly for Mom. It has been tough to downsize from a very large house filled with memories and love to a two room apartment in an five story, sprawling building.

I do think she likes it and will be having the time of her life with friends and so much to do she won't have a minute to think about anything but all the fun she is having.

Do you love the tiny footed bath she found? She loves how deep these tubs are and was thrilled to find such a little one that fit perfectly in her new bathroom.

This is the mishmash that we found after the boxes and furniture had been delivered - aaaurghh!

And this is the moment of calm once we realized it was going to be just right and all would fit - and what didn't could go back to the house - no problem.
You are going to love your new digs, Keek - I know it! Happy Trails to you and all of the adventures and inspiration you will discover in this new chapter.
I love you.......

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Fireside Embroidery

Just got home from a really nice class at LP - Fireside Embroidery
It started last night with some stitching review, and dinner (yum)
This morning, we awoke to a dusting of snow on the ground which set us up perfectly for our cozy day in the library in front of a roaring (and sometimes a little "too warm") fire.
Sipping tea and stitching... and talking to new friends.... what could be better?
a sampler from Friday night

Maria's "Circle of Life"
my beginning
(see the progress here)

the table in the midst of the creative process

Susan's hands working on her "ring"

Susan's little bluebird
we ALL fell in love with!

Janelle and Nova
what a character, that one!

today was another reinforcement that
we all need time with like-minded women
throughout the creative process

thanks, ladies, for everything
xo

I wish I was a better photographer.
The rest of the photos I took were blurry and bad
I apologize to the other lovely ladies who were also present

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Revolution Bakery

My friend, Dionne, who has the Teahouse that I frequent, has opened a new bakery in town...
and I did the menus on the wall:
The Anatomy of a Cupcake has lots of different types of cupcakes written in the cake paper. It was fun to look through the cookbook to find all the fab recipes!

Here is Dionne on the roof with the electricians (above)

Inside the bakery, before it is finished
Everything is stacked on the shelves - ready to go
They are doing lots of gluten-free baked goods, too

The bakers - Kate (left) and Lisa

Dionne waving from the back

This is the main menu of possibilities
Don't you love the raspberry background?

COOKIES

Nancy, a "Seasonal Delight"

"Anatomy of a Cupcake" listing all kinds of goodies
and
"In The Raw" which is "take & bake" dough
for breads, pizza, dinner rolls, etc.

It is going to be great once they are all open
and ready for business....
Happy Holidays!

Monday, November 14, 2011

wonderful inspiration

I have been cutting out lots of little felt flowers that will sit
atop a tiny jar filled with lavender from Los Poblanos
I hope to teach this class down there this spring.
I think the colorful blossoms look so lovely in the little jars with the sun shining through.
These little Jar Gardens were inspired by the one
that Oolie made for me a couple of years ago
(see below)
To see more of these, check Pantry Violets
You can also scroll down a couple of posts
to see the first one I finished last week.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

David Walker

At Quilt Market, I was walking around and there
in the Westminster Fabrics booth
was a fabulous quilt made from fabric
designed by my pal, David Walker!!
AbsoLUTely LOVE the bears, don't you?!

And around the corner was this delightfully colorful quilt with more fabric by Dave. Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled to see both quilts...... felt a little closer to my friend I haven't seen in a long time. Shout out to Dave!!!!
...love you....... miss you.......
xo

Monday, November 7, 2011

It's HERE!

The Holiday Issue of Inspired Ideas has arrived!
It is available to you (for a mere $3.99) by clicking right HERE
I hope you enjoy it - filled with lots of yummy projects!
(including my felt, leaf-pocket Advent Wreath)

ENJOY!

Inspired by Oolie

Here is a little something I whipped up (!!)
last night and this morning.
The little garden is atop a mini Bonne Maman jar
filled with lavender.
The gorgeous felt is some that Oolie had given me after one of her trips across the pond. She made me a jar like this once ( ) and I have wanted to make one since then.
I am happy to say that I am pleased with the result.
(It was stitched 1/2 in the dark while watching a fantastic British spy show on PBS)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

A New Home

My friend Julie (Oolie) arrived on Tuesday evening and we wasted no time jumping into the creative process!
Toadstools seem to be the theme - in a BIG way! Here is one of mine:

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My Friend Charlotte

Here she is - Charlotte Lyons!
We met so long ago that I hardly remember
when and where we were.
Charlotte debuted her new collection with BLEND
Walnut Hill Farm
Isn't this house lovely?
Her collage design is so intricate and yummy!
Check out the "tuffet" pillow below:
I can't wait to get some of it to play with.
Charlotte does incredible embroidery, too
Check out her talent right here.

CONGRATULATIONS, Charlotte!

Monday, October 31, 2011

ta da!!

What a delightful, inspiring and energetic weekend it was.

"BELIEVE"
International Quilt Market
Houston, Texas 2011
Here it is! My name on the wall and everything.
Gosh, I am so darn lucky to call these amazing ladies my friends

The celebration was GREAT!
(pink champagne and all!)
Anna was so generous with her compliments for everyone.
(Anna Griffin herself, that is)
I don't usually share photos of myself, but Kathy took these and I think they are pretty fun. They really capture the celebration in the air at the Friday night preview.
And, then there is Kate, who, with Anna, made the entire collection - ALL of the blend collections - come to life.

It was pretty cool to be a part of this launch
The booth was beautiful and the people were fantastic.
It was the perfect opportunity to meet some incredibly talented designers without the old feelings of insecurity.
Gosh, maybe I am finally growing up?