ESCAPING THE PREDICTABLE

BLUE + ORANGE

For once I am trying to follow my own advice and take some time to escape the day-to-day and fill up my creative tank.  I am on color overload here.  Thought you might enjoy seeing things that inspired me yesterday.

FLOWN THE COUP

A SWEET  OFFER
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I joined my husband once again on one of his business trips to Mission Bay, CA.  We are staying  here again..  We arrived yesterday to what they refer to here as Gray May and it appears the next few days will be more of the same.  No worries here.  I have my art supplies and instead of adding color to this pale Midwestern body I will make colorful art until the sun comes out.  And as you can see, gray skies can't stop the color around here! 

And as usual I love to share the vintage postcards.

  Now off to make my own colors!

xoxo

HAPPY FEET

When you grow more you get more things righter.

                                            Amelia (My Mia), Age 5

Amelia's dad: Amelia, were you a good girl at school today?

Amelia: Yes

Dad: If I were to ask your teacher if you were good today what do you think she'd say?

Amelia: Well, she might tell you that some girls face accidentally hit my hand.

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Aren't these the cutest Pedipeds?  Jennifer and Amelia visited a local boutique and these shoes with my Papillon were front and center.  Guess who walked out wearing a pair?   The store owner said Amelia had good taste, that these were their most popular pair of Pediped's.   

Hope you are having a day filled with butterflies and laughter.

THIS, THAT AND THE APRON THING

I have sadly had a major problem with Blogger again.  This time I was blocked from Blogger/Blogspot, making it impossible to post or even get on my own blog.  I literally pulled an all-nighter last eve and have been working on this non-stop to find the problem.  I just tried again for the umteenth time and for no obvious reason it is working again.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry ...I'm so tired, maybe both?  A storm is rumbling outside and I hear hale, but the blog is working!!!  I really do enjoy the interaction I have with you all and was frustrated that I couldn't post more often; seriously mean that.  And before I go any further, the comments you left for the apron giveaway are so beyond what I imagined.  I was thinking I'd hear about wishing you took more time to welcome new neighbors or volunteer.  Each entry was an encouragement because I know you are all such giving people.  Cynthia and I have emailed back and forth and the winner is:

LAURAL H 

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I sort of had a birthday.  It was crammed in with Tim's extensive business travels, keeping the grandkids for a few days and a visit with our dear friends Barbi and Dee.   My birthday wasn't ignored, I just kinda postponed it to do other things.  But, alas, it still happened and I now have to recite or write a larger number.  Next year there will be a big fat 0 and we can pay more attention to it then.  By the way, thank you so much to my Twitter and Facebook friends.  What fun to get so many birthday wishes.

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Meet Barbi.  She was my matron of honor, we shared laughter, morning sickness, having babies, and everything in between.  It is incredible to think that we are still like family, actually closer than family.  I am truly blessed and loved that she and Dee could squeeze a weekend up from Nashville just to be with us.

2010

1982

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MINI SHOW + TELL

Look at this adorable grandchild of ours.  We love her so much you would think we birthed her ourselves.  In fact, it kinda looks like she just popped out from us right here, doesn't it?  Well, this precious little girl, if you might remember, also called me Poopy Face when she was just a miniature version of her current self.  When I turned and replied, "What did you just say?"  Without an ounce of hesitation she replied, "Oh, I meant Sweetie Pie".  Not to be outdone by a two year old, that Christmas some of her gift tags read To: Poopy Face.  I mean Sweetie Pie.  Two can play this game, ya know.  

So, my little darling was here one day as Jennifer and I were trying to get some work done.  Granted it was a very long day, but before I get to the punch line, you must know I am very big on eating healthy, taking naps, snacks and lots of attention to prevent bad behavior.  Yes, so after I was taken care of....when Jennifer and Mia were leaving, my darling little bundle of joy slammed the front door so hard that she bent the hinges and door frame which resulted in the door being JAMBED SHUT.  Tim tried all the powers at his disposal (engineer powers, at that) to no avail,  The only remaining possibility was for him to kick the door in!  I was very concerned about how we would explain that to the police, but our own break-in went unnoticed. 

So here was our front door. 

 

And here's the new door.

Thanks, Sweetie Pie.  I love it.  And be careful, this one is glass.    

HEAVENLY GIVEAWAY

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You remember this little teaser don't you?
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Of course you do!  So set your eyes on this Heavenly Giveaway from Heavenly Hostess.  This halter apron, made from my Summer Soiree is stunningly fashionable, retro modern and so well made that it feels more like a party dress.  It's REVERSIBLE! Flattering and fabulous...AND it can be yours!
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Cynthia Wadell, creator of Heavenly Hostess aprons has an fierce passion for encouraging others to serve.  I know many of you are so gifted and use those gifts to bless others, while some of you may wonder or not even realize what talents you do possess.  We would love to hear your thoughts on how;
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*you use your gifts everyday to impact others
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*you would love to bless someone in your life

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*possibly someone in your life has blessed you in a way that might have seemed small at the time, but actually made a huge impact in your life
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*what holds you back from reaching out in a positive way to others.

Cynthia and I will pick one story to win this beautiful halter apron, a retail value of $85.00.  Keep in mind, your story does not have to be related to serving food.  There are many gifts and many ways to bless others.

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"God has given each of us special abilities, be sure to use them to help each other, passing on to others God's many kinds of blessings."    1 Peter 4:10

I believe hospitality starts with an attitude of the heart.  It's an act of doing something to help another, whether it's just stopping to really listen, an encouraging word or the ability to make someone feel comfortable.

Hospitality shouldn't become an artform or it loses it's true meaning. 

With that said, I know some of us creative types would rather bestow our blessings while looking our best whenever possible, right?  So please share your thoughts and be sure to go over to Heavenly Hostess to see the abundance of other aprons and beautiful gifts they offer.  And speaking of gifts, this giveaway will make a great Mother's Day gift as well.  I'll keep the comments open for a couple of weeks to give you plenty of time to put fingers to the keypad (instead of pen to paper, get it?)  Oh, and sorry to those of you that were coveting those awesome potholders.  Those are mine, but I know where you can get some just like those.

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On another note, I hope your Easter or Passover was full of color and love.  We broke the mold this year and celebrated Easter at Jennifer's new house. 

 Wow, us girls sure were workin the pattern overload, weren't we? 
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As usual, I had so many other things to share with you, but not today.  I've got to get back to painting for my next fabric line.  Yup, lots of hand painting!

HAPPY EASTER TO MY PEEPS

As we are clearing out Tim's moms house, this is one of the many things we brought back with us.  It is her artwork from when she was a young girl!  She has a birthday coming up this month...she will be 85!  I must admit, I was so very tempted to put some writing on the empty basket for you.  Something simple like Happy Easter.  Then I thought that Char left it just like that and so will I.  I'll just have to tell you.  Happy Easter.

I am also giving you all a heads up.  I am about to post a rather awesome giveaway this week.  You won't want to miss this one!

We are off to hide the Easter Eggs for the grandkids and squeeze the stuffins out of them.  May you all have a wonderful day and see you back here very soon! 

A MIDNIGHT POST

Right now I am furious with Blogger.  I have wasted hours today and this evening just trying to do a simple post.  Haven't been able to get any pictures to download properly or at all.  Now at bedtime a totally different way to download images suddenly appeared.  So what kind of post was worth me pulling my hair out, you ask?  Nothing that important really.  It's out of pure stubborness that I  finally have 4 images to show you.   Oh, I did have some entertaining stories, but right now that would be like trying to tell a joke in the middle of an argument.  Not tonight dears.

Jennifer was on a trip she won last week with Missy.  Both of them worked with me before they took off to make millions with Stella and Dot jewelry.  Well, Missy pulled out a makeup bag and a jewelry bag made out of my fabrics.  Jennifer sent me pics from her iPhone with instructions to get to Stein Mart.  Sure enough I not only found these makeup bags (the one hanging to the left is a folded up version), but curling iron and flat iron bags!  What I couldn't find is that jewelry bag in the second photo.  The lady at Stein Mart thinks they sold out.  Well, yeah!  It was just a fun product find that I blissfully wanted to share with you all. 

Then, have you seen this tut for a lingerie caddie from Sew4Home?  It's made out of Woodland Delight fabrics.  Don't they do an amazing job? I could see this used in a craft room, too.

And finally, Sew4Home did a post to remind people about the free downloadable pattern I have on my blog. 

Well, there you have it.  I really had more to share, but it's past my bedtime and I don't want to push my luck. One wrong move and POOF, I could lose it all.  O, that would not be pretty, trust me.  Is anyone else having fits with Blogger?  Please say it's not just me.

IT'S A COLORFUL RAINY DAY

Sew4Home just posted this interview.  Didn't they make me look good?   Just sayin, that's not what I look like today!  It's quite gloomy and rainy outside.  I'm dressed in a gray sweatsuit and no makeup. 

 Spring agrees with me for so many reasons.  Birds, butterflies, flowers, colors; all being orchestrated into a magnificant repeat performance.  Just in the last week there are sneak peaks of anticipation popping up around the yard.  The crocus have come and gone in the blink of an eye, but I managed to capture the beauty. 

  

Sure is putting me in an artsy mood.  Hmmm...

SHOW + TELL DIAPER BAGS AND MAGAZINES

One of my friends emailed to show me some Kalencom Diaper bags she was carrying in her store.  Out of curiousity I got on the Kalencom website and was a bit confused because the bag she showed me wasn't on their website.  So I did a bit of research and look what I came up with!  I found 17 diaper bags and Midi bags using my fabrics.  I don't know if that's all, but I was very happy.  Pretty cool huh?  I have to wonder what I'd do if I spotted someone with one over their shoulder.  I'm pretty sure I'd make a fool out of myself.  I put large images of each bag in Flickr.  Thanks Kalencom!

So, if that wasn't enough fun, have you seen This magazine?

Thanks to Christine at Michael Miller, I have now.  Sew Wow offers an upscale and sophisticated approach with awesome photography, ideas, patterns... and it's all online!  And look at this adorable project using my Flights of Fancy fabrics.  Just want to know if that baby is included...should be.  Just saying.  Go over there and see what I mean.

COMPLETED COLLAGES

I finally finished the last collage in the series that I started calling Birds and Butterflies.  I've said it before, I'm not good with creative names.  My goal was to get these done and hung before bedtime last eve.  Bigger still was to clean up the mess I made.  I like all of them for different reasons, but this one in particular because that's how I feel and act most days.

I have been more fed up with Blogger than usual lately so I am test driving their newer version.  I like a few things better, but I have a ways to go before I give a thumbs up. 

Hey, I wanted to show you these adorable pillowcase dresses made by Lucy Jane Studio from my Woodcut Garden (From Woodland Delight).

   

If you have something made using Woodland Delight that you'd like to share or need any inspiration, please check out the Woodland Delight Flickr Group.

Lots of things going on this week with church and family.  My son is having surgery today (in Portland) and Jennifer and Joe are closing on their new (and old) houses today, just for starters.  Oh, Tim and I had our 28th anniversary over the weekend.  But because we've been gone to Michigan with Tim's mom so much, we spent it doing taxes and computer work and cleaning out our closet.  That might not sound exciting, but somehow just the two of us, here together, getting stuff done for ourselves was almost a treat!