Because my Mama said so.
There's More To Life Than Disney.
Did you know? I'd never really considered it myself. After I heard that Akina was producing a limited edition {and totally gorgeous} handmade book of her version of The Little Mermaid, I took it upon myself to read Hans Christian Anderson's story. I'm sure I've read it before,...but how did I not remember how different the story is? I would love to see Akina's Little Mermaid book. I understand the craftsmanship and artistry are astounding!
Speaking of things that are slightly off and a teeny bit worrisome or curious {and if you followed the link to Akina's site, you'll know what I mean}, there's an Etsy group called the Cabinet of Curiosities, where I found The Runny Bunny. In The Runny Bunny shop I found this:
and I made her mine. Isn't she lovely?....and just a little bit odd.
What Do You Do?
When you're at home raising a teenager in a toddler-suit? Well, you raise her right, of course.
But in the early morning hours, during naptime and after bedtime when you have the whole house to yourself, you embroider tea towels.
Friendly forest creatures, all in their teatime best.
Pretty poppies and roses, doing nothing but looking simply fine.
Oh, and you start thinking about opening an Etsy shop of your very own. Maybe,...possibly,...perhaps.
A Shameful, Passionate Affair
It is in the spirit of complete honesty that I share this with you, because I know that as a creative and no doubt, passionate person yourself, you'll understand.
I'm head over heels in love. With Amazon.
Books delivered straight to your door. Books whose bindings crack when you open them. The smell of fresh paper and ink. Decorative endpapers. A boatload of inspiration in words and pictures. And all for low prices. I can hardly stand it.
It wasn't until, on a whim, I spent a ridiculous amount on this book, that I realized I might have a problem. Don't get me wrong, this book is breathtaking. (Seriously, I had to stop and catch my breath when hauling it from the front door to the living room.) But it is nearly the size of a coffee table, and I am running out of space.
You might assume that now that I've bared my soul, and this ever-so-shameful secret is out in the open that I might stop ordering books. You would be wrong. And if you'll pardon me, I have to check the status of my next order.
TGFIF*
A couple of weeks ago I had a moment. I found a part of myself that I'd never intended to lose. The part that used to sit with a sketchbook for hours, drawing, stippling, just creating art for the sake of doing it. I bought myself a sketchbook and some pens and sat down to do what I used to do best. It was terrifying ~ facing down an empty page I wondered if every ounce of talent had been wasted, dried up, disappeared. What would the old/new me do then? I decided the safest thing to do was run away.
And then I came across this group on Flickr, and un-decided my original flight decision. What could the harm be in finding out if I still had even a small shred of ability left?
So, I found out.
It's not a masterpiece. It's not incredible. But my God, it felt so good. Seriously good. Like coming home after a decade away.
*Thank Goodness For Illustration Fridays
Staging a Rebellion
There's a voice in the back of my head (No, not a crazy one ~ Just a grown up one). It tells me to choose vegetables over brownies, to do the laundry and wash the dishes. Generally I appreciate the maturity and responsiblity it provides.
But that grown up voice seriously crossed a line when I saw, and immediately fell in love with, a teapot. "It's too busy and colorful" the voice said. "It would look silly on a table set with your grandmother's classic (read: plain) china. It's ridiculous."
So you know what I told that grown up voice? I told her to mind her business, and I went straight home to make tea in my new pot. And just so that grown up knows her place, I sat right down and read a Nancy Drew Mystery.
So there.
I Love A Good Mail Day
These arrived this morning, and I am shamelessly in love. Sadie too. She insisted on sitting in my lap while I flipped through them, ooh-ing and ahh-ing at all the same spots (which was just about every page).
Then she went back to kissing on her bear, and I went back online to order two more. I love being inspired!
A New Haircut Deserves A New Jacket
Don't you agree?
Since the Fall '08 issue of IK landed in my mailbox, I have been in love with the Mosiac Yoke Jacket (rav link). So in love that I moved it to the top of my queue, ordered the yarn online and thought about it during all of my Christmas gift making. So. In. Love.
{exit gifts & enter jacket knitting} The Reynolds Lite Lopi ~ I thought I could get past the scratchy wool, the itchy nose, the raw finger,...but if it feels so horrible while I'm knitting odds are good that I would never wear it, let alone finish it. So, we braved the cold and headed for Gina Brown's yarn store (and the tail-end of the Boxing Day Sale) and I landed smack-dab in the middle of a big pile of Berroco Ultra Alpaca.
Thank goodness for yarn stores, sales and pretty patterns.
Happy New Year everyone!
A Quilt For Sadie
For a first attempt at quilting, I would call it a success (for the most part). It's not perfectly squared and there are puckers and pulls all through the jersey squares of Sadie's baby clothes due to a sewing machine, a lead foot and a lack of skill. The rest of it though, is exactly as I'd hoped.
Hand quilted affirmations of 'brilliant', 'kind' and 'sincere' are stitched into the purple. The binding was sewn and painted by hand, lending it all a certain hand-made romance.
And if that weren't enough of the old-fashioned, a good part of this quilt was made while listening to the lovely voice of Elizabeth Klett readJane Eyre to me over the iPod.
It made for a warm and peaceful experience and one I hope to repeat again and again.
Wisteria
It was a debate as to whether I should design something for Mama, or use a beautiful pattern written by someone else. I opted for the latter, and I'm glad I did.
The only modification I made was to shorten the sleeves by about 2". I love the cables in this pattern, especially the ones that cascade from the yoke. I'm not sure how Mama will feel about those cables highlighting her hips and rearend, but I didn't like the look of Wisteria without them.
Specs:
Wisteria by Kate Gilbert (Twist Collective ~ Fall 2008)
51" finished bust
yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca
needles: 5mm circulars (40" & 16")
I am sure it will be more flattering on Mama. There is a postive ease of 19" on this dress form.
