Learning to Sew #2

I have always said that I was so thankful that my Mom taught me to sew so young because today, I would not have not have the patience to learn.

But I am finding that now, at this place in my life, I am realizing the value of learning new things...of new uncharted adventures...of challenging myself to do those things that I have always wanted...one step at a time!

I just recently had a birthday and asked from my Mom the gift of the Singer Featherweight on which I learned to sew. It had been tucked away on a shelf in my Mom's sewing area.

It was surreal taking the machine out of the case- have you ever experienced that sensation...so familiar but that familiarity yet so far in the back corner of your mind?

As I enjoyed looking over the machine...it brought back memories of threading it, winding the bobbin, and pressing on the pedal...

...the elegant gold trim around the edges, the pretty little seal...even the adjustment for the tension.

Sewing has been such a main focus and interest for my entire life...the threads of fabric are just part of me and who I am...

...and I believe that like the weave of fabric, our lives are woven together -to shape into a creative marvel and to share that marvel with each other.

For more info on
Singer Featherweight

Learning to Sew or Life's View

Sewing...it is how I make my living- how I live my life!

I am grateful that my Mother taught me to sew when I was seven. It seems that the love of fabric has always been apart of every thought- everywhere I go and everything I see, I seem to relate one way or another to fabric or textiles.

For instance, in my blog last week I related French knots to tiny little cherry blossom buds. This spring here in Colorado, has been glorious...we have had tiny buds of many different flowering trees blooming everywhere and the trees are just starting to sprout their first happy spring-green leaves- there are French knots everywhere!!



Color and texture are just a part of my very essence, my soul...I think that it could be interesting to switch brains with say- my husband- for just a bit to see how he views the world. From what I can tell (after 21 years) is his world is very analytical and methodical...it just could be interesting! I think he would be a great quilter! He is a very good ceramicist and not mention- the mathematical part of his brain-guitar and banjo player.

Is it a gift viewing the world this way? hummm...maybe not when I am trying to balance my check book!

But it is something for you to think about...how do things you see your everyday and how does it relate to the "fabrics" in your world?




Next week Part 2...

Buds & French Knots

During my February teaching visit at Piecemakers in CA, one of my students graced me with a generous gift of a scissor fob...something you put on the end of your scissors to identify them as your own.

As I took a close look at this beautiful strawberry and all its tiny blue French knots, it reminded me of tiny little buds...

...especially this time of year when the tender buds are just starting to show.

cherry blossoms down the street from my studio

This little strawberry was just too precious to end up dangling off my scissors...as many of you know my scissors are working scissors and I tend to use them as multi-functional tools.
So...I hung it on my sewing chair and I can enjoy it from anywhere in my work area!

Etsy

In today's world there are so many ways to communicate with the world...websites, facebook, skype, to tweet or not to tweet...

The word that I am concentrating on is communication: a two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in which participants not only exchange information but also create and share meaning.

I have decided that this is the year of "reaching out or sharing with others by using technology/media as best I can".

I have a few things in the working. One of them is: after much encouragement from dear wonderful friends, I decided to jump into the big pool...

So I set up an Etsy Shop!

You all know how I love Japanese things, so I decided to name my shop:

Just a few things to start with...but you have to start somewhere! I thought that I would keep it (fairly) simple with my little Bunny and Kitty Pincushions.

Then as time goes on add in small items -zakka; meaning everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. I am choosing small items done very nicely using wonderful fabrics.

Here is what I have so far...

if you'd like to see more photos...
Here is My Etsy Shop

Setting it up was fairly simple- I just jumped in a did it with no pre-instructions. It is very user friendly...although I know that there are little tricks to getting your things noticed and that will be for another day and time!

Tell me what you think...

Until next week !

Spring Tablescape

Ahhh...winter still shows it's snowy dusting...we still might have one more snow left in the season.

As I was driving to my studio that wintry morning the lacy-whiteness just struck me as so peaceful-in its beautiful frozen stillness.

But I am just so happy that spring is starting to peep out...this morning I saw my first Robin- the first sign that spring is really coming- along with the 70 degree day today!
And with the coming of spring -and my love of daisies (they are just a happy flower)...I did my latest table for a dinner party with the beauty of white for the snow and daisies for spring with a bit of green just starting to show.

As I took the photos I noticed the reoccurring theme of circles- hummm....the circle of life...the cycle of seasons...

If we had no winter,
the spring would not be so pleasant...

Anne Bradstreet