Crown for AFIC

If you remember several months ago I found this photo of a crown...and thought...hummm great idea for my crown for AFIC!!

So here is what I came up with using fancy paper as my base sewn together for length adding ribbons on the ends...and then loads of butterflies and pretty flowers!!

So I am off to OH for teaching with some of my very favorite gals....
More to come next week!!

Away in the Ocean

Hello All,

This year has brought with it many challenges...hence many lessons to be learned...with that Mark and I realized that we needed a break to re-group.

So this week, we are away clearing our heads and 

refreshing our spirits in the Ocean with our buddies!

 hermit crab

arrow head crab

 

little manta...about the size of a quarter!

Talk with you next week...

AFIC Gallery Pieces

I wanted to create something special for the upcoming Gallery Section of the AFIC Conference in OH...what to do...what to do... 

...for awhile now I have had the urge to create a doll that spoke of "being true"...someone that has precious words to tell you...wise...true.

...and I kept being drawn to my beloved stash of my vintage laces and trims...each shows the love in which it was made...from the heart.

Each piece of lace, fabric, trim tells a story...each has a past tale to tell and so, my figures were created to give you a hint of what they hold sacred in their hearts....true heart...

I wanted to create something that had a base of wood...earthy and grounded...words of wisdom  rounding the base and opposing that, use the lightest most delicate laces and pieces of treasures.

 

 

 

 My second piece...

Beautiful Postcard

This past week I received a surprise in the mail! It came wrapped in a pretty bright pink envelope....hummm....from my friend Linda in Kentucky!

I opened it to find nestled in tissue paper a beautiful hand made postcard...from silk with very special embroidery and trimmings.

Now if you know Linda she is very adept with a needle and knows how to embellish her projects with a fine and delicate touch...just lovely!

 

Linda was in Denver visiting fairly recently and brought a project that she was about to start...the kit was so well put together with a wonderful palette of colors! She shared her finished project in her facebook photos and I did drool over this sewing kit!

Linda told me she did enjoy this kit and learned some new techniques...which speaks highly of the project for a veteran embroiderer as Linda.

For more of these exquisite projects visit Colour Streams from Australia.

Storms...

There are some things you learn best in calm, 

and some in storm.

Willa Cather

If you are out there living life and in the big flowing stream, life will always hand us lessons to be learned. My Dad recently was diagnosed with lung cancer. The good news is that after his surgery they got it all and his prognosis is very good...He has been a trooper and has had a great positive attitude, it will be a long recovery but he will recover and get back out on his beloved bike.

This past week (or 2) I have found lessons raining down (ok pounding down) on me! My reply was ok ok- enough already...I don't have time or patience for this...

and even worse I forgot my umbrella!

When entering into this deluge, I never thought about others...under stress. It is a time when some have their best come out and some have their worst come out.

And that is when you realize that it is time and patience you need...so you can learn your lesson(s). 

Water can be the giver of life but uncontrolled it can do great damage. It can seep into areas that you are not aware of and do harm.

I know one of my best (or worst-depends on who you ask) traits is that I am a lot like a border collie- hearding people. So I took that and used it to organize the people I knew could help guide the flood waters.

So as of today...things seem to be more managed.

My lessons learned was that ask for help from those you know will follow through, give exact tasks to those who need guidance, and above all be thankful...

that your loved one made it through...whew!
you had the skills to prevent a complicated situation from happening...
you had the people come to help...
and most of all to your ever supportive husband oxoxoxox!

SOooo- next time life rains down...

I will remember these things... and bring my umbrella! 

After every storm the sun will smile; 

for every problem there is a solution, 

and the soul's indefeasible duty is to be of good cheer.

William R. Alger

UPDATE: My Dad is home now from the hospital. As we have been talking we both realized that his riding his bike is what saved his life. "They" say how important exercise is...and this is a point were it is proven!