What do you think - 3D?

The big movie makers may not be calling to learn my technique but it is a fun way to store and display my favorite embellishments.

No Intervention Needed!

Okay, so what do you do when you've had a rough week - rearrange furniture right?  Of course!!  My studio was set up absolutely perfect - I didn't have to move more than 45 degrees in any direction to reach anything I needed.  Perfect right?  Well, certain parts of my body were spreading and other parts were going to sleep so I knew a change was in order.  Now I have several work stations which forces me to get out of my comfortable chair and go to the other side of the room.  This is not exactly aerobic activity but it does keep those "parts" from going to sleep!
I do love to change things up a bit now and then.  My family thinks it's a sickness and have threatened intervention but I need a little change every few months to keep things flowing. 
The cute little lamp on my desk was blue last week.  My little Jessica and I gave it a new look with a fresh coat of paint, a little lace, some black velvet ric-rac and sparkly pink beads.  Us girly-girls are lovin' it!

Saying It Out Loud

Today is my birthday and it has been a lovely day.  I got a clean bill of health from my doctor, my babies and grandbabies called to wish me a happy birthday, my husband is taking me out to dinner - the day just couldn't be any nicer - but my heart is heavy today and has been on this day every year for the past 23 years.  You see, I lost my son Jason 23 years ago in a tragic car accident and today is the anniversary of the last day I talked to him.  I had to go to work the next day and I stopped at his bedroom door as I was leaving and just looked at him.  I had an overwhelming urge to give him a big hug but didn't do it because I didn't want to wake him.  He went to stay with his dad later that day and I didn't see him again.  Two days later he was gone.  Every day, but especially on this day, I wish I had that hug.  I have never told this to anyone or had the ability to say it out loud and as hard as it is right now, it feels right. 
I am extremely blessed to have two wonderful daughters, the world's greatest son-in-law, five grandchildren, a husband who is always there for me and seems to sense when something is too painful even after all these years, and my ex-husband, Jason's dad, who shares the pain of losing him and the joy of having had him in our lives for 15 years (we're fairly functional for a dysfunctional family) and a lot of family and friends I love dearly.   My philosophy has always been that it's not what life hands you that counts - it's how you handle it that makes the difference.  So please forgive me for giving myself a little pity party today.  Saying it out loud feels good.

We shopped til we - filled the car. . .

Hello again!  No - I didn't give up.  I'm still here busier than ever with a little bit of work and a lot of play this summer.

My second annual visit to Sisters, OR was way too much fun!  For those of you who are not familiar with Sisters, it is the place to be in July for quilters.  They host the largest outdoor quilt show in the U.S.  We were able to take in a lecture by Alex Anderson on color choices.  It was very interesting and she is an excellent speaker.

We did "a little" shopping in Sisters and nearby towns and came home with a car full of treasures.  Our favorite place coincidentally is called Cottage Treasures and I brought home a new (old) desk and table along with lots of little bobbles to decorate my studio.

Once upon a time . . .

there was a woman who lived in Montana.  She loved creating but sometimes had what is uncommonly called "creative funk."  When this happened she went looking for inspiration wherever she could find it.  Sometimes she found it right in front of her - in her studio, magazines, internet, backyard, etc.  Today it was found at Shopko in the form of a basket - a project basket to be precise.  This led to finding a project to put in the new basket and in doing so found forgotten fabric just waiting to be transformed into a lovely bag, sweet apron, cozy quilt or throw pillows to die for.  So now this Montana woman is out of her creative funk but now has to make a decision - oh no!!

Spring is blooming inside and out!

I've been working on crocheted flowers for some time now.  Don't know what to call them but I have lots of ideas how to use them.  I think they will look great on handbags or as broach and a few unusual ideas of which I will have pictures soon.

Chick, chick here and a chick, chick there . . .

 These cute little chicks will eventually end up in a wallhanging with one more chick but for now they are living on my design wall awaiting borders.  The pattern is All Cooped Up by McKenna Ryan.  I used Minkee for the chicks and it gave them a soft, fuzzy, "just-hatched" look.  

  

Welcome Retreat

Three days of sewing, laughing, sewing, laughing and more sewing and laughing along with nine talented women - how can you beat that?  We all made Casey B. Bags (Dancin' Daisy Designs) and lots of other projects.  I learned how to make fabric bowls/baskets and have made Easter baskets, a table runner and several potholders for gifts.  Fun was had by all and we are already planning our next retreat.

http://www.craftstylish.com/item/33825/how-to-sew-a-fabric-bowl/page/all.

Jessica's First Vignette

Children can sometimes surprise us in such startling ways!  Three-year-old Jessica (my beautiful granddaughter) gathered these from around my studio and set them up in a little white basket sitting on my desk.  She rearranged them several times before deciding on just the right "composition."  I think it's genius and I'm not a bit bias.

It must be time to snooz!

This is the newest addition to my studio.  I love having a cozy corner to snuggle into.  I seem to spend most of my time sitting at my sewing table where with a 45-degree swivel I am at my laptop, another 45-degree swivel and there is my serger.  Yeah, I worked soooo hard today - it must be time for a(nother) nap.