Business Statement to Live By

Continue the traditional crafts skills by bringing them into today’s environment.

This is what I do and want to develop!

Handwriting and Books

I come from a long line of ancestry buffs on all sides of the family. I spent many childhood summer days with a family member in particular who wanted me to take an interest in my family history. Of course, I didn't really appreciate it at the time. I did fall in love with old handwriting, and would attempt to decipher it. Folks took their cursive seriously back in those days. They wrote captivating prose. You get a true sense of who the person is who wrote it. It is not a simple automatic response but with a narrative. I truly love seeing the original papers much more.
A cousin recently found a copy of a relative's old will in state archive.This lawyers hand writing is tight and precise. He uses a lot of legal rhetoric which is entertaining. I took pictures of the photocopy not for documentation of the content, but for the love of handwriting. I now enjoy looking into my ancestry lines and can get a super kick out of finding handwritten documents like that.

I also love books, especially really old books like these from the turn of the century. Such beautiful gilded binding. Oh, smell of the pages and the crack of the spine. I am in love! I don't dare open these.

All Complaints Aside

 I was recently complaining about how the nasty heat has killed my oasis of a backward. I failed to mention that my yard is full of blooms. We have a crape myrtle in the front yard that is going nuts.

 Along the fence in the back I still have sunflowers, the smaller ones now. The morning glories took over this sunflower stock. Oh I love that dark purple!

This is the real beauty. This is our potted Hibiscus that was headed for a dumpster. When my hubby brought it home it was two sticks off a nub of a trunk. It has been with us for years and only bloomed once before that I recall. Hubby put coffee grounds in it this summer and it went nuts. I counted 12 buds the other day. She is a real beauty now, so green and bushy too. The summer hasn't been so harsh on some things... they actually seem to love it. Just wish I did.

Shell Necklaces and Earrings

 This project comes from two friends who stayed at our house after a family trip to the beach and before their trip to Chile to visit an orphanage. The were returning and wanted to bring small items for gifts. They picked up shells with tiny holes at the top. I taught them how to tie slip knots so the necklaces could be adjusted short and long (Yeah Girl Scouts!). We made quite a few. I loved how this turned out and thought it would be a great project with a few knot tying skills with kids.

 The rocks were for the boys and our friends tried writing on them. I think we needed a better ink pen than a sharpie, but it wasnt bad.

 We also made earrings. The ladies had sets of shells, I always loved picking these up. They were thankful for my love of craftiness. I had a few materials to help them with. E6000 being one and earring backs being the other. They loved how these sets of earrings turned out.

 These gifts were almost free and super awesome. They are items from NC coast. My friends said they had a hard time thinking up gift ideas that weren't too showy or unusable. They were going to workers and children in the orphanage. I hope they really enjoyed giving these out.

Summer Kaffe Quilt

 Here is a sneak  shot of a project I have had in the works for awhile. I need to rap it up soon. If I get too comfortable with the mess a quilt creates, the project will never get finished. I have truly loved working with the Kaffe fabrics. The quilt is a play on the dark and lights. It has been a crazy last few weeks off with every moment off of work planned out. That has come to an end for awhile. It is also become so incredibly hot here in the south, all I want to do is be inside near an air condition vent. I had beautiful sunflowers, tomatoes and green grass that is now a crispy brown. Really wishing I had a swimming pool right now. Hope to be able to show you the finished product soon on the quilt.

Great Aunts House

 I have a great aunt that is 92, she lives off a finger of the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia. She is a staunch democrat and environmentalist and historian. She lives in a home that was built in part of a 1800's farm house. It was added on to a few times with close attention to detail. She has a wonderful eye for antiques and decorating. We picked a wonderful weekend to visit. There was a nice cool breeze the entire time we were there. She has no air condition.

 She lives on a few acres of land that consists of two fields split by this cedar lined driveway. The cedars were planted in the late 70's it is amazing how big they are.

 Part of the family sitting on the dock. We had a great time together visiting, laughing and educating.

I took many pictures but, this is my favorite. I couldnt help but feel that the rest of our family who is no longer on this earth was with us in heart and spirit. I found it very healing to be in her home and with my family on such a beautiful weekend.

Pink Bunny For Emily!

My niece turned 1 years old today! Happy Birthday Emily, we love you very much.
I made her this bunny and blanket last week before we went on a family vacation. 
I know she will love the snuggle bunny! I looked at a few images on flicker and then freehand cut the pattern. I was really happy with the way it came out. I embroidered the eyes and mouth. She is slightly sad looking. It grew on me. I made the blanket from a scrap from the quilt I made for her when she was born. She has unstuffed arms and legs with knots tied at the ends. Her ears are also unstuffed which makes them super floppy. She would be fun to tie around your arm or stroller. She also has a a sweet dress that can be removed. No bunny is complete with out a fuzzy tail. I almost forgot....but found a scrap of santa hat trim. It worked perfectly. This project in total took me 4 hours. I loved every minute of making her. I will be making more very soon.

Kate and Wills

So, yes I went there, and yes it is totally off topic. I am also not the type to keep up with celebrity doings, but I am having a total lady crush on Kate!

Look at this dress. She looks amazing! Oh and the hats! I love the hats! Why is that not appropriate here? Here being southern US. My mom has a nice set of vintage hats that were my great aunts. I just don't see me rocking them on top of my curls. Just saying.

Ohhh Babies

Not Me Folks but, I found out two people I know are having babies. My Step-sister and her hubby are having their second and our good friends are having their first. We are so happy for them all! Of course I am excited for rather selfish reasons, other then getting to hold sweet little babies in 7 months... I get to make super  awesome baby gifts! I love baby stuff. I worked in the baby section in a dept. store. It was awesome inspiration. I all ready have a few ideas floating in my head. Baby stuff is also super easy to make and always makes it that much more special. I have made a few items for my niece and nephew (who are almost 1 now!). I made a flannel quilt and baskets and these soft baby toys. How about a bag with a changing mat? More baby stuffed toys? How about a little outfit? Maybe these precious booties.

My FAVE

I absolutely love this new Anna Maria Horner Fabric collection. It is all beautiful. I cannot wait to get my hands  on some!
 She also has new beautiful embroidery threads. Lovely color choices.
Check her out
 Anna Maria Horner

OBX Trip

 We went to the Outer Banks of NC to celebrate 2 family graduations, My hubby got his Master's degree from NCSU. My sister did interior architecture at UNCG. We had a blast this weekend. I took 200 pics this week. These are just a handful of my favorites. We all had a rather relaxing weekend. Lots of beach walks, pool lounging, sunset watching and good eating occurred. The large sand dune and sunset pictures were taken at Trail 2 on Jockey's Ridge. The beach shots are Kill Devil Hills Beach.

My hubby and FIL. I love this shot because I really dont generally like shots using a super zoom.

The Rose Garden

 This lovely rose garden is blocks from work and is tucked behind The Raleigh Theater.
 I had too much fun taking pictures today. The sun had a great cloud filter today. The Garden was filled with flower gazers and picture takers. It is an awesome gem!

 Kuma really liked it too! She kept putting her nose in the air.

                                                  These blooms were as big as my face!

                                                Check out all the colors and varities.

                                                              Me and my sweet potato.
                                     On a side note: This is one of my most fave dresses ever!  My grandmother gave it to me years ago. I always thought it was an aunts...Nana recently told me otherwise. It is a Lilly Pultizer vintage 1960's. It is not in great condition, stains, broken zipper, ciggarette burn, frayed hem, odd straps. I thankfully did not do any of this damage...I could never forgive myself. I love the seersucker weight fabric and the print! It just so happens that it fits me perfectly. I wont give it up. It is also yellow which I love!