The elements of nature brought into my home are changing. Green gives way to more subtle shades. On our weekend excursion, I collected a bouquet of gull feathers, white and grey. They sit on my mantel, nestled into the curve of a piece of driftwood garnished with a brown leaf.
Color exists elsewhere; seen here in a box of reusable sandwich/snack bags I've been stitching for an upcoming craft fair. My daughter-in-law requested some last year, and I'd intended to make more - they make great stocking stuffers - but have only gotten around to the project now. Some are listed in my Etsy shop. Lined with water resistant nylon, they make a good alternative to plastic bags. I've been avoiding plastic as much as possible for several years now.
Lavender grows well here and this summer I harvested a fair bit of it, then combined it with dried rose petals from my roses to fill some simple sachets. I've had these pretty bits of fabric and lace tucked away ever since a swap with Jane of Marigold Jam a few years ago. I like using old damask linen napkins from the thrift store for sachets, too.
I was at the fabric store yesterday. The young girl who cut my fabric folded it all so neatly, taking care to see that each piece was stacked with corners matching. When I commented on it, she said that she likes to think that presenting the fabric in its best light will cause the customer to think of it as a gift.
An action like that just makes me want to treat others as best I can, too. Have you recently been treated well by someone unexpected?
What a great idea those sandwich bags are. Love your nature table displays too of course. And doesn't service like that make a difference?
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely visit.. beautiful sachets and pretty reusable sandwich bags.
ReplyDeleteI love the story of your encounter with the young girl at the fabric store. I have tried to create similar moments of creating loveliness in every day actions. It all started years ago when someone I knew had forgotten their shoes somewhere and they were returned by a woman who believed, as this young girl, in the value of creating beauty at every whim and opportunity. The shoes were packaged prettily instead of just stuffed into a grocery bag.
Didn't you just love that moment? I certainly loved reading it!
How fun to see the items on your nature table. They all look so nice together and the peek of the painting in the background is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of reusable sandwich bags before. What a great idea.
Your sachets are beautiful!! I can imagine how wonderful they smell.
I enjoyed hearing about your experience at the fabric store. I appreciate people who take the time to do their job well. It can make such a difference. I was recently in Walgreen's looking for beauty products when a sales associate approached me. She was so helpful and even took the time to search through her box of coupons to see if anything I was buying qualified. It did and I ended up saving money.
I like the natural elements you've added to your mantel, Lorrie. The cloth sandwich bags are a wonderful idea! I've never seen them around here. The clerk at the fabric shop did a great job of customer service which I find is lacking so much these days. Cudos to her!
ReplyDeleteA feast for the eyes as always, Lorrie. Plus I love hearing what you're up to and been thinking.
ReplyDeleteLove that moment! What a beautiful way to look at what she does - and spread some sunshine. I recently had such a moment. I was online looking for a colour to match some fabric I recently ran out of and when I contacted the shop owner, she steered me in the right direction (which I appreciated greatly as it's hard sometimes to choose matching colours online). When I thanked her, I happened to mention that I really need to just buy a colour card for choosing the colours, but somehow I seem to keep buying fabric instead... she emailed back that she would send me a colour card as she had an extra. Can you believe it? Such kindness! That colour arrived today along with the fabric she helped me choose and I couldn't be happier... or more thankful for her help and her generosity.
If you needed to hire someone that gal at the fabric shop would be a great candidate for sure! Love that...
ReplyDeleteOh, such pretty fabric! I need to spend some time in my studio room and get some sewing done. Perhaps this weekend. We had an unexpected kindness yesterday. So we did an unexpected kindness today!
ReplyDeleteWhat a thoughtful gesture!
ReplyDeleteYou've been very busy. Hope that the sandwich bags are hot sellers! The sachets are darling, too.
What a great idea those sandwich bags are! And I love the comment that the girl made in the fabric shop...you must have felt very special!
ReplyDeleteThis sales clerk deserves a gold star.
ReplyDeleteHow special she is to think like that.
I find that little act of caring, of taking pride in doing work well, quite heart-warming. . . and I really like the idea of recycling thrifted linen napkins into lavender sachets.
ReplyDeleteI love the sandwich bags and the sachets. I like the idea of treating everyone a little more kindly and special. Just a bit kinder and a little bit nicer makes everyone's day better.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea...the sandwich bags! And how nice to have your fabrics presented to you like a gift. Her employer can count himself lucky to have her on staff.
ReplyDeleteSandwich bags, a great alternative for plastic! And they are cute too Lorrie. Speaking about the store girl,what a wonderful girl she should've been! Have a good day!Heading to your etsy shop now :).
ReplyDeleteThat wonderful salesperson deserves a recommendation to the manager. It's so nice to hear of someone doing a great job.
ReplyDeleteJen
Love the feathers you brought home from your walk - I usually come home with my pockets full of natures bounty too!
ReplyDeleteFabric sandwich bags are so pretty and ecologically kind too - you are doing your bit for our planet Lorrie - well done!
have a happy weekend.
Shane x
Love the feathers! And the whole post full of beautiful ideas. The fabric store clerk story made me happy. It's rare and precious to find someone who loves their job and shows it!
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely things! And that is an amazing young woman! She has a wonderful interpretation of her job!
ReplyDeleteLovely.
ReplyDeleteAnd how nice it would be if all sales people thought that way!
Have a great weekend, Lorrie.
pretty bits. I like your feather bouquet.
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