A Resolution

I read about this over here. And it's such.a.good.idea. I'd be embarrassed to haul out all of my unfinished projects. And I have even more in my head that I'd love to start. So...by the end of today I hope to post at least one finished project.

Summer Days, Summer Days

 

Long shadows fall across the grass. Summer is over and it hardly came. Nights are cooler and the dark falls earlier. Time for fall pursuits. Last night I cut out some fabric on the dining room table - a black skirt, knit top, and gray printed shirt.

She's Home

 
Our daughter arrived home from Africa via London this evening. She's tucked up in her own bed and I've peeked in a couple of times just to see her lying there. She had a wonderful trip. I made this welcome sign this afternoon, inspired by others I've seen in blogland.

Postal Goodies from Germany

 

I won a drawing over at Sheree's Alchemy. The parcel arrived with enticing German postage stamps. International postage is so exotic. I opened the outer envelope to find...

 

a beautifully wrapped package tied up with a chocolate brown ribbon. And when I opened that...

 

I saw two pieces of lovely Amy Butler fabric. Thank you, Sheree. Now, what to make...?

Rolls and Rolls

 

While in Avignon on our vacation, I found this store. Wow, so many ribbons and trims. The shelves you see in the picture slide sideways to reveal even more treasure behind. I bought just one kind of trim because I was overwhelmed with all the choices.

What's your favourite thing to do with ribbon and trim?

I Did and I Do

 

Thirty years! I don't feel old enough to have been married that long, but that's what the calendar says. We're best friends as well as lovers. Not that the past 30 years have been without heartache, but through thick and thin we've stuck it out. This photo was taken in Spain on our vacation last month.

A fun bag

 

 

I made this bag for my daughter's trip. It was quick and easy and now I want one for myself. I found the instructions here and changed them a little. (Go to free patterns, then the Sew Sweet Satchel) I didn't use bias tape but rather 3 inch wide strips folded in half, stitched to the edges and slip stitched over the seams, like I finish quilts. I added a button and loop instead of the magnetic closure and D-ring fob on the front.

Blooming

 

It seems like summer has been a very long time in coming this year. But at last, the hydrangeas are blooming, along with roses, daisies and a few cosmos. I love the colour blue and since hydrangeas are blue, they might be my favourite flower. Except for one thing - they have no scent. But a bouquet of fragrant white roses and blue hydrangea - ah, the perfect combination.

This is a busy week. Our youngest daughter, Ashley, is flying away on Saturday - to Africa. She's going for 3 1/2 weeks on a missions trip with our church. She's the last one at home and at 20, still comes and sits on my lap once in awhile. I'm going to miss her terribly but will look forward to her return and to hearing all about her trip.

So what's keeping me busy? I finished up a messenger bag for her to take as a carry on piece. Then we thought that she might like a little bag, just big enough to hold a few essentials, for when she goes to "town." So I've got that well underway, until...my sewing machine needle broke. Serves me right for trying to sew over a metal zipper! I ended up having to take the bobbin thingamajingy out to retrieve the broken needle and now I can't get it back together. Frustrated with the whole affair, I gave up and will wait until my wonderful, handy, fix-anything husband gets home from work.

I could be cutting out a skirt Ashley decided would be nice to wear on the plane. But the fabric's in the dryer. Oh, is that the dryer warning I hear?

More mail

 

I opened up the fat parcel yesterday and found a lovely stack of vintage papers tied with robin's egg blue seam binding. So pretty. And I forgot to take a picture of it. But here are some of the goodies spread out over my kitchen table. Thanks to Marilyn for hosting this swap. Now what to create with all this treasure?

Tag Swap Goodies

 

There was a stack of mail to go through when we got back from our trip. Included was a manila envelope from Raesha. This was my first swap and look at all the lovely tags I have. So many creative people. Thank you, Raesha.

Enchanting Days

 

Europe is a wonderful place. Coming from a place where the oldest building was built in the mid-1800's, the history evident everywhere in France was intoxicating. Here I am in the pyramid at the Louvre where miles of treasures quickly overwhelm.

 

A charming scene from Avignon. Makes me want to dig out my paints and try. But I'm not a painter. So sad.

 

Inspiration in a shop in Avignon. The ribbon racks visible have a secret. They slide back to reveal even more luscious trims behind. Since this wasn't a shopping trip (we brought only carry-on luggage - well, what used to be carry-on size), I could only drool. I did get some French handcraft magazines for inspiring ideas.

 

As any fabric lover knows, seeing is only half of the experience. It was SO hard not to touch the gorgeous fabrics in Versailles. I wanted to stroke the silk wallpaper, run my hand over the embroidered bedding, feel the cool carvings of stone under my hand. I understand the restrictions - if we all did that, there wouldn't be anything left. But in the Grand Trianon I couldn't resist. The guard's back was turned and I reached up and quickly ran my hand over these tassels. Ah, gratification.

Home again and wanting to create. Rearrange my furniture and accessories. Make pretty things from fabric and trims. But where to start?

Paris Here I Come

You Belong in Paris

Stylish and expressive, you were meant for Paris. The art, the fashion, the wine! Whether you're enjoying the cafe life or a beautiful park... You'll love living in the most chic place on earth.

What City Do You Belong In?

What a coincidence! I found this quiz, decided to take it and voila, Paris is where I belong. Well, it just so happens that I'm going there in 5 more sleeps. Paris, Avignon, Madrid, and back to Paris before flying home. So I'll be back towards the end of June!

Tablescapes

 

I love setting the table. Dishes and table linens appeal like nothing else. Walking through displays in stores or looking at various magazines inspires me. This was the table I set for a romantic Valentine's day dinner with my husband. I moved the round kitchen table in front of the living room fireplace. The tablecloth is just a piece of organza type fabric that I cut and hemmed. I made napkin ties out of the same fabric and tied them loosely. Flowers, candles and cinnamon hearts completed the table.

 

Christmas 2006. White tablecloth, red table runner, snowflakes cut from vellum paper and individual boxed gifts wrapped in white paper and tied with red ribbon. Pillar candles in the center on a chrome tray. Simple, but it was so pretty. My china is Royal Doulton's Lavendar Rose, so the reds and pinks go well.

Guess what I did this morning

 
Yes, I planted my garden. Does anyone want some tomato seedlings? I started them in the house and I have no more room in my garden beds what with all the squash, beans and lettuces as well. The temperature here is pleasant but cool. It rarely gets warm enough here on the island for me to feel the heat. A perfect day for working outside - especially since rain is in the forecast for the weekend.

Time for a Rest

 
This used to be avocado green velour. I like it much better now and so do my daughter and son-in-law to whom it belongs. The top is removable for cleaning. I made a bunch of pillows last fall in the same red toile with solid red piping around the edges.

Aprons

 

My three beautiful daughters. I had fun making these aprons for them and trying to suit them to their personalities. I always worry that people won't like the things I make, but I can't stop making things anyway.

 

 

I don't know why the roses didn't show up yesterday - here's another try.

Sweet Roses

Although I didn't sign up for Britt Arnhild's Caring Bloggers Rose Day, I was inspired to post a couple of pictures of roses from my garden. These were taken last summer since no roses are in bloom here yet.

Paper Fun

On Saturday my husband was over in Anacortes looking at sailboats. I played at home, making tags for Raesha's tag swap. These are NOT tags for the swap, but I was inspired to make more.

And a card.

Ready to Go!

Did you see this in Marie Claire Idees?

Here's my version. It's in black linen with free-hand embroidery done in a variegated 6-strand silk thread from Gloriana. My husband and I are going to France and Spain on June 4 and this will be my book-toting, water-holding, guidebook-stashing bag.

The original bag in the magazine was not lined. I lined mine (in white to make things easier to find) and added a zipper closure.

Back to Bliss

Yes! Victoria is being re-launched! I have a collection of Victoria magazines that I refer to again and again. Someone asked me once why this particular magazine held such appeal for me. I liked to think of it as a "thinking woman's magazine." Home decor, cooking, fashion, beauty, travel, handiwork and much more were covered from a thoughtful perspective - one that didn't urge the reader to rush out and purchase more, more, more.

Victoria was a treasure to me in the years I lived in South America. During a quiet afternoon, the house more or less tidy, the rain dripping off the eaves, I would sit in my tree-shaded living room in the Amazon rainforest with a cup of tea and Victoria. It was beauty and relaxation. And after a time with Victoria I was inspired to create beauty - through a meal for my family, a flower arrangement, making a pretty gift, or just tweaking the objects on the piano.

I was also inspired to read - Catherine Calvert, Madeleine L'Engle, Francine Prose, Nancy Mitford and others were featured in the magazine. I traveled in my mind to England, France, Italy, Turkey and even to Vancouver Island, never imagining that I would one day live here.

It's both exciting and frightening to think about Victoria's re-launch. Exciting to contemplate the return of something familiar, yet frightening because I know that it can never be the same. We live in a different world. It can't be the same, but maybe, just maybe, it could be better.

Where Inspiration is Found

There's a little street downtown called Trounce Alley. Closed to all but foot traffic and just one block long, it's full of charming shops. My favourite place, full of inspiration, is The Button and Needlework Boutique.

Just to enter the store is lovely. Classical music, friendly store clerks and oodles of threads, buttons, books and patterns. Ribbons, too. I have to really discipline myself here.

I only discovered the store because my daughter works there parttime. She has become very aware of buttons. I bought a cream sweater a few months ago that had three large buttons on the front. When Ashley saw it, she said, "Mom, those buttons have to go. I'll bring you some from the store." And she did - beautiful shell buttons that make the sweater look lovely.

If you're ever in Victoria, stop into the shop. You'll be inspired to create something!

Susan Branch Interview

I've long been an admirer of Susan Branch. I love her handwritten books and playful drawings. Recently Cherry, from another blog I read regularly, initiated questions from readers to Susan Branch and posted the answers on her site. Susan was very generous and warm in her responses - there's a lot of material there so grab a cup of tea and maybe a cookie to enjoy while you read.