Look What I Learned!

Finally. After years and years of finding alternatives to buttons and zippers, I just took a class. I learned to do it. Quickly. I can't believe I wasted all that time! Sheesh. Anyway. I had this bit of vintage fabric, which I LOVE. I finally settled on a pillow case. Better to see it everyday than wait for the perfect thing to make, which never appears. So, here we are. A vintage floral pillow case with Bakelite buttons. AND button holes. Which I now know how to make with ease. Next up? Zippers. That's right. Zippers!

Bittersweet Thrifting

I am a thrifter at heart. I love a deal. A really good deal and a really good "find." We just moved to this city and I have been hunting around for good treasure hunting spots. We found a great place. The only problem, was he knew what he had and he wasn't giving it away. That is okay, because we have found some great stuff. Really great stuff.

Yesterday, we saw the sign. The sign of our times. Closing. Sad.

However, the next line said 50% off. It is bittersweet, because although I knew we find some great deals, a great store and a great store owner would be gone...

Here is some of the booty. The Girl Child scored BIG on vintage dresses. More on that later.

There were bits of vintage cloth that will soon be a pillow cover, pink gingham apron with ric-rac. Oh, my.

A polka dot teapot and sweet room divider. Tins and fancy yardage that will soon be funky curtains for The Boy Child and a vintage style dress for The Girl Child. Tin mirror. It was all just too much and too cheap. My fingers will be busy sewing! Yippee.

It was a good day. Wish you could have been there. Xo.

Go Do It

Thrifted Home Decor

There is a spot in the television area of our home that has been blank. I found a really great art print that I love and have been trying to find something interesting to place in the blank space. I really love the Make Art Not War print by Shepard Fairey and wanted the right thing for this space. While kicking around a consignment shop with the Girl Child, I spotted these empty film reels and thought they might do the trick. I like the fact that they are a little different and in various colors. One is a cool silver blue and each one has one interesting quality. The set of five was $8. I would be happier if it were $4, because I am so cheap and love "The Deal." I like them, we will see if the man agrees. What do you think?

She

has given me so much. The last few years have been rough. My entire life was dismantled, career, friends, reputation. Plus, I was recovering from an injury and surgery for much of this time. The injury was the catalyst for the dismantling. Then, my boy wanted a dog. He always wanted a dog, I was just too busy and worked too much and thought it would be unfair to the animal if we were gone all the time. Then the dismantling occurred and I found myself with long hours to fill. I figured this would be a good time to get him the dog he always wanted. I had time now. The thing is, the dog bonded with me...Oh, she loves the boy, but she and I? We are connected. We are connected in a way I never knew could happen with an animal. And truth be told? I like it. A lot.

It Is Official

She is Twenty.

I can remember seeing her for the first time. She came four days after my 23rd birthday. I thought I was so ready. Heehee. I cut her cord myself. That always catches my breath, even after twenty years. We buried her placenta under the mango tree. We no longer live on the ocean in the islands, but I bet those mangoes are the sweetest mangoes on The North Shore...Just like her.

How To Be Alone

Via Andrea

Hand Made Birthday

This is just part of the Girl Child's 20th birthday gift. Kind of stuck on the next thing. Bag? Slip? Petticoat?

ALL the elements, save for the thread, was thrifted. I love finding new uses for fabric that was just sitting in a dusty thrift store. The fabric is really funny, with a group of people ready to take a horseless carriage ride around Central Park! I mixed it up a little by adding the orange gingham waist band, I used a chocolate brown binding for the hem. I despise hemming and find every alternative possible...

I hope she likes it.

Birthday Love

Sweet treats.

Just for being born...

These are from

Cupcake Jones.

Root Beer Float

Chocolate Mint

Chocolate

Vanilla(My Fave)

Red Velvet

Peanut Butter and Fresh Jam

Yum.

A Gift

This is just one of my lovely birthday gifts. It is a Fiesta Pitcher my Girl Child bought for me in the most lovely shade of grassy green...Xo. I also LOVE that she used a piece of packing paper from our move and a bit of lace from the sewing box with which to wrap the gift. A girl after my own thrifty, recycle loving heart...

While Walking In The Forest

I spotted these circular ferns. I was so moved. This fern is so in love with it's beauty that it can't wait to hold it's own hands...Lovely. Go ahead, love yourself like that.

The Perfect Way To Begin A New Year

I got slapped in the face with a waterfall.

I can't think of a better way to start my new year on the planet. Fresh, newly recycled water, filtered over rock and earth, from cloud and raindrop, from snowflake to raging river water, I bathed my face and spirit in this renewed water.

With Passion!

With Passion

With

passion pray.

With passion make love.

With passion eat and drink and dance and play.

Why look like a dead fish

in this ocean

of

God?

-Rumi

Translated by D. Ladinsky

Why Aren't We Screaming Drunks?

Why Aren't We Screaming Drunks?

The sun once glimpsed God's true nature

And has never been the same.

Thus that radiant sphere

Constantly pours its energy

Upon this earth

As does He from behind

The veil.

With a wonderful God like that

Why isn't everyone a screaming drunk?

Hafiz's guess is this:

Any thought that you are better or less

Than another man

Quickly

Breaks the wine

Glass.

-Hafiz

Translated by Daniel Ladinsky

Sweet Dreams

The Hen House came with a blank slate of a yard. There are a couple of trees and a very overgrown rosebush. I have been planting little beds and pots of herbs for cooking. I have planted lots of varieties of lavender and they are all thriving. I gathered this wee nosegay and hung it on our headboard. Sweet dreams indeed. Xo.

A Tidbit

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

-Rachel Carson

I Love...

how flat fabric you find on the clearance table can turn into this...A linen pillow cover with cotton lace and a fun polka dot skirt for my girl. She let's me make her clothes again. Heehee!

Where To Go

I am at another crossroads. The decision feels overwhelming and scary. So, here I sit. Waiting. Wondering. Pondering. Where to go next...

I Really Like Him

I found this over on Chris' Blog.