holiday halloween

grrrrrr i can't get to everything
i could screaaaaamm
bear with me as i try to keep it clean here
hapless, helpless in the week's routine
i am soo off my mark
but it could be worse than what it seems

just enough time to fit in a few pics of the neighbors cool place
brew up something spicy to make me step up my pace

rats! nearly forgot that i have projects up my sleeve

nothing you haven't figured on
you who are regular to the scene
but i am keeping it seasonal
you know me
it's like i'm a halloween teen

my first at making cards for this scary fun time
must say that i am partial
to the most witchy of kinds


my visitor, Flat Moogie who hails from another land
is hanging with some creepsters
as only she can
she is drinking far too much grog
keeps me up late at night
and my candycorn goes missing
morning, noon and night

message to the blogosphere:
don't despair, even though you feel that you are wearing down
take special care, the change is in the wind
felt in the very air
but you just need to bear and grin it for the moment
cuz that is what is here
(but nothing is forever, and don't we all know it)

pull my apron strings, will ya?

no one is tied to my apron strings
except maybe the dog
but that doesn't mean i can't yank on your chain every now and again
rascals one and all
i call this one toadstool/old school

i have the power
the power of the flower/flour
and hell yeah
this girl is not afraid to use it

the apron design is based entirely on a vintage edition i wear and flaunt frequently at home
be on your guard for errant aprons
that come sneaking around corners
tying you in baker's knots
and adding hiding places for those extra cook pounds

after being off my feed for a few days
i am now trying to make up for lost time
baking and a making
storming and a forming
plans
plates to spin
in my cornucopia of industries
may the way be clearer in the days ahead
today the sun shone on
and life was good

psssst! need an apron? these are all over at my esty store...

Put an apron on, would ya!?

put an apron on, would ya?
the food is tired of landing in your lap
the frosting highlighting your hair
the pasta lumping at your waistband
as if you didn't care

put an apron on, could ya?
the company comes a callin'
you cannot be a stallin'
changing your outfit twice and fallin'
prey to frumpiness in the end

put an apron on, already
your hands are not that steady
you've been drinking since my boss was getting
his hands up your chicken carcases rear end

put an apron on, dear lady
the outfit on you isn't heavy
and the gravy boat is like the damn's levee
after an earthquake hit's like lead

put an apron on, he said me
it's the return to once was etiquette
and the voice in the kitchen is ahead of
everything i feel most inclined to follow and be led

madly creative aprons at happy delusions

like a little lavender would ya?

lilac and lavender
crystal clear but not known from within
these days of endless murky meanderings
need intuitive takes
musings and moderation

Ganesh is the lord of obstacles
may he creates highways and byways where none seem to exist
the clutter and clash of conscientious concern
is only bringing tattered messages my way

this bag seems to have shards of crystalline creation springing to life
third eye clarity
comfort benign

message for the blogosphere:

fight for fairness, don't deny your generous heart to shine, even when you feel as if the times necessitate hoarding and hesitation. if we all let forth our hand to feed the souls of ourselves and others, this mess wouldn't be looking so big

my collage bagmaking obssesion

these are my bags
my intense, collage mandalaesque bags
that i make but never seem to sell
and the photos always stink

i love my bags, and use them
often
in every color
but i suck at photos for etsy
like a blindspot i can't ever see
i just can't make a thumbnail photo for uploading that doesn't just
suck

i am whining
aren't i whining?
giving it another try, another upload, another crop
and keeping the fingers crossed

there are only so many times you can give family and friends yet another
handbag for christmas
you know what i mean?

sewin' it up

sew, you know what i am doing today?
all of that sewing that keeps piling up around the machine
until it cascades to the floor and i stumble, fall, curse, and scream
then i pick the mound up and vow to get to work
today is that day
(i think, i hope, i PRAY)

ever since my first trip through europe and happily, through finland
i stop for the designs and colorways of marimekko
i found this large cotton shirt at the thrift store for a dollar
today, before even getting dressed to for the almost autumnal weather outdoors
(1o days ago in the high 90's!!)
i took up the shoulder seams and a little tapering at the sides

can't stop making these creatures
they sprung from a knit "tart and cookie" pattern
but somehow they became alive
knit monsters from outeryarnspace

this maybe the face of the pinkypurl alien
or it may just be a cry from me for help
lift the curse of insane stitching up of otherworldly fluff and squish

cupcake anyone? this one is lavender laced
precious!! purfectly purpley pink calories - ohhhhh

the top
worn with my lucky charms necklace that changes daily
rolled up jeans
silver converse sneaks
and a coat
'cuz it got cold here

(ps when i have to work for rent, i can't seem to create so much. now i am "inbetween" temp gigs, looking for the next buck, but having a great time returning to my creative homefront. can i ever find a life that somehow offers both? oh, i am so ever trying....)

Making the bed

I just purchased a new topsheet to complete my spring/summer bed ensemble - Wamsutta, 100% cotton, part of their superior lines of sheets - $2.99. Local thrift shop. Gorgeous against the skin. A perfect match for my rosy blossom bottom sheet I squirreled away last year. I was born to shop and thrift and create - which, I think, are somehow very much related.

I made my bed set, my curtains, my dust ruffle, my lovely edged pillow shams that fit to a tee - myself. Last year, three days of heavy sewing and primping I fixed up the entire room in goodies made from sheets and a trip to the local Joanne's fabric store, discount coupon in hand, for some special fancy material to lend some color and textural contrast to the small European pillows and other soft pillow shapes that I have come to believe a bed top should possess.

I am a little too private to show you the entire room - but, as a work in progress, this creation is slowly nearing the finish line. I wake up and feel like I am in one of the finer hotels I used to be privy to when leading tours in a previous segment of my life. Ahhh - it is pure heaven. Add a good book and a cup of tea and you wonder why you should ever leave.

But I have begun picking up the odd lovely and colorful new sheet and pillowcase at the thrift and garage sales that Mum and I love to wander off to. It won't be long before this finely balanced room is once again turned on it's head and a new creation of color on it's way.

PS - I am in a dynamic of struggle - what is the tone of the blog, she queries to herself? and why would anyone read it? I create every day - but not just knitting, or baking, or sewing, or collaging, or photography. Who am I in this process called blogging and, being perversely, sometimes a very private person, I am a bit surprised that I even feel inclined to do this at all. But I also love to write - and so, there in fact, may be my answer. If you read this - well, alright and thank you. And if you don't - I guess, this is just for me and that is really alright as well.

Scrapping in the rain, foraging without a machine

My sewing machine is officially d o w n - and yet I continue to forage afield for wonderful fabric and bric a brac finds. Seems rather perverse - makes me wish for the machine all the more, even though weeks can go by and I neglect it. But the minute it is out of commission - I am consumed with the need to sew. I am so wrong!

I got this cute little vintage cosmetic traveling case at the same garage sale where I found the other goodies - isn't it just sweet? I plan on clearing it out, cleaning it up and using it on the shelves that are in my "creative corner" - which I really should be cleaning off and clearing up and reorganizing, but instead - I am blogging. Go figure.

It is raining - again. And cold - like in the 40's the other day - and I really had thought I would not be needing my gloves or the heater on - again. We have had a long winter for us here - and I guess this just proves my point. I think winter has not completely left the room - I am speaking to you in hushed tones - I don't want to offend any of the seasons, but I really wish that Spring was truly and completely in control here. Maybe she is - and she's just not in the best of moods. However, the flowers are in no way feeling neglected. There is moisture enough for everyone,
and then some.

These blooms were near a huge crosswalk - and thriving, despite the heavy motor fumes and the lack of respect or awe that the occasional pedestrian might display on that stretch of tarmac. They are a noisy, happy sweet shade of pink - and I stopped my bike and in between the raindrops, leaned down and took photos and smiled. I hope the flowers heard me - everyone needs to hear some praise. It helps us make it through the day, and we remember that what we do and who we are IS important. Being pink and pretty is important on a rain infused day.

I am "sew" busy!

I am in the midst of sewing a slew of aprons for the store, and of course, I should s l o w down - so the Universe steps in. I guess I am supposed to keep making my photo cards? (which I am)

The needle is out of alignment on the machine - ouch! It happened because I was trying to go too fast and pulled on everything at once. My machine didn't like this rough treatment, is filing an "L 'n I" claim, sending me pouty looks and taking a very extended coffee break. So there!

Sooo, I am having some Darjeeling tea in my "Green Man" hand thrown mug that I adore, created by the amazing potter, Lodema, whose mugs I use every morn to greet the day. Ahhhh....at least something in the house is warmly greeting me (frowning glance to the sewing machine who patently ignores said sewer).

Later, I will take a brilliant walk to the coffee shop and pass by this tremendous Dogwood tree, whose flowers have amazing resiliency against our stormy winds and recent small rain squalls that have replaced some of the blue in our Spring skies. And before I go, I listen to a little Paganini to sooth my furrowed sewer's brow.

Greetings and Salutations!
I just wanted so badly to start this second of my blogs, that I am just throwing caution to the wind and jumping into the thick of things. So much for a planned attack, this is more like a case of the "bloggers munchies" where you start to get really excited about telling stories and taking photos that, like that next cheeto, you just can't bear to deny yourself the pleasure.
So here I am, launching my second blog baby - all about thoughts on creating with the two hands and my wee bit of brain. I like to knit, sew, collage and take photos- so I am imagining a bit of all of those to creep into the throes of this fine endeavor. I also am particularly fond of thrifting and recycling/upcycling materials, so that is a definite bent that will be applied and seen in my projects to be shared.

Join me on my creative adventure - I would be glad to have you around.