Until Next Time

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Where am I going?  Well, erm, not sure.  On just about every level.  Though perhaps it is better to say that I have already been gone, left- which you might already know.  Not gone gone.  Just in the sense of not having been here. 

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I think about you all the time, and try to will myself to post.  But my posts always start with an apology for not having been here more frequently, and even I don't want to hear that, so I erase the apology.  But then, I find I have nothing that I feel compelled to write.  Because frankly I don't feel moved by my usual topics, and can't quite muster a light-hearted attitude or positive spin on a consistent basis.  Lovely things still happen, but I hold them and keep them close.  I consider sharing the beauty, but don't want to risk making special times less special in the retelling.  So I exit the blog and go on.

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Go on about the business at hand.  Go on about caring for Sophia, caring for our new cat, learning the area, trying to find a real job, keeping the house clean and the clothes washed, filling out mountains of paperwork.  Go on about trying to find my life balance and my even keel.  Go on about deciding who to let in and how, and who to let go and how.  Go on about discovering how much of the past needs to make sense before I just enjoy the present and push ahead to the future. Go on about all of those things that might actually be good to blog about sometimes.

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So, I figured that since I am *gone* I owe it to you to point and wave at that elephant in the room.  And let you know that it is not without regret.  And to let you know that I am still going, and I hope to make it back.  As hard as it will be for me to post seldom and unapologetically, maybe I will get there one day.  And if I do, I hope to see you there!

Pantone Fall 2013 Craft Challenge Results!

Including myself, we had four people able to complete projects for this fall's challenge.  I am, as always, blown away by the many talents of my friends and family.  Without further ado, in the order in which they were received, here are the completed projects!

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Karen of Busy Beading, Runs With Scissors 4, and Vintage Station on etsy outdid herself with not 1, not 2, but 3 projects using just about every Pantone Fall 2013 color!

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I love the way she used the color chart to organize her crystals!

Whoa!  Tribal geometric gorgeousness!

Again the chart for the needle felted orbs...

And another beautiful bracelet is born!

Another needle felting project that's perfect for fall...acorns!

(pottery bowl and leaf by Carol Broadley Pottery)
Who needs to go out and buy pumpkins when you can just display your favorite Pantone projects for autumn décor!?

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Next up we have Kathryn from Virginia- my across the street neighbor from high school and special facebook friend.  Kathryn can sew the pants off of some fabric (hehe), and she whipped up this amazing bag in all of the Pantone colors.  I know the pictures don't do it justice, because I took them.  And I took them because this bag is in my possession.  Can you believe it????  A gift for me!!!  I LOVE it so :)

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The color blocks wrap around the whole bag.

From this closeup you can see the different textures of the fabrics used- I love that detail!

 

OOOOOOH!  Peek inside!  Yes, that is one of my favorite vintage sheet patterns.

And so many pockets.  I heart pockets.  Heart heart heart!

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My Aunt Irene in Michigan is one of the fastest and most talented crocheters I know.  The woman can whip up anything in no time at all.  Just like her mom!  These are just a few of the items she made last month.

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A sweet cotton hat in koi.

A triple layered hotpad in bright linden.

And a cabled scarf in a plummy acai.  The talent, I tell you!

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And bringing up the rear with one measly little project is me.  I'm happy with the idea for this headband/ear warmer- it's the same stitch I use in my cotton rugs.  It's thick enough to actually keep the ears warm, which was the goal.  I used an alpaca/acrylic blend that is so very soft, and the main yarn itself is a blend of the blues and greens in the Pantone 2013 fall palette.  I tossed in the round of gray (turbulence) to help set the flower apart form the band.  Gotta give my little model props- the day she posed for pics was over 80 degrees!

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Look closely and you'll see emerald, Mykonos blue, and a touch of acai.

Yup, it covers the ears and holds the hair away from the face!

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Looking pretty, and the wrap is convenient, too.  It folds up to almost nothing and could easily be tossed in a purse for a pumpkin patch adventure.

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So that's all for this challenge, folks.  Loads of creativity and beautiful items that will keep us all very fashionable this season.  Many thanks again to Karen, Kathryn and Aunt Irene for participating!!!!

 

 

Craft Challenge Update

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The time is here, my friends!  Time to get your Craft Challenge photos to me so that I can get your goodies seen by the world!!  I have Karen's, Kathryn's, and mine...need yours Aunt Irene.  And who else?  Teri?  My plan is to have the post up by the end of the week, so stay tuned for COOL STUFF ;)

Tuesday's Treat

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My child is an imp. 

 

Yesterday she earned a trip to the prize box in class.  What did she choose?  Oh, the wind up, lifelike scuttling cockroach, of course.  The one designed to give her mother a heart attack.  That one. 

 

Her set up was pretty good, I'll give her that.  We have been having problems with stink bugs coming in because of her little window ac unit.  So, when she came home and went upstairs and then yelled for me to "Come up!  Hurry!  There's a big huge bug on my floor", I thought, "damned stinkbugs!" 

 

What I saw when I raced up the stairs to save the day was a gigantic brown freak show running toward me.  I was fooled, for an instant.  My heart did beat faster until I realized there was no earthly way that thing could be real.  So I did what any great Mom would do.  I jumped and screamed like a lunatic, working the situation to give my child maximum glee.  She was laughing so hard she could barely choke out the words..."It's....not....real, ...Mom!!!"

 

Fast forward to tonight.  The above picture is what I saw when I glanced over to see the time during our nightly story ritual on my bed.  Apparently Sophie figured if I couldn't see the time I would read forever.  The neon post-its were not a subtle move, though not much about my daughter is.

 

The treat of living with a little one with a mischievous bent is that life is never, ever boring.  Exasperating and crazy making at times, but never, ever boring!

Friday's Favorite Fabric Finds

Happy Friday, Friends!  I have a lovely customer in California that makes the most unique projects out of all sorts of vintage fabrics.  She has recently expanded her line to include PJ bottoms and maxi-dresses, and she asked if I had any uncut sheets.  Do I??  These are just a few of the ones I thought she might like.  Hopefully we'll get to see some of these reincarnated :)

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How have you been?  What is new in your world?  Please do leave me a comment.  I'm so glad you're here, especially since I have been so absent of late. 

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Most of you know this is a time of transition for me and Sophie, and while we are very happy with our new location, things get crazy at times.  I try to stay focused on the "here and now", but I admit that I often think too far ahead and get myself in a dither.  Working on keeping the dithering to a minimum, y'know?

Wine & Music Weekend

Sophie's new music teacher plays guitar in a band!  We decided to go check out The Willys at Reid's Orchard Winery on Saturday night.

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After sampling several wines in the tasting room, we bought some wine and a cheese platter and headed out to the seating area.  Sophie got a free cherry slushie.  And later went back for a blue raspberry one, too.

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What a beautiful view!

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The concord grapes looked so luscious on this vine.

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Got one with the "come on and take it already" face, and one with the "super cheesy pose smile" face.  I love this girl!

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It was all I could do to stop myself from plucking these off and eating them.

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Mr. Serfass (aka music teacher) tuning up for the show

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The set up

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Sophie enjoyed picking weeds and wildflowers in the orchard while waiting for the band to start playing.

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Running through the orchard is a good way to burn off pent up energy!

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Bailey the orchard dog was a hit.  This was a free, pup-friendly event.

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Yummy!!

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After a few songs, the kids who were there with their parents started playing football behind the grape vines.  Sophie joined right in and had a blast!

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After football came soccer.

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And after soccer came tree climbing!  As it grew dark, the crowd really got into the swing of things.  The music was awesome, the lights on the tables and in the trees were festive, and a great time was had by all!!

 

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Lucky us, there are at least 3 wineries within 15 miles.  They all host free concerts and family friendly events.  Loving our new location and memories made with mom and dad :)

 

TGIF

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Goodness me, where DOES the time go?!  I was fortunate to have several orders to send out this week, as well as Back-to-School night for Sophie's new school.  I have also been trying to get a handle on the paperwork involved in volunteering at the school- it's a veritable mountain, I tell you. 

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Today I needed a little break, so I decided to do something about our lackluster front porch.  Now we're all *mummified*, and it's beginning to look like fall around here.  We have some cool weekend plans, and if everything pans out I'll post some photos of the fun.  Until then, savor these beautiful weather days!

Craft Challenge Time - Pantone Fall Colors 2013!

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The colors are here!!!  The Pantone Fall 2013 colors are here!!!  Who is up for another "creation challenge"?   It's easy enough- just choose 3 or more of the colors above and make something.  Anything!  Let's do this!  I think one month until "show off" time is sufficient, don't you? 

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If you'd like to participate, leave a comment here.  Entries will be due by the end of September, and all will be showcased here on my blog in a big reveal.  This is not a contest- anyone who participates is a winner.  The more people we have, the more exciting it will be, so please share with your friends and family.  Who's with me???!!!!

Thursday's Treasure: 8/29

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The talented Becky from SewBarefoot purchased a good amount of this beautiful pale pink rose fabric from sosovintage a few days ago.

 

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Today I received a lovely thank you message from her.  She included this picture showing the adorable scarf that she already whipped up with that fabric!  So cute, and so thoughtful of her to share.  Keep up the amazing creations, Becky!

Wednesday's Works

I've done it!  As of  just a few minutes ago, I'm down to just one room that needs a lot of work, and that's my bedroom.  I've saved it for last for many reasons- some unselfish (I wanted the rest of the house that others would enjoy to be ready for others to enjoy), and some selfish (I want to take my time with my personal sanctuary). 

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In any case, the loft was the project that I finished today, and I love the way it came together.  There are still a few things that need to be hung on the walls, but you can get the idea. 

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Here is what the loft area looked like when the other tenants lived here.  To be fair, they were in the process of moving. 

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And now, thanks to lots of moving help, lots of assembling help, and lots of decision making about what to put where, (and what needed to go live somewhere else), here is Sophie's and my work space:

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All of the shipping supplies are close at hand.  All of the craft supplies are organized and ready to use.  There are two skylights here which make the room super bright and cozy.  I do believe this will be one of my favorite spaces in the house!  I am kind of partial to all of them, though ;)

Makeover Monday: 8/26

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Blah, blah, blah wall over the couch.  Blah!

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More decal magic and voila!  No more blah!

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The colors in these leaves are perfect for this room.  Yes, I am a huge fan of decals, and am going to have to keep myself from going craaaaaaazy with them.