Crocous, Snowdrops, and Make Do

We are so Blessed in the Northwest to have a few sunny days! I wish I could send some of it to the east coast. Instead, here are a few cheery spring flowers to warm you hearts. The back yard is a carpet of snowdrops.

With so many cloudy days here, the vibrant, clear colors of spring flowers are a stimulating contrast to much of the weather. This carpet of heirloom crocus is a welcome to visitors walking to the side door.

The crocus pop up between rocks and bricks, multiplying each year.
I've seen some camellias starting to bloom. The lilacs are starting to leaf out and will soon blossom. When stepping outside today, into the sunshine, without a sweater I might add, I could feel the energy of a new season vibrating around me. Everywhere I looked I could see growth. The swelling of branches getting ready to have leaves burst forth from them. Brushing back some leaves, deposited from last year to nurture another year of life, I could see light green shoots pushing upward toward the warmth and sunshine, growing to "live" again. Yes, we will have more winter. But the cold is loosening it's hold, giving way to spring and life. Soon, I'll be spending most of my time outside. For now, well, I better finish projects that I have started. Soon the garden will call......And I will go.

One project is a bag from this book. I've made several projects from With These Hands during the winter. My mind has been full and occupied. I haven't been able to settle and design a project from start to finish this winter. Finding a project in a book that I love and working on it allows me to enjoy the occupation, yet not have to "think" much about design. Leaving my mind open to go other places. It really helps me to sort things out mentally, having my hands busy.

I'll sit, and beside me is a low stool, upon the stool in an old berry carrier. An old lace edged table scarf in draped across the carrier. I'll set my tea, embroidery, or whatever in the carrier. The stool can be moved out of the way, or to another chair easily. It's my portable "coffee" table. Using things in this manner it part of my make do life. Taking things I love, using them in my life in a purposeful way, seeing beauty in the ordinary, in the simple. I'm getting ready to say "good bye" to winter, feeling the creative life stir within. Ready to grow.

Enjoying Life,

Debbie

Re Purposing Feed Bags

Do you remember the feed bags? My daughter found them in a old barn on her husband's family homestead. I showed them to you and gave a few away here. This Christmas I made them into market bags for each of my children.

I cut them in quarters, to create each side, and lining of the bag. I used scraps of fabric at the top of one side and for the handles. Everyone loved them. The kids are using them now when they grocery shop and will use them at farmers markets this summer. Their size is 18''x23''. So they will hold a lot. They are also strong and very washable. I thinks it's a great way to re purpose the bags.

Now I am sorting and organizing all the remnants. That might take a while.

Enjoy your day,

Debbie

Mortar and Pestle

One of the perks of children traveling to many parts of the world are all the interesting things they send back home. It's even more fun when these items can be incorporated into use, and not just set on a shelf to look at. One of my daughters was in Mali, West Africa this past fall. She loved going to the local market.

One stall had mortar and pestles. This is a small one. Every household has several. The local women selling these couldn't figure out why she would want one. In Mali, one thing they use mortar and pestle for is to smash yams and make a paste that is used in many dishes they prepare.

Here I am smashing avocados to make guacamole.

The mortar and pestle are hand carved by local craftsmen from a local tree. The mortar (the bowl part) is one piece, about 19 inches high and the pestle is 25 inches tall. Each knife cut is seen, making a beautiful textured, yet smooth pattern. The wood is oiled for lasting use. As it ages small cracks appear in the wood, but do not jeopardize it's use. It's a beautiful primitive piece that I'm loving having around.

Being mindful

Where did January go???? I seem to have done this a lot this past year. Family things come up. Then......things get soooo busy that I lose touch. SO I WILL DO BETTER THIS YEAR!!!! Well, starting this month. Let me explain, I have eight children and I sew formal wear as a home based business. When the kids are around I'm completely involved with them, or keeping up with the business. Things are changing. Actually, they have been changing for several years. The house is getting empty, my youngest has one more year in high school. I'm wanting to be in touch with creative people. I've always had a very busy household, kids in and out, here and there. Even though I'm a more quiet type, I love to get with people and be creative. While the kids were at home something creative was always going on. Now I need to reach out to find some of that energy. I'm sure there are many of you who know just what I'm talking about.

Anyway, just as I'm getting into the swing of this electronic reaching out, someone comes home for a visit. Everything gets crazy and fun. Yet, in all that goes on I need to remember to keep reaching out to new friends. To remember that although I will always be very involved in my children's lives, my life will take on a different look, and things will shift. So, this year with a daughter getting married in two months, me making the wedding dress and bridesmaids dresses, and a new grandchild due later this year, kids coming home for a visit from their travels, I want to have room in my life for new friends. I need to use this calendar and write in times to grow with you and explore your creative endeavors. To move into a new part of life. You are delightful people, and I love reading about what you are doing. The joy and energy you generate is amazing. So I'm pledging now to get back to sitting with my cup of tea and chatting, and catching up on all that you have been doing.

Oh - the calendars........I made a new one for this year. I'll show you the pages months by month.

Blessings,

Debbie

Biscotti Smells Soooo Delightful

The wind outside is fright full and freezing but the smells inside are delightful. I'm staying warm and enjoying the aroma of Biscotti. I'm making two kinds. Peanut butter and chocolate almond.
Mixing it up.

Patting the dough into logs for baking.
Finished baking........the first time. MMMMM smells wonderful!
Sliced and ready to bake..........again.
The peanut butter biscotti is all cooled down and dipped into dark chocolate.

The chocolate almond is dipped into white chocolate and drizzled with dark chocolate.

Finished. Ready to sample a few (darlin, I said a few!) and give some to friends for holiday cheer.

Fashionista Christmas Stocking

I had a sweet request from my three year old granddaughter over the weekend. "Grandma, would you please make a Christmas stocking for me colored pink?" Of course I would! Looking through my stash of "things" I went. Pink micro wale corduroy with scattered snowflakes and rhinestones in the center. White organza ribbon. Silver jingle bells. White fur. Ribbon with opalescent fringe. A white tassel. Black felt.

This is what I made for her. (Sorry about the wall color. Looks terrible with the stocking. It didn't look that way in real time.) She is a little fashionista, who loves pink and princesses.
It is now in the mail, flying to the sweetest three year old in Quebec.
With Love, From Grandma.

Slip Covering a Worn Chair and Wool Things

Gerry loves it. He sits in this chair everyday in the sitting nook of our kitchen. It has seen a lot of years and hard use. I think it's time for an upgrade, but he loves it, and I'm not one to go out and buy new furniture. So, the easiest thing to do it give us what we both want. He keeps his favorite chair, I get rid of the worn look. Now, I like the worn artful look in many things, but not in this chair. It's worn without the art. I had been on the lookout for some upholstery fabric on the sale table. I finally scored in Sept. when JoAnns was having 50% off the sale table. So for $3.00 per yard, I was able to make a slip cover for the chair.

I like how it turned out. not too loose, fairly snug. The colors and pattern blend well with what I already have, and add to the cozy feel of the room.

Instead of ties, I used buttons and button holes. Ties made with this fabric would be too bulky and not stay tied very tightly. Buttons hold it tightly together. I'm really pleased with the upgrade.

Some other projects I've been working on are from the book With these Hands by Maggie Bonanomi.

A table runner used at Thanksgiving.

An unfinished piece of wool draped over the back of a chair.

I changed the name in the pattern to ours and changed the date, to the date when our house was built.
A small pin cushion, in remembrance, "from me, to thee". I'm really enjoying this book. The style goes with the primitive nature of our home. It is inspiring me to do more work with wool. As I've said before, wool is so flexible and forgiving. I love working with it. These designs are classic, simple, quick and easy to do.