Monday, May 23, 2011

Curtains

We get so used to seeing things around us that we miss how faded they have become.   My cafe curtains in the sewing nook have served me well for quite a few years, but when I stopped and noticed them, I could barely see their true colors.  It was time for "out with the old, in with the new!"
The old faded curtain...
The new bright fabric!  I found 4 yards of this at my favorite thrift store.
The new curtains -- a work in progress.  I still need to finish off the top.  The blue on top and bottom seemed too much for the small area, so I'm trying the white sheers to see if I like that.

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Overalls to Apron

A pair of overalls goes a long way!
First it was a pair of overall shorts.


Then it became a purse...and...


The idea for the ruffles was taken from http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/03/sunkissed-aprons.html
It includes great instructions on how to sew the layered ruffles.

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Mother's Day

Mothers Day...
If I close my eyes, and think back quite a few years -- and I do mean quite a few! -- I can remember going out to the lilac bush -- filled with fragrant, beautiful purple flowers -- to pick a bouquet for our Mother's Day dinner table.  I'm imaging that my sisters and I prepared the lunch, though I don't really remember that.  The flowers, I do remember.  As beautiful as lilacs are, though, they don't compare at all to my beautiful mom!  She is a mom who has given me (and my six siblings) many things -- an example of living each day trusting God; the gift of laughter, music, creativity; an appreciation for beautiful gardens; dressing nicely even if you are just going to the grocery store; setting a beautiful table -- even for every day meals; good food and sharing hospitality; a love of reading; courage and strength even in times of difficulty.  ...and many, many more!

I love you, Mom!  Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Trees

TREES
by: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918)
       THINK that I shall never see
      A poem lovely as a tree.
       
      A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
      Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;
       
      A tree that looks at God all day,
      And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
       
      A tree that may in Summer wear
      A nest of robins in her hair;
       
      Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
      Who intimately lives with rain.
       
      Poems are made by fools like me,
      But only God can make a tree.


"Trees" was originally published in Trees and Other Poems. Joyce Kilmer. New York: George H. Doran Company, 1914.
I've always liked this poem -- just as I've always liked trees!  We had a big, beautiful, old tree in our front yard -- one that has probably been growing for 80 - 90 years.  We had hoped to have it trimmed (as it was running into the wires by the road), but received the sad news from the "tree man" that they tree was rotting.  His advice to us was to take it down.  Today was the day!   This morning I left for work with a little feeling of sadness, knowing I would not see my tree at the end of the day.  Growing up we had special trees.  One, in the back yard, was called "The Family Tree."  We all (my 6 siblings and I), climbed this tree, used it for tag base, and sat under it's leafy branches.  Then there was the huge tree right next to the church -- I don't remember if we had a name for that one, but it, too, was a favorite.  It dropped so many leaves in the fall, that we were able to rake a tall pile of leaves, climb up the tree, and jump into the pile!  What fun.  I enjoyed trees so much that on my 16th birthday, I told my Dad all I wanted for my birthday was for him to make me a wood art picture of a tree.  I must have been in that ...I'm trying out being mature stage and not ask for everything under the sun! I did get that tree wood art (see picture below), AND I'm sure to my delight, a new wrist watch! :)  





Back to our tree -- I almost dreaded driving up to the house.  Sure enough, the tree was gone.  But I could see the house and even started to imagine the possibility of a pretty white fence with flowers blooming, and of course, a new tree planted -- perhaps a beautiful flowering tree.  So with this loss, comes new possibilities!  





The tree!