Wedding Prep...

Knotting loads of tulle strips to twine for a wedding garland. Need much. Loads of tulle! I have 3 weeks til Melissa and Dave's day. 

Wish me well on the wedding dress redo. Not sure I can make this work. (Reworking dress we bought few years ago to fit pregnant belly!) 

After having Mela tonight the weekend is dedicated to that task. 

I have learned:

1.  Sisters colon clean! We are both good for 5 years. 

2.  Disappointed in Joe Basil Chevrolet last night. Had appointment for service. No tech to look at it? Then they couldn't find my keys for 20 mins and 10 more minutes to find my car. 

3. Mela is 11 months today!

A Bitty Book Review

I'm a Flower Child artist! This from a new book by Lynn Krawczyk. 

I love books...creative endeavor books are the best. I especially like one that is a good read. Jane Sassanian and Rayna Gilman have books I've read and would reread. 

This is another one. 

Lynn is witty, down to earth and talented. She is generous with info and insight in Intentional Printing. 

Recommend. 

Vintage Wool Braided Rug

I am loving this vintage wool braided rug. A few pick up stitches and it will be good as new. It is airing out on the line for now. I even took an antique rug beater to it! It shall reside in my sewing room soon. 

It has been an idyllic weekend. Spent time with Melissa & Mela yesterday, shopping and dining. I enjoy seeing the changes in her and how she thinks. She's a smart little girl! I especially liked seeing Mela crawl to her Mama, lay on her and her gestating sibling, and be at home. Those of us that have seen our children become parents will know of what I speak. Magicical. 

A dear online friend, Tammy, lost her 35 year old son week.  Melissa is 31. I can't even begin to imagine the feeling of loss. My thoughts are with you Tisme. 

Hexi Love

These

A few weeks ago my dear friend, Maria, invited me to help clean out a house. Her husband was hired to clear out a house of a recently deceased woman. Maria saw all the old junk and knew I'd be in heaven! I was. It was one of the best days of my life!!

I uncovered these silk, hand pieced hexi's yesterday. Wow. Really. I have 19 of these lovelies. How serendipitous is that?! I am mulling over all my options. Cool. 

These silkies are another of my treasures from Seneca Ave. omg. They are awesome. I will do them justice. 

Raining. Thunderstorms a-coming. I like it. 

Even in My Garden...

Things grow and thrive. Love the hardy hosta. 

2014 Allentown Art Festival

Love these funky earrings and necklace. One of a kind and I "see" the artist in them. I put them on immediately. She shared with me a blog that she shares with like minded artists called ilovemyartjewelry.blogspot.com. (Can't hook up to the link on my iPad, sorry) 

'Twas' a perfect sunny day for Sandy, Carol,Lauren and myself to spent five hours! I was especially pleased to see new exhibitors. I skipped last year partly because things seemed same old-same old. Good time. And mmmm the Lloyd's taco truck....taco....delish. 

Mela, my little precious, has a few issues due to congestion...ears, nose, sinus and eyes all troublesome. Melissa and Dave took her to MASH in Buffalo this afternoon to get her attended to. On the mend now. 

Michael and Jenn are traveling back to a Fort Campbell, KY, as I write this. I won't see Michael til next year since he deploys in October and next time I see Jenn at Thanksgiving in Cincinnati, Maddie will be 4 months old, not in utero! Always good to have them around, but I know they love their southern home. 

For fun,here is a manipulated pic of my heliotrope in front garden. Blooming is over now. 

I have learned:

1.  Those little four packs of White Russians and Mudslides...mmmmm. I love the brown bottles too. Cleaning them up for the wedding in July!

2.  My friends, Val and Julie have a new challenge for a show up. I am thrilled. I need that to get my thoughts and creativity going. I also pulled out my improv sewn cross piece from retreat in February and started moving that along. 

3.  Continental School of Beauty in Batavia. Excellent.  My color and cut were monitored closely by an instructor...the price was a third of a salon in city and I am pleased! I'm sold. 

4.  The Army Sgt, Shaina Schmigel, that died in Fort Bragg during an training jump, was waked in Batavia (my city) last week. The military representation in front of the funeral home and the flags lining the road brought tears to my yes and a heavy heart.  Buried down the road in next town. Sad. 

5.  Weight Watchers?  Again?  I think I must. Ugh. 

Mono printing Fabric

Last months guild program was a help my UFO thing. We were to bring in a piece we were having a hard time getting to the next step on and our friends would write (so we would not have to rely on memory) out thoughts on what to do next. 

I brought this piece of my mono printed fabrics for perusal. My guild is predominantly traditional so I understand their hesitation! But, I did get a great idea....make it into a bag. 

I spent some time free motion quilting it. I am planning to make a bag with a flap. Loving. 

I needed to do something creative that was all me. In the last few weeks I was intent on making favors and center pieces for Jenn's baby shower last Sunday. I like making things and was very happy with the results but it isn't my "hand", it's the "hand" that fits the theme. I am itching for a challenge. My friend Julie has planted seeds! 

I have learned:

1.  Ice Crystals was accepted into AQS Grand Rapids show at the end of August! 

2.  Mela is the happiest baby I have ever known. Ever. Truly. 

3.  So You Think You Can Dance. Watch it. 

4.  Michael deploying to Afghanistan again. October. 

5.  1 yr. 8 mos. 2 days to retirement. I dreamt I handed in my papers on Friday. I was elated....in my dream. Then I woke up. First word out of my mouth...you know it.