blossoms and stitches

There are certain holidays that leave me with an unsettled feeling these days. It's only natural, but I'd rather find a way to shift the energy. Fresh flowers and new pillow cushions were just what the doctor  inner wise woman ordered for a quiet Father's Day on my own.

Gleena's lovely vase was filled with catmint, scabiosas, lupines, and a favorite little green flower that's name eludes me. I've mentioned it before, but I have to again- I love perennials! Such sweet blossoms returning each year like old friends.

I covered some tired old cushions in muted blues and greens.  By using a simple envelope construction, I had five new covers in no time! The base cushions called for boxed edges. When I ran out of green, I added the last strip I had of blue. Basically, I checked my perfectionist at the door, made up sizing as I went and thoroughly enjoyed myself at a task I've done a million times. And hey- they weren't so shabby when I set them on my newly painted wicker couch on my deck.

And this is where I sat yesterday... enjoying ice tea and some quiet time for me. Self-care at its finest.

"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming."- Pablo Neruda

squam sling

I taught a brand new class last week- the Squam Sling based on a pattern in my book. When I wrote up the description months ago, I knew that it would be an ambitious undertaking for a one day workshop. But I love a challenge almost as much as I love printing and sewing!

 I had the honor of guiding a couple dozen lovely women through their own personal hurdles as they created the most unique (and gorgeous!) bags ever.

First they learned to carve rubber stamps and then printed their very own fabric. This process is always deeply satisfying for me, but I hadn't anticipated the joy I would experience guiding and witnessing others as they discovered how thrilling it is to make your own material.

 

And then we sewed. And sewed. And sewed. The bags that were birthed were stunning. Each was totally different and such a complete representation of the woman that created it.

 My Thursday class made their bags all in single day, and it was a race to the finish line- but almost everyone completed one. I managed a portrait of them, but not of their bags- I so hope that they'll send me photos. Please!

The second class was broken up into two days... and the fresh energy that they brought after a good night of sleep definitely added to our productivity- Thus the many photos taken...

What a great time we had!!

setting the scene

Talk to anyone that's taken one of my workshops, and you'll probably hear a little something about the scene I like to set. Creating an inspiring environment to work in is always key for me- so I like to do this for others. Fresh flowers from my garden, words that remind us why we're here, good music, maybe some chocolate when our energy starts to fade... each little detail feels important.

The classrooms at Squam Art Workshops are all gorgeous rustic cabins that complete the picture. Last week I was so blessed to return to Longhouse- my all time favorite space to teach in. It's perched on the farthest end of the camp with panoramic views of the lake from its many windows and wrap around porches. 

I kept the huge stone hearth blazing... 

And over the course of several days, dozens of wonderful women printed, stitched and stretched out of their comfort zones in this magical setting. 

It was exhilarating! I think for all of us. I can't wait to show you what they accomplished, made, created, and inspired ME with! 

Let's meet back here tomorrow...

squam lake reflections

Good morning! And it is most certainly a good one... I'm HOME! And for the first time ever, I feel like I returned home from Squam fully grounded. My feet are planted squarely on the earth. Every journey to the SAW is unique. Each experience is filled with new discoveries about myself and those around me. Last week was all of that and more. 

And as sure footed as I feel today, I know I need to take some time to let my thoughts and insights mingle together in my mind and heart before they turn into the words of a post about my classes. Because the classes that I taught... pretty amazing... oh, they were!  And the reason is most definitely because of the women I was blessed to spend my days with by this gorgeous lake- they were nothing short of extraordinary.  They touched me the same way these clouds touched the water at daybreak yesterday... with a beautiful reflection of interconnectedness.

May your new week start in peace....

Squam...

Squam prep always keeps me busy. There is an excitement and focus that descends upon my home as I gear up for teaching and selling. And then I get into my traveling studio (ok- just my vehicle packed with everything I'll need), and a quiet meditation begins. The drive Northeast is familiar, beautiful and the perfect transition into the full days ahead. I'll see you all back here next week, but if you'd like sneak peeks- just hop on over to Instagram. I plan to be snapping away...

blooms

The black/honey locusts are now bursting with their cascade of tiny white flowers that fill the air with the heavy sweet scent that reminds me of the tropics. If I close my eyes and breathe in, I can momentarily transport myself to Hawaii and my little sister. 

Yes, it's most definitely June! Lush and green- and the blooms that surround my little house make it feel like a celebration every time we step out the door. 

Over the years I've added bunches of perennials... which means that they return like old familiar friends. Here's who's currently visiting:

Hydrangeas, lupins, lilies, catmint, poppies, columbines, jacob's ladder... and more. What's blooming in your neck of the woods?

doors

You know how committed I am to looking towards the brighter side of things and climbing out of any darkness that tries to pull me down. This is old news, right? Well, this is just a little reminder to all of us that  a positive attitude is sure to open doors. Not only does it feel better... deep in your bones... to seek out goodness... it often has surprising rewards. A door that had seemed barred or locked opens, and you may just find yourself on the thresh hold of something new- maybe even unexpected. As was my experience this week with a new work project that couldn't excite me more!

All photos snapped in the amazing historic can factory that holds my dear friend's (Rebecca Rinquist) studio in Brooklyn. Yes- I slipped downstate to peek through some fresh portals...

I look forward to the day when I can share... until then keep on climbing upwards and knocking on closed doors. I suspect one of them is already unlocked and waiting for you...

spirea

Our Spirea or "wedding/bridal bush" blossoms each memorial day weekend. Its delicate white flowers cluster together like miniature bouquets. Yesterday I picked some for my own little day of remembrance. I wrote more about it on honoring hope. And now I'm off to finally get the last of my garden planted. I've been dreaming about just picked cucumbers and tomatoes. Can't wait!

Have a beautiful start to your week!

eggs

My little ladies have been busy. We only have three laying hens right now, but that's just enough. My son has a scramble of some sorts almost every day. I love sending him off into the world well-fed. He's grown almost 5 inches in the year that we've kept chickens! I know that he was destined for this growth spurt anyway, but I can't help but grateful for our abundance in eggs.

When I'm just making a meal for myself - breakfast, lunch or dinner... it's a poached or fried egg on a bed of greens in a corn tortilla. Salsa or adobo sauce finishes it. Really- putting an egg anything makes it better!

I've shared lots of egg focused recipes here:
custard
chocolate clouds
pavlovas
chilequiles
deviled
popovers

But I'm always looking for more!  What are some of your favorite egg recipes? They might just make their way into my weekend cooking...

to market, to market

I'm in sewing production mode these days. Last week was all about cutting, and this week is stitch focused. I'm adding reinvented coffee sack market bags to to my product line. There have been far too many requests to ignore, and the farmer's market season is upon us out here in the northeast.

 I am currently only making items for the Squam Art Fair, but am hoping to do a shop update upon returning. There is only one to show you because making in multiples/mass requires a certain formula for maximizing efficiency. I completed this in one fell swoop, but my usual method involves doing each step over and over again for all like items before moving on to the next step. This means my studio has piles of different things at various stages of readiness. Not so easy to blog about... unless you'd like some tips on production sewing. You would? Great!

Production Sewing Tips:

1. Check your supplies ahead of time, and make sure you're stocked up. Who wants to run out of thread and needles when you're in your sewing groove?
2. Thread lots of bobbins before you begin. 
3. Cut everything first. Even if there are multiple projects, do it all at once.
4. Keep your iron set up and ready.
5. Sew in stages, as said above. Make all handles at the same time, sew zippers all at once, etc.
6. Snip obvious threads as you go, but leave the last threads on everything to do together as you watch a movie and drink a glass of wine (or whatever your preferred beverage is).

I'm sure I'm forgetting some tips... want to help me out? When you're sewing lots of things at once, either to sell or during gift giving season, do you have some good shortcuts to share? 

lilac love notes

Love can be simple. Especially a mother's love. I slip notes into my little girl's lunchbox everyday. Each morning for years now. I ran out of the little origami paper I had been using, so to make the last month of school special, I created tiny hand printed note cards. Sweeter for her and easier for me than searching for small pieces of paper during the early scramble. 

Lilac blossoms were my inspiration. Might have been the quickest stamps ever to carve... A fun small project that has big possibilities. The blossoms love to be clustered, and I could see them spreading around the hem of a skirt or covering the collar of a little blouse. Happy Monday! Happy lilac season!