laughter!

Hi friends! Happy Monday! I'm looking forward to sharing some great stuff with you this week... but I stopped in my tracks, when I realized that this was my 400th post! 400? You can't be serious!? Well, it makes sense... I enjoy checking in and sharing with you as much as I possibly can. You feed me so much with your encouragement and support... and your great ideas! It seemed fitting that I "show" up today with some quintessential ME pictures. I've needed a little stock pile of bio pictures for some various projects in the works, so my mother was kind enough help me out last week. It's always a bit unnerving being on the other end of the lens, but my mom and I get reduced to hysterics in a matter of seconds. That helps with any shyness. There are so many outtakes because we never stop laughing when we're together. So, this is my way of inviting you to be part of our fun. Over the weekend, I reminded you to dance. Now, I'm encouraging you to let loose your belly laughs: TODAY! I wish you uncontrollable giggles at least once today!
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p.s. Please look forward to a barn tour, back to school craft, and more throughout the next few days!

p.p.s I've finally begun twittering. I'm finding it fun and useful. Two good things! If you'd care to peek into my world a little more, or just know when my latest blog or shop updates are... you'll find it here... or click the button on the sidebar.

lightly

I often take life far too seriously. My mother is always reminding me to lighten up. For this I am forever grateful. I hope she never stops! May you have a wonderful weekend and don't forget to dance if you get the chance!

p.s. there's that tunic with the Indian prints that you wanted to see her in... it's over here, too.

dusk designs

The other day my daughter happened to be with me as I perused the aisles of our local Salvation Army. That girl has an eye and some very clear ideas. She spotted two identical striped shirts in colors that were "just perfect for me, Mom!". Yup, she really said that... including the Mom part (I miss "Mama"... I hope that name doesn't disappear, totally). I really do love her strong sense of self... and I happen to love stripes, too. Even though these were a little bright.

The whole ride home she proceeded to tell me exactly what I would make them into. I appreciate her confidence in me... that total faith in my abilities amazes me and keeps me burning to make whatever she requests, even if it's right before bed time. And how come it always seems to be that hour of the day? I can't tell you how often she's sweetly asked: can you finish it tonight? Before bed? Or how about her most frequent ploy to get me running for my sewing machine: "I don't know if I can sleep without it... ".

So her design idea: a sleep skirt... have you ever heard of a sleep skirt? I hadn't. And a sleep tank top with "flowers". Essentially: innovative pajamas!

I'll be honest, I love having an excuse to sew up something without too much of a plan or pattern. Cutting up jersey is so forgiving. Making up as I go along is one of my favorite ways to create. I always learn a thing or two. Next time, I'd adjust the tank... more fabric would have helped. She's super happy with it, but I may try another version some day. The skirt, however, will be made again and again... and not just for sleep!


I might need one for me, too. So can you tell from the pictures? Finished it at dusk... just in time for some evening hooping.



Tips for working with jersey/cotton knit with a standard sewing machine:

• there is an endless supply of good quality cotton t-shirts at most thrift stores for: perfect supplies for deconstructing.
• lettuce edging is an easy way to finish off a bottom hem.
• a knit-wear needle in your machine makes a difference.
  
• stretch stitches (zigzag, etc.) are best.
• double rolled edges (like the ones in the front crossover part of the tank) eliminate some of the stretched-out wonkiness that can happen.
• use a delicate hand when guiding jersey through your machine: too much pulling will activate that said stretched-out look.

Note: It's been almost a week... and this outfit has morphed into separate pieces of "day wear", as well!

make a quick chalkboard eraser

Awhile back, I whipped up a super fast chalkboard eraser out of a cotton batting scrap. With all of the chalkboard paint happening at the barn this week, I knew my mom needed one, too. I promise to give you a peek in the kitchen in the next couple of days.

In the mean time, I wanted to pass on some great tips from all of your wonderful comments on the bed board post. I always love your enthusiasm , and am so grateful whenever you share good ideas!

• dust-free chalk
• chalk pens (I haven't used these before, but they sound interesting)
  
• black acrylic paint may perform in a similar way to chalkboard paint
• starting with a layer of magnetic paint, before the chalkboard paint, adds another dimension to the play
  

Here's a way to make something useful in only three minutes. Really!

Chalkboard Eraser

Materials:
5x10 inch piece of cotton batting (wool felt would probably work, too)
pinking shears
thread
sewing machine

Make:

1. Fold batting in half to form a square. Fold in half again.
2. Stitch all around the rectangle about 1/4 inch from the edge.
   3. Stitch parallel lines through the middle of the rectangle. Wonkiness is fine. It's an eraser, after all!
   
3. Clip the edges with pinking shears.
   
4. Erase every blackboard in sight.

If you're planning on making a "bed board" for a gift, don't forget to include one of these handmade erasers!

bed board

We made a sweet discovery yesterday! Allergies had gotten the best of me on Sunday night, and Monday morning I arrived at the barn exhausted. My daughter was still in her pajamas, so my mom tucked us both into bed. Ahhh, the rare opportunity of being both mother and daughter. My girl was ready for action long before I was, and gathered a bunch of blocks and little cars to play with amidst the hills and valleys of the blankets. My mother recognized the need for a sturdy play surface and went to find a tray of sorts. A lot of chalkboard projects are happening in the barn kitchen, so she happened to have a portable black board on hand... even better than a tray! Soon we had roads, a pond... an entire village was built. I suddenly got my second wind, and the perfect "stuck in bed-boredom-buster-board" was born!
Think of all the open-ended play opportunities this one tool will afford. We're getting out the farm animals next time. I'll make certain to have one on hand before the cold and flu season hits. You can buy a ready-made chalkboard or create your own with a light-weight piece of wood covered in chalkboard paint. Don't you think these would make wonderful gifts with a little basket of vehicles?

poppy fabric

I love my poppy pillow! I'm finally sharing my fabric experiments with flower pods. I made a linen pillow cover with black prints and pencil pleats. I think that's what those pleats are called, please correct me if I'm wrong. I just know that they were almost as fun as the poppies! This particular poppy left a little sunburst mark.

It lives on my couch, but, of course, it feels equally at home in a field of wildflowers (at the barn).
I found that using VersaCraft fabric stamp pads were an easy way to print onto muslin and linen. I've been making up some muslin prototypes for my daughter's clothing and grabbed one to embellish.
The result was quite sweet in just the way I'd hoped. For both projects, I used a grid and my clear ruler to have some sort of gauge for a pattern... but then I ended up mostly eyeballing it.

Very typical Maya behavior: a combination of perfectionism and winging it. Look closely at the different print that this poppy left. Much more floral. If you tried pod printing and enjoyed it, I think you'd love printing on a swatch of fabric. It's such a direct way to incorporate nature into your creating.

rolling by

Another summer weekend slips by... and we're celebrating each beautiful day with:

waterfall flying...

cloud climbing...

barn decking...
(local) wine drinking...

and just having fun. I'll clean the house when fall rolls in!

random acts of crafty kindness

There has been a lot of love coming my way this birthday summer, some of it from wonderful fellow bloggers. I can't tell you how much this has moved me. I've even coined a little term for it as I talk about it with my husband. We've been calling it random acts of crafty kindness. I wanted to share some of the beauty that has appeared in my mailbox and point you in the direction of three very talented and generous friends. You may already know them... either way, go say "hi" if you have a moment. First up is Melissa from Tiny Happy. She has just returned to her home in New Zealand and sent me the above delicious package... just because! Just because she's wonderful! We share a similar love for simplicity, and she knew exactly how much I would appreciate her little treasures of thrifted goodness. That thick linen/burlap fabric is calling to me for something special. I had commented about it after she had discovered it at a flea market months and months ago. What overwhelming thoughtfulness to remember! Thank you, Melissa! x0

Next up is Margie, of Resurrection Fern. She sent me a birthday package that included such delicate beauty and even some treasures to share with my children (who met her last spring and adore her!). Inside that pretty little package of spoonflower fabric (a Margie and Geninne collaboration) was one of my favorite crocheted stones! You remembered, Margie. Thank you! xo
That sweet little woodland softie is a pocket friend my daughter and I like to share on walks... although it's been known to hide under her pillow at nap time.
The two pendants: a crocheted snail shell/ flower vessel and the beaded feather have both found happy places around all of our necks at different times throughout the summer. My son was very proud to wear that feather to his wilderness camp. Thanks from all of us!And then there is Julie, of el mundo de Julie en el mundo. We have been writing back and forth through e-mail since my blogging beginnings. I think of her as my rainbow half. Her vibrant, Argentinian home and creations always make me happy. She dares to use colors in ways I can only dream of. Julie quieted her usual palette long enough to make me a beautiful custom pair of natural linen Thai fisherman pants... just like her children's style. As a gift, she embroidered a surprise for me... I had discovered Julie through her embroidery so this was especially sweet and meaningful. Our cat, Hickory, appreciates lovely stitches, too. He couldn't stay away... I seriously took half a dozen shots before I realized it was time to include him! Julie and I have daughters the same age... and she couldn't resist tucking a rainbow in the mail for my girl! This picture is for you, Julie! She wears her hand-knit rainbow, EVERYWHERE.

( Incidentally, those fave boots are another random act of kindness... from Karen. See this post. )
What amazing women they each are!
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There are so many incredible connections we all are making using our computers. Reaching out beyond the screen, to send a little handmade surprise to one of our on-line friends, transcends the virtual relationship and makes it real... makes it tangible in new way. I'm hoping you'll join me in sending out your own random act of crafty kindness. I already know where my next bit of "love in the mail" will go... do you? I bet someone jumped into your mind right away that you'd enjoy surprising with a handmade gift. Go to it! Let's continue to bring the online craft revolution into our homes... but not just through the screen... lets fill up real mailboxes! I'm starting a flickr group called: well, what else... Random Acts of Crafty Kindness. Let's share what we're giving and receiving and celebrate these relationships!

vintage wood blocks of India

I'm getting "back-blogged" again! There is way too much good stuff to share with you. I can't tell you how much you add to my experience of making and trying new things! I'm pretty enthusiastic to begin with... you know this. Have you noticed my exclamation point usage?! (I even edit some of them from each post before I push publish!) But knowing I will be sharing it with you, well I never can wait. So I do have lovely pod prints on fabric... really. I'll show you soon, but didn't you want to see the Indian block printing? My mother and I couldn't wait, either. In fact, she whipped off the over shirt she was wearing as soon as she saw the first print on paper... "let's do this!" she said as she handed me her linen tunic.

So this is our scene at the barn studio.

Daughter doing her thing, son over on that big white bed reading a book, mom and me: printing like crazy! The tunic wasn't ironed, so what. Simple repeat border pattern around the hem. LOVE!
Can't get enough of this! I will always prefer the satisfaction of carving my own blocks, but the history and craftsmanship of each of these teak blocks has satisfied me in another way. I really enjoy how each carving has different amounts of wear... there are softer images from the ones that may have had a lot of ususage. I love that! A new print that already has the faded vintage feel... because it is. I can't carve that element.

Don't you get a rush from trying new things? Is there something you feel like diving into right now? I know you're probably super busy, but if you could clear the decks for say an hour or two... what would you try?

Quick note: I know this will be asked! We used textile paint rolled on with a brayer.

coming home with vintage storage

We didn't purchase anything in the photos of the earlier post. Oh, wait... I did get two spools of wool! What we mostly brought home was all about storage. My mother doesn't have a closet upstairs in the barn. I have a studio exploding with bits of everything. We were so inspired by the old industrial remnains from a time long ago. A couple of crates and some amazing factory racks on wheels (from the the early days of the shoe industry) made us very happy.
Can't wait to work on tidying up. I have never given you a true studio tour... hoping this magic rack, mine is the big one, will aid my fabric storage situation and make it photo-worthy. We also carefully chose a few beautiful odds and ends, including several of these!

My mom and I selected a couple of antique, hand-carved, teak wood blocks from India. We had such a hard time choosing... the photo only shows 1/3 of the display. Can't wait to try them out on linen! I also have some nice ideas for some wonderful vintage fabric I couldn't resist for my shop. More on all of this when I get back to updating that said shop... If you 'd like to see more photos from Madison Bouckville, check out this flickr set I just created.

Madison Bouckville

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. The Northeast finally had a good, hot one... a real scorcher! My mother and I woke up before dawn on Saturday, and drove out into the rising sun, for a day we'll never forget. Madison Bouckville blew our thrifting/junking minds! We arrived as the gates opened at 9am, and spent hour after hour discovering new bits of vintage bliss! We didn't even see half of it before the heat got to us, and we felt like we needed to find air conditioning. We drove out of the cornfields... yes, it's in the middle of acres and acres of cornfields, and headed into town. As we turned onto Main street, we gasped... we squealed... we zipped into another parking spot! The entire town was one ginourmous flea market... the best darn flea market we'd ever seen!! The fun continued... who needed AC? The sun was going down, anyway. We'll not miss this for the world next year. Mark your calendars, if you're anywhere close by. The prices are great! The vintage wares are delicious. I never need go to another garage sale/auction/anything again... just this annual trip. I promised to share, but keep in mind: there is so much more then the photos I took. These are just some glimpses of what inspired me:





So good, wouldn't you say?! The only thing that was missing on such a perfect day, was having my little sister with us... oooh now that would have been a party! Today is her birthday. How I ache for that sweet girl (I know she's been a woman for a good long time... but she'll always be my baby!) not to be so far away. Happy Birthday A!!!! You were with us!