packed and ready!

The fridge is packed with good food for my family, the house is in order, coffee sacks have aired in the sun all weekend, and my buckets are packed... looks like the time for Squam Art Workshops has finally arrived! I won't be answering e-mails all week, but I do have some posts scheduled for the next few days. After three days of fun workshops, the retreat always culminates with a fantastic art fair on Saturday evening that is open to the public. If you are in the area, I hope you'll come by! If not, I'll be sharing what I'm bringing for my booth right here. Of course, there will be buckets... here are some waiting in line for a good ironing and a hang tag.

I made a few in extra large this time, and this big guy is holding all of the pouches and clutches I can't wait to show you tomorrow.

And now off I go... Squam Lake here I come!

quiet neigh-bors...

I hope you're having a peaceful weekend.

15 years...

How time flies when we're living and loving, parenting and partnering, working and playing. Yesterday marked 15 years since my husband and I read our vows to one another on the top of a mountain in Santa Cruz. Unbelievable! I knew he was the one the moment I saw him. That certainty hasn't wavered over the years. I know he's quiet around maya*made (and you don't hear/see much of my handsome and dashing partner), but know this: without his love and support I wouldn't be here blogging, making, writing. When I think back to May of 1996, I remember him standing right beside me in the same way. Believing in my crazy ideas... like sewing our wedding clothes and being patient with the endless fittings,  to making hemp napkins for all of our wedding guests. We stayed up late, with me sewing and him rolling and ribbon tying each one several days before the big day. And exactly 15 years later, as I hustle to finish making stuff for Squam, he's been staying up late with me again... helping keep the focus and being my best friend. So much has changed, and so much remains the same. And the flowers above? That's the Bridal Wreath (Spirea) that came with our home and blooms every wedding anniversary out our back door.

15 minutes...

The count down to Squam is getting serious! I'm so excited and totally consumed with making, listing, packing, and laundry (yesterday there were 3 loads of deconstructed linen clothes for two of my workshops!). In the midst of it all, I had a sudden and urgent need to make something frivolous. This happens to me under pressure. So, I gave myself 15 minutes to play with no rules or directions. I set a timer, and  began pulling things off shelves. The next thing I knew, I was covering a wooden bracelet in Mod Podge and topping it with some scraps of paper cut into tiles. 

I didn't work slowly, nor meticulously... I just dove in and started cutting, getting sticky and having fun. It was the perfect way to blow off some steam. I may do this again today if I start to feel harried. Set the timer, and then see what happens... want to try it, too? Here are some suggestions:

• Give yourself a short amount of time, or you'll start to think too hard.
• Work in a medium that feels loose: glue, crayons,water colors, ripping paper or fabric. 
• Don't have expectations for a certain outcome.
• Set judgments aside.
• Enjoy yourself!

*bracelet components are just things I've had in my studio for years so I'm not clear on sources, but paper is from Amy Butler (5 years ago?), wooden bracelet from craft store (Michael's, but not certain).


Reminder: Today is the last day to enter the incredible raffle over at Stumble and Stitches: "Stitch Home Alabama" fundraiser for the south!

morning glories

 I love Morning Glories and how they clamber up poles and over fences with wild abandon. Every year May zips by, and I forget to show you my Morning Glory trick. Right about now is the perfect time to start planting seeds for an amazing show come mid august all the way until the first frost for years to come (here in the northeast). They look lovely and carefree tumbling over our picket fence... and they are just that "care-free". I planted seeds 9 years ago and haven't had to do much since. I learned by accident. I planted all along the base of the fence. They came up the first year timidly and without a lot of gusto. I was disappointed. I left their small tangled vines on the fence all winter long.

The next spring, removing their dried, twisted skeletons was my last priority as I readied the vegetable beds and tended my perennials. Finally, late in May I pulled them off. Much to my surprise, seeds popped out of their dried pods and spread all along the fence.

That summer the Morning Glories went wild. They were prolific and have been ever since. The trick is to not remove their vines until late in spring... it may be tempting, but don't touch them until the days have warmed up. I often leave the wheel barrow of collected vines out for the birds for a day or two. I dream of Morning Glory nests blooming in all of the trees... no matter how impossible that is.

I'm all about flowers and vegetables in May, so if you have any tips, stories, or tricks, I'd love to hear!

keepin'me going...

Swooping in to say a little hello! There's a lot of good stuff going on behind the scenes these days... and I'm doing my best just to keep my wings flapping. I thought I'd share a few things that are:

keeping me smiling...
The Secret Life of Sewing Machines- by Erin Gilday, who just came out with a book (Stripped Down Patchwork) that totally intrigues me.
keeping me light...
Kickcan & Conkers- I've said it before and I'll say it again- Deborah is a genius finder! All things beautiful and curious for the child in you (and your children, too!)
keeping me playing...
 Instagram- fresh and fun
keeping me proud...
empirical proof we're all beautiful
keeping mornings peaceful...
milk steamers- honey, vanilla and milk as frothy as can be with a dash of cinnamon= new kid fave.

keeping dreams abundant...
with multiples bouquets of rain-kissed wishes from small hands.

Hoping your weekend is filled with smiles, light, play, pride, peaceful mornings, and abundant dreams!

a dandy hat

It's been dark and rainy since Sunday, but last week's string of sunny days is still keeping me going, so I thought I'd post a little more sunshine right here.

Of course, the dandelions arrived with the sun. So did a notice from my daughter's teachers- please bring hats for outside time. Hats! My girl has had a year of crazy growing. She's clearly got her daddy's genes and will be tall. Her sweet head has been growing too... maybe it's all that reading! Needless to say, no sun hat fit and sewing a new one was necessary. She picked out this rescued fabric from Sew Green and agreed that the Oliver + S pattern in  Little Things to Sew looked perfect.  It was a fairly quick project, but the request for the optional circular quilting (" just like my old one, Mama") did add a little time, and I ended up stopping before I went around the final loop so she could wear it in time for school. Thankfully, she didn't notice, and I have a feeling it will stay this way. I have some other fabric cut for a second... maybe it will be in time for the daisies which are next on the horizon. Well, after the rainclouds move on.

Have you been doing any summer sewing... to chase away the rainy day blues? I had too many commitments to join Elsie Marley's fabulous Kids Clothes Week Challenge, but I definitely read along and was inspired by many of the the great outfits folks were creating. Meg's Pinterest boards were a lovely distraction unto themself... and reminded me why I refuse hesitate to join Pinterest. Phew- is it a rabbit hole! I'm feeling guilty for even sending you over. Instead, I'm wishing you and me both productive and focused time. And with that, I think I'll sign off for the day.
xo,
maya

stitching beneath the trees

Sewing beneath the white pines was one of the many gifts that last week's warm weather brought. I worked on some small projects to get comfortable with my Featherweight and set up a makeshift station on the deck. Even though the electrical outlet to my left was what made it possible to run the machine,  I felt totally unplugged. Being outside with an old black Singer transported me back a couple of decades. In college, I saved up for  1920's/30's hand cranked Singer that looked just like this one. (Beautiful, huh?!- I miss her so much.) I would sit under a bottle brush tree in my Santa Cruz backyard and make little velvet pouches. Cranking with one hand and guiding with the other. Not very quick sewing... but at nineteen I had all the time in the world.

Sitting out here helped me to relive those carefree days, if even for a moment.  I'm on a deadline, so the reality was that for every one hour of studio time I rewarded myself with 15 minutes deck time.

But hey, those 15 minutes added up to pure bliss. Sometimes a little recharge is all it takes!

mixing up a meadow

Several years ago, my mother made the decision to forgo the traditional lawn and install a wildflower meadow instead. The parade of flowers from May to September has been spectacular and the talk of the town... in more ways than one. Some folks truly do prefer to have their neighbors keep a tidy lawn so there have been a couple of complaints.  But mostly, we've gotten used to seeing folks drive slowly by, eyes as wide as their smiles. Many stop and take photos when the poppies are at their peak. We've been proud of all of the lovely attention it has gotten, but it hasn't been as maintenance free as we had hoped. Pigweed took over one August, and thistles have been vying for real estate in the back. Town municipal workers parked their huge trucks in the middle while repairing a water line... September's sunflowers and black-eyed susans were mistaken for an empty lot! When we complained, they apologized by reseeding it...  with a lawn! Only in one strip, but oh dear. So this weekend I did a little meadow management.

Neighbor Dan came with his tractor and tilled up the strip of "lawn", the thistle station in the back and the entire swath of road frontage. I waited until  rain clouds were hanging low, and then headed over with a pound of seeds and soil.


I mixed  1/2 lb. in a 5 gallon bucket filled 3/4 of the way with organic potting soil and distributed this recipe with wishes for growth and beauty...

just be true little seeds... do what you do best!

I'll let you know how it goes. The daisies and lupines were already coming up in the un-tilled parts, so I have great hope! (Just Be True tee made by my friend Jen.)

Happy belated Mother's Day, Mom... should be blooming when you get here!

May through September

sponsor spotlight: Artsy Ants

I'm so happy to officially introduce you to one of my newest sponsors: artsy ants. Sylvia and Simona are two sisters divided by miles and an ocean- one stayed home in Germany and the other went to the states.

 They have joined up virtually to share their creativity together... and with us. I just love that! My little sister is miles and an ocean away from me, so I this idea is quite exciting, but I digress...
Back to Simona and Sylvia. Together they blog about all of their current projects, mothering,  beautiful knitting & crochet, and some amazing artwork. Here are some glimpses to get a taste:

 

They take turns writing posts, and I've loved reading back through their archives to understand who was creating what. Yes, I love sisters working together! They've also opened up a shop to showcase their work and to feature Simona's stunning custom portraits that she works on from photographs:

Please peek in on them to see who's posting and what's new. Stop by their shop to peruse their offerings, and if you're looking for a custom portrait, you need not look any further. They are quite the dynamic duo, and I'm so pleased they're here!
artsy ants
blog
shop

cathartes aura: turkey vulture

Turkey vultures are a common sighting around here. And yet, they are captivating each time. Soaring on thermal wind currents, they glide through the air, their huge wings outstretched with unmistakable grace. They stay aloft endlessly with little effort, just flowing from one current to another. This one seemed to come to me with a message. Perhaps I've been flapping my wings to hard, and need to learn the harmonious art of riding the wind.

 ********************

I'll return with more posts on making stuff... soon! Promise. But right now, I am so steeped in the beauty of this season, and don't want to let it pass me by without recognizing and respecting the awareness that the warmer months awaken in me.

sailing...

I hung the sheets on the line and watched the wind whip them to and fro. A fast dry day! The sun was casting wonderful shadows of the locust tree... they moved like dancing skeletons across the pillow cases. I grabbed my camera when I went in for the second load. 10 years out here, and I still get giddy over this old rusty clothesline. I lay down beneath it. The sheets flapped above me, and I closed my eyes. The sound of the snapping reminded me of crisp white sails on a small boat. I drifted out to sea for a moment...

When I opened my eyes I looked into those of a bird on a branch above me. I laughed out loud at the magic, beauty and hilarity of it all. Have I turned into a crazy loon out here, surrounded by no one to see me lying in the grass under the laundry... giggling at birds, no less? Maybe... but when happiness finds us, who really cares. So, I called for my children to come lie under the clothesline with me!

yesterday

Morning sunlight streamed through our bedroom windows, and promised me a lovely day.

They knew just how I wanted to spend it-  together and right HERE, my favorite place in the universe especially in the spring.
Beds were cleared and readied for good May planting (peas please)!

And even though she was curious about what her favorite boys were talking about, close to my side is where she stayed. She drew flower gardens, while I planted them.

But fruit blossoms beckoned us to inspect them...

Future plums led to pears, and an orange sweatshirted boy cried for his mother to put the camera down and join them in the woods...

Where care was taken around the familiar sink holes (mud)...

And a thoughtful dad lopped the sharp brambles to make the return trip less prickly

Over the first bridge...

And down to the creek we went

to let the water turn us all into kids again.

No matter how frigid the temperature, it inevitably seduces them in

DEEP! 

Boots filled and emptied several times over before we sloshed back to the house for hot baths and showers.

I couldn't have asked for more.

I hope yesterday offered just what you needed, as well!