Popsicle Stripes Beat the Heat

We are having a heat wave!! Days of 100+ are here and wearing everybody down. It got me to thinking about ways to beat the heat.

I just posted this dress on etsy. With its loose fit and soft white eyelet body it is cool and comfortable for a baby to wear. The colors in the ruffle and bodice remind me of the popsicles all kids love to eat in the hot summer. So I call this popsicle stripes. Sweet and cool. (This is one of a kind since it is the last of this white eyelet which is particularly soft.)

My favorites were grape and lime. And look what popsicle has become. They call this a Big Stick Lifesaver Pop. It incorporates all the popular flavors. They've developed slow melt sticks and bars. Although on days like today I bet they will still drip off our elbows.

Check out their website for their latest products and some fun ideas for games.

Parent's Day

When growing up my Dad never let us celebrate Father's Day and only grudgingly acknowledge Mothers Day. His philosophy was that every day parents should be given love and respect. The special once a year days were artificially invented by card and gift manufacturers. So we were encouraged to skip the actual day with its gifts, but to remember our parents with calls and consistent considerations. Of course, being kids we really didn't listen well and did take time to honor our parents on both Mother's and Father's Day. Now even after their deaths I still stop and thank them on those days.


While cleaning out the remaining boxes from the closed retail space, I came across a poem my sister wrote for Mother's Day 2006 and sent around to her siblings. It talks about my Mom and one particular incident in her early teens. At the end in a few brief lines the poet captures the essence of the legacy my Mom left for all her children, what made her so special to us, why she has been and always will be one of my heroes. I hope I bring honor to her by continuing her quest.

...and Mother

picked up her tasks, pursuing the quest, always

striving to find her true, best self and hoping
to know, at last, enduring grace.

from "May Queen
by Linda Knowlton Appel
May, 2006

And ...when not procrastinating

Here's a little practice with the camera. I find the darker the fabric, the harder it is to get a good picture. My photos are getting better buy there is still soooo much room for improvement.

And don't worry, procrastination is not gone just postponed for yesterday and today.

Procrastination, thy name is Ellie

I was going to post my battle with procrastination last week, but.... I know it sounds like a joke, but this is how it went.

I'd get up every am, make my coffee and then start to work in my workroom. Sounds good so far, but then I'd watch a little Today Show while I'd think what I would do that day. Then I'd check my emails. Then I'd watch the beginning of Live with Regis and Kelly. Then I'd play a game on the computer. Then with a fresh cup of coffee I'd sew while I watched The View. Then I'd check my emails. Then I'd watch some court shows while I thought about what I was going to do. That's how my day progressed. Little progress made on concrete projects, of which I have plenty, lots of thinking about what I should be doing. And for a break from all that heavy thinking, mindless game playing on the computer. I almost forgot I intersperse all this with eating and reading. And on and on and on.

I'm caught up on all my special orders. What I need is a deadline to race against. Not this nebulous "should be doing" stuff. I know that later on this summer I'll wish I'd been more productive during this quiet period. On the other hand I think a little bit of "spinning wheels time" is good. I find myself mentally working on some new color combinations. Today I laid a new one out on my table to live with for a day or two.

So what do you do when you're procrastinating?

I hope I'll be back this week. If not you know that I haven't slain the beast I call procrastination.

Beyond the Expected

Etsy is filled with artisans selling their handmade jewelry, crocheting, prints, clothing (don't forget my own children's dresses and skirts) and more. Look no further for the perfect tee shirt or baby quilt. But today I thought I'd take a walk through the unexpected. Here are some examples of the more unusual items to be found.

You can find all sorts of vintage stuff. This tall greeen vase is from the shop ImSoVintage. Based out of Charlotte NC she has accumulated all sorts of flea market finds. Looking for something different to accent a bookshelf or finish a kitchen, give this shop a look.

This is Banana Nut Loaf Butter from Bovine Bubbles. Don't you love the name? Out of Canada, Saskatchewan, they have a large line of bath and body wares. And then this side line of jams and spreads. check them out if only to read the names. You'll be drooling and chuckling. They have a great sense of humor.

Paper artist, Joe Bagley, uses the old art of paper cutting called scherenschnitte. Intricate images are cut from one piece of black paper which is then mounted on white. I love that he has set this in a woman's profile. Look at his site, papercutsbyjoe.

Would you believe you can get the seeds to grow yellow ruffled heirloom tomatoes from etsy? (This one is for you, Susan.) Swing over to mistiaggie. Out of Florida, she has a wonderful collection of seeds and plants.

An upholstered headboard is one example of what can be found at Vintage Renewal. Owner, reupholsterer, Jeanne Connolley, gives furniture a new lease on life at this green furniture boutique. Looking for an upholstered art piece to accent a dull corner or add pizazz to a bedroom, check her out.

It may be a little late for Father's Day but this combo of grilling spices would arrive in time for the 4th of July. From Montreal Purpose Design features spices, teas and salts. I love the look of the tins - simple and useful. This is a gift I wouldn't hesitate to give.

So I hope you've enjoyed this stroll through some of the more unexpected items found on etsy. Instead of catelogue shopping for the ho-hum, take time to see what's available and made by hand.

Newest Sundress

This is the latest dress to come out of my workroom. Lately I've been experimenting with a combination of fabric shoulder ties which have a matching band just above the ruffle and a ribbon sash. I think it's fun. What do you think?

Little Lamb

Meet Ryanne who at 4 is in her first dance recital. She has loved her first year of ballet/dance/movement lessons. And was so excited about her first recital. The adults, on the other hand, having some experience with children's recitals did not have the same level of excitement. After all she was going to be on stage for 4 minutes while the program ran 2 hours. Oh well, you love the child, marvel in her cuteness and enjoy her excitement.

Having said all that I was pleasantly surprised with this show. It was "The Story of Moses" in dance presented by Excelsior School of Dance located just north of Houston. The level of performance was quite high with a very talented pool of dancers. Of course nothing was as cute as the lambs but overall the director did a very good job of showcasing all levels of dancers within a story that moved forward at a good pace.So here are some pictures of the cutest lamb! She loved what she did! The lambs pranced, skipped and twirled their way into the hearts of the audience. And I'm looking forward to next year.