ANTHRO-INSPIRED PILLOW

Snow.  Snow.  More snow.  (There is currently a snowstorm as I write this post) Ugh.  Okay, I have almost had it with the white stuff.  Off to the batcave (read sewing room) I go to create something beautiful.

How about this Anthropologie- inspired pillow from a pattern I downloaded from a super great blog called http://www.sewhomegrown.blogspot.com/  This lady, Jessica, is very talented and generous.  She had her hubby draw this pattern and then made it available to everyone on her blog.
This is the pillow in it's first stage... before stitching and construction....

And here it is after stitching.... now it's time to make an actual pillow!

I have some of the Heather Bailey Pop Garden fabric for the deer's head and some pretty aqua and cream gingham for the background.  I had a most enjoyable time of stitching the little head on with that hot pink embroidery floss!  Let it snow and blow all it wants... I am having wonderful, creative time.

CLEANING GREEN

Well folks, it's that time of year again.  Spring cleaning.  I love to fling open windows and let the fresh air flow in.  Even though there is still snow on the ground, spring is upon us... you can feel it coming.
And the bungalow is in need of a scrub-down, sweep-up, dust-bust and a good dose of old fashioned elbow grease to rid the place of grime and dirt.

I really prefer to clean as "green" as possible, using natural ingredients wherever I can.  Did you know that if you put some vinegar in a jar and add some orange peels you get the most lovely and effective cleaner?  Yup.  Very simple and "green".  I put mine in a spray bottle and clean away. 

Baking soda and vinegar followed by boiling water will freshen and clean out your drains too. (I use equal parts)

A half of a lemon placed  in a bowl of water will clean and freshen the microwave after just 2 minutes on high.  Wipe out with a soft cloth and wallah!  Speaking of cleaning cloths, I have a special fondness for waffle weave cotton.  When I see those shower curtains made out of it at the thrift stores, I buy them and cut them into 12" x 12" cloths.  I like how they look and they are super absorbent.  Of course, I buy only white ones so I know if they are really clean and I can put a wee bit of bleach in them if necessary. (I am trying to step away from the bleach too.

It is time to use my clothesline and I always seem to forget to wipe it down before the first use in the spring!  Ugh... I soon remember when I find an ugly black line on the first sheet or towel!  The wonderful smell of the fresh air in the laundry cannot be duplicated by any fabric softener.  Again, vinegar in the final rinse of the wash is a great softener.  For some reason, when I am standing at the clothesline hanging out my wash, I always feel so happy.  Pictured below are my wool blankets airing out on the line last fall....

 I guess it is a sense of accomplishment that I am able to provide clean fresh clothing and linen for us and using the power of the lovely sunshine and wind to do it.  And I feel thankful to have the line, the clothing etc when so many people in the world do not have these things. 

We are so fortunate here in Canada to enjoy the resources we have.  Let us remember to do what we can to protect them.  Cleaning green is one small way to do this.  And small ways add up.

Happy cleaning friends!

DOWNSIZING

I am a "baby boomer".  If you are familiar with the best-selling book "Boom Bust Echo" by David Foote, then you will know that statistically we boomers drive the economy.  Just the sheer number of us determines many things when it comes to trends, how money is spent and on what.

We are seeing many people "downsize".  In other words, they are purging years of accumulation and the large homes in exchange for a smaller abode and less stuff to worry about.  For some, it is about living on less now that retirement is upon them.  Or perhaps it is a health issue.  Whatever the reason, downsizing is happening on a large, large scale.

 We will not live forever.  How do we want to spend our remaining years?  Do we want to be bogged down with clutter or do we want to be freed up to persue our interests be it travel, or sport or whatever?  Perhaps we want to volunteer our time and energy to some worthwhile cause.

I have been thinking about this quite a bit lately.  I feel that I do not want to acquire too many new (to me) things.  I want to want what I have.  I am quite thankful for my meager belongings and little bungalow.  I would like to write more and share thoughts and ideas with others so that I may be of help or inspiration some how.

What do you want to do with your life, dear reader?  Is it all about decorating your home and creating a nice space for your loved ones?  Perhaps it is about sharing your love and knowledge with children and grandchildren. These are valid questions we need to be asking ourselves in my humble opinion.  Time is of the essence.

I have opened my life and my heart for you to glean any wisdom from my experiences that you may.  This little space in the blogosphere has been a real blessing for me and it happened so very quickly.  It is as though everything I have been doing in my life led to this.  And here it is for you.  God speed, my friends.

SEASHELL LIGHT SWITCH

Our bedroom is pretty "beachy".  We love the beach and I wanted to create that feeling we get there with the use of color and natural materials.  While laying in bed staring into space, (one of my favorite pastimes) I thought I really must do something with those boring light switches.  One is a dimmer switch and the other is the old fashioned type.

So, to the shell stash I went and chose two lovely shells to cover the switches.

And voila!  A little detail in the room which makes me happy when I look at them... (it doesn't take much folks!)

Whilst I was at it, I figured Miss Molly could use some shells too.....

Lookit the purdy dawg..... I am going to kiss that face right now!

Might as well decorate the dog too since she is part of the "details" in the bedroom!  

And in other news.... BETSY LIVES!  Yes, you heard right.... she's on the mend (for now) and recovering nicely.  Thanks for your prayers and good wishes for her speedy recovery!  We'll be junking together again before we know it!

ODE TO BETSY

My truck died this week.  Well, I should say she is very very ill.  Her name is Betsy.  Yes, at first, all she required was a little "plastic surgery".  A bit of bondo, a bit of paint, a bit of oil here and there.  That's how the illness started.  And now, here we are...nearing the end of the road.  She nearly took me down with her yesterday when her brakes gave out.  Thank the good Lord that we got home safe and no one was injured.

Oh we have had some good times she and I.  She is 17 years old.  Some would say she's in the prime of life.  But alas, my mechanic says otherwise.  She needs major surgery if she is to survive at all..." complete overhaul" I think he said.  I couldn't hear after I heard the words "big bucks".

When I think of the many loads of fabulous junk she has hauled home for me, I get teary.  Or how about all the little jaunts we took looking at the city just the two of us?  I remember when I saw her in the lot at the dealership that first day.  I took one look and it was just like it was when I saw my hubby for the first time... I knew Betsy was the truck for me.  Oh, she was used.  Yup.  Someone had their way with her before I got her.  He may have been a little rough.

 Her chassie was shook up and the tires on her were balding.  I cannot guess what all went on in her bed in back.  Her steering wheel had been groped by who knows how many men. And someone had farted into her upholstry alot.  I mean, how much can a gal take?.  Nevertheless, she was a looker in her day.  With that "long box",  steely grey interior and a set of headlights that would make a grown man cry.  But alas, as happens to us all, the looks have faded and rust has set in.  And sadly, she has some scarring on her rear end.

She is resting comfortably in the driveway now.  Her engine is quiet and although the brake line is still bleeding a bit, it will be replaced tomorrow.  Then we will see how things progress from there.  The prognosis isn't good but we can always hope for a miracle folks.  So, before Betsy goes to that great junkyard in the sky, let us pray for her.....she needs all the help she can get!

SIGN O THE TIMES

I wanted to celebrate the birth of this little blog by making a FABU sign.  Crazy color...check, needleworked...check, funk factor....check and CHECK!  I figure I will display it in my craft room/office for now til the weather is nicer and then out to the garage/lounge/hangout/second-hand business area it will go.  Should be a wonderfully wacky addition to the goings-on out there....

Perhaps Miss Molly could use some "funkifying".  Maybe a nice neck- kerchief or new collar or some such adornment is in order.  She is, after all, my most valuable employee.  I mean, who is going to work for me for NO MONEY???  Okay well, maybe the odd cookie and bellyrub.  The only problem with her is the jumping up for kisses on the lips of poor unsuspecting patrons/buddies/hanger-outters,  who see this rather large black thing lunging up with a big smile and lips all pursed up for a big smooch.  BAD MOLLY!  Not everyone wants to kiss a black lab on the lips!

I'd just like to give a "shout-out" to the wonderful Heather Bailey who designed the happy fabric used on the sign for the blog.  If you have a chance to visit her blog, check out what her customers have done with her fabrics in their projects.... unreal!  The colors, patterns and designs are fantastic.

BIRD IS THE WORD

It's no secret that I love color.  Wacky, wild craaaaazy color.  I need it.  So, when I spotted these little birds on the web, I went gaga.....
spoolsewing.com/birdmobile
Down to the fabric store I went. (where I have absolutely NO business given the amount of fabric I have stashed)   I chose some pretty fabric for the little birds I want to make.

 Next, out to the yard for some branches (because what bird in it's normal mind would sit on the ground???) and a sap bucket for said branches to sit in.

Yes, Mama likey.  I emailed Miss K and sent her some pics of the little birds.  Of course, she (who shares much the same taste as yours truly) got excited when she saw them.  "Oh Nanny, are you making those?"  Oh yes dear one, I am.  And you will too, when you come north to visit.  What a craft time that will be!  It should resemble a scene from the movie The Birds (Alfred Hitchcock thriller).  Except the birdies are friendly and far more fashionable.  No eyes will be pecked out.  Unless we are interrupted whilst we are sewing!

bbb bird bird bird
bird is the word
everybody knows..
bird bird bird
bird is the word

*from the song by the Trashmen