Dancing in the Rain

There seems to be a lot of storms around me lately. Storms of nature, Storms in the economy and Storms in the heart. Sometimes the lightning just keeps striking and the tears fall like rain.

But, if we can just stop for a minute, quiet our minds and open our eyes wide,

We will see that the blue skies of blessings always return.

That we have shelter and a refuge.

(my home)

We will see that there are always beautiful things to help us remember.

(a beautiful rose bush gift from my bookclub friends in remembrance of Chloe)

That our lives are still bountiful and we will continue to grow and ripen

with spirit and sweetness.

(my raspberry bushes)

That breathing the air can smell like perfume and calm the soul.

(my gardenia bush)

That creating comes from the heart and mends it at the same time.

(a peek of my newest pattern, "Fleur de Bunnies")

And that always and forever,

Love is the greatest of all things.

"Life isn't about waiting for the Storms to Pass, It's about learning to Dance in the Rain."

Wishing you a beautiful dance this week.

Shell

This week IGF friends in person and in blog land that helped me through this storm and held my hand for the dance.

Love you all.

Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink!

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday June 26, 2009 as we present "A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME"

I've never seen a rose I didn't love. From the first blossom of spring, gently swaying in the breeze, to an intricately stitched needlepoint rich in history, I love them all. Silk roses mixed with a bunch of silk hydrangeas, gracing a vase on the mantle. Cabbage roses on a sugar bowl and creamer, brought out for a grandmother's tea. Colorful rose cupcakes scented as beautifully as they look. Roses represent so many wonderful things and are often used to celebrate special milestones such as weddings, births and anniversaries. We might write a special announcement on stationery with long-stemmed yellow roses lying against a background of a French poem. Use white satin roses to create wedding memories in a vintage box. Roses have also been used throughout the centuries in home décor. Like wild pink roses painted on porcelain china plates. A crystal bud vase embellished with a pink silk rose, ready to hold a freshly picked rose bud from the garden. A French ribbon rose attached to a crocheted cushion in the living room. Hand built ceramic roses to use as drawer pulls, or as a magnet to hang up a special photograph. Milliners used silk roses to embellish the finest hats; perhaps one covered with embroidered lace and handmade millinery roses. Seamstresses stitched the richest brocade drapes adorned with roses. Grandmothers embroidered the most delicate rose patterns on tablecloths and handkerchiefs. Now we can give silky velvet rose pins a special corsage. For everyday occasions, you might wear a vintage pink rose apron or admire a rose-shaped pillow made of hot pink satin.
Throughout the years, famous artists have studied and painted every aspect of the rose. Antique lithographs and post cards from the 1800s grace our homes today with their everlasting beauty. From a rhapsody of roses printed on canvas and hung over a doorway to garlands of decal roses that make favorite items look hand painted, roses continue to gracefully fit every lifestyle and décor.

Photo Contribution 1: Katie's Rose Cottage Photo Contribution 2: The Decal Cottage

Goodbye My Chloe Pudd'in Pie

I've lost my precious Chloe Pudd'in Pie. Due to complications from emergency dental surgery on Tuesday, she passed away yesterday. She blessed my life for the past 23 months with her spunky personality, her affection and total cuteness. I'm forever grateful to have shared this precious and brief time with her.

I thought of you with love today,
But that is nothing new;
I thought of you yesterday,
And the day before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name;
Now all I have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake
With which I'll never part,
God has you in his keeping,
I have you in my heart.

I love you Chloe Pudd'in Pie.
Mama










The heart misses most what it has loved best.

Shell

Inspiration Hopping In

I'm always curious to find out where people get their inspiration. I love to read blogs and stories about what it is that made an idea come to life. Most people keep things around them in their studio's that inspire them. For me, my inspiration kinda hopped out of the studio and filled the house.

These pieces give me that "French Cottage" inspiration when I'm designing my quilt and stitchery patterns. I love them for their color, tone and texture. And, yes.... because they're bunnies.

Of course Razzy and Chloe are always inspiration!

So here is a little peek into my latest quilt design. It's white and creams and is done using the fusible applique method. There will be twelve 16" blocks. It takes me about an hour to stitch around the design on one block. Then I have to piece the rows, add the borders and quilt it. A lot of work, but totally worth the effort as it will look perfect on my couch.

Hopefully I can share the finished piece with you next weekend. Until then, I wish you loads of inspiration hopping in.

bunny hugs,

shell

This week IGF bunnies hopping into my world and gently nudging my imagination.

Reaching New Heights

Razzy has never been the athletic type. Most of the time he has been sleepy, lazy, chunky bunny. He normally stays on the bottom floor of the castle and takes a nap while Chloe climbs to the top and waits for me to kiss her nose and tell her how cute she is. Lately, I've noticed Razzy climbing to the second level. Purely amazing!

Then today.... the fat little toad made it all the way to the top.

We can all reach new heights if we just believe and put forth the effort.

Pink Friday at Make Mine Pink

Please join us for shopping with a twist on Friday June 12, 2009 as we present "Along the Garden Path"
Delights and pleasures that make your heart beat a little faster await you along the garden path. Sights and sounds and smells that excite your senses and inspire your imagination. Perhaps it's the purple cone flowers, multicolored morning glories, fragrant angel trumpets, or the lordly foxglove, all grown from seed and tended with love, that line the path and remind you to dream. Or the delicate shadow of a Victoria trellis supporting a new vine that takes you on a new flight of fancy. In the early morning hours, or when the sun begins to set, a verdigris candle holder or metal scroll work lantern might illuminate the garden pathway. But it's the vintage metal buckets painted with floral designs and planted with overflowing flowers, that seem to light the way. Along the garden path, a cherub garden sculpture, or a vintage cherub planter might welcome you to this less-traveled road. Ceramic plaques engraved with thoughts and sayings to brighten the day remind you of the peace you find when you walk here, and invite you to linger a while. Garden mushrooms greet you, as does the sparrow-song sung by tiny birds that have stopped to rest on bird-feeders shaped like perfectly opened petals and delicately formed tea cups. A garden tea party...a hand painted table brought outdoors just for the occasion. Sparkling candy lights make this a fairy-tale place in the midst of an enchanted path. A Victorian cake stand filled with roses and sweets takes center stage, the vintage china tea cups and plates are set. In the shade, you can remove the sun hat that was created just for you, in a design that makes you smile whenever you catch a glimpse of it. The garden scenery is reflected in a beautiful handmade cushion, stitched from fabric alive with pink blossoms, then placed on a nearby garden chair. A decorative vintage birdcage hangs from a weather hook. On the table lies a gardening book filled with inspiration and ideas to share. Later, you'll remember absent friends and lovingly write to them on note cards reminiscent of a favorite rose garden. But for right now, you'll celebrate with those who are here, and share the treasures you've found along the garden path.

Joyce Lucas, FounderMake Mine Pink

Photo credits:

http://www.treasuredheirlooms.net/

http://www.carolinealexander.net/

Short Legs

Sometimes it's just so hard being short (5'). You can never reach anything, always need a stool and feel like you need a booster seat if you sit in a booth at a restaurant! Even my poor little Chloe has short legs. I have to laugh every time I see her flop over to take a nap and her leg sticks up in the air! Tooo funny!

White and a Change of Seam-ery

White, light and clean. I love it.

Well, my "redecorating on a budget" has continued. The budget being the money I made from my yard sale in which I unloaded all the clutter. I found a great pair of white curtain panels at Target on sale. They have a flirty little ruffle edge and are from the Shabby Chic collection. Being a fabric and textile finatic, and loving a little "change of seam-ery," I knew I would transform these two panels into a cloud valance for my home office. So, I got my handy seam ripper, took them apart, sewed them back together horizontally, added a rod pocket, gathered them up and here ya go! I also added some scrolly wall decor and a white bedding to the daybed. I love how this room turned out. Now I only need to paint the green desk white and my home office will be a joy to shuffle papers in. Yeah right! Paperwork sucks no matter how pretty the room!

A few weeks ago, I changed the bedding and curtains in our bedroom. I have been wanting a dust ruffle, but had a certain image in my head as how I wanted it to look. Our bed is really big and we have a feather bed on top of the mattress. It's like sleeping on a cloud! The other day I was in this discount store and found the perfect dust ruffle! It's white and has crochet trimmings and was only $40. Fabulous!! However, even though the package said king size on it, and there was only one package left with king size on it, when David and I went to put it on the bed, it was only a queen. Dag nabit! Urrrrrggg! David said, "now what are ya gonna do?" Again... a little "change of seam-ery." I got my seam ripper, tore off all the dust ruffle part, got a full size flat sheet out of my stash (you never know when you need a flat sheet for something), sewed all the ruffle back on, patted myself on the back and put it on the bed. I love it!

Now all I need to do is make a cushion for the chaise lounge and a few throw pillows. I have some great patterns coming soon for these pillows so stay tuned!

Of course, Chloe takes after her mama and enjoyed redecorating and organizing the hay in the litter box while I was sewing the dust ruffle.

So you may be asking yourself, "how does David feel about having all this white?" Have you ever heard of the statement "just look in someone's closet to see the color they would like to decorate and live with?" Well..... this is David's closet.

Yes.... those are all white tee shirts (mostly fishing tournament shirts). The man wears a white tee shirt almost every day of his life. He likes white vehicles and has the whitest teeth. So, a house full of white decorating is just fine with him and oh so good for me!

bunny hugs,

shell

this week IGF a good seam ripper and the ability to have a little change of seam-ery.

Love

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get

--only what you are expecting to give

--which is everything.

bunny hugs,

shell

Happy

"Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier."
--Mother Teresa.

I couldn't agree more!

bunny hugs,

shell