Three Artistic Friends That Inspire

 "It is lovely when I forget all birthdays, including my own, to find that somebody remembers me,"

~ E. Glasgow

I wanted to share some of the beautiful hand crafted items I was blessed to receive for my birthday.

My blogger pal Jayne sent me these gifts tags.....honestly I have never seen any more beautiful.

They are dripping in rose buds, silk ribbon and rhinestones and were created by

Under The Night Moon on etsy.

Jayne is always sharing her favorite finds on her blog Bunny Chic Boutique and promoting fellow bloggers and etsy shops!

She also sent this adorable felt bird.....

and all these goodies ~ many she created herself ~ all wrapped in my favorite pink chenille.

I don't know how she knew but Jayne I thank you with all my heart!

I cried when I opened it because it was so unexpected.

This amazing hand crafted scarf was hanging on my door knob when we came home.

It turns out my friend Lisa (Christmas Cookie Queen ) who also is an amazing cook can do just about everything else to perfection as well!

(ummm.... she is also a mother of 6 ranging in age from toddler to late 20's)

This scarf was crafted with a beautiful yarn called Ella Rae Latte

It is a combination of alpaca and milk fibers.

As Lisa said, " Who knew milk had fibers!"

I have worn it every time I have walked out my door since.

It has already become somewhat of an adult version of a security blanket because I can feel Lisa's love whenever I wear it.

This is a felted bag and necklace she made for me last year.

She uses only the best of materials.

If you'd like to contact Lisa feel free to email me and I will connect you.

And then there is dear Pat ~ who's beautifully hand dyed silk ribbon rival any I have ever used.
Except for finishing up some I already have in my stash ~ Pat's is the only silk ribbon I will ever use again.
The colors are so rich. I love the multi colors ones ~ perfect for pansy petals!
She has blessed me in a million different ways and I am ever grateful!
(Pat offers directions on dying your own silk ribbon on page 36 of her magazine""Crazy Quilt Gatherings"

And so now at 52 years of age I realize this ~

"Age has extremely little to do with anything that matters.
The difference between one age and another is enormously exaggerated."
~ R. M. 

(pictured below is the beautiful coat my daughter Cheri gave me)

And so another year has gone by. I am so thankful for the cards received and facebook greetings!

And so my gift for you ~ some birthday wisdom to consider.

"May you live to be a hundred years with one extra year to repent.'

~ Irish Toast

"Don't seek to recall yesterday that is past

Nor repine for tomorrow which has yet to come:

Don't build your hopes on the past or future.

Be happy now and don't live on the wind."

~ O. Khayyam

"Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy."

~ Rabbi A. Heschel

"Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be...."

~ R. Browning

Recipe for the easiest Happy Birthday Ice Cream Cake Ever

Take a half gallon of ice cream from the freezer.

Cover sides and bottom with a layer of lady finger,ginger snaps, oreos depending on flavor.

Place back in freezer until ready to use ~ then slice.

" Another candle on your cake?

Well, that's no cause to pout,

Be glad that you have strength enough

To blow the darn things out."

~ anonymous

Southport, Ct Quilt Show Featuring Elinor Peace Bailey

Sit back, relax and enjoy.

Presenting the work of Elinor Peace Bailey ~

What a fun, funky gal!

And an entire collection of Vintage Quilts ~

my favirote next to Crazy Quilts!

The Southport Congregational Church where the show was located at was equally as beautiful!

I cannot count my day complete

'Til needle, thread and fabric meet.
~Author Unknown


I love sewing and have plenty of material witnesses.
~Author Unknown

Vintage Tea Napkin Becomes A Pouch

I wanted to share with you a project I worked on today.

A special lady is going through chemo and needed a pouch to hold her beloved Rosary Beads.

I started with a heavy linen vintage tea napkin.

Beautiful hand tatting already lined the edges.

 I stitched down the casing that holds the silk ribbon and added a glass flower and vintage pearl bead.

Because this sturdy linen fabric has stood the test of time ~ I was able to machine embroider the bible verse to the front.
Often these older fabrics will get beat up by the speed of an embroidery machine even with a generous amounts of stabilizer front and back.
I stitched the side and bottom closed and this pouch is ready for use.

For this project I used ~

Sulky Cut-Away Permanent Stabilizer
Robison-Anton embroidery thread
Kenmore Q Foot Blue needles

For beautiful tatting visit Wendy Shu ~ who was recently featured in Pat's  "Crazy Quilt Gatherings"
Here or Here

"..... I am the Lord that healeth thee."

Exodus 15-26

A Masterful Book You Can't Miss by Lovey

Lovey

A beautiful book has just hit the market that I just had to be sure you have heard about.
It is called  " Fabric Photo Memories"  by Lovey

This amazing artist named Lavette Debrow, better know as Lovey has been featured in
Sew Somerset, Studios and most recently in
Pat Winter's 1st Edition of " Crazy Quilt Gatherings"

There is something about her work that stands out to me.

Beautiful and masterfully done but there is something more.

Lovey's work has a heart and soul that is palatable.

You can taste and feel the love through her blog pages and beautiful works of art.

It may be that it is all dedicated to her Mom who celebrated her 5th anniversary in heaven this past February 25th.

It may be her deep Faith in the Lord that permeates her work.

I think it is all of these combined with her passion.

I celebrate Lovey and all of my beautiful blogging friends ~ even the ones that are silent.
You pour your passion into the thing you love ~
Combining all the ingredients and experiences of your own world into an expression of art that we all can enjoy.

You are all treasures ~ hidden in blogs and magazine pages and behind kitchen tables where you may never be found.
The passion for your art burns inside of you ~
how lucky are we all when a spotlight comes your way and you are a treasure found.

Consider Lovey a treasure found.


Go  here to purchase your copy of " Fabric Photo Memories" by Lovey