Crazy Quilted Neck Pouches and A Book By Dorothy Bond

Hi Friends!

I thought I'd share some of my recent listings on Etsy.

There will be more in the coming days.

I was so excited to be having a booth at a Holiday Fair at my sister-in-laws corporate building but this darn anemia from the Celiac has left me temporally without the energy to pull it off so I will be listing other items I was making for the fair very soon.

I used Pat's technique for making her pouches and modified it to fit the size I wanted.
I wish I could whip things out quickly but unfortunately it takes me hours upon hours to make these  because I over think every stitch. (Please tell me I'm not the only one??)

Still ~ they are one of my favorite things to make.

Now how about this!!!! I goggle Dorothy Bond's name every so often hoping to find her cute little stitch book in a price that fits my budget ~ half of the $50.00 or more that they are going for.
Recently I came across another book ~ I believe the first written by her ~ on ebay for less than $15.00.
It was written in 1977 and had class papers enclosed suggesting it was from a class someone was teaching on crazy quilting.

Here are a few pages ~ sorry they are sideways.

If any of you have info on this book ~ Id LOVE to know more!

Dorothy's greatest goal was to revisit old stitches found on vintage quilts and share them.
It reminded me of my teacher from about 10 years ago that introduced me to Crazy quilting ~ Leslie Levinson who was doing work for Caron way back then.
We spent a whole class once studying a 100 year old quilt and copying stitches, it was wonderful and I still use those patterns today.

Thank you to all the woman who have determined to keep this art alive!
I encourage you to place your treasures in your local and state fairs and plaster your work on facebook and twitter.

She watched and taught the girls that sang at their embroidery frames while the great silk flowers grew from their needles. ~Louise Jordan Miln, The Feast of Lanterns

From the manner in which a woman draws her thread at every stitch of her needlework, any other woman can surmise her thoughts. ~Honore de Balzac

All my scattering moments are taken up with my needle. ~Ellen Birdseye Wheaton, 1851

Methinks it is a token of healthy and gentle characteristics, when women of high thoughts and accomplishments love to sew; especially as they are never more at home with their own hearts than while so occupied. ~Nathaniel Hawthorne, The Marble Faun, 1859

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

A Shell Picture Frame Giveaway & Book Reviews

update update update update update update update update update

My daughter Jaci just picked the name out of my shower cap ~
hey it's what I had handy!

The winner of the swap is the One & Only
FREDA from Sew Whats New !!!
YIPEEE ~ Freda!

Here is the Sweet Shell Picture Frame I will be giving away.

Just leave a comment at the end of this post ~

you have until June 30th when I will pick the lucky winner!
If you are my follower ~ 2 chances for you!
(you'll have to use the follow button at the top left page of my blog ~ I dont have the fancy button)

Of course it will look like this when you get it ~

I just can't part with the cute photo of my son and daughter when they were little.

It measures 11" x 91/2" and has little pockets filled with lavender,sea glass &  pearl buttons.

I whipped this up yesterday and got the idea from page 73 of Ruth Rae's book

"Layered, Tattered & Stitched"

(see the review below)

But don't think "Oh how Nice of Terri to spend an entire afternoon on a labor of love and give it away."

Oh no ~ the real reason is ~

I Want More Chances To Win Pat Winter's Giveaway!!!!!

Go see for yourself ~  if you post a giveaway that gives you 4 chances to win.

My pal Laurie is having a Give Away too ~ something she will make especially for YOU!

Go Here to her blog Blue Waters.

Book Reviews

Layered, Tattered & Stitched
by Ruth Rae

I am enjoying this book so much!

It is has clear step by step instructions with lots of great pictures.

Ruth has lessons on tearing, stitching, burning and dying!

She will leave you feeling confidant that you can do any of these projects yourself.

I really enjoyed the Tools and Supplies section in the front.

It always fun to see what other artists are using ~ what brand needles, scissors etc.

My Janome 10000 will forgive her for preferring Bernina Aurora 440 QE.

In the back she offers patterns and 2 pages of beautiful clip art with words and phrases you can copy for your projects.

Visit Ruth Rae's blog " Let The Beauty We Love Be What We Do" for more inspiration!

The Psalms of David

with illuminations by James S. Freemantle

I recently discovered this book on another blogger post and had to order my own copy.

What a story this is.

James Freemantle was born in 1859. In 1906 he married his beloved wife Clara.

About this time ~ he began this illumination of the Psalms.

He was not a religious man but poured all he had into his drawings.

Because the Psalms were such beautiful poems of Love ~ he saw this as a testament to his love of Clara.

He would often spend hours on just a few lines and strokes, sitting by the light of his window.

The book has brilliantly colored flowers, animals, butterflies and cottages.

He died in 1934 ~ the year he finished the book. 

Many years later his son published the book.

This may well be the most beautiful book I have ever layed my eyes on.

"The Lord is good,

His Mercy is for ever sure,

His truth at all times firmly stood,

And shall from age to age endure."

I have added  'The Psalms of David" and "Layered,Tattered & Stitched"

to my Amazon link at the top of my blog.

I was able to purchase them at an excellent price via Amazon.

A Passion for Sea Glass, A Homemade Life And Other Great Products To Share.....

My Dear Friends......I have been thinking of you!
I won't get to all I want to share ~ it's almost dinner time ~ but let me at least share a few books
and products that have made my life awfully nice lately.
A Passion For Sea Glass
The book " A Passion For Sea Glass" was given to me from Mom a few weeks ago.
Oh WOW ~ do I love this book. There are SO many great projects to try ~

......this is one of them. Sea glass wind chimes ~ mm mm ~ I wonder what they sound like?
This made me really want to organize my sea glass better.
I have some in glass jars in my windows but the rest is hidden away in plastic buckets.
The author speaks about sea glass history, wearable art, locations, projects and sea glass artists.
(by the way "sea" the large shells pictured with the book? I found those at Milford Beach here in Ct.)



"A Homemade Life" by Molly Wizenberg

I am reading this book as we speak.
'A Homemade Life" is written in a delightful way ~much like "The Sweet Life in Paris."
Each chapter is a story with a recipe at the end relating to the story.
You stroll with the author through her childhood memories, loosing her Dad, and finding the love of her life
and how food helped her on her journeys in a delightful way.
This is the kind of book you can step away from for a week or so and pick up where you left off ~ no problem.
I have turned down the corner of every page that holds a recipe I must try ~ almost every one!
Visit Molly's well loved blog at http://www.orangette.blogspot.com/

"The LightWedge Book Light"

I like to read before I go to bed ~ Frank likes the lights OUT!
I have tryed all those cheesy book lights ~ they last about a week if it's my lucky week.
I toyed with the idea of a Hannah Montana book light that was 90% off at Borders ~ he he
and then I saw this.
"The Light Wedge" at Borders. It was $10.00 at 75% off. It comes with a nifty case that I never use.
You hold it right over the page you are reading and can see perfectly!
It is a little awkward to hold at first but you get used to it.
I have had it for a month now ~ use it every night ~ and it's still burnin' bright!

"ChiroFlow Waterbase Pillow"

Franks chiropractor recommended this pillow for him to help his back pain at night.
You fill the base with water ~ it's really like a water bed for your head!
The top however ~ is fluffy like a regular pillow.
He has been using this for over 2 months now and no more back pain in the morning!
It was $44.00 from his Doctor but I bet if you shop on line ~ you may be able to find it cheaper.

Celsius Energy Drink

The self proclaimed Red Bull addict has officially changed energy drinks!
Hello CELSIUS! I LOVE this stuff!
You get double the drink, it taste a whole heck of a lot better ~
it is actually GOOD and doesnt have any nasty chemicals in it.
I buy it by the case from Amazon and NEVER exceed one per day.
This is my coffee replacement since coffee has lots of carbs and add's to my pre ~ menopausal waistline.
If I do have coffee ~ I will skip this for the day.
Organic Smooth Move Tea

Okay now we are all buddies so I am going to share this last one with you.
We don't use any over the counter medicine in our home.
If it can't be cured with something natural ~ I live with it.
My daughter happen to be drinking a cup of this tea the other day and I tryed it.
It was so YUMMY! It had a sweetness to it that made it feel like maybe I was eating a
big chocolate brownie if I closed my eyes.
(okay ~ I'm exaggerating but you know what I mean)
So the other day ~ it was rainy and cold for July. I thought hhmmm~ I think
I'll make a pot of that yummy tea while I'm working on the computer.
I made it extra strong ~ 2 teabags in a tiny tea pot.
I let it steep and slowly enjoyed my treat. I had a fleeting thought later in the day about the purpose of that particular tea but ~ I was fine so forgot about it.
That was until my 2AM wake up call ~ when my stomach let out a gurgle so load it woke the neighbors ~
let's just say mission accomplished.
When it seemed safe to returned to bed 20 minutes later ~ still sweaty and now weak ,
I took a sip of water and immediately high tailed it (he he) back to the throne for another round.
Moral of the story ~ this stuff works! Treat it with respect ~ 1 teabag only when needed.
As yummy as it is ~ it is medicinal ~ not a treat ;)

New Toys At Micky McD's

And since I was all cleaned out ~
I will admit that YES ~ I DID buy AND eat a Cheeseburger Happy Meal just so I could have the Teeny Beany Baby Toy!

"The Sweet Life In Paris" book review and a visit to Isabelle et Vincent ....a lovely French Bakery

It all started with a new book I am reading,  "The Sweet Life In Paris" by David Lebowitz and a promise by the weatherman for a good 5 hours of sunshine.
I left the laundry, yard work and dog sitting behind for an afternoon on Fairfield Beach. I am so enjoying this book by pastry chef and cookbook author David Lebovitz about his adventures living in Paris. He is honest about the quirks of life there and has amazing recipes at the end of each entry.
I now know the proper way to cut cheese, like a cake, never in tiny squares and chunks.
You don't want to go to Paris for coffee, but for chocolate ~ ohhh lala!
  I was reading page 90 ~hot chocolate to die for ~ where he describes a visit to a cafe Patisserie Viennoise.
Not being fond of hot chocolate but unable to shake a shivering chill, he ordered a petit chocalat chaud.
He goes on to describe the almost out of body experience that followed,the cloud of steam that
rose to the surface, the chocolate whipped up fresh, the billowy whipped creme teetering dangerously on the edge of the cup.
OKAY ~ it was chilly at the beach.I was wrapped in a towel and unable to even venture to the waters edge because of the cool ocean breeze!
Who cares that the calender says June 17 ~ I needed some French Hot Cocoa ~ NOW!!!!

Then I remembered ~ oh YIPPEE ~ just down the road, a French Bakery!



The lovely Isabelle et Vincent.

 I honestly felt like I had just stepped inside of my book. All of David's lovely descriptions of french pastry's layed before my very eyes!

I asked the young man behind the counter if hot chocolate was available.

He did not bat an eye but told me the chef would be right there to make it for me.

As I waited I snapped these photos ~

The tall gentleman in this photo is Chef Vincent ~ owner and my hot chocolate maker.

 Meanwhile I was in heaven or should I say Paris ~ watching all these delicacies being made.

Chef Vincent spoke French but I understood when he asked if I wanted sugar in my chocolate.

My excitement was not easily hidden and he chuckled as he whipped the chocolate into submission!

So here I was, sitting in my car with the top down, in the parking lot of a french bakery in June ~ drinking this delightful hot chocolate drink with this AMAZING eclair, not overly sweet like the American bakery's

but sweetened just enough to take the bitter from the chocolate.

For this moment ~ I was in Paris.

What an amazing afternoon!

I encourage you to visit David's web site where you will find a huge collection of recipes

as well as incite on all things Paris and cooking. It is DELIGHTFUL!

This is from his blog ~

Wittamer's Belgian Hot Chocolate
Four to six servings

1 quart (1l) half-and-half or whole milk

8 ounces (230g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

4 ounces (115g) milk chocolate

finely chopped tiny pinch of salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Warm about one-third of the half-and-half or milk, with the chopped chocolates and salt, stirring until the chocolate is melted.
2. Whisk in the remaining half-and-half or milk, heating until the mixture is warmed through. Add the cinnamon.
3. Use a hand-held blender, or a whisk, and mix the hot chocolate until it's completely smooth. Serve very warm.

Serve with whipped creme and chocolate curls ~

David suggest a hint of cognac or chartreuse for more adult taste

Wanna Get Nosey???

The single best way to learn about a person is to see what books are sitting on their nightstand.
In my case that would be every nook and crany in my home
When I do stop to read ~ it is often in the room the sun happens to be shining at that time.
I surround myself with books, always reading a dozen at a time and rarely finish to the end!
SO ~ come get nosey in my home .........

This is the proverbial nightstand.I have current magazines, the newest Judith Montano book and two others pulled from my library shelf.
They are "The Friendship of Nature ~ A New England Chronicle of Birds and Flowers" and
"Connecting to Creativity" by Bergmann and Colton.

Next to the chaise in my room, my leather journal that I record miracles the Lord is doing in my life,
a bible (I have them all over the house ~ different versions and I read them all)," A Gift From The Sea " ,
"Companions for the Soul" ~ recorded writings dating back to the 1600's of the spiritual struggles and delights of many famous and not so famous folks of the day .

Under my bedroom window you will find books that I like to read in bed when I am tired of the nightstand variety.

These are in my tiny office area ~ all about money, debt and business.

This is a sampling from the bookshelf in my hallway.They run the gamut from historical, local history, poetry and books I'm not ready to put on my "real " library shelves yet.

The upstairs bathroom ~

and in the drawer where I store the tp ~ yikes ~ I'm runnin' low!

The downstairs bathroom ........

New books I want to read this summer ~

 On the coffee table in my sitting room  is the bible I read most mornings and as you can see I am currently planning my garden areas.

The outside deck table ~ lunchtime reading from yesterday.

In the kitchen ~ I am finally reading the books about kitchen appliances that I got 2 years ago!

I still don't get how to use the convection oven or get why my produce is freezing all of the sudden!
 

The cookbook nook holds just the recipe books I use most.

I keep lots of vintage ones on my library book shelves.

These are next to a chair in my dining room.

I know ~ I am an addict! The hardest part of tightening our belts financially is not buying books on Amazon and fighting that profound erge to spend  hours an hour or so at my local Barnes and Noble.

I can live without new clothes, food, make-up but never flowers and books!
And let me add to that ~ keeping my grey roots touched up.

Some words from my current read "Connecting to Creativity" ~

"You are unique, and

No one else can think what you think

Dream what you dream

Sing what you sing

Say what you say. "

So go a head,get off this darn computer you beautiful creature you  ~

GO DREAM some DREAMS!!!!