Scrumptious Summer Palette

If ever there were an inspiration for us to gather color palettes from, it would have to be the eye candy colors of summer produce. Who does not love the colors of a summer sunset: eggplant, melon, tangerine, blueberry, lemon...? When I wander the tents of a summer outdoor farmer's market, I am so drawn and mesmerized by the forecast of color, I never go home with my budget intact; instead I clumsily lug my overload through the sea of market-goers to the safety of my car. Then, when I return home, I pour all my purchases on the countertop and drink in the intoxicating color of it all.

These luscious hues are the inspiration for the hand-dyed vintage seam binding I have been fascinated with of late. And I've made enough to go around! If you'd like to gather a basket of these delicious ribbons, you can visit me here or here.

Don't just take my word for it either...Saturday will bring a fresh round of all things summer. Just head to your local farm market and discover color to fall in love with.

I've Been Dyeing

Vintage seam binding, that is. It's just another one of those things I used to do. And now, just as I have been revisiting my days of graphic design by creating digital collages, I've returned to dyeing. Not that I ever was completely immersed (ha!) in the world of hand-dying, but I did like to dye my own silk ribbon for another of my by-gone pastimes: silk ribbon embroidery. Silk ribbon embroidery is beautiful and very colorful art, so genteel, ladylike and lush. I'll have to post a few pictures of past projects (and my plans for future projects). But back to dyeing.
The feel of vintage seam binding is so soft and silky, and I LOVE the colors one can buy. But I am always drawn to the rumpled, not-quite-perfect, aged and crinkled look of ribbon that has been tucked away in Grandma's sewing basket. So I've tried to replicate that fabulously worn look, for myself to use and for you, also. Blueberries & Cream, Strawberries & Cream and Kiwi & Cream are the flavors I've started with, and can be found in my Lollishop, as well as Etsy. Flavors to come: Peaches & Cream, Honeydew, Cantaloupe, Sun-kissed Tangerine and other yummy ribbon confections.

A Yummy, if Filling, Taste of Life

Don't you find that life sometimes comes at you in tiny doses; just enough to nibble on and be satisfied...a little crudité of sorts - goes down easy and is perfectly digestible...pleasant... But then, sometimes life is a kazillion-course dinner that leaves you so full and bursting, it is a true wonder that movement of any kind is possible at all. So much on the menu of life, right now, as I'm sure is true of many of you.

The Appetizer: Courtship
In February, a very nice Young Man, who our oldest Daughter has known for many years, decided to make his play for her heart, inquiring of my husband and me if we would grant permission for Young Man to date Our Daughter. Hmmmm....after a lengthy chat, (more interrogation than discussion) we gave tentative approval. You know, we just didn't go through the joys and pains of bringing a daughter into the world, teaching and loving her all those years to turn her over to just anybody! And, happily for us, as an Army guy he would be leaving for a month or so for training. Sure, you can date Our Daughter...aw, too bad you have to leave so soon! {Heavy sigh of relief!!!}

You know that little saying about absence making the heart grow fonder? Just when we thought a little distance was a great happenstance, along comes The Young Man on a few-day pass. Young Man desires to speak with us. His nervousness and the Daughter's perplexing absence make Mom and Dad's heart beat a little faster. He's so cute, though, devoid of Army guy bravado he tries to work up enough nerve, for, for what? That is the next course, of course!

Next Course: The Big Question
"Can I marry Your Daughter?" "No way!" bellers father. Too late, Young Man and Daughter have already decided. But they want the blessing so they are willing to wait a little while for Father to get used to the idea.

Third Course: Left Behind
Young Man has been commissioned to Iraq. Before he leaves, he and Daughter do indeed become engaged. Lots of emotions...teary goodbyes. A year is a long time - and a long distance will separate them. This is a heartbreak for Daughter, and also for those who look on.

Fourth Course: Texas Wants Us
Waiting is sometimes okay. Sometimes impossible. This time not to be. We pack up and take a family vacation to El Paso to witness the vows of Young Man and Daughter. We are happy. We are sad. We are a bigger family now. I wasn't ready for this. Aren't I supposed to have time to mourn for the loss of a daughter, etc, etc. How funny that amidst my whining our young niece says: "You aren't losing a daughter, you are gaining a son!" How come I didn't see that?

Dessert: 1 + 1 = 3
Now, the Young Man has become Phil to us. My young daughters have a new victim to wrap around their cute little fingers; my older son gets the brother he has wished for. Daughter, Michaela, is a wife, now - an Army wife, praying and hoping and waiting for Phil's return. As we all are. But here's the icing on the cake: when Wife greets Husband and they are reunited, they will each take on an additional name: Mommy and Daddy. Life is strange and weird and you really cannot know what a day will bring. For us, at least, it has brought many blessings. We are truly grateful, and oh-so stuffed!

Art is Art - Even if Your Canvas is a Latte!

Happy springtime regards to all! The warmth and sunniness of spring is finally making its debut up here in the cold north! We've had a long and snowy winter, but when I heard the first red-winged blackbird and saw the first crocus emerging from its frozen prison, I knew that the long days spent waiting for spring were ended.

Finally! I had my camera at the coffeeshop I work at...I've been practicing these on customers' drinks for a while now and was so happy to have remembered my camera. I LOVE it when the milk is just the right consistency with just the right amount of tiny, silky bubbles...not too thick, not too thin...then it is just right for making beautiful designs in the dark crema of the espresso!
Art is art, no?

A Bunny for Your Thoughts

I know Easter is so much deeper and more meaningful than chicks and bunnies...but they are so stinkin' cute and I just can't resist them!

Just Workin' Away

My love affair with my Mac and Photoshop continues....

A Very Lucky Day

A surprise greeted me this morning when I returned home from work. A message from Sadie Lou letting me know that my handmade vintage glass glitter was chosen for an Etsy treasury. How fun is that? If you want to see it up close and get the full effect of the beautiful images, go here.

Last week, the girly girl silhouette tags I printed also made it in a really stunning treasury based on silhouettes. But last week went by before I remembered to learn how to do a screenshot of that page...it is gone, gone forever.Been having lots of fun at the computer, working in my favorite, Photoshop. Love putting together lots of different images and seeing what happens in the end. I'm so lucky and blessed to have the computer that I do, and also the time to play with it. More fun to come!!

And then, like most of you, I've been getting the itch to play with Spring and Easter art goodies. Hence the charms featuring bunnies and chicks and who knows what else. I really think it has beckoned the warmer weather to visit us!! Just a few days ago (Monday) it was below zero. Today, a balmy, no-coat, short-and-tshirt 44. Can the tulips be far behind?