HELLOmynameisHeather

Speedy Re-Covery

Here's something I should have done two years ago.  One hour of frantic de-beiging and now Charlotte has a brighter place to spend her meal- times.  I went a bit groovy on impulse.  Feels good (ala James Brown). These are a couple of vintage pieces I had tucked away in the laundry room.  I love how some fabrics from the 30s have a bit of a 70s vibe. This is one of those fabrics I'd love to see reproduced so we could all get our hands on some yardage. Yardage!

Well, there it is.  One snazzy highchair cover for a baby who's probably ready to move to the kitchen table anyhow.  Sigh.

Here's the before.

Brownery

Yes, there were three bouquets.  Three.  I didn't get to the roses in time.  They didn't give me much time either.  Can you say "dead in one day?"  I snapped a photo for my own amusement, but it turned out kinda pretty-looking.  Hum "The Roses are Dead" along with this catchy tune.  There, that'll keep the dreary wilts away. 

I'm putting the finishing touches on a couple of big things that you guys have been waiting for for an embarrassingly long time.  I'm hesitant to come right out and say anything specific until I'm truly done.  Truth is, bigger, more amazing projects keep getting in the way and none of these can really be talked about just yet because they involve other people and companies.  Aargh. (I mean yay!  A good problem.)

I'm not twiddling my thumbs... unless it's to massage them from overuse.  And then fun things come along that I can blog about, but I don't get the camera out until the sun goes down.  Aargh again.  (I mean aargh.)

I have a pattern out in Sew News Holidays right now.  It's been out for weeks.  Have I mentioned it?  I picked up a doll house for Charlotte for Christmas.  Have I taken "before" photos and asked for your suggestions?  Laura made me the most amazing poppy painting while she was here.  Have I shown you?  Have I sung her glorious praises? (Well, maybe that last one.)

Hang in there, you.  Hang in there, me.  Big things are coming. 

Big things are slow :)

Pinkery

More fresh flowers in my world.

Isaac went kinda crazy with fresh flowers this week.  When we were first married, I was kinda bummed when Isaac brought me flowers, wishing he'd spent the money on a new tool or some art supplies.  The flowers were invitingly beautiful for a few days, but watching them wilt and die would make me tangibly sad. It wasn't long before the anticipation of that sadness kept me from enjoying fresh flowers in my home, even when they were still spritely and gorgeous.  Oh, such a complicated emotional relationship with flowers.  Woe is me.

Well, I'm over it.

I've decided that I can't afford to be so affected.  Other people can handle the wilt and so can I.  Perhaps this is all linked up with my love for floral patterns.  Hmmm.  Any pyschologists out there?  Or maybe it's because I've since collected every tool and art supply known to man.  In either case, I'm enjoying these bouquets while they last.  Really, truly now. And with a couple of quick snapshots, they'll last a bit longer than usual, in photographic form. 

Fresh flowers for everyone!  Just be glad you can't smell 'em.  Lilies are stinky.

Greenery

Fresh flowers.  Freshly- painted table.  Down with brown!  At least, in this instance.  And it rhymes and sounds a bit controversial. Truth is, I'd love to rip up my tiled floor in favor a dark brown wood floor, all knobbly and funny.  Impractical fantasy though.  For now.

Too tired to speak in full sentences today.  Maybe tomorrow. Gladiolas were Isaac's favorite flowers when we were dating.  I wonder if they still are. 

No matter how much I try not to play favorites with color, I always come back to green.  Like a favorite child.  Most moms swear they don't have one, but usually all of the kids will point to the same sibling as the favorite.  Same goes with color for me.  I swear I don't have a favorite color, but my close family and friends say that this is my color.  Anything from a warm lime to a rich avocado.  Ya okay, they're probably right, but I'll never admit it.  Or have I already?  I guess it's true.

This little wall separates our morning room (a.k.a. kitchen table room) from our laundry room. What do you think I should put on the shelves?  Recipe books? Vintage tins?  Nothing? 

I hope that vase doesn't stick to the top.  Too impatient to let the paint cure.

Weekend Whatnots

Charlotte woke me up on Saturday, asking me to fix a broken clasp on her bracelet.  I was pretty groggy.  She gave up and left the bracelet on my chest. 

So, yes, wow, mom comes through sometimes.  When I was, at last, up-and-at-it, I pulled out my massive crate of beads and supplies from my days as a jewelry designer and re-strung her little bracelet.  While doing so, I discovered a little purple floral box containing sweetly-colored bell beads I had collected when I was pregnant with Charlotte.  Oh how many projects I dreamed up when I was pregnant! And, yikes, how many did I actually complete?  Not all of them.

Success! this time.  I can proudly say that these fun beads have made their way into a bracelet for baby before her growing wrist has required me to hunt down more bells for the chain.  Charlotte's new bracelet may not fit for long, but while it does, her unique and boundless magic is properly accompanied by the sound of tinkling bells.

Feeling the craftera in the air (and envying the camera attention), Elijah set about making a pirate ship from these printed cards by Klutz.  "Oh, mom, you've got to take a picture of my ship!  Isn't it awesome?"  Yes, yes it is! 

Really.  It can be tricky to keep a 10-year- old boy engaged in anything unrelated to video games.  You've got to hunt a bit.  This card kit did the trick and it got the laundry folded as well (fair trade -- thanks, Elijah).

Good timing too.  Look what's almost here?  Man, wikipedia has some treasures.  Or should I say, booty.  Here's the official site:

Talk Like a Pirate Day -- September 19th

And, did you see that Amy has a new pattern for sale?  And Joelle has posted about her upcoming book?  Claudine's heading for Martha and Jane's starting a new blog?  Congratulations, all!

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I'm still thinking about that catch-up post. I think I'll need a sloppy red condiment graphic to go with it.  Just because.

Lulu Wiggins in My Head

Isn't this pillow fantastic?  I'm pretty sure I collect such things to make up for my lack of family heirlooms -- heirloom envy.  Well, and my lack of grandparents growing up.  Nope, I don't have a cherished "LW", but I can fancy this pillow was lovingly embroidered by my fictitious great aunt Lulu - Lulu Wiggins, I'm sure - and perch it in the prime position on my bed nevertheless.

I adore her choice of dusty gold and rich turquoise on fresh, rumply pink, don't you?  Another who-zee-whats-it for what's quickly becoming a trinket tour of my bedroom.