Random Stitching

I know I have been pretty quiet here...


been feeling that way all around.


I think winter does that to me.


I have also been a bit preoccupied with planning for some upcoming travel, (fun!)


as well as for some upcoming surgery, (not fun.)


To keep my sense of calm,


(Often easier said then done in regards to myself)


I have just been allowing myself the joy of random stitching.


I am usually so focused on making things, (and very results oriented) that I am finding this to be a very soothing place... the act of simply stitching for the sake of wanting to stitch.


Hope each one of you is finding happiness in whatever you are doing! xo

Life is Full of Lovely Surprises!

Directly after publishing my last post titled, When Door # 1 Does Not Deliver What You Expected, (which I posted just a few hours ago) I received a lovely surprise from the post office... proving that yes, sometimes door #1 does not deliver what you want but that sometimes door #2 delivers exactly what you want...


For there at my front door was a box with my name on it. A surprise care package sent by my sweet friend Michelle Engel Bencsko, filled with a selection of her beautiful Cloud 9 Fabrics!


I am going to assume that you are all familiar with the talented Michelle and Cloud 9 Fabrics, which Michelle co-created and runs with her partner Gina Pantastico. However, if you are not then let me tell you that Cloud 9 Fabrics are truly lovely and very special.


Offering an ever growing selection of various collections designed by Michelle, such as Across the Pond and Maman, (the latter of which Michelle used the delightful illustrations of her beloved grandmother Anne-Marie Murphy) as well as collections created by other wonderfully talented artists such as Miscellany, designed by Julia Rothman; Cut Out & Keep, designed by Heather Moore and the new and soon to be released collections Alegria, designed by Geninne D. Zlatkis and the Monsterz, created by Michéle Brummer Everett, Cloud 9 Fabrics manages to hit it out of the ball park every time.


Cloud 9 Fabrics is dedicated to doing it right. Not only are all the designs terrific and very original, (along with all of the colors being spot on) but all of the base fabric is 100% certified organic cotton and the dyes used for printing and dying are eco-responsible low impact dyes. The combined results is that while these fabrics are modern, they also have a vintage look, feel and sensibility to them, which I adore. Quality, quality, quality. And let me tell you, these fabrics are soft. They feel as good as they look, and they look damn good.

Thank you, Michelle! Your care package has lifted me right out of the doldrums. Perfect medicine and just what I needed! xo

When Door # 1 Does Not Deliver What You Expected.

Fate Awaits

The original plan for the last 6 weeks or so were to be ones of great productivity, with little breaks and holiday family time sprinkled in. That is what I fully expected.

Ha Ha! Joke's on me again!
You never really know what lies behind life's doorways. Despite my good intentions to have nose to the grindstone, (speaking of which, see those steps leading up to the door... I believe they are very old grindstones) the reality of the last 6 weeks or so have been anything but. Family time took top billing, (which I am grateful for. No complaints at all!) However, all that planned productivity was put further on the back burner due to a lot of just feeling and being under the weather... from an array of head and chest colds to what I assume is a peri-menopausal caused train wreak of a cycle that continually takes me by surprise, knocks me to my knees, and throws my creative cycle off the tracks.

So for now I have zilch to show! And truth be told I don't like that. Low productivity gets me on edge. But that's how it goes sometimes, and that is where I am right now. The upside is I have some time to think, and dream, and plan... all good seeds for future creative productivity!

Wherever you are in your creative cycle I wish you well. xo