Winter is here.

Okay, I'll try not to post any more snow pics, but it's so beautiful out and so out of the ordinary for here that I just can't stop. :-)

Garden sno-art.

Snow at sea level.

The pictures say it all. It's been a very snowy day here on Puget Sound!

Aunt Sophie

My Aunt Sophie would have been 89 today, but she passed away this year on Mother's Day. She was quite a woman. I pray I have a bit of her vim and vigor in me all the way to the end. Her body was seriously failing near the end of her life, but her mind was all there. And even though she was in so much pain she got herself up and dressed everyday. Nothing could keep her down!

Family and friends have some wonderful Aunt Sophie stories, but one of my favorites happened not too long ago. She lived in North Hollywood and one day just after pulling out of her driveway, a man approached her car window and asked for some cash. She pulled out her wallet to give him a couple of bucks and he grabbed for the wallet. Well she held on to that wallet, but so did he. So she bit his arm! He gave up and she won, mind you, at 88 years young!

Below is a stained glass piece she made for me about 25 years ago.

Ja cie kocham Aunt Sophie!

"Vintage" handmade ornaments.

My mother made these ornaments for me in the 70's. I still love them! And they are still in great condition. Aren't they cute?

It's scary to use the word "vintage" on some of my very own original possessions, but I guess it's a fact, these possessions of mine from the 60's and 70's are old. And of course when I go into an antique shop I see so many things that I wish I had kept. Like when my friend Pam came up from Portland and we went to the Pyrex Museum in Bremerton. She blogged about it before I had a blog...check it out here. Check out her whole blog, "One Gal's Trash" ...you'll see she has a wonderful eye for all that vintage stuff.

Ten days 'til Christmas!

Snow day.

Snow in the garden. We had just about an inch of snow last night, which isn't much, but it sure turns the winter garden into something a bit magical.

Christmas in a small town.

My absolute favorite part of the December holidays here on Bainbridge Island is this fire truck! Every year it slowly drives the streets of the Island all lit up and blaring Christmas music. It was scheduled to come by last night, but our weather forecast was horrible so I was thinking it might be canceled. I never should have doubted....it's the fire department!!! What a wonderful gift they give us every year. Thank you!

Not much blogging this week. I've been so busy with cards, my own and others, and although I'm loving the blogging thing, I really love making, addressing, and sending cards! I miss having the sewing machine out too, but I'm making plans in my head for January after the kids are back in school....quilt, quilt, quilt.

A Seattle morning.

My daughter and I made a trip on the ferry into Seattle this morning to go to URBAN CRAFT UPRISING! It was so worth it. We had great weather and good timing with the ferry and bus, but we were not among the first 100 who got a goody bag. We were there 40 minutes before the 11:00 a.m. opening, but alas the line was very long. We made a few purchases, my favorite being a 2009 letterpress calendar from Ilee Papergoods. The images below are kinda random....the dots are from a valet's stand on First Avenue and the "purple" building is the EMP (Experience Music Project) taken from the monorail station. What a color!

"Stitched In Time"

Yeah! I received my signed bookplate from Alicia Paulson to put in my copy of her book, "Stitched In Time." Have you seen this book? If not, you must. It is full of amazing projects and not only is it written by Alicia, she has done the photography, illustrations and styling!!! Obviously she has and had many fans before I came along, but I’m so happy to have found this talented woman. She has wonderful projects and photography on her blog too. I especially love her post on Bainbridge Island! And here is the post on how you can get a signed bookplate for your book too.

Finding balance.

What a wonderful weekend! Good food, good friends, and the whole family together. Now it's Sunday evening on the eve of December and I'm looking for some balance as we head into this month of excess. I like starting every Monday morning feeling organized, but this one being December 1st is especially important. I'm not quite where I want to be on my to do/ta da list. I'm making lots of cards, filling orders, but my own cards are not even started. The gifts are all purchased, but the hand made ones are still waiting for final touches and more! The tree is up with lights only. The plan was to decorate it this weekend before my son went back to college, but we ran out of time and I don't really mind. He was so busy catching up with friends after his first three months away from home. I remind myself to find balance and enjoy the simple joys of life every day!

More love.

More heart rocks found on a wonderful early morning walk with my friend Sally.

Thanksgiving Eve.

One of the many things I am thankful for....sunsets from right outside my front door! Here is tonight's beauty. Happy Thanksgiving to all! During this time of economic woes think of all the many blessings we have...from family and friends to simple gifts from Mother Nature. I'm off to see some awesome scenery in "Australia"...the countryside and Hugh Jackman!

Tea bag curtain.

I'm sewing a little café curtain out of old tea bag wrappers. The first one is almost done...I'm doing two for the laundry/mud room. I'll show you a picture when they're up (but first I have to clean!).

Snail love.

This wonderful photo is from one of my favorite blogs....ressurection fern. I only dream of having such talent. I especially love the rocks she dresses...take a peek!

Holiday Cards.

Here are some new holiday cards from Joan of Cards. You can click on the photo for a larger image! If interested email me at joanofcards@msn.com for more information and/or samples. Prices vary depending on quantity.

Love rocks.

I cannot come home from a walk on the beach without something in my pocket....beach glass or heart rocks or sometimes trash and recycling. The heart rocks are taking over my window sills!

And more sewing.

I just finished these tonight....patchworked pillows for my mom on her November 22nd birthday. Don't tell! They're 18" x 18" and I designed them myself!

More sewing.

I just sent this quilt off to the wonderful Marybeth @ White Lotus Quilting to be quilted. I finished the top a couple of months ago, but it took me until now to finish the back. I was trying to save money and didn't buy enough fabric for the back and ended up having to piece it. I ended up really liking the result (but didn't get a good picture of it before sending it off). This is my second quilt ever....pretty simple, but I'm learning some good basics.

Sewing.

I just made this fun mail sack from the Pink Chalk Studio pattern collection! I've been wanting to make a bag and I saw one of these made up at Esther's that was gorgeous. Inspired, I bought the pattern and fabrics. I hadn't put in a zipper in years! I sort of remembered how. The directions were great. I'm tempted to keep it for myself of course, but I'm going to give it as a gift.

O-BA-MA

Finally a President I can respect! And who respects all of us!

Bradley effect? HA! How about the Palin effect?

I NEED MORE BREAD

Dear Friends, Thanks for saving the bread tabs for me! Here's an up close look at the collage.

More Signs of Fall

This is a leaf mobile that I made from felt! I saw something like it in a shop in Portland and made my own version. Views from inside and outside.

Some of the trees in Strawberry Hill Park, Bainbridge Island.