simplesparrow

to texas and back again

edited to add: I've fixed the link to the book, sorry bout' that. It's the second book down. It's still not working, I give up! Search the title on Amazon. And...button news flash!! My mom stayed a couple of days longer in Texas then I did and just told me that she cut a deal on the WHOLE jar of buttons that I found my small pile in!! Can you believe it?? She bought me the whole jar! What a woman :)

I had a nice 5 days with my mom and aunt. I saw cousins I hadn't seen in years and caught up with their families a bit, had a really good laugh with my mom in bed one night, did lots of shopping and ate a wonderful napoleon at the Swiss Pastry Shop. I also froze every time we went into a store, I am definitely not used to air-conditioning.

Lets enjoy a little inspiration complements of the lone star state, shall we?
First, vintage buttons and a peek at some charm squares from the summer in the city line by moda.

Love those buttons. I have a small regret that I didn't snatch up more. The price was right--10 for a dollar. The charm squares were bought at Cabbage Rose quilt shop--which I loved! (thank you again to those who recommended it) Lots more fabric was purchased there, but at the moment it is all balled up in the dryer. Unlike the fabric store I frequent here, Cabbage Rose will purchase the whole line of a particular fabric, rather then just a few bolts. That was really fun to see entire fabric lines in person.

Next is a vintage teacup and saucer I found at a dish store that specializes in dishes from the past (the actual name of the shop escapes me right now) That was a fun browse. Could have spent a lot more in that store if my wallet allowed it.

On my last day there and with only a couple of hours to look, I found this little gem at the Half Price Book Store. I had filled my basket with a few books but when it came down to forking over the cash, I decided that this was the only one I *needed*. It has several images that I find very inspiring (forgive me for not showing you the inside, I got tuckered out from picture taking) It's not a new book, published in 03.  It also has directions for a few simple projects. If you have some spare dollars, I would say this book is a good buy. You can find it here.

And since crochet is such an easy travel craft, I picked up a couple of cotton yarn balls for the flight home. These will be eyeglass cases. And to tell you the truth, I've found that they make great tampon holders for your purse! Dual function is always a plus :)

It's good to be home. That familiar feeling of needing to get off the computer now has returned, ha.
Talk soon~
T.

I used what I had

A sampling of some of the things I made using what I had.

Wow. When I asked if anyone wanted to join me in my personal challenge to use what I have  for the month of April, I had no idea---NO IDEA that it would take off like it did in the blogging community. I thought I would get a few takers for sure, but-- 118 comments, a Flickr group, it's very own button, numerous postings on other blogs and so on....No way!! It was really great though. I know that this 'using what we have' is not a new idea in the least. A thought I'm sure that goes through all of ours minds at some point here and there.

Speaking for myself, it was a great challenge. Good for my creativity, and really good for my wallet :)  Digging through my piles of fabric, I have come to the conclusion that I have a lot of material I don't really like, ha! A lot of my stuff  seems really "sweet" to me. Why I do, I don't really know. I'm not a "sweet" kind of girl. Well, I should say I actually like some of it in SMALL doses. Especially when it's paired with something totally opposite. I really like that look. Anyway, maybe I'll be offering up some piles for exchange, with the stipulation that you don't send me anything too sweet~K?

I think what was hardest for me during the challenge was staying away from the thrift stores.  I buy all kinds of things there, but it would have been too much of a temptation to not seek out all the clothing, linens and textiles that would be asking me to please make something out of them! So I resisted. Thrift shopping is so many things to me,  one of them being a MAJOR way that I relax. I could spend hours looking through every nook and cranny of each shop I visit. I love it. I need it. Occasionally I go with a friend, but most times I'm a loner and I really prefer it that way. I like to be alone with all the junk, my thoughts, and my chai latte. Today I got to spend a few hours out alone and what did I do? I hit two thrift stores, picked up my chai, went to the fabric shop and the ribbon shop. Fun, fun, fun.

The Flickr group will continue on in earnest I have no doubt, and I will continue to take part in that. I will keep the 'use what you have' button on my sidebar to remind me that it really, really is a good thing.  And lastly, I want to THANK ALL OF YOU that took part, in a big way or a small way...it didn't matter to me. Catching the spirit of the whole idea and making it a way of life in more ways then just crafting was what I was after.  So, craft on! And here and there use what you have.

xo.

The banquet table that is never empty

This post will be somewhat completely random, jumping here and there. I'm just typing my thoughts as they appear in my head...scary. I hope there are not any psychologists out there ;) Also, posting some photos that caught my eye this morning. Very random indeed.

Random thought #1: Today is Computer Free Friday--I have pretty much failed miserably at keeping up with this the last few weeks. One Friday, I just hopped right on, answering my email without a care in the world. La la la la la...typing away. HELLO..it's Friday, Ms. scatter-brain! Anyway, I am still very much committed to the spirit of staying off of the computer when I should. I'm just not sure what that looks like for me right now. I think until we are finished with school for the summer, I will try to steer clear during the hours of 9:00 am and 2:00 pm or so. When summer arrives, I'll need to come up with a new plan. It feels good to confess and move on....

Random still life photo. This is the top of my TV cabinet

Random thought #2: I am a spaz when it comes to using commas. It never really clicked with me how/when to use them, so I just throw them in liberally. Here a comma, there a comma, everywhere a comma-comma.

Random thought #3: When you use bloglines to view updated blogs, do you not see the actual main page of that particular blog?  If so, that is a bummer. So many blogs are very pretty to look at.

Random self-portrait in my bathroom mirror.

Sweet freckles on a favorite 4 yr. old I know

This is probably the most substantial thing I have to say today, and that is I'm thinking of taking a little blog break. Just for a week or so. Maybe a bit less. I'm finding that blogging can work 2 ways with me. One, it can be an exciting source of inspiration, camaraderie and mutual encouragement which I really, really, love. Not to mention the genuine friendships I have made, and that is why I'm not staying away too long :)  But creative wise, I need to pull back from this world that never stops feeding me with all of this yummy food...the art, the imagination, the color, the shapes, the textures...everything that this incredible, crafty blog world offers. I need some time to process, to think, to create without adding anymore to my already full plate! Did I   make sense? So, next week I'm going to try my best to  at least be scarce on this thing and savor some of my own creativity. I'm hoping this break will leave me with some finished projects that feel very satisfying, and of course I'll be dying to share them with all of you!! xo

Spring flowers from my front yard.

The makings of a really cute pillow

I saw this bird needlepoint the other day while I was thrift shopping. I really liked it, but didn't want to pay 5.00 for it. It is so easy for me to collect things that I really need to be sure I LOVE it before I bring it home, otherwise the clutter-monster moves in ...and  that's bad.  Anyway, later that night rummaging through my material, I realized that I had some fabric that would make the cutest patchwork pillow with that needlepoint as the center. I rushed back the next day and gladly paid the 5 bucks. I'm hoping to start it this week.

I finished my apron for this months tie one on theme, an apron from clothes. A picture of that coming sometime this week.