Stitching My Story

Living and Breathing the Alphabet...

Whew! I just finished my typography class. I've got two weeks left on another class, then almost a month off before classes begin again. In the meantime, typographic goodness fills my life, including...

 

Letters picked up at a craft fair to mark the way home (longer lasting than bread crumbs)...

College catalogs EVERYWHERE (along with dreams of fitting in a Master's degree one day)...

The world's sweetest herb markers (made by my super talented BFF)....

And a book I picked up in celebration of my finished typography final.

Cuff Abundance

I am realizing that there are a lot of hand knit sock cuffs around this little house. I can count four pair, in varying stages of completion, JUST from where I am sitting. I'm an experienced heel turner and I don't mind making that turn one little bit, so this whole cuff-abundance situation seems a little odd.

The BFF has requested the pair below. Perhaps that will motivate me to get the heels and toes in place.

HA! Or maybe I can get an "ankle warmer" trend started!

(I wonder if this is how the whole fingerless-glove fad came about?)

 

 

 

Today I am Lovin' On.....

... Grandbaby O.

... goopy acrylic paints that just last week I hated.

...Unit One and his (our!) Sweetheart.

...{dear cowboy} and really good beer on tap.

...The BFF who makes sure I lift weights twice a week, run further than is easy for me, and laugh so hard I snort.

Christmas Knitting Roll for my BFF....

I made this for Cindy for Christmas.

I modified and used this pattern.

I bought the needles on Amazon.

Happiness Looks Like This...

It's a brownie hug. Texted to my phone. From my BFF.

*happy sigh*

A Painted Canvas Journal...

One of my goals for fall has been to spend 15 minutes daily drawing and writing. Sometimes it's easy and I do more... sometimes the "15:15" staring up at me from my daily to-do list FoRcEs the marks onto the pages of my journal. Either way, I find that following through on the commitment changes how I feel about my day much the same way running does. I feel a sense of accomplishment and my busy head quiets a little bit.

I made this journal with nice heavy pages. It holds a pencil and pen for both drawing and writing. Tossed in my bag, I am ready for my daily tasks anytime.

Wanna join me? It doesn't have to be drawing or writing, and it doesn't have to be two different activities. My BFF committed to 15 minutes of piano practice a day.

How would you fill 15 minutes?

Thoughts Over Coffee....

 I admit it. I'm a perfectionist. Far, far, far from perfect, but a perfectionist none-the-less. I don't like messy parts of the story. This trait frequently gets in my way and holds me back because every story has messy parts.

And honestly... I'm not sure how this new coffee gig is going to play out.

My BFF says I probably needed the summer off between jobs. She is a VERY smart cookie. I'm guessing she is not far off the mark.

I am finding that....

I like coffee, but mostly I like my coffee. I'm not sure if I like making other people's coffee.

I have a lot of respect and admiration for the culture, people, history and philosophy behind the company, but I'm not sure I need to be on the service side of the counter to fully appreciate it.

I like the paycheck, but I'm not sure I'm willing to exchange the time for the money right now.

I opened my journal today and it landed on a page where I'd scribbled: TRUST YOURSELF AND LEAN TOWARDS WHAT FEELS RIGHT. The problem is, lots hasn't felt "right" since dad died.

The universe seems to have shifted and is now tilted ever-so-slightly off center. This sort of messy alignment is not easy for a confirmed perfectionist to deal with. The current chapter of my story is feeling more than a little messy some days.

"I like her because she smiles at me and means it"

Yesterday... a day away with my BFF. It was SOOOO good.

*happy sigh*

"The road to enlightenment is long and difficult, and you should try not to forget snacks and magazines." — Anne Lamott

 

(this one's for you, dear BFF)

Happy Easter!

Felt baby bunnies for the grandsons....

Going undercover inside plastic eggs....

Hidden away for the hunt!

And speaking of eggs, aren't these beautiful? My BFF brings me the most perfect, organic, colorful eggs from her chickens each week. Thanks, gurlfriend (and laying hens).