Mastering the Art of Getting Along

                                                                             ~~*~~



Lucky and Smoky

~~*~~
Somehow these two cats have managed to snuggle into this box together. Usually, it begins with one in the box - sound asleep. The other comes up & sees it is already occupied. Then the ritual  begins. A certain amount of licking takes place which seems to be the ticket for getting to share this apparently highly desirable spot.
~~*~~



Feeling Nostalgic for A Primitive Christmas?



Note to Santa!

TinkersCottage.etsy.com


Feeling nostalgic for an old-timey Christmas? See  more delightful primitive originals and reproductions at the following link. Collated by VintageCafe2.etsy.com


A Primitive Christmas Etsy Treasury



~~~~*~~~~



Zafu Meditation Cushion Giveaway

Zafu Meditation Cushion with Buckwheat Hulls

Reverse Side

Eclectic Armadillo on Etsy

To enter the Dec. 26th, 2010 Giveaway of this Mandala Zafu or Samadhi Cushion please leave a comment. Open to  continental USA residents only.  For more Zafu covers & Buckwheat Hulls see the link above. Fabrics are an avocado colored wide vale cotton corduroy for the sides, and a reclaimed synthetic  fabric in cinnamon and avocado for the mandalas; buckwheat hull filled. Has a carrying handle and store label.


~~~~*~~~~

Pistachio and Chocolate Treasury



Pistachio Chocolate Biscotti

from Artisan Hands Etsy Shop




Halva with Pistachio

from Ukaisrael's Etsy Shop




Santa Fe Artisan Chocolate Bark Sampler

The Chocolate Smith's Etsy Shop

 See Pistachio and Chocolate Etsy Treasury for a complete view of a collation of "Gifts For Her" at Christmastime. Chocolate and Pistachio....great combination in pudding,  ice cream,  biscotti and candy...and that is just mentioning a few in the edibles department!

Rag Rugs, Cats and Creature Comforts

Lucky and Smoky

 Today my brand new Rag Rug arrived in the mail and I laid it out on the kitchen table to enjoy it's beauty before placing it in the upstairs bathroom. What followed was certainly very predictable! As cats go though, they will use it for several days and then move on to another favorite spot. I can wait. And if you should happen to be in the market for a rag rug for yourself or as a hostess gift then you will definitely want to check out my source in the the Rag Rug section of  PonderosaQuilter's etsy store. Her rugs are eco-friendly; she has quality products and good workmanship. Enough said! Check it out for yourself. You'll be glad you did!

Brand New Rag Rug

Eric Dodge - A Christmas Wish



A Christmas Wish Album Cover

                      For more information about this Audio CD...   "A Christmas Wish" by Eric Dodge

Love...When You Give, You will Receive

I saw this on facebook and it is so good...and had to be shared. Make sure you visit Fly Lady's website!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
by The FlyLady on Friday, November 26, 2010 at 3:09pm

Dear FlyLady,

I woke up this morning with a hole in the pit of my stomach and in my heart and everything seemed so negative. I wish I could say this was unusual but after a difficult childhood where I was only shown conditional love, it does happen pretty often. I have had some success in the past few months with changing my mood by concentrating on positive things and building myself up so decided to do this, as I did not want to stay in that horrible frame of mind! Now, this does require some work but it is very helpful.

I started by thinking about the things in my life I was grateful for and it did improve my mood a little but it was not enough. I asked myself what did I need to fill this hole in myself and the answer came back to me: 'Love'. I thought, well that's all very well, but I don't receive a huge amount of love in my life.. I am sure my husband loves me but he is not very good at showing it, so how was I supposed to fill myself with love? The answer came back to me: 'by giving love'. I kind of argued with this because how can you give something you don't feel or have? How can you give this away when your own cup is empty? I did not receive an answer to this question so decided to give it a go!

First of all I prayed for all the different people in my life and for the things I knew they needed such as: a new job, health, wisdom, peace and so on - I should say at this point that I don't follw any particular form of religion but find prayer to have a positive outcome. I then texted some friends and other people I know and wished them a good morning. This included wishing all the best to a friend's brother-in-law who is having an operation for cancer. You have to know that this is very unusual for me as I am not very sociable and do not usually initiate social contact.

And what do you know? I started feeling myself filling up with love and contentment! This was made even better when I started receiving replies to my texts... I was rather bemused by the whole thing and then suddenly realized the words of Eric Dodge's 'A Christmas Wish' were running through my head: 'Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me...!' I realized that this is what had happened - I wanted and needed love and instead of waiting to get - I gave it instead and as a result received it back threefold. What a wonderful thing! I feel like I've been hit over the head with a God-breeze and such a great one that I would like to pass it on... Best wishes and peace to all of you for this holiday season!!

FlyBaby B

******************************
FlyLady here; You are so right! It is up to us to get the ball rolling. If we want love we have to give it. It all starts with a phone call, text or simple little note dropped in the mail. You will receive what you give.

I am listening to Eric's Christmas Wish right now. I warms my heart. You can go listen to it too on our website.

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FlyShop_eric_xmas.asp

Art can Save us from Freezing...

Excerpted from The Sprituality of Art  by Norman Fischer

"I'm in my car, on the highway. I turn off the news reports and the baseball game I've been listening to and switch to a Beethoven violin sonata that's loaded in the CD player. Listening to the music, my mind gradually starts to release, like a hand that had been grasping something tightly and is beginning to let go. Another mind appears, a mind completely engaged with the pattern the music weaves. A moment before, I'd been frozen into the shape of a self in a world. Now, the music has thawed me out.

The world and the self really do appear to us as frozen. Our personal problems, our self-definitions, what we hear from those around us—all these convincing and compelling experiences invite us to clutch at concepts, positions, worries. We naturally build vast structures of ice to hold in place the world and the self, chilly and confined. But the experience of art can shake us free of all that. Art can save us from freezing."
For the entire article click on the following hyperlink:  Tricycle.com

Art Pic of the Day:


Cathedral Mountain - ORIGINAL Australia Landscape Painting

YenPaintings on Etsy

Original oil painting, listed and signed by artist. 2009.

Cathedral Mountain, Tasmania, Australia. This piece is one of 2 works on my hiking trip in Tasmania on the Overland Track (some say Underwater Track) with the imposing mountain aptly called Cathedral Mountain. The scene is from the hut that we stayed at that has the mountain has a magnificent backdrop.
Learn more about the work at yen's art blog:
http://yenpaintings.blogspot.com/2009/09/cathedral-mountain.html
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.Dimensions: 50 x 40cm or 19.75" x 15.75".


~~~*~~~ 



Thanksgiving Day Blessing

Some things I am Thank-Full for....



Tiny Lemons - Original Oil Painting

Svitrolica on Etsy

Lemons - one of my favorite additions to green tea beverage, and salad dressings made with  mashed avocado, salt & pepper.



Dill Weed Seed Head - Print

88editions on Etsy

Dill -one of my favorite additions to tuna salads, and scrambled eggs.



Harvest - Still Life

LandscapesnWildlife on Etsy


Peppers -some of my favorite salad ingredients!

 

ACEO - Fall Original Watercolor

LindaLMartinArtist on Etsy

I love my abode in the country!

~

Master Zafuist



Vintage Fabric Lives On

 I received an interesting compliment on this custom made zafu cover...that of being a Master Zafu-ist! That is one of the exciting and interesting things about the Etsy marketplace. Through  the contact via my etsy store, someone from Minnesota sent a piece of vintage fabric to me in Florida. Now it's in the return mail, and will gracefully  "live" on as a beautiful zafu.

Extending Happiness and A Polyphemus Moth

Polyphemus Moth

Last week, one morning while on my walk I came across this moth, dead on the road. I just felt very strongly about bringing it home, and cradled it carefully in my cupped hands all the way back. I posted a picture of it to my facebook news. One person from the Carolina's told me what it is, and said that if her 6 year old son saw it he would love it because he doesn't have one that size for his collection yet.  Sooooo,  I offered it to her and she accepted. Just heard from her...the moth arrived via the postal system today, and is in great shape. Yes, mailing it was a risk...one that we chose to take, and now a young boy is going to be quite happy!

Puss in Boots



"Boots"

 What is there to say about a sweet little face like that? He is definitely workin' it....don't mind if he does!

Old Miakka Sunset October 2010

Old Miakka Sunset October 2010

Vintage Riverbirds Fabric and Goodwill Hunting

Riverbirds Zabuton and Coordinating Zafus

One of my all time favorite activities to engage in is the adrenaline boosting "primitive hunt". You know... the kind where you go "Goodwill Hunting". Thrift stores are happy hunting grounds, too. Armed with just enough "ammunition" ( plastic will do too) you try to sneak up on the prey before another "crafty" hunter beats you to it! Sometimes, you act nonchalant - humming softly under your breath while casually pausing here and there to look at things you know you don't want. You don't want to seem over eager - but there are times when the spirit of the hunt simply  overcomes you. And you go with the flow.

All of the above fabrics came from my favorite hunting ground. I've been sitting on the Vintage Riverbirds fabric for some time now.  All of a sudden this morning, I realized how these different fabrics all coordinate with this interesting  birds print. Problem is, there is only one of the Riverbirds Zabutons...there was not enough fabric to make another two sided cushion. Enough for one more side, and a number of tote/book bags. Bittersweetly, you do the best you can.

300 Horses

This morning I made two batches of Calamondin Marmalade to donate to the Old Miakka Schoolhouse annual fundraiser event, the Hootenanny. I use the pureed and strained  Calamondin seeds for pectin, but it still necessitates a  great deal of hovering and stirring, hovering and stirring...truly this is helicopter marmalading at it's finest! So there is plenty of time to mentalize...!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


My sister tells me her oldest daughter is getting married this fall. Lucy is a very bubbly and outgoing young woman with many cousins aunts and uncles, and has made many friends far and near. They are going to invite about 300 guests. I was relating the details to Fred, and he doesn't have the same Old Order Mennonite background as I do, which is  also not only the background for my sister's life but the foreground of her present day life. Among the 300 guests are the approx. 100 people who have working roles to play such as "hostlers", "tablewaiters" and "cooks".


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hostlers are young unmarried teenagers who play the role of parking valet. They assume responsibility  for the horse and buggies upon arrival of the guests. That means using white chalk to mark the horse harness and the vehicle with numbers that match the piece of numbered paper handed to the guest,  parking the buggies and carriages in neat rows in a designated field, unhitching the horse,  taking the horse to the designated place in the barns, feeding them meals, separating unruly horses if the need arises, and then the reverse order when guests  give them their number to leave for home. In the evening these young men also fulfill the custom of throwing the groom over a fence to symbolize that he has crossed over from the life of a  unmarried man to that of a householder and  married man.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 

Tablewaiters are young unmarried women whose tasks are associated with the preparations for both the noon and evening meals, doing all the work in getting the food that was prepared ahead of time ready to serve, setting and  waiting on tables, and helping with the clean up until the last dish towel is hung up to dry. One of the things they do in the evening after all the work is done is to stand the bride on her head, in a bedroom with closed doors, while holding her skirt tightly around her legs to shake out all residual youthful foolishness so she will be able to fulfill her role and duty as a young wife and houeskeeper. Frequently, they also catch the bridesmaids to give them a preview of coming attractions!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


The role of cooks is very important, and is usally assigned to mature couples, i.e.  neighbors or good friends in the community, with one woman designated as head cook. She comes over the day ahead for a thorough briefing on all the intricate details.  Imagine preparing mashed potatoes, meat, vegetable, noodles, gravy for 300 guests! And that's the noon meal. Talk about teamwork. It's not an uncommon sight to see the husbands take off their suitcoats, roll up their white  shirt sleeves, and get to work mashing potatoes by hand. I mean, you do have to keep them out of mischief one way or another!  The evening meal could have up to 200 guests.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Getting back to relating some of these details to Fred...it must be a guy thing but it never occurred to me to think about what to do with the fallout (literally) of horse manure from 300 horses! There won't be 300 horses, of course...maybe in the vicinity of 100-150. But still....enough to fertilize a garden upon collection!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Thinking about the "outsider's" viewpoint versus the "growing up that way" viewpoint brought back memories of the day a good friend and I were on a fabric shop hop, and driving through picturesque  Lancaster Co. We saw a field of neatly lined up Amish carriages, which to me indicated a wedding or a funeral. Barbara asked about that "carriage junkyard". She though it was the place in the community to take your old worn out carriages. While I don't know what is actually done with  old worn out buggies and carriages, I do know there is no communal carriage junkyard. I clearly remember that the very thought of it struck me as being incredibly hilarious!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



I forgot to do my Hump Day Mini Feature on Wed this week. Maybe this will pass as a substitute! Hope you were entertained for a little while!



.

Victorian Tote or Book Bag

Victorian Tote Bag

 Hot off the sewing machine ...just in time for Christmas shoppers! Last week this lovely, canvas-like fabric was a tablecloth and  now it is  twelve tote bags.  I may actually have to keep one for myself! One sold overnight....I like waking up to sales! Don't we all!

October 1st, 2010 Giveaway

Cathedral Window Pillow

One of these two pillow covers is in a Giveaway in the feature article on our AWEteam blog (winner's choice). Not your taste? They make great gifts and Christmas is coming soon!

Also included in the feature article is one of my all-time favorite recipes. And the source for the most important ingredient!

Mandala Zafu Meditation Cushion

I Spy Quilt





I Spy Quilt for a little girl

  

Hump Day Mini Featurette September 22, 2010

Electric Myakka Band

The Myakka Band  is a very versatile, flexible 4-piece rock band that also can play a mix of bluegrass, country, rockabilly, blues, and roots music. They like a blend of musical genres that pleases everyone from 7 to 70. They can perform a mini-set of songs by CCR/ John Fogerty, the Grateful Dead, John Prine, Tom Petty, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, or Warren Zevon. The main thing that ties their music together is a good, up-tempo, danceable beat. “We want people to be able to dance to our music!” says Brad.




The band has played many outdoor gigs at such places as Myakka State Park , Parrish School , Lake Manatee State Park , festivals and parades, wedding receptions on the Gulf, Siesta Beach , lawn parties, and special events. They have played private parties: graduations, corporate events, receptions, openings, birthdays, and memorials.



Myakka plays primarily in Sarasota and Manatee Counties , but will travel if requested. The basic lineup is Lisa on lead guitar, Brad on guitar and vocals, James on bass and vocals, and Scott on drums and percussion. Lisa can move easily to keyboards or banjo, which can give the band a completely different sound. They have 3 different amplifier/speaker setups, from 4,000 Watts, to unamplified settings for intimate, indoor gigs.



Scott Blum is a renowned drummer and percussionist, originally from the New Jersey and New York area. He started his career in music at the age of 12. As a percussionist, his performances include dance bands, rock bands, theatre productions, parades, circuses, ethnic festivals, jazz festivals, operas, radio, television, and studio recordings. He has received numerous awards and grants for his work in percussion and education. Scott has performed with internationally known artists from Archie Shepp to Esteban. He currently plays percussion with Don Scaletta and the Jazz Project; A Salute to Stan Kenton. He recently composed a percussion piece called, Boom Boom Ba, choreographed and presented on several stages by Fuzion Dance Artists.







James Kushner has, at various points in his life, acted and sung Off Broadway, directed theater in Chicago, worked as a theater technician in Los Angeles, been a drummer for bands in New York and Chicago, pioneered the solo-bass-and-vocals approach to folk circles and open mikes in Florida, studied mathematics at a prestigious university, written both parody and serious songs, performed with a crack Los Angeles jazz ensemble on the slide whistle, performed and promoted Sacred Harp singing all around America, and played upright bass onstage for the Manatee Players. James has recently performed at the Sarasota Players Theatre. “Playing bass for the Myakka Band is, in many respects, the culmination of my professional experience”, he asserts.







Lisa Fitzgerald is a virtuoso musician who began by playing cello and piano early in life in Tennessee , and played drums in the marching band in high school. By the time she met Brad, she was becoming or was already accomplished on banjo, electric bass, keyboards, and most recently, electric guitar. “If we could clone her, she could be an entire rock band”, says Brad. Lisa also began to write bluegrass songs (which the band still performs), as well as a few rockers and some classical-type pieces on the keyboard, some of which are currently being considered for movie soundtracks. In the Myakka Band, which she co-founded with Brad in 2004, Lisa has played electric bass, keyboards, drums, and now electric lead guitar.







Brad Fitzgerald started performing in high school, when he sang with the Glee Club and the school Choir. He was swept away by the folk craze of the early 60’s, and learned to sing and play on guitar the songs of The Kingston Trio, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul and Mary, etc. While living in Boston in the ‘90s he began to perform solo at area coffee houses, singing and playing original folk and rock songs. During that time he also released a cassette tape and a CD of original folk and rock music. In 2001 he met up with Lisa in Sarasota and they soon started performing together as Myakka. Since then they have headed up several bands, including the “original” Myakka folk duo, Myakka Bluegrass, and, since 2004, the current Electric Myakka Band. Brad plays guitar, sings, and has written about 50 original tunes.





For contact and booking information click here.






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hump Day Mini Featurette for October 15th, 2010

Churn Dash Quilt

Bio



Hi! My name is Valerie, and I have been sewing ever since junior high school in the late 60's; mostly I made clothing. During 7th grade sewing class, I swore I'd never sew again. But once I knew how to make clothes properly, I saw all the defects in store bought clothes. Then I just had  to make them myself.



I began making quilts in 1983 and became completely addicted to them. I remember seeing quilts at the Kutztown Folk Festival when I was maybe 10. For years I dreamed of making a quilt and selling it there. My dream came true. I've made many quilts and sold maybe 10 of them at the Festival. Now I sell my quilts and other handmade items in my  Etsy store online at etsy.



I get my ideas from my collection of quilting books, from the flowers in my yard, and fabric shops. My daughter rolls her eyes when I look at something and see a quilt pattern. She says, "Mom, you see quilts everywhere."



Many years ago, my grandmother crocheted potholders. Hers were round and done in single crochet. She had a special knack for making them flat. I never figured that out, so mine are square and done in half double crochet to make them get done a bit faster. I love working with all those colors.



I also like to use up clothing and other fabrics that are worn in just a few places. I make bags with the better pieces, and crocheted rugs with the not so good pieces. A few less things in the landfills.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

NOTE: For the duration of the week Valerie's etsy store widget will be in the right hand column near to her feature article. Thanks for looking!

Local Flora in Bloom Today

Speaks for Itself!

Pineapple and Star Mandala Zafu

This Pineapple and Star Mandala Zafu has been placed in an interesting collection of  mandalas in a beautiful etsy treasury curated by homespunireland .



Take a bit of time to just sit quietly  and feel the calming effect this treasury can have on your being. Remember to honor the gifts each of these artists brings to the table.



~Namaste~

Hump Day Mini Featurette for September 8th, 2010

Woodnique's Bio


Hi!  My name is Jeff McCollum. I am a lifelong woodworker. I have done everything from custom work on yachts, advertising items, custom furniture, stage sets and props, and so many other things, it's hard to remember it all. As I get older I have learned to make smaller, more unique items.



I moved to the Missouri Ozark Mountains in 1981 and have come to love and appreciate the beauty that is abundant in this part of our country.



Woodnique is founded on the principle of "Recycle, Renew, Re-use". I typically use wood that is reclaimed/reused, repurposed, or simply, picked up off the ground.



I make great quality, environmentally friendly items at affordable prices. I typically use recycled, found, and other alternative materials in creative ways. My items are interesting, unique and generally have a rustic flair. The wood typically has unusual grain paterns, knots, mineral streaks, holes, and is all natural. These design elements add uniqueness and beauty to the finished product.This gives me the opportunity to hand-select wood for each item. Many of my creations are made from wood I get from city tree trimmers before it goes to a landfill or burn pile. My products start as a chunk of rough wood and are completely handcrafted by me. I'm always on the lookout for cool stuff to use.



The beauty of each piece can only barely be seen in photographs. It is difficult to capture the pleasure of holding the piece in your hand, feeling its unique energy, or watching the 3D effect when the light hits it a certain way.



I hope you enjoy my unique items as much as I enjoy making them. These pieces are crafted to honor and share nature's astonishing beauty and raise other people's awareness of their increasing rarity and value.



More items will be coming soon! Check back often. If there is something that you see but maybe want a different type of wood, please send me a message and I would be happy to create something special just for you.~


NOTE: During the week of this store feature there will be a scrolling widget of Woodnique's shop on the upper right side of the page. Thank you for your interest! Sarah

Hump Day Mini Featurette for September 1st

Bio:


Quilted Lovelies offers a variety of exclusive, handmade, quilted items for your home: lap quilts, table runners, baby quilts, doll quilts, quilted coasters and custom made quilt labels. Each one-of-a-kind quilt and table runner is originally designed, individually handmade and unique, not mass produced or quilted on a computerized machine. There will not be another one like it anywhere.



I am a corporate escapee, and founded Quilted Lovelies in 2004 with two product lines: potholders and custom made table runners. Since then, I have added more lines, but the potholders have gone to Old Product Line Heaven. I was inspired to quilt by my grandmothers, and still have each quilt they made for me. I formed Quilted Lovelies for the express purpose of bringing creative, handcrafted and artistic quilted items to your home. My goal is that you enjoy the beauty and comfort of these heirloom treasures as much as I have enjoyed designing and making them.



Fabric rules at Quilted Lovelies! I love (and I mean really love) material and endeavor to showcase it in each product. All quilts and table runners are machine-quilted for durability and strength, and stress points are triple sewn. Everything is made using only premium 100% cotton material, which is pre-washed for color fastness and shrinkage control.



I am also on Etsy under the user name FransButtonCorner.
 
 
 
For more about  Quilted Lovelies follow her blog!

Hump-Day Mini-Featurette

Bio for TheHighPlainsKnitter

"I've been knitting since I was nine years old. A babysitter taught me how to knit and purl. From then on I have had a passion for knitting, though its been interrupted for child rearing and the like. For years I was a dj at local radio stations, and for a few years I was a developmental therapist. I took time out to homeschool our children, and am now retired. Now, I have lots of time to knit. I take pleasure in knitting and comfort in Christ. ~ I am a member of Etsy Knitters Street team, Etsy Texas Crafters, and AWEteam. I put a lot of time and care into my knitting, crocheting and shop. My accessories are made of quality yarns and original designs. Here is a message one enthusiastic customer sent me after an event in which she had pinned one of my flowers to her wrist purse. "I got a lot of compliments on the purse, but it wasn't the purse.....it was your flower!!! That's what I've learned about these flowers. You stick them on something and it totally changes everything. So whimsical, I love it." Another said "I can't believe you made these so wonderful, just from a description in my head. I can't believe you nailed it the way you did." Dianne also says: "My wrist cuffs are light, airy, and I have headbands and scarves that match them. Any of my flowers, or knitting patterns can be made into brooches, and I love custom orders for them."







And, btw, the two items pictured above are going to be my birthday gift to a very nice friend who happens to share the same birthday with me! For more items from this gifted and talented knitter see her etsy mini on the right, and visit her store. Christmas is coming soon!

Lucky

Lucky's just waking up from an afternoon nap underneath Fred's huge umbrella. He's definitely my little sweetie pie!

Million Pillowcases Challenge

If you're a quilter, or have any friends who are quilters or work at fabric stores, etc. then you may have heard of American Patchwork & Quilting's Million Pillowcases Challenge. Here are two sets of pillowcases that I had the enjoyment of making this week. The fabric for the maroon set came from a friend's scrap bag, and the floral fabric came from a quilt guild member's destash pile. The accent trim on the floral set came from my end of bolts pile of bias binding. I'm trying to visualize how many pillowcases are being created all over the world right now at this moment!

Reclaiming my "Comforter"

Finally!  After considerable procrastination - months long in fact, I got around to making a slipcover for a chintz-covered, wool-filled comforter my mother made for me when I was a teenager. The chintz fabric was badly worn around the edges and becoming threadbare elsewhere. Believe it or not, I do use this comforter every winter here in Florida. This sweet little floral print fabric is reclaimed from a flea market find...and the fabric was made in France. Long live my wool comforter!

Blogging vs Facebooking

One of our friends tells his acquaintances to "read my blog" when they ask what he's been up to lately. This internet age! In some ways life IS easier with the internet, but I have to admit....it  can be a huge "Bermuda Time Triangle". You know what I'm talking about! Time has a way of disappearing-hours of my life are missing! But wait! I can account for them. They're on Facebook! Yeah! That's right! More and more ...anyway - you get the point. Here's my facebook fan page link, if you care to fan it, and leave your fan page link, too. It's much easier to post micro - blog posts there, including pix.
EclecticArmadillo Facebook Fan Page link

55 Quotes To Inspire Creativity, Innovation and Action

55 Quotes To Inspire Creativity, Innovation and Action

Morning Sun on the Potholder Wall

Today is August's First Friday Art Walk on etsy...again already! "Times fun when you're having flies!" said the toad. The potholders were gifts and/or purchases from my friend Valerie and Doris, both of whom are having sales in their etsy stores today! All of the potholders are waaaaay too pretty and cute to use! This may not be my best photo ever, but I do so LOVE the way the sun shines through the door onto the wall.

First Friday Artwalk on Etsy: Spotlight on AWEsome! Jade Dumpling

First Friday Artwalk on Etsy: Spotlight on AWEsome! Jade Dumpling: "Good Day! This is the first in a series of Spotlight on AWEsome, where you can get up close and personal with the members of the Art Walk E..."

Alligator

Wow! This was quite a bit of excitement and an adrenaline rush for me! I even briefly entertained the thought of possibly beginning a new vocation now that I'm 50 and probably halfway through my life. Or, at the very least, become an alligator catcher groupie!

"Christmas in July"

First Friday Artwalk on Etsy: First Friday Artwalk, July 2 Specials!

First Friday Artwalk on Etsy: First Friday Artwalk, July 2 Specials!: "July's First Friday Art Walk on Etsy kicks off July 2, 2010 at 12 midnight EDT! Come join us! These participating shops are offering the fo..."

A Fabrication about Mother Nature and the Gulf Oil Crisis

Disclaimer: The following information was not channeled and is not to be taken seriously, by any means. It is merely another point of view that presented itself.

"When Mother Nature opened up her reserves of Black Gold, she never intended for one company alone to profit from all that wealth. (Who determined  the rightful ownership of the oil, anyway? It's like declaring Air, Inc. owns the air rights, and now you have to pay for breathing it, or else!) She meant it for the Commonwealth of All People. Ahem! That did not seem to be happening. Oh, well! On to Plan B, then. Mother Nature created a crisis. Yes, she deliberately created that explosion. What? You think she can't pull off shit like that! Look at her hurricane and tornadoes! Like the woman who told her children..." I brought you into this world, and I can take you out,  anytime."...you get the picture! Bam! All of a sudden, BP had a huge increase in payroll accounts. Yes, now she has newly employed many people in bookkeeping, the cleanup and research department, etc., etc. Not to mention all the people who lost their jobs, and are now on BP's "welfare plan". And, it seems to me  the extent of the amount of people whose livelihood is being adversely affected has not yet been realized. Looking at the devastation to our environment and the wildlife, spreading the wealth in this way wouldn't have been my choice. However, it may actually be happening. Mother Nature never singled out some elite individuals to hog her gifts, and perks thereof. Her gifts are free to all alike."

The Three Bears in Pink and Spanish Moss

And heeeeere is the trilogy in a pink Sarong Scroll fabric by Waverly! Perfect for adult and children, or small adults. This is very much a OOAK  ( "one of a kind") set. Interested in more information about this set of meditation cushions, and others? See   Meditation Cushions Section . Coming soon... buckwheat hulls listing in 3 lbs for the small adult or youth , 4 lbs for the average individual, 5 lb weight for tall or larger adult. The natural fillings ( kapok, bamboo, and especially buckwheat hulls because they adapt and conform to your tush) really do have a much nicer feel to them than synthetic fiberfill. Quite recently, I discovered that huge amounts of Spanish moss, which is  so abundant here, was sold and shipped north by  railroad cars years ago. After harvesting it was cured, the exterior fell off and the interior  turned a darker color. It was used for stuffing mattresses (I would love to know what that feels like in a mattress!) and padding furniture. Now, I finally know what the identity of that black padding was  which we thought was meadow grass "back in the days" of my involvement in the furniture reupholstery business! Less expensive imports from South America ultimately lead to the demise of the the Spanish Moss business in our south. And there, my friends, you have a little bit of a history lesson!

Tribal Infusion

The David Dee Tribal Inspired print of this soft fabric is very gracious and  feminine-makes me feel centered just looking at it. Today, I plan to sew three matching, pink, scrolly fabric meditation cushion covers. They are like the three bears in size-regular size,  medium size, then last and least- a wee one. Just thinking about sewing them makes me feel happy!  Better get my walking gear AND my butt in gear for my morning walk-before the heat becomes oppressive. I have a sneaky suspicion that parts of this house need  TLC in the form of cleaning...

June is Birthday month for etsy.com

Today is the first Friday of the month which means it's "First Friday Art walk on etsy" today! Incredibly enough, a year has already gone by since the first Friday Friday Art Walk on etsy began last June. If you love office chair shopping then etsy is definitely one heckuvan interesting place to spend time looking for unique, unusual, OOAK, artsy fartsy handmade items for yourself, friends or family members. Speaking of which, Father's Day is coming up real fast! Anyhoo, my own special for today is my entire zen cushion cover section is "buy two and get free shipping" (refunded via Paypal). This special price is for the continental USA only. And Etsy is celebrating their 5th year this June.  I think I heard birthday party but you may wish to check out etsy's blog page The Storque, for the details. May the blessings be, wherever  you are!

Mandala Zen Meditation Cushion

My second Mandala Zen Meditation Cushion cover....Ohhh! I'm lovin' every minute of making these!

Now I'm off to make the more traditional cushions using cotton twill fabric in black and espresso!

That was so Zen! This is so Tao!

My latest venture is into making Mandala Zen Meditation Cushion Covers-must admit....I love it!

This one is listed for sale in http://www.eclecticarmadillo.etsy.com Another one has beens cut and is ready to sew. Going to have a rather busy week-house/dog sitting for a neighbor for 7 nights. Fred's home to maintain the homefront. Surprisingly, my cats exhibited a bit separation anxiety when I house sat over the weekend-hope it will not be a problem for the coming week.

First Friday Art Walk on Etsy May 7th, 2010

Hello readers, far and near, whereever you may reside on this planet which we consider our home for the duration! One of my friends reminded me that I had not posted on my blog for some time. Truth be told, I have been spending a lot of time working on social media and gaining visibility for our team, Art Walk Etsy team. Our team is dedicated to promoting First Friday Art Walk on etsy. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Etsy, http://www.etsy.com is an online marketplace that enables independent artists and crafters to present their own handmade items directly to the public in their individual online galleries. One of my more favorite places to "hang out" of late is Facebook. I even acquired a farm on Farmville, which I found very exciting and entertaining for some time. However, playing Farmville was not a wise expenditure of time and energy for me considering my objectives. It's a great thing for many people, and I did notice many elderly people playing. Anyway, long story short, today is this month's First Friday Art Walk on etsy. You are cordially invited to visit (http://www.etsy.com/search_results.php?search_query=firstfridayartwalk&search_type=all ) sit back with a snack and choice beverage, and let your fingers do the walking...who knows you may come across some things that appeal to you! And you did not have to drive through traffic to get to that "box store"!

The Five Days of Mother Giveaway

The 5 Days of Mother The Art Walk Etsy Team invites you to 5 Days of Mother! Each day, starting Monday April 26 to Friday April 30, 2010, one lucky winner will be chosen to win prizes from participating AWEteam shops on Etsy! Entries are being accepted now until April, 23, 2010. Entering is easy! 1. Make a purchase from a participating AWEteam shop now until April 23, 2010 and receive an automatic entry. 2. No purchase is necessary! Just leave a comment on http://stitchnstudio.blogspot.com/ with your contact information. Entries are being accepted until April 23, 2010! 3. Mail a postcard to: Michele Delp P.O. Box 152 Mohnton, PA 19540 Be sure to include your name, email address, and Mailing address. Entries must be received by April 23, 2010 The Daily Winner will be chosen using Random.org. and will be notified by email!

Scrap Wallhanging Raffle Quilt

This quilt was made by me as a fundraiser for the Old Miakka Schoolhouse and Community Club. The schoolhouse is an historic landmark, and one of the only remaining one-room schoolhouses in this area. Machine quilted using the meandering method, measuring 41.5 inches square, made using all cotton scrap fabrics and cotton batting, embellished with vintage yo yo's made by Cathy Farley, it has a channel for hanging purposes, and a signed and dated (by me) label on the back. Raffle tickets will be available momentarily.

Cathedral Windows Wall Art

AWEteam's Five Days of Mother Giveaway has begun...for details please see: http://stitchnstudio.blogspot.com/p/5-days-of-mother.html This little 13" by 13", mostly handstitched, Cathedral Windows Wallhanging is going to be included in the AWEteam's (Art Walk Etsy team) "Five Day's of Mother" Giveaway in May. The fabics are all cotton with polyester batting. it has a channel for hanging purposes on the back, and is signed and dated by me. More information will become available.

Precious Memories!

The one year old cat in this picture was found expired in the ditch by the side of our road earlier this week with minimal injuries. We do not know what happened to him. He is now buried in the corner flower bed by the house. I purchased a fuchsia Bougainvillea to plant on that spot to remember him by. When I acquired him through a freecycle post as a companion for the white kitten we rescued, I named him Precious because he was a very sweet little kitten with a wispy, otherworldly, gentleness about him. Take pictures of your pets. We went from five cats to two this year. The orange tabby I had to surrender to another home because he was simply not getting along with the gang. And the old white cat simply died from old age. Now we still have a black cat, and a white cat. I treasure them more than ever. This morning I notice that the beautiful stray cat that has been spotted occasionally is becoming thin, so I'm going to make an effort to see what he/she might need.