What to do with this blazer patch.

This patch has been in my desk drawer for 25 years or more.

Can't imagine putting it on a blazer.

But decorating a box

or designing a needlepoint cushion around it.

A conversation starter, no?

I need to remember this phrase these days.

I saw this image over at booktryst, via little augury,

and was intrigued.

I picked out the "cod" right away.

It is actually a leather bound book with the coast of Massachusetts as its design.

Beautiful in its simplicity.

Doesn't the land mass of the cape

look like a finger beckoning you to come visit?

I have had a few quick trips up to Cape, Islands and Maine this summer

A quick change of scenery, even if just for 36 hours, does wonders for the spirit.

Please continue to visit;

I know my posts have been sporadic,

but computer issues have made posting more challenging.

This beautiful book binding was done by Denise Lubet; it covers an edition of The Pilgrims Fathers.

jar of goodies

do you remember the magical thinking jar from my February 2009 post?

click here

the idea came from inchmark

here is another version called:

moments in a jar - click here to see the interactive feature -

it is fun

saw it this morning via swissmiss

which was named one of the best design blogs

by the Times - UK

hooray for #14

i love swissmiss!

more goodies

autumn

leaves will be falling soon

love these silhouettes

from

via swissmiss

Yo-Yos

not the child's toy

but these fun circles sewn with scraps of fabric

You have seen quilts made with hundreds of these yo-yos.

Sis Boom has a tutorial.

I read it - but decided I needed to sit down with someone 

to figure out this yo-yo thing.

This winter I attended a how-to session offered by Ambler Farm.

A wonderful lady from the deep south

showed us how to make yo-yos.

Painstaking work but i figured it out.

I have a new appreciation for those yo-yo quilts.

 

modern take on Yo-Yos

new hair accessories as seen on habitually chic

click link here

and a painted version by Nantucket Mermaid

love the colors and organic shapes 

 Nantucket Mermaid circles

painted box above 

shrinky-dinks below

Jeanne turns these into fun pins and earrings

everywhere 

i keep seeing circles

crocheted jewelry as seen on Hidden in France

Preston Bailey's circle designs 

not sure where this lamp came from

it is made from cut-up plastic containers

sometimes i feel like i am chasing myself around in a circle

contemporary fashion yo-yos  

button wear

last but not least, circles of needlepoint 

stitched by moi as a special birthday present for d.h.

Felted Wonders

Cover of Betz White's latest book

Sewing Green: 25 Projects Made with Repurposed & Organic Materials

Betz White came up with these great felted cupcake pincushions.

I found directions are on her blog

and made a felted cupcake for my niece

who loves to sew. 

Then I paired the cupcake pincushion 

with a gift certificate to J Caroline Fabrics

for her birthday.

I have been saving sweaters to make a few more.

(no picture because I had not gone down the blog hole yet!)

Check out this draft stopper!

You can read an interview with Betz White on True North here

Purl Bee also has a story here

Betz will be teaching a class at purlsoho in nyc

on April 18 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

you can learn how to make these pins

inch by inch

magical thinking jar 

as seen on Inchmark.

This was the perfect post for me this morning from purlsoho

check it out here

Initially I imagined the magical thinking jar was for ideas.

My mind raced; an ah-ha moment.

A visual representation of ideas.

A big bold jar to capture my thoughts and energy 

just like fireflies in the summer.

Fireflies collection from Heather Ross

  not exactly fireflies but you get the idea.

Just like the little scraps of paper that Lincoln used...

(see last post)

The Jar will become my desktop reminder to capture all my ideas. 

The pieces of paper will inspire me create 

and finish projects.

Brooke Reynolds's magical jar is all about capturing the wonderful words of her children.

My day book has always been my magical jar for my Miss Is's magical words.

As Miss Is grew up and observed life, she would say the darnedest things.

When I could I would jot them down. 

Like the journals that I posted about last summer,

my day book transports me back to the very day...

it keeps the memories clear and bright...

so much can be lost as we go through the daily grind of life.

Boy that sounds a little pessimistic.

Now that my Miss Is is well into her teens 

she can still say the darnedest things 

but our conversations are so interesting,

about ideas, life, politics, history and literature,

movies, and kidstuff,

people and predicaments.

I am on a hunt for my big, glass jar.