IT'S BIRTHDAY TIME

If I hadn't been there, I would think this kid was born with a book in his hands.

 His first love has always been reading, studying --

Learning --

About anything and everything --

He never goes anywhere without a book, or his Kindle, or a map and a notebook --

Always thinking and figuring -- doing math problems while waiting for a train --

 We should have known from the beginning that he would be a traveler, a high school math and science teacher, an interesting person, and a great son.

Have a Happy Birthday, Mike; and a safe and fun trip to Japan with your students this summer!

IN PURSUIT OF PLAID - LEGO LOVE

In my ongoing pursuit of plaid, I found the following Lego Love!

Blue plaid shirts--

Red plaid shirts --

More red plaid shirts --

Brown and black plaid shirts --

Red plaid vest --

Green plaid pants on one angry dude --

 Purple plaid blouse on a dudette

And my favorite - a plaid kilt, hat, and bagpipes!

Pictures of Lego figurines from Google Images

Three questions come to mind --

Am I looking for love in all the wrong places?
Am I too old to play with Legos?
Do I have too much time on my hands?

Sharing my love of plaid on the following:
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

A SHEEP PICTURE BY AN ECCENTRIC ARTIST

In February 2009 I did a post about some of the early 20th century sheep lithograph prints we have collected (click here).  In that post I promised I would show you some of my step-great-grandmother's art.  Better late than never -- it's only been five years.

A back story of the artist -- My great-grandfather, after being widowed with two young boys, came to Colorado from Maine in the 1880s to start a new life.  After his boys were raised, he sent for 'Auntie Evelyn' to come west to be his new wife in 1897.  She was considered to be a spinster at the age of 29 when she was dispatched to Colorado!  We have the train ticket that he sent her for her journey.  To us, she was always called 'Auntie Evelyn' -- I guess because she never really mothered anyone.  

AUNTIE EVELYN IN 1935

They were married for 41 years until his death in 1938; she lived until 1950 in the West, far from her family and in a place that must have felt so foreign to her.  She was an untrained artist, but with considerable talent.  Her drawings and paintings are done on whatever materials available - cardboard, etc.  She never had much money for her art supplies, and probably was considered just an amateur 'Sunday' painter.

In the 1960s someone who knew a little about art told me that all she did was copy other works - could be true as they are very similar to the lithograph prints of the early 1900s.  I'm sure this was her way of learning more about art -- a common practice for the unschooled.  This particular drawing is done in charcoal/chalk and it needs to be restored. Several years ago when I tried to take it apart to better photograph it; a lot of the charcoal remained on the glass.  I stopped right there and reassembled it!

For several generations, my family was in the sheep ranching business; and this picture hung over the mantle in my grand-parent's home for years.  My grandmother gave it to me in 1961.  Later on, I inherited two more drawings and three of Auntie Evelyn's oil paintings plus some of her furniture.  No one but me seemed to want them.
The family just considered her an "eccentric artist".  She ended her own life by hanging herself in the barn under very dramatic circumstances -- such a contradiction to her serene and comforting art work.

I promise I'll show you some more of her artwork before another five years fly by.

Joining in:
Sunday View for Inspired Sunday
Better With Age for Give Me The Goods Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time Interiors for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Vintage Farmhouse for Creative Things Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

A LETTER TO THE MONTH OF MARCH

Dear "The Month of March":

I see by the calendar that you have arrived.  I kept hoping that February would go on forever; but everyone has been telling me that Spring was on the way.

I've been in denial.  You see, I am a winter person and not the warm-weather type.  I know - I'm in the minority, but I love the cooler weather, the snow.  After all, I am a fourth generation Coloradoan - we love our mountains and snow. 

However,  I'm not the outdoors type either in Winter or Spring/Summer.  On the contrary, I rarely participate in anything out-of-doors (except, maybe shopping).  I'm told this is probably the reason I'm not enthralled with the coming of the Spring/Summer seasons.   I just love looking out my windows in winter to see that beautiful vista of mountains and snow knowing inside my home that it is toasty and warm.

I love the way my house looks in the winter - rather dark and cozy with all of the quilts, wool throws, and plaid pillows.

I always think I will lighten up my decor for the warm months, but never seem to get around to it.  I know that just as Spring arrives, so Winter will return again.

I'm alone in my Winter thoughts, as my husband, Bob, always eagerly awaits your arrival.  Just this past week, he dug up the remaining 2013 crop of carrots.  He's talking about rotor tilling the garden and planting the peas on St. Patrick's day as is his custom.  The Burpee's catalog is part of his current stack of reading.

I've been a bit cantankerous the last couple of days just thinking about Winter being replaced by Spring.
  Bob tells me to get over it -- that there isn't anything I can do about it.

So, I have decided to embrace the season and do better about my attitude.  But, I will make sure the air conditioner is ready to go. I then can cover up with a quilt and pretend that it is Winter again.

Bring it on.   I'll deal with it reluctantly but with a better attitude; and maybe even go outside more!   
Sally

For Spring inspiration check out the following:
The Dedicated House for Make it Pretty Monday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded

SUZANI MEETS PENNY RUG

I always like to have a hand-sewing project to work on.  I call it my 'busy work' -- my grandmother called hers 'fancy work'.  Usually my project is a patchwork quilt, but I also enjoy applique and embroidery plus a rare knitting project.

Years ago, I gave up using existing patterns.  I find it more fun and challenging to just make things up as I go.

Lately, I've been exploring Suzani textiles, a central-Asian ethnic embroidery.  I love the geometrics of Suzani, but knew I would be in over my head to just embroider such an intricate design.

A SUZANI TEXTILE FROM GOOGLE IMAGES

 So, I decided to combine a loose interpretation of Suzani designs and embroidery with the techniques (applique) and materials (wool) used in penny rugs as my inspiration for a pillow top.

A PREVIOUS PENNY RUG PROJECT

I was about half-way done, and didn't like it; so had to refocus and salvage some of the completed parts.

FIRST ATTEMPT

This is what I ended up doing.

Part of the challenge was just using the fabrics I had on hand.  They were bits and pieces of wool from garments I have found at thrift stores.  The navy blue background fabric was a Pendleton skirt and the pillow flange was a Pendleton man's jacket.  Ralph Lauren, Anne Klein, and others are also represented in the fabrics.

My project was still labor intensive with the embroidery, so it kept me 'busy' for quite awhile even though the pillow is only 14" square.

Relying on just inspiration and imagination can be tricky.  Sometimes you end up with something unique and fabulous -- other times it's not so great!  

The verdict is still out on this project.

I'm joining the following parties.  Please check them out for a plethora of inspiration.
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

FURNITURE FICKLENESS

Here is the latest piece of furniture to enter our home on the ongoing furniture carousel.

Love the details --

 And the patina!

It seems as though I've had a love/hate relationship with my dish cupboards over the years.  It all started with the one below.  We were 23 years old; and this was the most expensive piece of new furniture we had bought to date -- an Ethan Allen maple hutch.  I was so proud!  It stayed with us through moves to six different houses.

 
But, house #6 was a 1898 Victorian, and I was wanting something old to more suit the house.  So, we sold my Ethan Allen to my sister-in-law.  
Next, filtering down through the family was this old buffet.  This was the only picture I could find; taken on a Christmas morning with all of the mess included.  This Craftsman buffet survived a couple more house moves.

Next came this curved glass china cupboard; we had moved to another Victorian house, and had inherited a bunch more dishes.

After moving to our current 1980s ranch 16 years ago, I endured the curved glass cabinet for a number of years; but never really liked it in this house.  We had a chance to sell it, so it was out of here.  In came this 1920s cupboard.  It has been holding part of my dish addiction for a couple of years.

It was still a little too fancy, so I've been pining for something to more suit our current aesthetic of simple and rustic.
And so we have the new (old) buffet.  Surprisingly, we haven't been trading up as the new piece cost less than any of the other cupboards with the exception of the free family buffet.  

 It's any one's guess how long this one will remain in favor.  Does anyone else suffer from furniture fickleness?

Joining the following:
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Nancherrow for Fridays Unfolded
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesdays Treasures
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday

BIRTHDAY AND V-DAY WITH THE BEAUTY AND THE CUTIE

The grandkids and our daughter stopped by after school today for a short visit to celebrate Wyatt's 12th birthday and   Valentine's Day with us.  Of course, there were birthday presents for Wyatt and V-Day presents for both the beauty and the cutie.

We had cake and ice cream with Wyatt's favorite blackberry sauce made with blackberries from his and Papa's patch. 

They had to hurry off as Wyatt had basketball practice tonight. Our Saturdays are now filled with 6th grade basketball games, and it sure is fun to watch him play!

Look at him -- he's almost as tall as his 17 year old sister (who is tall!!)  What happened to our tiny Valentine baby?  Guess I do know -- he's eating us all out of house and home!

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!  Plus, Happy V-Day to both of our heart tuggers, Caitlin and Wyatt.

I've had this picture of them at the very bottom of my side bar since I started this blog in 2008.  Love this picture -- she's holding his hand so he wouldn't go into the river.  Tugs at my heart every time!

CHOCOLATE COVERED CHERRIES

It's been awhile since I showed you a quilt from my stash.  This one is named "Chocolate Covered Cherries", and I thought it would be a good one to come out of the depths of the closet for the upcoming Valentine's week.  For those new readers to my blog, I spent 20 years making and designing scads of quilts for publication in magazines and books.

I made this quilt in 2000, and it appeared in Quilter's Newsletter Magazine #332 in May 2001.  

  As a child and teenager, I was a doodler in school -- drawing little pictures on any piece of paper available with very little artistic ability and often with reprimands from teachers!

This quilt was particularly fun to make as I drew in doodling fashion with a permanent pen on 20 squares of muslin.  

  From a distance, the doodling squares just look like any other piece of printed fabric except they have my initials in the drawings.  They aren't noticeable unless you look closely.

 I have always had a little rebellious streak.  Tell me I shouldn't draw on my quilt, and I will anyway!  No reprimands, please.

It has been exhibited in several national shows, and has been a prize winner.  But, the joy for me was in the designing and making of the quilt.

Joining the following:
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Cozy Little House for Tweak it Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

THE CONTINUING HUNT FOR OLD STUFF

It's no secret around here that we love our hunks of wood with old patina --  especially those we find in our "under $10" price range.  Here are some of our recent finds.

This is a mold from the old Colorado Fuel and Iron Company.

 The imprint on the side indicates it was for part of a 20" Feed Roller -- whatever that was -- interesting, none the less!

I found this large bread board behind a bunch of stuff at an antique mall with an $8 price tag.  It is made from one wide piece of wood.  The smaller board is tapered at the end.  Does that indicate it was used to remove something from an oven? I thought it was interesting at $5.

 The big masher is hand-carved, and was a $2 estate sale find.

 Years ago when junk-hunting, I had a 25-50 cent budget; but have had to up the budget in recent years.  See the blue canning jars; while not wood, I love them still.   Back in 1969, I bought a huge box of them at a farm auction for 25 cents.  I remember the year because our oldest was a baby in a stroller; and that farm was muddy, muddy, muddy!  We needed a drive-thru stroller wash afterwards.  I've used the jars to store my pasta and rice in ever since - got my money's worth for the effort!

The fun is in the hunt -- you never know what you will find.

Joining the following:

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures

Knick of Time Interiors for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday