My Favorite Things

It's good to be back!

Hello friends!

I want to begin by apologizing for my extended absence. Right after my last post, I injured my lower back and as a result have been dealing with a bulging disc. There have only been a couple other times in my life that I have experienced more pain than I did with this injury. Needless to say, it has sidelined me for a while.

I have been up and around for the last couple of weeks, but it is amazing how hard it has been to get back into the groove of blogging. I still spend endless hours reading everyone else's blogs, but I have been a little tentative about doing it myself ... just letting that goofy, insecure side of myself get in the way of the creative side of me.

I have so much to catch up on. There are several things that have happened over the last month that I want to share with you through pictures. I will try to post several times over the next couple of days.

To start with, I wanted to share with you my latest creative infatuation ... embroidery, both machine and by hand. This photo is of a tote bag that I created with a bird applique adhered to the bag using free motion embroidery on the sewing machine. I just love the contrast of the floral fabric used for the bird against the white background of the bag. I also added a little butterfly applique on the inside next to the pockets.

until next time,

melissa

vintage fabrics ... meant to be used

Not long ago, my mom purchased some pillows from me that I had made from vintage fabric. I purchased that amazing vintage blue floral fabric that you see below many, many years ago. I was saving it for just the right project because I could barely stand cutting into it. There is something about actually using some vintage fabrics, and not just collecting it in order to look at it and touch it from time to time, that can be very difficult! Well, I finally bit the bullet and decided to use some of the fabric on these oh so comfy pillows. Well, my mom purchased them from me recently at a show to use on her family room sofa. Wouldn't you know that Sophie, my mom and dad's dog, has taken to these pillows as her favorites. And you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. It is just a small reminder that all of these fabrics that some of us collect and treasure are meant to be used and enjoyed, by both man and "beast" (and a very cute one at that :)).

until next time, melissa

my very own fairy garden

My friend Lisa and I concluded our trip to Chicago over the weekend with a stop at my most favorite flower nursery in Illinois, The Growing Place, in Naperville, IL. Unfortunately, we only had 30 minutes to look around before they closed, but that was better than nothing.I couldn't believe my eyes when I came upon a whole display of items that could be used to create a fairy garden. Am I the only one, or has anyone else dreamed of creating their very own fairy garden? Well, I have wanted to do this for the last couple of years since I read about one in a magazine, but I just never have taken the time. Well, I couldn't resist some of the absolutely adorable fairy items that were for sale, so I purchased a few, and committed to making a garden of my own. I decided to start small, and create a little fairy wonderland in a small galvanized bucket. I am absolutely in love with it!

until next time,

melissa

flea market time ... yipee

This last Saturday, my friend Lisa and I took a little road trip up to Chicago to what was formerly known as the Chicago Antique Market. It was so exciting to experience, for the first time this season, the thrill of the hunt for that one amazing treasure (or as in my case most of the time, MANY amazing treasures).

Although I did discover several things that I just could not live without, my most fabulous find was "Victoria" (pictured below), a pink painted metal dress form. My daughter, Julia, named her when I got back home. As I have mentioned before, Julia just has a way of picking out the most perfect names for my inanimate objects. I came upon Victoria early in the day, so I was on cloud nine the rest of the afternoon, reveling in my discovery. I will post photos of Victoria after I decide exactly how I am going to properly display her. I have several ideas brewing.

I think of the last 3 photos as "bins of potential." It is so fun to scour through bins like these because you just don't know what you may find that will inspire you to create.

having fun creating

I have had some fun adding appliques to my aprons. I felt like they needed a little something extra, and the embellishments did just the trick. I have also been having fun creating "Jane". My oldest daughter, Julia, names the rabbits for me once I am completely done creating them. The names always seem to fit the personality I imagine that doll to have ... I know, a little crazy sounding, but fun none the less. I enjoy having my kids participate in the creative process.

until next time,

melissa

creativity in baking

Lately, I have not spent as much time as I used to being creative in the kitchen. That changed this weekend when I happened upon a blog site called Bakerella (http://bakerella.blogspot.com/). I needed to take a dessert to a church fundraiser meal, and I was inspired by these amazing cupcake bites featured on this Angie Dudley's blog. Mine certainly do not have quite the visual appeal that Angie's do, but I was very pleased with the outcome, and even happier with the taste. My daughter described them as "little bites of goodness". Isn't this the best part of being part of the blogging community ... sharing ideas with one another?!

until next time,

melissa

a day at the ballpark

My husband and I had the opportunity to chaperone my daughter, Isabelle's, 5th grade class on a field trip to watch a professional baseball game sponsored by the D.A.R.E. program. I have to admit that I was less than thrilled at the prospect of spending a day at the ball park. I am the mom that was quietly elated when my son decided that baseball was not for him. I love so many other sports, but I have never been able to enjoy watching baseball. I kept reminding myself that the day was not about me "enjoying" myself, but instead about my daughter being happy at having her mom with her at the ball park. Much to my surprise, not only was my daughter happy, but lo and behold, I DID enjoy myself! I even learned a little about the game.

You know the expression, "Out of the mouths of babes." Well, that was never so true as it was at the game. The D.A.R.E. program that the kids just completed promotes, among other things, staying away from drugs. Alcohol fits into that category. Well, at the ballpark the concessions sold alcohol among their beverages (even on that day). Needless to say, many of the kids asked the parents why alcohol was being sold at a D.A.R.E. sponsored event. That was a question that I did not know how to answer. (even though silently I thought it was, of course, about the ball park making money) Isn't it interesting how perceptive children can be?

till next time,

melissa

fabulous find

Being the textile hoarder that I am, I was sooo excited when I happened upon a barrel piled high with fabric scraps (Marimekko, no less) at a Crate and Barrel outlet in Chicago yesterday. If you can believe it, the scraps were selling for .95/lb. I, of course, dug through the entire barrel until I uncovered every last fabulous scrap that I thought I could not live without. I cannot wait to use these in some upcoming project. Wouldn't these look great just stretched over a canvas?!

Well, I am off to a DARE baseball game with my daughter's 5th grade class.

Until next time,

melissa

not quite ready

I had hoped to have my etsy boutique up and going by the end of last night, but I must have been delusional in that thinking. It is definitely taking me longer to complete the process than I anticipated. This is where that genie thing would come in handy. I will keep you updated here on when my etsy boutique will be ready. In the meantime, here is a peek of some aprons that I am working on.

until next time, melissa

a new adventure

Ok, not only am I beginning to blog, but I am also getting an etsy site up and running ... a somewhat daunting task. I love making the items, but then I wish I could just pull a "Jeanie" and cross my arms and blink, and then the items would just appear on etsy complete with fabulous photos and amazing descriptions. Alas, this is not to be. So, I am slowly making my way into this brave new world (for me) called etsy. I hope to have items listed by Sunday evening. Please stop by for a visit if you have time.