Handwork Mondays.....

 In my last post I shared that Sundays are my favorite day of the week....but I have to confess I have many favorites.  Mondays are equally fun because we know as the day slips into evening, we all meet at Oma's for a fun evening of handwork and friendship. 

My Mom is amazingly gifted at handwork.  I can't remember a time that she didn't have knitting needles in her hands,  creating gifts for all of us.  In a moment of madness I decided that it was time that I too learned the crafts of knitting and crocheting.  

Oma makes it all look so easy.  From a sweet skein of yarn she creates the cutest things.  Here is her matching tea cozy and hotpad.  She rarely makes these things for herself....she is such a s dear and giving person.  I know the surprise recipient will be thrilled to have this treasure.  The smaller pink project is a headband for a darling little girl.  We find the patterns online and give Oma the picture...she is creative enough to do the rest!

Here I am pretending to know what I am doing.  I make more mistakes than I can count, and more knitting gets pulled out than goes into my project.  Some days I am very discouraged, but my Mom won't let me quit! I know in time I will "get it", but I also know that in order to be as talented as my Mom I should have started at three like she did! And yes, I am wearing my pjs....that is the best part of Handwork Mondays.  You come as you are!

Linda is giggling because she wants to know why I told her this would be fun! Poor Linda has a huge problem...she believes the things I tell her.  I told her we could do this.  So each Monday we go to Mom's sweet cottage and try again.  Note to self...lacy scarves are NOT fun!!!

Kim comes sometimes too.  She is two knitting clicks ahead of Linda and I because she appears to know what she is doing!  She made some lovely gloves for her sweet daughter Courtney.  I think we all come for the dessert too. Oma can knit and bake....what a treasure!

But mostly I like to come to spend time with those I love....my sweet Mom and my dear friends.  I hope in time to be able to make things like my Mom does. Here is another one of her "quick" projects.  I found this pattern online and Mom made this for a sweet young lady that I hope will be able to join us for Handwork Mondays this summer when school is finished. 

Nothing is as dear as sharing our talents with those we love, and this picture shares that moment.  When we look at the things we treasure, the things made by hand and given from the heart are always best.  

   

A Day of Rest is always best.....

I think of all the days of the week, I am loving Sunday's best.  I love waking up to the Morning Show on CBS, and the fact that all of the news they share is so uplifting.  

       I love getting ready for Church, and I love that I get to sit with my kids and enjoy the message that North Coast teaches.

     I love that we gather for breakfast and that as the food nourishes our bodies, the joy of family nourishes my soul. This week my Mom made brunch.  My Mom makes each meal such an event.  

     She brought out her best dishes, cut fresh flowers from the garden to grace our table, and always makes sure that there is room for anyone who would like to attend. 

      This week Norm shared our meal with us.  Norm is the husband of my dear friend Marty, who sadly  passed away last December.  It is a loss we all still feel deeply, but there is joy in being together and I hope it brings comfort to Norm.  My Mom humbles me in her graciousness.  

Here is a photo of the "girls" in Oma's beautiful garden.  I look forward to more Sunday Brunches and the blessing of family to share them with. 

Gardener's version of Heaven.....

The time I get to spend with my Mom is both precious and always fun.  This was one of those exceptional days to bask in the beauty of the Carlsbad Flower Fields.

A photo of two ladies who both love flowers and needless to say there was an abundance to enjoy!

The rose garden had the most unusual display of new and old varieties of roses. 

Oma couldn't stop admiring each one....a sniff here, a sigh there.  It was beyond lovely.

Nothing is prettier than a sweet pink rose....and this was one of the best.

I think this photo says it all....complete delight.  Whoever said that a garden is a bit of heaven here on earth was correct.  How lucky we are to have this bit of paradise in our own backyard!

 

Staycation.....

I am not sure where the idea for a "staycation" began, but they certainly had a great concept.  So this weekend we joined the cutest couple in Orange County, along with our friends Linda and Denny for a lovely day that felt every bit as great as a destination vacation.  

     We met in Dana Point at a cafe that Jonathan "yelped" and everything I had heard was right on the "small amount" of money.  We had a HUGE crab meat omelette, added some avocado (we are on vacation after all) and since it was bigger than big, Jim and I shared! 

What's a vacation without a bit of shopping....and Laguna Beach did not disappoint.  This shop was FULL of Shabby Chic inspiration.  Lots to see and now I have a better idea of what I want my patio to look like this year.

I fell in love with this sign.....so true!!!!

We enjoyed a visit to the Ritz Carlton.....and our peek didn't cost the small fortune you pay to stay there.  We walked the gardens and enjoyed the views, just like a real guest!!!

One thing a "staycation" offers that a paid vacation doesn't is a sense of how blessed you feel to have this so close to home!!!  I couldn't have had a better day.....lets do it again!!!

 

The Joy of Spring Break.....

My very favorite school teacher had her Spring Break this week....and kindly spent much of the time with me.  Nothing says Spring like the Carlsbad Flower Fields, and I don't think they have ever been lovelier.

We did some shopping at the Cedros Design District and NO surprise, I came home with bunnies!!!!  They aren't just for Easter you know!!!!

This cute shop was all about "Coastal Design".....I could move into the cottage in a heartbeat!

Who knew that my sweet daughter could be bitten by the garden bug like her Mom....but one look at all the delightful plants had us filling up a tray for her and Dustin's condo balcony.

Meghan had a great time planting her small garden. I can't wait to visit.

We decided to invite our other best girlfriend to join us at the beach.  Oma was the first to notice that we were NOT ALONE!!!!

This sweet little pup was our companion.  But our motherly instinct was one of concern and so we called Animal Control....who in turn got in touch with Sea World.  They scooped up our little friend and took her/him to be treated for dehydration and malnutrition.  Who knew that seals could be dehydrated???? 

 We hope Seashell is doing ok...and YES, we did name our new little friend!!!!  It has been the best Spring Vacation, and now my sweet little teacher is counting the days until summer break.  ME TOO!!!! 

Sew Inspired......

There is one guilty pleasure that I can never resist.....a visit to Anthropologie!!!  From the moment I peek at their artistic window displays, to entering the wonderfully scented shop, I am immersed in creativity that leaves me feeling inspired.  Somedays we find the perfect item....this sweet dress that was Meghan's birthday present this year. 

  Or the cutest little sundress waiting for the perfect summer event!!!

But more often I find myself going from Anthropologie to the fabric shop where I do my best to create a similarly cute outfit.  This was an Amy Butler pattern with matching pin that is one of Meghan's favorites.  It is never hard to sew for someone with the perfect figure and the sweet disposition to pretend that she loves EVERYTHING that I make for her (G)!!!

This was a very simple to make top that was certainly Anthro inspired.  In fact when Meghan wore it to the shop, the salesgirls were all asking where she got it.  They were sure it was a design that had not made it to the shop yet!

This week I worked on a skirt that was my version on an Anthro skirt I saw in their shop in Carmel.  Their version  of this simple elasticized waistline skirt was on sale for $118.  Mine cost MUCH less!!!

Because one of the gifts of Anthropologie  is their artistic way of accessorizing, I was inspired to make my version of their wool flower pin.  I added a vintage button.... another Anthro inspired touch.  

     In this time of watching every penny, it is good to know that a visit to such a cute shop is free, and the inspiration is priceless.  I hope my sweet model will enjoy what I have made for her....it was SEW much fun!!!!
 

Happy Easter to all.....

Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed Easter.  I hope your day is filled with family and lots of happy memories to share.  

Signs that Easter is almost here.....

Bunnies hide their eggs on front door wreaths....

....and even on indoor plants!

Quilting becomes inspired by Chocolate Bunnies......

....and flowers take on the color of Easter eggs.

Garden Angels tip toe thru the daisies......

....and Oma plays Easter Bunny by bringing treats and hugs for cute 2nd graders!

But the biggest sign that Easter is almost here....a HUGE smile on a certain teacher's face to show that it is officially SPRING BREAK!!!!!

 

Quilting Love.....

My blog is titled Sew Blessed for a very good reason....quilting brings such joy and blessings to my life. 

This week my very sweet quilting student completed this quilt.  She comes each Wednesday evening.  Eliza is an elementary school teacher.  She usually arrives looking very tired....and reminds me of another sweet little teacher that holds my heart. What makes Eliza so special is that she designed this quilt....and she is very new to quilting.  The smile says it all.  Pride, accomplishment and pure joy.  Could she ever completely understand the blessing she is in my life?

Working at QIAD means being part of the "in the know" group.  I love that!  I get to know about new projects, new fabrics and a bit about what is happening in the industry.  This week I got a bunch of "True Blue" goodness....El's new fabric line.  I love it and used it to make a sample of my newest quilt pattern "How Charming".  

Blogging has only added to my quilting enjoyment.  Not only do I learn from other bloggers, but they kindly share prizes  that I HOPE to win.  So check out http://www.thequiltnook.blogspot.com  to win this lovely prize!!!!

Finally I share my "this weeks project".  Anne Sutton from Bunnyhill is providing a FREE "Block of the Month".  This is block four and each one is cuter than that last.  So time to tidy up the sewing room from my last quilting project and get it all ready for bunnies and chocolate.  What is not to love????  Happy quilting everyone....and may your week be as "Sew Blessed" as mine!!!!