A Little Selfish Sewing

These scrappy patchwork pot holders are just what I needed to make today... and nothing else!

On the Nightstand

Not everyone can appreciate getting lost in a good book. I have loved books since I was young. I'd go to the public library on a hot summer day and check out an arm load of books which would keep me quietly occupied for the week. Back then, I remember my favorites as pre-teen Judy Blume books (the iconic Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?), the Laura Ingalls Wilder series or anything that told the story of young imagination. I then advanced to tales of young love and angst (Deenie, Lisa Bright and Dark, Go Ask Alice, Forever, My Darling My Hamburger...remember those stories, girls?) Books opened up the world for me as I trudged through the '70's with nothing else better to do, seriously...nothing. Books tended to and occupied me and as a result I developed such a love for reading that even now I feel ill at ease if I don't have something to seek respite with at the end of the day. "Nothing on the nightstand...what the what?!" 

There were several years when I sought advice from books on the trials and tribulations of raising an angst ridden teen aged daughter; How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk, Get Our of My Life, But First Could you Drive Me and Cheryl To The Mall?, Queen Bees and Wannabes and of course, Reviving Ophelia. Fun, fun, fun...NOT! But the books did help shed a little light on the turmoil we were all going through at the time. Now that my daughter and I both survived that storm and she is  a happy young adult, I have the privilege of reading purely for enjoyment once again.

These are the books I have read this year so far. All of them very good, especially State of Wonder.

I have several others on my wish list at Amazon: Zelda Fitzgerald, Truth and Beauty, O Pioneers, The Emperor's Children, A Moveable Feast, Charmed Circle: Gertrude Stein and Company, The Lacuna...oh there are so many!

My current book on the nightstand is the hefty The Art of Eating by MFK Fisher, one of my very favorite authors.

I would love some book suggestions...what's on YOUR nightstand?

A Bag for Moi

I rarely make anything specifically for me. I usually carry around one one of my "less than perfect" creations that did not make it into my shop. I decided that I wanted a Mezzo Messenger Bag for myself. I used up the last of my Innocent Crush Loves Me, Loves Me Not in Grape and accented it with Metro Living Tiles in Grass. I LOVE it! If I get enough positive feedback I can always replenish my fabrics and duplicate the bag for the shop. In the meantime, I'm luvin' my new bag, created just for me!

I added a little interior side pocket, perfect for sunglasses, pens or a cell phone!

I'm participating in Fabric Tuesday today. Head on over to see more fun creations!

I'm a Birthday Girl!

45 years ago this picture was taken...you do the math!

stream of consciousness

Lately, no time for anything but....

...on the edge of something new, eyes wide open, cautious advance to bold endeavor, vigilant, wary, guarded, tentative, frugal habits hard to break, cautiously hopeful, shy exposure, sober conviction in more ways than one, harsh reality moves me forward, thankful for those who have assisted in my assent, trust and forgiveness are unfamiliar tactics that become easier in time, hasty retreat no longer my first reaction, others see only what I show them, perfection needs to be only lightly sprinkled, inner voice now luminous and clear knows the way...

I'll be back next week to share my bright new visions!

ci vediamo,

Nina

One Good Man

March 25, 2000

10 years ago I married One Good Man. He came into my life just in time. He saved me and gave me back the hope that had been lost. The year was 1998. We met in September, he purposed in October, we "shacked up" in November and married in March of 2000. We blended our families "Brady Bunch Style" and move forward. It hasn't been easy at times. We have experienced all of the typical teenage drama, angst, rebellion, turmoil, hooplah, brouhaha...the whole shebang! But, we also have so many wonderful memories to think back on! Summer vacations, family holidays, birthdays, recitals, graduations, grandbabies! In our house "Family" is a big deal, as it should be. I love my family, I am a very lucky gal, indeed. Thanks to One Good Man.

An' I don't want much outa life,

I never wanted a mansion in the south.

I just-a want to find someone sincere

Who'd treat me like he talks,

One Good Man

Oh, honey don't you know that I've been looking.

It ain't much, no, no, honey it ain't much,

Oh, it's only every little thing,

Just-a everything, everything

Ah yeah.

-Janis Joplin