Transformed

I love a transformation.


A transformed life, a transformed relationship, a transformed junk find. I like to think of my life as one that is always in a state of transformation. And a good thing it is....seriously, I don't think there is a minute goes by that I am not "oopsing" or "why did I say that?' or "what was I thinking?" I know I will never get it all right before I go to heaven, but I'm thankful for grace...and the desire to change.

Remember this?

My garage sale potting bench that looked good on the outside and was rotting under the paint?

I couldn't put it to the road. Just couldn't kick it to the curb. I wanted that doggone table rescued in some way, and it was nagging at me. And then, I came up with a plan.

I let JR use his sledgehammer to remove the whole top. And then he made a new top from some old redwood that was out back.

I stripped off the remaining paint.

Then, gave it a good coat of oil.

Last, we cut the legs down to eliminate the rot at the bottoms, and added caster wheels.

And a new handle made from leftover legs and pipe.

I love my new serving table!

When Friends Meet

One of the best things about blogging since August of 2004 has been the many connections I've made with readers...through emails, phonecalls and even visits...with knitting friends and sewing friends, who each share a passion for creating. When that passion marries blogging, it gives birth to a whole new dynamic which connects us in a most special way.

Of course, I've shared many times about how, when I began to sew garments again, (after a thirty year detour!) I found Lori's podcast, Sew Forth Now and my life was changed. Every night, I went to sleep listening to Lori, and learning how the world of sewing had changed. The next morning, I'd listen again on my ipod while I was at my computer, discovering how to work with knits, Erica 's DIY, HotPatterns, sergers, Threads magazine, Pam Erny and her incredible interfacing, Gorgeous Fabrics, Burda and buttonholes. Every episode was new inspiration and I was sucked in.

I felt as if I knew Lori, and as our email connection began, and a few phonecalls were initiated, we decided that we would meet. So, on Wednesday, Lori and I dared to do what we would never allow our children to do: after advising family where we would be ( 'if you don't hear from us, call the authorities"), assuring our husbands would be present, and aswering questions and identifying photographs of each other, we planned our meet-up Dinner at my house...the mysterious, black house. Thankfully, Lori and her family survived. In fact it was the most natural and easy meeting of friends that I could imagine!

Like two peas in a pod,

birds of a feather,

as if we were cut from the same cloth...

from our first hug to our final goodbye, it was as if we've known each other all along.

So we ate, and laughed and talked and shared. And laughed a lot more...about blogging and sewing and families. I only wished we had more time.

Well, all it took was for me to see Erica's Burda 7368 Tunic and I was smitten.

Simple. And on trend for summer 2011...what we have left of it. They're everywhere, worn over shorts, or as cover-ups, and sometimes, if you are young enough and have legs enough, they can even be worn as a dress.

For me? This version is made with a lightweight linen...and will never be worn as a dress!

I think what I love about such a basic pattern is that it is an opportunity to make even the most normal details ...um, as perfect as you can. For this tunic, I used french seams throughout, was very, very careful with my topstitching, and buttonholes, and added a dainty row of 1/2 " shell buttons.

There is something about wearing a tunic...maybe it's the way it floats over your body, always looks fresh and cool, or maybe its the fact that you don't have to hold your stomach in.

I am all about a tunic these days.

July 24, 2011

The beach.

A perfect way to spend the day. And say goodbye to Michigan

The Farmer's Market.

A good place to buy tonight's dinner.

Antiquing.

At our favorite spots: Blue Star Antique Pavilion.

Cottage Corner and Downtown Antiques

Found on 8th Street

and our new fav, Second Chance Design, owned by a very sweet young couple with an eye for style, a love for the Lord, and smitten with each other.

While these are not the treasures we chose, we did find a few special pieces that I'll show you later.

Antiquing.

An inspiring thing to do on a rainy day.

Fabric Shopping.

yummy matte jerseys, a crinkle cotton eyelet for a new beach cover-up,Serendipity Studios' Juliet Tunic, and Kwik Sew 3856.

some pretty sheer fabric for t-shirt trimming.

All from Field's Fabrics...a good old fashioned fabric store.

A good way to spend money.

Thrifting.

thrifted Levi's denim jacket, blue silk maxi skirt and faux ivory necklace.

thrifted Gap khaki jacket, khaki keds, stripey knit tee to remake. my own pants.

Thrifted Eddie Bauer red pullover, vintage red change purse. My own shorts.

Thrifted Gap voile top, Dooney and Burke 1990 leather bag, leather loafers. My own shorts.

Found at some great Holland, Michigan thrift stores: Ditto, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Paradise Bound, Africa's Child Family Resource, Comminity Action House, and Holland Rescue Mission.

A good way to spend a morning...happy to donate.

Michigan sunsets.

A most glorious way to spend an evening.

A garden walk.

a good way to spend an afternoon.