'Twas the Day of the Night Before Christmas

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

It makes no noise at all,

But softly gives itself away;

While quite unselfish, it grows small.

 

~ Eva K. Logue

 

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season, and embracing this time of peace ... hopefully we can bring it with us into the approaching year, and into all of our relationships.

 

xoxo

Soft Words Butter No Parsnips ...

Or is it turnips ... wait that's blood from a turnip, and then there's something about cabbage too, but that wasn't in my stew so it really doesn't matter anyway!

Yesterday I was in full winter mode.  The air was still and cold, the sky was a watercolor wash of silver, and my faux logs were "crackling" behind the glass front of my gas fireplace, and these little guys peeking out at me.

We'll discuss these rascals first.  The more I browse the web, the more I see people re purposing their belongings into practical creations, or whimsical little gifts, and one of the themes that's really striking me lately is little woodland creatures, which has been in fad now for a handful of years and can be seen anywhere from t-shirts to fridge magnets to graphic design to probably the most obvious of all - stuffed animals.  Whenever I see a new person cropping up out there with their take on stylized critters I get a little - jealous isn't the right word - I just feel this pull to try it for myself.  And here's where I struggle, see I'm not exactly "creative" in this way, at least it's very difficult for me yet I save all sorts of old clothes, and bits of fabric because I'm a sentimental like that.  It's not at all unusual to find a sweater from high school days in my closet, or trinkets from childhood tucked here and there.  I always think I'm going to wear them again, or maybe just for the beach, or hey I could make something out of that some day!  Ten years later I'm asking myself when exactly was "some day" going to get here?  With that thought out came the scissors and rotary cutter, some scraps of felt, buttons, and embroidery thread, not to forget the stuffing, and this is what we end up with!

The (not so) New Addition to My Household

Meet Coco (the German Shepherd, black and yellow Labrador mix).  Why yes, I know the "a" is missing, and if you saw her little, black collar you'd know she's both classy, and fabulous, and deserving of the name beyond just her yummy, chocolaty color!

She was not a birthday present, but she arrived the very same weekend, and we've been spending a lot of time together, and since then as you can see, I've had very little time, well, for anything really - blogging included.  Between running after this fuzzy, little (and I use that term loosely) baby, and the new college aged neighbors upstairs (which is a whole other story, and the reason I'm awake and writing at 4:30 A.M.), I'm absolutely depleted, and exhausted.  

Looking after a new puppy is a lot like taking care of a baby, you know if babies were born with shark's teeth, and had endless amounts of romping energy (to the point where I'm beginning to search for a hidden solar panel somewhere on her back since she is MORE energized after a long walk than before it), and of course if infants weighed in at 20 pounds by 10 weeks old ... oh yeah, and babies wear diapers - enough said.  I have to say though, potty training has gone easier than anticipated, and she already runs to the door when it's time ... for the most part.  She's borderline genius, and going to grow up to be an amazing dog, she will already sit, and lie down on command - next will be "shake" and some leash etiquette since our peaceful walks have turned into a thrilling game of tug-of-war. 

But somewhere between the potty accidents, chasing my cat (whom she ADORES), drinking my bathwater, and the latest discovery of "boinging" the coil doorstop, fetching me everything in the house, or doing that weird German Shepherd sneak that I've dubbed the "Coco creep" there are moments like this...and let me tell you, she is a Class A snuggler, which is great since snuggling is taken very seriously 'round these parts.  She also loves early morning Who's the Boss mini-marathons, which also works out great since I could listen to Tony Danza exclaim "Sa-MAN-da!" on endless rotation.  Ay-oh, Oh-ay!

Well I'm off, and back to bed for an hour before she wakes up again and demands breakfast and a very chilly morning walk!

xoxo

 

Ain't it Good to Know?

(For those of you who clicked the link, I've always loved that song!)

I've been thinking about it a lot lately ... the word "friend" what it means, how we use it, what role these characters play in our lives, and what they can do for us.  I think my definition of the word is a little less traditional than others', and what my friend does for me is a little unorthodox, but I think we'd all be in a better place if our friends, and we as friends were a little less like the norm.  

Firstly, I think "friend" is the most important label you can place on a person (you know, if you're into that kind of thing!).  You can have your lover, your mother, sister, child, etc., but these people become so much more important, and integral in your growth, and life once they become your friend on top of what they already are to you.  I say this, because all of the tags I just listed can become your biggest hindrance in life if they are committed to just blowing smoke, er, in your face.  They can keep you from growing up, and reaching your true potential if all they do is remind you of how "fabulous" you think you are.  

My friend is honest.  My friend is not phony.  My friend will never kiss me li'l bum.  My friend will never tell me I'm perfect, because my friend knows better.  My friend holds up my mirror, and makes me look at myself, and not just to primp and get my lip gloss on straight!  My friend makes me look at my real self, and sometimes I don't like what I see, and sometimes we don't speak because of it!  My friend challenges me (especially the part of me that sometimes hates admitting that!).  My friend makes me stand on my own.  My friend does not coddle me, and will be the first to let me know when I'm being a jackass.  My friend never stands with me when I'm wrong.  My friend gets under my skin, and twists, and turns until I can't stand anymore, and want to rip my outer layer off just to get the little bugger out!  That's okay, I don't mind a good soul scrubbin' every now and again, but my friend will never do this for me.  My friend hands me the scrub brush, and says "Git ta woiyk!"  My friend never cracks the whip, it's my job to find where I need the discipline, and dish it out for myself.  My friend makes me stronger, not by rallying the troops, or circling the wagons, or screaming the loudest on my behalf.  My friend shoves me out on stage under the burning spotlight, because my friend knows I can do it.  My friend believes in me, why else would my friend go to all this trouble?  

The fact that my friend keeps doing this for me is what unconditional means to me.  It does not mean I get to act any ol' way, and I will be accepted no matter what kind of pain, or nonsense I create for myself and others.  One could look back to that paragraph and think, well there sure seems to be a lot of conditions in there!  I don't see that.  I see someone who has never given up on me, and that, I will tell you, is very rare. 

It's good to know I've got a friend.  I only hope I can be as good to my friend in return. 

Let's Learn Something Today!

I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.

- Mark Twain

The rain has been pouring non-stop all night, and it sounds magnificent!  I love a good rainy day, not a misty-can't-make-up-my-mind-if-it's-actually-gonna-rain type of day, but a true rainy day -- the kind with the drops big enough to soak you with just a couple of their friends.  The rain has brought with it the beginning of another school season for many little children this week, and with that I thought I'd play teacher for a minute, and lay out some instructions for a little project that results in flirty, fluttery, and fabulous flowers (too much?).  Apparently I'll be teaching a side lesson on alliteration, and the abuse of it too!

Ok, so here's where we're going with this.  Once they're finished you can decide to make them into
hair pins, lapel pins, gift decorations, whatever!  You can sew buttons, beads, or a series of french knots in the centers for little spots of pollen, or think of something wild I haven't come up with, there's really no messing these up -- and even if you think you have, just start over!  They're so easy, and quick to make you won't even care.

So, where do we begin?  What you need is a good (cheap) synthetic fabric.  Synthetics melt, and curl when heat is applied, and that's what you're after for this project.  I used some organza scraps I've been lugging around for ages that I really dislike sewing with.  It ravels, and slips under my sewing machine's presser foot, and wrinkles like nobody's business, so while this isn't the first time I've considered burning it, at least this time I could burn it AND make something out of it at the same time! 

I'd Like to Introduce You to

My Production Coordinator.  Now, it is my firm belief that all pets belong to a union
which adheres strictly to the code that it is their purpose in life to make their owners big, fat liars!  Just as I was explaining how our manufacturing facility is allergen-free, and the Production Coordinator never goes near the garments I come to find this...

Mama's Li'l Helper strikes again, thank you kiki!  I guess she wasn't wild about my design, and decided to make a few changes.  I suppose I'll forgive her, production coordinators rarely get to flex their creative muscles, and it looks like she just couldn't help herself.  Needless to say, we'll be keeping this prototype for the archives.

Out to Pasture?

Okay, okay it's that time of year again ... Labor Day, and how many of us are actually sending our whites to the big color farm in the sky?  Granted, around this time the ol' girl is looking a little long in the tooth, but I don't think it's glue factory time just yet.  And now for the shock, and scandal I tell you: I believe in winter white!  I also believe in stiff white shirts to match the crisp fall air.  I believe in crunchy leaves under a bright white sneaker with jeans and a cozy sweater.  I believe in ALL colors ALL the time.  I'm a mood dresser, not a trend/fad/tell me what I should like from your glossy magazine dresser.  And quite honestly I don't think I'm alone here. 

It feels to me that there is a shift happening out there.  People are tired of the same old assembly line junk that everyone else has, that the prestigious few tell us we should want, and definitely need if we don't already have it ... but don't forget you'll be throwing it out next season when you're told it's "over"!  We're sick of being told what to do.  Our rights are being mutilated before our eyes, blatant abuses of power are being thrust upon us under the guise of course that "they" know what's best for us (um, by the people for the people? Not so much), as the whole world seemingly creeps closer and closer toward a universal police state ... Fashion Police, do you see where I'm going with this?  You don't actually exist, and we don't need the "threat" of you hanging over our heads anymore.  There are more important things happening out there than what color I'm wearing after which day on the calendar.  If it makes me happy, what's the problem?  And really, shouldn't that be what we're all striving for, sharing and spreading happiness -- accepting one another and each of our quirks instead of regurgitating a lot of rigid and antiquated rules about something as silly as fashion? 

Silly as fashion? 

Yes, fashion IS silly, the whole nature of it is!  We're picking out decoration and coverings for our bodies, we're not curing cancer in the closet every morning ... and if you are, may I say that's amazing!  Enjoy it, it's meant to be fun!  The ones taking it so seriously are either trying to get rich off you, or doing some kind of Wild Kingdom ram's dance before they butt heads and one can be declared a winner.  And for them I say, please do us all a favor by getting back on your high horse, ride it to your ivory tower, and lock yourself in, because the rest of us are having a blast ... and you know what they say about party poopers! 

What's my final word?  My name is Stormy, and I believe in winter white.

It's AliiiVe!!!!

Well, it's live anyway.  What's that, you ask?  The little etsy shop that almost wasn't, that is!  I've still got some work to do, but it's up and running, and it's been a long time coming. 

So that's why I've been a little quiet lately, but I'm pleased to announce that I made my deadline, summer procrastination and all!

xoxo