Hello, Friends

 I'm back.

I've missed this.  I've missed all of you...I'm feeling creative once again.

Life has been different since all my daughters have left home.  The empty nesting has been harder—and better—than I had imagined.  We’re learning to live this new life, my husband and I. 

All is well.

Just a few things to share with you that I’ve been working in on in the last few months……

I have found that I don’t create as much without an outlet to share it in--and I’ve missed that sharing and creativity.  I’m finding that I’m so very grateful for this creative outlet that we share here…

I hope the months have been kind to you all...

...and I'll see you soon.

Julie

Needlepointy

I don’t quite know what it is…

…but combine the general cuteness of all things Cath Kidston--

…the fabric, the yarn…

…the florals…

…all the household goodies…

…and I’m a complete goner!

Then, you combine all that with needlework--

…and I’m in absolute heaven!

Couldn’t help but snatch up this fabulous needlework book and get to work!

Tied up in all the rest of my obsessions above noted, I love England.  All of it.  And I really love the design of the Union Jack.  I’m so very grateful that I’m an American girl through and through—but a couple hundred years ago, this was the flag of my people (without the adorable flowers, of course!).  And it has always had a place in my heart, as well…

…so I chose this beauty for my first project.

And then, I found I just couldn’t stop!

Happily, included in the book was a smaller version.  In a brighter color scheme.  What’s a girl to do?!

Just the feel of the lovely wool yarn ask I worked with my hands was a joy—now to just figure out what these sweet canvas pieces will be…..

…I’m quite sure they’ll let me know!

See you soon!

Julie

{All images not watermarked were found on Pinterest}

LiveJournal Tags: needlepoint,Cath Kidston,floral,Union Jack

Commonplace

  Dear Friends!  How good it feels to be back here once again…travels are through for now.  Nest is empty.  My husband and I are adjusting…life is indeed very, very good.

It felt so blissfully lovely to get back up into my crafty room and begin again.  Time is my own now, and my time wanted to get inky and painty once more.

I wanted to start fresh.  So many things I am in the middle of working on right now, but one of my favorite things is journaling.  It’s my happy place, you  can say.  So, that is what I’ll share first…

My new journal is a “commonplace” journal.  A little bit different than the ones I’ve done before.  This one will be filled with anything I love.  Anything at all.

My first pages are a bit familiar—but soon there will be pages filled with old family recipes, family history, things I’m discovering, me, my family…anything that fills my days.

People have been keeping commonplace books for hundreds of years.  I love them.  We first see a record of them in the 1400s.  The idea has made a comeback recently, but they have been kept for so very long, that just the thought of them makes me happy!  You know how I feel about history…..

So here is mine.  One of many to come, I would think.  There will be thoughts and images, a bit of paint and drawings inserted here and there--it will be nothing fancy—but it will only be filled with things that I love.  Things that have great meaning to me…

I hope you’ll give it a try.  You never know what you’ll discover about yourself as you go along filling deliciously handmade-paper pages with things you find in your everyday, far-from-commonplace life…..

Julie

LiveJournal Tags: commonplace book,art journal,thoughts,everyday,life,love,memories

{antique oval image courtesy of Hope Wallace Karney}