Saturday afternoon, Mother and I visited royalty in her kitchen. By invitation of The Cupcake Queen, also known as Rita Mae and her court of critters. Before us on her kitchen counter was a box of aprons stitched by Rita's Mother and Grandmother. One by one, my Mother and I lifted each apron from the box to exhalt its unique handmade qualities. Sixteen works in all of hand and heart. Hard working art pieces. Rita graciously gifted them all to me! I am in awe of the beauty wrought and worn and worked some more by Rita's ancestors. I am tying one on this morn in hopes my work today maybe influenced by their gracious labors. Cheers to all labors of love! Jessica Pearl
Friday, July 11 was my one year Blogiversary. One year of blogging, a paper anniversary. The thing that strikes me most as I look over the past year of blogging is the extreme kindnesses and generosity of this community. You share yourselves, your creative processes, your blogging techniques, everything!
I was at an author's speaking engagement yesterday. A very likable and energetic writer of fiction. I enjoy her books and her talk. But I was very saddened by a statement she made about not allowing her older books to be free downloads on Amazon. She said that she felt that sharing her creative work for free would diminish her work and value as an author. While I respect her view, I couldn't disagree more. I think creative work is enhanced in the sharing. For example Alabama Chanin, Natalie Chanin has made her design aesthetic available to the masses through free content on her blog as well as books and DIY kits. I believe that sharing always shapes our lives for the better. I see it throughout my varying experiences of community. I met unexpectedly with friends of my quilt guild yesterday. Lunch and a lesson on making a crochet necklace spontaneously followed the encounter at JoAnn's (thanks Gay, Ramona and Melba!)
In much the same way, sharing is a way of life in this blogging community. You have shaped my life for the better. My paper airplane launched! Thanks Friends! Jessica Pearl
Coming home is even sweeter when the DIY order from Alabama Chanin beats me to my front door! Poncho kit is navy blue with an outer layer of forest green. Yes, my Mother is smiling because I said,'forest green'!!! The Anna's Garden stencil is so stunning. The dark on dark stitches up into a texture feast for the eyes. I am at once, excited and scared. With sweaty palms and shaking needle, Jessica Pearl
John and I are in Atlanta this week. He has IT boot camp, serious stuff that pays the bills. And I have Camplanta which is just fun! I explore Atlanta during the day and craft during rush hour traffic and the evening hours. Thanks to Creativebug and my IT Guy, I am learning to crochet with Cal (hodgepodge), loving the thread with Natalie (Alabama Chanin) and embroidering with Rebecca (dropcloth). Greetings from Camplanta! Jessica Pearl
Pictured- 1 single crochet practice. 2 cotton knotted necklace and bracelet- Natalie calls the knots, 'pearls', love that! 3 filled running stitches.
On vacation in the land of Alabama Chanin. I am here to tell you that the place is move in ready! The cafe, the factory, the inspiration, I did not want to leave! Luckily, they are shipping a kit assembled while visiting for a poncho to my home in a couple of weeks. I picked up some scraps of organic cotton just to hold me over until that happy mail arrives! Posting a few pics of thrift and stitches just to verify that I am still breathing! On the road! Jessica Pearl
