Back to Sewing, A Happy Village

It has been far too long since I have sat at my sewing machine, weeks!  And I have missed it.  I knew not how much until I took my happy village to my Singer Featherweight for quilting yesterday.  How very satisfying, happy am I!  Jessica Pearl

Right on Time!

I received the most lovely parcel from Sally of Wonky Patchwork on Monday!  Just look at all of this vintage, handmade goodness!  I was feeling blue before its arrival but as soon as I wrapped myself in this cheerful apron, I felt I was wearing a warm hug!  Today, I took a few of the vintage buttons without shanks and superglued them to a 98 cent pair of Zories. Love these for style around the water's edge!  I hope that you can see Sally that your gift was NOT late!  It was right on time from your handmade upcycling heart right into mine!  THANKS!!!  xxx! Jessica Pearl

Grandmother's Bible

This is my Grandmother's Bible.  She wrote in it, mostly in blue ink and mostly in the Psalms.  I am so grateful that she did!  Because I have this record of my Grandmother's time in the Word.  I can hear her cries in the Psalmist's and I can feel the same comfort that she experienced in her darkest days.  For many years this Bible has been left on the shelf, essentially unchanged.  I have 'kept' it.  Recently, I have started drawing, art journaling in Grandmother's Bible.  I know this may seem strange to others, drawing in any book much less a Bible!  But I believe that my Grandmother was changed by its pages, she interacted with its words.  She left me physical evidence of that truth.  I believe she is happy that I am drawing on the same pages!  Future generations may learn that I was changed by the markings that I leave!  Drawing Strength!  Jessica Pearl

Works in Progress

Indigo workshop with Fiber Muse was a blast!  My favorite photo bombing friend, Merri was in rare form!   Now, the challenge is to make something from the dyed pieces. Thinking,thinking...  

'Plus' blocks are living on cutting table and I assemble as I have a few moments for sew therapy. I am attempting not to start new projects while I finish these!  Even as I write this, I am thinking who do I think I am?!  A girl who loves starting must learn to finish!  I am my biggest work in progress!  Jessica Pearl

Spring Has Broken!

Such a great Spring Break!  One quilt show "And Still We Rise", 2 quilt shops and 3 completed projects: my Alabama Chanin poncho, a new tunic and a clean sewing studio.  Plus lots of family and so very many blessings!  Spring has broken and revealed the beauty of Easter!  Spring Blessings Everyone!!! Jessica Pearl

Superheroes

I started sewing superhero capes for kids in homeless shelters. Stephanie @ Modern Sewciety featured Enchanted Makeovers on her podcast, episode #59.  Those who know the joy of sewing for others will want to check out the details on needed items at

the Enchanted Makeovers website.  Links for Doll, Pillowcase and Cape patterns are provided on the site.  I chose to do capes in a simple rectangle with a casing for ribbon.  It just does not get any easier or more gratifying!  Every child has a superhero within, the cape just makes hope tangible and a dream's flight pattern a reality.  Is there a better reason to sew?  Small Superheroes inspire me! Jessica Pearl

My Scrappy Heaven

Our Lady of the Lake Quilt Guild had the most amazing quilt retreat this week!  Bonnie K. Hunter of Quiltville was our quilt celebrity teacher!  We learned so very much like:

When piecing fabric, "shift happens!"

Value is not important in a scrap quilt, there is background and there is color

If your fabric is ugly, you just have not cut it small enough!

If you ever get a chance to take a class or see Bonnie's trunk show, it is a do not miss! Blogging from my scrappy heaven! Jessica Pearl

Hanky Panky

I learned a new quilt block using vintage hankies in a workshop last week. 

Heartfelt

Two weeks ago, my Mother, daughter and Aunt Ann retreated to cabin on the Suwannee River for the weekend.  We took a painting class with Janet Moses in her studio and painted heart shaped grapevine wreaths.  I made us art smocks from thrifted men's shirts which we wore backwards all day long.  I didn't think much about it until the next day, my Mother put her shirt on backwards!  Oops!  We are all back to normal life and mostly wearing shirts as is acceptable in current culture.  It is so good to spend time with women I love and admire and buck the status quo!  Wonderful memories made!  Happy Valentines Day! Jessica Pearl

Meet Secondhand Rose!

Still playing with this Muse Doll for my fiber arts group!  She now has a face, flowers in her hair and a name, Secondhand Rose.  Her quilted wings have her mantra, "wear it out, use it up".  She wears her 'art' on her sleeve and holds notions, tools and bits of inspiration in her binder clip hands!  Meet Rose, my Muse!

Coloring My World

I was introduced to Derwent Inktense Blocks at a Fiber Arts Group and I am loving using this color play element!  I am making a muse doll to combine new and old techniques.  So far, my muse has a quilted apron and a heart, the nurse in me insisted on an anatomically correct heart drawn in Inktense.  Also in progress , a quilt block with embroidery and Inktense.  Adding color is so much fun!  Color me happy!  Jessica Pearl