Back to School

We completed our first week of school in Suwannee County.  I really needed some stitch time to unwind this weekend. I made a baby quilt out of ginghams with a little chicken scratch kite embroidery. Very simple yet satisfying!   Embroidery sampler is close at hand for small moments of stolen stitches.  Hand Sewing is my sanity!  How about you?!  Keeping it together one stitch at a time!  Jessica Pearl

Mending

 Summer has flown by.  Adult children are returning one by one from internships, classes and summer jobs.  Our little family is reuniting for a trip to the mountains.  We will reconnect and restore ourselves for the start of a new school year. 

I quilted a mini this week.  I found the pattern in Quilty.  I love the representation of the polka dots that form letters of the Braille alphabet to say, "I love you".  I was inspired by our visit to Helen Keller's home earlier this summer.

Also, doing some mending and thinking how good it is to restore wholeness.  Looking forward to wholeness as a family.

 Mending!  Jessica Pearl

Lessons

One of my goals for the summer was to draft a pattern.  I have always sewn from store bought patterns and I have never made a muslin.  Well, I drafted a simple tunic pattern using my own measurements (agh!) and I set out to make a muslin.  The muslin is such a great learning experience!  My muslin taught me several things: 

1- I can transfer and sew darts!

2- I do not currently wear darts well!  My first clue should have come from my measurements.  Dimemsions that equal that of a beach ball require no accentuating!  'Nough said! 

3- There is much joy in the process!

4- Even when the product is far less than perfect, a good pressing covers a multitude of sins from fiddley dee seams.

5- Add a big ole homespun pocket to an imperfect muslin dress.  And voila!  Happy house dress!

Always learning!  Jessica Pearl

Out of the Hoop!

This wonky cross quilt is complete!  Hand quilted and finally out of the hoop!  The bracelet I made from thrift, vintage buttons with shanks that are threaded on 1/8 inch elastic and tied. I scored the dress patterns from the share table at our quilt guild meeting.  I love the new and the old and the new from the old!  Having fun!  Jessica Pearl

Apronology

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

A Paper Anniversary

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

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