A Scrappy Fabric Cake, Celebrate!

I think my favorite projects fluctuate between the one I'm currently working on and the one in my head.

But, this one will remain a favorite for a very long time!  

~doily from my grandmother~

The inspiration came from Sew Somerset's Winter 2016 magazine.

This issue was particularly inspiring to me, and I hope to make more projects from it.

~candlestick base~

The creator of the project is Andrea Ockey Parr.

A little of this and that all came together in the best scrapiest fashion!

Of course the nest needed to be created with scraps of thead. (pulled from a jar of scraps I keep in my sewing cabinet drawer)

I'm calling it a "Celebration Cake"  because it's celebrating my Mom for the whole year!

The tiers are about 8", 5", 3".  I cut foam from pieces I had on hand. Which isn't all that fun to do.

Now, there is another one in my head, but I'm not sure what it will be celebrating yet, maybe just life!

A Surreal Scene

Is anyone dreaming of a White Easter???

I wasn't planning on posting today, but it started snowing and it's so beautiful out.  I went to shoot the big flakes and I just love the surreal scene that is out our front door!

I hope you all have a blessed and green Easter!

Primitive Art Supplies

{{Using the most primitive art supplies:  sticks, twigs, roots, moss, and my hands}}

We are going to be doing a couple projects and lessons about electricity in our 4h club.  One of the first activities the book takes the kids through is listing their favorite things to do and then deciding if those things take electricity to do, reminding them that batteries are electricity.  

What a good exercise for adults too!  And, it has led to a lot of reflection for me especially during this Holy Week.

 I sat by the pond Tuesday thinking about such things.  No electricity in Jesus' time on earth.  No widespread use of electricity even in Nebraska until the early 1900s.  Thinking about such things  I played with just what was at my feet and my sides.  

Of course I was certainly using electricity to capture these images with my phone!   We will never again be void of electricity in our world.  When you really think about our reliance on it, it is almost scary.

I know my girls will have fun going out with me again to create a little collage themselves!

And, then there were the roots.  I've always been fascinated by roots.  This time I saw a fairy.  Do you see it too?  And, then with lots of electricity...a little photo editing....

I'm always been a bit put off by the notion of "believing in fairies" in children books.  However,  I do love imagination!  And, when I see a fairy in the roots...I think I have to go with it!

I hope this Easter Triduum will be a blessed time for you with simple pleasures!

Easter People

A number of years ago, I used to dread Lent.  Dread it.  It felt dark and ominous.  I'd spent so many years coming to know that God loved me just as I am that to focus on my sinfulness all anew was not very encouraging.  And, when I focused on what He went through I almost felt despair.

I asked a priest if it was okay if I looked ahead to Easter as I traveled through Lent.  He said, "Of course!" "We are an Easter people!"  

And, that was the beginning of my understanding and yes, enjoying Lent.

I later discovered that there is a popular quote from Pope John Paul II on that same point.

"Do not abandon yourselves to despair.  We are the Easter people and Hallelujah is our song."

Today, more terrorist attacks.  But, this is Holy Week.  We know who has already won the battle against evil.  And, we will not despair.  We are an Easter People.