Sew Chaotically! More Giraffes for sweet Jam ~

I love doing a bit of handwork and especially enjoyed making this trio for Jam's room!

This pattern is "Giraffe" from Jessica Long.

  This - "George the Giraffe" from Hoop dee doo

Finally, "Safari" by Lynny Lou Crafts.

For all these pieces I used the colors noted on the patterns as inspiration, but used only embroidery floss I had on hand.  Similarly, I used some of the advised stitches and improvised my own when I wished.  I  traced the patterns on water-soluble fabric for embroidery.  It worked really well; remaining stable while working on the pieces and dissolving completely and easily once finished.  The only draw back was the thread used for the 'rose' George holds in his mouth faded onto the fabric when exposed to water!!!  What the????   I got most of it out and afterwards realized that in using my scrap/stash of embroidery floss, that bit had probably come from a kit Roo used to make bracelets with as a kid, picked by me because of the color, and was not DMC brand, while all the others were.  Lesson learned!!!  It was a fun project for me and has provided a lot of smiles and smelling of flowers for the most precious little guy!  

Sew and stitch and love chaotically! ~ les

For my B ~

I wish I could say all the things, do all the things, that could make you understand just how wonderful my life with you has been.  But, because I fear I shall fall far short in using my own words, I offer these...

"... I have remained in this new world for nearly thirty years [35 years for us, my love!].  I know that my achievement is quite ordinary.  I am not the only man to seek his fortune far from his home, and certainly I am not the first.  Still, there are times I am bewildered by each mile I have traveled, each meal I have eaten, each person I have known, each room in which I have slept.  As ordinary as it all appears, there are times when it is beyond my imagination." 

 ~ From:  The Third and Final Continent included in The Interpreter of Maladies, by Jhumpa Lahiri                       

While not exactly the author's intention, on reading this passage, I immediately thought of you my love; of our life together.  Though in many ways ever so ordinary - getting to know one another completely, sharing meals (my first hummus, fresh asparagus, Greek and Cuban foods), seeing bits of the world through the eyes of the other, helping each other grow, building a family, a home, a life - it has been the most spectacular existence I could ever have imagined for myself.  

Likewise, from the first time I ever heard it, Jewel's song expressed exactly what it feels like to have your love, your physical presence in my life:

Running fast through a fairy tale
Dark woods; starless night
Feel cold air in my lungs
Full moon, you follow me-you say
"Why do hearts so often stray?"
You pierce me like an arrow
Beneath the blanket of night
Longing for flight

When you fall into me
It feels so sweet, like dreaming
Press yourself into me
Let me feel your breathing
There's a voice in your heart
Softly calling
Come to me you will see, just give in
To this sweet temptation

I awake, do a double take to see
Where it is that I lay-it could be
Day or night, I'm not quite sure
Your absence is a thorn
Your flesh, your skin
Is the only flag there is to believe in

I can love you like nobody else

When you fall into me
It feels so sweet, like dreaming
Press yourself into me
Let me feel your breathing
There's a voice in your heart
Softly calling

                                             ~ Sweet Temptation, Jewel

YOU have loved me like nobody else.  YOU have always been my very best friend, my biggest cheerleader, my fearless (and relentless) advocate, my lover, my all.  Even though I am the planner, you have never failed to remember and create amazing moments no matter the crazy we may be struggling through - a hot air balloon ride on my 30th birthday, flowers at my table in our fav Italian restaurant (even if it is in San Francisco!!!), and all that is silly and wonderful today.  Thank you on this most special of our days, and on all the others in between, for being you; my beautiful boy.  For loving me.

I love you with all that I am ~ for always. your les.

The good wolf...

 

I thought this little allegory spoke volumes....

A grandfather is talking with his grandson. The grandfather says, “In life, there are two wolves inside of us which are always at battle. One is a good wolf which represents things like kindness, bravery, and love. The other is a bad wolf which represents things like greed, hatred, and fear.”

The grandson stops and thinks about it for a second, then he looks up at his grandfather and says, “Grandfather, which one wins?”

The grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”

Who do I feed?  Who do you?  Society?  As Jam says, "Hmmmm..." 

Live and think chaotically! ~ les

A message of comfort....

 

          "Self definition is the first step toward self control - and peace."

                                                                                     ~ James McBride.

This little fellow may help a bit as well -

My heart aches for those suffering in Maui and elsewhere.  Much love, les

Sew Chaotically! ~ Quilt #6 - An Everyday Quilt

 I love the sashiko patchwork quilt I made for our bed.  However, it is heavy and very warm for summer, so I decided to put together a simple one out of scraps I had from Freddo's and other bits and bobs.

I think the colors and pattern turned out really well for the room and what was in my head.  It was easy and quick to stitch the top together.

I made binding for the edges.  The quilting was simple and linear.  I was a bit worried about tunneling given that pattern but it has been washed several times and hasn't been an issue.  Still, lessons were learned!!!  I used an old sheet for the backing.  Lots of quilters love using them.  Perhaps their sheets are better than mine, but I will not be doing that again.  It didn't give me the extra space to manipulate the backing as I would have liked and it was not easy to keep smooth. Finally, I will NEVER use Hobbs Heirloom batting ever, ever again!!!  It comes in a roll and when you roll it out flat it is all warped with bulges and stretched wonky from being wound tightly upon itself.  Plus it was not one piece, but a patchwork of irregularly shaped pieces the factory had smished together.  All this combined to make a smooth layer almost impossible!!!  Not a fan!  (Much prefer Quilter's Dream, both the 80/20 poly/cotton and the bamboo/silk blends!)

Still, we have enjoyed it this summer and I am very happy with how it turned out!!! Now on to the next one!  Sew and live chaotically! - love, les