Sewing

Summer Solitude, Art & Flowers

July 15, 2022 2 Comments

I am sitting with freshly painting nails writing to you. It’s late evening-a moment shy of 11pm-and the house is silent.

My family has gone on a little adventure with extended family and I am left home with the furry kids and a silent house.
This is my second time at home alone for several days in just 2 months. Before May I think it was a good 6 or 7 years since I had the house to myself and then it had only been for the day.

I have lots to share of my current creative projects along with some book club updates but I will save that for another day.

Over the 4th of July long weekend I picked some rhubarb from the garden and along with some purchased strawberries made my husband’s favorite rhubarb and strawberry crumble. I halved the sugar recommended and I believe even the butter and it was still absolutely delicious. My oldest was expressing an interest in photography so I asked her to snap a photo for the blog. She agreed as long as I gave her credit 🙂 I am also sharing a few of my favorite photos she took around the garden.

I have a fun story about these Day Lillies. When I was young there was a spot in down we used to drive by and these flowers grew in a large number there and I just loved them. I didn’t know their name but anytime I saw them I just knew I wanted to have them someday.

They appeared in my yard-and I don’t remember how-and now they grow everywhere! I have since learned they are known as “Ditch Lillies” and it would seem that I have attracted them in an abundance! Still they are beautiful.

And another favorite are the Elderberries. Last year was my first year growing them and they did so well. I made Elderberry syrup from them and am looking forward to doing the same this year. They have taken over their little corner of the garden so they will be pruned back in the fall otherwise I fear they may take over 🙂 They are so pretty (and useful!)

I also cut some flowers to bring indoors. It’s one of my favorite things to do in the summer-to cut flowers and place them in repurposed glass jars all over the house. The snapdragons were purchased (although I did start some from seed) and while their flowers are beautiful the purchased ones are short and stocky and didn’t last in the vases at all.

The rest of the garden is starting to come into flower though and I was able to cut my first sunflower of the year today (you can see it in the photo below). This particular sunflower is one of 2 volunteers that somehow grew in the pathway of my flower garden. If I am honest they are in less than an idea spot but I just couldn’t bring myself to uproot them so they will enjoy the summer just where they are.

I also decided to really embrace decorating my home. I have been letting that go a bit and it’s something I love. I decided to start with seasonal decor for my mantel and have 2 more items I am waiting on but they all looked so pretty with the sunflower, bachelor buttons, zinnia and celosia.

And then of course there is art making. It began with a nice clean out of my creative corner. DH moved his desk out and we moved our rabbit Frank in. The best part is Frank’s cage sits under a large desk and with the purchase of shelving I now have a lot more storage for my supplies along with a drying area which was something I really needed.

I cleaned out my rolling carts too. I didn’t have them set up very practically and so I made sure I moved out anything I wasn’t using and put my most used (and loved) items on the top shelves and they are so much more functional-not to mention they look so much better.

I have started sewing a t-shirt but am procrastinating on attempting the v-neck so it’s been sitting aside for me to be in the right frame of mind to learn this new technique. I have been taking part in Carla Sonheim’s collage class and really enjoying it. You can still sign up for the course for lifetime access I believe.

I’m working on embroidering a few pieces of clothing and cannot wait to share them with you. I really want to make more of my own clothes but as I am still working on the sewing skills I felt it would just as fun to make some of my clothing my own. I love embroidery and love that I can sit in the evening with it while we watch a little TV before bed.

I’ve started making some journals and some sticker sheets. I would love to open up a little shop but have been procrastinating there as well. I love making things and I especially love the idea of making stickers since I use them so much but I always seem to determine they aren’t good enough and that’s where it ends. Do you find it hard to make things for others? My eye is always so much more critical that way.

Lastly I have started a collage painting of our home. I am trying out a combination of a class I am taking on Skillshare (this is an affiliate link and you make a purchase using this link I earn a small commission) along with some of my own ideas and of course I will share with you when it’s done.

What have you been working on this summer? I would love to hear! You can always comment down below or message me directly.

Wishing you a lovely day.

Until next time…

-Michele aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Snow, Creativity & The Full Moon

January 17, 2022 Leave a Comment

Happy Monday morning!

I am sitting at my kitchen table with a delicious cup of decaf coffee. Why decaf? Well I have learned (repeatedly because, well, human) that caffeine makes me anxious. Like, zombies are about to crash through the front door kinda anxious. So, decaf. I buy good stuff (yes, there is good decaf) and I make it in my french press with half-n-half (no sugar) so it’s quite yummy and I don’t miss the caffeine. Coffee was never something that woke me up and gave me energy. I have just enjoyed the ritual of it so the decaf serves me quite well.

Outside is blanketed in snow-I think about 3-4″ accumulated from late last night followed by rain. It’s also predicted to warm up so I imagine, like a typical Jersey snow it will rush in, look fabulous and then disappear before we know it only to return again at a later date as if it never left.

I had quite a bit of creative time this weekend. The moon is full today and that resulted in my usual crash of energy and need to retreat into the solitude of my creative corner and wrap myself up in books, paint and glue. I did some collage and I am prepping a new journal to utilize as a moon tracker for myself which I think will be fun. I am really focusing on making my art my own and to spend more time having fun and less time worrying about results. Having lived this life as long as I have I have never enjoyed myself when I focused simply on results. Results quickly turn things into chores and things that need to be weighed and judged as either worthy or unworthy and I usually stomp off in a huff taking my crayons and going home.

Instead, I want to enjoy my play time. I want to glue, paint, draw, doodle and just enjoy myself. I can’t possibly know where I am going but I believe with my whole heart that if I am present, aware and focused on Joy I really can’t go wrong and wherever I find myself will be quite lovely all around.

So today I am focused on making art and having fun while doing it. I am taking part in a swap where I am making a new art journal and recording the process. I will probably share that video over on my other blog but will try and link to it here if you are interested. It’s going to be a journal that myself and my swap partner will each make art in and go back and forth adding our own spins on it. I have never done anything like this and think it’s going to be a lot of fun.

I also have quite a few sewing projects on my list and if I manage to get through any I will be sure to do a little round up of what I got to this week. I also hope to record you another podcast and I really would love to do a little studio chat where we can hang out together and make things. I love working alongside some of my favorite creatives so I thought I would create something similar for you here. I just need to work out a time where I can record uninterrupted. I’ll keep you posted on that.

In the meantime I hope your Monday is off to a lovely start and that you are able to get some creative time in. Please do comment below and let me know what you are working on. I would love to hear!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante.

Some things that are really inspiring me right now….

Susan Branch’s Blog: Her post today really inspired me to just get on with writing here and sharing a little bit about what I am up to. To connect and that’s what I found her blog to do.

Laly Mille’s Art Journaling for a New Year Course: This is a free course she is currently running and I just love watching other artists mix collage and paint and words. It’s by far my favorite way to create.

Handmade Holidays 2021

December 29, 2021 Leave a Comment

How were your holidays? We had a quiet holiday this year staying home just our little family of 5. To be honest this year I wasn’t really in the holiday spirit. I had so much fun making gifts for everyone (and I’ll share what I made in this post) you would have thought I was but it just never really felt like Christmas.

Maybe it was because it had been fairly warm the past 2 months-warm for the Northeastern USA anyway. Being able to go outside in just a sweater in winter feels like spring to me and Christmas should feel cold. Really cold. Like bundle up in layers with hats, gloves and scarves cold. Of course things are how they are but Christmas this year just felt a little less magical for me or rather I wasn’t as connected to the magic inside me as much as I would have liked.

Still I did the best to simply enjoy the day including a little solo walk to clear my head. My oldest turned eleven and Christmas has a different look to her if you understand my meaning. If you are struggling with this as much as my daughter is and I was you may benefit from the lovely Karen Fullerton’s post here. (Be mindful of who is around you before clicking the link though 😉

So, what did I make this year? Well I made our standard Christmas recipes but to be honest it’s the second year in a row that I really haven’t enjoyed the traditional ham for Christmas and I am thinking we will simply donate our free one next year (and for Easter). I am not sure what will replace it but I will be sure to let you know. Also, comment below if you would like me to write a post about our family traditions and our menu I would be happy to!

Now, on to the fun things-all the makes I made! I found this great pattern from Half Yard Sewing Club (it’s a membership site I’m part of) to make a reindeer and I planned to make one for each of the families on my husband’s side. Sadly the first one I made, well, she was a bit wonky lol (not a result of the pattern-a result of the maker 🙂 I still need to finish her but decided (after realizing I made a mistake cutting out the pattern pieces) that perhaps I might just want to find a different pattern as Christmas was quickly approaching. So I did! I found this adorable (and I do mean adorable) reindeer pattern that went together very easily and was perfect for making the bunch of reindeer I had planned. One even went over seas to a friend in the UK!

I will still finish our little Rosie the reindeer and she will be a much loved member of our family-wonky and all. For now though-she’s in an almost done state 🙂

The next item I made is another pattern from the Half Yard Sewing Club and it’s the adorable Maddie doll. I am so proud with how I embroidered her eyes! I was inspired by one of the member shares in the site who made the eyes a little different than the pattern. I did a bit of combining of the two along with my own little tweaks and think she came out super cute.

I am still not a master at doll hair and was going to leave her hair loose but decided to tie them back in the hopes that it will keep everything looking nicer longer. Maddie was a present for my 3 year-old who loved her and gave her a big hug when she opened her. The clothing was a bit harder for me-I didn’t pick the best fabric trying to use what I had in my stash-but for a first ever try at making doll clothing I am pretty happy. I skipped the shoes knowing they would just be forever on the floor but may make some down the road. I also plan on making some extra outfits for Maddie-and maybe even a Maddie for myself.

Another item I made was for my oldest daughter. She’s a felt doll that’s a unicorn so really, what’s not to love right? She came out super cute and my daughter really seemed to love her and I think she’ll make a nice addition to her collection. I also made her this cute Happy Cat which is free pattern from Ann Wood Handmade. I added a little story to her as well and I think she came out adorable! I will be making more of these for sure. I found some really cute fat quarters from a local fabric store and think they will be very sweet cats.

The other present I made was for my son who loves puppets and may even want to be a puppeteer when he is older. If he is a puppeteer on Sesame Street (like he said he would like to be) I think I would about scream with joy right before asking if he could actually tell me how to get to Sesame Street. I need to meet Snuffy-I mean, I really need to meet him.

I could not be happier with how this puppet came out and think he might just be my favorite handmade holiday gift this year although it’s hard to choose between the puppet (named, “Grouchy” by my son) and the reindeer.

One last item I made for the holidays was a little tea cup coaster for my friend Michael Nobbs. I am not sure if he received it yet so hopefully he doesn’t read this before he has 🙂 Still I think he will like it and I used some of the fat quarters I mentioned before to make it. I think I am going to make a few more of these for my desk and next to my chair in the living room.

So that is what I made for Handmade Holiday 2021.

I would love to hear about any handmade items you made this Christmas so please feel free to comment below with a link to your own blog post I would love to hear!

Wishing you a beautiful day!

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Link Parties are a lot of fun! I submitted this post as part of:

If you liked this post be sure to check out the link party for other handmade fun!

Painting & Homemade Fall Decor

September 8, 2021 Leave a Comment

My hands are covered in paint.

This isn’t unusual however today they are covered with wall paint as we are working to finish my 3 year-olds bedroom by Friday.

So far we have filled the holes with the first coat of filler and I have started painting up to the trim on almost all of the walls and rolled 2 of them with color. They will need a second coat as the yellow isn’t fully covering the light green underneath but otherwise it’s moving along. We have a bookshelf left to empty but I think the painting should all be done tomorrow.

We are planning a trip to pick up some more paint tonight and I’m hoping to find a few storage containers to organize her toys.

On the crafting desk I am working on a fall garland for the kitchen. It’s a pattern I purchased last year but never got around to making. It’s really sweet and I’m enjoying working on it. I have 2 of the 4 houses completed and they really come together quickly.

I also completed another garland but this one was for my mobile art studio. Originally I was going to make one for the studio and one for my daughters room so I will have to see how it looks once I put it into the van. The garlands are really fun and my first time working with wool felt shapes. I really like them and think I will be learning a new hobby once my 30 day Creative Detox is over.

Another item I purchased and I have on my list of things to make this week are some clothespin dolls for our first day of home school. I have only made peg dolls before but I think these are going to be fun and I will be sure to share finished photos when they are done.

I have been picking up my journal more as well which is always a good thing. I have been needing that connection and the release of the words on paper has been very healing for me.

So that’s what is on my desk this week. I would love to hear what you are making so please do share your links below. If the link party has closed, feel free to comment below so I can stop by and say hello.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

Resting, Sewing & Our Weekly Challenge

September 6, 2021 Leave a Comment

I am sitting with a cup of tea writing this. We spent yesterday at a family gathering where we gifted the anniversary journal I made a few weeks ago. It was a nice day but today is my re-coup day and I am very grateful for the current silence in our home.

We are almost fully moved out of our old bedroom. I have 2 small boxes to go through and then a bookshelf and our closet which should go pretty quickly. I am planning to start painting tomorrow as we would love to have the room done in time to surprise our daughter with her new bedroom for her birthday. The painting should go pretty quickly so I’m feeling pretty confident we can get it all done.

For this week’s challenge I realized I completed it without realizing I had! We had ordered a birthday dress for my youngest that she was also going to wear to yesterday’s party. There was an issue with delivery so come Friday (2 days before the party) she had no dress. I broke my “Creative Detox” just a tiny bit to pull up a video tutorial to walk me through making this really sweet dress.

I couldn’t be happier with how the dress came out! It was lined and absolutely adorable. If you remember last week’s challenge was to use a supply you have but hardly use. For me that’s my fabric stash and my sewing machine. I tend to overbuy my fabric when I buy it for a specific purpose and I also tend to sew a bunch and then not sew for a while. So for my daughter’s dress I decided to raid the stash for a pretty fabric with a matching coordinating fabric I could use for the lining. The fabric I chose was also used last spring to make a throw pillow for our bed. It’s bright and happy and looked really adorable on my daughter. I still want to take a better photo of her in the dress but this is what I have for now.

So I was able to use my sewing machine which was collecting dust along with some fabric that was stored away. I do plan on keeping this challenge in my mind to boost my creativity and use up some of those supplies. I want to start clearing out the cabinets and cupboards and get to making more things than I purchase. I also want to start sharing more of what I am making with others how about you? Please do comment below and let me know what item you have in your stash that you hardly use.

Don’t forget to add your links to our link party. If the party is already closed feel free to comment below with the link to your blog post so we can stop by and see what you did for the weekly challenge.

The challenge for this week is to do something with a book/journal theme.

I cannot wait to see what you make! Be sure to add your links to the link party below.

Until next time…

-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante

I’m also sharing this post with my hand sewn dress over on Sew Can Do as party of Cheryl’s Craftastic Link Party.

Sewing

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