Category Archives: uncategorized

What a fabulous visit I had with Terri Click a few days ago! She had been teaching in Orlando and stopped by my house for a too-brief visit. It seems that visits from sewing friends are always too short, but we made the most of the time we had.  Mostly, we talked–about sewing, about life, about sewing and more about sewing.  It’s great to have a friend who shares your passion for needlework.

She brought me two one-of-a-kind gifts that I treasure. The first is the sweet pincushion  shown above.  Old sweaters provided the materials for this!   Terri has many talents, but the making silk purses out of sows’ ears is at the top of the list.  I like this so much better than a silk purse.  You would enjoy visiting her blog.

The sweater/pincushion is attached to a felt  base made from her beloved Big Shot Sizzix die-cutting machine.  I need to learn more about that!

The second gift is a screen printed dishtowel, made long enough to be easily converted into an apron.  Isn’t that clever?  Screen printing is another new skill  that she is honing.  The tangerines are the first of this year’s crop from one of our trees.  We were so busy talking that we forgot to pack them up for her to take home to South Carolina.

This is the Old Spanish Sugar Mill. The water wheel no longer turns but the gears and basic parts are still inside the ancient building.

For breakfast, we went to one of our family’s favorite haunts, the Old Spanish Sugar Mill located inside the 600 acre DeLeon Springs State Park. Continue reading →

$4~~silk violet heart ivory, lg. fabric 6-3/4" x 5-3/4", image 3-3/4" x 4-3/4" .... $3 small . fabric 3-7/8" x 4-3/8", image 2-7/8" x 2-5/8"

A few days ago, while I was deep in my sewing room clean up, a friend on Facebook posted her status as “Day 4 of Occupy Sewing Room.”  As it happens, we both labor at the same time with the same goal in mind.  Somehow, it is comforting to knowing that I am not the only one unable to sew because of this necessary maintenance.

At any rate, I keep coming up with more duplicates of books and patterns that I liked so much that they were purchased twice.  I’ve also unearthed some long-lost and/or forgotten treasures.  They are being posted for sale before I lose my resolve.  Already I’m tempted to and pack them away in that overflowing old steamer trunk labeled  “WORK ON THESE NEXT” projects.  I am a weak woman.

So for now, they are available.  It’s the same drill.  Post your shopping list as a comment or drop me an e-mail at NCcabin@aol.com.  I will get back to you with a total, then you pay (check, money order or Paypal) and I ship.  Simple enough?  Just let me know if you have any questions.  I am real “customer support,” not “Peggy” as seen in those entertaining ads on tv.

***************************************

$5~~silk lattice heart $5, signed by Jenny Haskins..on ecru satin fabric 6 3/4" x 5-7/8", Â image 4-1/2" x 4-1/4"

After taking a class from Jenny Haskins at Martha Pullen’s Orlando Market many years ago, I fully intended to make up one of her gorgeous quilts.  I bought several of these silks at her booth and a few more at Susan York’s.  Actually none are really silk.  Some are on satin and others are on a silky fabric.

$3~~silk violet girl, ivory~~fabric 4-3/8" x 6-1/4"...image 3-5/8" x 2-1/8"..on silky fabric~~ 2 available,Â

How sweet is this? Continue reading →

Aunt Aileen, 1921-2011

Today we laid my dear Aunt Aileen  to rest.  Her passing was peaceful and welcome–she was more than ready to relocate to heaven.

A few weeks ago, looking back on almost 90 years of life, this four-times married (thrice widowed) delight told me, “I moved from my mother’s house in Danville to Mike’s house in South Bend, to Jim’s house back in Danville to Cliff’s house Sarasota, to Leo’s condo in Bradenton.   I moved to assisted living in DeLand then moved to this nursing home. I’M TIRED OF MOVING. My next and last move will be to the House of the Lord—AND I HOPE IT’S SOON!”

She had a habit of talking in CAPS. Continue reading →

Susan, my miracle worker therapist, waving goodbye.

Just before we went to North Carolina last week,  I had jury duty. When I went through security, as I expected, the alarms went off.  After explaining that I have two artificial knees, the guard “wanded” me and asked if I were happy with the way they worked.

“Well, not entirely” I replied.  “They have ruined my kick boxing career!”  We laughed and I went to the courtroom to perform my civic duty.  But it brought to mind the whole knee replacement experience, so I looked up this old post. It addresses my thoughts and raised awareness that resulted from my time in rehab after knee replacement 15 months ago.

Re-reading it did me a lot of good. Comparing the drug-dealing trial defendant with the hard working staff and others I  met at the facility, helped reaffirm my conviction that most people are basically good.  In this post, I hope you find some tidbit worthy of your time, whether or not you read it when it first appeared.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

June, 2010–After 3 days in the hospital and 14 days in rehab, I am finally going home.  I can’t wait.

It’s not so much that I’m eager to leave this place as I am simply eager to go home.  Rehab has been a very positive, educational and meaningful experience. I’ll come away from this place with more than a new knee.

This Latin charmer waxed eloquently on the joys of American citizenship and the hardship of spending most of his life in Cuba.

I’ve met incredible working women, seen patients with more challenges and courage than I hope to ever have need of, and watched residents in the final chapters of their lives, facing the end with a wide array of grace.  They have enriched my life and given me a new appreciation for the blessings God has showered upon me.  Here are a few of their stories. Continue reading →