Each time I get a new fabric collection in, I spew out a flurry of love gushes, over the top adorations, and claims that THIS collection has now become my favorite collection of them all. Sometimes I feel like such a fair-weathered fan... so quickly bestowing my affections on the new "flavor of the month" and forsaking the one before that I had sworn all-time allegiance to. But this time instead of pouring out my claims of undying love (yes, we are still talking about fabric here), I thought I would just let the new fabrics from Amy Butler's "Soul Blossoms" line speak for themselves...
... and then you can sing your own mushy love songs.
Despite my efforts to restrain myself, I must admit that I am totally infatuated with the "Fuchsia Tree" fabrics... but with good reason. When I was in college, I had written a paper about Art Nouveau. Immediately I was in awe and completely captivated by the distinct design style. The nature inspired style, earthy lines, with flowing, climbing movements really spoke to me. These two fabrics in particular remind me of time period and make me think of one of my favorite artists from the period, Alphonse Mucha.So, it's not so difficult to see why Amy's fabrics have been the source of inspiration for several new things that I am working on... if you're lucky, they'll show up here very soon. Do you need a little more time to ohhh and ahhh?... check out the "Soul Blossoms" collection here.
It appears as though it is a good thing thing that I am not one to make New Year's resolutions... I would have already done quite poorly at my first attempt to post more regularly. (it's already the middle of January and this is the first!) But I have so many things that daily keep me so unusually busy, which to tell you all about it would be breaking the second of what I would have resolved NOT to do for 2011. (if I were a resolution making kinda girl)
Quality time things would make the top of my list like writing more beautifully decorated "snail mail" letters (thanks Kathrin!), actually keeping up with my e-mails, visiting more often with friends, and the list goes on. How is it that we have such a tendency to get so busy that really important things often get left on the back burner. Time is always so precious, but gone so quickly.
But despite the fact that I never make resolutions (maybe it is the realist in me that doesn't want to over-promise and under-deliver), I did decide to take on one that I plan to keep. A friend sent me this and I decided it would be fun to do:
Pay it Forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here... They must in turn post this on their blog and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. The rules are that it must be handmade by you, and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011.
Wow, a whole year to Pay it Forward... I think that is doable, how about you?
Our little man does not sit still often, or for very long for that matter... in fact, my father-in-law has nicknamed him "der Arbeitsdirektor" (the work director). He is always moving, always working, always exploring, and it is hard to get him to stop. I guess I never had a specific image in my head of what our first child would be like, and I guess it is best not to, to give children the freedom to become who they really are. But I never imagined that he would be such a busy, busy, ... busy little guy.... but there are times when he does stop for just one brief moment to communicate to us, without even saying a word ...
Absolute Trust... a sweet affection and such a tender stillness that is understood just by one touch.
Last year's Christmas preparations were somewhat M-I-A (missing in action). On our regular rotation schedule, it was technically the year that we were to spend in the States with my family, but had decided against considering my huge pregnant belly. I was determined to make the best of it in spite of it and made it my goal to relax, decorate the house, sew a million projects as gifts, and really try to enjoy the season, knowing that such distractions would keep my spirits high.
... well, that was the plan anyway.
Since the previous year without my family produced a blubbering, crying bride, the only way my husband thought it could be remedied was just to surprise his wife with plane tickets home! What is it with men just not knowing what to do with crying women anyway? So this year, I have been trying to pick up where I left off and make a few things that I had on the back burner for the entire year. You might remember this post for these adorable stuffed bird pattern from Spool Sewing. Just add red and green, holly leaves, and "berries", and you end up with a sweet pair of Christmas lovebirds.
In case you were wondering, that is actually real snow you see in the background... just right for snuggling and romancing on a cold winter's night. Perhaps once the little one goes down for the night, my husband and I should try a little lovebird snuggling ourselves. Are you nestled in someplace warm tonight?
This year is very much the beginning of a process that was already begun four years ago... the combining of two cultures and families and embracing our uniqueness as we blend what we knew into what we now know and recognize as "just us". I really have been thinking about what traditions I enjoy from my husband's family and want to carry on as well. I enjoy how differently both of our families celebrate the holidays and sometimes the little differences are things that I notice right away... even down to the smallest of decorations.
So one of the "super sweet" traditions that my mother-in-law does each year, I plan to add to our family traditions. Aren't these pine cones adorable filled with yummy little chocolate sprinkle discs... so creative, so simple, so delicious!
WARNING: Please do not lick, sniff, or try to devour your screen. Such actions could be hazardous to your health.
This blog cannot be legally responsible for any weight gain should you try this at home.
One of my favorite Christmas decorating memories when I was younger, was not decorating the tree as one might think, but it was looking over my Dad's shoulder while he created what I considered to be the most delightful Christmas centerpiece despite its simplicity. The fact is that I enjoy decorating.... and especially incorporating fresh, natural, and simple things into what I do.This year my husband and I have been thinking and contemplating about what Christmas traditions we want to start with our little one and to pass on. So, it seems fitting that my first Christmas centerpiece of the year is one that was passed on from my Dad, and I thought that I would pass it along to you...
Using a tea light, trace around the center/top of an orange. 
Cut out the circle.
Scoop out the fruit flesh.
Cut the bottom, without cutting all the way through, so the orange can be placed flat when arranged.
Fill with newspaper to keep shape.
Insert votive or tea light.
Add fresh pine branches, apples, nuts, cookies, and miniature Christmas bulbs.
Serve husband freshly squeezed orange juice. Watch husband smile.
This weekend I ventured downtown, and with good reason, for a fantastic exhibit in Hamburg's Messehalle. (exhibition hall) The three day event had the halls filled, not with fabric as you might expect, but minerals and gemstones... enough to make any girl drool, ohhh, and ahhh. Oh, such fun! It was actually a split shopping day for my husband and I, since he had no interest. I went my way, and he went his (with baby in tote... it seems that Media Markt and the home improvement store are much more interesting for the little guy - go figure)Just a glimpse of some of my pretty sparkling treasures that I found...
Well, it looks like I won't be the only one racking up these days... it is December 6th, right?!? That means somebody has to win a little something today, or did you miss the giveaway? Thank goodness I have an assistant to help me with all that I have on my plate, so... drum roll, please...
Congrats Juliette... "gepierced, oder nicht"... think Christmas present or einfach austausch for something "nicht gepeirced"... Happy Nikolaus Day!
... speaking of Nikolaus, Advent, and Christmas... be sure to check out Juliette's blog... she has some really great decorating ideas to bring a little holiday cheer.
This year for my eager-to-learn-to-sew niece, I thought that the super cute and super sweet "Modkid" dolls from Patty Young, would be a great beginners project and birthday present for her. Little did I know that it was perhaps not the best thing for an eight year old "rookie" to start off with, but thank goodness Grandma came through.
It really was so sweet that my niece's first thought was to give one to her younger sister and the other to her best friend. But after all the sewing and stuffing, they were left a little "bare", one could say. So, I decided that every girl needs a pretty dress to make her feel good about herself. A few scraps, snip, snip, humm, hummm, and tadahh! Two reversible dresses for their newest friends.
Oh, what fun! Now, what beats having one beautiful dress to make a gal feel good?....TWO!
Speaking of Amy, did you know that she's coming to Germany! That's right, here in good 'ol Deutschland! She will be at the Internationale Fachmesse für Handarbeit + Hobby in Köln... but she'll only be there Friday and Saturday if you plan to go... let's just say that it's already written in my calendar.
Speaking of Amy, did you know that she's coming to Germany! That's right, here in good 'ol Deutschland! She will be at the Internationale Fachmesse für Handarbeit + Hobby in Köln... but she'll only be there Friday and Saturday if you plan to go... let's just say that it's already written in my calendar.
