house wren studio

pieces of heart :: 19

So this is the last day of February, the extra super bonus last day. Sadie Hawkins Day. And I suppose it's time to wrap up the heart series- even though I have all these other ones I wanted to post. Maybe I'll sneak them in later.....it has been so much fun.

I made and sent this mug cozy away to a friend who will find it in her mail in a few days, a thank you for so much kindness. But you can make your own- just felt a second-hand wool sweater and cut off the sleeve cuff plus some extra room if you need it at the top. Open the factory side seam with careful snipping to make way for the cup handle. Check for fit and trim the top to the right height. Use a sturdy thread like pearl cotton to fortify the handle opening at top and bottom, then blanket stitch all around the sides of the opening. Do the same around the top of the cozy- loosely there to allow for stretching. A felt heart can be blanket stitched to the front of the cozy. That's it really.

So Dede and I are off to the city- in search of inspiration, exercise, good food- and lots to report back here. Watch this if you have a minute....such a fantastic event. Picture us there. It's our first stop of the day.  xoC   

pieces of heart :: 18

February has an extra day this year- must be to make room for all these hearts. I've been saving this little felt heart for today because I'm headed to the airport to pick Dede up for a weekend visit! She introduced me to these vintage baby face buttons more than twenty years ago...and we still love 'em as much as ever. I mean, really, who wouldn't?
So, I have the spare room all fluffed up, the craft baskets full and flea markets mapped! This freezing February day already feels so much warmer than yesterday's. Hoping yours is too. xoC

pieces of heart :: 17

Speaking of lovely packages in the mail, this arrived for Valentine's Day from my friend. What a sweet and unexpected surprise! I love everything about it, but most of all, simply that she made it for me!

pieces of heart :: 16

One of my neighborhood friends brought me a packet full of stamps- torn from envelopes, collected over generations, squirreled away for their imagined value or memories perhaps. Funny how most of us would now rather have the letters inside the envelopes, the handwritten thoughts more and more precious as we move farther away from the pen and ink tradition of letter writing.

Today I am planning my trip to the post office with the tea mouse packed up and ready to send off to .... Jill ....whose comment was selected at random. She named her Fiona. I cannot tell you how touched I was to read your thoughtful comments, heartwarming and sometimes heartbreaking. I loved your fantastic names for the red-eared mouse with a pearl nose- and will look at this list many times in the future, so much inspiration and imagination in the suggestions. Thank you all, especially those readers who have not commented before. It is wonderful to know you are there, every one of you. xoC

pieces of heart :: 15

By now you know that I have many, many buttons. This one is from a set of four and they appear to be handmade. Whatever they are, I do love them...all four. Like the button from Erin's lost sweater, this one is perfectly at home on the red wool doll shawl.

But I think my favorite part is actually the simple feather stitch which makes me feel as though I am following the traditions of my grandmother. She probably called it goose tracks, sensible country girl that she was. Each time I start that stitch I have a moment when I can't remember the how and why of it. Which way does it start? Where do I come out with the needle? And then it comes back to me, Here, then there. O, this is fun, I could stitch this pattern forever.

The red and white textile was thrifted so long ago, I can't remember where, but is one of two, both so treasured that they hardly ever come out of the drawer. That's kind of silly.

And thanks everyone- reading the tea mouse names was more fun than the Oscars! Drawing tonight. xoC

pieces of heart :: 14

I am giving this little tea mouse away in a comment drawing Monday evening. She needs a name and is really very sweet, all snuggled up in her nesty vintage teacup, handpainted by someone long ago.
I so loved reading those comments yesterday (which are already included). Thank you.

Continuing through the weekend and Monday, just leave a comment about your own imagined or real pieced heart - or you could suggest a name for her- and I'll put your comment in the basket for the drawing.
xoC

pieces of heart :: 13

Snowy day.

The snow is falling heavily, rapidly filling the empty pockets outside the glass, smoothing all the rough edges into a lovelier peace. Indoors too.

We lost a wonderful friend yesterday. Mary Louise inspired each of us with her kindness, creativity, wisdom and elegant grace. Even her determined fight will be remembered as an inspiration.

I am grateful to be tucked inside, at the worktable, my hands busy finishing projects today. That includes completing something to send away to one of you on Monday. If you are inclined, it would be so comforting to read what your sentimental pieced heart would be made from. I would love to know. Especially today.

pieces of heart :: 12

An ornament for the tree from fabric scraps left over from Erin's Christmas dress in '85. I made the dress too big, but I loved the fabric so much that she wore it to please me, the sleeves rolled up like a farmer's work shirt. Next dress I made with French seams. The lace was from a jumble of beautiful trims and fabrics passed along to me when Mrs. Manassa (my mother's second husband's mother) cleaned out her sewing room. (Why-o-why didn't I say yes to her Bernina machine?)

The pinch pot/cup was harder to clue even though it has initials scratched into the clay bottom. ML 3K

We have two ML's here. Finally figured it out. 3K - only one of them had Mrs. Kemper in 3rd grade. Maggie. Whew. Would hate to not have that straight, right? 

pieces of heart :: 11

These are Maggie's found hearts she collected over the years, dragging them back and forth across country from move to move and then finally placing them inside this shadowbox for me, for my birthday a few years ago. Every time I look at it I am reminded of her, my dear and funny Mags, her eye for artful things, meaningful things that we prize as a family of collectors. And of course, her sweet thoughtfulness so like her sisters too- the heart-shaped treasures I value most.

She stopped by Monday and we went for a walk in the super mild weather that felt like spring except that it's February. (Today we are back to winter.) She wanted to hear all about the trip to California- maybe you do too.

After arriving in LA, I spent a wonderful afternoon and evening with our friends near Pasadena. I loved being with them- to sit and talk, look through their photos of the wedding, imagine how in the world we are going to do this too.

Sweet Suzi picked me up the next morning and off we went to walk the CHA show. So, so much to see, miles of it! Highlights: visiting with Anna, meeting Jenni, Tim, Jenny, seeing Claudine (for 2 seconds), catching Rebecca and Carolyn on the fly, navigating Anaheim with Pam. Then another wonderful evening- this time with my friend from college. Connie was in our wedding and she drove 2 hours to take me to dinner! (And offered to do it again the next night!) 

Teresa arrived that evening and we all walked the aisles together the last day at the show. Perfect wrap to that part and then serious reunion crafting, shopping and exploring. Planning to share all that with you, in a way that you can fully appreciate the best of it. Hoping we can- more on that later as it comes together.

So, for now, thank you's to send and still more hearts- xo

pieces of heart :: 10

The collage I made for her birthday in '91.

Happy Birthday, Anne!
Wish we were there to celebrate with you~ have a happy, happy day! and many, many more to come! xoxo!