house wren studio

gifts to share

   

While wrapping presents for Miss Maggie, I thought it would be a good idea to give one to you too. Actually, several.

In the next few weeks I'll be giving away goodies from the studio. Some will be materials that you can craft with, others might even be finished things that I made, or maybe things I thrifted. Don't know exactly. Lots of ideas come to mind though.

This project I'm working on with the girls has all of us very excited- the wheels are turning, then racing. And the inspiration is headed right for you. So leave a comment here or on any post following this one to enter the giveaway. I'll announce the winner when I post a new one.

After loving the collections of scraps Alicia put up, I'm starting off with a bundle of my favorite felted sweater pieces. When you see what we have been up to, you might want to have these right next to you on the couch.  xoC

just there

I walked by our old house last weekend- the one we took on as a neglected grande dame. The one we poured our days and nights into, pulling down falling plaster ceilings, scraping wallpaper, hanging wallpaper, doing what we could. The house that was impossibly huge, way bigger than we were. 8 bedrooms, 5 baths, 2 parlors, formal dining room, butler's pantry, dressing rooms, so much of everything. And the heating cost. Friends kept their coats on when visiting. As soon as it was fixed up enough, we sold it and moved on to Chicago. As much as I loved the neighborhood, I never really felt connected to that house. It was too much for us then.

But this door, oh, this time of year. I carried Maggie through that doorway as a newborn. 27 years ago this week. We put her into the arms of her big sister and watched them fall in love- in the room just there. I rocked her in the nursery chair by the yawning window up above. Tucked her in and tiptoed down the hall just beyond.

And I welcomed spring, swaying with her on my shoulder, looking out for this.

 

Our dependable, magnificent tree- the one that climbed up to us in the early dawn, waved at the window. The one that brought waking birdsong and pink lanterns, whispering each day, "There is so much more. Bring your little ones outside. Come out and see this charming, glowing spring. No more wallpaper, no more paint. Come outside and play. It is all just beginning- this is what you dreamed."

Happy birthday, darling Maggie. The house, our tree- still so elegant, so lovely- just like you. Our sweet little dream come true.

spring cleaning

Bags packed again. We're heading off for the weekend to visit Mo at college for parents' weekend.

But if you are thinking about cleaning around the house Saturday or Sunday, add this one to the list. ** Pull the refrigerator out and vacuum the coils from behind the thing. You know, where the wall is, where no one ever looks.

It's not just where you see the dirt...ooooooooo, really? It's where the last few years of disgusting stuff has decided to make a landing, settle in, happily multiplying in darkness. Until one day, the filter and coils are so covered with ick that the thing stops running. Got my attention now.

So, don't wait. Get back there while you still have a chance.

Most expensive and embarassing housecleaning ever. Argghhh.

See you Monday. 

stirring spring

Just when we start getting all excited about the warmer, sunnier days, they turn grey and cool again. That's spring though. Can't count on it to stay the same any day. And really, I'm grateful that it isn't flooding or blowing us away. Church sale season is just around the corner and it's a good day to think about donations. Plenty here to pass along. Love that feeling of dropping off a big box of things that just want to go there, disappear into the church hall stacked high with other bundles of good intentions. On the way home I will congratulate myself for donating, getting it out of here. And begin counting the days until I can go back and buy it all again.

Someone donated these little glass flower picks one year. There were 2 boxes and I only bought one. Now that was silly. First of all, they were a set of 12 and I broke that up. Secondly, they are so pretty and unusual, what was I thinking! Of course, I have no idea when I'll be serving drinks that require these fragile stirrers, clinging to the edges of delicate glasses with their tiny glass hooks. That's what they are, right? Maybe I should donate them back....do you think the other box might be returning too? Then someone might buy them anew and throw a big fancy party for 12. A lawn party with drinks in heirloom crystal glasses where these sweet stems could decorate the rims as they were meant to. Waved in the air like little floral batons to conduct a musing anecdote. And then rest on hand-embroidered cocktail napkins, freshly starched and ironed for the occasion.

Nah. Maybe I'll put them inside a little shadow box. Someday. If nothing else, they deserve way better than a safe spot at the back of the drawer. At least the front. Like I said, time to fill those boxes for the church.

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 :: 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 :: 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?