Dreamland

Lucky me.

 
 
When I was celebrating my anniversary a couple of weeks ago, the sweetest package arrived in my mailbox -- and on a day when I was feeling tired/behind/stressed, too.  Inside I found a set of napkins from my friend Kristan, an unexpected anniversary gift.  And let me say, they are much nicer than all the napkins I have made -- Kristan's stitching is perfect and they are even reversable.  A lovely way to start the summer.

Recycled Friday.

 

 

These are my first two Alabama Chanin-inspired garments, stitched three summers ago.  Both pieces are based on the designs in Natalie's first book, Alabama Stitch Book -- though I wish I'd made the corset a size smaller as she suggests.  And I hadn't yet discovered Mokuba elastic ribbon, so don't look too closely at that waistband.

When I first started hand-stitching, I gravitated right away to freehand painting my own motifs instead of stencilling them -- both for the organic nature of painting (the occasional "whoops") and my comfort level with the materials.  I still prepare my projects that way, but have been looking at other options as I expand my skills in surface design:  painting with thickened dye and screen printing.  As always, more ideas than time.  Enjoy the long weekend!

A little off topic.

 
I'm always moved by a person who's authentic about their work, genuinely involved in what they're doing, not just going through the motions -- whether it's a performer or a salesperson or a tour guide.  The Janelle Monae show in St. Paul last night was so inspiring; I had heard her music, but seeing it/hearing it live was a different thing altogether.  You know how my motto is "I invent nothing; I rediscover" -- I think that must be her motto too, fully envisioned.  At times I wondered if she was influenced by motown, or James Brown, or hip hop, or Sade, or The Residents, or Devo, or Elvis.  So many influences, such originality.  Here's hoping that inspiration will carry me through a busy/sleepy day!

On the road.

Before our spring break to the treehouse, I shared the scrapbook I had made ahead of time.  Add some photos and a Saturday morning and this is what I've got now:

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I was so enamored with the way this project came together, that I'm planning to bring a stack of blank cards to our Airstream so I can record summer weekends before they slip away.

If you missed out on the Love Your Letters Workshop giveaway last week, you have another chance this week over at Paper Crave.  Class materials will start shipping a week from tomorrow!

Anniversary Week Winners.

Giveaway #1 (Address Stamp):

The charity currently speaking to my heart is Honor Flight. They fly World War II veterans to Washington DC for a day of honor and to see the memorial built for them. I volunteer with the organization and it is incredible to see how these guys and gals are so touched by their experience together...  (Kimberly)

Giveaway #2 (Quotation):

"Cutting for Stone" - beautifully written, engaging, sad. Loved it.  (Emily)

Giveaway #3 (Love Your Letters Workshop):

consistent [i see i'm not the only one!], & i wish i had a better eye for spacing! :)  (Kristen)

Giveaway #4 (BelleTerre):

To choose my words carefully. If I'm feeling emotional or grouchy, I try to keep my mouth shut. :)  (Melissa)

Giveaway #5 (Fabric Cuff):

A wee thing for myself is to write a poem whenever the mood takes me throughout the day. It's such a joyful feeling and is lovely to read much later too. It's important to do special little things for oneself and to make that time.  (Anne-Marie)

All winners:

Please email me at lettergirl66 at gmail dot com to claim your prize!  I will reply with the details for each individual item.  Thank you all so much for celebrating my anniversary with me, it was a really fun week reading all the comments! 

Giveaway #5.

Enter any of this week's giveaways through Sunday for a chance to win.  I'll draw names & post winners on Monday.  The winners will need to contact me to claim their prizes; details will be in that post.  (For info on how to enter, click on the Anniversary Giveaway Rules/19 in upper left corner!)

I saved my favorite for last:

 
 
 
 
Today's giveaway:  A hand-dyed, hand-painted, and hand-stitched wrist cuff with the word "dream."  It's made of knit, so it will accommodate most wrist sizes.  (If your wrist is reallly small, I could move the button over.)

Today's question:  I stitched one of these for myself last week and have worn it three times already.  What is one little thing you do for yourself/to yourself that gives you that extra little something?

Bonus question (answer this one in a separate comment for an extra chance to win):  I'm thinking of offering these in my shop.  Would you be more likely to buy a finished cuff ($40-45) or a kit to stitch your own (around $20)?

Giveaway #4.

 
Once in a blue moon I like to trade with another etsy shop and a month or so ago, I received a package in the mail with several bars of soap and some lip balm.  I liked it so much that I asked Julia from Belle Terre if she would be willing to share a set with my readers.  Lucky you!

Belle Terre uses only organic oils in their soap and lip balm, they use minimal and recycled packaging, and they commit 5% of their sales to local charity. So far I have tried the Avocado Soap and the Vanilla Lip Balm.  (I'm wearing the lip balm right now!)

Visit Belle Terre at their website, on etsy, at their blog, or on facebook.

Today's giveaway:  Belle Terre Gift Set (your choice of one bar of handcrafted soap and one tube of lip balm).

Today's question:  I love that Julia and Wayne of Belle Terre recognized what their priorities were and are committed to living sustainably.  What is one belief or ideal you strive to live up to?

Giveaway #3.

 
Today's giveaway: A spot in my new online class, the Love Your Letters Workshop, a gathering of my favorite tips and tricks to help you appreciate the handwriting you have & make it even better.

Complete this sentence:  "I wish my handwriting was more _____."  (Pretty? Legible? Straight?)

Giveaway #2.

First of all, wow - wow - WOW for the list of amazing charities yesterday.  It can be overwhelming to think of all the good that needs doing in the world, so much better to read these comments and be overwhelmed with all the good that is being done.  Keep them coming!

 
Today's giveaway:  Your favorite quotation handwritten on a 5x7 card, suitable for framing (or using on a scrapbook page or hanging on your bulletin board or giving to your best friend).

Today's question:  I'm about 20 pages from the end of the book I'm reading, and I'm heading to the library tomorrow....  What was the best book you read in the last year?  (Last year I asked specifically for non-fiction titles, and The Happiness Project became one of my favorites for the year.  Thank you!)

Giveaway #1.

 
Please click on the Anniversary Week Giveaway Rules/19 in the upper left corner for details on how to enter.  Thank you for joining me!

Today's giveaway:  my new limited edition address stamp in your choice of self-inking or traditional red rubber.  A share of the proceeds from the sale of this stamp will be given to the American Red Cross.

Today's question:  What charity speaks to your heart?