Patty Rose Design

Peace and Plenty

After my whirlwind painting frenzy and my exhausting attempt at repairing my damaged, textured ceiling last week, I decided to take a little respite.  I'm enjoying the long, cold nights with a few good books, a warm quilt and a nice fire.  I am currently reading Sarah Ban Breathnach's latest book, "Peace and Plenty."  Maybe not the best choice for a relaxing read.

Sarah bravely charters the unspeakable territory of money and finances.  I have read all of Sarah's books and this one is the most emotionally challenging so far because the subject itself is so challenging, emotionally and otherwise.  I find myself thinking that most of it doesn't apply to me, but is that the fear and denial talking?  I have certainly faced these same devastating trials in the recent past.  Maybe there are lessons for me too within its pages. I'm going to keep reading with an open mind and an open heart.

I love Sarah's reference to the now famous British poster and my newly adopted, highly appropriate motto.  Synchronicity?  Probably not.

Sarah's story reminds me of another, Rachel Ashwell of Shabby Chic fame. Reading along with Rachel on her blog as she lost everything and then began the rebuilding of her Shabby Chic brand kept me going at times.  As successful as her brand was, ultimately, it failed too.  I wasn't all alone in my pain and disappointment.  I could relate to all that she struggled with.  Both of these beautiful ladies are an inspiration in that they lost everything with the exception of their dignity, determination, grace and courage to lay it all out there so that they and others could grow from their experiences.   

If you have a tumultuous relationship with money and finances, as I admit I have, I highly recommend you read this book along with me.  Considering that much of what we used to believe about money, investments, finance and work has turned to shades of gray, a fresh look might be timely.  Maybe I can get my destiny back on track sooner rather than later.

Necklace Alchemy

I made this necklace a few days ago.  It's funny how they never turn out quite like I imagine.  As parts and pieces come together, they seem to take on a life of their own. Sometimes ideas don't quite work and adjustments are necessary.  Sometimes pieces land next to something else on the worktable that lead to a different spark of inspiration.  That's why I call it alchemy.  This necklace started out with the vision of three strands of large pearls connected by circles then connected to chain around to the clasp.  The weight of the pearls caused the piece to lay improperly on the neck and the connecting circles I originally chose just didn't work at all.  I removed one of the strands of pearls, took off the flopping circles and softened it all with some vintage chain.  Adjust, analyze, test, adjust, analyze, test and of course a little alchemy all of its own.  Done.

The 9-Year Dust Ruffle

This dust ruffle has been 9 years in the making.  I hesitated over the last 9 years to have any bedding that wasn't dog proof.  Having my little monkey nesting with me was always my choice over fancy bedding that couldn't take the wear and tear.  Dogs will be dogs after all.  It was always an absolute requirement to scratch and paw the blankets into a nest before circling several times and then flumping down with a heavy sigh.  I guess after all the work of getting the chosen sleeping spot to his perfect liking, the sigh was necessary.  Fancy comforters didn't hold up well to dog claws and the unfortunate happenings of sometimes upset little doggie bellys.  That seemed to be a normal routine for us, freshly washed bedding = upset tummy.  It never failed.  Good, old-fashioned quilts could take the repeated washings and the nesting antics. 

So now that he is gone, I finally got around to sewing the dust ruffle.  Our bed has a very short drop so purchasing one would not work.  Besides that, I was spoiled long ago by custom.  It took me an entire day to make it but I love the way it turned out.  I am still partial to handmade quilts and I don't see that changing, so I still snuggle with the quilt that my mom made me a few years ago.  And to me, a comfy bed is not complete without a homemade afghan at the foot.  Old-fashioned yes, but cozy and comforting nonetheless.  Now that my little monkey isn't there to cuddle with, comforting is even more important.  I miss that little dog, my heart aches for just one more sigh.

 

Musings

It's early morning and I am sitting in the living room looking out the frosted windows with my hot coffee in hand.  Mr. Rose is still sleeping so I have the stillness all to myself. I love this time of the morning when the sun is just coming up and everything is so very quiet.  It's the heart of winter now and everything outside is blanketed with inches of snow.  I hear everyone complaining about the long, dark days, the bitter temperatures and being stuck inside.  Silently, I adore this time of year.  There are so many beautiful things about it.  I love the snow covered landscape, the toastiness of a blazing fire, hot kettles of homemade soup and bread, extra time to reorganize and make needed repairs. Extra time to reflect and dream.  The cold wet days provide us with a good excuse to wear boots every single day, oh how I love boots!  The long nights give us time to peruse gardening magazines and dream of vegetable gardens and flowers in the spring.  The sights of little ones bundled up like stuffed bears just ready for the squeezing makes my heart swell.  The red and pink of Valentine's Day everywhere fills us with thoughts of dear friends and loved ones and of course inspires me to make handmade Valentines.  And imagine the adventures of trekking out on snow covered roads when actually taking your time and maybe even arriving late is okay!  At least you made it, that's all that matters.  What other time of the year fills us with such love, patience, rest and reason?  Yes, it is a beautiful time of the year indeed.

 

Pearls

I just love pearls.  There is something about them that is so feminine and beautiful.  I love the weight and the iridescence.  I am always attracted to them for jewelry making and for cardmaking.  Here's a recent little project for a special birthday.  I was inspired by a necklace I saw at Anthropologie.  My creation required a trip back to the store to get additional materials, and it isn't the design I had in mind originally, but I am happy with the way it turned out.  I love the champagne color of the pearls and the different sizes give the necklace interest and texture.  It is the perfect length and lays just right on the neck.  I used some vintage chain for a extra special little touch on the clasp.  And of course, no jewelry would be complete without just the right amount of sparkle accomplished with the addition of two swirl cut crystals.  I made a pair of matching earrings using just the crystals and antique gold findings. She loved it.

 

Chaise Before and After

I purchased this chaise at a tag sale several years ago for $20.  I fell in love with it the moment I saw it.  It is from the 1950's, has a very unique reclining mechanism and great decorative tack details along the sides.  I saw the potential beyond the white, stained and cracked vinyl.

Last year I finally had it recovered.  For now, I have it in my studio awaiting the upstairs redo.

I love the detail...

I see it paired with this, covered in flax linen....

With these in cream... 

And if there is some wall space left, maybe these...

And this petite little sparkler, hanging overhead for a cozy reading corner...

Hmmmnnn, I can't wait!

 

 

 

A Half Gallon of Cream

Last weekend I spent all day Saturday and Sunday painting.  It started out innocently.  I woke up thinking, "Today is the day that my craft table is getting painted!"  I've been threatening it for more than four years.  It's been the plan all along but the table never seems to be empty and the next project is always looming.  So...I cleared the table of all the holiday project remnants and gave it a coat of beautiful, buttery cream paint.  As I sat there admiring the lovliness of the new coat of paint, I thought, "What the heck, I'll just throw a coat on the dresser real quick, it won't take long.  I can't put the next coat on the table yet anyway." 

Fast forward 16 hours.  I am covered head to toe in paint, my clothes look like I was using them to clean the paint brushes, I have string in my hair (I'll explain that in just a moment), I have paint on my skin UNDER the clothes I am wearing and the basement looks like an explosion occurred.  However, before me now is a grouping of three freshly painted pieces of furniture, all tied together by a half gallon of cream.

Now that I have everything back in place, my studio looks so much better, it looks crisp and unified.  I love it.  When the carpet is installed this spring, it will be ready for a few small classes. 

Now back to the string.  In the midst of the painting fury, at 7 PM I might add, I got my last little bit of inspiration (or total lapse of sanity) and decided to slipcover the bench to tie it in with the new cream paint.  All the cutting and stitching of fabric creates a bit of a mess, hence the string.  At this point it is 10 PM, I can barely walk, and I have paint and string from head to toe, but I am happy.  

Disappointingly however, in my frenzy, I forgot to get the before photos.  

So now, one week later, I am contemplating putting the second half of the gallon to use on another grouping of tired furniture. I took the before photos this morning so I wouldn't forget.

Here are the results, notice how the table is already filled with another project!:

My comfortable little bench has a pretty new dress, no more pink and blue flamestitch.

And a new home for my stamps.  I have one additional treat for this dresser, more on that a little later.

And a new place for my dies and cutters. I wish I had the before photo on this one.  This cabinet is from the 1960's.  Before the paint, it sported a black formica top and chrome trim.  Wow.  I'm not sure how I live with that for the last 15 years.

I can't wait to see what magic awaits for the next half of the gallon!

 

 

 

One Little Word 2011

via aliedwards.com

How very exciting to be a part of this adventure!  Enrollment remains open, share the adventure here. It is truly amazing where one little word will take you.  I am sharing this adventure with a close friend and I am certain that we will learn even more about each other along the way, I can't wait. 

Searching for the various items required in the project, I have discovered some very interesting sychronicities.  A dear friend of mine, who is now on the other side, always said there are no coincidences.  She was a wonderful teacher and taught me to look closely when anything appeared as a coincidence.  She said if you looked closely, you would see the magic.   

After much searching, I finally found a quote that uses the word "verve":

"a flying open of doors, convergence of magic objects into feathered hands and crested heads, a prospect of winter verve, a build up to abundance" ~Denise Levertov

Is it a coincidence that it refers to feathers?  I doubt it.  Feathers, wings and birds hold special meaning for me.  I have not yet delved into the context of this quote, but simply removing it from its original context and reading it word for word, applying it to my life, it could not be more appropriate.  Is it a concidence that it refers to magic and abundance?  Nope.  These are also words I considered.

This quote now serves as the mantra for my 2011.

I find it also intriging that one of the synonyms for the word is the name of the street where I lived with my beloved grandmother.  The Universe talks to us in every sight, every sound, every smell and provides constant reassurance that we are not alone, if only we are open to receive.  Synchronicity? Coincidence?  Nope.  Magic.

Here are the finished pieces for the first two prompts:

Every little bit and bauble, the patterns and chosen colors, every little word holds special meaning to me. 

And the second prompt, a photo of me, right now, in January, 2011, the beginning of a brand new year and the beginning of this adventure.  I am ready.

2011 The Year of Verve

Several of my favorite bloggers have suggested chosing a word as the theme for the upcoming year.  I've given this a lot of thought over the last couple of days and have decided that I want a word.  What a great way to focus in!  Then I thought about resolutions.  Nope.  No resolutions this year.  I need it to be simpler than that this year.  Just one word to live by, meditate on.  That's all I need..  All of the resolutions, goals, milestones, targets, lists, planners and plans are definitely out for me this time around.  This year my goals are more about living, breathing, moving and still being grounded in each and every moment.  It's about simplifying.  I want to focus less on what is next and what needs to be done tomorrow, next week and next month and more on what is happening right now.  I want to enjoy the moment more, appreciate everything.  Close my eyes and feel the spirit.  Savor each minute.  Take nothing for granted.  Actually be present.  But not only that, I want my living to be lively and passionate.  Not to be just grounded in the moment, but breathing each moment in deeply and appreciating what is right here, right now, each and every blessing acknowledged, appreciated and enjoyed with liveliness.  I want those around me to be changed by my example, charged up by my enthusiasm, even if only for a moment.  I want to spread the magic of imagination and be an example of the power it holds.  VERVE.  It's my word.  Here's the official definition.  Perfect.

Verve (noun) 1. Excitement of imagination such as animates a poet, artist,or musician, in composing or    performing, 2. artistic energy and enthusiasm 3. vigour, vitality and liveliness 4. rapture, enthusiasm, 5. spirit, energy