Waiting is the hardest part

As an unexpected treat late last night, my family and I spent several hours in the Emergency Room. Mysterious and terrible pains left me moaning on the floor where the Engineer found me and insisted we make the trip to the hospital to see what was up. During the 2 hour sit and wait in the waiting room with a very tired Pony Girl, the pains had subsided. There was blood drawn, an EKG taken and waiting, lots of waiting.

In the end, they couldn't find the culprit and sent me home. I'm fine, a little tired, a little sore, but I'm fine. Thanks to my amazing Mr. for taking our girl to the bus this morning and letting me sleep in. It is one of those strange things that seemed to turn out alright, but I hope to avoid another visit for the foreseeable future.

Be safe, be well. 

Stitched Journal Project - March

The Stitched Journal Project is: Makers from around the world creating one "page" or piece of work per month and sharing. It is a project to get the ideas flowing, to process the days in a creative way, to try new techniques and to push past fears that keep us from making something.  It isn't about perfection, or getting it "just right," it is about process and perspective.

March - Hand painted wool felt, embroidery on cotton

March.
Oregon Spring.
I said elsewhere that there should be a song about the Oregon Spring. It should be full of difficult country-jazz chord progressions and unexpected key changes. March is both Lion and Lamb, and here - they come and go as they please and leave you guessing.
March is full. Full of morning frost and anniversaries of loss. It is also full of celebration, birthdays, new life, happy wonderful beginnings and a lot of doings.
March is full, and so very busy. Still, in a few of those days that broadcast Spring, where the sun shone and offered a chance to dig deep, to lift the soil, to break one's back in the heavy labour and illogical act of gardening... I took to it like a house afire, with the idea of promise and a strong relationship with the soil!

So my simple stitching reminds me of working in the garden. I didn't have a lot of time to work on my piece, in fact it came down to a last minute free for all. I'm ok with that. Simple is good and plain is alright. I am reminded of the hard and simple work of promise, of making something with my hands.

Below you will find links to the wonderful makers and their Stitched Journal Project pieces for March. Please keep your eyes on this spot in the next couple of days as more add their links. Be sure to visit them and leave comments!

If you think you would like to join in as well, it's not too late!  We will be sharing our pieces the last Friday of every month at least until the end of the year. We'd love to have you.

All of you wonderful Stitched Journal Project participants please link up below! Remember to add your photos to The Stitched Journal Flickr Group! and be sure to share with Facebook, Twitter, etc!

Life at home

Sometimes you get busy with life or life gets busy with you. Either way, both good and bad, up and down, life happens. So we roll. I've let myself fall down the rabbit hole of family life, letting the adventure lead. Celebrations, hard work, sad days and having a little bit of fun.

What have you been up to?

In the Garden - Springing

Oh my goodness! The sun has come out for a day or two, so of course I have been out in the garden. Finding flowers poking up through the soil. What beauty!

And then there has been some hard work. It's all about getting the garden ready for food growing. As of last evening 4 of our raised beds are ready for planting along with 4 large planters. Today seeds go in the cold frame (poly tunnel bed) and the 1 remaining bed needs some compost. Never mind those weeds that are a constant struggle.  So, while the sun is shining you can find me in the garden!

I'm off for a few days to attend to family celebrations, I'll see you all next week!

Hello Monday - Vibrant Color and a Giveaway Winner!

Mossy Green

Amethyst Purple

 Sunshine Yellow

It was a colorful weekend here and just a brief flash of much coveted sunshine before the rain came tumbling down once again. I am itching to get out in the garden. I've got my seeds ready, my compost standing by and all I need is a couple of dry days. The forecast looks good for the end of the week and with any luck I will have dirt under my nails and precious seeds in soil! 

Now onto my giveaway winner of the children's patterns! I used a random generator to choose the winner. Drum-roll please...

The Winner is Sustainable Mum!

Hooray! Send me your address so I can get them in the post!

Thanks to all for entering.

Have a lovely day all!

Much To-doing

Ah, the top of the baby quilt is done. I just made up a simple block design using some very cheery fabrics. I made it the perfect size for floor playing, tummy time, and lap snuggling.
So, on to the backing, then the batting, then the quilting, then the binding. Yes, much to-doing this weekend!

The list is getting longer every minute.
There's big batch cooking and baking afoot!
Finalizing plans for Pony Girl's Birthday
Making said Pony Girl a birthday dress
A-visiting we will go to friends to see their new home
Oh and seeds! I need seeds to plant and compost to dig and weeds to clear and... and...
Well you get the picture. All good and busy things going on this weekend!

What is on your to-doing list?

Making a Mess... again

I'm playing with fabric dyes and paints again. Dreaming of someday having a dyers garden and trying my hand at natural dyes like Annie. For now though, I'm happy to experiment in small batches in my laundry room.

This time with strips of wool felt and some cotton folded and sewn with waxed thread. Just to see what happens.

Sometimes it's good to make a mess.

Hello Monday - It's a Giveaway!

Hello!

Recently I was the lucky winner of a giveaway from StudioTANTRUM. I received the most beautiful gift, full of StudioTANTRUM and Farbenmix patterns, some lovely fabric and other goodies! How lucky am I? 

If you have been a long time reader, you may already know my love of these patterns for kids. Such unique and inspired creations. As Nancy Langdon, designer of StudioTANTRUM says: "You are the designer: Our patterns are the roadmap. You determine the journey."

Here are just a few of their patterns I have made up over the years for Pony Girl.

You can see more examples in the Sewing Clothes kids Love and Farbenmix Flickr groups.

In my box of happy from Nancy, Jen and StudioTANTRUM, I happen to receive a few duplicate patterns that I already had in my collection. So, that means I'm giving away 3 patterns to a lucky reader! Hooray!

These patterns are made in the European tradition, which means that the patterns come on large good quality paper, then you trace the pattern pieces and add seam allowance to the traced pieces. If you have never used this type of pattern before, do not be intimidated. If I can do it, anyone can! Pattern sizes range from 86/92 - 146/152 or US 2 - 12. So, if you have a special little girl in your life that you sew for, or if you know someone who would really like these patterns, they can be yours! Plus, I will be adding a few special extras in the package for fun!

How to win:
1. Simply leave a comment on this post with a way for me to get in touch with you. (Many comments I receive are "no-reply" which means I can't reach you through your comment, make sure I know how to get a hold of you)

2. Add a link to this post to your Twitter, and tag me @lola_nova and @studioTANTRUM for an extra chance to win!

3. Link to the giveaway on Facebook for another chance to win!

4. Be sure to let me know if you have Tweeted, Facebooked etc. So I know to give you those extra chances!

5. Giveaway winner will be announced next Monday, March 10th!

Happy Monday all!