Wildflower Wednesday

On a bright summer day a young girl went for a walk to look for some wildflowers for her Mum's kitchen.  Mum hadn't been feeling well lately and the young girl thought some flowers would cheer her up.  She passed by Farmer O'Neal's pasture and saw these lovely purple flowers and thought they would do nicely for Mum.  

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There were also lovely little mums all over and she plucked those too.  However, the walk had been rather long so she sat under the great tree to rest and make a few flower chains with the flowers.  Flower chains were sure to cheer Mum up.

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Yet as the day grew warmer the young girl grew tired and her eyes began to droop.  The world took on an antique hue and the sky appeared to be filled with flower shaped clouds and the flowers that surrounded her were suddenly taller than she.

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Standing up, the flower chain and bouquet forgotten, the young girl raced to return home for nothing looked the same.  What had been Farmer O'Neal's pasture was now a meadow and where sheep grazed now aged wooden folding chairs stood.  People in their Sunday Frippery filled those chairs as gentle music played from the string quartet that sat where the barn used to be.


The young girl was frightened at the change and yet drawn to The People just the same.  As she drew in closer to them she told herself she would only ask for directions to her home, she needed to return home to Mum.  Suddenly one of The People grabbed her, speaking softly that the ceremony was to begin and she must take her place.


No sooner had she seated herself than a beautiful woman who looked much like her Mum, only much younger, dressed in a gown of white began to walk down the aisle.  It was then that the young girl realized she was at a wedding.  She strained in her seat to see the groom but could not quite make out his face, for he was standing at a great distance from her.


As suddenly as The People had arrived they vanished , the quiet music still ringing in her ears and all that remained of her vision was a bouquet of wildflowers on a dark antique chair.

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The young girl pressed on, Mum would soon realize her absence and would worry.  The sun had now shifted in the sky and late afternoon was upon her.  Yet strangely, as if in a dream, the world around her became bigger or she became smaller she was not sure which.  First it was the trees that no longer looked like trees but grew to the height of mountains.  Grass that had crunched under her feet now was her height, flowers loomed overhead like trees.  


What was this place?  The young girl saw nary a bug but noticed the intricacies of each blade of grass, of the stems of the flowers and the water droplets.  In awe of the great details she saw the young girl stopped, remembering her little sketch pad she kept in her pocket.  She sat and drew in great detail the veins of each blade of grass, the way nutrients of the flowers glittered up the stem to the flower and how the petals of the flower vibrated with each drink the roots took in.


Exhausted from such a task the young girl laid down to rest among the flowers.

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When she awoke she noticed the flowers were of appropriate size but that the sun was now dipping lower in the sky quickly rising to her feet the young girl began walking again hoping to find some sign of where she was, how to get home.  Mum was sure to be worried something fierce about her absence, she had been gone all day.  As the young girl wandered, she noticed that the field began to cede and and a forest began.  Tall evergreen trees stretched tall to the sky, like soldiers on watch over the life of the forest floor.  


Pressing on into the forest the sun's evening rays glimmering in between the trees.  A clearing diverged and the young girl took it and the sight she saw took her breath away.  A cloud capped mountain and the suns lowering rays shining on the valley below showing the trail of a small river.  She sat down upon a fallen tree and simply soaked in the sight.

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Eyes closed she listened to the soft sounds of the end of day.  Birds bustling to settle their chicks, crickets beginning their evening chant.  The soothing sounds turned into vibrations.  Not vibrations, no she was being shaken.  Slowly her eyes opened and before her stood Farmer O'Neal a smile on his weathered faced.  


Standing up the young girl realized she had fallen asleep under the great tree just past Farmer O'Neal's pasture.  The bouquet of wildflowers still in her hands she quickly waved her goodbye to the farmer and ran home.  She not only had beautiful flowers for Mum but a story to share as well.


I hope you enjoyed this short story.  I know it has been a while since I've posted anything here, it is a season for sure.  Life as a mother can be hard and sometimes there are moments when we just don't understand why we're feeling as we do.  That is where I am today, where I'll probably be for a few more days.  At times like these I find it extremely therapeutic to write, many things I write I don't share but today I set out to post a few lovely photos but when it came to writing a snippet about each picture a story came out instead.  Please pay no mind to improper grammar or change in voice, it is but a first draft but as with most things related to therapy it needs no perfecting for it is what it is.  My prayer is that it brightens your day as it has already brightened mine.


Buffy 

I've Been Sewing, honest!

Just because I haven't blogged about any recent creations lately doesn't mean I haven't been creating.  In fact in four days I made 4 garments for myself...none of which were orange :)  I haven't had a chance to get around to taking pictures of one dress that I made but here are pictures of 3 things that I made.

The first up is this skirt...

You see I've kind of been in a dress funk and while I love it, some days you just want to wear a top (not that you can't wear a top over a dress, I'm doing that today) but a skirt is really nice too.  Except that I am over the top picky about skirts...I want them to look slimming but trendy and easy to put on but go with what I've got.  I saw this skirt...

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on Pinterest and knew I had to try and make it myself.  This is attempt #1 and I love it!

I would have made the waistband withe the same striped fabric but I didn't have enough.

This skirt took about 2 yards to make since it is cut on the bias.  I probably spent more time cutting the fabric out than I did sewing it together.  However, taking your time with striped or plaid fabrics is well worth it as the time you spend cutting out you save when you sit down to sew...I pin a little and then just chug it out and my lines always match up because I cut them to do so.

Now I just need to make a maxi length one :)

I have fallen in love with peasant tops, in the sense that they've never gone out of fashion.  Look fabulous on just about everyone.  Can be made from woven or knit fabric.  Though more importantly are beyond easy to make.  I thought it would be fun to make a tunic length top that I could wear alone or under one of my many MODify dresses.

What tunic isn't made perfect with leggings?  So in a couple evenings time I whipped up a pattern for a tunic and leggings and made this wonderful outfit...

I added fun button detail on the leggings

My wardrobe is now 50%-60% handmade and the rest store bought.  There is nothing like going out wearing something you made for yourself.  Sometimes I do get comments about where I found something and it is great to be able to say that I made it.

I hope you all have a great weekend.  I'm trying hard not to go insane or start counting down the days until September when I'll have 3 kids in school all day.  

31 Days of Pictures

So the other day (alright, last night) I was checking out the new things on Pinterest and found this:

via Fat Mum Slim

Now if you've spent any amount of time searching the blog sphere you've probably run across the challenge Project 365, which has taken many shapes and forms but the general idea is that you take a picture everyday for an entire year.  I'll leave you to research the reasons you might accept a challenge such as that.

Back to the above pic.  I was immediately taken by the fact that instead of just randomly taking a singular picture everyday for a month, the creator had given ideas to what to take each day.  If I'm completely honest if I were to take a picture everyday (I sort of do already) they would almost 100% of the time be of my kids.  Not that they aren't adorable, they are, still if something is going to be challenging it needs to have the ability to step out of your comfort zone.

So today, being May 1st I decided to have a go at this.  Not in the casual, well if it doesn't work out no biggie, but in the I'm going to take a picture everyday for the month of May and share them with the world...or as much of the world as I can.  My reason is namely to get myself in the habit of not just taking pictures for posterity, or for the blog, or for family and friends but to see the meaning behind the picture.  To stretch myself as I learn photography and learn the artistic side of photography too.

With all that in mind I share...

I know, I know it's a picture of my son...but really it isn't.  Let me explain.  Today the goal was to photograph peace.  I have always been of the conviction that while a hot bubble bath, good book and a nice cup of hot cocoa is peaceful, more or less that is restful.  Peace to me isn't the avoidance of conflict, anytime you put two people in the same room conflict arises large or small.  No, peace true and complete peace is the ability to continue with what you were doing a midst the trials and noise of conflict.

So this morning as I sat at the table reading Mean Moms Rule (a fabulous book too) I looked up to catch my son playing with his cars and I was struck by the peace I found in the scene.  My 2-year-old in only his diaper, pen mark on his face, paint chipping on his highchair tray playing most contently with his cars as his older brothers watched a movie, his sister ran around the house as the princess and his mother read a book sipping chai tea.   He found that in spite of his surroundings and the relative chaos he could focus on one thing and do that one thing well.

That my dear friends is peace.  Knowing that no matter what happens, who is doing what, how you're feeling, if the laundry is done or there are groceries in the fridge; that you can still focus on one solitary thing and accomplish it well.

Here's to more pictures about the beauty we find in life!  Hope you find your peaceful moment today too!

So I Observed Lent...

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I didn't blog about this earlier partly because I was so busy, though mostly because it was an extremely personal decision and I wanted to see it to the end before broadcasting it to the world.  However on February 22, 2012 I gave up almost all refined sugar for Lent.  Almost meaning I allowed natural sugars (fruit, honey), ate bread with sugar if it was pre-made (if I made it, it was sugar free), I also allow yogurt and organic cane juice.  I also allowed Sunday's to be a day a celebration and if I was offered sugar I didn't refuse... incidentally only 2 Sunday's were opportunities to imbibe in sugar.

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What I learned is:

1) I have amazing self-control when I place God in control of my appetite
2) Creativity in the kitchen.  Stevia, true stevia not Truvia, is wonderful and actually too sweet for me but great for making pudding.
3) I have a fabulous husband who made me a chocolate sauce from honey, cocoa powder & water.
4) The first week is the hardest.
5) I feel a deep sense of self-worth, an appreciation of what I accomplished and of my closer relationship with the Lord.

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Honestly, I wasn't sure how I was going to do.  Giving up on things hasn't always been my best attribute. Yet for almost 40 days I have abstained from sugar.

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Do I plan to go back, yes and no.  Everyone preaches moderation and now on the other end of the fast I know I can bring that into the picture.  Before I was so accustomed and addicted to the idea of sweet treats that I consumed too much without thinking.  Yet now I weigh my food choices more intelligently.  I think before I eat and eat not out of want but of need.  Also, I've lost 12 pounds and this is the only change I made, this tells me how important I keep on top of the sweets.

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Tomorrow I'm going to break my fast...not sure with what but I will make it and keep my portion small.   I am excited but fretful too, for now I'll only allow a sweet treat once a week.

What about you?  Any sacrifices you've made give back double?  Something you'd like to give up?  Let's chat!

The Great Quilt Search

Doesn't that sound exciting?  A great quilt search...

Yesterday I said that I was going to make a quilt this month and with all the other projects I have going on I have to have a pattern decided on and quick!  I want something simple enough to put together quickly but not so simple I'm bored.  Actually I'm already set for a pattern, but what's the harm in showing off some Quilt Luv?

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Aren't they all beautiful?  I have a lovely pinboard with lots of quilt pics.  Looking through it makes me wish I was more of a quilter, but it's the piecing that gets to me.  So tedious and time consuming and really I do prefer making clothes, but I am determined to make a quilt this month.  It might not get quilted...but I'm hopeful (read in overly ambitious).

This is the quilt I'm going to make...

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The pattern is Picnic Quilt found in Sandi Henderson's Sewing Bits & Pieces book.  This pattern appeals to me because you fold under the curve before you sew, pin rows 1 & 2 together and then stitch the entire row at one time...no little piecing.  I'm sure it will take me longer than the 'weekend' project it claims to be.  Also I'm going to *gasp* cut into my vintage sheets for this.  Partly because I've needed a great reason to cut into them and a quilt for endometriosis awareness is a fabulous reason.  The other part is because their mostly yellow, must be attracted those yellow flowers :)  

I'm very excited and think you should be too!

Tell me are you quilter or non-quilter?  Any quilt patterns you're crushing on?  A goal you've set out to meet this month? It's spring break this week, I'm without a car, stuck at home with all my kids so let's chat!  I've got coffee and hot cocoa to spare :)

Laundry...

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Yesterday morning I lost it.  It was probably one of those accumulation of stress things but yesterday as my 8 year old son with tears in his eyes because he couldn't find clean pants...well it was the last straw.  I love to do laundry, really I do.  What I hate is the overwhelming amount I have to do, combined with the fact that even in our small house I still have to hunt down the dirty clothes.  Or that it isn't until they're out of clothes, and we have to leave in 10 minutes that they inform me that they have no clean clothes.

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As for the tearful child above...do not feel sorry for him.  Why?  Because he did have clean pants, he just didn't want to wear them.  Because he knew when he pulled out the last pair of pants that he has to tell me.  Though mostly, because he hardly ever puts his pants away where they should go.

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So I made a decision.  I'm not doing their laundry anymore.  I'm cutting my laundry down to 4 people and household.  Mine, Husband's, Elsa and Thaddeus, but only until the kids turn 5.  Then I'm cutting them loose too!  From here on out Lincoln, Samuel and Vinny will wash their own clothes, fold them and put them away.  If they don't have clean clothes.  Not my fault.  For those who live by us, you are forewarned about boys in dirty clothes, running naked or in just their underoos :)

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I am a woman with a plan just the same.  This weekend I'll be pouring through my fabric stash and making up some laundry bags for them each to keep their clothes separate.  I'm planning on using the pattern from Rae found in 101 One-Yard Wonders.  Then I'm going to give each of the kids a day of the week to wash their laundry...I'll keep you all posted on the progress.  Which to be honest right now isn't going so well.  Lincoln has been folding for almost an hour and isn't even half way done...aiyaya!  Still I'm determined!

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I hope you all have a great weekend and that you too can come to a resolution of the dreaded Mt. Washmore as my friend Shannon calls it.  Has anyone else ever tried this?  Please share your successes or failures with me so we can all learn together.

Can't Stop Now I'm Sewing...

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I just wanted to pop in and say that I am hard at work on this incredible project...the biggest part is almost finished then I have two more quick things to add and then we'll be ready for the photo shoot.  It's my entry for the auditions at Project Run & Play.  So wish me luck and that this dreaded sore throat I have will disappear as it's kicking my butt in the sleep department!  Must finish and finish soon.

All the details are here and just because I had to play with my camera here's a quick sneak peek...

Do you have any deadlines you're racing towards?  A project that has completely enamored your attention?  Please share, I can't talk much today but as long as my fingers work I can type my replies :)

What Really Gets My Dander Up...

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So I had planned on showing off some fabulous pictures of my princess in her new skirt that I made but taking pictures this weekend proved to be more difficult that I expected (this is where you read in I forgot because my kids were wild).  I have a few things that are in progress and I hope to get one thing finished and posted soon.  Still I have one thing that has been running around in my brain for a while and I guess I just want to put it out there.

My Number One Pet Peeve....

While it is true I hate it when people chew their food or bubble gum with an open mouth and I abhor it when you ask a question and get not only no answer but no response.  Or how it drives me nuts when someone watches the computer screen or book over my shoulder what really gets my dander up is when someone comments on how much harder girls are to raise than boys.

Perhaps it's because I am a girl and I don't like thinking that I was harder to raise than if I had been a boy. Or maybe it's because I have four boys and only one girl so I don't like the assumption that my parental responsibilities is a breeze.  Though I suspect it mostly has to do with the fact that I'm pretty much the lone wolf on this.  I believe whole heartedly, confirmed by my own little girl that neither gender is harder to raise.

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Now, I will freely admit that my daughter is by far the hardest on me for her drama and emotions.  If you are a person that doesn't deal well with that you very well might say that girl's are harder to raise than boys.  I think as a mother dealing with our daughters we see a lot of ourselves in them and we want them to have a better future than we had.  If we were the wallflowers at the dances we want them to be popular, if we were the mean girls at school we want them to be the nice ones.  I don't feel that way about my boys, because well I've never been a man.

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Still my boys frustrate me with their lack of communication or communication about things I could care less about (you know what I'm talking about, guns, guts, lizards and such).  While it is true that boys tend to be more physical in their frustrations they also become sullen, non-communicative and defiant.  At least with girls you know what the problem is even if you can't fix it.

The truth is that boys are hard in their own ways and girls are too.  To say that one is harder than the other leaves the debate open to families of all girls to say "Look at us were working harder than you." to the family of all boys.  While I doubt they'd say that I do wonder if people think that me with my four boys got the long stick in life...which isn't true.  Everyone's life is hard...get this...FOR THEM.  I wouldn't want your life and I know you don't want mine.

Well thanks for tolerating my little rant.  It's been on my mind for a while.  Do you have a rant you just have to share?  Leave it below in the comments I'd love to know what bothers you.  I however have some sewing I must do!

Lovelies for a Monday

To be adventurous this week...

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To see the beauty that surrounds me...

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To dig up pictures of Husband and me and do this...

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To add a second story to our house just so I can put this staircase in...

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To one day be brave enough to dye my hair this color...

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Sorry, I didn't mean to take a mini vacation but the internet was having issues, which means I was having issues.  There are still a few more kinks to work out with the internet but at least I can now get on and actually do something instead of just waiting for pages to load.

I'm still having some technical issues (ie my camera) so I have no recent photos to share so Pinterest will have to do.  However, as soon as that glitch get fixed (hopefully with the purchase of a new camera) I will have photos and all kinds of cool stuff to share with you all.  I have been sewing though some of it has been utterly frustrating.  Also I've been knitting and hope to have a few FOs soon.

I wish you all a happy Monday!

The Techie-Toddler Blues...

Poppy Paperie

So it's Tuesday and I have no finished garment...boo!  I know, I know this is only the 2nd week and I'm already behind.  However it just over half the month and it is totally a recoverable condition.  Yes I am going to be optimistic :)

Stylish Children's Parties

I wish I had photos of all the things I've been working on.  A convertible mitten for my dad, socks for me, mitts for me, Husband's sweater...and that is just the knitting.  I have a shirt I'm working on for me, plus a few Valentine projects and a super cute tute that I'm hoping to have finished by the end of the week!  So don't think I'm not doing anything ;)

Woodlands Home

The problem is I have been running into a few roadblocks...one of which I have absolutely no control over and that is my camera.  Last April we bought a new camera...we dropped said camera...camera broke...went to get camera fixed...not covered under warranty...cost to fix=price of new camera...thus we have been without a decent camera for a while.  I am borrowing a camera from my dad but the battery is slowly dying that I can hardly take any pictures without needing to charge it, plus it only takes pics when the camera is cold...so much work

Shannon McNeil via Pinterest

Thus I have relied heavily on my cell phone...the cell phone that is um...well slow.  Yes, it is new but the technology is really old, 3 years old, so while it does make phone calls, I can text and surf the web... it takes a while...and that includes uploading pics.

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So right now I have the techie blues, waiting for enough money to go buy the camera I really want and waiting also for my phone to be eligible for an upgrade.   Yes, I do have the techie blues indeed.  And the toddler blues...you know the independent 'I do myself' which often turns into screaming and crying because she can't...plus all of a sudden she has decided she doesn't want to use the potty anymore...FRUSTRATING!!!

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As you can imagine I've been drinking copious amounts of coffee, trying to craft and still get groceries bought.  A household of 7 isn't always easy but it certainly is never boring :)

Super Awesome Crazy Goal

crochet spot via Buffy on Pinterest

Before I begin with my post today, I just want to say thank you for all you lovely comments last week as I posted about my goals and my anniversary.  They meant a lot so thanks!

Now I'm sure you've probably noticed that there has been one area of my life not yet covered with a goal, sewing!  The reason of course is that it is integral with my one and only very big goal for 2012.  A goal that I'm gonna need everyone's support on and encouragement.  This goal has been on my mind like a lingering cold in August so when I finally sat down with Husband to discuss it he told me I should go for it!  What a guy right?  Now I'm sure you're all curious and I won't make you wait a minute longer.

zanzara via Buffy on Pinterest

My goal is to make 50 garments and blog about them by December 31, 2012.  Yes you read that right FIFTY!  However, I'm going to take it just a little bit further and say that the majority (38) have to be for me or another adult.  Yes, I want to make some clothes for me!

Buffy on Pinterest

Last year I discovered the joy of sewing for myself, combined with another overarching goal of not looking like I was cast for Frumpy in the role of Momma of Five.  My desire is that this goal will stretch not my sewing skills but also help me to develop a deeper sense of what fashion styles work for me.  Other little bonuses will be the additional blogging and prayerfully better photography.

blogs babble via Buffy on Pinterest

I probably should now take a moment to say that what I'm defining as a garment is anything that you wear...yes anything!  So accessories and the like are included.  I have opted to go this relaxed route for the simple reason of time and that they are necessary in fashion.  So don't be surprised if a belt or hat show up on the blog :)

GQ via Buffy on Pinterest

In fact I actually have a dream list of things I want to make for myself in the new year and a list of things I want to make for the kids.

Since my goal is about one garment a week I will post on the first Tuesday of the month the 4-5 garments slated for the month to make.  This will give me the flexibility to work on what is working and not stress that one project is taking far longer than I expected.  Yet on Tuesday I will also post pictures of my newly completed project.

I've thought about different sorts of rewards for this but have determined natural consequences tend to work best in these situations.  I have 5 outfits planned for January but if I fail to make them all then February (a shorter month) will have to play catch up.  However the positive benefit is that if I'm sewing that means I'm using up supplies which in turn means I get to go shopping!!!  Winning right?

Well there you have it, my big goal for 2012.  I know I can do it and to be honest the excitement I have can only build right?  I'll be back tomorrow with my choices for the month.  Have you started a goal yet?  Still thinking about what you want to accomplish?  Just because the new year is already here doesn't mean it's too late!  Find a quiet moment and turn those wishes into goals and let me know!