Originally uploaded by blubird.

This can be purchased from the Victorian Trading Co. I think it is inspiring an art project for today!

Originally uploaded by blubird.

While on my way to Michigan last week I stopped in Ohio and spent the night in Medina with Joe and then on my way back home spent the night in Athens with Luke. I really, really miss them and enjoyed seeing each of them so very much.

This is a photo Luke had from their trip out west this past summer they took with their dad. They are getting so grown up, Joe almost 21 and Luke is 22! I'm very proud of my guys!!

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Call me crazy, I'm going back home to Michigan after fifteen years. Many factors go into this decision but to make it brief, I need my family and friends at this time of my life. I was up there the last ten days and felt myself to be another person, just rejuvenated and reenergized. Cold, yes it was, but also breathtakingly beautiful at this time of year (see photo) - and I am willing -more than- to make the tradeoff.

A million and one things to do - sell, and gulp, I think build a house, again weed out my accumulation of STUFF, etc, etc, etc.

This comes at a time I was offered my dream job - working in a bookstore, which I had to turn down - willpower, I have to have willpower! I can only say, life is mysterious and there are reasons for everything, cross my fingers I am now heading in a positive direction. Wish me luck!!

Originally uploaded by blubird.

It's beginning to look alot like **HALLOWEEN** around here! These were made for two friends with October birthdays.

As I was sewing it hit me why I like doing these quilties, they are just fun and easy!! I start with an image and a pile of coordinating fabrics, then start pulling out little scraps from a big basket I have where I throw them as I am working on projects. I rip the pieces to a size I like, fray them and sew them on - all this done quite quickly. Nothing is square and it has been a great way for me to learn the sewing machine without my anal self being too critical! And once sewn on, they are on there for good so I don't rethink a piece. I am not as precise as I am with my paper and mixed media collages where I arrange and rearrange and use multiple layers and they take a great deal of time. And I love the embellishment part of looking through my buttons and ribbons and stuff then sitting down to hand sew them on. (I did ALOT of cross-stitch when the boys were little guys and I would sit and watch them play - it was always nice and relaxing for me. Although about that time I realized my favorite comedians had become Bert and Ernie)!

An enjoyable afternoon here, sewing and watching football games. Think I will now bake an apple pie. I LOVE FALL!!

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Went to a huge fabric warehouse/outlet in Gastonia, NC, on friday to add to my stash. In addition to the overwhelming amount of bolts and rolls of fabrics they also have bags stuffed with odds and ends you can pick up for $1 both in remnants and trims. After spending a few hours saturday afternoon sorting my growing inventory and watching Michigan beat State (yeah!), yesterday I made the halloween quilty pictured out of some of the fabrics and a piece of black tassel trim I got there. (And as always my buttons)!

I also dug out the sewing box my sisters had saved for me which belonged to my mom (I had asked them to save the button box which actually was a piece of furniture filled with buttons I used to have fun playing with as a girl - but they thought it ugly and didn't imagine I'd want it :~( I only hope in the estate sale it went to someone who treasures it). The box I do have is a big wooden wine box filled with threads and bobbins and odds and ends. One of the last times I visited before she got sick she was sorting this box out at the kitchen table when I arrived and we sat and talked while she finished up. I treasure this as the memories now make it priceless.

Anyway, I am organized and ready to sew up a storm, and am feeling more confident the more I use the sewing machine. Want to try some new stitches soon as this machine has quite the plethora.