looking to 2006

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Here's to a new year filled with all the best ~
Have a safe and happy celebration.

with love, me!

{adorable}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Being I've been on a sewing binge, this pin cushion caught my eye on ebay. Needless to say, it was waiting for me at the post office when I picked up my mail today '~)

MY NEW HOUSE UP NORTH!!

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Back home in Charlotte with some big, big news -

Yes, I did it again - bought a house! When I bought the house here in NC two years ago December I did so in a weekend. This house in Michigan also was found, an offer put on the table and accepted - all in a short couple days. As much as people are so incredulous at the apparent ease I can make these decisions, I do have to agree wholeheartedly - this is the easiest part of it all (and much fun to boot)!

And this house is wonderful, I love it! It is being built by a guy who only builds a few houses a year and who really does a quality job. It is nearly completed, in fact should be done sometime this week. The four days I was in and out of it I got to see the work of an amazing tile guy, he's done an excellent job with some great mosiac tile installations in all the bathrooms as well as in the kitchen and much of the flooring throughout. The last I went in I was able to take my boys over for a quick peek just before dark friday evening, carpet was about ready to be laid so I got to see the entire family room with it rolled out - much better than imagining what the six inch square sample will look like. Closing is set for February 15th - now need to get this house here on the market and hire the movers - yikes!

Being up there for the week was so much fun. I spent quality time with my family and saw alot of friends - I must say at this age staying out until 3am, however, takes its toll!! Giving up the 50-some degree temperatures of a NC winter for all that snow - a trade-off I am most willing to make for having the warmth and love of them all. Looking forward to getting there and settling in!

{celebrate}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

have a joyful day ~

love,

Mary

my christmas card

Originally uploaded by blubird.

(me, circa 1958)

The joy of giving. What could be worth more than the smiles and hugs received in return, the ultimate joy of knowing I have brightened someone's day however minutely - this is what the season in particular, and all of life, is all about for me.

I'm off to the winter wonderland of the north where my family and dear friends reside to celebrate. Peace and joy to all.

Ah, winter

Originally uploaded by blubird.

An icy day in the neighborhood here yesterday. A full moon emerged during the night - the world is coated in crystals. Quite, quite beautiful.

my sister

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Today would have been Karen's 47th birthday, hard to believe she has been gone nearly ten years already.

tuesday's creations

Originally uploaded by blubird.

A few of the ornaments I just whipped up for the girls at work. I find the packaging as fun as the project!

three dresses

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Taking a complete break from xmas today!

What fuels the process of why and what you create in a day? My thoughts as I was finishing this piece. Without too much contemplation I'd have to say a studio FULL of stuff I've lovingly collected - and whatever my eye lands on, using whatever medium I seem to be "into" at the moment! For me it's been this sewing lately - it seems quite mindless, I don't have to put alot of thought into it, no planning - just rummaging through the fabric baskets and scraps and my jars (and jars and jars) of buttons, a playful time for me.

And without going into any detail on that - as those who know me realize - I desperately NEED that at this juncture of my life!

{tis the season}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

I am going through a christmas withdrawal - already! This year I am going to Michigan to celebrate, even the boys will meet me up there so there will be no partying here. And since I am putting the house up for sale when I get back home I decided not to decorate :~0 - I'm not even putting up a christmas tree!

This is something I usually spend about a week doing, even in this little house last year it took nearly that long. I have so many decorations they have their own walk-in closet (one thing I am looking very forward to when getting back "up north" is having a basement again)!

Last year it looked pretty gorgeous in here and I took pictures of everything - I feel the undercurrent of discontent over living down here must have alerted my subconscious I would not ever do it again in this space. Of course they will go into the scrapbook/journal I have started of the whole experience - my journey down here, living on my own, etc, etc. (Which is about a year and a half behind in putting together, as usual).

I've been keeping in the christmas mood however by playing nonstop xmas music (something I was only allowed by my family to do starting the day after thanksgiving and made to stop new year's day as it drove everyone else quite nuts) - I think at times I am the only person that just loves the sounds of this music! And I've been making a few more ornaments - this one for a friend in GR, there is a group of us from high school who I have been getting reacquainted with the last couple years who are meeting for dinner one night I am home for the holidays.

{wonder}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

what a world of magic and wonder I entered into in 1957!

~so blessed~

thursday

Originally uploaded by blubird.

I just love this photo I found in a junk shop sometime over this last year, she reminds me so much of myself at that age. Believe it or not (despite all my moaning and groaning about weather in my "old" age) I used to spend a good part of my winters outside enjoying the weather - ice skating, building forts, making snow angels, lying on my back watching the snowflakes fall or the clouds moving overhead.

Spent some hours this afternoon making some xmas ornaments, these are two of them.

YIKES

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Not quite through the entire box of 64 crayolas - but will take all the GOOD colors as today I'm queen `~)

Regardless, still will need to call in the fire department this year!!

dreary

Originally uploaded by blubird.

This was a dark, dreary, rainy and foggy day. I spent it doing the errands I'd put off doing last week due to the holiday, got a good start on the xmas shopping, and got my christmas cards - postcards this year - printed up at Office Max. All the art I've been making is for gifts, so no sneak peeks, most likely no posts of any of it for awhile as I don't know I'll have time for anything else. Yet this has been very enjoyable, I've made soldered ornaments, a few quilties, and am just starting work on some picture frames. And it's not even december - whooo, hoooo, I'm ahead of my game!

after the turkey

Originally uploaded by blubird.

smile, my turkeys!!

{THANKSGIVING}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

I am so thankful for my boys - shown here in 1989 before we went to my little brother's wedding. They are now 20 and 22 years old (I'm sure will have updated pictures tomorrow). They drove down from Ohio this afternoon to spend this holiday with me, and have filled fill my house with their energy and maleness, they certainly make it a home. I cooked them an enormous dinner which they tucked right into and are now sleeping it off, "watching" football - they should be waking up for pie soon. Ernie, my puppy, is so excited he doesn't know which lap to snuggle up in, everytime I peek down from the loft he is with a different one (then every few minutes he runs up here to be sure he is, probably, in the right house)!

I feel FULL - of love and gratitude.

frazzled

frazzled
Originally uploaded by blubird.

I encountered too many women looking like this today, my job as a part-time cashier in a grocery store testing my patience in dealing with their frazzled states, just have to grin and bear it.

Tis the season??!

{Self Portrait Tuesday}

Originally uploaded by blubird.

I am trying something new the last few months - using a sewing machine to express myself through my art. A new identity - well, one more facet.

genesis paper trimmer

genesis paper trimmer
Originally uploaded by blubird.

After having gone through the gamut of paper cutters I decided on this - the mother of all trimmers!! Actually I made this decision a couple years ago, decided when I got all moved and settled I would treat myself. Until I found out you had to order it and give a credit card number - and the delivery date was projected to be at that time around 18 months out!

Today (is it just that I am moving again??!) I enquired as to wait time. Although a vague response was given I am led to believe it will be about a year, sigh. However, no longer is your credit card number given until it is ready for delivery. So I am on the list, woo hoo!!

To see more about them: www.genesistrimmer.com

Originally uploaded by blubird.

Spent most of the day cleaning my art space/office. I have to profess, I am a packrat. The place looks fabulous now, everything is in its' place, like stuff with like, etc. I do believe, however, my realtor will most likely faint when she sees it! This is more or less a "retirement" neighborhood of the golf course community I live at - I am sure it's going to take a few people by surprise - not your typical nest!

After that just had to do a little project so took a picture I had of two dear friends, transferred it onto fabric, and made two "mirror image" quilties as christmas gifts. Hope they will like them as much as I enjoy making them.