Breathing Space

 Sorry for the lapse in posts; however, 

I've been taking advantage of some time to breathe.

As gorgeous as Fall is in upstate NY, it doesn't 

stick around very long, so I've been out and about 

enjoying some of our local sights and sounds.  

 The Ithaca Farmer's Market (both photos above) 

is brimming with exuberant colors and flavors.

My garden is envious!

 Many of you know my dear friend Carol Horton. 

 She treated us to her favorite food vendor's 

fresh, tasty spring rolls with plum sauce and crushed peanuts!

 A market highlight: discovering the sprout lady 

(my made up name for her because 

I can't remember the business name.)

 Reaching for more radish and sunflower sprouts!

I'll be back to visit other food vendors, like Cambodia - 

and to pick up more antique apples from Black Diamond Farm 

(thanks Vickie!) So many talented artists, too.... 

 Since my previous post, my mom celebrated her 

75th Birthday, and this is the pool bag I created just for her.

The bag's proportions are good for my mom's height.

Stuffed with a giant pool towel, the bag also has pockets  

for my mom's sunglasses, sunscreen, phone and keys.

Her Kindle and i-pad will fit in there, too.

 Meant for years of use, Alexander Henry fabric 

and cotton duck should hold up well.   

Happy Birthday, Mom!

 I just finished this Tulip Purse for myself

(the fabrics were cut several months ago).

Silly kitty. This is a knitting bag, not a kitty bed.

This particular bag is holding my Goodnough sweater

(pattern by Blue Peninsula.) 

I swoon over corduroy. 

It brings me right back to my happy childhood 

in the 70's (no surprise!) 

The button I chose for this bag was made by 

the super talented MaryAnn Carroll, 

and you can find more of her beads, buttons 

and jewelry here on her Etsy shop.

Now back on track for weekly posts, 

I hope to see you next week!

Find Me at Cinch!

Two of my upcoming workshops 

will be at the fabulous Cinch Art Space in Cortland! 

The lovely Carol Horton modeling the poncho outside her office,
Carol Horton, LMT in Cortland, NY.

Perfect Poncho

Saturday, September 21st, 2:00-4:00PM

Join us as we hand sew one clever, simple seam 

to make a timeless, organic jersey poncho. 

It flatters any figure, can easily be dressed up or down, 

and will be that cover up you reach for again and again.

The garment is so quick to sew up that we'll spend time 

learning gorgeous options for further embellishment. 

Whether you prefer solid fabric (like Carol's, above) 

or heavily embellished, you'll leave the workshop 

wearing your signature style!

Fearless Fingerless Gloves

Thursday, September 26th, 6:00-8:00PM

Surprise yourself as you learn how easy it is 

to hand sew these  organic cotton jersey gloves. 

Together, we'll custom fit your pattern, 

learn one simple stitch, a few tricks,

and before you know it you'll have a stylish pair

of fingerless gloves just in time for Fall.

View samples for both workshops at Cinch.

Call Cinch today to reserve your spot around the work table:

607-753-1304

I'm looking forward to gathering together in the

bright, welcoming and cheery workspace that 

Tammie, Kristin and Brenda have created! 

From the dye pot:

Before they depart for the long winter, 

I had to capture and preserve some rose leaves. 

Over the past few chilly days Stanley quickly

remembered how to snuggle up, aaaww!

One final note:

With Silver Trumpet now my full time occupation, 

and my weekends returning to personal & family time, 

my posts will soon change to a week day - a happy change! 

Please stay tuned for the new posting day, 

as well as more Silver Trumpet goodness to come!

A Day At Quilters Corner

This week, I'm honored to be a part of 

Quilters Corner's Demo Day 

(in Ithaca, NY)

for a visiting group of sewers and quilters.

I'll be demonstrating alongside some of the most

talented, supportive and giving women I know.

It's sure to be a really fun day.

For the occasion, I made a sweet wool felt 

needle keep for each "Friendship" kit sold at the shop.

Because I'll be talking in part about my featured project 

in Quilting Arts GIFTS Issue 2013-14,

I added a button-and-loop closure to show an optional

 finishing touch to the original design. 

More suggestions to further personalize the tablet and 

cell phone cases are offered in the kit.

 With the "Friendship" kits packaged up,
I'm looking forward to a full day of demos,
meeting fellow fabric lovers, and if time allows, 
squeezing in a little shopping just for me!

Aside from preparing for Quilters Corner's Demo Day, 

I managed to make a Saturday morning visit

to a nearby stand of sumac trees.

 Sumac berries and steam.

This warm pink is fantastic! 

The silk noil will surely make a future quilt glow.

I spy silk-cotton thread thrown in for good measure, 

and as an experiment, wadded up silk shantung

with hopes that it'll be a good first layer 
for eco-printing, then over-dying 
and finally, hand-stitching.
It's times like this when patience really is a virtue.

Tasty Tart

 Plum Tart was the winning choice for August's 

Pie Challenge, (close cousins allowed.)

 A great use of plums, I'd make this 

rustic, sweet and delicious recipe again. 

Personally, I'm topping each serving with vanilla gelato.

Click here for the Plum Tart recipe found on Saveur,

(originally published in the 5th edition of The Joy of Cooking.) 

Switching gears:

I'm thrilled to announce that my dear friend Tracy

has posted an interview with me (fun!) on her outstanding blog:

www.myretiringlife.blogspot.com

Please visit, if not to read the wonderful 

interview she did, then certainly to get to know her 

and all she gives to her readers across the globe. 

Tracy is an informative and fun blogger 

committed to sharing the world around us

as she experiences it.

Her stunning photography, BEST recipes and 

appreciation for so much that life has to offer 

make her blog a must-read every week! 

Thank you, Tracy, for interviewing me, 

and for sharing it with your audience. :)

Progress is happening in the Studio:

New designs, kits and patterns are under way.

It's definitely a process. I'm learning patience.

 To have the time to focus on my work is

truly a gift - one I hope to make the most of. 

Stay tuned for shop and Studio updates!

Don't forget to read Tracy's interview:

http://www.myretiringlife.blogspot.com

Excitement Is In the Air

For anyone looking to get a jump on Holiday sewing,

Quilting Arts GIFTS 2013-14

hits newsstands Tuesday, August 27th... 

and one of my projects is included!

  

I'm thrilled, and because I'm a long time fan of 
Quilting Arts Magazine,

keeping quiet all these months hasn't been easy.

My project is a set of wool felt appliqued 

tablet and cell phone cases:

"A sweet appliqued motif and hand embroidery 
make a practical gift set extra special."
- Quilting Arts GIFTS, Holiday 2013/2014

   

If you'd like to whip up this charming set,

 kits are now available in my shop. 

The kit includes everything you need to make a pair 
of cases exactly as shown above. 
Excellent quality materials are provided, 
and the cases can be made in a weekend.

Purchasing Quilting Arts GIFTS Magazine will 
provide you with many projects perfect for 
holiday gift giving and decorating. 
I've already spotted a handful I want to get started on!
  You can find the magazine here (paper or digital), 
or in your favorite local quilt shop, 
as well as stores like Barnes & Noble and JoAnn Fabrics.

Studio Buzz:
"Friendship" was so much fun to design and make 
that I've been working away at new designs 
and kits soon to be available in the shop. 
The kits will contain almost everything needed 
so that you can get started right away!  
Please stay tuned as they make their arrival. 

I feel a Plum Tart coming on....
come back next week for the recipe and results!

On a Whim

 I recently uncovered some old

bundled silk and onion skin experiments, 

(the lower piece shown in the above photo)

and on a whim, I threw one into yesterday's

 

pot of French Marigolds.

The aroma brought me back to growing 

marigolds in Sunday school. 

(Funny, as a kid these were my least favorite flowers.) 

Fellow bathers: silk noil and embroidered silk chiffon.

Supporting players: Alum and cream of tartar.

Now out of the bath, the patches of onion skin 

shimmer a much richer yellow-orange. Gorgeous!

 (Original again shown underneath.) 

Phew! That whim that paid off, 
and now it's destined to be incorporated in 
a special series of quilts currently under way.

....More on those later!

It's time for August's vote in my ongoing
 Personal Pie Challenge.

Have a look at my Pies Board on Pinterest 

and cast your vote here in Comments. 

I'll make the winning vote and post

before the end of the month.

As they say, pick me a winner! 

   

A Walk In the Park

 ...Taughannock Falls State Park, that is.

My husband and I began our recent anniversary celebration 

with an afternoon walk through this favorite park,

just north of Ithaca. 

 Spoiler alert: this is the grand finale of the walk.

Grand in their own right, these falls greet all who 

enter the trail. 

 

On this particular hot day we saw young and old

wading, sliding and just cooling off 

in Mother Nature's swimming pool. 

While admiring the falls at the end of the trail I noticed these 

rock formations. Having studied Pre-Columbian art

in college, and having climbed Mayan ruins, 

of course I saw Mayan hieroglyphs.... 

but then again, I'm always looking for shapes in the clouds! 

We had a great anniversary, 

and didn't have to travel far for it!

What's your favorite local spot?