A Stitching Together of History.

Last weekend I was at Fabric Depot looking for some 

fabric to recover our overworn sofa,

and I met this woman who was shopping for a backing

to her Great Aunt's President quilt.

I believe the Great Aunt's name was Mildred 

and she had hand embroidered every single Presidents face

on this fantastic quilt.  I myself am not a big 

"President girl" but I LOVED this stitching.

Here is Woodrow Wilson,

LOVE the glasses.

Mildred was 98 years old when she stitched this,

and is now over 100.

I hope I get to live as long as Mildred,

and create up until my last breath.

Felt Garland.

At Crafty Wonderland this year Jeanie Lai from Moufelt

was there peddling her amazing felt ware.

She had this fantastic felt confetti that immdiately caught my eye.

It's so colorwonderful and I thought, 

I bet I can run those guys through my sewing machine.

I made this fun little garland.  It's so festive and full of joy.

A great color splash for a snowy winter day.

Visit Jeanie's website here and her shop here.

Someday I hope I am lucky enough to buy one of her rugs.

Can as much as you can.

Here's a little corner of our kitchen.

January makes me reconnect with home.

It makes one slow down, think deeply about hibernation,

reading, watching movies, snuggling, drinking tea.

It also makes you look back at the year.

What bounty our garden and local farmers provided for us this year.

We are canners.  We simply can't help it.

When the abundance comes in, the canning pot comes down.

This year Kris was the canning master.

Afternoons at farms up on ladders,

taking down the most gorgeous fruit.

Evenings in the kitchen, steamy windows,

music playing, in the heart of our home.

I was the helper this year and the label maker.

I carved stamps while she peeled, chopped, diced and stirred.

It's nice to have a little something to look back at

and say, "We did that together."

And canned goods are never a gift refused.  

Like they used to say,

"Can as much as you can."

Happy Holidays.

Happy Holidays to All.

I hope this wintery season fills you with delight.

This pigeon was photographed when I visited

the Clackamas County Fair.

What a proud feathered friend.

The wallpaper is from my Auntie Diane's kitchen,

and is so dear in my heart.

When I was young I spent every New Year's Eve

with her.  I remember waiting sleepily until midnight,

eating lasagna, and spinach salad.

And in the morning watching the parade

and showering off last years dirt.

The smell of her house brings back my entire childhood.

I hope this new year brings you rich old memories,

bright present adventures,

and deep dreams for the future.

Warmest Winter Wishes.

xo

suki

Crafty Wonderland Recap and Handmade NW.

I had such a blast at Crafty Wonderland this past weekend.

Thank you to everyone who came out

and bought handmade goods.

Come see me next Sunday at Handmade NW,

and we can continue the fun!

It's Crafty Wonderland Weekend!

Come see me this weekend at...

Crafty Wonderland!

It's that time again when 200+ vendors

pack up their handmade goodies

for you holiday shopping pleasure.

Support your local economy,

and buy locally handmade.

Saturday and Sunday

11-6 both days.

Oregon Convention Center, Hall C

I'm booth 195, just left of the main entrance.

Yipppeee!

Cactus Garden.

During Thanksgiving in California we visited the

Arizona Cactus Garden on the campus of Stanford University.

It was first planted in 1880 and is an amazing 

collection to wonder through and enjoy.

All the textures were so wild and different from each other.

It was quite a treat.