Hopeful

Yes I am. It feels good to be an American today. I am an Italian American & today I am so hopeful for the future, my children's future and their children's future,  just as my ancestors were hopeful for mine. 

 I know one man will not change the world, but one man will move us in  the right direction. 

"We hold these truths to be self -evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty & the pursuit of Happiness." 

May we all work in building a better nation and assisting President Obama in creating a better country and a better world.

PEACE

A Lovely Gift

Isn't it LOVELY! My husband made me this beautiful piece for Christmas. I absolutely love, love, love it. I am particularly fond of the live edge and the concrete top (we made it this summer when we were making our kitchen countertops). It is perfect. What I truly enjoy is that all the wood came from our property and was milled on site. We have all this yummy wood in Ted's shop waiting to be made into fabulous things. Fabulous thing one...done! Can't wait to see what comes next. Oh and did you happen to notice the BEAUTIFUL painting above? It was painted by my very talented friend Teresa Sullivan. I LOVE her work! So colorful, happy & warm. You will be able to find her on the web soon. 

100 Things

So, 2009 has me thinking about life ,death , joy & sorrow and the legacy we leave behind.  I am sad to have to miss people I love. I am especially sad that some of  my favorite people are not  here to answer my silly questions about their childhood, siblings, nephews, parents, children, jobs and life. I hope that my children know me and will have distinct memories. I want them to be able to tell their children about me. I want them to  know the "me" that is not just their mom. That said,  I have decided to write down 100 things about me. (I have also made a little booklet to give to my mom, husband, & brothers so they can do the same). So here  my list:

I love my family.

I don't like mean people.

I make things.

I have 3 brothers.

They are all different.

They make me laugh.

They make me cry.

I got married at 29.

I kissed a lot of frogs.

My husband is pretty great.

I have 2 Fab kids.

They make me laugh daily.

I grew up in N.J.

I couldn't wait to leave.

I have lived in New England since I was 18.

I miss my Dad.

He was pretty great too!

I love dogs.

I'm allergic to cats.

I love COLOR.

I love fabric.

I love to paint.

I'm not very good at it.

I don't have 1 best friend.

I have many.

I hate gossip.

I try not to judge.

Sometimes it's hard.

I'm a good friend.

I was a bartender for 10 years.

I listen well.

Sometimes I get so excited in conversation, I interrupt.

I wish I didn't.

I worry.

I wish I didn't.

Rodents give me the creeps.

Except Sweet Pea, she rocked and Stella is pretty cute.

I am Italian.

I LOVE Italian food.

I'm a pretty good cook.

I cook lots of italian.

I'm working on my baking.

My daughter is the WOMAN in the kitchen.

I don't understand prejudice.

It's mean.

I have very curly hair.

It took me 45 years to embrace it.

No one should ever tell little girls they have "frizzy" hair.

Fairy hair sounds so much better. (Thank you Sue L.)

I like red wine.

It makes me sleepy.

I love flowers, their shape, color, complexity, simplicity.

I love to garden.

I need to compost more.

I could eat red sauce every day.

When I was single, I think I did!

I miss N.J. Pizza.

I miss Hu Shang food.

I love to travel.

Hate is such a strong word.

I never use it when speaking about another human being.

I HATE cooked peas.

I collect heart rocks.

I collect pretty rocks.

I collect rocks!

My husband is goofy.

I love that.

I like to dance.

I don't do it enough.

I love my children,  like I never knew I could love another human being.

When they are in pain it aches.

I heart buttons.

I have lots.

I sort them by color.

They look yummy.

I love good dark chocolate.

Bad dark chocolate , not too shabby either.

My dog is nuts.

She got in line twice for looks, but skipped the line for brains.

I love her anyway.

My feet are always cold.

My nose too.

I'll be 50 next year.

I welcome it.

I love music.

All kinds.

I love Kurt Vonnegut.

I have read all his books.

I love J.D Salinger too.

A perfect day for Banana fish is my fav.

The Red Tent is one of my favorite books.

I read a lot.

I have a hard time remembering authors names.

I sometimes can't sleep because I have an idea in my head.

I love when I actually make the thing that keeps me up and it turns out just as I had hoped.

I love movies.

I don't go as much as I used to.

I used to go lots, before Ted and children

But it's ok.

I love Netflix!

 100, I think I could make another list of 100, but not to worry, I won't post here.

Back in the groove

I am happily enjoying my birthday today(49, YIKES!!). My lovely 5 week old niece Sofia is snoring soundly while I get some long overdue sewing done. The brown skirt is for one of my favorite women,  after a quick try on the other day, it seems to fit perfectly, just need to attach the waistband. The purple-ish pink panels are for a client and I have only one more to sew before I can assemble the skirt. I am pleased with it and I think she will LOVE it. 

I have been feeling very sketchy lately, sketching new styles & image ideas for clothing, jewelry, cards & prints. Lately for me it's feast or famine. I have these creative spurts when I cannot get it out of my head quick enough. Other days nada! Happily I have had creative making days when I have been productive in the studio,  bringing ideas to life. So far a good year. Happy day to my birthday buddies Skip & Gloria.  " In the end, it's not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years"  (no idea who wrote that quote, but aways liked it)

I am in this great little book!

It's here, 1000 Handmade Cards and clever correspindence, by Laura McFadden, published by Quarry Books. I submitted some of my cards last year for consideration (thanks to a link on Etsy) and was very excited when all of my submissions were accepted.  I then proceeded to forget all about it, that is until last week when I was cleaning out my mailbox and came across my acceptance. I googled the book and found it available on Amazon. It came today and it is LOVELY. Kind of crazy to see my work published in a book, but so great. If you have the chance, pick it up and take a look at some of the fabulous work. What a treat to be included.