Buds, Bandanna, Beautiful

I had a bandanna without one border, some lavender buds, and a piece of pink ribbon--Just what I needed to make a gift for my friend.

Hem top raw edge, sew side seams

Add about 3/4 cup of lavender buds

Sew ribbon to back, 2" below design,
tightly tie in a bow on the front.
Finished bag is 5-1/2 x 7-1/2

Easy peasy, you have made a sachet.  If you don't have lavender buds, you can use fragrance oil on a cotton ball.  Then surround that cotton ball with batting (so only fragrance escapes).
You can make most any size to use up those fabric remnants.  If you make these some time in advance of giving, put the sachets in a zip-lock bag with as much air removed as possible.  They will keep their fragrance.

Cowgirl up!

When you think of cowgirl, does boots and saddles, calico and denim, horse shoes and churns come to mind? If you are a cowgirl at heart, it does. I love decorating with a western touch, attending cowboy poets concert, and trail riding.  So it was with thought in mind that I made this birthday card.

Cowgirl stamp by All Night Media

Barbed Wire    by Our Lady of Rubber

Snap from Oriental Trading Co.

I wrote in the sentiment.  This is simple, but appropriate.

Today's Holiday--Epitaph Day

Talk about weird--this observance has got to be at the top of my list.  Although in my travels, I have often taken pictures of unusual tombstones, wondering at their significance.

Plan Your Epitaph Day is an international observance featured in Chase's Calendar of Events and in Wireless Flash News Service. Mark your calendar -- it occurs every year on November 2 to coincide with the Day of the Dead.  Lance Hardie, creator of Plan Your Epitaph Day, has been interviewed by media personalities across the United States, Canada, England and Australia. He is at work on a book titled How to Write Your Own Epitaph -- and Live Long Enough to Enjoy It, due to be in print by the Day of the Dead.

Dedicated to the proposition that a forgettable gravestone is a fate worse than death. You too can be in a league with --William Shakespeare:
"...Curst be he that moves my bones."
and W.C. Fields:
"On the whole, I'd rather be in Philadelphia."

A small sampling from cemeteries around the world:
"Here lies the body of Richard Hind,
who was neither ingenious, sober or kind."

Poet H.J. Daniel's epitaph for his wife:
"To follow you I'm not content.
How do I know which way you went?"

Lawyer Sir John Strange:
"Here lies an honest lawyer,
and that is Strange."

Julian Skaggs of West Virginia:
"I made an ash of myself."

As for me--
Here lies what left of Marti's bones
But her spirit soared to Heaven's home.

Wednesday's Hodgepodge

1. Who taught you how to cook?--My mom

2. Have you been told you think too much? Are too much of a perfectionist? Are too sensitive? Were they right?  

Yes to all.  Everybody says I think too much, but what can I say, I like the inside of my head, and yes I am a perfectionist, and way to sensitive

3. As a child did you have a favorite blanket or toy? Tell about it.

I remember my first store bought doll.  It had a celluloid head, hands, and feet with a cloth body.  I loved to play with her, make clothes for her.  But she came to an untimely end.  My brother got mad at me and took her by her legs and hit her on the bed frame.  She flew into a thousand pieces.  I'm still mad at him1 (Just kidding)

4. What 'institution' do you have the most faith in?

This is hard.  I am fairly cynical.  My marriage of 22 years disintegrated (25 years ago)-so for me the institution of marriage was a disappointment .  Many churches have been less than expected, and the school system certainly doesn't inspire faith. Nevertheless,  I am happy.  I have put my faith in things above.

5. Chrysanthemums-pansies-burning bush-ornamental cabbage...your favorite in an autumn garden?

Pansies are my favorite.

6. What superpower do the kids in your neighborhood seem to posses?

Ultimate noise 

7. Are you a fan of the cranberry?

Love cranberries

8. Insert your own random thought here

Faith, food, flowers  High on my list of comforts and enjoyments in life.

What Shape is That

I love the shape of things. These shapes are from my front yard.  The contrast of the wheels--the old and the new speak of change, growth.

This old clay pot, aged and worn, hold succulents.  It is perfect for them.  This reminds me that even people who are aged and worn still have purpose.




Now what do you think this is?  We don't know the purpose of everything that we see, but that doesn't mean that they have no use.