Well sliding into 64 has come and gone. I think I'll stop announcing my age since I don't feel 65, and I'm sure I won't feel 66 in a month. After retiring I jumped into some home improvement projects and then had an epiphany, "someday when I retire" has arrived. The things I put off are staring me in the face. But I'm not sure that those are still important to me. It has been a year of reflection, anxiety, fear, joy, and soul regeneration. My bucket list has definitely changed. My priorities and goals are totally altered. But, one that jas not changed and that is spending time creating interesting textiles.

View from a Cowpath - 64 and Sliding in to home.: Another pleasant Sunday...

View from a Cowpath - 64 and Sliding in to home.: Another pleasant Sunday...: Spending time with my Mother on Saturdays is so special. Many people my age do not have their mothers any more and I am so blessed to be ab...

Another pleasant Sunday...

Spending time with my Mother on Saturdays is so special. Many people my age do not have their mothers any more and I am so blessed to be able to be with her and my dad regularly. They are inspiring, a legacy, bossy, opinionated, precious, and generous. If you follow their work/life philosophy you will live a long a happy life.

Mother and I usually go out for breakfast, and my Dad teases us about getting back dark and that he is going to go buy a combine and few hundred acres while we are gone.

Yesterday we got an electric log heater for my fireplace. After a chimney fire a few years ago, I have been reluctant to burn wood or gas. Since my electricity has not been off for any length of time since 1979, remember the blizzard, I decided to go electric.  And as far as that goes, I can always take it out in an emergency and use real wood. See, it even crackles:

My new project that I am working on is reverse applique. I was browsing and came across this idea from Alabama Chanin, using cotton knit and making a slow stitch (no sewing machine allowed) skirt.
I purchased all natural color FoxFibre, and a stencil from Joann's to make my own design. First, stitch around the design, then cut away fabric to reveal the contrasting color beneath. After failing at eco- dying, and wanting to make something from the FoxFibre for years, and embracing the slow stitch movement, this was my solution.

I would also mention my progress on doTerra Essential Oils. I start my day with Slim and Sassy, 1 drop in a bit of water, Deep Blue on the old back pain spot, which is practically non-existant now, Copaiba on the tootsies, Lavender on the wrists and Balance in the diffuser. Perfect for a Sunday after noon. See Annie Patrick Buechlein on Facebook to get in on free trials and information about essential oils. I am working on a cooling spray concoction, so I will update when that is perfected.

So a happy Sunday to you all and remember to be kind.

Lovely Labor Day. The last one that will actually be a day off from IU. My re-invetion-ment is creeping up soon and I am counting the days. My time in admissions has been joyful,stressful, lovely and wicked. I have a student, an employee, and a student once again. How fortunate to live so near.

And so fortunate to spend more time with my grandboys. They are a challenge and a joy. My cup runneth over.

Just finished this top for a customer and sent it to the quilter.

This little lavender pillow is for Aunt who just had an anniversary.  Im having a great summer.

News Flash!!!!

I am now officially a 10 month employee at Indiana University. That means I will be able to play with my grandson Memphis, farm and make art for 2 fulls months this summer.

Newest Project
Slow quilting. I prefer doing my stitching sitting comfortably with my feet. Can't do that with a machine.
This was pieced by hand, freehand embroidery and then I will hand quilt the project. This is easy and fun. I used a mini charm pack and bought 2 fat quarters for binding and backing.
It is the perfect size for the center of the table or basket topper for picnic.
Who else loves slow quilting?

Trashion Refashion Show April 27th

It's that time again for the Trashion Refashion Show. Locals come up with amazing works of refashioned clothing and a quirky use for trash. It is a fun time for all and inspiring to others. "Why didn't I think of that?" is a common comment! Here is a slight hint.

 Memphis had Fairy Tale book report day. Memphis did Rumplestiltzskin.
What a ham.

Spring also means hunting mushrooms, planting gardens, cleaning up yards and new calves in the field. Discing and planting, fertilizing and pruning is a common activity in town and country. Just as we get the windows open and the heat turned off, we have a prediction of snow showers. I love the spring, as it is never boring. I am planting red raspberries this year and pruning the blueberries. Hopefully, I do it correctly.
The birds always eat all of them. We are going to cover them with netting but they are too tall right now.

Refashion Show

I am busy finishing a refashion outfit for the Show in April, shipping a crazy quilt block to the Bloomington Quilt Show in March,

 and photographing the Bogarts and Fairies to find a show for them.

This is the nuts and bolts things that I get stuck on. I love creating and making but I expect customers to find me!
I will post more info as it becomes available!

Oh and here are some new Foot Fancies for spring. I am counting the days. $15 per pair and $25 for 2 pair.

View from a Cowpath - 60 and counting!: I took the opportunity to take pictures of my dad ...

View from a Cowpath - 61 and counting!: I took the opportunity to take pictures of my dad ...: I took the opportunity to take pictures of my dad baling hay in my pasture. The grass was so tall he was able to get some nice supplimental ...

I took the opportunity to take pictures of my dad baling hay in my pasture. The grass was so tall he was able to get some nice supplimental hay for the winter.

                                                               The field looks huge from this angle.

                                                                    My Daddy, good lookin' isn't he?

My dad the ham!

 

 

So this handsome gentleman was hanging out at my house last night.  Try not to notice that he has no ears yet.

He is still a work in progress. Typical male. :-)

After making many, many foot fancies this summer and finishing the bathing suit cover ups, it was time to get back to my DNA felting project. With some natural dk wool, it started felting a small ball just for fun, and a little face appeared.

Then he grew into a creature that I like to call a Fire-Tailed Boggart. The final touch was wings and ears.
I thought he needed some friends and now the is a Blue-Eyed White Haired Banshee, and a Green Eyed-Sun Dragon.


Now I am working on a surpise............

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 The Makevention was so interesting!
Boys and Girls were have a blast!

The Firefly Faire was Friday evening and we had a number of sales. The next morning was the Makevention. Annie and I were so so tired. #Foot Fancies are a big hit with young and old alike.
They are fun to make and easy to ship!

Show time is coming Friday and Saturday! Why drag it out when you can kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
In other words get ready and make it count!

 Friday Evening!

 This event is all day on Saturday!
Who needs to sleep right?


We had a great weekend with the little man. He was farming with his great granddad hauling in hay.
Then reading a book to his baby chicks.

It has been a busy week, with making more Foot Fancies for special folks,

and make a Dove of Peace for National Embroidery Day.

I didn't realize that there is a large group of societies, guilds, and venues specifically for embroidery!

My felting project has been on hold and now is in full swing. Though it is messy the results are really interesting

More to come!
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Foot Fancies abound. My newest model is Kendall, visiting our office today with her Grandma Sharon!

She was more than willing to model and demonstrate the cuteness and flexibility of Foot Fancies!

A month of Sundays

Remember that saying, "I haven't seen you for a month of Sundays". As a child I had no idea what that meant. Then the light bulb went on, "Oh, now I get it." Well, I had an idea to visit churches and call it a Month of Sundays, recording a bit about the day and visit a different church each time.
Church number 1 is Woodville Baptist Church.
Woodville is a small church just north of Mitchell, IN on the, you guessed it, Woodville Rd. I don't know if it goes to a place called Woodville or if people used to go get wood on that road somewhere. Maybe someone out there can fill us in on that.
The people were kind and welcoming even though we were strangers to most of them. Dress was very casual and so it was a comfortable atmosphere, not formal, low key, and modest and full of love.

After a number of music selections, that were flashed on to screens and accompanied by a rousing piano, drums, and guitars we were prepared to receive. My niece's brother-in-law Mike Lawson brought the message. Mike had been in a serious accident 5 years ago was not expected to live, but through prayer, hard work and family and friends supporting him he has recovered but is physically impaired. His message from Psalm 31:8 gave us all hope and inspiration. "Thou hast placed my feet in a large room." He was encouraged by "yes" and "tell it", and "thank you, Jesus!". At the end we held hands and prayed and were strengthened by joining in agreement.

I was accompanied by my niece Tina, her husband Dan and sweet daughters, Dani and Mary.

 Tina and Mary

Dani, Dan and Dan's sister.  Notice the Indiana Limestone facade. You will see that a lot in Indiana.

Stay tuned for more Sundays.