Isn't she beautiful?

This is my friend Jess.

Isn't she beautiful? I met Jess through Rainbow several years ago. Well, Jess longed for a lovely skirt, and my solution to that was to suggest she come for a visit and we'd make her a skirt. I think we did very well. Check out the spin and the applique on this.

I was a bit anxious about doing applique, my only attempt at it in the past was a huge failure. I been reading lots of advice from my friends over at hippiesew and I thought I had a pretty good idea on how to do it, but you just never know until you try something how it's going to go. I really like this pocket, I lined the back of it with that pink calico and couldn't help myself from making a little trim at top, too.

great great Grandma Hill

This is my great great Grandma Hill. She lived in Colorado around the turn of the century, and she was what they called a Palmist; she read the palms and told fortunes of the Indians, and was apparently very well liked for it.

It's about time someone confirmed my suspicion; I also knew there was gypsy in my background!

Oh my!

That's exactly what I said when I opened this gift, this beautiful RAOK from Christina, one of my hippiesew friends: http://christinashandmades.etsy.com It was totally unexpected, and that made it all the much better, I mean, seriously, who doesn't like to be surprised with gorgeous jewelry, handmade with lots of love and sent with the kindest of thoughts attached? It's rainbow moonstone, flourite and amethyst, interestingly enough, all favorite stones of mine. Christina, how did you know?? And yes, it will look incredible with my Minde dress! It really is something how these lovely ladies of hippiesew have been so supportive of me this fall, I know I say it a lot, but I am blessed; I recognize that in and amongst the daily b.s., that I really am blessed. Thank you Christina!

Pictures for Nana...

Violette and Estar in some of their beautiful handknits from Nana. That's Estar's Easter bonnet from last year, which is just about the cutest thing I've ever seen on her. I love the way the picture is skewed, I think the fairies were out playing or something, I've never seen a picture do that so perfectly.

Mama's little helper

Estar has an uncanny way of choosing the absolutely worst times to want attention; I'm such a klutz, I have a hard time not spilling and making a mess on my own; having a squirming toddler in your lap makes it a real feat if you get it right! And yet, I'd never tell her no, 'cause she's so stinkin' cute, and so happy and proud to "help" me....
She's very good with Violette. Puts a blanket on her, brings her little toys, tries to give her a sippy cup. She's kind and she shares without being told to, it's really beautiful to watch her be so kind naturally.

Pre-Santa

Miss Violette, always brilliant, knew enough to plan her nap well.
Just afterwards, at dusk, police and fire sirens let us know someone very special was on his way.... and then Santa came by in the back of a pickup, handing out teddy's and candy canes!
It was so cold out there, Violette stuffed her hand in her mouth; I'm not certain exactly what that means, but I suspect it wasn't in delight.

green and Violette

that's her big sissies sweater that her Nana made, by the way.

Don't you just want to kiss her fingers?

You Should Lend My Sister Money

Or better yet, give it to her!!

She happens to be a wonderful knitter and paid me back with these:

Aren't they lovely?! They're a really beautiful color, I love them! (The pattern is here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEspring07/PATTdashing.html ) What a great surprise; there I was at my mailbox, thinking, why look an envelope, what could it be? And fortunately for me, it had one of those "satisfy your curiosity immediately" zip open things, and so of course I did... and Wow! I'm in love... again.... this happens to me so often!

Like, take yesterday for example. Or perhaps it was Monday, being home 24/7 with 2 babies, one tends to lose track of time (among other things). So there it was, either Monday or Tuesday, and I got another package in the mail, this time from the bella Minde. Bless her heart and various other parts, Miss Minde had handmade me what is inarguably the world's most extraordinary diaper/knitting/messenger bag. See?

I had admired this one she has for sale on Etsy http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=14909751 and so she made one for me! Oh my Goddess it is so beautiful! It's got 3 goddesses on the front, depicting myself, Estar and Violette..... what can I say? It brought tears to my eyes, I was so touched. She is one kind mama, and an amzing stitcher, to boot! Two Souls Earth Threads http://www.twosoulsearththreads.etsy.com/

mmmm....mil-uk

He's such a good daddy. Look how handsome he is, feeding our baby girl her 8:00 feeding; you can see the love on his face. I love my Greggie! And so does Violette, she's captivated by him when he sings to her...

Thread the needle
right through the eye
The thread that runs so true
All the others I let pass by
I only wanted you
Never cared for careless love
but how your bright eyes glowed
Way down, down along Lazy River Road
--Robert Hunter

Estar Cletus

Here's a shout out to all you hillbillies