I have this funky 70s condiment-serving set that’s gold with green
daisies on top. It doesn’t show too well in the photo above, but I
just love it. Makes me giddy. The lid has a spoon-notch that doubles
as a handy scissors-holder — as I’ve opted to store thread and buttons
inside instead of mustard or pickles. Though I guess you could store your
scissors in mustard.
And not that my blog needs any more photos of strawberries — or pincushions
even for that matter — but strawberry pincushions are what I’ve been
photographing today, so strawberries it is. In truth, I’m entirely
surprised how popular the strawberry pincushion kits have been over at
the HB store.
Definitely in the top 10. In response to the excitement for
ready-to-go strawberry supplies, we’ve added two new colors. Now there
are kits for velveteen strawberries in deep red, bright pink, and soft pink, and wool-blend strawberries in bright red (photographed above) — covering the full gamut.
School kicked back in yesterday. Elijah seems glad for the increase in
activity. Summer can get long. I’ve heard it said that childhood is
‘long days, but short years.’ I understand that sentiment more and
more. Such short years.
I’m regularly asked how I fit it all in – design work, motherhood,
church, friendships, family, fun. I can’t say I do fit it all in. But
what I do successfully manage comes as a result of regularly
re-assessing my priorities. Not on a weekly basis, or even a daily
basis, but every 20 minutes or so. And often a peanut butter sandwich
or the next chapter of Inkheart
overrules pressing business matters for a time. I’m in business to
serve the needs of my family. I’ve chosen to do what I love so I can
be happy at work, and hopefully brighten the world in some small way
while I go about my thing.
Time away from my children is a tangible thing I don’t take
lightly. To repair the balance at times — in the world at large, if
not in my own home — I focus my business on projects that will help
knit us to our children/families/friends through the work of our hands,
and on materials that will inspire us to do so. In my experience,
those quiet times of creativity, with long stretches of time (or
frequent spurts) spent thinking of and truly loving the ones we’re
creating for, are full of sweetness and provide meaningful
attachments. In my life it’s true — even if the sentiment is not
always returned — in sewing pajamas for the kids, in making a blanket
for a friend, helping a neighbor move, or designing a wedding dress for
a girl at church, I’ve loved these people through the process. And the
process of creating has opened my heart toward them. The blankets,
dolls and toys I’ve kept from my childhood are all items that one or
both of my parents made for me. I know they were thinking sweetly of
me when they made them. I love that. Charlotte plays with my childhood doll bed every day.
When my workload weighs a little on the heavy side, I think of other
moms out there who have found the time that day to go the extra mile,
perhaps making a blanket for their son or teaching their daughter to
make bread — or maybe just finding more patience, more snuggle time,
more laughter. The simple things that make life beautiful. It’s true,
they’re precious, short years.
No, I don’t always fit it all in, but I certainly try to fit in the important stuff as much as possible.
I’m clearly still feeling sappy. Oh me. To lighten things up, Here’s a list of fun tidbits I’ve been meaning to mention:
- The talented Vivian Love did a three-part blog series on the quilting of
my Pop Garden sample quilt. It’s fascinating to see the techniques
involved — and she did an immaculate job!! (I’ll post photos
soon). (Links to parts 1,2,3 are in Vivian’s sidebar under her photo) - My new scrapbook collection has made Creating Keepsakes‘ Latest & Greatest list.
- And it’s been featured in this month’s Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion as well.
- Trash Ties have been featured on Project Runway Australia – click here (about 8.5 minutes in). Several long red Trash Ties in one hairstyle. Avant garde!
- There’s a Project Runway Australia! How cool is that? And you can watch it on YouTube.
- Tara‘s getting married! (We could use your help — stay tuned.)
- We’re having a new patio put in – it should be done before the weather gets nice (!!)
- Bobbin refuses to budge when she’s on a leash. Not for treats, not for
water, not for a song & dance. Any advice? Pixel will, of course, do anything for a treat. - The Pop Garden & Bijoux photo group on Flickr is all set up. Take a peek. And share your projects too — I love to see what you’re up to.
- And join the new HB Paper Crafts group while you’re at it. I’ll add Flickr badges to my sidebar as soon as possible — next week hopefully.
- There’s also a great Paper Crafts inspiration page here.
- Today’s 8-8-08. That’s kinda fun. (My son certainly thinks so.)
- Tuesday’s my birthday. I’ve got big plans : )
- Lists are the best. I feel so much more caught up now.
Heather,
I love the strawberry pincushion, I have used velvet before and love it. I have a large collection of pincushions with many strawberries in it. Pop Garden and Bijoux are still doing awesome in the shop. Will send some pics to you soon!
Thanks for your inspiration
Nadine
If Bobbin isn’t afraid of the leash but just doesn’t seem to know what to do, I would attach a leash to Bobbin’s collar and then proceed to ignore her. Leave it on her for a few minutes, then take it off, without really saying anything to her or fussing. Repeat sometime later in the day. Repeat the next day. What you are doing is trying to get Bobbin to consider the leash to be no big deal. Eventually, she should start walking around dragging the leash. This is good. Let her. Once she’s regularly dragging the leash, pick up the other end and follow her around, keeping the leash loose. Once she’s accepting this, then introduce treats and ask her to follow you, praising her for any small progress in following you.
Don’t leave her unattended while she is leashed as this can be dangerous, but I would take the pressure off of her, don’t watch her every move, or be noisy. Just be ho-hum, here we go, leashes are part of life.
Those pincushions are so adorable. I’m so boring and practical that I have one of those not so cute magnets for sucking up my pins. But I plan on making a pincushion just for the beauty of it soon!
My mother-in-law’s too. You’re in good company.
It sounds like your Bobbin takes after my Bobbin š
Although yours looks about 37+ kilos lighter than mine, lol.
Thankyou for the reminders to keep our family first. Cherrie
Happy Birthday. Mine is Monday, I’ve got nothing yet.
Oh, my. Love those strawberries.
And Happy, happy Birthday! I wish you all the best.
And thanks for the balanced and realistic look at keeping the most important things first as a woman, as a mom, and as an artist. I appreciate it.
Heather, I dearly love what you wrote about your priorities in life. Right on. Rock on.
And the things you make are filled with joy and beauty with an enviable polish.
what a really sweet post. it can be so easy to lament the busy-ness of life, but you so eloquently discussed it in a positive and sweet way.
sadly, i am not so eloquent with my words, but what i’m trying to say is that this was nice, really enjoyed reading it!
Wishing you a lovely and happiest of birthdays!
I loved reading about how you juggle all of your many commitments in your busy life, it was beautifully written and thought provoking.
You are a fabulous inspiration!
~Emily
THanks for that post…I often wonder too..how DO you fit it all in! I get asked that all the time myself, and frankly, my answer is the same. I don’t…I just do my best. Thanks for your inpsiration! I would like to know though…what is charlotte doing when you are busy with all this stuff?
THanks for that post…I often wonder too..how DO you fit it all in! I get asked that all the time myself, and frankly, my answer is the same. I don’t…I just do my best. Thanks for your inpsiration! I would like to know though…what is charlotte doing when you are busy with all this stuff?
That was a jam packed post! It always feel good to get it all out! My little one plays with my childhood doll bed every day too since I made her new bedding last week. It was too cool to see her interact with something I loved so much as a child!
i love your strawberry pincushion. happy birthday for tuesday
I will echo Nadine’s comments on leash training. I used that method with success. Some dogs just feel like they have been tied down and don’t want to move with a leash on. If Bobbin is really stuck, like my puppy Pippin was, try yarn first. We had to upgrade slowly from dragging a bit of yarn around, to a long strip of fabric with me on the other end, to an honest to goodness leash, finally.
And from one August baby to another HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!!
Heather, I so know what you mean about being a working mother. I don’t work outside of my house. I opted to stay home with my kids and I’m so happy that I did. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t work! I run an etsy shop, sewing pretty much all day when my kids don’t need me. I do take time out of my day to play with them and do special projects with them, but it is sometimes hard to get everything done!
Happy Birthday! I know I’m late with that, but hey. 8 is the bestest number ever. I was born March 8th and I love my birthday.
Long days, short years. . . I just drove my oldest for her senior picture sitting. . .wasn’t she just dragging around Ms. Hoppy Bunny? Picked number #1 son up from JV football this afternoon. . .at 6’3″ and 220# he’s not exactly mama’s little boy anymore. Daughter #2 begins middle school next week. . .I know I was just sending her off to kindergarten; and the twins, they are heading into 4th grade. . . it seems like yesterday I was faced with how to push a grocery cart and the double stroller simultaneously. Short is right! Enjoy every minute, follow your mom heart it will never misguide you. Now, I’m sappy. Enjoy your birthday!
So hard to fit it all in, art, business, family…But so worth it all.
Kelly Massey
http://prettypennydesign.typepad.com/
Heather, this post was very encouraging. There are some real jewels of wisdom here. Thanks for sharing about your life-balance efforts. I’ve been thinking about many of these themes in our life lately.
The strawberry pin cushions are so cute. Have fun on your birthday!!
Heather,
I loved your post and don’t think you’re sappy at all!! We liked how it was 08-08-08… my grandfather’s birthday too. Also, I must tell you that Pop Garden and Bijoux are my new favorite fabric lines!! We’ve bought some to put up on our site, but I can hardly bear the thought of cutting it! I just like to sit and look at it.
God bless you,
Achaia
Heather, I don’t think you’re sappy at all! We thought it was pretty neat that it was 08-08-08… my grandfather’s birthday too. I have to tell you that Pop Garden and Bijoux are my new favorite fabric lines! We bought some to put up on our website, but I can hardly bear the thought of cutting into it. I just love to sit and look at it.
Happy Birthday!
God bless,
Achaia
http://www.mariemadelinestudio.typepad.com
Ok so I am always a fan of project runway! Kinley is my fav and I think she looks just like you!
Heather,
How wonderfully put…loving your husband and your children…your friends and neighbors…serving them by helping them and making things for them…that’s what it’s all about!!
How blessed we are!
Kristie
Oh my gosh!!! the new colors added to the series of strawberry pincushions just keep me drooling over them. They are simply lovely!!!
And yes, HaPpY BiRtHdAy to YA!!! May you have many happy returns.
Lotsa Love,
CK from Singapore
Have a most glorious birthday!
I have to admit that I frequently stalk your blog. I’m a good friend of Laura’s, we’re in the “Friday” group together. I looked at the link about your quilt…WOW! I seriously want to make that. Is that a pattern of yours? Is it going to be for sale? I’m a want to be designer/quilter, right now I only pretend I am. I really admire you and Laura, if I only had an 8th of what you two have….
I would love to have info on that pattern, when its going to be out, etc.
THANKS!!!
Heather,
Everything looks beautiful but I really want to know what movie you went to see!
Echo-ing all the comments above…Happy Day on Tuesday, love your strawberries, mommy-kid stuff totally important. And I want to let you know that today I made my first Yo-Yo’s and used your thread knotting method(on a 2 hr road trip to a wedding) Both were easy-peasy because of your tutorials even tho I am a long-time seamsstres. Thanks for your fresh designs and sharing your work and heart with us.
1- love the new layout.
2- love the pincushions- my garsh those are adorable.
3- happy birthday on tuesday!
1- love the new layout.
2- love the pincushions- my garsh those are adorable.
3- happy birthday on tuesday!
Happy early birthday! Love the strawberries!
Happy Birthday! I love all the stuff you make; it is beautiful to look at!
Are you going to be putting fat quarter stacks in your shop?
You always have the pretties photos on your blog. I love these pincushions. They are so cute! If you don’t mind I would like to steal your photo and put it on my sidebar on my blog. Thanks daisy~
I saw a girl in our favorite restaurant here in Dallas TX today w/ cute trash ties in her hair and I wanted to jump up and say “hey that’s my blogging friends company Don’t you love ’em?” I consider all the blogs I visit to be my blogging “friends” even if you don’t know me from Adam. ;)) Loved to see them on that cute girl. Go you!!
Love the strawberries. Hey, Tuesday is my little guy’s birthday too. š Happy Birthday, I hope you have a great day!
yeah…that.
so perfectly and eloquently worded.
as a mother…the years are SO short. (and sometimes the days are SO long). but…teaching your children to (at the very least) be happy and love their life. THAT will create something and someone so much better in the long run.
thanks for giving me that glimpse into how you do it. i found a lot of beauty in this post.
and…HAPPY BIRTHDAY! enjoy.
I love the deep red! I don’t remember which red I got in my kit, I got one red (for myself) and one pink (for my cousin, I’m going to teach her how to sew). I love that we’ve got a Project Runway here; I like that Australians can show how great we are. I can’t wait to get my hands on some trash ties and try them out. I look forward to when they reach my doorstep!
Happy birthday for tomorrow!! So how young will you be?
Sometimes it is so frustrating not to be able to finish (or even start!) the “personal” little things we have going for ourselves. Thanks for reminding us of what’s important — and what can be set aside.
Thanks for your inspiring words on a rainy Monday morning!
I love this blog and everything about how creative you are. I got lost in the blog, looking at everything! Thanks for all the inspiration!
Advice for Bobbin? Sounds like she’s a stubborn one! I would just ignore her and really play up how good Pixel is when he’s on leash… really go overboard about how much fun you all will have on your walk and being outside on leash… and then just say, “bye, Bobbin, we’ll see you later!” and leave her behind. That’ll make her mad, she won’t like being left behind, won’t like Pixel getting all the attention, etc., etc. And then, hopefully, she’ll start thinking, “I’ll show them!” works with mine when he thinks we’re going to leave him behind.
Just getting back from vacation & getting caught up on a few of my favorite blogs. Loved your post from Friday, heartfelt & sweet (your words + your strawberries!). I have had my own art-craft-design business for 16 years now, and am feeling a bit frustrated lately…I so appreciate your cheerful comments, the reminders that point me back in the right direction (as in, why I started this business in the first place). It’s always nice to know I’m not alone. Thank you.
Thanks for the words of wisdom, well said.
Happy Birthday!!! I loved the updates… your list was genious!
Ahhhh – Project Runway Australia? You’ve ruined me! š Not only is it fun to watch them construct clothing, but their accents are fun to listen to.
Thank you for all the links, Heather. I would like you to come to my blog and see what I did with your Freshcut fabric. I also used some other fabrics but it started with yours. Scroll down a few days to see.
As always heather your blog is a delight to read. Thanks so much for the pincushion pattern and your new shops looks great! Thanks for injecting colour into my day š
So meticulously done and cute. A very successful outcome indeed!
http://homelyanimal.blogspot.com/
Your blog always brings brightness to my day. Today is not so good but just immersing myself in the cheeriness of you fabrics and designs has made me smile. Thankyou š
Happy Birthday, Heather! I hope it is a lovely one for you and may the year ahead be filled to the brim with blessings!
*What movie did you see?*
Heather, your quilt is absolutely gorgeous (I can’t give it what it deserves in words). You also made a very wise choice having Vivian quilt it. I have not quilted yet, but want to. I actually took apart an antique quilt I have as a family heirloom to put a new backing on it. The top was never actually quilted, just tacked so the “batting” was all clumped up. It’s not very pretty, but has great sentimental value. I really want to make a quilt out of your gorgeous fabrics soon!
What pattern did you use for your Pop Garden sample quilt? Did you make it up? If so, are you releasing the pattern? I love it and would love to make it for my daughter. Thanks!
You have the most inspiring and beautiful blog! I can’t wait to come back for more reading!
Luscious strawberries! As a working mother I sure hear you, loud and clear, for me it’s all about finding balance, spending the brief time that constitutes childhood building sweet memories and valuing every precious moment together.
Oooh! I may have to make one of those for my husband’s nana. I really have no idea what else to give a 70-some year old woman who loves to sew and watch CSI.
These are so cute – I’m not at all suprised how popular they are, who doesn’t want to have their own strawberry pincushion?!
Dear Heather,
I wanted to THANK YOU for the inspiration and all the good you do!
I have been struggling for a while, have not found my “happy thought”. But visiting your blog, reminded me of many things. I do not know what and how to do “it” but I trust that in JOY, I will find my answer. If you have any advice that can help regarding how to go about developing my own work line, I would really appreciate it.
Bless you!
Karyna
Lovely blog <3
Scrapbises.
i love love love the strawberry pin cushion