Peace Love Mountains

I was trying to think of some ideas for a little gift for someone and love the idea of using fabric as wrapping paper (furoshiki), so I decided to buy some flour sack towels and personalize them a bit.  Since I had so many paints and fabric medium left over from the quilt I made (see the Tree of Learning post), I decided to put them to good use!  I cut some potatoes into the shapes I wanted (Peace, Love, Mountains) and stamped them on - simple enough!  I can't wait to do this again!  I'll have to make more for gifts and our new house!

The Tree of Learning Quilt

Every year at my kids school they hold an auction to raise money called "The Gala".  They go to a Catholic school, so raising money and asking for donations is always an ongoing thing.  One thing that is kind of neat, in my opinion, is each class is required to come up with a project to be auctioned off at the event.  It was actually the highlight of the whole Gala and the projects the classes came up with were amazing.  Last year my daughter was in Kindergarten and I kind of got suckered into helping with the project (I don't mean it in a bad way - I love this kind of stuff!).  Anyways, my friend Katie L. and I came up with the idea to do a quilt and have the kids decorate a trunk to put it in.  As you can guess, I was in charge of the quilt. 


It came out better than I ever imagined!  I picked out different colored (subtle print) fat quarters for the "leaves".  Then I took some big pieces of cardboard and wrapped them with press n' seal and taped on the the fat quarters.  I went to Michaels and got some different color acrylic paint and some fabric medium (found in the same section as the paint) to mix in and make the paint permanently adhere to the fabric.  Then the fun and messy part - getting the handprints!  I went in and got each of the kids hand prints and wrote their names underneath each with a fine tip fabric marker.  I cut out each handprint and designed the trunk and grass.  I ironed on fusible webbing to each piece and appliqued each part - tricky at times with my small machine.  I was going to tie the quilt since my machine can't handle something of that size and I couldn't afford to have it quilted, but then my friend, Katie, saved the day.  Her mother-in-law, Joyce Crooks, 2 states away, offered to quilt it for FREE!  And...we only had a week to the Gala!  It was shipped off and she worked like a mad woman, mailed it back, and it arrived 3 days before.  It looked AMAZING!  The quilt and trunk made $400 for the school.  I wish I would have taken more close up pictures.  Now I'm trying to think of other ideas for next year.  It won't be a quilt, though!  If anyone has any good ideas, pass them on!

This home is a shelter...

...for those we hold dear, wishing Peace to all who enter here.
(from a card by www.curlygirldesigns.com)

Wow - it has been a LONG time since I've posted anything.  Somehow I had it in my mind that once we got "settled" I could start up my sewing again and just normal life.  Well, it's been over a year now of looking for houses and I think we have finally found something!  Keep your fingers crossed, but if everything goes well we could be moving in a few weeks.  It may not be the house in the country that I dream of, but it will be perfect for us to get through the upcoming years.  Home, sweet home, here we come! 

So, what have I been up to this past year?  I thought I'd dedicate the next few posts to some small projects I took up and hopefully get me motivated to start the countless projects I'd like to do once we get moved in.  (there is a 4th bedroom in this house, which little does anyone know yet, will be the "Carrie Room" - just think of all the fun stuff I can make in that room instead of the corner of my bedroom like my last "studio"!)

So, stay tuned...it may not be hats, but that will soon come!

The House at the End of the Road

in our what feels like endless attempt to find a house in Colorado, I came across this poem in Mary Jane's Cluck (I subscribe to MaryJanes Farm magazine and am a member of the Farmgirl Sisterhood).  It just brought about a warm feeling about what life is and what life should be. 

The House at the End of the Road

by Shirley Jean Pierce, Florida

adapted from Sam Walter Foss' poem, The House by the Side of the Road, 1897

There are gentle souls that give each day

With the peace of talents spent.

There are souls, like stars, that dwell to shine

In their loved ones' sweet content.

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths,

The wagon ruts still call -

But let me live at the end of the road

And make a home for all.

Let me live in a house at the end of the road

Where the walk of life draws nigh -

Where folks who work hard and have calloused hands,

As good and as bad as I,

Can live and not judge another's heart

Or cast a critic's eye

Let me live in a house at the end of the road

And open my door to the sky.

I see from my house at the end of the road,

The rolling fields of life,

I see women who press with the ardor of hope,

Their aprons stained with strife.

But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears -

Both part of the infinite plan;

Let me live in the house at the end of the road

And be to all a kind woman.

I know there are lark-filled meadows ahead,

And mountains of wearisome height,

There are gardens to tend and children to mend

And day simply turns into night.

But still I rejoice when my sisters rejoice,

And weep with the women who moan,

With the dream of a farm at the end of the road

For a little girl too quickly grown.

Let me live in my house at the end of the road

And welcome the women who try -

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong,

Wise, foolish - so am I.

Then why should I look with a critic's eye

Or judge another's call?

Let me live in a house at the end of the road

And make a home for all.

Patience is definitely something we all are learning, but I know we all realize from our many, many (many, many) moves that the most important thing is being together. I'm so proud of the kids and how they have adjusted - it really makes me realize how little they really need in this society of ours that bombards us with advertising thinking we need everything.

Anyways, enjoy!



And here we are...

Yes, the move to Grand Junction has been made!  It's been anything but easy...we are slowly adjusting to desert life and still tirelessly searching for a home.  All we brought with us was what fit in our car:  a few toys, clothes, etc.  I think I'm going through sewing withdrawal!  My head is full of ideas and feel like I have so much to do, but no place (or sewing machine) to do it!  I plan on using this time to re-group and figure out where I want this business to go and other things I'd like to incorporate.  Plus, I need to change my logo, business cards, tags...everything has Jackson on it!  I also plan on working on my blog and make it more professional looking.  I've totally winged the whole blog thing and haven't taken the time to figure out all the things I can do to make it better.  Well, now I have the time.

Since my life has been turned upside down and inside out these past few months, I apologize to anyone who has been looking for hats.  I have a few still left in Jackson, but I'm definitely lacking in all the sizes and variety that I normally have.  Once I get my machine back I will work on special orders, but as far as doing any craft shows, etsy, or boutiques, I'll probably put that off until next year (though, those who know me well probably wouldn't be surprised if I signed up for one last minute and worked some all nighters!).  So, be patient and hopefully once I'm up and running again I'll be able to offer the best hats around and better than before!  Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or need an order done!  Thanks for all your support!

Sunny Soleil Hats at Paper and Grace!

I dropped off some more hats at Paper and Grace yesterday...I'm going to miss all the cute Jackson shops I've discovered since we've been here!  Paper and Grace has long been a favorite way before my hats started there.  It's the perfect place to find a unique gift and a fun card.  Everytime I go there is something different that I have to have.  Their new location is great.  If you are ever in Jackson, check them out!

New location at Wort plaza

Another adventure, another chapter...

Well, the time has come to move yet again.  It's both sad and exciting.  Grand Junction, Colorado, will be our new home by the end of the summer.  My sewing business is temporarily "on vacation" until we get this move done, but I am excited to possibly have a bigger house and an actual studio to let my ideas soar!  There are so many things I'd like to add to my collection...more variety of winter and summer hats, plus travel gear for little ones and adults alike.  If there is something you need, please don't hesitate to contact me!  I have a few items in stock and can always dig out my machine and material for a custom order!

Watch out Grand Junction!  This crafty runner/wanabe farmgirl is coming your way!!!!  I think I'll have to change my logo to Mountain Soleil - Handmade in the Rocky Mountains!