Blue Monday Morning...Crossword and Coffee

It's the way he starts every day for the last 25 years. 

I know this how? 

That is how long ago we bought a set of four handmade pottery coffee cups.
 

It was our 25th Wedding Anniversary in December 1990.  We took a trip to Sante Fe, New Mexico to celebrate.  Who knew the coffee cup would last this long!  Actually, I did, and I'm sure I told him so.

My assurance that it was a good purchase began with "HiHoney, this cup is handmade to last."  High fire clay and glazes guarantee that to be so...providing it doesn't hit the floor. 

Over the years there have been plenty of assurances for one thing or another, so when the 'I'm not bossy' sign was found it seemed more than appropriate.  However,  'I just know'...nothing...compared to his 25 year crossword vocabulary.

So what do crosswords and coffee have in common besides they are both morning habits?  There are plenty of words out there on the merits of crossword puzzles as being an important part of a healthy lifestyle and an activity to stave off neurodegenerative diseases.  On the other hand, there are skeptics who say crosswords may be just another 'Habit' with 'good and bad' prefixes attached according to one's experiences. 

The same, I say, can be said about Coffee!

What say you, Sally?

Linking To

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

BlueMonday and Dragonfly Symbolism

In my small collection of Blue's comes a perfume bottle and special scarf.  From all the 'What's My Color' charts and quizzes I've taken over the years, BLUE is a color I should wear....and I do...teal or turquoise blue.  Royal blues...not so much.  What's really the focus here is 'Bottle' and 'Bauble'...the Dragonfly Scarf/Shawl pin/clip/closure.

 

Dragonfly Symbolism first.  The dragonfly, in almost every part of the world symbolizes change and change in the perspective of  self realization, mental and emotional maturity with an understanding of the deeper meaning of life.  I'm liking this...it speaks to me as I near this months birthday.  The traditional association of Dragonflies with water represents an act of going beyond what's on the surface and looking into the deeper implications and aspects of life.   Wow...that's deep and feels spot on to this 'Aquarius Waterbearer'.  Now, I know why I have been fascinated by Dragonflies my whole life.

 

Now about the 'Bottle'. How perfect is this perfume bottle for my collection.  It has all the elements of my Aquarian Psyche. 

 

It has been Pinned to my Pinterest Board 'Dragonflies', added to my ETSY favorites, and my Birthday Wish List. 

 

 I owe this find to my friend's board 'Pretty Bottles and & Jars'.  You should take a look at her boards on Pinterest...wonderful vintage items and loads of good Genealogy information.

 

Here's the link to my Pinterest board....

'Dragonflies'

 

Linking to

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Let There Be JOY

Let there be

 JOY 

 in Your Blue Monday

and every day in

December.

 

JOY is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to

recognize how good things really are.

~Marianne Williamson~

Sometimes your JOY is the source of your smile,

but sometimes your smile can be the source of your Joy.

~Thich Nhat Hanh~

Find out where JOY resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing.

For to miss the JOY is to miss all.

~Robert Louis Stevenson~

 

Linking To:

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

 

December Header

 

What's In Your Sewing Basket?

Oh, the fun of collecting Sewing Stuff.   Although, in my Grandmother's day it was not considered a collection, but a necessary part of everyday life. 

No needle worker back in the 1920's and 1930's would be worth her stitches if she didn't have a Sewing Basket stocked with pins, needles, spools of thread, scissors, buttons, and scraps of flour sack fabrics.

My Mother's Sewing Basket was a treasure chest for me as a young girl in the early 1950's.  It is no wonder that I have carried on the tradition of Sewing Baskets.  Notice I said Baskets!

In every Sewing Basket there should be a 'Needle Case'.  Needless to say, I have several.  Some I have collected to display, but most I have made to use.  So, while working through my 4R Fiber Bucket List it was only natural to make a few Needle Keepers/Cases from my collection of Grandmothers Flower Garden Scraps and other 1930's-1950's Scrap Pieces. 

There will be a dozen or so of these Needle Books ready for my Booth at the

 Chicken Farm Art Center's First Saturday Sale this coming Saturday.

Nearly every Needle Case made so far has a few scraps of 'Blue'.  What is now referred to as '1930's Blue' was a popular color during the 1930's and 1940's production of 'Feed Sack' prints.  It was also a favorite color to use in Grandmothers Flower Garden and Double Wedding Ring Quilts.  Lucky me...I have original 1930's Scraps of both patterns.  

Won't they make a nice gift for a 'Needle Worker's Sewing Basket?   

Betcha Sally has a 'Blue Sewing Basket'!

Linking To

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

The Blues of Vintage Linen Collecting

As a collector of vintage linens, I have the greatest appreciation for the time, effort and work that went into the making of dresser scarves, hankies, pillow cases, crocheted lace and edgings and so on.   I don't even mind a few holes, loose strings, and worn edges.  Those are signs of  being used and being enjoyed by the maker or someone who received the piece as a gift.

I have found over the years, that there are other collectors and folks who feel the same as me.  Some collect them for nostalgic and sentimental reasons.  Some use them as they were intended as dresser scarves and pillow cases even if just for display.  Then others save them for craft projects and re-sale. 

I am a Multi-Re-Purpose Collector!

My collection includes vintage linens and hanky's that were made by my Mother and Grandmothers.  Lovely dresser scarves that have been gifts.  Pieces that I have made and hopefully will be treasured by my descendants.  Then there are those found at Junktique Shops, ones Thrifted and many simply saved from being trashed as having no further use. 

No such thing as having no further use...not for this

Recycler-Repurposer-Renewer-Resaler.

Moving into Phase III of my 4R's Bucket List.

Linking to

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Running With DMC and Aunt Lydia's Blues

What does DMC stand for and who is Aunt Lydia?

The first thing that comes to mind when one talks about running with DMC is Run DMC, and even though I am not of the HipHop generation, I have heard of this 1980's group.  So, NO, this is not how I 'Run with DMC'.

The next thing to pop up when searching DMC was an 'Action-Adventure Hack and Slash video game.  I won't even go there with the graphics or the name of the Xbox game, but here's a hint on the 'D'...H E double L NO that is not how I run with DMC.

There were a few other DMC icons...for instance 'DeLorean Motor Company'.  I recognized that 'D', and although I could run with a DeLorean, again, not my DMC.  There were other DMC's:  Destination Medical Center, Del Mar College and the entertaining Disney Movie Club.  If you haven't already guessed, my 'Running with DMC' is Fiber related.  Yes, it's Floss, Thread, Yarn and more Needleworks stuff which you can explore on the DMC Website.

 What does DMC stand for, you asked and I wanted to know since I have an inquisitive mind and I suffer from Fiberpsychosis...a disorder of 'OverDoing' Fiber related products.  So here it is...what DMC stands for...

DOLLFUS-MIEG & Compagnie

Now we know, but as usual for Fiberpsychosis sufferers, this was just that one strand

of Blue Floss in the 'Thread Tangle'  that led to untangling the HISTORY 

of a company started in 1746 who's motto remains alive today.

"Tenui Filo Magnum Texitur Opus"

"From one fine thread a work of art is born"

Oh yeah...I definitely 'Run With DMC'!

 

Linking To

Sally's Blue Monday

 

PS...I am still working on 'Who is Aunt Lydia'.  What I know for sure, she is not related to Dollfus Mieg and in all likelihood she and I have at least one thing in common...Fiberpsychosis!

Aurora Borealis...Blue Jewels of Choice

Collecting vintage jewelry comes with a price besides what you pay for it whether you thrift, flea, garage, junktique shop or...gasp...Retail/Internet shop.   That price?  The Parting Pain!

It is almost too high a price to pay...the pain of parting with pieces you have coveted for so long.  It doesn't matter that many of the treasures may be missing a rhinestone or two or the clasp is broken, or even covered in dirt.  All of those flaws can be fixed.

Yet, once they are repaired and it is your intention to 'Part' with said 'Treasure', it is still hard to do.  That is where I am with this latest 'VintageToVogue' necklace that was previously three different pairs of clip on earrings, a strand of knotted faux pearls and a mixture of glass and crystal beads.

Most of what I collect is NOT in MINT condition.  I am not put off by broken, chipped, or missing rhinestones.  If one earring is missing a few stones, or the clip is broken, all the better for repurposing into a new piece.  Such was the case with the pair of Aurora Borealis earrings. 

The Blue Aurora Borealis is my color of choice between Red, Green, and Clear. The technique of applying rhinestones with an iridescent metallic coating was developed in the early 1950's by French Fashion Designer, Chrisian Dior.
He collaborated with Austrian crystal manufacturer, Swarovski in developing and producing the coating that gave the stones a dazzling glimmer.  They named the coating after the mysterious glow of the Northern Lights.  The first massed produced aurora borealis coated costume jewelry hit the public market in 1955. 

 Parting is such Sweet Sorrow...but...I'll get over it...as soon as it sells.

In it's favor is the BSK marking on the once-an-earring pendant.

The pristine knotted strand of pearls with the original clasp adds to it's value as well.

I'm betting Blue Aurora Borealis just might be your Jewel of Choice, too.

I'm pretty sure it is Sally's!

Linking To

Sally's Blue Monday

Black and Blue and Art All 'OverDoSue'

Is it Art? 

No worries, Ya'll, you don't have to answer, although you may decide one way or another as you browse through this 'Gallery Post'.  It is completely up to you!  BackInTheDay when I was an 'Art Student' working on my Masters, I DID have to answer the question "Is it Art?", and let me tell you some of the 'Stuff' I had to give a Yup or Nope was shocking to this here-to-fore 'Art Is Dalhart Windberg Bluebonnet Landscapes' Gal.

All along it was a 'TEST'.  My Yup's turned out to be Art alright, but my double the number of Nope's also turned out to be ART!  Needless to say, I failed the 'TEST', but learned quickly to say 'Yup' to ALL except the 'bogus bathroom sign' thrown in just to make sure I wasn't snoozing through the slideshow. 

That was a long time ago...like 31 years to be exact...and now, here I am

sifting through 'Old Portfolios' trying to decide...Is It Art? 

 If So then I'll keep it!  If No, then I'll trash it!

Is it Art?  What it was...was a 'practice' watercolor testing a block out product.

It must be Art...I kept it for over 30 years. 

In another 30 years it maybe priceless...or Not!

For now it works as a background for photographing my

OverDoSue Jewelry Eclections.

NOW THAT IS ART!!!

 

Linking To

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Seeking Summer Shade In Texas

You know it's too hot to trot when the 'Sundial' is seeking 'Shade'.

Texas has two seasons 'Summer and Winter', and sometimes they happen in the same week.

Although it's hotter than a pistol most July 4th weekends,  this summer has been tolerable.

Except for our garden squash and okra.  It's a 'Shade Seeker' in the late afternoon.

Look at that squash plant!  We grow em' Bigger in Texas, and about the heat...

Texans are always glad when it's finally hot enough to complain about how hot it is.

A lot of folks come to Texas for the climate...and rightly so. 

We Texans are always adapting to our  weather.

When it finally rains...we rejoice, pray for more and fill our rain barrels.

When it's hot we 'Seek Shade'.

When the wind blows, we build 'Windmills' on the mesas and....

Fly Kites!

Linking To:

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

I Am So Not BLUE

If Your Favorite Color is BLUE...you are conservative, reliable and trustworthy!

Oh, Whoa!!!  I AM conservative, reliable and trustworthy...but BLUE is not my Favorite Color.

Having a personality color BLUE means you have a deep need

 for peace and harmony in your everyday life.

Not a 'Deep Need', but some peace and harmony is always welcome!



You don't like to draw attention to yourself...you prefer to be in the background.

Uh...No...somehow my background self ends up 'Front and Center' of attention.

As a personality color blue, you are sentimental and love things from the past. 

Okay, now we are talking!  I'm positive this is a trait for RED, too!

How else can I justify and call myself a BLUE and RED Button Collector?



When I am into RED WHITE and BLUE Button Jewelry Making!!!!

Okay...So I am a Little Bit BLUE!!!

Linking To

Smiling Sally's BLUE MONDAY

Times Nine Proverbial Lazy Gal

A stitch in time saves nine.

I think of this old proverb when I drag out this needle point piece that I've worked on for at least NINE years.  The TIME part of the proverb I associate with how much time it has taken me to get this far, and how many more NINE billion stitches I have to go. 

Will I ever finish?  Yes!  I am almost there, but I reduced my TIME and SAVED myself some NINES.  Rather than a pillow, as the canvas was sized to be, it will soon be an insert for a wooden jewelry box. 

Won't it be a perfect place to keep these special earrings I've made from vintage blue buttons, antique silver beads and a needle workers charms?  I think so, too!

Now about the proverb and what it really means.  The 'stitch in time' is simply the sewing up of a small hole or tear in a piece of material, so saving the need for more stitching later when the hole has become larger.  The first users of this expression were referring to saving nine stitches.

The proverbial expression was meant as an incentive to the lazy.  Many English proverbs encourage immediate effort as superior to putting things off until later; example, 'one year's seeds, seven year's weeds', and 'the early bird catches the worm.'

Yikes, now I feel like a 'Times Nine Proverbial Lazy Gal'.

Linking To

.Smiling Sally's BLUE MONDAY

How Does My Garden Grow? With Chimes...No Cockles!

 Mary Mary quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a Row

(most common modern version...oldest version printed in Tommy Thumb's Pretty Song Book c. 1744)

Sounds pretty innocent...right? 

 I've always thought so and have quoted it to myself while tending my garden.

Not So...innocent that is...if you choose to believe one of the 1744 British interpretations.

It seems the rhyme is connected to Mary, Queen of Scotts, with

"how does your garden grow" referring to her reign over her realm.

"Silver Bells" referring to cathedral bells,

and "cockle shells" insinuating that her husband was unfaithful to her.

"Pretty maids all in a row" referred to her ladies-in waiting...'The Four Maries".

Poor Mary...as if being locked in a Tower and losing her 'Crownless Head' was not enough of a historical burden to bear forever.

Bless her heart, having to put up with a Cockled husband...actually several of them.

(History of Mary Queen of Scots on Wikipedia)

I do like the 'Pretty maids all in a row'.  That's what I call my Squash Plants.

Aren't they pretty...planted all in a row in the Veggie Garden Box?

 

They are blooming!  Maiden Squashes on the way...yay!

Do you think I'll have trouble with those pesky squash bugs?

I hope not, but to help, I planted rows of 'Pretty Maiden Marigolds'.

And just for extra measure...a Blue Dragonfly Chime!

Dragon Flies love squash bugs!
Linking To:
Smiling Sally's BLUE MONDAY

Despicable Knitting

While watching Despicable Me2 the other night, I found myself singing along with the Minions Banana Song just as I had with the Beach Boys back in 1965. The 21st Century Minioneze  BaBaBanana tunes right up to the BBoy's 20th Century Rockin' and a Reelin'  BaBaBarbara Ann.  Check it out:

The Minions Banana Song on U-Tube HERE and the

 Beach Boys' Barbara Ann on U-Tube HERE.
Another example of 'What Goes Around....yada yada yada!!!!

Now this is not a Review or a Plug for the movie.  I will leave that to my Grandson who watches it 24 and 7 and speaks Minioneze fluently.  What this is....is a Slipper Sizing Pattern Test.
 

For once, I am Size Testing a Slipper Pattern...as this is not my first Rodeo at knitting slippers for grandkids who just gotta have them sooner than later, and then never wear them. 

Although, knitting slippers is not like knitting a sweater which I have had some experience in starting and none in finishing.  No, it's more like knitting Socks in that it takes TWO...one for each foot...another example of my excellent starting skills.

I have long been afflicted with SSS...Second Sock Syndrome...which is quite apparent when digging through my sock drawer.  I am determined not to let the Second Sock aversion morf into Second Slipper Syndrome. 

Therefore, this first PAIR of Minion Slippers are being made at the same time on one set of needles...which is going to cause a shockwave of dropped stitches among my knitting group.  Not only that, but my Grands are not getting the first PAIR....I AM!!!!

Oh Yeah....BaBaBarbara Aaaannnn!

Here's the LINK to the Pattern if you would like to Size Test a Pair for yourself...

or your Grandkids!

Posted to DayByDay....MadeIt~ShowIt Monday

Linking To:

Smiling Sally's Blue Monday

Blue In Grandmother's Flower Garden

 Grandmother's Flower Garden pattern was popular in the late 19th Century, and hit it's peak of popularity about 1925.  This block was popular during the Depression when quilt making was almost a necessity, as women were forced to return to frugal homemaking once again.

The hexagon provided a way to use small fabric scraps, and was cheerful reminder of colorful flower gardens, a much needed lift during hard times.  The number of hexagons in the finished quilt and their size were a matter of pride for the quilter.

This pattern has a long history, dating back to the Colonial Period where it was known as Mosaic, Honeycomb, or French Bouquet.  Godey's Ladies book, founded in 1830, published the pattern in 1835.  It is thought to be the first pieced quilt pattern published in America.  Reference: Quilt Discovery Experience

As a collector of Vintage Quilts, I have to say that the 1930's Fabrics and Patterns are my Favorites. Over the years I have restored, remade, repurposed, and quilted many Vintage Grandmothers Flower Garden quilt tops. This Flower Garden was a rescue top that had several holes and torn places right in the middle of what was made to fit a full size bed. I repaired what I could and then cut the top into FOUR smaller pieces. Added new 1930's reproduction fabric borders and backing then machine quilted them.  Although, not an easy pattern to machine piece, it can be done.  Traditionally it is pieced by hand.  Today there are several techniques that make the hand piecing, cutting and marking a bit easier and quicker.  English Paper Piecing, Plexi-Hexagon Templates, and my often used method...Stamps by Kate...which I discovered at the Houston Quilt Festival one year.

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