croque-choux

Summer blog break

I'm taking a little blog break, so no posting for 10 days or so. Hope you take some time to smell the flowers too. This is the sunflower my son planted. We had fun watching it grow :o)

Look no further

As I was sitting in front of my sewing machine wondering what I could work on in this hot weather, I decided to challenge myself to use only what was within arm's reach- very fitting since I'm still hobbling around the house because of my leg. So using only stuff that was flying around my sewing table or fabric scraps found on the floor, I made this little thing. It's neither here nor there as far as format goes, because it's too little to be a postcard and not the right size for an ATC because it's 4 x 2 5/8 inches big. Since I had my alphabet rubber  stamps and ink pad on hand, I stamped out the word "seek", as a reminder that sometimes you really don't have to look very far.

My little boy with the over active imagination said that to him it looked like an icy landscape with a tiny treasure at the edge of a semi frozen lake, and an that there was an aurora borealis in the sky over the barren tree. Wow :o)

the Lowdown

What's been going on lately:

• I tore a muscle in my calf last Wednesday night and have to use crutches for another week, so I'm off work.

• There is a heatwave here and in most parts of France, and it's been hellishly hot.

• I  have been shamelessly lying on my back, eating popsicles, resting, and watching the 1st season of Desperate Housewives on the dvd my daughter recently loaned me :o)

Okay, okay, I should be sewing or crafting something but the heat makes me feel like a tired housefly, and muscle relaxers do make one a little drowsy...

My Backtack softie unveiled

Now that I'm sure that the stuffed animal I made for Eireann in the Backtack III swap finally arrived safely, I can post pictures! I don't have many photos of it though unfortunately, because I just took a few quick pictures before putting the pony in its yellow Postbox paddock.

I wish I had taken more detailed photos! The pony's eyes are very tiny vintage mother of pearl buttons, and I added a little hand embroidery on his legs and appliqued flowers on his hind quarters. This little felt horse was made from a pattern I bought in Sweden about 17 years ago. A little more  hand  sewing than I remember, and a bit tricky, but it makes a very cute horse. Here is another shot of him admiring the view from the roof of my car

goodbye Madcap...

As a child of the 60's, self-respecting rock fan, and Pink Floyd devotee, I just wanted to mark his passing. He inspired a lot of musicians (ask David Bowie). I was only about 8 or 9 when he left Pink Floyd, but I remember the thrill I felt when I first listened to the band when I was in my early teens. Syd's story always made me feel sad, and I can't help but think that he's free now, ya know?

A little bird told me

The idea for this little Artist Trading Card popped into my head suddenly when I went upstairs for to do something else. I had some little bird transfers left over from this ATC, and I wanted to try out the alphabet stamps I bought a few days ago, so here is what I made. My sewing machine and I are a bit rusty since I haven't been able to do much sewing 'cause of my new job, so it was nice to make a little something today even if it's only a few inches big.

World Cup veg-out fest

I'm sorry to report that I did not do anything crafty at all today, and after a marathon day at work I swear that I am starting to understand all those guys who come home from work and zone out in front of the game. Therefore my evening consisted of:

The French team made it to the Finals, woohoo!