Summer Perspective

Alaska Mountains

We just returned from an amazing vacation in Alaska, so it’s been tough to get back into the swing of things around here. It’s raining every day in Atlanta and my sweet 17-year-old cat is by my side dying. Sorry to be depressing. I feel like the internet reminds us that people everywhere are suffering in different ways, while others are obsessing over the minutiae of everyday life. Reading a twitter feed can sometimes give us a skewed perspective of the world.

Anyway, I thought I’d share a few links. I loved this piece written by Carrie Bloomston of Such Designs about turning 40. I connected to the piece in many ways and I’m also headed for my 40th birthday in a few weeks.

Now on to some crafty links, because although I usually have a lot more on my mind, the focus of this blog is on crafts and sewing — small ways to make your life happier.

Folk-Modern-Citrus-Trees-Gray

My Folk Modern collection is popping up in stores. I finally got around to taking photos of the fabric, which you can find here. This collection is printed on Kokka’s classic linen and cotton blend, which is a bit heavier than quilting cotton, but still perfect for quilts, home decor, bags or clothing. If you have a fabric shop or blog, feel free to share these images.

clara-the-chicken

Brooklyn General is having a summer chicken contest. Love this idea — reminds me of the Clara the Chicken ornaments (pictured above) that I made with the kids a few years ago.

the staple dress pattern

And I’m following along with the Staple Dress Blog Hop. I really need to make one of these handy dresses, designed by April Rhodes. You can order the pattern in a print version or a .pdf download in April’s shop.

12 Replies to “Summer Perspective”

  1. I hope you can take some extra time to can ease back into life post vacation and be with your cat. Thanks for all the links; as always I know I will have some interesting reads.

  2. Your photo is beautiful and message thoughtful.

    The web does seem to provide everything from the trivial to tragic. In a sea of data there is something for everyone to contemplate. Your post has done that for me.

    I’m so sorry for the pain you must be feeling right now. Take care and know you are in our thoughts.

  3. So sorry to hear about your kitty. I’ve had several kitties in my life, they are wonderful companions

  4. Your picture of Alaska were so beautiful. I’m so sorry to hear about your cat. I know EXACTLY how you feel, I promise! I’ve had mine for seventeen years, four years longer than I’ve been married and as I was an abandoned child, the longest and finest relationship I’ve ever had. Last year she went downhill and didn’t leave my wardrobe for months. I really thought I’d lost her, I’m really crying thinking about it. I fed her by hand and spent all my free time with my head in that wardrobe. Unbelievably, one day she just jumped on my bed and I’ looking at her right now. I really hope the same for you, don’t give up, you never know. Turning forty is GREAT, really! You can get away with almost anything, I blame everything on my age (45) and if my husband finds me flirting with a waiter I swear I can’t remember, have some fun with it. I wish you the very best of luck jo x

  5. I am very sorry to hear about your cat. It is so hard to let them go, isn’t it? I lost the cat I found as a stray kitten while in college almost 5 years ago (my sweet Rocket) and I still think of him regularly and miss him. Once they take up residence in your heart, they never truly leave. I am a veterinarian and I would say 17 years is a very respectable lifetime for a cat. She must truly be cherished and must have received much good care. My guess is she has been a very lucky kitty to be part of your household. Take care, Ellen.

  6. Oh my dear. Big purrs and ear skritches from my furr-kids to you and yours. We love them with all our hearts even knowing we’ll have to say goodbye much too soon. I’ve been lucky to have many cats in my life – they always leave their footprints on your heart.

    That dress is awesome. Must resist until I sew a few of the other projects I’ve promised myself I’ll get to. Seems I’m more interested in sewing clothes these days than quilts…must be the heat!

    Off to read about turning 40. I just had #39 earlier this week, so your timing is perfect!

  7. So hard saying goodbye to our pets. Amazing the relationship we form with oir feline friends.
    Don’t fret on turning 40…it is an amazing age and you are about to go on an amazing coming of age adventure.

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