A Beautiful Day

What moms of three kids (two of which are twins) who have husbands who travel for a living like to do

Though the sewist in me has been a bit sleepy for a while, I'm toying with ideas as to my next project. There are plenty of WIPs (for the uninitiated, that means Works In Progress) sitting in my studio just longing for attention, but sometimes you need something fun and fresh to whip yourself up into a delicious MAKING FRENZY.  I'm pining for creativity lately, and sense a big spurt is just around the corner.  But in the meantime, as I wait for my sewing mojo to return, I'm living vicariously through my girl KT.  She's not only making but making some pretty pesos to boot!  - Check it:

Here we have the beautiful Kayla modeling one of her mom's fantastic original tutu designs.   KK's dancing school instructor asked KT if she wouldn't mind making enough for an upcoming recital.  Long story short: KT made a LOT of tutus and got orders for many, many more. 

KK is as smart as she is gorgeous. 

Her twin Kevey knows not to mess with her as she takes no prisoners...she is nothing short of captivating and Smacky adores her.  (PS - those are rose petals enmeshed in the tulle!)

Sometimes KT will forget herself and thank ME for inspiring HER.  HAH. I wish -she's too talented!

That said, though we didn't talk about it, if anyone out there is looking for tutus, I'm sure we can make an offer you can't refuse. 

 

Inspiration (courtesy of KT)

Walking with Grace
by Maithri Goonetilleke

The river of tears
flowed through my heart more times
than i can tell you my friend,
Silent tears, roaring tears,
tears which would fill oceans,
tears of the heart -
which were so much more than salty water,
But today in the gentle glow of morning,
I turn my head to the river bank and there a stone has washed ashore,
Bright and sparkling,
I have not seen it before. And yet I know its name -
Grace.
I will go pick it up and put it in my pocket.

KT's Gift

Remember I mentioned the gift that KT recently sent me? The one that's in the top 3 of the best gifts I've ever received? Well, here it is, and I said top 3 because I figured there must have been other gifts in my life that were in other ways just as cool to receive but frankly at the moment I can't even think of one:

Yes, it's a new way cool angry chicken clutch, this time one made just for me. But it's just a bag you say? This gorgeous little creation is far more special because of what's inside:

Twenty six poems and quotes, chosen by KT herself, carefully HANDWRITTEN, carefully folded. At the end of each poem is her commentary on why the prose is important to her or relevant to our lives as mothers and women and wives and great, best friends.

Initially, after crying like a baby as I was so touched by the sheer thoughtfulness of this, I thought I'd keep this very special clutch hidden away for safekeeping so that nothing would happen to it and I'd have it forever, but realized that really isn't its purpose. Instead I keep it out and available (it looks elegant and perfect on a round sidetable in our sitting room); I'm getting a little addicted to regularly pulling out a poem, reading, reflecting, and enjoying a feeling of being connected to not only KT but to my family and the world. It's more than helping me through this little emotional rough patch I'm going through - - it's giving me solace and good thoughts. And when a friend manages to do that from 3,000 miles away, well, she's a keeper. She's definitely taken things up a notch in the "surprise box of goodies in the mail" department and I have no idea how I could possibly return the favor - yet. I'm conspiring. It just may take a little time (and lots of creative thinking!).

In the meantime, because I'm not feeling so inspiring and I'm still kind of focusing inward and trying to work through some stuff (which I'm disinclined to share much of here), I'll let some of her choices inspire you in the next few upcoming posts.

But for now, let me just say thank you again KT (I know you're reading my dear). I so heart you.

*******

Mr. Smacky is currently coping with what I'm thinking is a nasty case of rotavirus, and I'm praying that the littles don't get it (hah!). This is the first time since he was an infant that he's really thrown up and it's totally freaking him out - he's been clinging to me like a vine, afraid to be alone in case it happens again. He's supersensitive and crabby and so listless. My poor little guy.

What's up with a virus going around in the middle of summer? Is anyone else out there currently nursing sick preschoolers?