Sunday, May 22, 2016

Another Journal to Fill

I created yet another journal that I hope will be filled with memories, reflection, random thoughts or whatever her fancy. It was a present for my mother for Mother's Day.

My mother's faith is a significant part of who she is so I used scrabble pieces and paper clips to form the section dividers. She loved it!!! And I loved making it.  

The best part is I used found objects found around my home.  It started with a box I repurposed from a package I received. It was the perfect size for the cover.


I layered the front and back with muslin using mod podge



to make the cover sane as I did for this one.


I used a scrapbook paper on the inside cover.


The library pocket was made from the corner of a manilla envelope. These days, I look at the mail I receive in a whole new way. Anything can be repurposed and upcycled.  I found a template for the library cards which I printed 4 to a page on heavy cardstock.

I couldn't find paper the exact size that I needed so I cut and trimmed  pages from a  half used composition notebook. 


Included labels and photos from her younger days to spark writing content.



Soon after I completed  it,  I was shopping at TJ Maxx and stumbled upon color pencils wrapped in a fabric holder that was almost identical to the cover! I thought they would be a nice compliment to the journal.




I have a thing for notebooks and journals with blank pages to fill and I love repurposing odds and ends to create something meaningful. There are so many ideas rattling around inside my head so I think I found yet another creative obsession calling:)

What creative obsession that is currently monopolizing your thoughts?


Sunday, May 15, 2016

The Seedlings Await!

The seedlings want to go out and grow already. Is it ever going to warm up and stay that way. 


The temperature has been fluctuating so much this Spring. It's a little frustrating for those of us who are ready to get our gardens started, don't you think? 



Peas and  scallions; I will thin out the scallions when I plant them. As for the peas, I think they are hardy enough to go outside but I'm going to wait a little longer until the temperature is more consistent.  


This year I  used newspaper to make my seedling cups.


Last year, I used egg shells but I like to try new things, so I did.


 
Also, I purchased four mature plants weeks ago. I knew it was early, but they were priced nicely and organic.    The fact that they were on the inside because it was too cold outside didn't deter me. Waiting, to go outside, they quickly outgrew the sunny window I had them in.  Finally when I thought it was safe to do so, I put them outside to harden. However,  despite the dipping temperatures,  they seem to be holding up thankfully. I cover them with plastic and a drop cloth at night for added protection.

Ok seedlings, hang in there because soon it will be your turn to go out and grow. 


Have you started your garden or are you patiently awaiting warmer temperatures too?

Sunday, May 8, 2016

A Mother's Day Tribute

On this Mother's Day, I would like to pay tribute to my mom, Sara Mae. She grew up in Mount Union, Pennsylvania and had dreams that extended beyond the opportunities available in this small town.


Right after high school and three short months after her dad passed away, she took a job in Elgin IL at a publishing company for two years. It was there that she was introduced to a lady that helped her obtain a scholarship to McPherson College. With $100 saved, she traveled to Kansas by train, later to find out it was a partial scholarship and her savings was not nearly enough to cover her expenses. In addition to her studies she took on whatever jobs she could acquire to support herself and finance her education. She assisted the house mother at her dorm, cleaned a professor's home, ironed shirts for a doctor and worked in the cafeteria. She did whatever it took to make it through and she did just that.

Despite all those jobs, she graduated in 1950, on time!




Her mom, Rachel, had only a third grade education and yet her daughter was able to support herself and navigate college life and make it through successfully. Proud of Sara Mae, Rachel made the 1000+ mile drive with her classmates' parents to attend her graduation. Amazing!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there who give or has given of themselves in ways that words can't begin to describe the depth  and totality of their commitment and unconditional love.  Enjoy!





Sunday, May 1, 2016

Tiptoe Through the Tulips With Me

I get so inspired by what I see during the course of a day that it can be overwhelming but in the most joyful way.  The magnificence of the color can be so breathtaking.

After attending a composting class at the Queens Botanical Garden, I spotted these lovelies walking back to my car.


One lone red tulip mixed in a sea of yellow


Immediately it caught my attention.  Had to get a little closer



And even closer.


Further into this tulip trail, I spotted this beautiful red and yellow hybrid.


Again, it drew me in.



Unitil I could see each individual stamen inside.


 I stared at nature's magnificence for a few moments. How could I not acknowledge it?


As I walked away, I turned around for yet another look. As the tulips swayed in the wind, I was mesmerized by their beauty. I was inspired and in present moment heaven.