Delicious Distractions

About 40 minutes from my home there is a most delicious diversion this time of year: Porter, Oklahoma, the peach capital of the state and Livesay Orchards. We hopped over to the Porter Peach festival recently and brought home nearly a bushel!
At the orchard, you can pick your own or let them do the real work...it is a very busy place!!

Since then, I have made several fresh peach pies
(with homemade crusts!).

Farmer's markets nearer to my home are still boasting Porter Peaches so it is hard to resist picking up a few more!

Ok, back to the distracting part..I should be working on new purses and new purse patterns today-that was my plan-or organizing my business books for my darling better half
(he is the left brain half).

But instead, I made peach pies! When he emailed me about my accounting records, I emailed back a picture of his pie-fresh out of the oven! Even he understands priorities!

Happy distractions

-EE
ps. peachy pillow pattern available in ilovefiberart store!

Good Measure

This time of year means regrouping and planning projects for the season. Gathering together these measuring cup treasures which I picked up this summer at Anthropologie, and favorite herbal fills, I can get to work and be inspired in the process!

Sweet, aromatic, French Lavender is my all-time favorite fill for pillows & sachets but I plan to mix in a few buckwheat hulls and a little flax seed this year for texture, weight and complexity. Add to these, the delicate beauty of vintage glass, pearl and rhinestone embellishments, from my collection and Grandma's button box, plus vintage inspired French trims & a few special fabrics and the recipe is nearly complete!

Now, to work!

So lucky are artists, chefs & sewers! Cooking things up from a blank "canvas" is a joy when you have Faith, courage & a few fine ingredients!

Happy Cooking & Creating!
-EE

WHOA! (ed being very naughty)

Ribbons & Roses & Feeding Your Passion!

The Spirit of the American Morgan Horse

In Lexington, Kentucky, Horse Capital of the USA, the grounds are magnificent, the stars are World Champions, the sports include Polo & all disciplines of riding and horsemanship, the art is equestrian, and bloodlines run deep and as Royal as any tricolors' Blue.

Thoroughbred Park

Man O' War, sire of Triple Crown Winner War Admiral, also memorialized here.

This summer, as in most horse show seasons for us, it is all about feeding our passion for the glorious four-legged creatures & finding a way to manage: stabling, traveling, training & feeding-yet still finding a way to "manage the store" that is, our family businesses.

Fortunately, we have an awesome, talented trainer who takes care of the "ponies" & we are learning from our teenager that it is truly not the trophy, but the race.

This means making family vacations of horse shows- we wouldn't trade these adventures for anything!



For my part, I will "work for feed"


This week I am doing custom sewing of "designer" ladies hunt show shirts! I made a pattern-first for my daughter, then for several others and got to work.

By adding special touches not usually found in off-the-rack shirts, even most custom shirts, such as piping, elegant monograms and new collar shapes, things are hopping in the order department!

Anything to feed the horse habit!!

Happy feeding your Passion!
-EE

Life is a Ball!

One of my very favorite pillows to make is a Button Ball! Here is a velvet version, pattern available this week in ilovefiberart store:

Whether sewing it up in silk/rayon velvet or your favorite cotton or home dec fabric, this pillow is sure to be a great accent to your collection-or a fabulous gift!


There is no end to the creative finishing you can do on this sculptural treasure! I even use my pattern to make snowmen pillows every winter!

Happy Sewing 'Round & 'Round!
-EE


*ps-please sign up on our email list for new pattern info.
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Coming end August/start September: 2 NEW Fall handbag patterns!
Tailored and Ruffled
Yippee!

Americana, Airstream and the 4th of July

You've got to appreciate Main Street America, somewhere in the Midwest, in early July. Patriotic, down-to-earth and postcard perfect, whether the image is quality or not. Road trips across this great land always yield surprises that stir the emotions of pride and home.

In Ohio, we found the Airstream factory and company headquarters.

Rows and rows of those beautiful aluminum works of art that are still, for the most part, made by hand, by men and women,
one sheet and rivet at a time!

An early "Road Chief" trailer...circa 1930's I think

Custom bike for (Sandra's former) Jesse James. Notice the handlebars and (faux) bullet casings.

BTW our tour guide mentioned that Ms. Bullock has a custom 34 foot beauty, with 2 slides, ...rumored to be next to her pool!

We met some very nice people and checked out several models, just in case we decide to make this viewing Americana hobby permanent!


Happy Touring!
-EE

Bluebird of Happiness!

These little birdies, both bluebird and golden bird are vintage bark cloth inspired! Using embroidery software and digitizing over 1930's-era bark cloth, these colorful rayon feathered friends are a treat to stitch out, stitch up and embellish.

Here are a few bags which I made from my vintage collection.

Making new from old is a favorite work and pastime!

Happy Treasure Hunting!
-EE