Inspiration

Show and tell Monday with Make Mine Pink

Inspiration

Over a period of many years I have cut out and collected pictures/articles from magazines, keeping them in pretty journals for a rainy day or when needing some inspiration.
Love to look at the designs and colours, how what is in fashion rotates in a circle, frequently ending up where it started. Had a wonderful day on Sunday relaxing and browsing through 4 of my packed to the brim journals, remembering the years past and what I was doing at the time.


Having tidied my sewing room, so the sofa is now visible, I have a special place to sit and dream and get some inspiration for a week of stitching ahead.

By The Sea

Blog Hop Friday

This is a new venture for SHC members a themed blog hop Friday to take us into the
Bank Holiday weekend of 'By The Sea'

My contribution is a seaside tote, fully lined with a zipped pocket on the inside for any valuables and an open pocket on the outside, the straps measure approx 30" with a 15" drop, overall size approx 10" X 10" X 3"also comes with a bag charm with sunglasses, flip flops and sun charms

Check out the other blogs with the Seaside Themes and let's keep our fingers crossed for some decent weather this weekend.

Yay! I can see the floor!

Show and Tell Monday

A tidy sewing room

Well I finally did it, you can now see the floor, let alone the sofa and the table tops. Shall I shan't I? spent ages thinking about it, then got stuck in on Saturday, just the large landing cupboard and my workroom downstairs to do, then the rest of the house!!!! Oh no says Lee and Barney! is my basket area safe Dad? or am I next out the door?

I now have a place to sit and read, hand stitch or just to relax, a work area I can see and an organised cupboard full of fabric treasures.

An the winner is......

Thank you for all leaving a comment on my blog this week.
The time has come to announce the winner of the give away, every entry has been nominated a number, in this case 1 to 14 and the winning number drawn out of the hat is 2, so the winner is GAIL

Check out Gail's website, where you will find beautiful treasures for you or to gift.

Spare a Thought

Show and Tell Monday with Make Mine Pink

Spare a Thought

Those of my online friends that know me, know that my MIL moved into a nursing home in early July, she has dementia along with a physical disability that dictates she needs 24 hour care.
She is happy in the home and has settled in well.

The point of this blog post is about dreams and aspirations regardless of your age, dreams you have had, have and hope to have in the future.

On a visit to a local garden centre the other day I purchased my coffee and went to find a quiet table, I passed an elderly lady sitting on her own, quite happy with her pot of tea, I acknowledged her and smiled (a smile costs nothing), her face lit up and her reaction really touched me.

A while later a group of young women probably in their 20's/30's arrived with children from babes in arms to about 4/5 years old. Their reaction to this lady was totally different, they looked at her, she smiled and they chose to ignore her, no expression, no acknowledgment, she carried on with her tea, after a while the children seemed drawn to her and chatted quite easily, oblivious of her age.

This made me think even more that some of our current society so often sweeps older people under the carpet and feels that they no longer have anything worth while to contribute. On returning to the home to collect DH I looked at the residents with renewed light and saw their faces light up at a smile and also on the entrance of a visitor in the hopes that it may be for them or just a familiar face. In a society where some people seem to think they are the only ones worthwhile, to just stop, think and spare a thought that everyone, however old still have feelings, still have dreams, the latter may never be filled due to the race of time but they are entitled to acknowledgment. One day we will too be old (in my case now 52, nearer than I would like) and I too hope that I will get a smile from a stranger whilst enjoying a cup of tea.

With this post in mind I am doing a give-away of a rose scented door sachet, In shabby Chic Style, shades of pink with a cup of tea, hand appliqued on the front and the wording 'Dream' embroidered, this sachet measures approx approx 8" X 6" with a ribbon for hanging.
(Will ship to the US)


Closing date for your chance to win is Thursday 5th August, will be shipped on Friday 6th.

Just leave a comment for your chance to win.

The Lavender Collection

Show and Tell Monday with Make Mine Pink

The Lavender Collection

A timeless classic, lavender has been much maligned as being old fashioned but I think due for a big revival, with memories of summer and the sound of bees, what could be more perfect. This poem by Nancy Ellen Crossland sums up a true picture of Lavender

LAVENDER VALLEYS

The sun winks between the valley's horizon
Ending its day;
Now twilight replaces golden skies
With its lavender array,

Before purple veils cover the ending day
With its lingering stay,
Lavender whispers in valleys of grey;
Nature's paintbrush with each stroke
A glorious scene
It will evoke,

To linger within this lavender valley;
To inhale the scents of evening,
I will release every thought of the day
Oh yes,
I would gladly stay!


Nancy Ellen Crossland
7/01/2010 USA

Picture courtesy of the BBC Lavender field in Provence

which leads me to my latest designs:

The Lavender Collection

A door stop, door sachet and clothes sachet, all scented with lavender

What is a Friend?

What is a definition of a Friend to you?

This is the definition from the English Oxford Dictionary:

friend

(friend)

Pronunciation:/frɛnd/

noun

• 1 a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations
• (used as a polite form of address or in ironic reference) an acquaintance or a stranger one comes across:my friends, let me introduce myself
• (one's friends) archaicone's close relatives
• a person who supports a cause, organization, or country by giving financial or other help:the Friends of the Welsh National Opera
• a person who is not an enemy or opponent; an ally:she was unsure whether he was friend or foe
• 2 (Friend)a member of the Religious Society of Friends; a Quaker

verb

[with object] archaic

• befriend (someone)
• [no object] (friend with) black Englishhave a sexual relationship with:the woman got married and you still used to friend with she?
• add (someone) to a list of contacts associated with a social networking website:I am friended by 29 people who I have not friended back

• Phrases

• be (or make) friends with

  be (or become) on good or affectionate terms with

  be no friend of (or to)

  show no support or sympathy for

  a friend at court

  a person in a position to use their influence on one's behalf

  a friend in need is a friend indeed

  proverba person who helps at a difficult time is a person who you can really rely on

  friends in high places

  people in senior positions who are able and willing to use their influence on one's behalf

  my honourable friend

  Britishused to address or refer to another member of one's own party in the House of Commons

  my learned friend

  used by a barrister or solicitor in court to address or refer to another barrister or solicitor

  my noble friend

  Britishused to address or refer to another member of one's own party in the House of Lords

  my Right Honourable friend

  Britishused to address or refer to another member of one's own party in the House of Commons who is also a privy counsellor

Origin:

Old English frēond, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch vriend and German Freund, from an Indo-European root meaning 'to love', shared by free

I was thinking, in a quiet moment, what does a Friend mean to me and what type of Friend am I? I must admit to not having many friend's, I have a lot of acquaintances (slight knowledge of friendship) but a few very good friends whom I can rely on in times of need, are always there to listen and help. These good friends are online, from school (many moons ago) an ex work colleague (BFF) and of course my DH, Lee, the latter I consider a best friend.

What do I expect from a friend, nothing, just to be there and support me.

What am I like as a friend, fiercely loyal, always there to listen or lend a helping hand. I have learned through the years that friends come and friends go, the ones that remain are the true friends, accept your foibles with grace as you accept theirs. Found this poem and thinks it sums up a friend to a tee:

The Beauty of Friendship

Friendship is a Priceless Gift,
It cannot be bought or sold;
But its value is far greater,
Than a mountain made of Gold.
For gold is cold and lifeless,
It can neither see nor hear;
And in the time of trouble,
It is powerless to cheer.
It has no ears to listen,
Nor heart to understand.
It cannot bring you comfort,
Or reach out a helping hand.
So when you ask God for a gift,
Be thankful if He sends.......
Not diamonds, pearls or riches,
But the Love of Real True Friends.

by Helen Steiner Rice

Have a good week Pink Friends
Caroline x