BCharmer

Speaking of Snow

2012-01-23T10:23:00.000-08:00

Just after my last post, we had a large ice storm which, sadly, split many large trees down their centers, causing power failures throughout our town. We spent just about 5 days without heat, telephone, or internet. The first two days were rosy and quiet. We read books, played cards, and snuggled together on the couch. After that, the romance wore off and I started to feel cold and isolated. I took a long walk into town to see if maybe the library would be open, or maybe a coffee house where I could check my e-mail. But no. Even the post office was black, and the best thing I got from my hike was exercise. I thought about my ancestors, who bore the cold and dark for the whole of late fall, winter, and early spring. Who never had hot water on tap. Who never had conveniences like a washer and dryer. Whose babies often died from exposure, illness, or hunger. I looked at my soft, easy life, and felt humbled and appreciative. Appreciative for my ancestors' hardiness, and appreciative for the conveniences that I take for granted. I'm glad that we had the storm, even though I'm sad that we lost two trees in our yard. It was a good reminder to me that I have been pampered and fortunate, even when I am feeling sorry for myself.

Snowy Owl, by Barry Troutman

I am including in this post, two spectacular photographs that were taken by a dear friend and photographic advisor, Barry Troutman. Barry has a special affinity for wildlife (and especially bird) photography. We have had the good fortune to experience an unusual influx of Snowy Owls in our region, and Barry went off to "see what his camera could see." When he found the owls, he was dismayed to see that they were quite litterally being mobbed by photographers, who were hoping to get a close shot. Barry, not wanting to participate in stressing the birds, chose a remote location where he could simply sit and watch the birds, and maybe get a far away shot as a souvenier. Not long after he got settled, one of the birds was disturbed from its perch and took flight, traveling right towards Barry. He said he just lifted the camera and started shooting; getting some fabulous captures of the owl in flight. Just look at those huge wings and talons. Amazing!

Snowy Owl, by Barry Troutman

Snow is Nature's Lightbox

2012-01-18T22:37:00.000-08:00

We've had an inordinate amount of snow here the past few days. In usual years, we'll get a couple of inches of the white stuff one day and it's gone the next. Last night we got 14 inches of new snow, on top of the several inches that had accumulated from the previous day. It's a winter wonderland and I'm loving it! I sat out in my front yard this morning, bundled up, watching the finches have drama over the feeders. I'm learning how to use a different camera so instead of my trusty, I pulled out the new one; there's only one way to get good at something different, right? Upon reviewing the photos, I realized that I should have increased my shutter speed; this would have provided me with a more crisp image and also more "still" shots of wingbeats. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the creamy complexion that the lightbox of snow created for me.

High drama

One seed at a time creates nourishment.

Listen Softly

Male American Goldfinch

A couple of days ago I went up to Seattle to listen to a seminar called "Sacred Economics" led by Charles Eisenstein. I confess that I was somewhat disappointed in the talk. The topic of discussion (I think) was how to approach the business of money in a way that is different from today's convention: that's what got me excited about going to see him in the first place. But Mr. Eisenstein said some things that didn't resonate with me, and the talk itself was unstructured and contained a lot of tangents that made it difficult for me to follow his thoughts all the way through. I'm still glad that I went, though, because by hearing other's opinions I am better able to solidify my own. That's the beauty of diversity isn't it? We need to understand others in order to understand ourselves.

Female American Goldfinch

Happy January!

2012-01-11T10:58:00.000-08:00

Welcome, 2012, I wasn't sure I was ready for you. Apparently, though, my readiness matters not; here we are anyhow!

We are home from Montatna, and had a lovely visit. I did get to snowshoe back into the land where I had seen the moose on horse, and I DID get to see the moose again, closer this time. Sadly, I didn't get any good photos. There were lots of reasons why I didn't, but essentially it boils down to not wanting to disturb the moose too much (and be accidentally charged upon in the process). Needless to say, a quiet snowshoe in the woods with another moose sighting was a magical experience.

Now I find myself in a quiet place; between the chaos of the holiday shipping/creating rush and the next cycle of sales. I have taken this time to rest, actually. But now I find that it's time to clean up the studio and get my finances in order. Tonight I am excited to go see a seminar called, "Sacred Economics," which is being led by Charles Eisenstein. I'm interested in what he has to say because I feel that my business model does not fit neatly into the conventional mold, and truth be told, I don't want it to. Mr. Eisenstein asserts that an economic model that encourages community, conservation, quality of life and love is a more sustainable model than the one that is currently promoted. I believe that with all my heart; the question is: how to implement it and still make a living? How can I bring this into my personal and professional financial life? I can't wait to find out! I will report back with what I learn.

Horsing Around

2011-12-18T21:53:00.000-08:00

Shorty, after our ride.

Day one of my holiday was glorious and exciting; After breakfast, I went up to Kelly Canyon to go horsebacking! The day was sunny, clear and cold. The snow sparkled on the ground like a Christmas miracle. Meet my steed, Shorty (abbreviated from Short Arrow) shown right and below. Usually I ride Jessie, but she's getting older and so we changed things up a bit. Gary rode my favorite mule, Pal.

Add caption

While Gary got out the tack, I took a little bit of time to get to know Shorty, so that we could both enjoy a more relaxed ride. Although staring into a horse's eyes isn't really my way (and I don't imagine that a horse would find that soothing), I do find them beautiful and soulful, so I snuck in a picture of Shorty's eye; doesn't he have beautiful eyelashes?

Gary, riding Pal.

Our other sturdy companion was Lucky, the Welsh Corgi who ran behind the horses on his short little legs (letting the horses break the snow first) the whole ride!

While we were out, we saw a family of four Moose. I got one photo from far away, but as we drew nearer, Pal and Shorty spooked, and Gary and I spent our time getting the horses calmed down. Neither of us lost our seat, thankfully, but we both got a nice shot of adrenaline!

I hope I get to ride at least one more time before I leave for home, but I think I'm going to try some quiet snowshoeing to the same location first, to see if I can get a little closer to the Moose for better photos. Don't worry, though, I'm not ignorant to how dangerous Moose can be; I'll be careful!

Lucky; a dog in search of legs.

A far away shot of three moose (there's one in the trees to the left)

Winter Work

2011-12-12T13:35:00.000-08:00

Hello out there. It seems like the common theme of my posts these days is: "I'm sorry it's been such a long time..." So I'm going to skip ahead of that now and just tell you what I've been up to.

Suzanne and me at our most recent Craft Fair

The holidays: it's an emotional time, but also a busy time! I've been trying my hand at craft fairs now that I've got more time to do such things, and I've been pleasantly suprised at how welcomed I've felt. The other vendors are lovely, and the customers are even lovelier! One of the dis-advangages about selling work online is that I don't get to hear the thought process of my potential customer. But at a fair, I can hear the conversation between two people that either results in a sale, or in a pass. I can gather information about price points, colors, patterns, design, and quality. And also the emotional reaction that folks have to certain things. All of this is great for helping me refine my product and its presentation.

This past year has been quite a challenge for me, and after Bronwyn's passing I was left feeling like I was blind to my purpose. But I've started to find my footing again, and after some soul searching I remember that I really do love the creative endevours that are BCharmer Designs and Mercy Me Designs. So my next task is to turn those hobby businesses into bona-fide businesses. My local community has a non-profit program called Enterprise for Equity, which offers business training to low-income entrepreneurs, and I've signed up to begin their training program in February. I'm thrilled! My hope is that I can turn something that supports my creativity into something that also supports me financially. I'll keep you posted (I really will).

In the meantime, I've found some new fabric to love (big suprise) and a fun little project to showcase it. The designer of this fabric is Lotta Jansdotter, and the line is called, "Echo" and I confess I fell hard for this whole collection before it was even released. I don't have a lot of it, but enough to make piecework zippered pouches and headbands. Isn't it delicious?

Bone Dry Ridge

2011-10-25T09:55:00.000-07:00

Selma and Markthor, making tea.

This past weekend I had the great pleasure of visiting a lovely farm in my area. Bone Dry Ridge focuses on raising livestock, with an emphasis on sustainable land use and husbandry practices. Selma and Markthor, the owners and operators of the farm, raise a medium sized flock of Icelandic sheep, and a handful of pigs and Highland cows along with a flock of 50 chickens and several hives of bees. They have an elaborate water catchment system, which comes in handy in the late summer when the water on the land dries up. I was completely charmed by Selma and Markthor, their passion for what they do, and by their animals and land. When you meet people who are living their dream, you can't help but feel inspired and uplifted.

Good Dog, Kata: Photo by Nash

After touring the farm, Selma invited us in for tea, and proudly produced a jar of her homemade yogurt. I probably don't need to say that it was the best yogurt that I have ever eaten! Selma perfected the recipe over many months of experimenting with different strains of starter. She would bring the end product to her neighbors with a survey until she eventually came up with a recipe that was the most liked by everybody. Now she is hard at work on a business plan that would allow her to have her own creamery. I'm so excited to be her first customer!

And the cherry on the cake was that I have recently been loaned a fancy digital SLR camera, which I used on this trip. I'm pretty excited with the expanded photographic possibilities! And I would be remiss if I didn't thank Nash, my talented artisitc companion on this trip, who helped me with the elaborate menu system and some of the finer points that particular camera. Thank-You Nash!

New Work

2011-10-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

I'm crossing over a little bit to talk about the new work that I'm doing in my other business, Mercy Me Designs. I'm so excited to introduce these new little cycle caps. We're making them out of wool for adults and children alike. You can see more information in my blog post over here about them.

A Brighter Shade of Blue

2011-10-13T11:17:00.000-07:00

My Dearest Reader,

It has been nearly three months since last I wrote. I won't lie, I've been having a hard time. I often thought of coming to my blogs to write about my experience, but I felt so dark and so wobbly, that I thought it would be scary for anyone else to look at. Inside myself, I knew I wouldn't leap off of the beckoning precipice, but you might not know that, and so I kept quiet.

Looking back at it now, I would call these past few months a soulful time, but in the thick of it, it just felt hard. Bronwyn's birthday came and went, and the weeks bookending the date were as painful as anything I can think of. This pain is just something that I need to experience and integrate into my life now, and I cannot believe that I'm saying this but it does get easier.

Finally, I am breathing deeply again. The world feels less viscous to me now; I feel like I can move more easily, more lightly. In the midst of this, what I will euphamistically call "hard time," I was comforted by friends and relations, by little notes of concern from you, and by spending long hours in my studio; sometimes creating, sometimes thinking, and sometimes just doing nothing. I'm so grateful for all of that time and loving care.

One emotional turning point for me came just a few weeks ago, when my Husband and I took a camping trip to my all time favorite beach in the Deception pass area. I spent a long time sitting on a bluff watching birds soar, waves crash, and kelp sway in the swirling water below me. I let the wind go through me, felt the rocks below me, and the vastness of space moving around me. I was a speck, and it gave me perspective.

I know that as much as I experience sorrow and emptiness from the physical loss of Bronwyn, spiritually she is with me more now than ever before. She is that seed inside of me that encourages me to shine, to take care of myself, to have compassion for others, and to be fully present in the world. Love doesn't die in the absence of one's beloved, which has been such an important discovery for me. I will love Bronwyn until the day I die, and hopefully I can let that love continue to grow and come through me and everything I do. Now that I'm starting to understand this concept, more things seem possible. My mind is swirling with new possibilities and new hope. I wonder what will happen next?

A Little Blossom

2011-07-29T22:30:00.000-07:00

I am in the land of summer and blue sky right now, and it is lovely. I found this giant dandi-head on a hike yesterday and fell in love with the whispery feathers of its seed pods, just getting ready to fly away. This shape and color brought to mind a project that I worked on just recently for a customer. She chose these fabrics specifically, and I thought she did a great job; it's a good combination, don't you think?

A Confessional

2011-07-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

I've "discovered" a new site on the internet that is both handy and fun. The site is called Pinterest, and it's quickly gaining popularity. Pinterest is a virtual pinboard where you can organize and save all of the recipes, tutorials, photos, and other fabulous things that you find on the internets. So, for example, I am about to embark on my first quilt, and I have only a clue as to how to go about starting. So if I do a search for "quilting tutorials" on the web at midnight, I get a lot of hits back that look interesting. But it's midnight and I don't want to read them all right now. So I can pin them to a board that I've named "Quilting" on Pinterest. This is my board and I can organize it, name it, and use it however I like. But here's the other cool thing: other people can see my boards, and I can see theirs. So I can also do a search on Pinterest for Quilting Tutorials and see what comes up there. Trust me, there is A LOT of cool stuff on Pinterest, and I've had to limit my time there (because I could easily spend all day looking at other peoples collections). I personally have 35 different boards, and I love it that I can come back to them, click on the photo, and it brings me right back to the original location where I found it. Recently, I found a crochet tutorial for making bowls. I printed out the pattern and promptly made four nesting bowls; aren't they pretty?

Now I know that the internet is vast, and our time and attention are limited. Pinterest isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I love it so much that I thought I'd better share, just in case it is yours. You can follow my boards on Pinterest, if you decide to sign up; see you in the ether!

Quilt Progress

2011-07-20T14:48:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I was hoping to be finished with my quilt by today. Alas, the quilting bit has got me a little intimidated. Here's what I have so far: the back (which I think came out well) and the front. Plus the batting in between. It's all pinned together, and I've also basted it, but I think it needs more basting. I'm planning to bring it with me on my trip to Montana, where there are abundant, experienced quilters there who can help me. My goal is not to do a lot of dense quilting. I want the finished product to feel soft and fluffy, but I also don't want it to shift around. So "Stitch-in-the-Ditch?" Also, I'm thinking about hand-quilting; will it take too long? I didn't end up finding the stripey binding that I was hoping for, but I found a lovely little freckle-dot (white dots on an espresso brown background) that I think will look great. I'll be sure to post pictures of the final product!

I left a little blank panel to the right of the owl and pussycat print where I can dedicate a blessing to Bria Rose, who is the little sweetie that will be getting this quilt.

New Project

2011-07-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Remember my last post when I said that I was going to make a quilt for my cousin's new baby? Well I actually did it! Okay, so I just did the top part, but I think that was my major hurdle.
I've never made a quilt before, and I felt totally intimidated. I did a little bit of questing online for different quilts that I thought were attractive and not too complicated (I needed to have it finished by this Wednesday). I chose a strip quilt because I thought that I couldn't really mess it up too badly.

Step one was digging out my favorite kid themed fabric prints. Step two was deciding on a color pallette and then selecting prints within that pallete. I chose Heather Ross' Swimming mermaids first, and I had a LOT of other prints by her, but I didn't think it made a cohesive theme to pair swimming mermaids with VW vans and bikes, so I nixed the overly terrestrial prints.

I put in some fish, some sea horses, and some prints that reminded me of seaweed and beach blossoms. The one print that might be a digression is the linen strip that depicts the main characters from the fairy tale, The Owl and the Pussycat. But they're in a boat, and I love it, so there.I'm pretty happy with the way it came out. Now I have to work on the back and put it all together. I would love to bind it in a bold, high contrast stripe, (espresso brown and white?) but I don't have anything like that. We'll see what I come up with; wish me luck! Please excuse my photos for this post; the light is pretty bad right now because of all of the overcast. But you get the idea!

New Fabric Love

2011-07-14T15:28:00.000-07:00

I just got my order of two of Heather Ross' new prints from her Far Far Away III line. I chose her pink guitars and the blue tangleweed prints because they are more condusive to smaller projects. Here I have made Tomboy wallets out of each, and I really like the way they came out. Strangely, the two fabrics are different weights: the guitars are a heavier (and more what I'm used to) linen/cotton blend. The wildflowers are a very light (almost quilting weight) linen/cotton. I love both, but I was suprised that they would be different weaves. In any case, I am very much enjoying working with them.

Both of these wallets are available now in my Shops. And don't forget: I'm crafting for a cause right now! I'm working towards an $800.00 goal to be able to build a new bathroom for LilyAnne so that she can experience greater independance in her every day life. Read more about the full project here.

In other news, my beloved cousin just had a baby, and I'm going to go and visit them soon. I have decided (deep breath here) that I'm going to make a baby quilt for her. I'm going to try and keep this first one super simple, since I've never quilted before, and also because I have to finish it by mid week next week! Maybe a strip quilt? In any case, I'm looking forward to incorperating these two prints into my first quilt for her. Welcome to the world, Bria Rose!

Making a Goal

2011-07-07T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today I want to tell you about a very special project being supported by our local community as a way to remember Bronwyn. Our project is called "Bronwyn's Wheelhouse," and the purpose is to help children with special needs and their families through home renovation. To read the full story behind Bronwyn's Wheelhouse project, and to get updates on our current project, visit our website: www.bronwynswheelhouse.blogspot.com Click on the tab "Bronwyn's Story" for the background information.

Our current project is a bathroom re-do for a little girl, LilyAnne. LilyAnne is mobile with a walker, or with the aid of grab bars. She's 11 years old, and would like to be more independent! After we remodel LilyAnne's bathroom, she will be able to get in and out of the bathroom by herself (currently the doorway is too narrow to allow her walker in, and there are no grab bars), she'll be able to use the sink, toilet and shower independently, too! And here's what's really exciting: we're $800.00 away from making this a reality for her!!

So here's what I'm going to do: From now until the money is raised, I'm going to donate 50% of the proceeds from my BCharmer shop to this cause. If you've been waiting for a time to get a special accessory, now is a great time to shop! Visit my shops online here or here.

You can also donate directly to the foundation. Your donations are completely tax deductable, as our local chapter of the Kiwanis Club has kindly adopted our program, and thus has given us non-profit status. To donate, you can make a check out to: "Tumwater Kiwanis Youth Foundation" and write "Bronwyn's Wheelhouse" in the subject line. Mail the check to:
Tumwater Kiwanis Club
5201 Capitol Blvd SE
PMB 182
Tumwater WA 98501

I have added this little thermometer to the blog to track our progress on the fundraising; I'm so excited that we can make this happen!

P.S. Some of you have already given to this cause, Thank-You so much!! Please don't feel that you need to give again; the point is that a small (and manageable) gift from many can make a significant impact. That way, nobody feels pinched.

Okay, friends; let's make this happen!!

Catching Up

2011-07-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

Finding my new rhythm has proven more tricky than I had thought it would. Nevertheless, I have been productive and am starting to find some structure in my day; it's a good thing.

And I have some fun news! I was contacted recently by Nancy, who has a blog called, "A Little Etsy Love." On this blog, Nancy features Etsy items that she covets, and she asked me if she could feature my work. Of course I agreed, and I decided that I also would share the love and offer one of my custom small card wallets to give away! So if you want to win one of my small cowgirl wallets, visit Nancy's blog and leave a comment (as directed) for your chance.

In other news, I have a fun selling venue coming up: As a benefit for our local high school's debate team, there is a women's moonlight run, followed by an evening of chocolate and gourmet shopping. I thought the combination of running, chocolate and shopping sounded ideal, and luckily I got in. So this week I'm working in the studio to get ready. Right now, having a tangible goal to work towards is very helpful! Pictured here is a clutch that I just made, which I think came out great! I love these little clutches!

Summer

2011-06-21T09:03:00.000-07:00

Well, officially it's summer but it has been unseasonably cool and overcast. The upside to that type of weather is that it is perfect for growing salad greens. Every night Brian and I eat a delicious, just picked salad from the garden. The greens are so tender they practically melt in your mouth. I love to add fresh dill and arugula for some peppery, herbal flavor. Once the basil (in the hotbox) is ready, I'll add that, too!

I have a small craft fair coming up early in July and I've been working on some inventory for the event. I've had a lot of requests for more zippered pouches, so I've been sewing up some of them. I love this one with the chicken print! I lined the inside with a green woodgrain print by Joel Dewberry. It's very "down home on the farm, I think!"

Happy Summer, everyone. I hope some of you are seeing some sun!

Running for a Cause

2011-06-20T09:21:00.000-07:00

This past weekend, I ran a 5K race for a classmate of Bronwyn's who has Rett's Syndrome, a rare disorder that affects girls almost exclusively. I ran the race for Ella, and in memory of Bronwyn. It felt so good to do something tangible to help with finding a cure for Rett's. Having a child with a rare disease or syndrome can leave the parents feeling helpless and frustrated because funding for research is limited, and so are the options for meaningful treatment.

I made this little flag that I wore in rememberence of Bronwyn. It was an emotion-filled run, but healing as well.

I plan to run again next year, and to set a fundraising goal for myself! Stay tuned.

Handwork

2011-06-09T10:39:00.000-07:00

I've been slowing down in my craftiness; not that I'm actually crafting less, mind you, but I'm re-discovering my passion for hand work. During my vacation at the beach, I had the opportunity to trade needle skills with one of my girlfriends (I knit and she crochets). We taught each other the rudiments of our respective needle craft and I'm so happy to have another stick to make knots with now! I went into my yarn stash and found little balls of cashmere that I had left over from previous projects. There's just enough there to make a fun bunch of swirly flowers. Maybe I'll add clips or pinbacks to them, or maybe something else, who knows?

Flying Free

2011-06-06T23:37:00.000-07:00

This past weekend I had the fabulous opportunity to go to Ocean Shores with a group of girlfriends. The weather was phenomenal, and we were lucky enough to have been there during a kite festival. Seeing all of the different kites soaring, fluttering, and floating all around me made me feel like I was in an undersea wonderland. It's not difficult to experience joy when looking at these bright jewels floating in midair.

An extra special treat was getting to see Ray Bethell, a multiple time World Champion in Kite flying. Ray's signature style is flying three kites simultaneously in formation (and he also holds the world record for flying 39 at once). I had never heard of Ray, or seen anyone fly multiple kites before. I was mesmerized, not just by the kites, but by the man's movements and his concentration. After Ray finished a session, I went over to talk with him. What a delightful person! Through that conversation, and then after checking out his website, I learned that Ray, now somewhere in his 80's, didn't start flying kites until 1981. I also learned that he has experienced several hardships in his life, and hasn't let them overtake his spirit. When he was in his 60's, Ray was struck by a rare virus that left him deaf overnight. Later, his wife developed alzheimer's disease, which slowly took her life. Ray says, "How does a person deal with the unfairness of life? The only way you can do it is to face it head on... it's unchangeable, you have to learn to deal with it." These are wise words that I'm starting to learn.

Here is a photo that I took of Ray with his three kites in action. You can learn more about Ray and see video clips of him in action on his website. I highly recommend this video interview, if you have 8 minutes to spare.

Cocktail Hour

2011-05-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Friends; I hope you had a lovely weekend. Here in the U.S., we had an extra day added to our weekend in honor of Memorial Day. At first, Brian and I thought we would do something adventurous, but we ended up staying close to home, enjoying our yard and being domestic. I baked a rhubarb pie, and I also tried out a special "new" drink recipe. A few weeks ago, I was spending a nice girl's weekend in Portland and I had the opportunity to try a Gimlet; a cocktail that has, for some reason, become less popular in modern day. It was delicious, and I set about doing some research so that I could re-create it at home. A Gimlet is made with equal parts Gin and lime cordial, shaken with ice and served either in a Martini glass, or in a rock glass over more ice. At first, I didn't know what lime cordial was, and I used Rose's lime juice that I bought in the grocery. That was satisfying enough, but of course I had to do a little research into the lime cordial part. I found this article, written by Toby Cecchini in the FOOD section of the New York Times. Toby is a great writer, and I found his whole article entertaining and informative. After reading his statement, "Rose's Lime Cordial is to limes as Spam is to steak," I was completely inspired to try my hand at a homemade cordial. It was a lot of work, but I can say with confidence that it was worth it! I went with Toby's recipe for a raw cordial using no water, but there are others out there.

LIME CORDIAL RECIPE:

18 limes, zested and juiced*

1 lb of fresh ginger root, whirred in a food processor, or grated

1 1/2 cups sugar.

*I recommend that you use organic limes. Citrus peel is known to concentrate pesticides, and that would spoil an otherwise wonderful concoction, don't you think?

Step 1: zest or thinly peel all 18 limes, reserving the peels in a non-reactive bowl (ceramic or glass). I used a vegetable peeler, and it worked handily. While you're working, be sure to stop on occasion and breathe deeply. Your house begins to smell divine! Bruise the peels with a wooden spoon to bring out the oils.

Step 2: Cut your limes in half, and juice them using a citrus reemer. Don't worry about the pulp.

Step 3: Add the sugar to the juice, stirring to dissolve, and then add the juice to the peel.

This is what 1 lb of ginger looks like.

Step 4: Finely chop, grate, or whir together in a food processor 1 pound of fresh ginger root. There's no need to peel the ginger. Everything gets strained later on. Add the ginger to the peel/juice mixture. Cover, refrigerate and let stand 12-24 hours.

Strained cordial and cocktail shaker

Step 5: After the 24 hour soak, Strain the mix, reserving the liquid and composting the peels. This recipe yields 1 generous liter of cordial. I used cheesecloth, but you could use a sieve or something else. Let your cordial "cure" in the refrigerator for a day or two before consuming; it really does improve after the flavors have mingled and gotten to understand each other for a little while.

To make a Gimlet, I really recommend using Bombay Gin. It is more expensive, but in my opinion, the flavor is better. Not that less expensive gin tastes bad, the flavor is just not as specific. Plus, the Bombay bottle is stunning! Most recipes call for equal parts gin and cordial, but my preference is 1TB of Gin, and 2TB cordial. Add the gin and cordial to a cocktail shaker with about 4 cubes of ice. Wrap the shaker with a dish towel and shake that mix until you are sick of shaking. Strain into a martini glass (or into a rock glass over more ice) and sip while feeling glamorous. The flavor is sublime; a rich combination of earthy-ness (from the ginger), brightness from the limes, and hints of rosemary from the gin. These are especially wonderful on a hot day with good friends.

Resting and Creating

2011-05-27T17:07:00.000-07:00

My Dear Friends, I hope you're still out there! I have been taking a lot of time away from my blog; not because I don't have lots to write about, but because I haven't had much energy to write. I've spent the past few weeks concentrating on things of core importance to me; mainly my emotional well being after Bronwyn's death. I'm starting to feel stronger (feeling "better" doesn't really seem correct), and I have spent some nice time in the studio cutting and sewing, and also in the garden. It is spring here, and it feels good to go outside.

Recently I got a nice order from one of the boutiques that regularly sells my work. It's Bella Boutique, and they can be found in Anchorage Alaska. Here is the stack of wallets in progress, and one of them as it looks finished. I made extra of each print because I find that it's more efficient to make multiples; especially when I'm already working on a production of many.

Thank-You for being patient with my journey; I appreciate everyone's support. In closing I am showing you a picture of a special project that I've started working on; it's a memorial garden for Bronwyn. Right now, it's quite spare, but over time it will grow and change, just like my feelings for her. The wreath was made by our neighbor and friend, who gathered lichens from her yard. Bronwyn used to spend a lot of time underneath the oak tree in her yard, so it was especially meaningful.

I hope everyone has a happy and Safe Memorial Day Weekend.

The Gift of Friendship

2011-04-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

I am increasingly aware of how lucky I am to be surrounded by high quality friendships. This is something that has kept me upright during the most difficult times.

Something that I'm realizing in this modern day of computing is that I have friendships that are deep and meaningful with people all over the world that I've never met in person. One such friend is Flavia, a fellow crafty Mama who lives in Brazil. We have always felt a connection through our love of fiber arts and the mothering of children with special needs. But since Bronwyn died, she has been a rock for me. Yesterday, just as I was feeling a little blue, a special package arrived from her. It was a bright and sunny pair of fabric prints; one with tea cups, the other with a retro red blossom. I was immediately reminded of my bond with her and felt that everything was going to be allright. Today it was sunny enough to hang the laundry outside and, of course, the first thing I was inspired to wash was my new fabric. Doesn't it look wonderful soaking up the breeze?

I can't wait to start sewing with it (but I must; too many projects in the queue at the moment to start another)!

May this day find your uplifted by your own special friendships.

Teacup fabric designed by Suzy Ultman for Robert Kaufman. The line is called "Metro Cafe" Blossom fabric is designed by Alice Kennedy for Timeless Treasures and is called, "Poppy"

Montana Spring Harvest

2011-04-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

My husband and I just returned from a trip to Montana, where my husband's family lives. His beloved Grandmother recently passed away, and we decided to make the trip to be together as a family and support each other. Death is a transition for more than just the person who has passed.

I have never been in Montana in the spring, and I was startled by how wintery it still felt. We were scraping ice off of our car's widshield, and it snowed almost every day that we were there. Still, the birds knew that it was spring time even if the weather seemed ambiguous.

While we were there, I was able to visit a women's quilting group that my Mother-in-law is a part of. The home that we visited was on a small farm and we were able to bring home a lovely bunch of fresh eggs, including two turkey eggs; proof of spring right there. Back home now, the season is obvious in the velvet green of our lawns and by the sound of people out and about. I treasured the time that we were visiting family, but it's good to be back in my familiar landscape!

Budding Out

2011-03-28T11:08:00.000-07:00

There's no doubt about it; it's spring at last. The temperatures are warming and we've even had a few moments of sun breaking through! The flowers are all starting to bloom, and the Rufous hummingbirds are finally back.

This is a busy time of balancing creative work and home chores; both of which I love. I turned over the garden yesterday and discovered billions of earthworms in a rich black loam. Such promise for future green!

Pictured here are the first buds from my neighbor's Star Magnolia; one of my favorite flowers. And below is the hummingbird's favorite: Red Flowering Currant. I hope everyone is enjoying the season's transition.

A Little POW of Color

2011-03-22T09:20:00.000-07:00

Remember that little birdie bag that I made for my friend a little while ago? Well, she also wanted some wallets to coordinate with the bag, so I made these up for her. She is now in the midst of feeling horrible from her chemotherapy, so my hope is that she can remember how much she is loved when she sees her bag and wallets.

And there's more new in my crafty world: come over to my Mercy Me blog to see what I've been cooking up.

A Lazy Start

2011-03-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

It's official: spring has arrived. When I go out, it's a little warmer, a little lighter, but still pretty grey. We're having quite a lot of rain and cloud cover still, but the birds are singing, nesting, flirting. The rufous hummingbirds are back, and the Red Flowering Currants are blooming. I was out at Capitol Lake the other day and managed to have a nice moment with a Great Blue Heron. He graciously allowed me a couple of pictures. And, if you're interested, there's a new post on Blackwater Shoal today.

Happy Spring, Everyone!

Celebrating the Season

2011-03-15T16:20:00.000-07:00

It's very wet and blustery here, and has been for such a long time that I'm becoming disheartened. "Will warmer weather ever arrive?" I wonder. Yes, of course it will. The birds know it. And so do the bulbs in the ground.

To settle myself I took a deep breath and looked around. There's something special about the light at this time of year. It's not harsh, but rather filtered and gentle. I feel that we're being gently ushered into summer by the light. In honor of this concept, I curated a collection of work by some fellow artists on Etsy. These lovely works remind me of the beauty that is our current season.

And so I celebrate with a hot cup of tea and a sweater while I watch the rain blow sideways from my studio window.

'The Season of Pearly Light' by BCharmer

Looking Forward to Spring!

accent pillow - grass yorktownroad $56.00	Moth made from vintage hanke... MisterFinch $	Chirp, chirp - necklace - t... vadjutka $33.00
Mustard Yellow Chunkier ileaiye $25.00	Green camel, handspun Baby c... Snowberrylime $40.00	A Forest of three Art giclee... inaluxe $35.00
NOTEBOOK - sprout - set of ... storybymia $15.00	Vintage Skyblue Stripe Tape ... UniqueShiny $5.80	Collecting Lichen Bodice, al... InnerWild $137.00
Asanoha -Khaki -Half Yard, J... FabHub $8.00	Bridesmaids gifts - 2 card p... Bagitarian $26.00	Pink Grapefruit Soap with Sh... tworiverssoaps $5.00
Toadstool cotton bag katebroughton $8.00	Pincushion, home for pins - ... picciolo $14.00	Grass Stain Perfume Oil longwinterfarm $8.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com A/B image testing.

Finished Bag

2011-03-11T12:59:00.000-08:00

I was able to finish the little birdie bag that I've been working on, and I love the way it came out. It's my smallest messenger, called the "Tomboy Satchel." It measures 8 inches wide by 9 inches tall by 3.25 inches deep (in centimeters that's 20.3 x 22.8 x 8.25 for those of you who use the metric system). It's the perfect size for those grab and go days. I can easily fit my 16 oz water bottle, keys, cell phone, wallets, day planner, lip balm and a snack inside.

I'm so excited to add this little sweet and sporty bag to my line!

A Continuing Process in A New Package

2011-03-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

It has been blustery and storming here, and on top of it, I've been sick with the flu. So I've been hunkered on the couch drinking tea and snuggling the kitties. And thinking. And remembering. And I realized that the process of my grief is going to be lifelong, and that I have a lot to say about it. Writing about it feels healing to me, but at the same time, I recognize that my "Handmade Life" blog isn't necessarily the right platform for such a specific topic. So I started a new blog, dedicated to the exploration of grief and healing and what it means to be present in my emotional process. This means that I will likely not talk much about that topic here anymore, so if you'd like to read about it you can follow me at Blackwater Shoal.

I'm finishing some projects tonight, now that my energy is coming back, and will report with photos tomorrow of the little birdie bag that I'm making for my friend.

A Little Birdie Love

2011-03-08T12:19:00.000-08:00

I've started working on a fun and special project for a loyal customer of mine who has recently been diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She begins her chemotherapy sessions soon, and she wanted a new bag in which to carry her things to the hospital. She had a special Aunt who recently passed away and who also loved birds. As a special request, she asked if I would applique a little birdie under the flap of the bag so that she could look at it and remember. And of course, the bag should have a pink theme! Here's a sneak peek at the little bird; I just finished it last night, and will put the bag together today. I think she came out adorably!

I found the pattern for this bird in the super sweet book: "Little Birds," put out by the Design Collective. The whole book is fabulous and inspiring; I highly reccommend it! The designer of the bird that I chose is Anita Peluso, and you can find her work here: http://www.bloominworkshop.com/

Down Time

2011-02-19T09:16:00.000-08:00

Yesterday it was a full moon, which was always a special event that Bronwyn and I shared together. I was especially missing her, and was about to hunker into my sorrow when my husband suggested that we take a drive to the Ocean. There was a razor clam opening, and, he said, even if we don't get clams, we can enjoy the wind and the surf! "Okay," I sluggishly agreed.

I'm so glad we went. It was very stormy, but we didn't get rained on while we were on the beach. The cold wind, the clam diggers, and the surf did me good. I still missed my girl, of course, but I breathed my sorrow in and out instead of holding it so tightly. I slept all night, and today has dawned sunny.

New Work

2011-02-11T14:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I spent part of a lovely sunny day photographing a friend that I wrangled into modeling for my other business, Mercy Me Designs. It was so much fun, and Michelle was a delight to photograph. Check out more from the day by clicking HERE to visit the Mercy Me blog.

Self Care

2011-02-09T09:16:00.000-08:00

Taking care of myself has been my M.O. these days, and it feels pretty good. I've been running again, and although I'm extremely pokey, it just doesn't seem to matter. One of my self-preservation techniques involves not passing judgement on what I do; I just make sure that my intention is true, and go from there. What a freeing concept! So I "run" two times around Capitol Lake, which is a 1.5 mile loop of easy, flat, and not paved terrain. Mergansers, Buffleheads, Blue Herons, and other waterfowl frequent these waters, and I find that I can get a nice meditation in while I run. Pictured here is a male Hooded Merganser, who was fishing. Below is a shot of Capitol lake looking towards downtown Olympia.

I also just made myself a new bag. This is my Medium Sized messenger bag. It's smaller than the bigger Diaper bag that I make, but it can still fit a standard file folder and all of my essentials (water bottle, cell phone, lip balm, day planner, book, and an extra pair of socks (you never know when you might need those!)). I found this awesome fabric and knew I had to have it. It is distributed by Alexander Henry and it is a home decor weight; feels a bit like a lightweight canvas. And Mom, if you're reading this, your two bags are all cut out (finally) and ready to be sewn. I haven't forgotten!

The Flow of Things

2011-02-06T18:12:00.000-08:00

I know it has been a while since my last post. I have been spending a lot of time in deep thought, and just going through my day in slow motion; doing what feels right in the moment. Although the loss of Bronwyn is terribly painful and I miss her deeply, I am beginning to heal in small ways. I am starting to sleep better, and I'm starting to feel creative again.

One of the things that helped me was to move my sewing studio into Bronwyn's room. I had been spending a lot of time in her room, wanting to feel close to her, and Brian suggested that I move my workspace there so that I could let myself have a natural flow from grief to creativity.

The first project that I worked on was a hand sewn wool felt cover for the box that Bronwyn's ashes are in. It felt good to make something important for her as a way to initiate our shared space. I used hand dyed felted merino wool as the fabric, and linen thread for stitching. The buttons came from my collection that Bronwyn used to play with.

I am beginning to feel ready to embark on other projects and have several in the works. I plan on coming back to my blog and to the rest of the world on a more consistent basis now. Healing has multiple parts, it seems, and for me the first part was stillness. This next part will be activity and stillness together. Thank-You for your patience and support through my process. I love you.

Journeying

2010-12-24T13:48:00.000-08:00

I am experiencing a strangeness in letting Bronwyn go. I know that her soul is free of her body and that the two are no longer connected. Yet I don't quite fully understand the concept. I still think of her as having a body, as needing bodily comforts. I wonder if she's getting enough hugs and kisses. If she's eating well. If she's being taken care of. Does she miss me? Is she scared? To help myself feel some easing in this physical department, I created a treasury collection of things that I would send with her on her journey, if I could. Just some silly things to comfort her, and remind her that she is loved.

Here it is:

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d1510bff7e16d9113ec03b0/for-her-next-journey

The Darkest Night

2010-12-21T08:24:00.000-08:00

It is here. The longest night. The word solstice is derived from the latin sol, which means, "Sun" and sistere, which means, "to stand still." This year, I feel in equilibrium with the darkness, and one of my favorite poems comes to mind:

To Know the Dark

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.

To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,

and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,

and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.”

- Wendell Berry

from “To Know the Dark”, Farming: A Handbook

(Harcourt Brace, 1970)

Seams for Comfort

2010-12-18T07:50:00.000-08:00

I find myself in a mystical place of joy and sorrow. It is difficult to explain and I'm not sure that the explaining will be clarifying anyhow. So I will tell you what comforts me, what I've been doing.

My community has been amazing for the support that I've received. Flowers, food, cards, hugs, cups of tea, company, and space (when requested) have all been generously and lovingly given.

Walking and exercise have been invaluable for clearing my head.

The ritual of lighting a candle for Bronwyn reminds me that her flame is alive and with me always. Someday, that reminder will be present without the physical presence of the candle, but for now the presence of the light helps me.

Also, I have been sewing again. Not designing, that takes too much creative energy. But sewing what I know provides a meditative experience, and something for my always figity hands to do. When we left for the hospital over a month ago, I had been right in the middle of production for the holiday. So I've finished what I started and my inventory is quite impressive (it looks like I've been busier than I actually have been). Now I need to photograph everything and get it listed. I also participated in two local craft fairs with my business partner. I wasn't sure how it would feel, but it was lovely to get out and be distracted.

The clutch pictured is designed by the talented Keykalou, who has a shop on Etsy. I purchased the pattern (and the rights to sell my handmade work from her pattern) so that I could just sew without having to think. I love the shape and feel of this clutch and the way it features the fabric so nicely.

I raise my mug of tea to the day, and let the tears come when they will. Smiles and hugs follow.

Solitude Standing

2010-12-11T18:22:00.000-08:00

Here I am. At the beginning. At the end. A re-birth of sorts.

I am a vagabond in my own life at the moment, but a vagabond with potential. What that will look like, I don't know, but I am open to finding out.

It has been raining buckets this past week, and two days ago I went to one of our local watersheds, McLane Creek, for a few hours of dripping silence. The chum salmon run had just finished, and their bodies were strewn about the banks of the creek, effort and passion spent. New Hemlocks grew up from rotting stumps, and moss and lichens re-claimed old branches.

I reflected on the cycle of life, and felt the reason in it; the peace of it.

It was a healing walk.

And so it begins.

What She Gave Me

2010-12-08T07:57:00.000-08:00

It has been a long while since I've posted, and I wish I could tell you that it has been so long because of normal busy reasons. The past month and a half have been difficult because my beautiful daughter suffered from seizures terribly, and the day before Thanksgiving, Bronwyn passed away in the Pediatric ICU in Seattle after all attempts to gain control of her seizures failed.

I ache with missing her.

I know that grief is a process, and I'm only just beginning. But I re-read this post that I wrote late in October, and realize how much Bronwyn has taught me about living my life thoughtfully. Bronwyn has given me so much in her short life, and I realize that she continues to give even now after she's gone. I take comfort in the knowledge that her flame can burn brightly through my actions, and that her flame can be shared with others. That is so healing all by itself.

What Bronwyn Gave Me:

Patience

Compassion

Perspective

Love

An understanding of selfless giving

The ability to listen

Joy

How to listen to my heart

The ability to be a strong advocate

The importance of receiving: this is something she's teaching me now.

Thank-You my sweet daughter. I love you forever; you are always with me.

Until we meet again.

Mercy Me!

2010-11-01T15:46:00.000-07:00

I am prone to exciteable exclaimations, and right now I'm feeling all aflutter about the newest Mercy Me creations. Suzanne worked hard to perfect our raglan sleeve design and we're about to have inventory of this beautiful shirt in three neckline styles: Scoop, Cowl, and Hoodie. Head on over to our clothing blog to see more photos!

Zippity-Doo-Dah

2010-10-26T11:28:00.000-07:00

I do love making little zippered things, they make me smile.

A couple of days ago I got a special request for a pencil case made from Amy Butler's Imperial Fans print (from her Nigella collection). I love the way it turned out, and it's now in transit, on it's way to her new owner. Hope she loves it!

Hold Gently

2010-10-25T09:10:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Bronwyn had a terrible day with seizures and we spent the majority of the day cuddling on the couch. It was very windy and rainy outside and our couch is situated in such a way that we have a nice view of our front yard. We've positioned bird feeders strategically so that we can see lots of little birdie activity while we snuggle.

As we sat there, I thought about how challenging it is to be a Mom. We want to hold our little ones tightly, so that we keep them safe, but our job is to help our babies become independent and not need us so much.

I pulled out my sketchbook as Bronwyn snoozed and I doodled this little bird in the hand. This is what I hope: I am always there for my girl to love and support her, but my hand is open for her to fly free when she can. That way, we both feel loved and needed!

Today is blustery still, but we are well rested and ready for what the day brings. I hope the same for you.

Dyed in the Wool

2010-10-22T11:51:00.000-07:00

I have been perfecting my hand-dyeing techniques for my clothing business, Mercy Me Designs. Check out my blog post here to see what's happening!

New Blog!

2010-10-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have a million and one things going on right now, and I guess maybe that's the way I function best; I started a new blog for my new business, Mercy Me Designs; Check out our new blog here!

I'm so excited about my new venture, but I'm still passionate about my first love; BCharmer. Right now I'm working on a full set of pillow covers for a customer's two couches. They are coming out SO beautifully! I'll make sure to take pictures when they're all done to share with you.

The Art of Journaling

2010-10-18T13:40:00.000-07:00

I have to confess that I am a terrible journal keeper. But since I've started this blog, I've really come to love the process of writing down my thoughts and sharing my activities.

Recently, I made internet friends with a lovely woman from Brazil, who is a talented bookbinder. Last week she suprised me by sending a beautiful handbound journal just because! WOW! And can I say that I adore my journal? The paper that she uses is thick and nice; it makes me want to doodle, write, and mark it up. And the fabric that she used for the covers is right up my alley. Also, I love the way the pages lie flat; it makes it easier for me to think freely because I'm not fighting the book to stay open. The binding thread is a waxed linen in aqua blue. YUM! Gabi has a shop on Etsy called vivamadiera. You should check it out if you're in the market for a nice gift for yourself or an artsy friend. Her prices are very reasonable, and she's one of the nicest people. And if you want to see more examples of her work, you can look at her photos on Flickr here.

Little Funnel Neck

2010-10-15T10:53:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to reveal to you one of Mercy Me's newest designs: a funnel neck sweatshirt! This one is sized for a child, but we plan to offer the same style for adults as well. This design is very kid friendly because it's easy to get on and off, but at the same time I think it offers a touch of sophistication that appeals to adults, too. The neck can be worn down or buttoned up, depending on the weather and your mood.

The sweatshirt pictured is made from cotton knit, but we plan to make this out of organic wool and other yummy fabrics. Stay tuned!

It feels great to have our designs coming along, although I'm impatient for lots of inventory! To help with this feeling, we recently purchased an industrial Singer Serger from the '4o's, and it's beautiful!! And talk about fast; the thing is finished sewing before our fingers can move the fabric. Suzanne has pretty much mastered the thing, while I remain terrified of it. For now, I'll stick with the home serger...

Industrial Singer Serger from the 1940's

For The Love of Indigo

2010-10-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

I recently got an order for a custom Tomboy wallet, and I loved the way it came out. The fabric is distributed by Marcus Brothers and it's been in my stash forever. Now only scraps remain, and I'm sorry to see it go!

I'm really enjoying the process of dyeing my fabric! It's like a little mystery. Most recently I dyed a batch in a color called, "Gunmetal" and I was expecting a grey/blue color. As I put the wool into the pot, it turned a lilac purple and then gradually became more blue. When all was said and done, it was a rich and lovely denim/indigo blue; not at all what I was expecting, but gorgeous nonetheless. Next up: Cayenne Red. And my other business, "Mercy Me! Designs" now has massage table face cradle covers for sale in the Artfire Shop. These are great for massage practitioners, chiropractors, or acupuncturists. Check them out and tell your therapists!

A New Adventure

2010-09-28T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a long long time since I've had time to sit down and write; thanks for sticking by me anyhow! There's a lot that's new, and I'm so excited to share.

There's a new boutique carrying my line, and they're just about to open shop. They're called Circa. and they're located in Jackson, Mississippi. If you're near there, check them out; they plan to be open late in October. The address is 2771 Old Canton Road. They have a unique and fun layout, and are planning to offer a "Scent Bar" where one can go to design one's own fragrance. How cool!

Here are some of the wallets that I sent them:

And also, I am starting another business with a close girlfriend, Suzanne Wenner, who is an excellent seamstress of clothing. We're going to be making clothes out of organic wool and cotton knits, as well as with some nice linens and other natural fibers. We're in the process of getting our patterns drafted and our fabrics stocked. Last week, our first shipment of 100% organic merino wool knits arrived and it is beautiful! We are getting together in the evening to dye the fabric into lucious colors; a process that is interesting and fun! Here's what the wool looked like before and after dyeing:

I will definitely keep you posted with each color that we add! So fun!

Sweet Friends

2010-09-09T10:35:00.000-07:00

I have been hard at work getting Bronwyn all ready for school, and I have also been sewing a lot because BCharmer recently got picked up by another boutique; HOORAY! I will share more details about that soon.

Yesterday, in the mail, I got a little package all the way from Budapest, Hungary. My good friend Judit of Vadjutka sent me this stunning necklace and also the sweetest little hair clips for Bronwyn (which she wore to her first day of school). This necklace is made from a lovely combination of fabrics and is hung on twisted silk cord. I feel ever so fancy wearing it and have received many compliments already! If you haven't checked out Judit's blog, you should; she's ever so talented in everything she endevours.

It's the Journey

2010-09-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Anniversary, my darling. 16 years strong. I look forward to many more years on the trail. I love you.

Friday's Finds

2010-09-03T12:35:00.000-07:00

I know it's been a while since I've shown you anything from my studio, but my garden has been taking up a lot of time lately. We're in the thick of cucumbers, raspberries, squash, beans, tomatoes and basil. A heavenly chore, if you ask me! So in honor of other people who have been steadily working on their handmade lovelies, I curated a collection of linen wares that I covet on Artfire.com. Check it out!

Linen Lovelies

Curated By: BCharmerDesigns

ArtFire.com

Handmade Goodness and Supplies

I Believe in You

2010-08-27T08:09:00.000-07:00

Good morning. I had a lot of ideas for topics of discussion today. Some pithy, some ethereal, all fairly lengthy. Then I saw this. I think I'll wait to talk for another day and just let Sadie tell you her important message.

A Lucky Number Seven

2010-08-23T11:14:00.000-07:00

Every year, in the few days leading up to my daughter's birthday, she wakes up in the dark morning, just a few moments before her birth time, and calls to me. I don't know why, or what triggers her to do this, but each year for seven years she's done it. I wake up, go into her room, and lay down with her.

I remember all of the little details about her labor and birth.

I whisper to her about how hot it was that summer and how, on the day that I went into labor, the air suddenly cooled and the light shifted so that it felt like fall.

I tell her about how, six days after she was born, the geese flew over our house, honking wildly towards the south.

I remember that after Bronwyn was born, I had intense and vivid dreams about birds talking to her, and to me.

I think about how much my life has been enriched by Bronwyn's presence in my life, and how sometimes love can hurt so much, and that's okay too.

Happy Birthday, my sweet and lovely girl. I love you and wish you many more quiet and magical mornings to come.

**UPDATE** I've uploaded photos of Bronwyn's party on my Flickr page here.

Whip it Up

2010-08-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

I want to show you this amazing piece of useable art that my husband made for me. It's a stock whip, which is a traditional tool used by cattlemen and women in Australia.

I've been practicing with it and it has a lovely and very satisfying *crack* when you get the rhythm right. I'm so proud of my whip, and the fact that the whole thing was cut and hand braided by my husband. Thanks, honey!

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

2010-08-17T10:41:00.000-07:00

It's abundance time! I find that mornings are usually the nicest time harvest out of the garden because it's less stressful on the plants and it's downright beautiful to be amongst the veggies at sunrise. Very inspiring!

I picked lettuces, beets, broccoli, and zucchinis this morning and I have to say, it was a great way to start the day! And the lettuces were so delicate and sumptuous that I had to eat some for breakfast. Lunch will be more salad and dinner will consist of roasted beets, zucchini, and steamed broccoli. And let's not forget about the pesto! I love summer!!

Beachy Keen

2010-08-16T12:59:00.000-07:00

It feels like the summer is coming to a close already and there's still so much to pack in!

Bronwyn and I have been planning a trip to the beach for a long time, and finally we took our chance last week. We spent two lovely days there with friends and I'm already itching to return. The weather was lovely, the water was cold and fresh, and the sand was warm.

While we were lounging, we saw a little boy and his father flying a butterfly kite. The kite escaped the boy's grip and had several minutes of freedom before the father finally chased it down. I took this photo of it flying free and it gave me a smile.

In two weeks, Bronwyn goes back to school. The return of regular routine will be lovely, and I do look forward to accomplishing some tasks that have been on the back burner, getting back to my business, and having some time to spend all to myself. But for now, I will enjoy the moments that I have with the tangled rush of time that is called, "Summer."

Welcome, Baby Flynn

2010-08-09T14:31:00.000-07:00

One of my dear friends just had her baby boy, and I took the opportunity to make another recieving blanket for him. This time I used Organic cotton from the Monaco Collection by Monaluna. The scooters were just too cute, and the organic cotton was soft and lovely. The back side is in a super soft, unbleached flannel.

For this project I learned how to hand sew the opposite side of the binding so that the stitching is invisible. It was easy and restful work. I felt like I was putting love for baby Flynn in each stitch.

I also purchased the same scooter print in a pink colorway: just in case a little girl comes
along!

It's In the Details

2010-08-04T00:18:00.000-07:00

As a compulsive crafter and a business woman, I enjoy the small details of running my shop, and one of the things that I keep thinking about is the packaging of my product.

It is very important to me that my customers open their BCharmer mail and feel that they are loved and respected. This means that I want my packaging to be clean, pretty, and have a "put together" feel. But at the same time, I don't want to waste resources or be excessive. Recently, I found a product that I feel helps me to accomplish this balance between environmental responsibility, artisan support, and lovely presentation. It's called Washi Masking Tape, and my favorite seller of this fabulous stuff is Patty Yuan from The Tinted Mint.

Washi Masking tapes are made from Japanese rice paper and an acrylic adhesive. They come in a rainbow of yummy colors and adhere very well to a variety of substrates. I have used them on tissue paper and have been able to re-position them without damaging the tissue, so it's extremely forgiving.

Patty is an ethical businesswoman who also tries to keep her business footprint small. As well, she donates a portion of her proceeds to a variety of environmental and social causes, which makes me all that much more happy to support her.

I am so relieved to know that I can support my Magpie tendencies while also keeping it simple and pretty. Thank-You, Tinted Mint!

Imperial Project

2010-08-01T06:59:00.000-07:00

Just before I left for vacation, I worked on a special bag for a new beloved customer. She chose one of my Medium sized messengers, and she also picked some of my very favorite fabrics designed by Amy Butler. The outside and pockets are made from a print called, "Imperial Fans."

Here is how it turned out: I just love that bold print and the silvery coloring!

A Gentle Chaos

2010-07-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

I'm coming back to you in a more centered and grounded place. After my last post, I decided I just needed to take a break and re-group. My husband, Bronwyn and I took a trip to Montana to visit our family there, and it was wonderful.

We hiked, rode horses, ate good food, visited with beloved Nieces, Nephews, Uncles, Aunts, Grandmas, Great-Grandmas, and Grandpa's, too.

We celebrated a 90th birthday.

We rested.

Now home, we're getting unpacked, shaking off the dust of travel, and beginning our routines again. The garden grew two feet while we were away and so weeding is a daily activity for now. There is the paradox of calm in the midst of chaos, which reminds me of the day that I rode with Brian's Uncle into an abandoned farm. The grass was as high as the horses and the old hay balers and barn rested quietly in the windblown field. It was peaceful, yet full of the wild-ness of red-winged blackbirds, ripening seed heads, and blue sky. I could feel myself being renewed with every moment that I spent there. And now, when I'm feeling a little bit frazzled, I can close my eyes and remember. Isn't that wonderful?

Adjustments

2010-06-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

I feel like I'm going through a period of transition and introspection right now. I am really emotional about the oil spill in the Gulf, and that's on top of already feeling overwhelmed by all of the recent earthquakes and floods and economic strife and atrocities that humans commit against each other. It's all just too much. I find myself sitting down to write and not knowing what to say because there's just too much to say. At least for now, I will revert back to what I know; what I can touch right now; the minutia that is daily life. I will breathe in and breathe out and notice this moment right now because it is really all that I have. And in being available for myself, maybe I can also be available for someone else. That's a start. This mother Merganser was seen by my friend Barry, who took this picture as she shuttled her babies down the falling tide on Woodard Bay. A perfect example of being in the moment, I think.

Bronwyn is on summer break, and I have to say I am loving my mornings with her. Instead of rushing to get out the door, we snuggle and read books and maybe take a tub just for fun. I have been taking some time, too, to work on a fun new clutch design. I haven't gotten things perfect, but I'm enjoying the process of fiddling. I have discovered that I love pleats and so this new clutch will feature at least one. Here is what it looks like so far: These are being donated to a friend's raffle to raise money for breast cancer research. Hence the pink theme!

Peace and love to you my friends; have a lovely week!

Sunny Happy Love

2010-06-23T09:35:00.000-07:00

At last, the sun has made an appearance. It is amazing to me how much of an impact it can make on my attitude, for the better. Bronwyn is officially on Summer Break and she's sleeping in, which is lovely. Time is of the essence, though, so quickly I wanted to show you what is making me happy in the creative department.

One of my favorite surface designers, Heather Ross, has come out with her latest fabric collection. Her prints are on linen this time and the line is called Far Far Away, Chapter II. It is full of fairy tale, sketchbook whimsy and I'm in LOVE! I got my first shipment of a couple of her prints and immediately made these sweet zippered boxy cases. I can't decide which one is my favorite! They are all available in my Etsy and Artfire shops.

Summer Time

2010-06-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well it's official. It's summer. And I feel a bit blue. It has been raining to beat records here and my tomatoes are wondering, "What the heck?". Today is Bronwyn's final day of school, and I just can't seem to get everything done. I decided that maybe summer needs a bit more encouragement to make an appearance. Why not? So I made a Strawberry Clafouti in the hopes that the season would feel more welcome in my home. So far, it's still raining, but at least the house smells lovely!

Here's the recipe for this delicious, slightly sweet, creamy custardy treat.

STRAWBERRY CLAFOUTI

8 oz fresh, washed, strawberries, cut in half lengthwise

2 tsp cornstarch

3 large eggs

1 cup milk

2/3 cup flour (I used unbleached white bread flour)

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

powdered sugar (for the top)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a shallow 2 quart baking dish (I used a glass pie plate).

In a bowl toss strawberry halves with the cornstarch until evenly coated, then arrange the berries with cut side down on the bottom of the dish.

In a blender, whirl eggs, milk, flour, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth (about 15 seconds).

Pour batter over strawberries.

Bake until puffed, golden brown, and set in the center (about 50 minutes). Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm. The fruit rises to the top so you can see it and rests on the custardy filling.

Cozy and Bright

2010-05-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Oh boy is it ever raining! It is relentless, and there's no end in sight. It's warm out, though, and so the plants are vigorous with growth. It feels a little tropical here, actually.

This week I found some time to sew up a couple of pillow covers. I found this fabric designed by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller and immediately felt connected to the lush, tropical feel. I think they look really fresh!

You can find them in both my Etsy and Artfire shops.

The Second Bag

2010-05-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to show you the second bag that I made for my neighbor. I'm so pleased with the way that these came out; I hope they provide lots and lots of good use!

Sewing For Myself: Well... Sort Of

2010-05-26T15:05:00.000-07:00

In keeping with the theme of taking time for myself, I decided that I really needed to boost my exercise routine. I love to exercise, and running is my work-out of choice (because it serves a dual purpose of physical and mental exercise). But a knee injury had left me feeling despondent and resolved to being in my 40s. Luckily for me, my neighbor and friend is a personal trainer and agreed to take me on in exchange for some messenger bags! Win-Win! Here is the first bag that I made for her. I love it's sunny brightness combined with the art nouveau design. Of course, the print is designed by Anna Maria Horner, one of my favorites! And since I've been working out with my neighbor, I'm feeling much stronger and was even able to run a little bit last weekend without knee pain. HOORAY!

Princess Petticoat

2010-05-25T12:27:00.000-07:00

One of the ways that I'm trying to reduce stress this year is by saying "No" more often to custom sewing projects. It's not that I don't like doing them, it's that they take so much time that I fall behind in my other tasks. But I don't want to say no to every project, and this one was very rewarding for me.

One of Bronwyn's friends is playing Little Miss Muffet in the school play this year, and she really wanted a big poufy petticoat for her dress. She asked me to help out, and I was happy to oblige. First of all, sewing for kids is very satisfying because they go into their world of fantastic imagination and they don't care what the seams look like, as long as the outcome is "Poufy". Secondly, working with tulle makes me feel all girly and it makes me remember how it was when I was seven years old. Back then I believed in Fairies and in Princesses who happily picked daisies in the sunshine all day.

So on sunny days, I sat out on the porch and pinned tulle onto the underlayer and pretended that I didn't have a care in the world. It was very theraputic.

For this project, I basically made a tiered skirt out of white muslin, and sewed 6 yards of tulle to it. Very simple, but time consuming! Thank goodness for sunny porch days!

Fabric Love Friday

2010-05-21T10:51:00.000-07:00

I just recently purchased and received two of the coolest fabrics I've ever found! I found them overseas from a shop in South Korea called Ness Home. The fabric is a linen/cotton blend and is wonderful to work with. My mind is racing with all of the awesome things I want to make with it! First up: Market totes. I made two sizes: one is wide and short, the other is tall. I thought I'd try them out and then see which of the two I liked the best.

I used French Seams on the inside so that I didn't have to line the bag, which allows them to fold up with less bulk, too. The top contrast fabric is a chambray weave shot cloth that I'm also in love with.

I'm hoping to offer them for sale in the not-too-distant future. Which do you like the best?

Up Early

2010-05-15T07:40:00.000-07:00

I'm up early this morning. Brian is digging clams at the beach and Bronwyn is still sleeping. The yard is glorious! I thought I'd share a couple of pictures that I took. It was so lovely to have some time in the morning to myself! Have a lovely weekend everyone.

When it's Dark, You Can See the Stars

2010-05-14T11:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was an excercise in being present.

In the morning, I took Bronwyn for some routine bloodwork. She gets this done on a regular basis to check the levels of medicine in her blood, and also to monitor her liver enzymes and other important vitals. This trip to the Doctor used to be filled with anxiety, tears, and woozy tummies. Now it's really routine; Bronwyn hardly flinches at the needle. Of course we have an awesome phlebotomist, who loves and respects Bronwyn and that really makes it better. But yesterday there was trouble with the vein because there is scar tissue developing there from so much use. I can't tell you how much this broke my heart when I heard it. I felt so sad for Bronwyn and how much she has to put up with; how hard she has to work for every little thing. And yet, she is sweet and sunny and almost never complains. She is such an incredible example to me.

Later, that evening, I was priviledged enough to be able to hear Greg Mortenson speak at our local college. If you're not familiar with him, he is best known for the book he wrote called, "Three Cups of Tea," and now his new book, "Stones into Schools." His life's work revolves around promoting peace through the education of children, especially girls, in Afganistan and Pakistan. He does this very successfully because he works very hard to obtain support and "buy-in" from the local communities that will be hosting and running the schools. In this work, Greg is surrounded by adversity. And when I say adversity, I mean the kind that we really don't want to think about, let alone imagine the details of. And yet he continues on with compassion, kindness, understanding, and respect. His goal is to empower people to help themselves, not just to offer assistance to them.

Greg quoted several people in his speech, but the two that resonated with me that night were these: "Even if the world ends tomorrow, I will plant my seed today." (Martin Luther King Jr.), and "When it's dark, you can see the stars." (A local village leader). Suddenly I remembered that all that matters is what I'm doing right now. And yes, it's important for me to think of how my actions might impact the future, but the future is created now. And also, I realized that there is beauty everywhere and hope everywhere. Even when (and almost especially when) it's dark.

Woah Nelly

2010-05-11T10:27:00.000-07:00

I have been realizing that I need to slow down a bit. This feeling comes in cycles, and I've discovered that I can honor it and be at peace, or I can fight it and feel like I'm fighting all the time. Let's just say that sometimes I don't make the right decision. Thankfully this time I can see the pothole before I get to it and hopefully I can swerve before I deflate something.

Today is "farm day," which is one of my ways to slow down. I will go pick up a load of mulch and then spend an afternoon pulling weeds. Although it sounds like a terrible chore, I find it meditative. Laundry is also on the list, and cooking up a nice dinner.

Recently I made a scarf for a favorite customer, and I decided that in honor of my slowing down I would add some handwork to the project. This scarf features one of my favorite prints by Heather Ross. It's called, "Swimming Sisters." I made a Pinnafore for Bronwyn's school picture out of it, remember? I hand sewed the topstitching, and then added little embroidered "x's" along the border. These reminded me of the X chromosome, and so I felt all the womanly godess-ness flowing from me. It was theraputic and wonderful.

See? When I listen to my own needs, I feel better!

Rejuvination

2010-05-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

What a lovely weekend we had! It was sunny and warm. I got to hang clothes on the line, plant sunflowers and lay in the grass with my sweet daughter whilst listening to birds. Ahhh.... And for Mother's Day, I was presented with a lovely hand-decorated box and handmade bookmark. Both were done by my daughter, which is much more difficult for her to create than you can imagine. When I opened my gifts, she beamed with pride. And that was the greatest gift of all.

Keeping it Fun

2010-05-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

Before I say anything else, I must send out a big Happy Birthday to my dear Brother. I love you! Oh, and Happy Birthday also to Pete Seeger; I love you, too, but not as much as my Brother!

Bronwyn and I spent the weekend in Portland, Oregon because there was a Mother Daughter gala at Stonehenge Studios, the boutique that is now carrying BCharmer goodies. We delivered wallets, zippies, scarves and headbands for the event. I am tortured by the fact that I forgot to bring my camera on this trip (It was the first item on my list and I actually remembered to bring extra batteries, but No camera; unbelievable)! So I will show you photos taken upon our return home.

While visiting the Studio, I met the most wonderful artist. Her name is Billie and she's of advanced age (a Lady never tells). No longer able to run her sewing machine well or to get out as much as she used to, she picked up her needle and thread and started creating the most beautiful aprons. Of course I had to have one! They are made with the most wonderful fabrics and they are full of hand stitched goodness. Her work can be found at Stonehenge Studios, which is located on Corbett St in Portland.

Today I'm wearing my new apron while I'm cleaning and cooking and it has made these tasks so much more enjoyable! This has me thinking that there really is something beneficial about ritualizing the banal. Doing the dishes is not the first activity that springs to mind when I think "fun." But a simple act of intention, like donning an apron before the chore, makes that job feel more pure and purposeful somehow. Somehow I feel connected to my foremothers/sisters and I realize how easy I've got it compared to them. Thank-You, Billie, for sharing your talents and for helping me feel more in touch with the joys of the moment.

After the Rain

2010-04-29T11:09:00.000-07:00

We are having the most tumultuous weather right now. It rains, it's sunny, it hails, it rains sideways, it's sunny.... rinse and repeat, as it were. In between squalls I went out to investigate the plants. Thankfully, all were unhurt.
Left, is a lovely lupine whorl. And then the apple blossoms. My clothesline even looked pretty!

I did a photoshoot yesterday featuring some of the tissue scarves that I've made. Here is one that I call, "River's Bend." That cotton voile really has my heart!

Making Time

2010-04-27T12:10:00.000-07:00

This is just a quickie to keep some momentum on my Blog.

A little spring cold has come for a visit at our house. First Bronwyn and now Brian and me. Luckily I have garlic and vitamin C. That usually puts up the "No Trespassers" sign for unwelcome microbes. But I've had to slow down a bit to take care of myself and my beloved family. This slowing down business provides the opportunity to look at what's going on around me. Walking in my yard I see that the apple blossoms are emerging; they're so beautiful! And the garden is mostly planted now. It's still to chilly for the tropical plants such as tomatoes, squash, and basil, but it feels great to have my cool crops in.

I'm still working on my orders for Stonehenge Studios, and I'm almost at the end now. Bronwyn and I are hoping to drive to Portland for the weekend to participate in the Mother's Day Gala that Stonehenge will be hosting. It should be lots of fun if we're feeling better!

Here is a Tomboy wallet that I made with a fun, bold graphic print. I love the analogy of comic strips that immediately spring to mind when I look at it! It is available in my Etsy and Artfire shops.

And the master of slowing down and taking in the luxury of the day is our new kitty, Chance. I went in to make Bronwyn's bed the other day and found him sunning his tummy on her blankets. He's such a dear!

The Ultimate Mama

2010-04-23T09:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Earth Day, and I spent much of it in reflection. Bronwyn is sick right now, and so I was in "Mama Mode" and it felt somehow that the circle was being completed.

When I was in my early twenties, I found a greeting card with this image on it. I have kept it prominently displayed ever since. It's pretty tattered now, so I re-wrote it to share with you. Accompanied by this little video, I felt it a fitting tribute to the Mother of us all. May we be ever loved, and ever love her.