Coming together one stitch at a time.

As many of you know, Chan and I are spending six months in India. The place we reside is Sidhbari, which is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, near the city of Dharamshala, close to the home of the Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dali Lama.

I couldn’t go to India or anywhere for that matter for this length of time without my sewing machine … there’s no way I could survive without this lifeline to home. So, I packed it up and spent $100 to get it here. 

I love to work with batiks, but I've found that the quality of batiks here is lacking. 

Shopping for batiks in Dehli. You sit, while shop owners shows you the fabric.

The fabric is too thin, and is difficult to work with and the colors are too muddy for my tastes.. I did make a set of place mats, but it was not easy. I am quickly learning how I have taken for granted the tools and fabrics that we have to work with in the USA.

Sewing- The thread of life

Sewing is so much part of the traditions and day-to-day living here. For instance, while ready made clothes are available (especially in Western styles) many people purchase and bring fabric to the tailor and within a couple days -at the most - you have a new suit or dress. The area where we are staying - because it gets cold -  is known for its  wool and it is like nothing I have touched (I don't think I'm the only one who gets joy from feeling up fabrics). Yak wool, angora, pashmina,

It is amazing the work that people turn out here with such rudimentary equipment. I am ashamed at how little I pay for their products here and at home.

I will be helping six women hone their sewing skills as they develop a niche market for the bags they create and sell to westerners who visit the area. The project is run by a dedicated woman who has created Nishtha Trust. Dr. Barbara, an Austrian, established the nonprofit decades ago and raises funds to support the various ventures that have been developed, of which the Women’s Sewing Cooperative is one.

As I impart the skills I have learned over the years about sewing, patchwork and marketing, these women will be teaching me about how to persevere in the face of so many personal and economic challenges.

Follow me:

Facebook

Tweeter

Lanesboro was Pure Serendipity filled with new inspiration

Lanesboro was our getaway weekend. With my acceptance into the Sunday Art in the Park show, I thought how wonderful if Chan and I could use this as an opportunity for a weekend away at a bed and breakfast and just relax. I reserved a room at the Hillcrest B and B. Within walking distance of Lanesboro's main street, it was so quiet and restful. The owners created a labyrinth in the back yard with perennials lining the path to the fountain in the center.

And then we met Betsy. The woman had so much vitality and zeal for life, both Chan and I were immediately engaged. As dinner hour began to close in, she said she wanted to take us to her friends house for dinner and she did just that. Along our life's path, we seem to connect with the most interesting people. Don and Anna welcomed us to their table, along with Anna's mother, and their two children. What a lovely Saturday evening of lively conversation, Moroccan chicken, couscous and fresh asparagus.

The brrrrr cold can't still the warm heart.

It wasn't only the temperature that was cold in White Bear Lake today at the Winterfest Craft and Art sale - so were my sales. This was the second event that I have participated in as a vendor and, while my product-line was well-received with people saying they "liked it," there just weren't enough of them coming through the door. Fortunately I covered my costs, but that's about it. So, what did I learn.... no matter how much you prepare, things can happen that are beyond your control.... today it was the sub-zero weather.

But I sure had a good time thanks to my all-day conversations with my daughter, Molly and her cousins Courtney and Katie. Oh the stories we told. My next and last show for the year will be in celebration of the winter solstice, Dec. 21 in Richfield. This one will be a celebration of the light, the new year and the promise of a new adventure in fabric.

My ugly bowl contest contender

If I use a new soup recipe only to be disappointed with the taste, I usually figure if I add some more salt, it will be OK. Nope! Maybe some ketchup- that improves everything. NOPE. Being one who does not throw away food (it's leftovers to the last crumb for me), I'll then put the stuff into containers and hide it in the back of the freezer to deal with at a later date. Well, the bowl posted above followed that scenario. The image in a magazine looked like a really good idea. But once I started creating it, I knew it wasn't going to work out. Not wanting to give up on it, I tried adding an embellishment (the decorating equivalent to ketchup). NOPE, NOPE, NOPE. Ugly, ugly, ugly. If there's ever an ugly fabric-coiled bowl contest, I definitely have a contender.

Leftover magic

These two to three inch disks, made from fabric and cord leftover from projects,

really tempt your creativity. Sam and Giddy had a great time decorating them, making them into ornaments or brooches. There's a lucky teacher out there or aunty who will be the recipient of these treasures. Sam opted for the "skull" and, with the hot glue gun, attached pearls and crystals. Two even looks like a lollypop.

My pie plate holders sold out at the recent Salem Covenant Church Arts and Crafts sale. I am now taking custom orders for Christmas. What a great present that you can personalize. Think of the welcome you will receive when you arrive at a holiday party with a pie in hand, a plate of cookies or an appetizer held in this hand-crafted item? Or, write up or print out your favorite pie or hors d' oeuvres recipe and include it with this plate holder. A great gift. Suggestion: If you would like to personalize it even more, I can create it from fabric of, let's say, an old apron which you have sentimental ties, or even a shirt..... as long as the fabric is 100 percent cotton it will work. I put a light coating on the inside of the fabric to protect it, making it easier to spot clean. I make the plates in traditional Christmas colors: however, you can pick your own color scheme. Just give me a photo.

My favorite holiday cookie recipe -Starlight Mint Surprises

My mom still makes these for Christmas. She says it is getting harder,however, to find the mint/chocolate wafers that the recipe calls for. Got any ideas where to find them? Starlight Mint Surprise

Sift together 3 cups of four, 1 tsp. soda, 1/2 tsp. salt. In a separate bowl, cream together 1 cup of butter (could use 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening or margarine. Add 1 cup white sugar, 1/2 cup brown sugar and blend together. Then blend in 2 eggs; 2 Tbls. water and 1 tsp. vanilla. Add this to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly. Chill the dough. After chilled, take about one tablespoon of dough, and encase a chocolate mint wafer inside the dough. Form into a ball and place on a greased sheet. Press a walnut half into the top of the ball. Bake at 375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes. Recipe makes about 4 1/2 dozen.