Where Bloggers Create 2013

I'm so excited to be participating this year in Where Bloggers Create, hosted by Karen at My Country Cottage.  

I've been waiting for what seems like forever to make my sewing room a space that is inspiring, fun, and comfortable to be in.  Due to circumstances beyond my control (which are the worst, don't you think?), I wasn't able until just recently to start the makeover.  I'm no where near finished, but I'm happy just to be on my way!

I've had the sewing room for six years and made do with closets and plastic totes for storage.  Eventually that wasn't enough, and there wasn't room to add more.  That didn't stop me from accumulating more though!  More fabric, more vintage linens, lace and buttons, more fabric, more patterns, more ribbon, and did I mention more fabric?  The room eventually evolved into this.  I couldn't find anything anymore.

After cleaning out the room, my daughter and best ever son-in-law came and painted for me.  There was never a question of the color...PINK!!  And my awesome husband and sweet granddaughter put together furniture.

The main thing I wanted was a cabinet with glass doors.  Being able to see the colors, patterns and textures of the fabric was important.  How could I not be inspired when I see that every time I walk in the room?  I didn't realize it would be so time consuming to create mini bolts of fabric or to fold smaller pieces in a way that they could be stacked.  I have so much more fabric to go through than what you see here.

I wish I had more to show you, but I'm thrilled to have this much done.  Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll be done and can finally start sewing again.

Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by!  I'm looking forward to visiting all the blogs over the next few days.  Be sure to go here to see some incredibly inspiring and creative spaces.

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

My daughter came to visit bearing gifts from her garden!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 27~Texture

We touch a lot of stuff throughout the day.  Ever notice how many different textures your fingertips feel?  Probably not.  Unless you are purposely feeling something for it's texture we really don't pay attention.  This week focus on how things feel.  Then snap a shot of that texture!

I've been touching a lot of fabric this week as I go through my stash.  The majority of it is cotton but I also have some silks, flannel, fleece, satin, microsuede, and this oh so very soft minky fabric.  I bought it to make a baby blanket but never got around to it.  Fabric comes in so many different textures and I can't help but touch it and feel it when I'm wandering through a fabric shop.

I didn't touch this with my fingers, but the silky smooth creamy texture of this orange creamsicle pie was just heavenly!

To see more textures, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

xo Annette xo

Happy Independence Day!

Whatever you do,

Wherever you go,

Whoever you're with,

I hope you have a spectacular 4th!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Bad Annie dog!!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week26~?

We are half way through the year, and this week's prompt was to focus on whatever we wanted to!

I know this doesn't look very exciting, but to me it's like Christmas!  I'm working on a sewing room redo, and I can finally start working on the organizing and decorating.  The cabinets with glass doors are new and will hold my fabric.  I'll finally be able to see what I have!  There's lots of storage space in the other cabinets and there's even more that you can't see right now.  I want to have everything done so I can participate in this year's, "Where Bloggers Create 2013".   I also want to start sewing again.  I have a long list of projects to work on!

To see what others focused on this week, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime

I hope you have a fun filled weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

One of our nephews passed away yesterday.  It's just very sad and heartbreaking, but I'm thankful he was able to spend his last days with his family and that he went peacefully.  I'm thankful his family find peace and comfort in their faith.  God is good!

I'm also thankful for
     *  not having a job!  I'm still battling this virus and I probably would have been fired by now.
     *  my sewing room is ready to organize and decorate
     *  my new found distaste for diet coke.  Being sick has messed with my taste buds and I've been trying for ages to give up the soft drink.

     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 25~You Are_____!

This week give yourself the positive reinforcement that YOU deserve.  Take a moment to think about who you are, what makes YOU a wonderful person.  You finish this statement, "You are_____!"

My husband and granddaughter planted flower seeds in the early spring.  The seeds sprouted fairly quickly and Michael chose six seedlings to put in a flower pot.  Unfortunately, all but one of them died.  It looked sickly and I doubted it would make it.  With each passing day, it drooped a little more.  Then it started shriveling up.  In a last ditch effort to save it, I moved it to another spot on the patio.  Within a few days it had perked up and looked like it would make it after all.  It continued to grow and bush out and got it's first bud.  Shylee wasn't here to see it, but I was excited enough for both of us.  Then came a storm that blew all the plants around.  I found it upside down with half the dirt spilled.  We carefully picked it up and replanted it.  I was beyond thrilled when that bud bloomed last week!  It's not a perfect plant or flower.  There are tears and holes in the petals and leaves.  She shows signs of struggles and storms.  But she grows tall and strong, and more beautiful than ever because of all she's been through.

I am like that flower.  I've been through some tough times.  Times that I didn't know if I would make it.  Times when it would have been so easy to give up and give in.  I've weathered some storms that I wonder how I came through to the other side.  But I did.  And I am strong and beautiful because of it.

To see how others completed the statement, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime

xo Annette xo

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Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

We had a tornado a few days ago.  Well, a week ago today actually.  I had to go into the closet under the stairs.  As I sat there in the dark (the power went out) listening to the storm rage and praying like crazy, I couldn't help but think about the people of Oklahoma City and what they went through.  How scared they must have been!  I was scared and this was a tiny storm compared to what they experienced.   The tornado did not touch down in my neighborhood but it was only a few miles away.  There was a lot of tree damage and damage done by trees.  I'm thankful no one was hurt and that it wasn't worse than it was.  

I'm also thankful for
     *  tomatoes found in the yard.  The plants got blown around.
     *  my sense of taste.  It's finally back.
     *  my mobility
     *  funny videos that make me forget I feel bad
     *  everyone of you who take the time to read and comment on my little blog

What are you thankful for today?

Have a wonderful Thursday!

xo Annette xo

When You Can't Smell Or Taste Anything

For the past week, I've been sick.  A sinus infection, ear infection, conjunctivitis, fever, and sore throat have me down for the count.   I'm taking antibiotics for the infections and eye drops for the red and gunky eye.  And while I'm feeling slightly better today, I think I'll be having lingering effects for a while.

Today is the first time in four days that I've been able to smell or taste anything.  There are some pros and cons to that!

PROS
   *  I've lost weight.  Food looses it's appeal when you can't taste it.
   *  The grocery bill was significantly less
   *  Annie dog is gassy and I couldn't tell for four whole days
   *  There weren't a lot of dishes to do

CONS
   *  I couldn't smell the good things like Michael's coffee or my cinnamon tea
   *  Chocolate was flavorless.
   *  I mostly ate Lipton noodle soup and crackers because I could taste the salt
 
In my search for something I could taste, I discovered that even though I couldn't taste the flavor of food, I could taste if it was salty, sweet, or bitter.  I didn't try anything that I knew would be sour, but I probably could have tasted that too.  And even though I prefer sweets on a normal day, I chose salty time after time when I needed to eat something.  A sure sign that I'm sick!

One more observation...I really need to get a life!  It's pretty sad that I even thought about taking a picture of my soup so I could blog about being sick, because that is the only thing going on!  I'll have to work on that when I'm feeling better.

I hope your week is off to a great start!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 24~Green

This week we were to focus on green.  The color of balance, learning, growth and harmony.

What's not to love about green?  It makes me think of the outdoors and summertime!  And what's better than the green  of the garden, even if it is in containers on the patio?!

Rosemary

Sage

Tomatoes

Vines

To see more green, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for a quick visit with Sean and Marie.  He is living happily in Denver and I miss him, so even a quick visit is better than no visit at all!

I'm also thankful for
     *  the end of school because Shylee can spend more time with us
     *  finding jeans that fit
     *  the heavenly aroma of lavender
     *  coupons and free shipping

What are you thankful for today?

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

From my very first lavender plant!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

With all the tragedies of the last few months,  it's only natural to examine your life and realize what is important.   Life can change in the blink of an eye.  Everything you have can be gone in an instant.  Today I'm thankful for the life I have, but more importantly I'm thankful for the people I love and the those who love me.    

What are you thankful for today?

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

This is one of those silly, kind of trivial things, but I'm thankful that sometimes I actually get the shot of a critter while he's standing still!  Seriously, I usually end up with a blur because they move right when I click!

I'm also thankful for
     *  my children and the privilege to be their Mom
     *  my Mom
     *  birthday cake and ice cream
     *  Shylee telling everyone they should make me a birthday cake so I could sit and relax. We bought a cake!
     

What are you thankful for today?

Have a great day!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

The Redo Has Started

Finally, after three years, my sewing room is getting a redo.  I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!  I'll be showing you bits and pieces until it's finished and then I'll do a full reveal with before and after photos.  This past weekend the room was painted pink!  I love the color during the day, but it's a little overpowering at night.  I'm counting on it being less so when the furniture is in place!  Michael and Shylee started putting together the furniture from Ikea.  I got a drop leaf table and three bookcases.  Two of them have glass doors and one of them is open on top with drawers on the bottom.  I hope by next week I can start the organizing and decorating.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

xo Annette xo

Thankful Thursday

Every Thursday I share what I'm thankful for.  Sometimes it's a serious or big thing, and sometimes it's a goofy or small thing.  I believe that no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.  Always.

I'm thankful for perfect weekends and for getting the containers planted.  For giggles, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, water sprayers, and umbrellas!
 I'm thankful for happy endings and people who help.
I'm thankful for family near and far.
I'm thankful for my little piece of the world.

What are you thankful for today?

I hope you have a fantastic Thursday!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Sometimes, we just need to stop and blow bubbles!

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 18~Abstract

What is abstract?  The use of a visual language of form, color, and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.

All things have form, color, and lines.  We just need to step back and step away from the literal image you see  through the lens.  Take into account the lines, color, or form and look for a more figurative composition.  Take this week and step out of reality and change your view of things.

This was difficult for me to understand at first.  I understand abstract art, but I just couldn't figure out what it meant in photography.  After googling 'abstract photography' and looking at hundreds of photos, I finally got it.  I couldn't wait to go out with my camera and see what I could come up with.  Between the rain and other things that had to be done, I wasn't able to get out, but I did find a couple of pictures I took before. I played with them in PicMonkey and really like the results.

This is the before picture of a bicycle tire.

And here is the after.

Here is the before of weeds in the yard.

And here is the after.

To see more abstract photography, visit Sally at The Studio Sublime.

Have a fabulous weekend!

xo Annette xo

Wordless Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

xo Annette xo

Focus On Life~Week 17~Color

Did you ever notice the way color can affect our mood and perception of the environment around us?
Colors can elevate our mood or change our perception of an object.  Bright vivid colors can make us feel positive where a darker color can evoke a heaviness.  Florescent color not only can grab attention, florescent literally screams at you to pay attention and that can cause a feeling of anxiety.  Whether photographing a full shot of amazing colors or small pops of color against a muted background, this week break out your camera and capture some color.  Think about how the colors of the shot affect your mood, feelings, perception of your surroundings.  Focus on how the colors impact your decision to take a particular shot.

I think I've thought more about color this week than I ever have before!   I love bright cheery colors because they make me happy.  They make me feel alive.  One of my favorite bloggers, Maureen, at Maureen Cracknell Handmade, uses the most colorful fabric in her sewing and quilting projects.  Visiting her blog and looking at the pictures can lift my spirits every time.  My home is mostly decorated in reds, golds and greens.  They're warm and inviting, comfortable and comforting.

My real love is pastel colors.  I'm drawn to pastels like a moth to a flame.  Pink is my favorite but all the other colors are my second favorite!  I had not been to a fabric store since last fall, so I decided to visit JoAnn's, where there is color in every direction you look.  I wasn't looking for anything in particular and didn't have a project in mind.  I was just enjoying the colors, patterns, and textures of the fabrics when I spotted these.  They made my heart sing and I may have audibly gasped!

These colors not only make me happy, they make me feel less stressed and more calm.  They're pretty and feminine and yummy looking!  These are the kinds of colors I plan to use in decorating my sewing room.  I'm definitely inspired by them!

To see more color, visit The Studio Sublime.

What is your favorite color?

xo Annette xo