handmade kate

tea bag

Grabbing a quiet moment and enjoying this beautiful fall afternoon. 

Amy Butler Chelsea tote pattern in Martha Negley's Aqua Teacups, lined in Kaffe Fassett's Purple Dotty.  Makes a nice tote for knitting projects, I think!

a quick post on the way in from the mailbox

A sweet surprise from dear Valerie.  An Amy Butler Weekend Travel Bag pattern.  Tea, just in time for the cooler weather due in this weekend.  Lovely, lovely Liberty fabric (you are creating a monster over here Valerie!).  And precious, kind words on a scenic postcard.   Thank you, my friend!

Next, a necklace made by such a gracious lady. Lisa's blog is such an inspiration, and when I saw this necklace that Blair commissioned, I fell in love.  I did my initials too, because, like Blair, I'm Southerner, and monogrammed silver jewelry really is a wardrobe staple around these parts.  But what a nice alternative to the usual--I can't tell you how many compliments I received when I wore it to work today!

Finally, a quick "thank-you" to Tracy.  If you've never visited her blog , please pay her a visit.  The lovely handbags and accessories she makes are so beautiful in their simplicity, and her blog is so full of genuine kindness and goodness. Such a comfortable and cozy place! (and she's a fellow anglophile, too!)  I received an email from her a few days ago just to check in on me and say "hello" since I haven't posted in a while. Oh, that meant so much to me!

And my absence lately?  My husband and I are struggling with his aging parents, and, well, my father-in-law is pretty close to dying right now.  It is something new and incredibly hard to navigate.  So that's where I've been.  But I've been visiting around to all my favorite blogs when I can, and it has been such a blissful escape.

So thank you all for sharing these bits of your lives. 

And for sending me unexpected packages "just because"
and for offering handmade loveliness for the best kind of adornment
and for quick emails just to "check in"...

I feel quite spoiled.

 

labor day

..and the fruit of my labor.

McCalls 5388

I first saw this made up  over on Bess' blog, and it haunted me ever since.  So sweet and feminine!  I loved the Denise Schmidt Katie Jump Rope fabric too, so I picked out some of my own during a visit to a new-to-me local fabric shop.  Easy-peasy pattern, and compliments galore when I wore it out today.  A perfect summer top.  Oh, how I wish I had gotten around to making it sooner, rather than on this last day of summer! 

Any ideas how I could adapt this pattern for fall?      

inspiration

Nearly three weeks ago, I received my first swap package from Valerie .  I almost cried as I opened each carefully wrapped package.  Not only did she send goodies for me, but she sent treats for Gray and Margaret as well.  I was simply overwhelmed by the generosity of my new friend, and I finally got to experience the generosity of this blog world for myself.  Witnessing it first hand is quite different than watching from the sidelines!  So, thank you dear Valerie--your gifts were put to good use!

From this bounty...

...came this inspiration...

Handmade with love, indeed!