Mt Hood Sunday

My husband and I spent Sunday celebrating my birthday! He took me out for lunch, and then we traveled up the mountain to Timberline Lodge on Mt Hood. This is in the lodge parking lot on the 28th of June. Still snow for people to play in, and several people were still up the mountain skiing and boarding. We also spend some time beside a stream. I took a picture of us, but it came out a little blurry. Since I cannot retake it, I hope you will be forgiving and still enjoy the feel of the respite that we experienced!

Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!

New Shop!

Today I opened a new shop to exclusively sell jewelry! I love making jewelry! My designs are simple but fun! Don't you just love having lots of options in your jewelry box! I do! Every outfit needs that special something to properly accessorize it! Fashion demands it!

I'll be moving some of my jewelry from my pruitthandcrafts shop to my new shop, leaving my handcrafted fabric items in one shop and the jewelry in another.

Come check out my new offerings, which are growing everyday!

www.PruittDesign.etsy.com

Celebrate Survival

I am a Breast Cancer survivor and make items that celebrate survival and raise awareness!

This wonderful cuff will make a BEAUTIFUL STATEMENT when you wear it! Graced with pink lace, this hot pink dragonfly print cuff is REVERSIBLE and has a cream and pale pink vintage style print on the reverse. Wear it with the flashy side out or subdued side out. It has a detachable pink ribbon pin accented with pearls and pink beads. (You can also wear this little pin separately on a hat, lapel, or bag.) Two buttons with gold elastic cording make an easy closure although there is hidden Velcro for an additionally secure fit. If you are a survivor, you'll love wearing this statement, letting everyone know about the cause! I will donate $10 from this sale to the American Cancer Society's "Making Strides for Breast Cancer" program. Click the picture--I'll take you to my etsy shop. Then check out my other breast cancer awareness items. Or you can make a donation at www.cancer.org/stridesonline

Wordless Wednesday!

Tuesday Proverb 2

Some of you crafters are so industrious! Good for you! But this analogy is worth considering!

Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
Learn from their ways and be wise!
Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler
to make them work, they labor hard all summer,
gathering food for the winter.

But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
When will you wake up?
I want you to learn this lesson:
A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest---
and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.

Proverbs 6:6-11

Monday Blues!

Well, it's Monday and the start of a new week. Went off to work first thing (part time job that may end real soon), and then, when I came home, I wondered what to do with myself! So many directions, telling me what to do! Craft projects calling out to me, laundry too! Bills to pay, deposits to make, bookwork to do. Really in a funk, I guess! And I'm not talking about music! Business slow lately, afraid to start new projects. I've got a lot invested now, and not sure how much more I can afford. I know of one friend that had to make a hard decision about whether to keep her brick and mortar shop open. The decision was difficult, but she decided to scale down to her internet shop only. I don't know how that is working for her, but many business men and women are in the same boat! Times are tough right now! Decisions come hard! But, decisions we must make, toward our futures. Good or bad, we need to press on and not get stuck!

Anyway, creativity is fleeting tonight and a funk has set in . . . but . . . I looked for some inspiration, and found a poem by Emily Dickinson. I changed it a little to fit my mood and situation!


There Is Another Sky by Emily Dickinson
(adaptation by Linda Pruitt in blue print)


There is another life,

Ever serene and fair,

And there is another day way,

NO darkness be there;

Never mind faded insights, Linda,

Never mind silent minds

There is a little forest,

Whose leaf is ever green;

There is a brighter garden,

Where not a funk has been;

And in its unfading flowers

I hear the bright bee hum:

Creativity, my brother,

Into my garden come!

Family Gardening

Haven't posted in quite a few days! I've been busy with my family! Which is a nice thing! I have four daughters in this area and three of them had projects to be done this past few days! My oldest granddaughter was moving back home from college, so we cleaned out a space in the garage for her things. I also dead-headed a rose bush. Then another daughter needed a cabinet skirt. She provided the material, I provided the labor! And lastly, I helped with the yard work and gardening with my youngest daughter and her family! I have a few pictures of our gardening adventure from start to finish! It's keeping us busy this summer! (Need a garden apron? Check out my garden apron in my shop!)

Family is great! It is wonderful to work together, get along well, and have accomplishments together! Plus the garden bounty is a wonderful reward! It will supply our family and my daughter's. But . . . today they are all celebrating Father's day at various places, so today I'm going to enjoy some accomplishments on my own--back to crafting!!!

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Bug!

I wrote about "June's acomin' " at the end of May and so I will take up from where I left off! I talked about the Gershwin song "Summertime" and about June Bugs! Another bug that I associate with summer is the lightning bug! I miss warm humid summer evenings in Missouri. I miss sitting on the porch watching the clouds billow, and seeing the gentle bugs that are also called fireflies. They fly slowly and erratically, like they are floating for a while, then rise with little effort (at least it looks that way), all the while flashing their abdomen. They are so peaceful! Ahhhhhhh. For more info check out this link. http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly.html





Other great memories of summer is going on trips to the mountains. Last year we went to Olympic National Park in Washington State. The above picture is of Hurricane Ridge. Gorgeous views! http://www.nps.gov/olym/







And then there is the water! Who doesn't like getting in the pool, stream, lake or the nearest aquatic park? This is my grandson enjoying a NW bay park. Wouldn't I love to not be inside right now and go get drenched with him?

Summer Reading!

My book club folder came the other day. Boy did I have fun looking thru it for new titles to read this summer! I still haven't decided which books to order--er--which I can afford! Anyway, it started me thinking. So . . . I'm having a "Summer Reading Sale" in my etsy shop. All my book markers are "Buy One Get One FREE!" Commonly know as a BOGO SALE. Anyway, I made some more ribbon markers, and had loads of fun with them!

Also, I am recommending another book. You can check in the right hand column for my recommended titles. Today I would like to recommend, Shadows of Lancaster County by Mindy Starns Clark. I read this one without having read her extremely popular Gothic thriller, Whispers of the Bayou. I guess you know which other title will be included in my next book club order!

Dad, can I ever fill your shoes?

Picture by A. Easter

Mocha Latte Creativity!

I've been wanting to use this picture for some time, I guess today is the day! I recently was visiting my son and his family. My daughter-in-law fixed me a mocha latte. I was busy chatting, drinking my coffee, and playing with my grandchildren, when I realized that I had set the cup down on the rug and it was an interesting study in shapes! I grabbed my camera and took a few shots, in-between taking pictures of my family of course, to preserve the moment for future creativity! Maybe it's the mocha lines or the burgundy and moss colors, but I was struck by the sight. It inspires me, and will be the genesis of a new design, I know!

Preening

When I need a break, I go for a walk at Crystal Springs Garden in Portland. It's a rhododendron garden with lovely walking paths by the lake.

There are "more than 2,500 rhododendrons, azaleas, and companion plants that have been donated by volunteers and interested individuals. Beginning in early spring and continuing into summer, they provide a magnificent display of color, giving visitors the opportunity to view many varieties rarely seen in the Pacific Northwest. During the fall, many companion trees add dramatic coloring. Spring-fed Crystal Springs Lake surrounds much of the garden, attracting many species of birds and waterfowl."

I particularly love to watch the birds from a nearby bench. Some days we see the resident turtles sunning themselves on a downed tree or stump. The whole environment is one of rest and peace while out in nature! What better place to revive your creative juices?

http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/finder/index.cfm?PropertyID=27&action=ViewPark

John Deere Tractors for little girls!

Recently my etsybloggers team honored me with passing my information along the blogisphere, and visiting my shop and treasuries. I really appreciate everyone's participation and generous comments! I thought I would pass along the favor to a new etsy shop owner who has some adorable jumpers for little girls. The one that caught my eye was one with rickrack and John Deere Tractors. When I lived in Missouri and in Texas, in rural areas, John Deere collectibles were the rage! When I saw this little dress, I was amused and said, "Ahhhh." Take time to visit this shop if you have little girls! This charming dress would also be delightful as a jumper over leggings and with a blouse or turtleneck.

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=7395014

A Tuesday Proverb

I've been a little busy, missed posting yesterday, and today is almost over. Oh well, nobody's perfect! Many bloggers have a "Wordless Wednesday" or a special on Friday with something short. I have chosen to do a "Tuesday Proverb."

An Intro to Tuesday Proverbs:
Most of the Bible proverbs were written by King Solomon, the son of King David. David wrote many of the psalms, and Solomon left us more books than any other Old Testament writer except Moses. The Bible itself says of Solomon, he is "wiser than all men." Since this wise man has left us his wisdom, I have decided to share some of it on Tuesdays. So, the Proverb for today is from chapter 2, about the Benefits of Wisdom. These are selected verses that I like.

" My child, listen to me and treasure my instructions. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight and understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure . . . . . . . Then you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! . . . The wise inherit honor . . . "
New Living Translation of the Bible

I promise, tomorrow I will return to crafting and the creative process!!