So this bouquet of lisianthus is in remembrance of her and her love of flowers and gentle things.

However, on the eve of summer solstice, Father’s Day, my husband and I decided that even though the weather should be getting warmer and sunnier, and it was still rainy and cold, we would have a fire in the fireplace. We ate our dinner gazing at the fire and then we read our books. I started a new one yesterday…..

This is one I have had on my ongoing stack for some time now. When I was with my daughters last weekend, both great and voracious readers, my oldest was astonished to find that I had not yet gotten to this book. So even though I am currently reading an autobiography by one of the Bloomsbury women, Frances Partridge, I decided to start this one too. I am already caught up in the story and the beautiful way it is written. I am always drawn to books about strong women, this definitely being one of those.

I made this skirt when I was in Mendocino out of a vintage linen curtain panel. I have had it hanging in my studio trying to figure out a way to make it more appealing. I love the fabric and color but something is missing. I think I am going to shorten it a bit and add some old crochet trim to the flounce. I want to wear it for summer……soon.

I returned from Southern California to Portland at midnight Sunday. It is still raining here, but this morning on my walk I found a door that hit me with a jolt of color, so I went back to take a photo so I could share the joy of it. Now that I am home, I am thinking about all kinds of sewing I want to do for my newest grandson.

I have had these curtains cut out for several weeks now and yesterday I finally resolved the design dilemma of how I was going to hang them. I am going to make loops with buttons. Seems like a young and more modern look as my daughter, Jeanette, loves contemporary design.

I also found this book on making stuffed animals. It is great because it advocates using recycled materials. The designs are so much fun and unique, full of personality.

I think the long legs and arms make them so quirky and different.

I know Jeanette will like this soft ring toy because she found one in a book and commented on it. I asked her not to look at my blog until after the baby was born so I would have a chance to share some things here and still allow it to be a surprise. I also am going to make her a quilt with the weaving technique I learned in Jude’s class, “Cloth to Cloth”.

We three girls stayed in a hotel together Saturday night so we could have time together alone. It was so much fun. We talked and talked and talked. We all decided that we should have a girl’s night away from husbands and children every so often so we can enjoy each other without the usual interruptions.

a new grandchild on the way,

a beautiful rose in the garden,

a collection of fabrics waiting to become,

a much-loved cat,

a view of nature and finding solace there.

I really welcome comments if you have the time and inclination, but I probably will not be able to respond to each one of you at this particular time. I simply wanted to share some thoughts and let you know I am still present in this space.

Yesterday before lunch I saw that the sun was shining (briefly is the key), and decided to go cut some of my roses. The wind, rain, and hail have really been whipping them around just as they were all starting to blossom. I had to save a few and bring them inside. In this bouquet there are probably five different roses even though they all look the same. If textiles are a passion, roses come up as a second or a winning tie. I seem to never get enough of them when they are in bloom.

I have been reading, again, the British author, Beverley Nichols. I love his books. I always laugh out loud when I am reading them, the only books that seem to generate a sort of spontaneous giggle. So as B. Nichols would say, I rescued the languishing pink ladies from their drunken despair and brought them in to dry out. Of course Nichols would have elaborated with more flourish and irreverence, but I think he would have maybe giggled a little at my effort to embellish.

I think I might be beginning to blossom a little too. This package arrived in the mail yesterday. I am still engulfed with the meaning, the effort, and the beauty.

When my husband and I moved up to Portland from Mendocino almost five years ago, I had to leave behind one of my favorite pastimes, an outdoor antique and collectible market the first Sunday of every month. It is held in Alameda at the old naval air stations right across the bay from San Francisco that can be seen in the background. I zoomed in with my camera for a better shot.

In this photo you can see a broader site of the city with the Bay Bridge and The Transamerica Building (pointed one) in the background. When I lived closer, I hardly ever missed a month at this sale. My favorite part was getting up at 5 AM, particularly in the winter, and getting to the gate at opening time at 6 AM. It was the perfect moment, filled with anticipation, exhilaration, and excitement. It was as good as going on an early morning hike for me. Everyone would be out there in the chilly weather with flashlights and hot coffee roaming around watching sellers set up. For buyers? Well, we all hoped we would find the treasure and deal that would make our day before the rest of the masses arrived around 7:30 and then 9:00. I always liked identifying with the earliest group because it felt like we were a select, hardy, and eager lot, weathering the cold and the dark for the same exuberant reasons. I guess you could also say it was and is in our blood, this obsession, this thrill-of-the-hunt.

However, I did not get there this time until 8 AM as I had not slept nearly all night just anticipating the event. When I walked in near the front entrance, I met this remarkable woman who has a business called “Danski Beautiful Clothes – art to wear.” She lives in Ojai, California, and her designs are really works of art. In talking to her briefly she told me she has no formal training but has taught sewing and designing to others. She also told me that she did not feel hindered or encumbered by rules because of this. Her creative process is very instinctive, simply a part of who she is, and she is very deeply connected to this as one can see by her designs. Her creative process, she said, was one of freedom, without constraints. Would I ever love to emulate this process, to let go of the shackles once and for all.

Every piece is exceptional. I wanted to buy something, but I came with other objectives, to buy for my pending business, and I had to be very disciplined. I will save money for the next time if she still keeps coming to the show. I have a feeling that she is launching her business at Alameda as many people do. It is a great place to get exposure, and she said that this year is her year for finally being recognized and achieving some success, that people are finally “getting” her clothing. This is quite an accomplishment given an economy that is quite difficult. I think she will definitely be someone to watch. She gave me her business card, but it did not have her name on it. I will keep you posted on her work when I find more about her in the future.

I did not buy anything from this seller, but I thought she had a fun display.

This woman had a business called “Amy Lee Buttons,” and she sold a variety of wonderful things: old and newer fabric, laces, patterns and more buttons than you could ever absorb in a day. I purchased a card of buttons, some lace, 3 vintage patterns, and the older pieces below.

What I love most about the hunt is meeting the most wonderful younger and older women who go there to sell. They are all selling what they are passionate about, and it is fun to meet them and share stories and see what inspires them to come and sell at this venue that, at times, can be grueling given the often windy weather, the hours, the work involved in a one-day set-up, the crowds, and I am sure the shoplifting that is always a concern for many. I admire all of them, and have a great respect for their efforts and ambition. I sold there once and can tell you from personal experience it is not for the faint-hearted.

Put a beautiful floral chintz in front of me, and I will melt, especially if it has a bit of chinoiserie as well as birds. This woman has an antique shop but comes to sell some of her collections at Alameda too. What I will do with this? Many plans.

I intend to do one more post on this subject, and then I will get back to part II of “Embracing Femininity,” as I had promised.

Mendocino as seen from a distance….

In less than an hour I will be driving to San Francisco in order to get up early for the outdoor market in Alameda tomorrow. I will be home late afternoon the same day. I have read your comments on my last post, and I have to say they have given me so much to think about. I am so attached to all of you in so many ways. All the comments were thoughtful, wise, and strong. What an incredible group of women you all are. I can hardly wait to sit down and respond to each of you individually. Thank you so much for reading this lengthy post. I will try and get back to all of you this evening. I feel so fortunate to know all of you. You are a true inspiration in so many ways!