Gently Falling

Gently falling...

No two are alike. Snowflakes. Just like us.

This Sunday morning I'm writing from my small antique desk on my laptop near a window looking out to a beautiful quiet world.  No, there are no snowflakes falling from my sky where I am. At least not today. 

I've always been an early-morning person. I love the quiet and serenity in the early hours when the world is still asleep. Who hasn't been in awe when there is a dusting of fresh snow covering the streets or countryside.  Tranquility and noiselessness... two things often missing from our world. Snowflakes are a gentle reminder of  purity and uniqueness.  Even the most simple things- branches, park benches, fences and walls become more beautiful with a dusting of snow.

Melting snowflakes provide much needed water for our world. It fills lakes with much needed water for crops, a fresh drink for wildlife and water for plants that bloom in the spring.

I'm looking forward to the first snowfall this year. You can be assured I'll be up early in the morning looking out on the quiet world. Hopefully remembering to slow down and enjoy the tranquility. The unique beauty and gift provided to our world. Happy Sunday before Christmas 2014.

~Tanya

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Blessings

One of my blessings is my job. This year I've been blessed to be able to coordinate the 'Angel Tree' for my company. Each ornament represents a child's wish list. I was given the list of children's names and wish list items from the Northern Nevada  Children's Cancer Foundation.

 My heart pounded a little softer and faster as I read each child's list. My mind immediately went to the family of each little child and how each family member is affected.

An even  bigger blessing is for me to walk by the office tree every day and watch new gifts appear in the baskets and boxes around it.  Each day a new package quietly and anonymously arrives. Along with it are wishes of love, kindness and generosity. My co-workers amaze me.  I'm blessed.

 Blessings.  They come in all shapes and sizes- times and places.

~Tanya

Romance in Black & White

Black, white, gray... Romance.  A fun very last minute quilt made for a special couple. We held a small surprise reception at work for them- what fun!

Pre-quilting... 

A beautiful wedding cake made by a talented artist!

 Personalized for a couple who has everything. A gift from the heart.

It was so nice seeing her reaction while she was reading the personalized sentiments.

Love is Patient, Love is Kind.... Love never Fails.

~Tanya

Sunday Prayers

Sunday Prayers

Shadow Work Embroidery is one of my favorites to do. It's time consuming but also can be meditative while taking each tiny stitch.  It's basically a backstitch on the front but on the back a herringbone stitch. The densely packed stitches on the back allow for the color of the floss to show through the sheer fabric.  This heirloom bib is made of Swiss Nelona Batiste and has antique tatting around the edges. The heart is French lace shaped- another of my favorite techniques to do.

Tiny bouillons are stitched to form flowers.

First Prayers-- is one of my childhood books along with the miniature tea set.  

Pink baby afghan is an adaptation of an adult afghan pattern but stitched in baby yarn.

May your Sunday be full of a prayerful heart and blessings your way.

~Tanya

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Roses of Summer

I spent time last weekend with my roses. The roses were late this year it seems but nothing beautiful in life is ever really late.  Of course, there were more weeds than I can ever take care of but I tried! There will  always be more weeds but for now I'm enjoying one perfect rose.

How blessed I was a couple of years ago to find this photo of my maternal Great Great Grandparents family. It came to me in the most amazing way and it's now one of my treasures. I almost gave up hope ever seeing photos of them like this but miracles happen. 

Taking a deep breath and enjoying the roses of summer. One of my favorite things to do!

~Tanya

Namaste

Namaste ~
I honor the place within you in which the entire universe dwells. I honor the place within you, which is of Love, of Truth, of Light and of Peace. When you are in that place within you and I am in that place within me, WE ARE ONE. 

I had a great time designing this yoga mat bag. This is the prototype and I'm working on refining the design and will write up the pattern soon. I may even offer some bags for sale or take special orders. Yoga is one of my passions and how could I resist a shabby chic romantic bag for my mat? 

 

This would even make a fun bridal shower gift for the gal who likes yoga or pilates! 

Namaste.
~Tanya

An Apricot Weekend

My dear blog friends it has been way too long since I last posted. Thanks to a dear friend for the motivation this evening to write a new blog post. Where does time go these days?! Is it just me or does it seem to fly? I've had an apricot kind of weekend. You may ask what is an apricot weekend? Well it seems to be the theme I had going although it was entirely unplanned.

One of my favorite rose bushes is in full bloom of beautiful rich apricot colored roses. They are at the end of my rose garden and I pass them every day and they are so fragrant! 

I made some apricot pineapple jam yesterday. I saw beautiful apricots in the produce section of my local market and couldn't resist them. I'm still learning the tricks to making perfect jam but this tastes so good it doesn't matter if it's perfect or not! The little daisy is a new crochet project I'm working on. More pics of that to come. 

 This evening I made some 'Wholesome Whole Grain Muffins.' These are truly one of the most delicious muffins I've had! They are filled with apricot filling and serious delicious. I made them with chopped pecans which added to their wholesomeness. Ha ha but it made them even more delicious.

You can see a tiny bit of the apricot filling in this pic! This is the filling I used and it also would be good with cherry or raspberry. I think I'll have a cherry kind of day next time I make them!

I'm thrilled to share this recipe with you!

Wholesome Whole Grain Muffins

1 cup oats (old -fashioned uncooked)

1 cup whole wheat flour (or white)

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/3 cup wheat germ

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp grated orange peel

1/4 tsp cardamon (optional)

1 egg lightly beaten

1 cup low-fat milk

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup  fruit spread (I used about 1/2 can of the apricot cake and pastry filling by Solo) 

finely chopped nuts (I used pecans but you could use walnuts or is optional)

Heat oven to 400 degrees. Spray 12 muffin cups with non-stick spray. Set aside.

In large bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar, wheat germ, baking powder, orange peel, cinnamon, and salt, nuts; mix well. Combine egg, milk and oil- mix well. Add to dry ingredients all at once; mix just until blended. (Batter will be thin) Fill each muffin cup 13/ full with batter. Carefully spoon 1 teaspoon apricot fruit spread in center of each muffin cup. Spoon remaining batter over fruit spread, dividing equally over all muffins. Bake 20 to 22 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 10 minutes (if you can!) Serve warm or cool. Yummy!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday and to my dearest sweet friend thank you for inspiring me to get back to writing my blog regularly! I have missed it and all of my blog friends too.

~Tanya

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Beautiful Easter Sunday

It's a beautiful Easter Sunday. Spring is finally here and it's a day to celebrate renewal and the gift of our Savior. It has been a day to reflect for me and to look forward to new things in life. I wish you a Happy Easter and some yummy chocolate too from the Easter Bunny!

I made this Easter outfit for my niece years ago. She was precious as a toddler and truly one of the loves of my life! The French Heirloom bonnet was a t-bonnet made of French laces and puffing strips. I repeated the idea in the detachable collar. Along the hem of the dress there are scalloped shaped pintucks.  

Easter is perfect for pink roses! 

Happy Easter!!!

~Tanya

Everything must change...

It was recently announced that the sewing publication Sew Beautiful would no longer be published. The publication was an inspiration to many who fell in love with French Heirloom Sewing. I was introduced to the magazine and French Heirloom Sewing when I was just nineteen years old. I signed up to take a class at a local Bernina dealership offered by Susan Oliver. She was one of the very early teachers at the Martha Pullen school and had studied and honed her skills. I admired her generous and kind heart as she taught this unique sewing style. I remember sewing on my not 'top-of-the-line' machine during the class and longing for one of the newer machines with perfect tension that didn't seem to chew up my lace and fabric!

  

The magazine also was the first place I had my writing published. Working with the editor and seeing my first magazine article was a real thrill. I queried the magazine at the urging of a university professor and how exciting it was to receive that first acceptance letter! 

 I've had many years of enjoyment and inspiration from this wonderful magazine. I've enjoyed it both personally and professionally.

It may be the end of an era for this sewing publication but the inspiration it offers will last many generations.

~Tanya

Tell me on a Sunday...

A beautiful spring Sunday filled with promise, hope and inspiration.

I can only imagine the winds that carried the tiny seeds of this tiny grape hyacinth and planted it in between broken concrete. Yet, it bloomed in the most unusual and difficult circumstance.

Inspiration and beauty can come in the most pleasantly surprising places.

~Tanya

Duckies

Nothing cuter than baby ducks!

These are paper-pieced three dimensional duckies! 

Their little wings are so soft and flap as fast as they paddle. Calm and cool on the surface but paddling like crazy under the water! 

A joy to make for a special little one.

Quack! Quack! Happy Day!!!

~Tanya

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