Monday's Mother's Day Update - Fun for All!

Well, mother's day was a blast! I went to my mom's in the afternoon and gave her the present: the special edition of Mary Poppins - I had purchased it when it had first become available for pre-order in January, as I knew it was the first movie my mom had ever seen in the theaters as a kid. It was definitely a hit!
After that we went to see a quilt show that my mom's quilter's guild was holding (it's only every 2 years so we were lucky to go). My mom had several quilts on display there, including the one she made for me, above. She didn't win any awards (I'd like to have a chat with the judges, lol), but we had a great time seeing all of the different quilts - there were over 200!! - and also the different vendors. I'm not a quilter, but as an artist, I can definitely appreciate the love and hard work that goes into this art form :)
While browsing one of the vendors I found a really cool book on quilting landscapes - too amazing - and my mom said she had never seen it before and had always wanted to try quilting landscapes....so I bought it for her 'early birthday present'...keeping in mind that her birthday is in September, LOL. It is a phenomenal book, however, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with! We kept walking around, admiring the quilts and vendors (a few vendors were selling these amazing computerized quilting machines that took much of the back-breaking labor out of quilting, but were....wait for it....$16,000 dollars!! eep!). One of the vendors had 'easy quilt kits' that had all the material and the instructions for about the same price as the book I got my mom. The fabrics in it were sooooo pretty and I kept picking it up and putting it down...picking it up and putting it down. I really liked it, but I'd just bought the book and didn't have the money to buy that in the first place so the quilt kit was definitely out of the question...
...."moooom?"
...."Yes honey?"
....."This is really pretty fabric..."
..."Yes it is - and the quilt would be very easy to make," (at this point the sales lady says, "Oh yes, you can whip these up in about 3 hours!" and I say, "Not with my sewing skills you can't!", anyway, back to the narrative),
..."Mmooomm I can't sew, and I'm really trying to work on my jewelry at the moment....do you think we could do this for my early birthday present?" (now the sales lady asks when my birthday is and I have to tell her that it is in September, to the laughter of everyone around us)
...."You want this? But...But...But....It's so simple! I could do something with a bit more flourish, though it might take a bit longer..." She kept spluttering at the near indignity of being asked to do something so rudimentary *sigh* she is sometimes too much of an artist, LOL.
...."But this would be a really good lap quilt that I could snuggle in and wash a million times and not have to worry about the dog farting on it and I could think of you every time I warm up under it.....Pleeeeease? I'll even buy it if you are willing to make it" (Here is where I do 'cute' eyes, which my mom knows is a joke as I would never beg and if she didn't want to, I'd never push her, but she's got that smile on her face, you know the one, where your mom really wants to indulge, but still can't believe you want something so small, simple, and inexpensive)
"Really? You want this? For your birthday? 4 months from now?" Her eyebrows are in danger of disappearing into her hairline from surprise...
"Mmmm hmmm. It is so pretty and simple and beautiful and I love it! And you'd have lots of time to finish it if you got busy with your art quilts,"
"Where's my credit card?"
"Woo!"
It was a good Mother's Day all around :-D
I hope your day was great too!

Soulful Sunday: Happy Mother's Day!

Yes, I know, it looks a little odd. When everyone else is showing roses and countryside worthy of Da Vinci paintings for their Mother's Day posts, I show two little dandelions. Well, there's a story, and since you're still sitting here I'll tell you:
As a kid, my mom and I didn't have much money, and before my step dad finally came around (like, where had he been? lol), I didn't have anyone to take me places to 'get mom a present'. So I made her presents, painted her pictures and, of course, brought her dandelions. Lots of them! I made bouquets and they would be all over the apartment, and later, the house. When I got older I tried making chains and headbands out of them, but one eensy weensy bug in my hair quickly put an end to that! So a dandelion bouquet it would be, it is, and it forever shall be.
So here's to my mom, who did a pretty darn fine job (if I do say so myself!). Who taught me to ride a bike, swim, be kind to others, love to help people, and most importantly, love learning. I may not be perfect, but I would be nowhere near the person I am without your love, support, guidance and unconditional cheering-on.
I love you, you are wonderful, and I couldn't have chosen a better mom if I had tried.
I hope you love your dandelions :)

Fabulous Friday - Have I Got a Bracelet for You!

I LOVE this bracelet! I was thinking of Mother's Day, coming up next month and I got creating, thinking of my mom. I wanted it to be pretty and feminine, but not too 'girly'. I wanted something that would be timeless and would look good with everything form jeans and a t-shirt to a nice dress.
I used Swarovski Crystal pearls in white, with silver daisy spacers in between each bead, and then I used 3 hand-painted ceramic in the center to represent mom's role in family in the past, present and future. I finished the bracelet with a spiral clasp in non-tarnish silver plated wire. I added a small pink Swarovski pearl dangle on the clasp for extra prettiness.
This will be for sale on my Etsy store shortly - and will get to just about anywhere in good time for Mother's Day!