Curious Bird

morning swims + sewing class + chocolate chip pancakes + enough water balloons to fill a trash can = another summer camp complete

 Hello out there, 

This bird has finally landed, and is so overwhelmed by the transition, all she can muster is a quiet hello and to share a few photos. 

As soon as I settle in a bit more and tackle the mountain of laundry that awaits, I’ll be back in this space to share more. One thing I know for sure is it’s nice to be home. So. Very. Nice.

-Leya

 

homeward bound

four more days to go.

starting to smell the faint scent of Autumn in the air.

until next week,
leya

saying hello again...

this time from "dive practice" off the dock. my dive form is very much a work in progress.

hope you're having a lovely week.

-leya

saying hello again...

this time from the Art Hut, where something creative is always happening.

more hellos soon.

cheers,
leya

saying hello

from a canoe on the lake.

more soon,
leya

Hello, friends

What a week it has been. No, really, it has a been a whopper of a week around here.  I've been running around like a mad woman trying to accomplish the kazillion things that need to be taken care of. My list is two pages long.  Why all the madness? Well, it's that time again. Yep, it's time for summer camp. It is also time for a change in my routine in a big way, and time to prepare for all sorts of new adventures.

If I had more brain power, I would love to send a note to every single one of you who commented about my frustration pillow dress. Each and every comment made me smile. Thank you for your kind words. I will be happily wearing that comfy dress as often as I can, you can be sure of that.

It will be quiet around here for a while, but I'll post photos and a few words every so often. Have a great summer. I look forward to writing to you again.

Shine on,

Leya

adventures in sewing

I recently purchased several yards of the softest, lightest-weight heathered brown jersey, and when I say soft, I mean soft like I wanted to take it out of the bag and rub it on my cheek the whole way home. You know, baby blanket, thumb-sucking soft. I knew I wanted to make a dress out of it the very moment I spied it on the shelf. Honestly, I wanted to make a dress, a shirt, some pants, and maybe even undergarments. It is that soft. (I'll stop now.)

So...over the weekend, I finally found time to turn my fabric into a dress using one of my new Built By Wendy patterns (Simplicity 3692). And let me be honest, I had so much trouble. The pattern was not the problem. Nope. The problem was my beloved fabric. It was like sewing tissue paper. Stretchy tissue paper. Boo.

The mister and I have a little saying when one of us appears frustrated: "Do you need a pillow?" This particular phrase comes from my work with children diagnosed with Autism, and it refers to the idea of using a pillow to yell at or perhaps scream into when frustrated (you know, as an alternative to hitting or screaming at someone). The phrase, "Do you need a pillow?" stuck like glue when one of my favorite five year olds ever asked me repeatedly if I needed a pillow when he refused to share his crayons and noticed my facial expression turn to one of frustration (teaching him to notice and correctly read facial expressions was the goal, I could have cared less about the crayons, although sharing is nice too). He had been offered a "frustration pillow" a few months earlier and he was quite fond of returning the favor. He would sometimes ask me even if I wasn't showing signs of frustration. Just in case.

Anyway, while I sat defeated trying to sew my stretchy tissue paper dress, Dustin walked by and calmly asked me if I wanted him to bring me a pillow. As usual, his words made me laugh. I laughed for a few minutes before finally gathering my wits and finishing the darn dress. I was so happy (and relieved), I didn't even press the seams before taking the photos. And, I rewarded myself with fancy dark chocolate and by allowing myself to wear my super soft dress on Sunday and then again on Monday. Yes siree.

Cheers,

Leya

noticing...

All of the lovely purple popping up in my photos lately.

Just noticing...

Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

More soon,
L.

summer days

Hi. It's been pretty quiet around here this week. Honestly, I've been feeling the pull of Summer keeping me outside and away from the computer. It has been so nice to get away. I have really enjoyed biking around the city, stumbling upon a sweet man selling bunches of beautiful zinnias, sitting in the park doodling in my new moleskin, and getting pineapple water ice (oh, Philly, you and your water ice) with the mister.  Everyone could use a break now and then, right? 

I do have a few exciting things to share. For starters, I finished another sundress. Not only is it the most comfortable thing in my closet, but I had the fabric in my stash, so I'd like to think I made it for free (patting self on the back). Again, I used the Cinch Dress pattern by Betsy Ross, but I modified the straps and made it so it cinches in the back instead of the front. (I plan to post a photo of the back real soon. I keep forgetting to take one).

Also, I'm super excited to be a contributor to label-free, a nifty new sewing blog started by Aimee from Betsy Ross (she's a machine, I know).  Here's a little taste of what it's all about:

"Homesewn is not a dirty word. This blog is for all of you with coffee tables that double as cutting tables, sewing machines that are held together with electrical tape, and an irrepressible desire to be creative in your own, unique space and on your own terms."

Amen! There are several talented contributors, each with all kinds of sewing knowledge. I will most likely be posting about how I tend to tweak pretty much every pattern I get my hands on (I guess I have a little bit of a sewing rebel thing going on. I also plan to give tips on a few things I have always found helpful when sewing. I might even show you how I cut most everything out on the floor while Mortimer rolls around or naps on the fabric.  More on that soon.

Have a great day, and a great holiday weekend.

Bye for now,

Leya

a sweet trip to the woods

We're back from a weekend of camping and exploring in the Poconos. It was so much fun getting away to hike, cook meals on the fire, play poker (by candle light), and lounge in nature.
Now I'm ready to start my week, bug bites and all...

 

More soon, friends
Leya

Hello there,

We're packing up again, this time for a long-awaited camping trip with friends. I'm so looking forward to waking up with the birds, going on some hikes, and hopefully taking a dip in the nearby lake.

Have a nice weekend.

I'll be back next week,

Leya

Motown thinks Tuesdays are so boring. 

Hi there,

I'm back from a lovely weekend in Chicago. What a wonderful city. And it's true what they say, people in Chicago are some of the most welcoming and helpful around. All we had to do was look a little confused and someone would kindly take a moment to help us out. {Thank you, nice Chicago strangers. If you're ever in Philadelphia, I will gladly repay the favor.}

Off to start my week now. Lots to do.

More soon, friends
l. 

Off to Chicago for a few days. So looking forward to landing there and exploring for the first time.

Have a great weekend,
Leya

out of the woods

If you ever have a bat incident like I did, your friends will probably start sending you emails saying they are going to buy you all things bat-related. Apparently there is a large variety of bat items for purchase (who knew?). This print (sent to me by my friend Aimee) gives me the creeps almost as much as the actual bat did. They are freaky little creatures, especially up close.

Anyway, I am pleased to say I have followed through with all the rabies shots and am officially done. Done. Today. No more going to the doctor weekly to get a shot that makes it hard to raise my arm above my head (vicious shots). And for all the bats out there, I am fully vaccinated now, so please find someone else to mess with.

More soon, friends
L.