Good Stuff

Lungwort...A hideous name for a most beautiful and carefree perennial. Mine is in full blooming mode already, even in my late, cold little micro-zone. This photo doesn't do it justice--beautiful pink buds open to blue flowers, over gorgeous spotted leaves. A carefree treasure!

Good morning!

I'm anticipating a busy day of sewing as I plug along on my wedding favor bag order. Yesterday I got the first 50 well underway: pinning, marking, and sewing the first seam of each. Today, it will be ironing, measuring out ribbon, more pinning, and more marking.

Don't you love my ironing board cover? It was a "splurge" to which I treated myself. I bought it on Etsy, of course! Oddly enough, I find that this cheery print definitely improves how I feel about an essentially dreary task. Here's the shop I bought it from:www.etsy.com/shop/CityChicCountryMouse

 Since I'm going to be quite busy today, I know I won't have time to do much posting, so I thought I'd share some good things I've found on other blogs this morning.

First of all, check this out! It's the Lisa Lam blog from which I learned to make purses, and she has the cutest idea for documenting a baby's growth. You could do it with grandkids or pets, too. It's clever and simple:

http://u-handbag.typepad.com/uhandblog/2013/03/baby-youre-one.html

Lisa Lam's newest book. Her website has lots of terrific free tutorials. You've GOT to check it out! If I can make a purse, anyone can!

Then my friend Vanessa (regular reader and poster here!) published a fascinating account of the history of the Kewpie Doll and included photos of her own collection. I enjoyed this, and I know you will, too:

Rose O'Neill, the creator of the Kewpie Doll. Isn't this a wonderful portrait? Thanks, Vanessa, for teaching me something new and interesting about vintage toys today.

http://vintagetoyfun.blogspot.com/2013/03/all-about-kewpies-part-1.html

Good music is among the ultimate of "good stuff". I don't know about you, but I have to have something going on in the background when I'm working at a project. My radio favorite is KQAC (formerly KBPS), an exceptional membership-owned classical music station based in Portland, Oregon. It's not affiliated with National Public Radio, but is supported entirely by listeners and interested private firms and organizations. You can listen to their live stream online for free. Of course, if you can give a donation, so much the better!

http://www.allclassical.org/ 

Lastly this morning, let me leave you with a most uplifting quote from today's Our Daily Bread devotional:

"Remember, God can be known. He is a Person, not a logical or theological concept. He thinks, wills, enjoys, feels, loves, and desires as any person does. A. W. Tozer writes, “He is a person and can be known in increasing degrees of intimacy as we prepare our hearts for the wonder of it.”  ~A. W. Tozer

http://odb.org/

I hope you enjoy these links, and enjoy your day! Next time, I'll post some "Good Nonsense" to balance this all out.