Santa Cruz 2013

I would like to say that I have been at the Sea since my last post, but sadly, that is not the case.

Oh, but we had the most wonderful time. 

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day, with the exception of Kristina and Beth not being able to join us...but next year...for sure. 

The sunshine was amazing, the sea air, the whooshing of the waves, all just so perfect. 

I'm fascinated by homes on the beach. 

The lives lived there, by strangers I don't know. 

This one in particular, right on the beach,

 the sand beneath your feet at the very moment you set foot outside. 

That sun porch area...oh my, oh my, the beauty it must have seen. 

Do you ever wonder what your life would look like in another place?

If this were my home, living by the sea, who would I be? 

Would I tire of seeing the beauty through those windows? 

Would I tire of the magnificent sunsets, and the music of the waves? 

Would I embrace the sun, as well as the fog and wind? 

Would I walk every day along the sandy shore? 

Would I pinch myself each day, just to be sure I wasn't living in a dream? 

My Sister and I talk, a lot... we talked about what we would do in that home, sitting in that sun room, having coffee and tea.  

If that were my home that room would be my favorite spot for sure. 

A perfect day indeed...

more pictures...

Good times. 

 Have a wonderful day. 

The Girasole Lady

Going To The Sea

“I am longing to be with you, and by the sea, where we can talk together freely and build our castles in the air."-Bram Stoker- 

Going to the Sea...

See you soon...

The Girasole Lady

Summer Sewing

                           

It's been a very, very, long tine since I have had the opportunity to sew during the Summer months.

As a matter of fact, let me give you a mental picture of how long it has actually been.

When my girls were little, I used to sew often, almost daily, during the Summer months.  

Our home, at that time, had big glass doors right off our bedroom that overlooked our back porch.

I set my sewing machine up right in front of those glass doors, as to keep an eye on the girls while they played endlessly in their wading pool, surrounded by all sorts of water toys. 

They rode their riding toys across the BIG cement patio.  

They set up 'house' and had 'tea', and even went to 'school'. 

All the while watching them create a bond of sisterhood and friendship.

In case you're wondering-that was in the early 80's and I continued for several years afterward. 

Since then I cannot recall a time that I have used the words Summer and Sewing in the same sentence. 

But now, this Summer, I have sewn.

For so many past Summer's I have been a 'full-time' gardener. 

Having a smaller garden is so much less work.  

Remember the quilt I started at the first of the year? 

Well, I finally got around to finishing the top. 

Yes- I sorely missed the birthday deadline! 

(sorry Kristina) 

I made a few sundresses out of the most adorable fabric. 

It's a Sarah Jane design, printed on Michael Miller fabric. 

It is called 'Children At Play'. 

 I made this Sundress for Mia. 

Using this Dress pattern tutorial

I had to tweak the pattern here and there for sizing changes. 

I made two similar dresses in a smaller size, but forgot to take pictures of them before I gave them away as a baby gift. 

I picked up a couple of pillows from Costco 

and made some really cute cases to cover them...

 A pillow case for Mia

and a pillow case for Laci. 

This is the pillowcase Tutorial I used

The pillowcase tutorial was amazingly simple, and I would highly recommend it to anyone. 

Enjoying the Summer days.

The Girasole Lady