I wiped away the weeds & foam. / I fetched my sea-born treasures home... Ralph Waldo Emerson







Friday, June 9, 2017

My Boro Sweater, June Full Moon, and Other Random Thoughts for Friday



 Hi! First of all we must look at the  June full moon. This moon is called the Strawberry Moon, and as it's so close to the Summer Solstice, shining for our few brief hours of spring darkness, it's a wonderfully magical and mysterious moon. There is an interesting post on Woman with Wings , a lovely , mindful, spiritual blog: with permission, quoting,
"We have a full moon rising this Friday -- I hope to wrap up more herbal bundles and write my gratitude list during the day...that night I'll set out a jar filled with lemon balm leaves and water to be infused by the full moon and other cosmic energies. I like leaving this water out the following day as well to be infused by the sun, after which I strain it. Lemon balm water helps us to be centered in the midst of chaos, also helps meditation.''



However. Yes it is still chilly here, verging on cold.


For my evening walks with Mo I must wear layers, including a wool turtleneck sweater, hat and scarf, fleece or windproof jacket. I usually wear an old lavender cashmere I've had for years. It was one of the last gifts my mom gave me; she disliked lavender color but she sent it because it was my choice. I  love it because it's from her, and also it's one of Lands End's old cashmeres from when they made thick cozy turtleneck sweaters that are also machine washable, with a bit of care. Anyway, it went from best sweater, to everyday sweater, to dog walking sweater over the years; I wear it all the time. So imagine my distress when it sprung an elbow hole.


Backtracking I've been interested in the Japanese art of ''boro'', a form of patchwork and make do.  I believe that, in Japanese, boro means ''rags''. [I'll put a couple links about boro at the end of the post.] Since I can't find my Japanese ikats and indigos I decided I would practice boro patchwork/ stitching on my beloved sweater.


Two pretty fabrics from my scraps, lined in flannel, sewed with a lavender silk twist cord. Perfect again! I love it.
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Yesterday was Mo's adoption day anniversary. It is just three years since the tiny mite was so brave and flew here all alone from California. Seems like he's been here forever, doesn't it.


I got him a pizza shaped cooky.



A bagel chew.








And a baby splash pool, in case it ever gets hot again. Poor Mo, he  may HATE it. I'll start with ice cubes in it, as Mel suggests. LOL. If it get really hot, heck, I may sit in it myself!


Then I'm working on my deck spruce up. New chairs!





I also ordered new screen disks for the windscreen portholes but Gorilla Glue wouldn't stick. I'll try the F6000 glue next, otherwise Mo will get his head stuck in the porthole.
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Lavender looks good. Two kinds. Pretty and the bees love it


'...

I'm making reusable grocery bags, six for me, six for my friend L. But then I have to go buy plastic bags for Mo cleanup, so I'm a little miffed. These are linen/ cotton drapery remnants from my stash. Washable, I hope.


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And the best! look what Mel is making!


She is an expert crocheter and she made this amazing wrap bracelet for me. I love it! ---If / when summer comes I plan to wear it everyday.


Aaaand, look what the bracelets were wrapped in. So cool. What a find. Mel has a great eye, thanks so much!




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This came in the mail. I live in the red part.





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Something for the weekend--- here's a yummy sounding recipe from Kelley to try: here .
And this week's wine is Flowers Sonoma Coast Rose` 2016   here



That's it for now. Mo and I hope to do some on-deck sewing this weekend. Fall Festival is so neglected.
Have a good weekend.

love

lizzy

gone to the beach











Boro:  My Pinterest board Boro

            French General Boro tote kit : here

            Interesting post about the History of boro: here

 NOTE for ETSY SHOP: From now, June 10 thru Fourth of July week I am having Dollar Days/ Sidewalk Sale days here in my etsy shop. When I was growing up in a small town in Illinois, the summer night sidewalk sales---many items just a $1.oo!---were always so fun, so I am recreating that here. I have marked down almost everything in my shop to just ONE DOLLAR, plus shipping. Find a treasure or two/ stock up for gift giving!
Folk art items that are not marked down [dolls, quilts, treasures from the sea] are available for reasonable offers, just PM me. All offers cheerfully considered. Be aware that items may have sold privately or thru my blog, things go fast! I'll let you know. Hopefully you'll find something you like and you'll come back soon for my Summer Lavender Hearts in Seaglass and White and Summer Blues. I hope you have fun. Happy Summer! Etsy link on sidebar

12 comments:

  1. I absolutely love your boro inspired mend. That kind of clothing carries such comfort and meaning, and "intentional" "visible" mending is one practical and pretty way to keep a piece going and going. I just love it!

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  2. Very interesting how you repaired a favorite sweater. May become the new thing stitchers want to do.

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  3. Love the boro stitching. I, too, have been fascinated with boro and sashiko. Purchased a panel to work on for future sashiko. Mel's bracelet is so sweet! Ah, little Mo - your blessing. Always good to spend time with you.Love from S.

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  4. I am sooooo loving your bracelet! So perfect for you. And perfect for summer. Great idea on how to fix your sweater. I will have to do a similar fix to a favorite shirt of mine. Cold and rainy here today, so I am doing indoor stuff. Happy Mo Anniversary! :) Kit

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    Replies
    1. I remember you too love bracelets! The boro repair goes fast and seems very sturdy.

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  5. Wow, LOTS of good stuff in today's blog! Great picture of the moon with those pink clouds.

    Love your mending! I've been looking at that type of mending, too, and it's so pretty. ALMOST makes me want my jeans to get a hole in the knee or something.

    Your new chairs are a great color. I hope you get to sit out in them to sew soon - and Mo gets to play in his pool. Maybe he'll share and let you dip your toes. My brother's small dog LOVED to chase ice cubes around in his pool - no water, just ice!

    Glad you like your bracelet! :)

    Your shopping bags look very nice - so pretty!

    I just got back from keeping my daughter company in her booth at an outdoor "Crap Fair". We had shade so not too hot (82 here today) but the wind was terrible! I feel almost sandblasted.

    Give Mo a "Happy Adoption Day" hug for me!

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  6. Congrats Mo! Three years already. How time flies. I love the boro stitching. You did a great job on patching up the sweater. And I absolutely love the wrap bracelet. I've got hemp string and old beads from broken necklaces and bracelets that I should try to do something with. Great inspiration. Have a wonderful Sunday.

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  7. So cool! Love the boro mend. That just gives a person all kinds of ideas :)

    Those new chairs look so nice on your deck. Really pretty color, and perfect for you, I think. Hope Mo likes the pool. I've often thought of getting one for myself. Maybe I will now that drought conditions have lessoned.

    You and Mo were meant to be. Hard to believe it's been three whole years!

    Beautiful sky and ocean pics. The bracelet fits right in. You have wonderful friends.

    Wine looks yummy, cheers,

    Kel

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  8. So fun to visit you, this was a getting-to-know-you treat for me! The patch, oh the patch, it is perfection and knowing the history of the sweater just makes it all the more special. And Mo....the darling. It'll be hot before you know it...3 weeks ago we had snow and now it's hell hot here in CO. Thanks for the mention. xo

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  9. Love the boro patch! I brought my bag to Ohio, but it never got taken out of the bag. The towels and bracelet are lovely and fun!
    Happy birthday Mo!

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    Replies
    1. The big boro stitch goes fast once you get started!

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  10. The boro mend is awesome! The furniture is great! And Mel, who can say enough great stuff about Mel and all of her talents!

    ~Lisa

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