I dabble

Some people have a special talent or skill...not me.
I dabble.
I like to try different things.
Cool jewelry...I think, "I can make that!"
Oooo, that's a fun painting, but so expensive..."I can paint that!"
Bake, cook, knit, crochet, sew, garden, tile...if its a home idea or new craft, I've probably tried it.
"Hi, my name is Lori, and I'm a dabbler."
Some people might find this type of crafting life frustrating, but to me it's a challenge and an adventure.
I've had epic, expensive failures...which I will not share. (Today that is.)
But, I've also discovered that there are hidden talents that I never knew that I had.
Like I said, my world is an adventure.
This weekend, was an adventure in trying new things.
I had a pile of fabric laying around. It felt wasteful to have do many beautiful patterns with their lives unfulfilled. It was my job to find their purpose, and hopefully bring myself and others joy in the process.
So here it is...
A look into my dabbling world of crafting over one weekend.

 I needed to practice frosting and filling shapes,

so why not try to make a chocolate cream cheese cookie? 

The frosting was fabulous...the cookie...oh, it was okay.

On to the the next dabble...pillows and pillowcases!

My bedroom needed a little update and I had a stack of fabric,

so just a little stitching and BOOM...update!

 

  

I had a little fabric left over so I kept right on stitching and made a few pillowcases for the Beaverton Clothes Closet too! I hope that these bright, fun colors will bring someone a little joy.  

After all of the "hard" work I definitely deserved a little deliciousness.

So I heated up my beloved pie maker, gathered supplies, and made some quiche.

Yumma!

Now I feel better.

I have dabbled in sewing, baking, savory pie making.

In my world, that all equals up to a fabulous weekend.

I might be a dabbler, but that's okay. I don't plan in changing a thing! :0)

Maybe someday I can crown myself the Sparkle Dabble Queen! (The Shiny crown is a must.)

Cheers and happiness in your dabbles this weekend,

Lori



Felt Like Home

 

Have you ever been somewhere new and instantly felt right at home?

You've never met anyone there before...

never seen their faces,

but you felt like you could've known them your whole life?

It's an amazing feeling to be surrounded by people who have the same passions.

That's exactly how I felt walking into the dog bed-sewing/stuffing party.

I didn't know anyone.

But I knew their hearts.

That's really all I need to know about someone.

Their heart is a beacon into their true nature, their true spirit and soul.

These are very beautiful hearts.

Being around them, filled my love bucket for days.

 We had just a few beds to make...

 The task is easily tackled with stories, laughter, and a few four legged friends cheering us on.

 Tada! Plenty of beds to keep Fidos comfy throughout the Spring,

and plenty more to be stuffed in the future.

Have a mentioned that I just love Fences for Fido

and every single person involved with them?

Yeah, I thought so.

Crafting Joy

It's an everyday decision.

I wake up and have to decide...

To be joyful or not.

Some days the decision is simple...

life is moving smoothly and I'm not exhausted.

then there are those other days...those days when negativity abounds

and seems to hold me hostage.

I fight against that.

Each and every day.

The world is a complicated and many times cruel place.

Without joy, what would keep us moving forward

and striving to change the world.

I choose joy.

And when I forget, well,

I made myself a little reminder to bring focus.

 

So with an idea in mind, and a craft selected,

I headed out for Craft Night.

Southern Belle Soul, Mountain Bride Heart

With letters place, friends and a drink by my side, I dive into the project. 

But there are so many colors to choose from! What to do, what to do...

 Allison had a jump start on the project, so I knew that I needed to make some decisions.
Circles...I'm good at makes circles, so that's exactly what I did...a base of neutral circles.

Swish. Swish.

 While I watch my paint dry, literally, I chat the evening away and

watch my dear friends create beauty.

How cool is this?

Melissa used pages from a Shel Silverstein as a backdrop for her painting.

 

Genius idea.

Kelly used fabric...another genius idea.



Mindy created a beautiful ombre of blue.

Me...I chose circles. Circles. Geesh.

It will work.

Drying, drying, drying...

 Nervously I remove the vinyl letters and step back...

Not bad...not bad at all. 

With a little outlining in black to help the letters stand out...

...and a couple layers of sealer...

Now, it seems worthy for hanging up around the house.

The sun is shining, literally, the birds are singing,

and someone else has made dinner.

Perfection!

Yes, I do like to imagine myself in a Disney movie.

When joy fills my heart, mind and body,

I think of myself as Snow White.

You know, where she is singing
and all of the woodland critters come help her...

that scene epitomizes joy to me.

And so does this...friends.

Beautiful, loving friends that I can be myself with

and share an evening of joy.