Heidi – “Liebenhund’s Hydrangea”
3/21/00 – 5/21/10

It’s been almost 3 weeks and I still can’t talk about it much. It was time. She left us with dignity and grace, just as she lived her life. She will always have a special place in our hearts and memories.

This is Cate our neighbor and dog sitter. We got Heidi right after Cate and her family moved in next door. In middle school she started a pet sitting business. She just finished her junior year in high school and has been the greatest friend to all of our animals. When she heard that we were preparing for the inevitable she came over to say goodbye. You can tell by the looks on both of their faces how much they loved eachother.

This is my best friend Jayne with Heidi the day before we made our final journey. Jayne and I have taken our dogs to the local off leash forest preserve for years. She also dog sits for us when Cate isn’t available. She came by to say goodbye and offer her love. Again, it is obvious how much Heidi touched lives.

Since I started working at the Bernina dealership and am surrounded by sewing machines and fabric all day again I’ve been inspired to sew again. I’ve made a few projects at work for store samples but wanted to do something for me. Plus I needed clothes to wear to work.

This simple sundress has a fabulous retro 60’s housewife feel to it that I just love. The bodice is fully lined and it has a zipper on the left underarm seam. The bodice detail of the bust pleats instead of darts and the waist band give a nice fitted look. Plus it has pockets! Who doesn’t want a dress with pockets?!?!

I put it on and immediately began channeling Lucille Ball, Barbara Billingsley and Betty Draper. I must wear this dress with pearls.

The fabric is from the Moda line Freebird by MoMo (available in my etsy store!) The pattern is Simplicity 2886

This is the latest project to keep my hands busy during season finales of my favorite shows. I used this yarn (Caron Simply Soft) to knit Emma a little cardigan hoodie quite a few years ago. It was striped so I ended up with a lot of left over yarn in these fabulously bright, cheerful colors. You may remember this post from last fall and the large granny blanket I was making out of this yarn. It sat in a bag since then, never finished. But then I started seeing the gorgeous Hexagon Blankets on Ravelry and inspiration hit and once again I was frogging an almost completed project. Even though this is inexpensive (read: cheap as hell) acrylic yarn I’m loving this project and know the finished object will be lovely. I think it will end up either in a hope chest awaiting a grandbaby someday (or maybe just another grand-niece from one of our many nieces and nephews) or it may just grace our guest bedroom where the walls are painted that bright green.

Speaking of FINISHED crochet projects here is the Ripple Blanket in its natural environment. (In truth, its more natural environment is in a heap on the floor in front of the sofa because it is always being used by someone in the family and they don’t remember to fold it just so and put it back on the back of the couch.)

I have some other things I have been working on around here too. I have a back and one front done on the Nantucket Cardigan but it seems to be in a little time out right now. I love it and it is coming together quickly but I’ve just been enraptured with the crochet again.

We also spent a good long weekend working on the yard and I’m really happy with how it is looking again. All the hard work I put in last fall has paid off this spring. I finished up a few last little tasks and ordered 15 yards of hardwood mulch. The four of us spent three days edging, mulching and trimming about 2 weeks ago. Then it was warm and then rained a lot and now everything is up and green and gorgeous.

These purple clematis are right outside my den window and I just adore them. They are my favorite shade of purple and are blooming like never before. I have white and dark red clematis elsewhere in the yard that should burst into bloom this week.

The last and maybe most important bit of news to share is that I finally found a job! Back in the fall when I realized I needed some outside help to pay off my debt from the store I stopped at the new Bernina dealership in town and dropped off a resume. The owner was very nice and interested in having me teach some kids/teens sewing classes. We finally got around to talking seriously about scheduling some classes and then she called to ask if I was also interested in working part-time on the sales floor. I jumped at the chance! I’ve been there just about two weeks and I’m enjoying it very much. It’s nice being “just an employee” again.