Raige Creations

Quilting. I have done it before, learning a bit more each one, always using what I have found or saved.  My first quilt, from vintage fabric found in my mothers basement , for my wonderful In-Laws. The second was for my flannel shirt loving hubby while we were in cold Western New York. The third for my little girl (not so little by the time I made it) made with her favorite clothes and fabrics through her childhood years - the Stages of My Little Girl . And, I am at it again. This one is for my youngest, tee shirt only wearing son.  Choosing My youngest, who wore the same skull shirt until it was 2 inches too short and no longer black, seen in every picture snapped of him over probably 6 years of his younger life. Seriously, every picture he had the same shirt on, for like 6 years all through elementary school. It is the very faded worn one in the second row, 3rd from the right. This was jet black when new. Now, so loved and worn and absolutely included in this quilt.  C...

 It has been raining since I got up this morning. It is almost lunchtime.  Though I could have slept in today, I didn't. I am taking vacation. Happy that it is raining today. Otherwise I probably would be running errands and busy busy. Instead, I pulled out all the tee shirts that I have to make a quilt for my youngest. I finally have a working sewing machine, and the time to just sit and think about how I want the quilt to look. I am just sitting and brainstorming.  The sound of the rain on the roof, some S. Pellegrino (fancy water I treat myself to, it's the little things sometimes. Fizzy water it a guilty pleasure for  me.) . Ahhhhhh.  So I will continue to brainstorm, while it is storming. I may cut some tee shirts, may play with placement. I have been trying to do some thinking, some regrouping, some work at balancing life, work, self. Heavy thinking. It has been perfect weather for this. I may have some tea this afternoon. And if the sun comes out, well th...

What a whirlwind weekend last weekend was. Full of swirling emotions, travel, old friends, family I hadn't seen since I was a kid! All culminating in Buffalo, or BFLO in these days of acronyms. A lovely gift from my cousin, I have been wearing it every day. I love the little jingle the buffalo's make when I move my arm. I arrived to town for my brother's memorial service . He had suddenly passed away 2 weeks prior, and it was last weekend when the memorial service was scheduled. I arrived to my cousin's place, I will call her Host Cousin, late in the evening, trying to prepare for the potential turmoil of the weekend. But to my surprise and delight, her place was nothing but a haven of peace and tranquility. I was immediately drawn to her dining room table. A puzzle!  A puzzle! I was drawn to it and found it strangely calming. Now, my mother used to do puzzles. Or maybe not 'do' them but, had them out and in progress to mess with in the off c...

Greeting Card from NobleWorksCards.com We all have our 'I can't remember where I put that' moments. I have them more regularly than I like. I get teased relentlessly for it. You might remember if you follow me on Facebook , that I went searching for my Kindle , with no success.   Many, many months ago I misplaced my Kindle . I searched high, low, in between. I looked everywhere I thought I would put it, safely. I looked everywhere I thought I would put it that made no sense. I looked under the couch (found far too many hairballs), under the bed (found some socks), cleaned out my closet (where I found far too many clothes that I don't wear anymore). No luck.   I was teased, lectured, and felt completely terrible, like an idiot. I could not for the life of me remember where I put it, but I KNEW it was in the house, somewhere. I just could not for the life of me remember!   We STILL have boxes that were't unpacked from out last move. photo courtesy of Rai...

My Fuzzy Socks photo courtesy of Raige Creations Something about putting on my fuzzy socks comforts me.  When the fall comes, they are the first thing I put on in the dark hours of the morning.  With my fuzzy socks on, I don't feel the chill. With my fuzzy socks on, I can tackle the day. They are warm, comfy, cozy.  They signify the change of season, the colder weather. They remind me how wonderful cuddling under hubby's quilt is. They make me feel the comfort of togetherness that comes when it gets dark earlier, it gets colder, and the holidays mean family time together.  They make me feel like staying in them all day, cooking, baking, just being at home. I can't wear them with any shoes, they are too fluffy.  When I have them on, I am not going anywhere. They make me feel like staying in them all day, writing witty things, writing compelling stories, creating anything really.  So, here I am, typing nonsense about my wonderful fuzzy ...

I lost it. I lost motivation. Well, I lost motivation for running, and blogging.  I still seem to get up and go open the shop, but that is all I can seem to accomplish these days. It has been 3 weeks since I blogged! And 5 days since I have suited up and got out the door to run OR walk!!  Rainy view from work. Today, I think I remember where I stashed that motivation. It was buried under mental exhaustion and stress, and hiding from the almost non-stop rain. It is still raining, but I am pulling out my motivation to begin to dust it off and use it again.  Sometimes it takes other peoples words to get me motivated. And other people's ideas. H ere are some that helped me dust off my motivation and at least stretch today. They worked so well for me here I am, I am even blogging, and I really hope to get out there and run tomorrow. These words do relate to running, but really you can apply these to every day, simple living. (All are from Favorite Run .) --Quit o...

I noticed on my walk this morning, that the trees on the mountains are already starting to change color!  Not many, just a few. But as you look at the hills, you see a small pop of yellow here and there. Also, it has become a little too cool for just a tee shirt. I had to dig out a long sleeve to wear this morning. And during the days, it is that in-between kind of temperature where a tee is not quite enough, and a sweatshirt is just a little too much. (okay, I am convinced that hot flashes may be involved in these internal temperature swings, but hubby does not concur) Llamajamas sweater These are sure signs that sweet Summer is leaving us, and Fall is pushing his way right in. And I am starting to think I am the only one mourning this change of season this year. I am reading and hearing how wonderful fall is, how great it is that it here now, super that we get to turn on the wood burning stove, and wear our warm wool-y sweaters.  Well, I for one am going to miss the hec...

Tomorrow is the  first day of school  for my kids. Bittersweet . School buses ready and waiting for the first day. Bittersweet, you ask? Bittersweet is actually a color, a variation of orange, so fits into the coming of fall, and in 1949, "bittersweet" was made into a Crayola color , so actually quite fitting for back to school. But yes , back to school is bittersweet in the adjective sense of the word; producing or expressing a mixture of pain and pleasure . The kids say they don't want to go back to school, they have enjoyed their summer of carefree days, sleeping in, no homework, no projects or grades to worry about. The lonely swing my son and I put up. But in a way, they want to go back. Though they won't admit it , they like the structure of days with purpose, and of course they want to re-connect with their friends, maybe make some new ones. For me, it is bittersweet too. I have   enjoyed the summer with them so much. Spending time doing sm...