Jessica Flores Design

Is Less More?

There is something stirring in me.  Some of it may be procrastination today, but the core of it is a struggle, I think. The realization of it started, oddly enough, with this book.  

It's called "The Wilder Life," and it was written by Wendy McClure during her adventures traveling through the Midwest to the home sites of Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is not another Laura biography or a new expose of the Ingalls family.  It is a journey of the heart taken by a woman much like me, maybe like you, reaching back to her own girlhood and searching for clues to what has shaped her and what will carry her.  If you have never read the entire "Little House" series by Wilder, have never wondered what exactly a slough is or how to pronounce it, have never thrown on a dowdy, oversized Good Will dress just to look and feel pathetic while hoeing the garden with your little brother, you will not get it.  

Every page I turned, I felt a flutter of familiarity as McClure described the wonder she found in the Little House series. . . and on the next page I was laughing my butt off at her and her boyfriend's 21st century take on it!  As I recognized myself in Wendy's memoir, I began to see that something--maybe everything-- in these books had a little part in making me who I am too.

Maybe my longing to set up a neat and tidy little house complete with a smooth checkered cloth on the kitchen table comes from Wilder's explicit descriptions of setting up house in one of many new cabins on the prairie.  I think that forlorn little chicken coop in my back yard has something to do with it, and need I say anything about the 5 button jars and trunk full of vintage scraps under this table I'm typing away at?
I want to make a living on this dadblasted Prairie, and I want to pull it up out of the already-tilled and depleted cornfields, the mail order chickens, and the thrift store curtains of these rural fringes of suburbia!!

Like McClure says, her obsession with "Laura World" is not about living a "simple" life.  I'm not under any delusion about that either.  What's so simple about darning your socks, churning your own butter, or leading the cows out into pasture every morning and back to the barn at night?  I like my modern day conveniences and the Meijer just 15 minutes away via automobile, thank you very much, and just letting the dog out in the morning is enough for me. 

Yet, the next book that landed on my night stand is this:  Less is More: Embracing simplicity for a healthy planet, a caring economy and lasting happiness.  Are you still with me after that lengthy title?  (And is it just me, or is that title itself just a little ironic?) I'm afraid I'm not still with the book.  After trudging through the Acknowledgments, the Preface and the Introduction, it became pretty clear that there was some kind of weird Henry David Thoreauism going on here.  Don't get me wrong.  I love the guy, but really, seeing a bug crawl out of my kitchen table is not something that is going to bring me epiphany.  And you're not going to hook me by ending your first essay with this sentence:  "If you're out and you've forgotten your travel mug, you don't deserve coffee."  I guess it was the  adorable little wooden bird on the cover that sucked me in.

Another segment of Less is More presents this definition of simplicity:  "freedom from deceit or guile; [ok, ok, sounds good] sincerity [I'm cool with that];  artlessness [WHA?!] . . . done!

Here's where my worlds collide and my struggle seems to bubble to the surface.  I do want to live a more simple life (why else would I have requested the stupid book from Interlibrary loan in the first place).  I want to make less of an impact on this world.  I want to learn to be content with less, to crack a warm blue egg in to my cast iron skillet in the morning . . . but I AM CREATING STUFF EVERY DAY in this little country cottage.  MORE STUFF!  For who?  For the others who are trying to do more with less? No.  Then it must be for those who are trying to do more with more.  How hypocritical is that? 

So how does an artist with these perpetual wheels turning in her head, this insane need to create, to envelope her world in the beauty of "thingy-ness," with china shepherdesses on the mantel and all, reconcile this to a world that needs less?  Is it as simple as campaigning for consumers to commit to handmade, repurposed and upcycled art? Is my "passion" really a spiritual gift in any way, or is it something I should turn from?  Who or what is it glorifying? And is the time spent making my art a business really just complicating my life?  (my toilet is running right now and has been for an hour, but I don't want to stop writing. Will you hold it against me?)

I wish I could say--as McClure notes that Ma always did near the end of a chapter, "All's well that ends well," but today there is only lingering doubt.  These are the questions I'm asking as an artist here and now.  These are the reasons my work lies folded on the cutting table today  .  .  . I'm off to "jiggle the handle" and pour a cup of joe into my travel mug. . . . 

 

Stencil-mania

I opened my new Country Living magazine yesterday to this page, and my crafty wheels started spinning.  

I instantly remembered the vintage stencil set I'd picked up at a farm auction last fall and dug it out of the basement this afternoon (despite the fact that I should be sewing on 3 custom bags, but hey, technically, this is still a holiday for me).

I thought I'd put the set in my Etsy shop, but when I started working with it, I knew it was quickly going to turn into a new craft tool obsession (and they just might sneak into my decorating too).

Although I do want to eventually make a bag like the one in the spread, I started with some new key tags,

and then moved on to embellishing this medallion I had sitting on my Hoosier cabinet.  

My friend, Jodi, gave me the antique lined paper with notes from a nineteenth c. science course.  It ended up being too brittle to use as a hanging do-hickey, so I think I'm just going to use a series of the center circles for a long hanging garland of X's and O's for Valentine's day.

Keep an eye on my Etsy shop for the finished product and the keytags above!

Christmas To and From

Phew!  Christmas is over. We had a wonderful, relaxed day full of surprises and laughter and love--a day that made all of the hustle bustle and hassle of the preceding weeks evaporate into the snowless winter air. As December wore down, I began composing a mental list of the Twelve Disasters of Christmas and daily lowering my expectations for the gifts I wanted to make, the cookies I wanted to bake and so on.  Needless to say, I did not do a great job of managing the holiday stress this year.  (Is it just me, or was there also a lot more "Humbuggery" out there this time 'round?)  

Here's what I did get done:

A pillowcase for Nora from Heather Bailey fabrics. She loves our set of "His & Hers" antique embroidered ones and decided that she needed one that says "Ours."  My applique work is not the best here, so I just decided to go crazy on it with some freeform stitching and a crocheted posey. This "roll it up" pattern was so simple and fun--a really great project for beginners. Go make some for yourself, or donate them to the cause.

She'd also been asking for a new flannel headband like the one I made for her class gift exchange

Teacher got a pretty rosette pin

and my mom got a set of quilted pot holders with rickrack.
 When I was little, she made creamed peas all the time, and I loved them.  When looking through my stash of fabrics to use, I found some printed with a recipe for the very same dish.  Perfect!  

I also made a sock monkey and an oil-cloth bag full of felt food for a couple of my nieces, but didn't get a chance to photograph them before they were wrapped.  Boo.

My sister got in on the handmade gift giving too and made the kids these adorable puppet theater curtains.
 Speaking of my lovely sister, she did not forget me either. Can you believe this fabric?!
 She scoured my Pinterest boards and ordered it fresh from Korea.  What should I make!?  

Most of these gorgeous pics are courtesy of my new Canon Powershot given to me by my dear parents.  My world is looking so much rosier through its viewfinder now.

I hope you had a Christmas filled with as much 

as I did.

 

P.S.  Hang around for info in the new year about my new Etsy shop full of vintage finds!  

Fresh Water Two Ways

Today is Black Friday, but I'm not offering any special deals in my shop, and I didn't stand in line all night waiting for my chance to buy the latest thingamajig.  Instead, I'm making a point to avoid all of the Christmas commercialism hoopla and enjoy a quiet (and sunshiny) day at home with family, some leftovers, and a Barbie movie.  I also put the finishing touches on my donation to the Women's Ministry Auction at my church.  The group is raising money for a freshwater well to be built in Africa.

I'm praying that every stitch put into this fancy clutch will turn to life-giving drops of clean water through the bids of some generous ladies.  . . . and that these matching rosette hairpins will sweeten the deal.

If you're from the Northern Indiana area, you're welcome to join us at the auction at Nappanee Missionary Church this coming Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.  If not, would you consider joining my pal, Flower Patch Farmgirl, in her effort to raise funds toward a well?  Just click the button below to contribute.  

Heat Therapy

A few weeks ago Nora had a tummy ache at bedtime.  Whether it was real or invented, I found a way to soothe her and send her off to dreamland quickly--a terry-cloth bag full of navy beans.  I popped it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, and, presto, we had an impromptu heating pad (I lost my electric version years ago).  The toasty new invention fascinated her, and before I knew it, she was complaining of tummy trouble every night, just so she could warm up with it.  I have to admit, I did steal the thing from her once after she drifted off to warm my toes in my own frigid bed.  The only problem is that it smelled like a pot of beans, and that is not a pleasant fragrance to snuggle up with at the end of the day.

So, I set out to do some research on heat/aroma therapy bags that looked and smelled a little better than . . . well, a terry cloth bag full of beans.  Here's what I came up with

They're made of linen and hold a muslin bag inside filled with rice and lavender essential oil.  The covers can be tossed in the wash if needed and will make nice gifts for my family members who never read this blog.

Nora was still requesting one of her own as I worked on these, so while she was at school yesterday, I made this for her

She has named her "Lilly" and couldn't wait to go to bed with her last night. She's filled with her own lavender-scented therapy bag to make bedtime extra cozy.

 I'm hoping to make some more in a neck pillow shape for those really stressful weeks when I get that "pain in the neck" by Friday.  None of these will probably make it to the Etsy shop by Christmas, but if you're interested in a custom order let me know.  The rectangular ones are $15, and the owl (or maybe another favorite animal of your choice) is $22.  

 

Rosette Brooch Giveaway

I've announced a giveaway over on my Facebook Page for the pretty pin below.  It's made from silk, cotton and linen with glass beads and a vintage button and would look so lovely on one of your winter sweaters.  If you haven't become a fan yet, this would be a great time to go over and "like" Jessica Flores Design, but you don't need to be a fan to win.  I'll choose a winner at random from those who comment below on Saturday, November 19.  

I'm hoping to add some of these to my Etsy store before Christmas.  Wouldn't they make great gifts?  

Homespun Holidays

Yesterday I dumped out my sling bag, because I couldn't take its grunginess any longer.  Four months of slummin' around on my car floor and being clutched by end-of-the-day grimy hands had taken its toll, so I threw it in the wash.  That's what I love about my vintagey handmade bags--when they're lookin' more shabby than chic, toss them in the machine, and you're done.

What I was left with on the counter was not so much love.  More like a big ol' pile o' coupons, clippings, receipts and other paper clutter.  I had a few hours of free time to catch up on projects for Homespun Holidays (see below), but I just couldn't bear to stuff that unruly junk back into my bag when it came out clean.

So I pulled out some of the old barkcloth I bought at a farm auction a couple of weeks ago and made this:

handy dandy, no? I just love those cool deer sihouettes in the pattern.

If you'd like to shop for more of my new creations, please mark your calendars for next Thursday, Friday or Saturday, November 10 - 12.  

I'm stocking the Loft full of all of my accessories, home dec items, and greeting cards for Bremen's Homespun Holidays promotional weekend.  

Everything will be on sale 10 - 50% off. 

Bring the kids on Saturday for a $2 Make & Take Christmas craft, or sign up to learn how to crochet Granny Squares in a class at 10 a.m. Remember, the Loft is a full-service yarn shop too, so plan to come in and stock up for your knitting and crochet projects while you're there.  Hours for the weekend will be 9 - 5 Thursday and Friday and 9 - 3 on Saturday.  We'll put the tea on.  See you there!

 

Turtle Necks are Cozy

This morning I woke and looked out the window to the first frost of the season.  One of my Facebook friends reminded me of a favorite poem by our beloved Hoosier poet, James Whitcomb Riley soon after.  I think it's a fitting description: 

 

 

 

They's something kindo' harty-like about the atmusfere
When the heat of summer's over and the coolin' fall is here	10
Of course we miss the flowers, and the blossoms on the trees,
And the mumble of the hummin'-birds and buzzin' of the bees;
But the air's so appetizin'; and the landscape through the haze
Of a crisp and sunny morning of the airly autumn days
Is a pictur' that no painter has the colorin' to mock—	15
When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

Inside the flannel sheets have been stretched across the bed, the snuggly slippers lie in wait at the foot of my bedside table, and the coffee press is in use every morning.

I thought it would be a good day to share with you my tutorial for making a cozy for your French Press pot from a turtle neck sweater.  

I've been on the hunt for wool sweaters to use for my blackboard erasers, and I found this great J.Crew turtle in a beautiful heathered aqua at a garage sale for $2.

The first thing to do is wash it in hot water in the machine and dry on high in the dryer--this should shrink it down good to fit your toddler--essentially, you're "felting" it.  If the fibers haven't gotten super tight and fuzzy, run it through the cycle again.

Now you're ready to cut.  Carefully, slice down the neck vertically and then around the neck horizontally below the seam that attaches the neck to the rest of the sweater.

For the straps, cut a length of the ribbing two rows wide off of the end of the cozy.  Fold in half and cut again horizontally, so you have two pieces equal in length.

Now fold the cozy in half and cut a notch out of the bottom on the fold to accommodate the handle where it meets the bottom of the pot.  Be sure to measure your pot first!

Select some buttons that you'd like to use to secure the straps, and sew button holes in the straps to fit the buttons.

 Position the straps on the cozy according to measurements of your pot and pin.

 Use a blanket stitch to attach the straps with embroidery floss.  I like the pearl cotton kind.

Run a blanket stitch along the edges of the rest of the cozy to finish.

Sew the buttons on the opposite side of the cozy.

 Wrap your cozy around your pot and button into place . . . 

then enjoy a hot cup (or two) of joe! 

Giveaway winner

Congratulations to the winner of the giveaway from my last post--Char!  Thanks for sharing your Monday pick-me-up.  You'll be receiving a package of my newest Farmgirl cards!

I've repackaged all of the farmgirls into packs of two identical designs and will be listing them on Etsy soon, and don't forget--custom orders are always welcome, so I'll be happy to mix up a package of all of your favorites too!

 

All Good Things (and a little giveaway)

 . . . must come to an end, and this gal is glad they do tonight.  Whew did I work hard today at the "All Things Handmade and Vintage Market!"  Thanks to everyone who came out to explore the new creations in my booth.  The crowd was great, I met a bunch of nice people, and I was pleased with the way my display came together--although this shot does it no justice.  

I feel so vain taking shots of my own work in public, so I snap them quickly when I hope no one's watching, and this is what I end up with.  Sigh . . . 

Any ol' how, if you're wondering what's next, I will be posting all of the remaining goods on Etsy this week, because it is really lookin' sparse over there.  You'll soon find crocheted rosette headbands, more erasers, collagey keychains, and much more, including this brand spanking new windmill pillow

Then, once my house is spic and span from top to bottom, I shall start working on even more pretties for a holiday open house in November at The Loft!  We'll have specials, refreshments and giveaways.  Keep an eye on my Facebook page for updates.

Yawn. . . time for bed. Tomorrow is Monday and another eight hours at the day job.  Tell me what you do (or others have done) to brighten your Mondays in a comment on this post, and I'll enter you in a surprise giveaway from my "stationery department. ;)"