Just Keep Swimming

This morning was tough, but only by my own design (hey, I am a designer after all). Outwardly, everything was great: Bronwyn slept well, was cheerful in the morning, and we got off to school without a hitch. But inside, there was anxiety brewing. It was picture day at school today. We missed the first go 'round because Bronwyn was sick, so today was our last chance for a school picture (the re-take day). I don't know why it feels so important to me to get a nice school picture. I have a camera, and I have reasonable skills with it, but somehow, getting a school picture feels like an important part of being "normal" in life.


Weeks before picture day, I talked with Bronwyn's teacher about the best way to go about the physical part of photographing her: Should we keep her in her wheelchair? Should we try another type of seating? How much time do we have for the shot? Do I get to participate? Her teacher assured me that the photographers were used to taking photos of kids with special needs, and that they were very patient and accommodating. I backed away from the cliff a little.

Upon arrival at school this morning, we went straight away to the photo session.

There was a long line.

Bronwyn got crabby.

It was our turn.

Bronwyn couldn't keep her head still.

She had a seizure.

She cried.

The photographer said she didn't have time to let Bronwyn calm down and try again.

We didn't get a picture.

DEEP BREATH: I put on a brave face and when we returned to the classroom I said that it was okay, but I was having a hard time not crying! I felt so devastated... why???

I went to the gym and got some exercise. I reminded myself of what is really important.

I told myself that I had put too much emotional energy into something that wasn't really a big deal.

But my heart didn't want to listen. Maybe I just need to have an emotional day; sometimes it's just the thing. Life's a sea of emotion, and it's best to keep on swimming through.

Today's photos are of the new pinnafore that I made for Bronwyn for picture day. She sure does look adorable in it, even if I can't show you with a picture of her wearing it right now. Today's Song: "No New Tale to Tell" by Love and Rockets. Click ont the Blip.fm icon on the right hand side of the blog to hear it.

Thinking Soft

I am having a really good time making pillow covers (when I have time). It's a different way to play with fabric combinations to create a mood, and gets my mind working in new ways. Yesterday, I purchased a small selection of plain colored cottons in hopes of making more pillows in combination with coordinating prints. These sumptuous colors rock my world!

And this pillow is one that was made by special request for my dear friend, Sam. I liked it so much that I made another for my Artfire and Etsy shop.

Productive

It is a busy time of year for me, and I am having a hard time finding the time for all of the bits and pieces (like keeping up with my blog). Here I will show you a new messenger bag that I just finished. It was inspired long ago in this post by my garden. I named this the "Sweet Potato" Messenger because of the color and the vining, organic nature of the print. The lining is a Civil War reproduction stripe in cheddar.


Today I am working on completing a donation to the YMCA for their charity auction, and then it's back to keeping up on inventory for the holidays. I just inherited a bag of gorgeous wool sweaters that I plan to make up into throw pillow covers. Stay tuned!

In home news, Bronwyn lost her top front tooth. She looks older to me already! Here she is, feeling proud of herself!

Something New

As I promised in my first newsletter, I am introducing Home Decor items to my shops. I am beginning with pillow covers. I have a love of linen: the texture, the drape, and it's unfussy elegance draw me in. The first two covers that I've made feature a bit of linen with a satiny, home decor weight cotton twill and also a standard woven cotton. This first one is made with colors that I am surrounded by right now. And even though the print is snowberries, I was inspired by this pebble and moss photo that I took a while back:

This is the back side of the snowberry cover. It is in a cotton twill called, "Olive Oil." Isn't that a great name?













The second cover that I made has a linen back and cotton front:

















It was inspired by the contrast between the soft, pearly light of the Pacific Northwest and the fall leaves.


Stay snug, my friends!

Making Light

We have entered the late phase of fall. We live in the Northern Hemisphere. Not the northern most hemisphere, but we're closer to the pole than many. This means that the days get shorter and shorter as the winter comes closer. By Winter solstice, it is dark here by 4:00 in the afternoon. This can be tough for a sun-loving gal like myself, and so I do what I can to invite the light into my life whenever possible. For Halloween this past weekend, Bronwyn and I set up luminaria along our driveway and fun and spooky pumpkins on our porch to invite the goblins to our door. I used three candles in each pumpkin instead of just one, and the effect was very cheerful (if a spooky pumpkin can be described that way).


We had a great time seeing everyone's creative costumes and got rid of most of our candy!

I hope everyone else had a fun and safe Halloween!

In the realm of BCharmer news, I am excited to tell you that I have started a newsletter! I'm not sure how often it will come out yet (maybe quarterly?), but the first one has already been sent out. If you would like to receive it (with coupons and extra studio news), you can sign up on the right hand side of my blog here. It's easy to sign up; just enter your name and e-mail address, and then confirm your e-mail when prompted to. That's it! Cheers!