Notes from the Patch

Celebrating life - What A Beautiful Mess!

 

I woke up extra early Saturday morning and tip toed from the bedroom so as not to wake up my sleeping husband.  As the coffee brewed I grabbed a pad of paper and pen and in the quiet darkness of morning I started my list. I had big plans to explore some new territory, a you've survived the holidays so celebrate kind of day.

I Map Quested my course, south down 101 about 30 miles to an area I'd read about on blogs and in magazines and heard about from friends. I was excited as I added my camera to the list. I thought it would be fun to take you all along. After all, we're kind of birds of a feather here and chances are that if I liked something you probably would too.

My destination was Agoura Hills and my first stop was A Beautiful Mess, an antique boutique featuring an eclectic flow of antiques, design and oddities that all come together beautifully in simple elegance. 

As I chatted with the shop clerk I asked for permission to photograph the store, telling her about you friends in blogland that would just love the inspiration found here.

As I returned to the car to get my Nikon I discovered I'd failed to add check camera for SD card to my mornings list.

There would be no photographs on this trip. All photos here are from the store's websites.

Very disappointing because there was so much inspiration there. Oh well, I'll just have to go back - not that I need an excuse.

 I loved the elegance of A Beautiful Mess

and I think you will too.

Just down the walk was a wonderful 9,000 square foot antique mall that featured finds from over 40 vendors with a good mix of old and new.

The window still showed bits of left over Christmas but I could tell that I would love it before I ever stepped inside.

So many things I love from places I adore!

Couldn't you just imagine this full of fabric in a sewing studio? Don't know about you but I could sure fill it up without a problem.

 

Don't be surprised if you don't see this French enameled table at the Patch in the near future. I just need to figure out where to put it. It kept whispering, take me home, take me home as I walked by.

This old store fixture was fabulous with its enameled labels. Love the mustardy color!

Just posting these photos makes me want to head back there soon. There are a half dozen other antique stores in the immediate area and a sandwich shop for when you need a quick pick me up. A girl has to keep up her strength when working so hard doesn't she?

Tell them Suzanne sent you and oh, don't forget your SD card!

Encourage one another,

 

Auld Lang Syne

I recently became reacquainted with an old friend. You know, one of those friends I've never met in real life but have known for years?

Susan Branch. I have her cookbooks. I've sold her fabrics in the store. Susan and I go way back, but like friends sometimes do, we drifted apart. She was busy writing and illustrating her charming books while living in Martha's Vineyard and I pretty much just stopped cooking.

But then Susan starting blogging and we were reunited. I adore her down home, girl friend to girl friend writing style. I love her unpretentiousness. I love her kitties. Susan, I've missed you!

                                                                                                           photo by Susan Branch

                                                                                                photo by Susan Branch

Lately I've found my mind wandering (thankfully - I thought it was lost)...what would it be like to have a shop cat again? For you friends who are new, we had a kitty that lived in our store for seven years.

"Patches" just showed up for work one day and stayed. She became quite famous. Was in a national magazine, had a cover story in our local newspaper and had friends who came to Strawberry Patches just to see her. While working cats are not uncommon, Patches' work ethic and loyalty was exemplary.

Anyway. If the right cat applied I just might be hiring.

Encourage one another,

Friends do yourselves a favor and add Susan Branches blog to your reading list and then be prepared to run off to your local SPCA.

Gifts that do not fit under a tree

Last week I was interviewed for an article about blogging and one of the questions was, what do you like best about writing a blog?

My answer, without hesitation was, the connection I feel with people I might never otherwise get to know in person. 

I have been encouraged and inspired by blogs I've read and my faith has been strengthened by the love and prayers extended to me and my family through my own blog. At the risk of sounding corny; my life has been incredibly blessed and forever changed because of blogging.

Monday morning when Pam pulled Annelies name from her red polka dot bowl and announced on her video that Annelies was the winner of the PamKittyMorning collectionof fabric I had not yet met Annelies. I was later to discover that she was a blog friend of my friend in real life, Beverly and through Beverly, had become a blog reader of mine.

Here is Annelies email to me when she learned she had won:

NO WAY NO WAY NO WAY....I am screaming and dancing up and down.  I can't believe this joyous gift!!!  OH MY OH MY OH MY!!!!  I won't sleep a wink tonight because I am just so EXCITED.  Suzanne and Pam...love you both.  We aren't doing Christmas presents this year (that darn recession thing) so this is my BIGGEST SURPRISE.  Bless you both  DID I MENTION THAT I AM JOYOUS and SEW very thankful ?!!!! 

At this point I felt so glad that Pam randomly picked Annelies name from that bowl and knew she was so deserving (and certainly appreciative and excited). But then a little later in the day I got this from Annelies: 

Oh, Suzanne…you have NO idea how happy this has made me!!!  I have kind of a sneaky plan, and I am wondering if you would help me accomplish it.  We both love Beverly SEW much.  I have never met her, but her joyous spirit and deep faith have inspired me many times.  May I add,  I wrote her and said the same thing about YOU!!! 

SEW here is my sneaky plan (if it is NOT to much trouble).  Would it be possible to take each of the fat 1/8s and cut it so each would be 9" by 11"? Then I would love for you to gift the other half to Beverly.  I know she would enjoy the fabric too, she is SOOO deserving and we could both put on our creative hats to figure out what we can make with our prizes.  

(Okay, at this point I'm crying as I continued to read)

 I do not mean to make a problem for you and of course if it is to much trouble I graciously and happily accept my prize as is.  I just thought that what is better than ONE over the top excited winner….I guess TWO (G)!!!! 

Your journey,  that I have followed on your blog, inspires me often.   By example (yours and Beverly's) I find strength and hope. 

 I pray for your Christmas to be blessed with peace and joy.  I send much love and look forward to visiting your shop (which looks tooooo lovely to imagine).

I am humbled by the gifts (that do not fit under a tree) that bless our Christmas season.  

Lots of hugs and love,

Annelies

The day I decided to do a give away for the PamKittyMorning fabric I asked one of my employees to cut a 9" x 11" piece from each bolt, but then suddenly changed my mind and increased them to 9" x 22" pieces. Now I realize that was so today I could cut each piece in half so two friends, that have never met, could share the prize. 

Encourage one another,

This wonderful crazy life Circa 2011

This post is about as disorganized and random as my life right now...

Do you remember this from my Market photos back in May?

It's Circa 1934 by Cosmo Cricket. Lots of you wanted me to let you know when it arrived.

Consider yourselves notified.

I love the vintage numbers, ornate medallions and typewriter keys and the slightly time worn colors.

As I type this I'm thinking Sweetwater's, Down Home Tote

would be fun in Circa 1934.

There is so much going on here that I've hardly had a moment to blog lately. We've been super busy unpacking and selling gorgeous fabric and lots of sewing machines. I'm busy but I'm definitely not complaining!  No siree. = )

I've been wanting a new camera forever and finally just bit the bullet and ordered one. When it arrived everything was different from what I was just beginning to get comfortable with in my old camera. What was I thinking? Now I'm going to have to start all over again. Sheez... Sometimes I do wonder about myself!

Sunday morning Bill and I fly off to Vegas for a textile show. We have attended and supported this show for many years and we are looking forward to seeing some old friends and new trends. You can be sure I'll be sharing my finds with you here.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go pack my suitcase.

Encourage one another,

 

 

 

A day in the life...

I guess, for me, the best way to get over bloggers block is to tell me I need only post one photo and a sentence to two a day. Suddenly I can think of lots of things to blab on about.

I met with a fabric rep this morning and although I was a bit picky I did manage to find a few cool Hoodie prints that I thought were kind of exciting.

But nothing was nearly as exciting as this

 

Oh, yes I did! 

It's a photo of the monitor that showed the inside of my sweet little CANCER FREE bladder. whoot whoot! (You should have seen me trying to explain to my urologist why I needed a photo of my bladder. "See, I'm a blogger and. Oh, never mind...").

When I got back to work Bill surprised me with these

Gorgeous, celebratory flowers from Flourishing Arts.

Today I am thankful for my heath and a thougthful husband that still gets nervous before my check ups and celebrates the good news with fabulous flowers!

Encourage one another,

 

 

August Break

 

I found this idea this morning as I was blog hopping here.

Perfect.

This is just what I need, you know since I've already started August off with a bit of a blogging break of my own.

So for the rest of the month when I have not much to say I'll post just a single photo and a sentence or two.

This could be fun!

See you later today for my first August Break post.

I have a busy day ahead with an early morning trip to the urologist (nothing like a bladder scope to start off your day) and an appointment with a sales rep.

Hummmm wonder which to show a photo of....

Encourage one another,

 

Thankful

I woke up extra early this morning and tip toed out of the bedroom so as not to wake Bill.

As I settled into my chair with my morning coffee I pulled up my Minkee blanket. For just a moment it felt like fall. I know there are many more hot days ahead, but for today I'm thankful for  the cooler temperatures.

Thankful too for your sweet comments on my last post. You all are so kind and I can't tell you how comforting your comments are to me.

 Love you guys!

Have a fabulous day and encourage one another.

 

Random thoughts and sweet memories

I've added a PDF file to Tuesday's Tutorial Tuesday post.

You're welcome.

As I was writing the instructions for making the little tee shirt dress I developed a whole new appreciation for all of the talented people who write patterns on a regular basis. It's not easy writing clear concise instructions and I totally suck at it. I do love to share though and hey, the price is right. Right?

Anyway.

Guess what? I'm flying to Kansas this morning.  Bill and our son Bryan are meeting up in Montana for some fly fishing and I get to go play with the grand kids over the long holiday weekend. I'm sure there will be some crafting involved. I'll keep you posted.

We were talking about holiday traditions at work the other day. My family always made homemade ice cream on the Fourth of July when I was little. I remember the year we finally got an electric ice cream maker and I didn't have to take turns at cranking that handle. I always got to lick the paddle and remember thinking that was the best part of making ice cream. Isn't it funny how the simplest things make the sweetest memories?

I think I might make some ice cream with Michael and Sarah and make some new memories.

What are your favorite Fourth of July memories?

Encourage one another,

 

 

Encouraging one another

One of the blogs I read every morning is Donna Boucher's, Quiet Life. Her photography is my inspiration and my "Encourage one another" at the end of my blog posts was "borrowed" from her. Although we have never met, she does so inspire me. Today's  post especially touched me and I wanted to share.

 

"With enough hard work and dedication, dreams can become a reality".

                                                                                Patricia Zhou

 I believe that.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

Encourage one another,

 

Today...

...I woke up early and sipped my coffee while reading some of my favorite blogs. Pretty much my normal routine except   this one from Rhonda Farrer really resonated with me.

Today I was inspired by the list. I realized I have been neglecting to focus on those things that I hold so dear. Thank you Rhonda for the reminder!

While I finished my coffee I clicked on the television to get the local morning news, just as I always do, but a rerun of Oprah on Bob Greene's book, 20 years Younger caught my attention. It inspired me to get Bob's book and order Lancer skin care products. (I'll let you know how that all goes - you probably won't recognise me next time you see me).

Today I drove to Fresno to meet with other quilt shop owners from the Heart of the Valley Shop Hop and was uplifted by their excitement over our upcoming shop hop. We laughed and shared our plans and some of the surprises we have in store for you. Let's just say this years hop includes clowns, quesadillas, a baked potato bar, mini cupcakes, snow cones and  tons of awesome free stuff. 

Today I rejoiced as I finally made arrangements for private photography classes - something I've wanted to do for over a year! I can't wait to share my (hopefully) improved photographs with you!

So, how was your day?

Mine was pretty much awesome.

Encourage one another,