lorimarsha

Not too long ago I was designing aprons from recycled skirts and vintage trims. I did a whole line called “Aprons as Fashion” and thought the world needed to get their aprons out of the kitchen and out into the streets.

I’m back at the sewing machine with a new slant on aprons and skirts. They make perfect curtain panels! A lot of the ruffling is already present and the skirt waistbands are the right circumference for a small extension rod. How’s that for saving some time? A few straight seams and voila!

This is what the laundry room/potting shed windows looked like before. The afternoon sun was blinding so these curtains provide just the right amount of shade.

What do you like to collect? It’s interesting to think about why we’re drawn to certain objects. Why bobble heads or vintage records? I’ve always been drawn to these old extension rulers. First, it’s the graphics. I love typesetting and wooden rulers display a variety of styles. Then, it’s the material. The wood ages and mellows over time and the printed numbers soften with use. Thirdly, it’s the design. Somebody came up with this genius way to carry a 72″ double yardstick in your pocket. And you can unfold them into different shapes so they’re fun to play with. Lastly, they represent some sort of thoughtful, creative act. And that’s a nice reminder to have around the studio.

What do you like to collect…and what’s the draw?

A couple years ago I called a friend and her husband answered the phone. “Is Christi there?” I asked. “She’s in the garden deadheading the roses,” he responded. “Okay. I’ll call back later,” I said.

Deadheading the roses? I didn’t know what it meant but I liked the way it sounded. He said it casually as if all of us talked that way. I remembered thinking to myself, someday I’ll know what that means….but not today because I’ve got a lot of sewing to do.

With the sewing machine in semi-retirement, I’ve developed an interest in gardening and I now know the definition of deadheading. If you’re a newbie gardener like me who has decided to start paying attention to her long-neglected roses and are interested in learning about deadheading…a good start is this video called “The Anatomy of a Rose.” It’ll help to understand the terminology that is bandied about in deadheading. (Like outward facing bud eye, bud union, five leaflet set….etc.)

Or….if you don’t have roses and would just like to learn about deadheading in general on other flowering plants, here’s another.

This is the first time I’ve ever grown anything from seeds. I found some vine seed pods that my friend, Terry, had given me about six months ago and decided to plant them. I didn’t even know if they were still “good.” That probably doesn’t even make sense. Voila! Within 24 hours, the little head popped out of the soil and within 7 days they had grown five inches. This is fun!