Under Water

I've always had water dreams. I'm part fish.

Recently I had a dream that I had fallen off the edge of a waterfall 

into a gigantic football field sized pool lengthwise, and as tall as it was wide.

I shot into the water and the force of it kept me under and shot me to the back of the pool. 

I was under water for a long time, relaxed, and went with it.

Suddenly I began jumping very weightlessly from the bottom up nearly to the surface and back down; over and over. I didn't need air, but maybe wasn't in water anymore and it was just weightlessness, like floating in the middle of a pool (one of my favorite sensations). 

Dream interpretation:

Water

To see water in your dream, symbolizes your unconscious and your emotional state of mind. Water is the living essence of the psyche and the flow of life energy. It is also symbolic of spirituality, knowledge, healing and refreshment. To see calm, clear water in your dream, means that you are in tune with your spirituality. It denotes serenity, peace of mind, and rejuvenation.

Waterfall

To see a waterfall in your dream, is symbolic of letting go.  You are releasing all those pent up emotions and negative feelings. Alternatively, the dream represents your goals and desires. In particular, if the waterfall is clear, then it represents revitalization, regeneration and renewal.

To dream that you are at the bottom of the waterfall, suggests that you are feeling emotionally overwhelmed. 

Jumping

To dream that you are jumping, indicates that you need to take a risk and go for it. You will overcome your obstacles and find progress toward your goals.  Consider the metaphors "jumping for joy" to mean thrill and excitement or "jumping the gun" to mean impatience or impulsiveness. The way you feel in the dream will provide additional significance and meaning to your dream. 

So there you have it... seems like a peaceful dream (though the waterfall might 

be saying a little something about my overwhelmed feelings with my nursing program

and the general wife/momming duties that I carry). All said and done, I wish

I were floating weightlessly in the middle of a deep pool right now!!!

Instead, I shall study.

Sweet dreams tonight- and happy Wednesday

xx,

N

Let's Go...

An old shady tree, blanket with dappled sunlight, and lunch... your pick. 

Some cute napkins... wine, cheese, fruit? 

these are todays estate sale finds ;)

photo

Happy Friday, 

hope you have a Fantastic weekend!!! :D

Nicky

Embroidery Patterns

One thing I'm always on the hunt for when thrifting/antiquing (yes, those are verbs) is any kind of embroidery pattern. I love the stinkin' things. Their designs are usually quite simple, yet the intricate embroidery of them can vary SO much! I got totally hooked on them when my grandmother pulled out an old box from one of her drawers and showed me wedding gifts that she and Baba had recieved- embroidered and appliqued tea towels. How simple was life then??? Not $200 gift cards to Target (don't get me wrong- I'd sure like one of those) but a hand made gift! Ahhh... simple. sweet.

Recently, I came across these two freebies at an estate sale. 

I have quite a collection but with rights and laws, 

I figured it was safe to give away something that literally said FREE on it!

Embroider your monogram- free pattern by Coats and Clarks 

(cause they'd like you to buy their "O.N.T" six strand embroidery floss, of course). 

Note the backwards letters! Here's why:

1. Print this page and use a hot iron transfer pencil like this one to trace the design.

2. Flip the paper over (red side down) and iron onto fabric.

**Test it on a scrap first! I never used to heed this warning

 til I got burned a couple of times- the patterns didn't transfer well,

 but well enough to mess up my fabric to be embroidered! Boo!

 3. Don't lift the whole pattern up, 

but DO lift a small corner of it while holding the rest down

 to see if the pattern transferred, and if it is dark enough. 

If not, iron longer!

4. Pick your embroidery floss and get creative! 

5. Send me a link to your project or email me a photo

 so I can post it here on my blog

 and show the world just how crafty you can be!!! :D

This next page of transfers is from a Workbasket advertisement that was mailed home (years ago- also found at an estate sale).  Please bear with the scanning and photoshop editing... I'm still new to it

hehehe, look at the cute lil mushroom under the clowns foot. Think I'm gonna start with that one!

The Workbasket was a small reader's digest sized magazine that first came out in October of 1935 and spanned 61 years. It was started by a couple who wanted to teach others the art of needlecraft. 

Here is one of the advertisements mailed home from Aunt Ellen (with the above transfer pattern):

"Dear Homemaker,

It's always a pleasure to bring good news. 

And I have not ONE, but TWO, great bits of good news for you: 

FIRST, Here's a special FREE gift. Enclosed is a set of hot iron transfer patterns with complete instructions for using them to decorate T-shirts, linens, clothing, or to make wall hangings, pictures, etc. This set of transfer designs is sent as a sample of just one of the many wonderful features you enjoy as a WORKBASKET subscriber. Embroidery is fun and easy. 

Try it with these designs, or paint them, if you prefer. 

SECOND, I'm pleased to bring you our special introductory offer. Mail your order now to receive... ONE FULL YEAR of WORKBASKET AND HOME ARTS MAGAZINE FOR ONLY $5.00... "

Pretty snazzy, eh?? :D

Here are a couple of diagrams from my other stash- how to's on embroider stitches. 

I'll have to mess with the scanning of these guys. They were all wrinkled up!

Please send me any photos of the patterns you use to draw, paint, or embroider with! 

I can't wait to see how you'll use them! 

You can download them on flickr here.

Happy Wednesday!

Nicky

Happy Customer :D

There's nothing more exciting than hearing that someone who made a purchase

from my shop LOVES their new item. I found this cute shot in my Etsy mail today.

Meet Katrina :D

Photography by Charlie Ainslie

"Hi Nicky! 

I just received the apron! It's even cuter in person than it was on the screen. Thanks for the lovely handwritten note, too. Since you mentioned wanting to see a photo, I thought I'd fill you in on the project I'm working on. I created a character, Lemon L'Orange, who will be "cooking" her way through the 1962 book The Joys of Jell-O and blogging about it. She's sort of my 1960s alter ego. I am having professional photos taken of me as the character. She will be wearing the orange apron! I will send you a photo once they're processed and in my possession. And I'll send you a link to the blog when it's up!

Thanks,

Katrina"

How stinkin cute is Katrina???!!! 

Because she's a busy gal, she hasn't gotten the site set up just yet, 

but it's coming soon.. I'll keep you posted because I can't wait to see it! 

Jell-o just so happens to have a soft spot in my heart (pun intended). Growing up, my grandmother ALWAYS had jell-o at the dinner table! My favorite was the pistachio one with marshmallows in it- mmmmm- wish I had some right now! 

At 89 years old, Mimi is still serving jell-o at dinners when she has company over, even though she can go full gourmet too,  (she and Baba are in a gourmet group where couples take turns hosting dinners and cooking for each other!) RAD!

Here's a shot from the book that Katrina will be "cooking" her way through

Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend... next post is going to be a couple of vintage embroidery pattern freebies!

Check back soon :D

And thank you for the photo Katrina! Can't wait to see more!!

 xo, 

Nicky