New Beginnings

2018...a new year, a new beginning! 2017 brought so many new adventures and opportunities and I am excited to see what this new year will bring! Our family explored many places in PA and we are excited to see more of the country this year!

                                                                    Muddy Run, PA

Creating time

How long has it been! I think about two years since I last posted. So much to tell...but luckily there is time. Or so I think. The entire reason I haven't posted for a while is because my time is so few and far between! So, I shall create some time. Create time. Create. That is yet another thing I have had no time for! Between working two jobs, family life and everything in between, it seems as though there is not a whole lot of room for anything else. However, I do have plenty of room for worry, distress, concern, ailments and all the such....Does that seem right? Nope. Not to me. Not at all. Perhaps instead of filling my time with all these other super fun distractions, I should fill it with gratefulness and reflection...which will eventually lead to creativity...and creating time...and creating more for myself, others around me and my soul. Ah, there it is.... Go out and create. Create time. Create moments and create life.

Much love and peace - Jen

2014!

Well look at that...2014...who knew? Who knew that in 1985, when I was a budding pre-teen, I would see 2014! My oh my, how things have changed...but in a good way! So for 2013, I did a lot of great things and I am proud to say I accomplished things I set out to do! JclaireP is still working away and I was able to maintain the sales I needed! Two years of being on Etsy.com and I have to say I still love it!  Also, on a personal level, I was finally able to donate my hair! I had been growing it for seven years and I chopped it! 11 1/2" (1.18 lbs) of hair was donated to Pantene Great Lengths.  It was a wonderful experience and they even sent me a thank you card! So now, in 2014, I have a new do....It's a little daring, but I like it...what do you think?

It really is quite liberating...a totally new perspective too...Although, I must admit, it is COLD in the Winter!

I have really been getting the urge to clean house this January. I have been going through all my material and thinking of new ways to use it.  I would like to put every bit of scrap to use and so far, I think I have done pretty good! I made a patchwork skirt from scrap material:

A skinny scarf from vintage yarn:

And a pet pillow from old sweatshirt material and material scraps! (this was donated to the shelter yesterday!)

So, 2014 has been full of a lot of fun for me. I have to say, I can't wait to see what is to come! I hope everyone is setting great goals for themselves and finding the courage to achieve them...You know you can!

Thanks for read my first entry of the year and I look forward to sharing more with you again!

Blessings to you!

Jennifer

Been a While!!

My goodness the time has flown! We are already into September! When did that happen?

So, in a nutshell, here is the latest from JclaireP....

JclaireP has over 1040 followers on Etsy! I am so excited about this and honored that so many people have found my little shop! Also, there as been over 400 sales since we opened in 2011! How great it that? If you ask me..pretty great. I couldn't have found a better community and better people on Etsy.com!

I officially have a Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/JclaireP/159859417437520

I can also be found on twitter, wanelo and pintrest! But we can explore those sites at another time.  It just feels good to be writing again!

At home, things are really good. the sunflowers are all in full bloom, I am knitting a lot more and the family is well. Couldn't really ask for more. Very lucky and very blessed.  Thinking about those in other lands that do not have it well or good right now. Praying for peace, life and love.  Never forget, we all are one.

On that note, let me leave you with some lovely pictures of what I found in the garden this morning. Peace, Love and Light to all! Jennfier

Buttons

Today I was sorting through my Mom's buttons. You see, I do a lot of sewing and I asked her if she happened to have any buttons. With that small request, I have obtained two bags and a jelly jar of buttons.  They are so beautiful too...I remember looking at some of these buttons in a tin that my Mom had.  When I was a child she kept them in a white cookie tin that was in the shape of a carousel and it had purple and pink ribbons and white horses painted on it.  I distinctly remember that the tin still smelled of cookies when I opened it and what was even better were the hundreds of different buttons at my disposal.

I remember sitting on the floor and admiring each button. Some were plain, while others had beautiful carvings on them.  There were some very special ones that even had rhinestones or an armed forces emblem on them.  It is a vivid memory that I hold quite dear.  Laying on an old carpet, with the sun coming in the window and a tin of buttons. 

Now I have my own daughter and my Mother just gave me all her buttons.  Someday, I hope to see my daughter on the floor sorting through the buttons.  Maybe she will wonder where each one came from or how old they are. Maybe she will want to create with them or keep them as a treasure. Whatever she decides it is just fine with me.  I just hope the legacy and the interest of buttons can be passed down to her. My own little button.

Blessings-

Hi, It's been a long time..

Well howdy out there! It has been an incredibly long time since I have posted...for that I am sorry...but I have a million excuses, not to which I will list right now...

So, I last posted in September of 2012.  A lot has changed since then! However, I am still running my Etsy shop (www.etsy.com/shop/jclairep)..shameless plug...and I am still working from home.  My family is well and happy and we are becoming quite settled in our little home in PA.  It has been cold and breezy here lately and I think every living creature in this area is ready for Spring! I did find my daffodils peeking up from the ground and the pussy willow does have some buds, so that is a promising sign!

I worked on an awful lot on projects this Winter! Knit coasters, scarves, mug cozies and I was able to create a new patchwork skirt!  These vintage fabrics are so special to me because they range from the 1940's to the 1980's.  In the center is a rooster patch that is actually from a 1940's vintage curtain!  In the top left, you can see a yellow and blue patch that comes from fabric from Hoboken, NJ. It belonged to a friend's mother who passed away.  She was an avid sewer and I feel honored to have a piece of her passion. The Bright Yellow Patch with checks on the left is from a flea market in PA. The woman who sold it to me was a seamstress and decided to retire. There was such an array of fabric there!  The other patches come from friends and family who are all close to my heart.  All these patches became one skirt.  It is amazing, isn't it?  Every patch has a story, every fabric is sewn together. Separate, they may not be much, but put them together as a group....and wow...a beautiful thing can come together.

So, on that note, I am happy that I had to time to write today.  Be well...take care...and make sure you see the beautiful patches in your life and keep them together.

Have a great night and a better day -

Jennifer

Easy Saturday

It is an easy Saturday night.  Perfect Fall weather and on top of it all I think an outdoor cat has adopted me.  She is a sweet little grey and white tuxedo and has visited us three times so far, but this time she sat with me as we watch the moths flutter around.  She reminds me of my cat Spike who passed away three years ago.  He was my love and it is so nice to feel his presence in her.  It may sound strange, but I do believe that sometimes our angels come back for a visit.

On another note, this fine evening is making me think of camping this time of year.  Cool enough for a good night's sleep, but you don't freeze.  This Summer was so great because a wonderful hike at Hawk Mountain here in PA renewed my sense of getting outside. I think after being an indoor Momma for so long, it took little hike and some interesting wildlife to get me back in the swing of things.  That and some great friends who made the hike that much more fun.  It was great as well because Lily got to enjoy watching some hawks fly by at a wonderful scenic view spot.  Really a great day.  One to remember.

I especially like the last photo. It is so simple, but to me, tells a great story.  So, on to my easy Saturday evening with a brew and a great movie.  Have a wonderful evening and peace and harmony to all the world.

-Blessings