The Labyrinth

Today I took my daughter to church and after the Sunday school class we decided to get some lemonade and a bagel.  She asked me if she could eat her bagel outside, so I said sure and we left the building and went to the courtyard right outside the doors.  The courtyard is in its splendor right now as all the flowers are in bloom and the air is just cool enough to want to sit down and enjoy them.  It also has a Memorial Fountain and a labyrinth maze for meditation.

Lillian walked over to the maze with her paper cup of lemonade and looked at it for a moment.  "What's this Mama?" she asked me.  "It's a labyrinth..a maze that you can walk through and you have to find your way in and out with out crossing the lines." I told her.  She started inside the maze and followed its twists and turns and I could see by the look on her face that she became a little confused and frustrated.  "Can you show me how to do this Mama?" she asked. "Sure." I said.  She wanted me to walk in front of her and she followed each step I made. "Do you see how when you think you are so close to finishing, you have to take a different path?" I told her.  "It is so windy and curvy Mama!" she responded.  After about seven minutes of walking and twisting we finally made it to the center of the labyrinth.  "Here we are! Okay, now, do you want me to show you the way out?" I asked.  "No Mama, I can do it myself".  As I walked across the lines and left her to figure it out, it occurred to me that she is starting Kindergarten tomorrow and how incredibly symbolic this was.

For six years I have shown her what I know, tried to show her how to follow a good path and was always ready to have her follow my footsteps.  Here we are, the day before school and she is ready to figure the path out for herself.  I stood on the grass and watched my baby twist and turn and back track her steps and, in a precious moments time, she found her way out of the labyrinth.  All by herself.  She was proud as punch.

So, there it is.  The first day of Kindergarten through 12th grade starts tomorrow.  I am sure there will be many mazes and directions she will need to go.  She may not know it, but I will always be following in her footsteps.

-Blessings

Learning is Taxing

So last night I am up until 1:30 A.M. trying to understand how the federal tax systems work. SHEESH! I am still a little confused, but I am so grateful that there are professionals out there who to understand.  I feel like I am walking on eggshells when I look up the information!  It was a bit of a "pulling your hair out" situation.  So, I think this morning, I need to step away and breathe a bit...literally! What is that phrase?  "Life, Death and Taxes?"  The working man (or in this case woman) working for...well...the Man!

A great weekend

Quite a few things are going on in the Price House today!  We were travelers all weekend and coming home just made me want to jump into work a bit.  

I have been working on a new "up cycled" skirt, which I am excited about...I feel like I am getting ready for the Fall and working with the corduroy has been great.  I hope to finish this by the end of the week!  When I started working on this, I saw so many possibilities for skirts, but I am a sucker for a long patchwork skirt...so there it is!

 

What was great about this weekend as well is that I was able to finish a gift for a friend! I really like how this up cycled pillow turned out.  It is amazing how abandoned curtains and cords can turn out so cool looking!  A nice little accent, if I do say so myself!

With all this wonderful creativity flowing, I have to point out that the best part of the weekend was traveling to see family.  That is what it all comes down too..don't you think?  Putting love into our creations.  Be it a skirt, a pillow, a painting, or, most of all, a family. To make something great, you must first put in the thought, and with that thought, your heart.

I wish you the most blessed week and positive creativity!

Jennifer

 

This has been a wonderful week! I reorganized my work space, I was able to finish a quilt, feeling a bit more inspired and I know in the back of my head that Fall will be here soon.  I have plans to weed the gardens, begin sewing new ideas and to finally settle in to the business that I have been wanted to to plunge in too.

I thought you would like to see the quilt I finished! It is amazing how many thoughts are sewn into a quilt.  Your mind tends to wander as you work and I find that with each patten, stitch and tie, the thoughts are woven in. It is quite a process, but it was very therapeutic.

Here it is..by the way..did I mention this is the first completed quilt I have ever made? I have made tops, but this was the first binding, backing and laying I have done.:

I have to say, I would definitely do this again. But now, I have the desire to work on skirts with corduroy and wild patterns.  Looking forward to some creativity!

Blessings-
Jennifer

Summer brings wonderful things

The Summer brings so many things!

This Summer has brought so many beautiful things! Garage Sale time has been in full swing and I have been so fortunate to find some amazing vintage items!  Everything from cats to dogs to planters to slips..and array of eye candy and glorious treasures!

I know I feel overwhelmed by the wonderful amount of things, but when ever is there enough treasures? 

I am also happy to say that JclaireP has had the best month yet! I am so excited to see the growing number of fans and people who appreciate the beauty of a vintage item or a custom made skirt.  Simple things that bring a nostalgic breeze to our minds or the comfort of a soft cotton that lets us feel just a little cooler in the Summertime.  It is so appreciated and I can not say enough thanks to the family, friends and customers who have made this a wonderful month!

 

So, on that note, I look forward to finishing out the Summer and seeing what the Fall will bring.  Soon it will be time to prepare for the Winter season and the wonderful events that the holidays bring.  Not to rush things of course...But, until then, enjoy the wonderful things that Summer brings!

Open a window

This is how it begins.  You become so exhausted and you are craving creativity...So, you look at the mess in the sewing room and then it hits you..Inspiration. 

I have been able to come up with a new concept for a skirt tonight.  I don't know how, but I think when I am so tired, a window opens up in my head and it allows some ideas to flow through.  Good thing too! I think I get entirely too busy with the stuff that life is made of and I forget that I can create my own moments.  So, I thought I would share in this new concept.  It is far from finished and I have a lot more "cutting and pasting" to do.  So, until tomorrow...

Let your windows open! Sometimes you just get too tired to open the entire door.. :)

Blessings-

Summer feature

Happy Summer!!!

So, a lot has been going on at JclaireP! New vintage items, new skirts, craft shows, fairs...So, I thought I would feature some of my Summer skirts in this blog!   Fall is around the corner, when it comes to sewing, and I will start using some heavier fabrics.  But before that, I thought it would be fun to start the Summer off with some fun colors and lighter fabrics!

This is one of my favorite skirts this summer.  The pattern is so sweet with it's checked hearts and little blue bell flowers. Also, it is 100% cotton! It is nice and long and breathes when you walk.  To me, there is nothing better than feeling lite and airy in a skirt and this one definitely gives that feel.

Of course, what is Summer without a patchwork skirt?  What is special about this skirt is that all of the fabrics are vintage or they have been recycled from other linens.  These colors pop and let people know that you are ready for Summer and play!

This Spring and Summer I have worked on some very special custom skirts for clients.  These two skirts were custom order skirts specifically made for each customer!  They were able to tell me what they were looking for and what their color preferences were.  It is so fun and knowing that I am making something special for someone is what makes it so worthwhile!


Finally, what would Summer be without some mini skirts?  This season I have made some bright mini's and some subtle mini's.  The Pink mini is made from new rayon material and is very graceful and soft.  The navy mini is made from vintage floral fabric and has a navy blue corduroy accent in the center and back.  Both are easy and comfortable to wear!

  

 I hope you have enjoyed this little feature of some of the skirts available at JclaireP!  I am so looking forward to creating for the Fall and Winter and I am wishing you the best for the Summer season!  Enjoy the things that this Summer will bring!

Blessings -
Jennifer