simple pie...

I miss the "simple" in life...I have visions of a time long ago when life was simpler...the art of homemaking wasn't looked down upon, but was something that held life, love, and family together...it was revered as was being a mother...everyone worked together for the greater good, whether it was friends and neighbors, or mothers, fathers, and their children...visions of lessons taught at the feet of a caring mother mending her children's clothes, learning to nurture and care for others through simple, everyday acts...hanging clothes in the sunshine, shelling peas, snapping beans, weeding the raspberry patch, making a pie with fresh picked berries... stopping for a glass of lemonade and a minute to dip toes in the stream...

 

Now we buzz about...not enough time to sit on the porch and visit, to stop and watch the sunset...to take the time to teach an important lesson to a child...to truly hear them out and listen to their heart before rushing them on to the next activity...to dry tears and perhaps even cry with someone...to soak in the goodness of life...it's my new goal, my never-ending quest.  School is just about to end and summer about to fall upon us...I am constantly thinking about the memories my little one will have of me and her life here at home...

 

It's so funny what a little piece of art can do to your heart...all of these memories and thoughts spurred on by this card...the image of the clothesline, the thoughts of a mother singing and humming while lovingly hanging out clothes to dry.  This image comes from a beautiful new collection of Creative Scraps from Crafty Secrets called Sew Nice... completely beautiful...double sided and filled with the sweetest vintage images. 
The stamps used on this are also new from Crafty Secrets and are called Material Girl...you'll love 'em too.

 

I've been selfishly creating for myself again...this time an Art Journal...something I have always wanted to do...make it beautiful inside and out and fill it with things that inspire me artistically....

 

I created this for Ally Scraps...and have used some of the most delicious paper ever...from the Girls Paperie...my first opportunity to see this beautiful product in person...and I'm forever smitten...I've saved every last scrap and will savor and use it until it's all gone.  

 

More and more and more sewing pattern flowers...created with my Papertrey Ink Beautiful Blooms II #2 dies.

 

I've already started filling it with bits and bobs of a few things I want to use on another project...vintage treasures...mouth watering paper delights :)

 
  

Simple instructions and supplies can be found HERE on the Ally Scraps blog.

And lastly...just a little something... 
 
 

This card was created with some beautiful Melissa Frances Vintage Posey paper and the Big & Bold Wishes stamp set from Papertrey Ink along with Lavender Moon and Dark Chocolate ink, and Sweet Blush cardstock.  The chipboard butterfly is from Maya Road and the scrumptious seam binding from This Good Day...love this stuff.  

Hope your week has been a beautiful one so far.

Melis
 

 

 
 

 
 

Comments

[kirsty vittetoe]

So pretty! I need to get the stamp and that vintage goodies! Love all the romantic elements you added on our creations, as usual, I adored everything you created!

[jan metcalf]

Your card and journal are 'Sew Nice' Melissa! Absolutely love the journal, all the lovely details!

[Victoria Resh]

I'm hooked on Crafty Secrets :D
Love your cards and the journal.
Have a great day Melissa!
~Victoria~

[Heather Jensen]

How amazingly beautiful! I am in love with your pattern flowers. If I could find my patterns I would make some myself. I just recently moved and they are nowhere to be found. :)

[Patty M]

Oh so beautiful, Melissa. And the time you described...I pray you find it. I keep saying when I retire, life will slow down and I can live simpler. Why wait for tomorrow? I can say no to a few things, even if they're good things and only say yes to what truly is the best thing. A life devoted to what really matters, teaching life lessons, caring for my family even though they are grown, spending time with my aging parents, helping those in need...I don't have to wait for tomorrow and neither do you. Make that life yours, today. Many blessings sweet friend, Patty

[Gabi With An Eye]

What lovely creations! and a heartwarming post. I love the way you live and the way you stop to inhale the beauty of the world around you.

[Debbie Marcinkiewicz]

GOR-GEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Linda]

Thank you for the inspiration!

[Lara Carson]

Your projects amaze me and inspire me! Thank you for sharing!

[Josie]

BEAUTIFUL!!! Thanx for sharing! ~J~

[Stella]

Wow what an inspiring post. Beautiful cards and all the things you wrote about are a perfect example to show what really matters in life. Sharing, being together... All the things that seem important in a 24-7 economy( career, always busy, a full schedule) are not important. The things that seem little....they are important.Having a drink with your beloved ones, sharing stories, enjoy the sunshine, being together, having dinner in your garden. Oh I could say a thousand little things. But those are the things that create beautiful memories. And to be honest; that's what makes us all happy. Being together, sharing together en being aware of the moment to share it with your beloved ones...
Have a nice day!

[Tina]

Absolute gorgeousness, Melissa. Nothing is selfish about creating for oneself. Have a blessed Wednesday.

[Holly]

I just love your blog! Your thoughts are just as wonderful and interesting as your art. Thanks for blessing my life with your brightness!

[Verona H]

I think your daughter will remember the touches of art you add to her life. My mother was a stay at home mom the first 16 years of my life and had 4 children and always wondered how other women had time to sit on the porch when we passed their houses. She canned 100 quarts of everything out of her gardens and orchard and made all our clothes and I think she started teaching school so she would not be so busy! Ha. This was in 1937-54--before TV and telephones in our country life in IL. I would not want to be a mother in that time period, and I think I took more time with my two children than she did with us. I was always a stay at home mother, but did volunteer work and church work. My kids enjoyed any crafts I did. My dd and dil do craft projects when we get together and we attend quilt shows and scrapbook shows. My mother was very active in church and I have a great legacy in that. I think time with children is a planned thing--even if it is an interruption, and you definitely have the right ideas and plans. They also need time to imagine and entertain themselves. I always enjoy your blog. Blessings.

[Debbie Olson]

Loved your post that brought back so many memories of my mother doing just that, hanging clothes on the line and working so hard at home to make all of us so happy, unselfishly. Thanks for the memory reminder.

[Betsy]

The cards are lovely and soul-soothing as usual. Love the thoughts you expressed on taking time for simple things. Most of my treasured memories revolve around time spent at my grandparent's farm/ranch where we shelled peas on the screened-in porch, made ice-cream in the old hand-cranked freezer or sometimes where I just lay on the glider and watched the ceiling fan go round and round, enjoying a Southern summer day free of schedules and planned events. What is so funny to me now is that, while I hated washing dishes after a big midday meal, it is that very act that gives me such great pleasure now when I get out the dishwashing liquid, squirt some into a bowl of water and let the smell bring back the memories with this almost-extinct ritual.

[Rebekah]

that sounds so wonderful to me.. a simpler life..slowed down and appreciated...i think our craft allows us to take a little time to slow down and create wonderful things...beautiful creations as usual..tfs

[Domenico]

Come on over to my house where eating watermelon on the porch, and late night talks under the stars are common occurences. My mum cancelled t.v. back in September and while the first week was tough I can say I don't even miss it. However, if she cancels the internet I just might die. Oh, and when you come I'll have my mum make her dinner from the garden... you'll love it. Almost as much as I love your cards on this post!