Humpty Dumpty

Just now Rock Star asked me if I'd posted yet today. I said no, I don't know what to write right now.

He said, "How about Humpty-Dumpty?"

Me: "That's a great idea!"

RS: "Yeah, with the Lord of Death. They could have some kind of battle!"

Me: ...


All the king's horses and all the king's men Couldn't put Humpty together again.

I was back in Indiana a few weeks ago. Mom had been cleaning the closets (always a good score for me) and found this Humpty Dumpty toy that my grandmother, Allegra, made when I was wee. I loved that thing, as evidenced by the stains on his face. Best guess is that I tried to share my apple juice with him on at least one occasion.

I must've been four years old when there was a tornado warning on TV. Dad explained what a tornado was and I went upstairs, tied up the huge amount of stuffed animals I had in a blankie, and dragged them to the living room, closer to the basement in case we had to run in to avoid total destruction. I didn't get geography then. We weren't actually in any danger, but Dad could never convince me of that. I think I ended up passed out amid the elephants and the rag dolls and Humpty.

Lately, I have been feeling an urgency to gather up the things made by Allegra, as if this act would stop the cruel replacement of her memories with fear and confusion. She told my mother the other day that she thought her husband was cheating on her. Mom assured her that he wasn't and Grandma said, "well, I can't think of another reason he wouldn't come home last night!"

My step-grandfather has been dead for over 10 years. They had a joyful marriage and I can't imagine that cheating was ever an issue in their relationship. The more she forgets, the more I hoard these old scraps of fabric.

Branching Out for Allegra

I'm back from the Big Conference. It was very fun and educational and I saw lots of old friends who for once I was able to really sit down with and have long talks. And Flesh Juice.



(Thanks Scott and Lady Miss Blogless and Rock Star and Maggie)! Yes, that's right! After months of hassling her, Maggie is starting a blog! I'm so excited! She is absolutely talented and makes Jenny Hart look like she colors with crayons.*

I finished the other Branching Out for my grandmother, Allegra. She turned 90 while I was away and I'm very much looking forward to seeing her in a couple of weeks.



The details are pretty much the same as for my last one, except that I used US8 bamboos and made it much smaller (22 repeats) because Grandma is much shorter than 5 feet.



A reminder for you: Please keep posting your travel/hometown photos on the map as you travel for the holidays. It's an ongoing project and I LOVE to see your shots.

*not a slam. I still color with crayons. In fact, I quite like crayons. But, you know, Maggie is SO GOOD...

Clean Machine

The spare room was really getting me down all summer. We basically threw everything in it and shut the door.

This is just a small sample of how horrible it was.

I decided to 'get medieval' on its ass.


I traded the desk and the dining room table, which we were looking to replace anyway. It is much much bigger - perfect for computing and crafting. Hey, it's big enough to do both at the same time!


See that sewing machine to the left? No? It's masquerading as a printer stand. It's Allegra's. She gave it to me when she moved to a smaller place. I love it, and I will tell you why at another time.

The room was pink, suitable for princesses when we moved in. We hate it. We are talking about painting it chocolate. I'm hoping we can incorporate my latest purchase into the design scheme.



It is the new Belle by Amy Butler, in Sun Glow. I totally used my babysitting money to get it.

Now please excuse me. I have to go and pet it a little more.