I guess it wasn't meant to be...

Three years.

It's been that long since I  discovered Cath Kidston, and naturally, I've been longing for a CK handbag of my own ever since.

But let me show you the letter that came in the mail a few days ago - it completely and utterly made the day of the this little Idahoan Anglophile.

An Etsy money order from England!  I was quite wild over the stamp and Royal Mail inking.  The little note was simply marvelous with it's British phrasing - I read it to anyone who would listen in my best British style - but the five pound note was sublime.  I must sound ridiculous, but holding a fiver in my hand was like something out of a fairytale... and British currency is so much more beautiful than our dollar!  Right then and there I decided to keep my fiver till I somehow get to Great Britain.  I'll hand it over the counter in a Cath Kidston shop.  It's now a dream:)

 

With my precious Cath notebooks

Back to the Cath Story:

Last week, after having the page open for several days, pondering on the propriety and sense of actually hitting the add to cart link, I did.  That after-Christmas sale + the mini bird saddle bag was irresistible.  Was I ever thrilled...

...Yesterday, I received an email "To advise you that unfortunately your order has not copied across onto our systems due to a technical issue."  I was to call and replace my order.  

Second thrill!  I called the US Toll Free number three times till I caught them while they were open.  I stayed up late (early, rather) last night working on things, and I called around three in the morning.  A marvelous British voice answered... it was so unreal!  Here was I, sitting in my dark and chilly tent (ran out of wood:) in North Idaho, in the still, wee sma's, talking to someone in England - sun up, people hurrying, going, talking, living.  That very minute.  I loved it!

I had to force myself not to lapse into a British accent myself, for fear of being rude, while we got the account straightened out... I gave the product number.  

Silence.  Then, "I'm so sorry, but that item is sold out."

I was silently plunged into the depths of despair. The kind girl comforted me with the advisement to be on the lookout for the new spring line... I thanked her, and hung up.  

But happier thoughts came quickly, most prominently my Scottish side reminding me of my bank account, still intact...

One day, in just the right timing, I trust I will have a CK bag.

 But for now, it just wasn't meant to be.  

And you never know... something marvelous just might happen in result of this disappointment!

I wonder. 

Wall Tent Christmas

It was a rather quiet Christmas for us this year - my Dad had to be out of town, and we missed him terribly.  We didn't really have presents, parties, or decor - but the vital ingredients - thankfulness, togetherness (in spirit), and remembrance, were all there, making this a truly beautiful and memorable Christmas.  

You don't need anything but each other to have the perfect holiday... as long as you've got that, you have everything.  And then look around!  How much more do each and every one of you have in addition to the essentials?  You can't even count them.  I know I can't.  And I am so thankful, not just for the multitudes of blessings showered on me, but the privilege of watching God work His providing care in my life.  He has never let me down.  Not once.

It was a different kind of Christmas, too, with the fact that it was my first wall tent Christmas!  The first Christmas spent in my own little home:)  

On the eve of Christmas eve, my littlest sister spent the night with me, and we had a marvelous time. As evidenced by these photos.  Candlelight, warmth, hair curlers, cozy darkness, beloved Christmas music,  hot coco and oranges, and Petrov added to the festivities.

 

My mom embroidered this beautiful Idaho bluebird for a dear friend.  I just love the excitement and secrecy of a wrapped-up present!  Especially when it's tied up with string...

Christmas Eve morning the girls butchered four of our Khaki Campbell drakes.  They were delicious. My barbaric and talented little farmgirl sisters salted down the lovely skins and put them in the rafters of their treehouse to cure... I believe they plan to make hats.  Maybe.

Later that day, we went over to visit Tasha's family.  Played the traditional and delightful game of Risk, nibbled on delicious treats, and had a wonderful time all around.  

Also got the traditional picture taken, which we forgot to do last year!  

Aren't we a nice looking lot? :D

Myself, Aubrey, Alex, and Tasha

Betsy-Tacy  &  the boys...  

...And the whole motley crew.

Christmas day was shared with some other dear friends, feasting, talking (ahem) napping, and playing four founds of Pictionary, among other things.  North Idaho Pictionary, that is... we have our own version;)  Christopher, Matthew (Ani), Aubrey, and I also played some mean fooseball... at least they did.  I won one round:(

I hope your Christmas was filled beauty, togetherness, and Joy at the coming of our Savior!

~Me~

P.S. I also hope you can forgive me for the prolonged absence of my promised hair tutorials... I have no excuse to offer.  Good excuse, that is...goodbye forever. :)

Sewing, Brownies, and Holiday Inn + incredulity.

(My sisters, Michelle, and I...)

A wonderful day spent with my dear friend Michelle and her Mom, comprised of sewing (I'm finally getting to work on my 'Rowena' gown for Atlanta's HCIF... such fun!), baking and of course eating brownies, and thoroughly enjoying a bit of Holiday Inn.  

And just for the record, Fred Astaire is amazing.  Just sayin'.

Here's something else completely amazing that I wanted to share...

So, last night, I posted about my latest embroidery project.  I made a custom listing in my shop for the dishtowel set.  Clicked 'Publish'.  Then shut down the computer and played my accordion for about an hour.  

It's amazing what can happen when you just sit down and play one of those things.  Once I sneezed so hard while playing Old Joe Clark that my chin smashed into the top of the accordion and I believe I fractured it... but I digress.  This time, with Remo still strapped on, I took a quick glance at my email.

Then screamed.  And sat down on the floor.

For lo and behold, I had just sold another flour sack towel set.  I really could not believe my eyes for a good while, and when it sank in, there was nothing to do but start playing the Irish Washerwoman, Remo still so handily sitting in my lap.

What a pal.

It might not be a big deal to some Etsy sellers, but it sure meant a lot to me.  I am so encouraged to see business picking up, and I want to give a warm word of encouragement to all of you who might, like me, be trying to make a successful Etsy shop.  

Just keep going forward, give the very best that's in you, don't get discouraged, and sometimes it's good to just sit back and see what God can do.  

You'll be surprised.

ten thousand stitches.

Well, what an unexpected surprise!  No sooner than I pulled out my embroidery for the first time in months and stitched out two little projects, than a special order for a set of seven Sunbonnet Lassies was set in my lap, whipping me into a stitching frenzy!

For the last four days, this has been my lot...

 ...And a very pleasant lot indeed.  Not counting my hands, which are starting to feel much like I imagine a vice would.  I alternated stitching with some wild piano playing, which gave some blessed relief;)

Also enjoyed were my all-time favorite period drama, Wives and Daughters, the Lux Radio Dramas Quality Street and Destry Rides Again, and lots of Christmas music...

Have you discovered/enjoyed any good films or music lately?  Do share!

 And at last, the wonderful feeling of a good job accomplished.

The customer requested lots of greens and yellows, along with a vintage-inspired color palette.

Now available in the shop as a custom set!

Now, on to sewing and last-minute gift crafting!  I'm hoping to get a tutorial for the twisted hair style from my last post up before Christmas, too, as it would make the perfect holiday 'do.  

Oh, dear.  I shouldn't have said that.  Now I really have to get going to get this all done in time!

Outfit: December

George Winston's piano album, December, is some of my most treasured music.  Each note is burned into my heart, inextricably entwined with a thousand memories to become the soundtrack of my childhood.  

Winston's Carol of the Bells was playing over and over in my mind as I went for a walk the other day, each note searing my consciousness as clear and crystal-cold as the air itself.  It was the perfect winter day, the almost bare fields lending an atmosphere of surreal magic by their freedom from the snow which should have shrouded them in a still blanket of white.  All the mountains surrounding had sparkling frost-tipped trees, looking like some sort of sugar sprinkled confection.  The air - gray, bitterly cold, and completely still - seemed to be laden with this music.  

Start the player above while you read to hear the soundtrack of this beautiful December walk.

Wool Jacket - a hand-me-down which I embroidered tiny yellow rosebuds on

Denim skirt - thrifted with added ruffle by me

Hunter boots - St. Bernard Sports

Green scarf - hand crocheted by Wool and Whatnot

Velvet headband - Eve's Leaves, a small local shop

Vintage driving gloves - my Grandmother's

   

 

 

Oh, you beautiful Hunter boots.  I adore you. =)  The wool headband in the last two pictures was created from a shrunken sweater - two strips sewn together and embroidered on with yarn.  I love these wool headbands because I as usually have my (massive:) hair up, most winter hats won't fit on my head.  This headband fits right underneath my hair, while still keeping my ears nice and toasty!  (Not to mention, they look oh so cute...)

Thinking about offering them in the shop.  What do you think?  Would/do you wear one?  I'd love some feedback!

Beautiful Words

Just some beautiful words I wanted to share.  All via Pinterest.

Enjoy!

Lastly, here's something wonderful I read this morning.  

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts.  Singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

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And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

-Colossians 3: 15-17

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And what is grace?  Is it merely God's unmerited favor?  Or could it be the enabling power of God in our lives?

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

-Romans 5:2

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge...

-1 Corinthians 1:4-5

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

- Philippians 1:2

Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Have a beautiful day!