Stop and smell the flowers...

I've been stitching up some fabric roses the past coulpe of days, working up a little sit-n'-stitch mini-class. Same old fabric flower technique with a wire stem added, finished off with either a felt circle or leaf. Turns out little K totally approves of my finished samples...

I'll be presenting this mini-class this September, and will post more details as they come together. I can say that I am  totally EXCITED to be teaching this little technique at this event, and look forward to meeting some crafty people from Chicago land!

Wishing I was sewing!

Life has been crazy around here. CRAZY. I've been running from one thing to another - to another - to another! This past weekend alone I had a block party, a bridal shower, a baby shower, and my own wedding anniversary to celebrate. I wish I could have another weekend to recover from my weekend!

Phew! Anyway - here are a few snapshots from our trip to Navy Pier for the Tall Ships festival! Yes, it was just as fantastic as it looks!

We didn't get to sail on any of the ships, but we did get to board some of the ships at the pier.

We also strolled through Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, which I NEVER KNEW was at Navy Pier!

And the perfect end to a perfect evening, watching the fireworks with the tall ship Bounty as a backdrop.

Things should even out here in the next week or two. I sure wish I was sewing!

Golden Book Love

We recently saw the Golden Legacy exhibit at the Lake County Museum (hurry hurry, it's still there until August 22). Viewing the original artwork to many of my favorite children's picture books was...well...amazing. Many of the original titles have been republished, and there was a whole rack of great Golden Books at the museum! But even better, I've been keeping my eyes peeled for original books whenever I am thrifting. And this is what I just found!

Cars and Trucks illustrated by Richard Scarry; originally published in 1951, this book is from the third printing in 1976. Richard Scarry is one of my absolute favorite illustrators, and since I also share a love of vintage cars, this was a great find for me!

We've had fun trying to identify the different makes and models of the cars and trucks in each illustration.

I absolutely love these pictures of the little red car with the families going out for some family fun,

because they remind me of my own family adventures with my mother and father in our own little car!

Were you also a Golden Book kid? What were some of your favorite Golden Book memories?