Community of the Like Minded Earth Notes Texas Workshop with Leslie Marsh Hastypearl

Community of the Like Minded

Earth Notes Texas Workshop with Leslie Marsh

Hastypearl

Every now and then, we experience something that is, More.

More, than we expected.

Even when our expectations are High...they can still be exceeded.

I recently hosted one of those events.

I already knew Leslie Marsh from hosting her in a previous event, 

so I already knew something great would happen. :)

For me then, it was all about seeing what would happen with the workshop attendees.

I wasn't disappointed.

The weather reports promised rain, which we had a little of, 

but our last day, 

the sun broke through and we couldn't have ordered a more perfect day.

My Texas garden Celebrates this time of year.

It Gives and Gives and Gives.

Yes, I can press its leaves and flowers, 

and I can even capture it in photographs...

but now, I can save it with the most amazing transaction.

Heat, water, paper, fabric.

The beauty is coaxed out of the living and transferred Forever.

Its a surprising treasure...every time.

It's an art that has been practiced since the dawn of man.

Now, because of  Leslie's generous sharing, 

another room full of women can do it, too.

I'm so glad that I learned it from one of the most 

congenial, selfless persons I've ever met.

Thank you, Leslie.

Our garage is now home base for art workshops.

What a happy thing to have.

I've been to workshops, in huge venues, where almost never a word 

was spoken between the attendees.

Not in this garage!

There's chatter and sharing.

It reminds me of the old days when women gathered on the porch to snap beans 

or quilt their squares.

Something very permanent, eternal, transpires.

Fellowship.

Its a safe place where discussions of  the divisions of politics, 

controversies and conflicts are unwelcomed...

instead, 

conversations of life and discovery about 

WHO WE REALLY ARE, 

takes place.

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The Community blanket was spread, where we shared leaves from 

our backyards, from all across the US.

Joy!

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Building.

Process.

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It doesn't happen Every time.

But it DID This time.

It looks like we were told what to wear for our class picture! 

I think this is the Best Class Pic I've Ever Seen :)

...to This group of ladies...Vicki, Elissa, Jeanne, 

Linda, Michelle, Carol, Mary Ann, Deryn, Diane and Leslie...

You are the Best! 

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Everyone has gone home.

But all I have to do, 

is take a deep breath and

 breathe in the aroma that still lingers on my dyed papers and fabrics, 

and it all Comes Back to me.

Whatever it takes, for you to find a Community of the Like Minded, 

I recommend you taking the time to do it.

It's a Building kind of thing.

A Restoring kind of thing.

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I'm so Glad that you stopped by hastypearl !

I love seeing where you All come from to read these entries about my life.

Its an unbelievable honor...

If you would like to get a little note telling you when I post, 

please sign up in the box provided in the right column !

Enjoy these lovely days...Fall here and Spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

What a wonderful World :)

Laura aka hastypearl  

Leslie Marsh

39 Things About One Photo Hastypearl

39 Things About This Photo

Hastypearl

1. I've lost my mind, to have sold these amazing 1940's Lucite Butterscotch Buttons.

I cant help it! I find amazing things and then list them on Etsy hastypearl. Of course, its only a matter of time, before the Smartest Persons in the whole world find them and buy them.

2. I don't know if the color of the buttons is really called Butterscotch, but doesn't it just Sound delicious?

3. I have sellers remorse. Almost every time I sell something wonderful.

4. I think I'm going to buy some Butterscotch candy, tomorrow.

5. The two rocks are from Colorado.

6. I pick them up on the banks of the Crystal River near my house.

7. I don't know how many different kinds of rocks there are represented by that river, but I own many of them.

8. I don't know why they look like they do, but I want to.

9, They both have a heart theme. One is shaped like a heart, and the other has a heart shape embedded in it.

10, The one with the heart shape embedded in it, is the color of Butterscotch.

11. Now, I really want some Butterscotch.

12. I Eco Dyed the paper in a pot of water, yesterday.

13. I collected the plant material from my garden.

14. I laid it on the paper, rolled it around a copper pipe, dropped it in a tamale pot filled with boiling water, two black walnuts that a friend shared with me, and a piece of iron pipe.

15. When I took the paper out of the pot, I hated the lilac color.

16. I lay the papers on my lawn to dry under a mostly cloudy sky.

17. When I looked at them again this morning, I loved them. I'm pretty sure that there is a lesson about waiting to judge things in there.

18. I got to have an impromptu phone conversation with the person who gave me the walnuts. All because I didn't like the purple. I should remember that and call her again, when I don't like something. It was fun.

19. I photographed this collection in front of a window in my kitchen on a cloudy day. I will do that again, soon.

20. I placed everything on a Vintage French Cutting Board, that was a generous gift from someone that I hardly know.

21. Generous gifts from someone that you hardly know, effect you.

22. Generous gifts from someone that you hardly know are hard to receive.

23. I'm not entirely sure why, but they make me want to give generously.

24. Now that I think of it, the color of boards in the cutting board look like Butterscotch.

25. I think that the grocery store opens at 7 a.m. 

26. I'll set my alarm for early and go there to buy some Butterscotch.

27. I used some yellow Coreopsis flowers from my garden, in the Dye process.

28. You can see the Butterscotch stained color on the paper.

29. There is even a little bit of the petal left on the paper.

30. A generous and talented artist casually mentioned Coreopis to me on FB this week.

31. Maybe I should send her some Butterscotch.

32. I have left the C out of the word Butterscotch every time that I have typed it in this posting.

33. I'm pretty crazy about these photographs.

34. I'm sure that I will think of something that I left out of this list, when I hit the publish button.

35. I think I'm going to publish now, and head on to the grocery store, tonight.

36. I haven't tasted a Butterscotch in at least 50 years.

37. Apparently, seeing this photo, the colors, and writing the word Butterscotch over and over, can be a powerfully persuasive thing. 

38. I thought that I would think of 40 things about these images, but I'm done.

Thank goodness for words...A picture is worth a million of them (That Could count as 39.)

Thanks for stopping by...I'm off to buy some Butterscotch...:) Laura

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additional picture added below two days later...

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I thought that you might enjoy seeing what my sister just gave me for Mother's Day....

She is THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!

I mean....THE BEST....

Laura

A Promised Reward! Hastypearl

A Promised Reward!

Hastypearl

I posted yesterday, about how everyone seems to be so busy.

Sometimes...too busy!

To take a break, and honor myself, I spent the day today, 

in a kind of Promised Reward Day.

One, where I did things that sometimes you feel like you need to go Away to do.

Instead, I stayed Home, to do them.

A Staycation of sorts :)

One of the things that has been on my to do fun list for too long, 

was to crank up some eco-dye pots.

While its usually better to do this outside, today, I stayed inside.

I have a really great vent over my stove, and I wasn't in any danger, 

so with the rain, it was a great decision.

The amazing end results of eco dyeing is always a definite yes, 

but to me, 

the Process is Also, beautiful to photograph.

I took these pictures both for their beauty and for 

some ideas that you might benefit from.

First, I want to make it Very Clear, that I am a novice dyer.

There are MANY, that know much more than I do.

I think that it just proves, that there are paths for dyers that are very easy, 

and right now, that is great for me.

When Leslie Marsh taught me, we used a water bath in which we dropped, black walnuts, a piece of iron, some vinegar and the collected garden litter, 

rolled up in either paper, or silk, cotton or linen fabric.

Today, I used 140 lb. watercolor paper, and cotton and linen fabric.

While I did a pot with this recipe today, the one that is photographed here, is only using plants wrapped up in cotton or linen and a bath of Spanish Saffron.  

NOTHING in any cabinet or drawer, is safe from me.

I found this beautiful handmade lace round runner, 

to wrap around my leaves and petals from the garden.

I've never used the yarrow before, so it was an experiment.

There are wonderful books to read, I own two of India Flint's, 

that have lists of plants to use in the dye bath, 

but I like to use what I have in my garden, and experiment.

If its a "fail", no problem. I can always use the same fabrics in a different bath, next time. 

This is what the round runner looked like in the bath.

I think that it looks like a sausage!

I walked around the garden, with this mid century plastic pitcher, 

collecting plant clippings.

We have a lot of creatures...like ants and beetles, in Texas, that invariably piggy 

back into the house on the clippings.

So, I placed the pitcher on a water filled cookie sheet, 

so that when the bugs climb over the side, 

they will encounter the water,

 and they wont climb out on my counter top.

I remember seeing in a museum, that the pioneers had to put their table legs 

in little pots of water, to keep the ants from climbing up 

onto the table and spoiling their food.

I guess I could call myself a flower collecting, Pioneer!

I also leave my papers soaking in water, 

so that they better receive the colors from the plants.

I'm being disciplined, This Time, 

and leaving my rolls in the dye bath overnight, 

or maybe even longer, to make sure that 

they soak up as much dye as possible.

It was a wonderful day, relaxing and honoring myself with a few Promised Rewards...

Now, if I can just remember to do it more often :)

I Hope that you treated yourself to something wonderful, today, 

or have plans for it in the near future!

Dear Reader, I will begin listing a number of new items 

over at my hastypearl shop this week.

I hope that you will take a look and see whats going on over there.

There is always something new to see :)

Buying from Etsy is very easy.

All you need is a credit card, and you can do your Gift Buying, 

in the convenience of your own home..:)

Best to all and Ill see you next time...Laura  

Are You On The Accomplishment Train? Hastypearl

Are You On The Accomplishment Train?

Hastypearl

If you are Breathing...you're probably are on some 

kind of Accomplishment Train!

You may be raising kids, or are a professional, an artist, athlete, or retired.

It really doesn't matter what category you are in, 

it seems that we are all S-O Busy... Accomplishing!

I don't mean to paint it as a "bad only" effort, but sometimes, 

we/I, seem to go from one Accomplishment destination 

to the next...without even taking a breath.

My husband and I for example, are on seriously different tracks.

His accomplishments effect many more people than mine do, 

regardless, I find that its hard to get a grip on the speed of our trains.

I wont list mine of late, but I've been busy....For Months.

Truthfully, some of things that I've done 

have been plain old utilitarian hard work, 

and others have been fulfilling some of my Life Dreams!

The amazing and scary reality, 

is that My Legitimately Busy List, 

doesn't come Close to Comparing to Other peoples.

So, last night...after a Wonderful and anticipated evening,

 at a Boz Scaggs concert, 

(it was wonderful but Boz...I'm begging you to answer me this...

W-H-Y was the concert so SHORT??? :) 

I determined, that Today, was going to be a Treat Day!

Pretty sad, that it takes Determination to do it, 

but whatever is required...Do It!

Yes, my computer was down this morning, because of router problems, 

and yes, it resulted in three different lengthy calls for help. 

And Strangely, Not One of the techs, suggested that I do one 

simple hair pulling simplistic but finally stumbled upon thing....

 I pressed the On button, on the back of the router!

   

Whatever you do...Reckon that you will Honor Yourself Enough...

to periodically step off of the track,

Press that special ON button that works perfectly Just For You,

and DO Something For Yourself :) 

So, I've done my neglected but feels so good Miranda Esmonde White 

classical stretch this morning,

 I've lazily deadheaded some flowers in my garden,

and I'm next going to turn on the Eco Dyeing pot and simmer 

the Beauty right OUT of these important to me flowers, 

onto some awaiting beautiful and thirsty papers and fabrics,

And then Finally, I'm going to eat a homemade chocolate chip cookie 

and Intensely Chocolate, Ice Cream Sandwich! 

Today is going to be, My Day!!!

Let me know something special 

that you've recently gifted Yourself with doing...

I would LOVE to hear about it...

 ...and Thanks as always, for stopping by...

:) Laura

p.s. I invite you to sign up in the space provided on the right column, 

to receive an email note that I have just blogged.

I'm enjoying and appreciate seeing returning and familiar "locations" 

of those of you, that are stopping by often...:)

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Eco Dyeing Hastypearl

Eco Dyeing

Hastypearl

Its funny how you get used to seeing things in your home day after day, and maybe even take them for granted.

Well, I tell you, I look at this Cayenne Eco Dyed Vintage Embroidered runner, and its just as beautiful to me today, as when I first pulled it out of the pot.

The embroidery isn't the star of the show, but it sure makes it unique and beautiful.  

I love everything that came out of the pot that day!

I am sooo looking forward to doing much more.

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Placed under our humble paper dinner napkins, it elevates the mundane!

We inherited both the Amber Depression Glass and the shells.

Its wonderful to be able to see them and remember the family that they came from.

The Vintage Yellow Fiesta Ware is part of our collection.

They came in a huge box that I found in the early 80's.

You don't want to know how li$$le I paid for them, 

before they became such a huge thing to collect!

I found the Laura Ashley table runner at a local estate sale, for a few dollars.

I think it makes for a great contrast and vignette.

Thanks for stopping by and seeing whats going on in my world.

I hope that you will sign up to receive email alerts for my postings.

You'll see the box on the right column.

I promise, I wont be a pest :)

Enjoy these  amazing days....

Laura

Want to Meet My New Friend? Meet Marilyn Stephens! Interlaced - Textile Arts Hastypearl

Want to Meet My New Friend?

Meet Marilyn Stephens!

Interlaced - Textile Arts

Hastypearl

I recently wrote on this blog, about how surprised I have been, about the personal connections that can be made on Social Medias.

Now, maybe those of you that have long been using them, will recognize that as a Novice Mistake.

I acknowledge...that I am THAT Novice...and I did make THAT Mistake :)

Long before I started writing this blog, or joined FB, I was a blog Reader.

Little by little, I found blogs that appealed to me...and not surprisingly, most have been written by people that express themselves is some form, artistically.

Initially, my decision to join Facebook, was for my business, Hastypearl.

I had NO IDEA, that its Greater Good, would be about meeting people from all over the world, who I would  eventually consider to be... my Friends!

Now, there are those, that think these things are random, but for me, I think there is an amazing amount of Providence involved. 

Especially when those very Meaningful Connections, begin to change your life.

One of those Special Connections for me has been...Marilyn Stephens!

Marilyn lives in Cornwall, England.

She is an Extraordinary artist...for sure.

But I think what I've learned Marilyn's REAL Gifting is, is what I call...

"Coming Up Under People".

She is People Supporter.

A People Builder.

One of the ways that I've seen her do that, is her persistent Promotion of artists/people on FB.

And when you Support people, there is usually a positive response.

You want Solid evidence of that?

That's easy.

Without being a Famous Celebrity or Rock Star ;), she gained 500 FB friends, on the DAY that she opened her Business/Artists page called, Interlaced-Textile Arts. 

And in a very short time, she as added another 200.

My guess is, Marilyn is or has made Many of those 700, feel like her Special Friend, just as she has me!    

Recently, out of the blue, she asked for my address.

She didn't elaborate.

I sent my address.

What I eventually found in my mailbox...Took my breath!

The images you are seeing, are of the gift that she sent.

Today, as I sat enlarging and brightening these pictures to post, I kept seeing the  

THOUSANDS of TINY, TINY stitches.

Some of them are mere specks.

On and On they appear!

Without knowing all of my personal Joys...she featured the word...Sing.

Yes, its a simple word, that could apply to many...but I don't care about that...It Applies To Me!

Those that know me, know that I have loved Singing, since I was a very young girl.

Marilyn, you hit the mark with that Choice!

Then, yes, shes seen pictures of my home, but whether she registered, that this gift, would literally be the exact color scheme of my decor...I'm not sure.

But THEY ARE!

And Yes, the Leaves, the Leaves, the Leaves.

They Represent me.

I hope all of the rest of my days, will be filled with Nature and Gardening!

These, handmade cards, were included, and sent with special sentiments, that meant so much!

I guess, what I am trying to convey, and this will probably embarrass her, but, I don't think, that there are Many people that would GIVE, this Caliber of Gift!

Sell...Yes!...but I am Blown Away by this Excessive Generosity and its Impact on Me is Great!!!

  

I will frame this, and display it and I cant wait for my guests, to see it.

(Marilyn and I recently teased about swapping houses! Oh, I would Love to do that!)

Its likely, that my friends, wont ever physically Meet Marilyn, but I think they will quickly learn a lot about her, just by studying this piece.

I hope You have, too!

Im so grateful for Unexpected New Friends...and for Marilyn The Generous...for Sure.

Thank you so much for this Gift from the Heart, Marilyn! 

Please visit her blog and see her ongoing work. She is a Very prolific artist.

Before I go, I want to mention, that this is my 99th Hastypearl posting! 

HOW can that Be?

Im hoping to do something Special for number 100.

Im thinking maybe a give away!

Ive never done that and I know it would be fun :)

Im not sure what it will be, but I hope you will check back in and see!

If you would like to receive an email, letting you know when I post, just sign up for that on the right side of the page! 

xoxo as always, Laura