Blue Skies Are A Work In Progress

Not everything in life is perfect - nothing new in that statement, you already know that ultimate truth of life. Last night we had a ridiculous amount of tornadoes in our part of Tennessee. Thank goodness for the safety of our all-cement storage room, we spent more time in it last night than ever before. While we were in there, I got to thinking that I need to stock up on important tornado stuff and keep it in there- like m&m's. Many towns this morning are waking up to the horror and destruction that mother nature created last night. Our town is one of the lucky ones. I find it odd just how beautiful things look after a  vicious storm has passed. The air is so calm and peaceful, your senses have a heightened sense of perception, and there is the morning-after blue sky that almost tricks you into believing that the storm you just went through, is a figment of your imagination.

Blue skies, like everything else in life, are a work in progress. I made it home from my family reunion, in Chile, and had to deal with a plethora of dark grey sky issues- the black sheep of the family kind of issues. Seeing my 150 closest relatives was awesome. Seeing my brother and sister whom I have a highly dysfunctional relationship with, was not. I came home and it took me about three whole days for the grey sky issues to finally break. I have, thankfully, extreme clarity now that my own viscious storm has passed. I also have a fully enveloping sense of calmness and peace. Enough said. Regardless, nothing in life is better than waking up in your own bed.

Or coming home to find out that Natalie Chanin had sent me a copy of her brand new book, Alabama Studio + Design (if you click on this link, you will also see her other books there.)

I had seen on my computer, before I left that she had sent it out, but it had not arrived before I needed to leave for the airport. I was so desperate for the book, I even looked into the UPS driver's drop off schedule - my top-of-the-mountain location was slated for the end of the day. I had to leave for Chile without it. I new that the directions and pattern for making this top was in it:

I did the next best thing right before I left; I cut the blue jersey fabric that I had tie-dyed a few months ago, and threw it into my carry on with a needle and thread.

The top, obviously is not the same, the neckline and seams are different. I did my best aboard my delta flight to attach the bottom of the top in a gathered way with the stretch rose-bud stitch that Natalie shows in all of her books. To try and sew on an airplane, without bothering the rest of the paying customers, is a trick. At first, you feel like you don't know, on your fabric pieces, just like when you are in the midst of a storm, family or weather realted, which way is up or down, right or wrong. It takes a lot longer to get the project going when you don't have the space you need.

You just have to persevere. I am not done with it. I have yet to finish the arm holes or the bottom hem. Every little handmade stitch takes a long time, but that is OK, the end is in sight, I can see clearly now what I have left to do.

Traveling, in real life or through life, is never as easy as you imagined it was going to be, but if you keep at it you will find yourself above the clouds, no storms in sight, with an absolutely glorious view stretching out before you without end.

I am really excited about what lies ahead. Hope you join me for it.

Carolina

Comments

[Danielle]

Thanks for the post I was worried about you when i heard how close the storms were. I sometimes find myself singing the verse "I can see clearly now the rain is gone, I can see all obsticles in my way"

[Elizabeth]

WELCOME HOME!!!! I missed you :) I was thinking about those tornados last night and the path they were on. So happy to hear you guys are all fine, and made it through. Amen on the M&M's, those should definitely always be stocked up.

Love your knit top, the color is so pretty! I always wondered if they would let someone on the plane with a needle. I had wanted to do some embroidery once, but worried that they would take the needle away.

Oh how we know over here at our house the status of black sheep! Crazy how family is isn't it. You just want it all to be like a fun TV family, and it never is. Or that cute family that you every once in a while you run into that is only slightly dysfunctional, but so caring that it doesn't matter.

At least you are now safe and sound at home in your haven, with your family.

That book looks fun, I may go check it out at the book store.

[The Muse of The Day]

Not only can you take a needle, Elizabeth, but also one of those round thread/ yarn cutters they sell for knitters - it works like a charm. Carolina

[Eva]

I'm glad you made it through the storm! Family can be very tough, there are always some people who can get to you. I am glad you got through the dark skies!

Your top looks great! I love the batik effect and the beautiful stitching! Makes me want to try that, too!

I was just thinking that the blues and white in your top fabric looks like a slightly cloudy blue sky. How fitting!

Have a great weekend!!!

[Melissa P]

Great to have you back! You were missed. It's unfortunate you came back to such a tempest--both in Nature and in yourself. But I'm glad to see that blue skies are back on all fronts.

[Cindy Lane]

Thank goodness you are all safe and sound. It would be such a tragedy to have your beautiful haven of a home damaged.

Your top is looking stunning.

I'm still recovering from the major swoon over your stained glass/fabric lantern.....

Onwards Carolina!

[Pamela]

I am so glad you are safe. Your mum told me about the tornadoes. Welcome home. It was wonderful to see photos of you at the reunion.
We must talk soon. Love,
Your cousin,
Pamela
...who would love to have been at the reunion.

[Alicia Armstrong]

I'm glad you are home safe, and safe in your home! I can't wait to hear more about your travels.

The photos of your top are beautiful, with the blue and gray of the sky and trees as a backdrop to the beautiful blues in your fabric. It's like the stormy sky fabric has a homespun thread of family encircling it, calming it and holding it all together. It is a beautiful thing the way your whole post is woven together.

Love those hats on the book cover.

I put up a post for you, but sorry, no chicken this time!