AfricanKelli

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I found my crafting mojo, tucked between a couple gallons of mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer. After a tug or two of sweet Dreyer’s bliss, and a nice glass of shiraz — my new favorite summer beverage — I returned to my studio. My June birthday list isn’t nearly as long as July’s, but nonetheless, it needed some crafty attention.

Covington Bags, #2-3:

I used ribbon on these instead of the suggested fabric for the ties. I do like the ribbon, but need a thicker grossgrain for the next batch.

For June’s Project Spectrum, I kept to the fruity fabric theme and whipped up my next batch of wristlets:

I just love this fabric. I purchased it last summer in Guadalajara and wish I had taken the entire bolt home with me.

Tres blue, non? Check out other blue Project Spectrum entries here.

What are you working on this summer?

~K

My weekend away was fantastic. I spent it making close friends with a four-year-old named Caitlin who very well may be the most beautiful little girl on earth. She is stunning, sweet and full of life. When she couldn’t remember my name, she’d come screaming through the forest, calling after me, “Friend! Friend! Grandpa, what is her name again? FRIEND!!” Finally, I’d stop, nearly dying of laughter and wondering how far I could push her until we could repeat the scene.

My crafting has been sparse lately. It is terribly hot outside, as to be expected of Arizona in June. So hot that the thought of baking, holding knitting in my lap, or working in my long-since-dead garden seems trite. Why bother? There are popsicles to be enjoyed, books to be read and swimming pools in which to float. There is something about 100-plus degree weather that evaporates nearly every ounce of my motivation and leaves me a hungry, lollygagging heap. Some people lose weight during the summer. Who are these people? They surely need another margarita.

Even my pretty new labels haven’t provided much inspiration.

In the interim, I’ve been spending time huddled in my dark studio, under the comforts of both an overhead fan and the ice cold air conditioning, reading blogs. I suppose I’m not only reading them, but wishing I could transport myself to them. For example, Ms. Weirdbunny with her Welsh farm makes me hurt to be outside in cool weather. Wisecraft and her Pacific northwest gardening isn’t doing my envy any favors either. I found my very first based-in-Africa craft blog last week and if I could send myself over to LuckyBeans for an extended vacay, oh, how I would. Hello Zambia! I hope to see you one day.
More than anything, I find myself wanting more domesticity. Many of you are collecting summer berries for preserves. Others are tending glorious gardens — ahem, Ms. Finny — and still others are finding the summer months their happiest times to pair quilt fabrics and yarns. I’m trying to pair bikini pieces with Nicaraguan tan lines.
Yikes.

Speaking of gardening, I’m thinking of an indoor succulents collection. Any suggestions?

Any idiot can keep succulents alive, right? Or so I thought before my aloe vera died. Aloe vera. In the desert. My black thumbs’ prowess surprises even me.

Obviously not from my garden.

The cherry that takes it all — of course — is Ms. Martha with her impeccable summer jams. (Seriously, have you seen the July issue? Go buy it already.) Is it wrong to dream of delivering to neighbors tiny, perfectly jarred homemade jams with my home’s own crest emblazed on top? Lordie. I think I’ve just booked myself a one-way flight to Stepford and there’s no stopping my arrival.
Y’all keep posting. When I come in to reapply sunblock and fill up my Cha-Cha glass, I’ll catch up.

Tootles,
K

I’m feeling a bit topsy turvy today.

Good:
The July issue of Martha Stewart Living is out and it is fabulous. I know you hear me say this often, but this issue is particularly wonderful, with her “best of” entertaining tricks included. I have so many good ideas for parties I want to throw!

Bad:
I am on the potential blackball list for future crafting swaps because OH MY GOD my Backtack III package still hasn’t arrived to Kerrie and sweet Jesus, I sent the sucker more than a month ago. I am seriously bummed. Worst case scenario — I start over quickly and overnight the sucker to the other side of the pond. I’m hoping this expensive option won’t be needed. Mr. Postman, please deliver already.

Good:
Lots of dates with nice boys lately.

Bad:
Lots of eating out and a growing midsection.

Good:
Kacey’s been in town and I’ve been spending gobs of time with my girlfriends and loving every second of it.

Bad:
She is going home and we are going to miss her.

Good:
I finished Dark Star Safari and it is one of the best books I’ve read in a long, long time. If you want a great travel book about Africa, pick this baby up. You won’t be disappointed. I’m giving it five out of five stars, absoloodle. Truly, I earmarked no fewer than 20 pages where I felt like he was speaking directly to me, to my experiences in Africa, to my understanding of travel and the continent. I simply loved this book. Bravo Mr. Theroux!

Bad:
Father’s Day is this weekend and my papi lives in Texas. This makes me sad on a gut-aching level. We had a family tradition of swimming together in a local meet each Father’s Day. It was loads of fun because the officials are the same happy crew who were around when I was a kid swimming. They fondly remember our family and we always got taunts and laughter when our father/daughter duo took to the blocks. (Especially the year I entered my father as “The Torpedo.” Imagine them calling out this name when he got up to race. Still it gives me giggles!) So, I’m missing my folks. A lot.

Good:
I’m going out of town this weekend to escape the heat, staying with some friends in a cabin. I’ve been encouraged to bring nothing more than my hiking boots, sewing machine and knitting needles. They are going to take care of me. I have such thoughtful friends and am a lucky soul.

Glass half full (can it be a wine glass, with shiraz, c’est vous plait?),
K

So, I finished finished my novel. I’ve written my query letter and it’s going out tomorrow. Now, time for a treat.
I’ve long promised myself “the handbag of my choice” upon completion of the novel. This served as serious motivation in a writing drought, or two. (I’m a rare breed — one who works with the poor and still finds time to worship Louis Vuitton. Confused? Um, yeah. I’m obviously still working out that balance of Africankelli and Americankelli.) Me likey purses. And I’d like to purchase a great, classic bag that I’ll have for ages — something that will remind me that it doesn’t matter if Oprah thinks this is a good story. It is one I wanted to tell.
A few friends I’m considering inviting to the party:
Coach
Kate Spade
Michael Kors, in either color,
and the king himself — Louie Louie.
Aw, who am I kidding? I talk a big, fashionable, Devil Wears Prada talk, but when it comes right down to it, I’m not spending $800 on a purse until I get my invite to Oprah’s book club. And then I’ll have to buy one of those houses in Nicaragua too, to feel a touch more balanced. Because really, philanthropists who wear Jimmy Choo’s aren’t horrible people. They are just well dressed, generous people. Right?

~K

P.S. If you are looking for a Phoenix gal who actually has written and sold a book, Martha’s got an ISBN number. I can only imagine the awesome Italian food and fountain of booze at her signing party.

Jessica of Funky Finds surprised me with a care package this week. I am loving the pretty fabrics and the little photo album made with paper bags. Very sweet!

I am so going to steal this idea and make little photo memory books. Love this!

This may be my favorite new artist — Black Apple Art. This painting is called, “A Good Egg is Hard to Find.” Jess included this postcard print.
I’ve received many nice things in the mail lately, including a fantastic care package from Aimee. I was pressed for time when leaving for Nic and foolishly didn’t take photos, but she wanted me to take a slew of toothbrushes and toothpaste with me to hand out. The children were very appreciative and I was touched by her kindness. She also sent me one of her fab T-shirts, which are now on sale in her shop. Scoop them up!

Thanks ladies! Coming home after a long day of work and an annoyingly hot commute to a stack of personal mail makes me smile and feel like a spoiled, lucky girl.
~K