AfricanKelli

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“…All work is empty save when there is love; and when you work with love, you bind yourself to yourself, and to one another, and to God.

And what is it to work with love?  It is to weave the cloth with threads drawn from your heart, even as if your beloved were to wear that cloth.

It is to build a house with affection, even as if your beloved were to dwell in that house.

It is to sow seeds with tenderness and reap the harvest with joy, even as if your beloved were to eat the fruit.

It is to charge all things you fashion with a breath of your own spirit,

and to know that all the blessed dead are standing about you and watching.

Work is love made visible.  And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.”

– Kahlil Gibran, “The Prophet”

Thanks to my friend Julia and her suggestion at using this incredible resource, I found an audio book I’ve been considering buying at a nearby library yesterday. It was $80, so imagine my delight at having it on my iPod for free within 45 minutes of locating it in my own neighborhood. While smiling at my luck and  browsing the shelves of dusty, well-worn friends, I came across two Lilly Pulitzer books on style.

I’ve seen Lilly’s clothing at Nordstrom’s, but always thought it was a bit much. The colors are exceptionally bright and the patterns remind me of what I’d imagine a gaggle of fashion-blind old women in Palm Beach would wear to the country club. In all fairness, the book didn’t sway that opinion 100%, but it did make me a fan of the woman behind the label. The books are gorgeous — full of color, texture, history and a cornicopia of design and art ideas. I found myself scanning eBay far too late last night looking at her many wild dresses.

It isn’t terribly surprising I could fall for Lilly. I’ve always loved Pucci and dream of wearing a vintage Diane Von Furstenberg wrap. I feel like such bright colors, paired with classic jewlery, a simple handbag and a nice pair of sandals are classic — think Charlotte.

Now, to get to those dress patterns haunting my sewing table! I need to bite the bullet and get my own designs into fabric and draped on my many gorgeous girlfriends. I can only imagine throwing my own summer party one day where everyone came in one of my creations. Oh, Lilly — you did this so very well:

So loud, so crazy and so very fun.

~K

Elephants are good luck, especially those with their trunks turned upward. Not surprisingly, they are among some of my favorite animals. Along with Brezos (zebras) and giraffes, the trifecta of African animals is so bizarre and beautiful.

Embellished baby clothing is an easy way to share my love of these gentle giants with new petites. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how thrift stores are a brilliant resource for projects of all sorts. Following Goodwill on Twitter, I’ve learned a bit about repurposing. Not to mention Soulemama’s latest book — at the top of my to-read list.

Repurposing, embellishing, being creative — they seem to be en vogue now more than ever. The downsides to a slowing economy are much simpler to discuss. Yet the silver-linings are pushing neighbors into community gardens, getting folks to cancel TV and pick up books, having families return to the dinner table for conversation rather than another drive through run, encouraging friends to share coupons and deals, and challenging us to be better versions of ourselves.

This weekend I’m having friends over to learn how to make preserves. We’re desert fruit gathering and canning. We’ll eat lunch, listen to music and gather together to learn a skill my grandmother once learned on a depression-era suffering farm.

I’m not happy that there are so many folks struggling to make ends meet. There are more hungry people now than ever before in my life, so it seems. But I am happy that it seems we are eating less, sharing more and learning with each breath.

Tell me that’s not a world in which you want to welcome an elephant-onsie wearing baby?

~K

Kara came over this weekend to try out that fabulous boxy bag tutorial.

It was quite a bit fun and the tutorial is easy peasy. I love the results, especially those created with canvas in lieu of interfacing. They are easier to turn and sit up as nicely. Plus, meeting Kara and spending an afternoon talking about her gorgeous Native American jewelry and the fun of being able to create what you want with a sewing machine and in life.

Of course, my favorite are the Frida bags. Check out photos from this recent Frida birthday party. Oh, the sweetness! I am going to use this idea one day.

~K

When Amanda’s mom passed away last October, there was a part of my close group of childhood girlfriends (the Yas) that died too. Judy is the first parent to pass away, and she wasn’t just a parent. She was one of my friends — someone I loved talking to about books and travel. She was a woman I wanted to be more like. I always felt like a part of the family in their home and Judy and Amanda’s relationship was so peaceful and loving.

The months since her death have been so hard for Amanda, her brother and their father. In all fairness, they’ve been difficult for each of us too. I can say I’m holding my mom a bit closer, being a bit more appreciative, arguing less and loving more. I can also say I’ve watched Amanda in awe. Full of grace, she’s handling this mourning with the full spectrum of emotion and let herself feel and live it.

Amanda inherited many of her mother’s things. One of these was an old sewing box full of odd notions and patterns. She also received the bejeweled bag. Judy sewed on occasion and while Amanda loved this bag because it was her mother’s, her own style is much simpler. She asked if I’d take the handles and the style of the first and create something she’d like to carry — keeping the spirit and losing the flare.

This reversible tote was easy to create. I even found the green webbing for the handles in Judy’s sewing box — Amanda passed it along to me several months ago.

This project was a simple transition. Living in a time of life where our grandparents, parents and friends age, get sick and die isn’t.  I hope those facing illness and mourning are similarly surrounded by a circle of loving and remembering friends. I am so thankful Judy’s spirit is alive and well — in her daughter, in her previous projects and in those of us who were lucky enough to spend time with her.

~K