Cabin Fever

I sat down at the sewing machine yesterday to finally start work on my cabin collection...holiday projects took priority! As Christmas decorations slowly come down and snow continues to pile-up, it's time to surround yourself in warmth. The cabin collection...invites the outdoors in...pine cones in a basket, ice skates hanging near the door, a sled propped in the corner waiting for a ride. The cabin collection takes pleasure in the simple things...hot cocoa with lots o' marshmallows, snowy mittens drying on the registers. The cabin collection...making your home a place that works for you...functional beauty. These pillows were created with that thought in mind... I raided my felted wool stash and utilized every inch of an old, gently used flannel shirt...for the final result. The front of the shirt was used to make the opening for the flannel pillow form within...and the pocket holds fun "secret messages" for the family to pass back and forth...the first one has been provided to get you off and running!

This pack-o-pillows encourages you to nestle in for a good read or better yet,

a long winter's nap!

Surround yourself in warmth!

Favorite Things

Today I am featuring a handmade craft that I received as a gift for Christmas... a soft, sagey-green (it's a word today) alpaca wool cap, knitted with love...for me! When I went out to shovel the drive this morning, I donned the hat and looked in the mirror...it was an instant transformation, I tell ya...

a twelve-year-old Jenny was giggling back!

It quickly climbed to the top of the one of my favorite things list and it just so happens it was made by one of my favorite people in the whole wide world...my mom.

Thanks mom...I love you too!

Be Still

Be Still and Know...

May the peace that surpasses all understanding

fill your heart and mind...

today and always.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, dear friends!

The Hipster

I'm a problem solver. Not in all areas of life, mind you, but with regard to designing, a problem often serves as the impetus I need to create new designs. PROBLEM: Holiday shopping with temperatures in the low 20's + winds nearing 70mph = wind chills that freeze boogers! Compound that with hauling packages to and from (I confess...early returns) your car, all while lugging a leather purse that refuses to ride on a coat-clad shoulder...Aargh!! Happy Holidays?! Well, I can't do anything about the weather and these crazy shopping habits are ingrained in my DNA (Thanks, Mom), BUT the irritating purse? Now THAT I can do something about! SOLUTION: The Hipster. A compact purse--made of recycled and felted wool--that rides on your hip with the help of a belt. I know the fanny pack took a beating in the "wear this not that" world, but make it stylish and drop it from the waist to the hip and...when I took it for a test drive --Saturday at the mall--it was the center of attention...not mine, I virtually forgot I was wearing it, so inconspicuous, but those around me...shoppers and sales clerks who suffer from the same dreaded problem saw the genius (ha ha) behind the design! Take a quick look inside... Roomy enough for all your bare essentials. Small enough to stay out of the way. The little denim pocket holds your cell for easy access. The Hipster is available at Harmony in Life OR contact me at jenondrus@yahoo.com.

The fanny pack is back and better than ever, darling!

O.M.N.'s Sirsasana Shirt

Hung by the chimney with care...

A row of sirsasana shirts ready and willing to assist you in your next yoga session.

When I dropped these latest additions off at the shop ...

Harmony in Life

a patron asked me about the shirts.

My first response was to ask her if she'd ever taken a yoga class...

A big NO to that one.

I then explained that the sirsasana is a headstand

and that in yoga you often work your body in ways that

your clothes can be a hindrance.

With the upcycled sirsasana you can keep your mind on your movements

and off your clothing because

the extended shirt grips at the hip

even in the sirsasana pose!

Enlightenment achieved!

O.M.N.

That's Old Maid New...

and when you see this soft label

you'll know you're wearing an original design

that you'll never see on anyone but you!

Because you're special.

Be beautiful!

Roses Are Red

Roses, roses everywhere.

Roses in her lovely hair.

Three delicate woolen rosettes, grouped together

between two leaves

atop a wide black satin headband.

What little girl in your life

wouldn't love this adorable (and comfortable!)

accessory to complete her Christmas ensemble?

It doesn't get any sweeter than this.

Contact Me "Tutorial"

I have been told by those who kindly visit my blog Old Maid New, (I guess if you're reading this you are one of them, so thank you.) that when they have attempted to comment, they were unable to get through all the gooble-dee-gook! Rest assured...I'm looking into the problem. Until I work out all the comment glitches, it is now possible for you to contact me. I hope you enjoy this little "tutorial".

First, look for the Old Maid New logo in the right-hand margin. It looks like this...

Click on View My Complete Profile. On the next screen, you will see the category Contact. Click on Email where you will be able to type your comment, question...whatever you wish. Click Send, let the computer do its thing, and voila...you have been successful in reaching me. I will respond accordingly.

Thanks for your interest...and have a great day!

Bundle Up

Whenever I went outside in the winter to face the harsh Michigan elements, my mom would say, "Bundle up". This is now my line when my boys go out to play..."Bundle up"...aka...baby, it's cold outside and you best be prepared!

Now it applies whenever you hear/ read these words...

Here is a typical conversation at any neighborhood coffee house...

"I would like a tall, peppermint twist mocha please."

"Would you like whipped topping?"

"Oh...sure," said as if you'll try it that way...just this once.

"That'll be..." way to much for a simple coffee, but you've convinced yourself it is worth every penny.

You pay the exorbitant amount then wait...smile at others in line...wait...check out the cute stuff they sell...wait...

"One peppermint twist mocha with whipped topping," announced loudly for all the patrons to hear.

You step forward..."That's me," said with eager anticipation. You reach for your delicious mocha...

Here it comes..."Be careful, it's very hot...you better grab a sleeve."

"No thanks," you say as you rummage through your purse, "I got it covered." Then you slip on the earth-friendly, recycled-woolen, flower-powered coffee cozy.

"That is soooo cute...I gotta have one....where did you get that?"

You send her my way...and don't forget to sell it with a smile!

Extreme cold OR extreme hot...bundle up your brew and protect your hands as well as your planet with a handy-dandy, reusable coffee sleeve!

Enjoy your day with a smile.