The Northville Re-Wind

Who could forget these wheels?

Very inconspicuous.

Subtle, some might say.

HAH...LOL...LMAO...FOL!

In my last posting on Northville, I mentioned

that one of my sisters couldn't make it.

She lives out of town.

But she was with us in spirit.

Rosebud...

these pics are for you.

This totally looked like some of the...dare I say it...

Pottery Barn images you had been posting about.

Now if I had an extra $500 on me

I just might have picked it up for you.

Unfortunately, a picture is

all you get.

Take a close look.

It is so cool because of the wear of days gone by...

stretched canvas, squirrel eating

an acorn, muted/faded colors.

I thought of you right away.

Take a look at this.

Now this is a given.

I took this picture to motivate and inspire

you to get busy.

I know I'm a bit prejudice here, and no

disrespect to the paper crafter above,

he/she did very nice work,

BUT

my sister is way more talented!

SO,

I'm giving you a mission.

Stop at Corner Cottage (heck, stop in at all

those adorable Noblesville shops)

and show them what you've got...

in cards, that is.

My little way of saying that I love you.

I sure hope you're feeling better.

The Bar O' Milk And Honey

Fun Science!

Soapmaking Day

With recipe and knowledge

and all the necessary equipment

Scale, ingredients, hand blender...

goggles and vinegar!

This is serious stuff...

A wee bit blurry...

Mixing the oils and the lye solution to "trace"

Saponification

to turn into soap

the reaction between the alkali and acid

Fresh out of the mold

Loving that "pound cake" color

Cut into bars and set out to cure

I tweaked a basic recipe

adding buttermilk and honey

for their moisturizing benefits.

The Bar O Milk and Honey!

With a few finishing touches...

A Lesson in Patience

Waiting one full month

Allowing the bar to neutralize before use. Singing Carly Simon Anticip-a-tion is makin me wait...

What a Joyful Shower That Will Be!

More Zafu (Zah-foo) For You

Sometimes a design just makes sense.

That's how I feel about The Zafu I created.

Could also explain why the women at

Harmony in Life

called saying...we need more Zafu Meditation Pillows!

Back to the machine.

This time I incorporated decorator

fabric scraps with denim...like I said,

it just makes sense to use sturdy fabrics on an item that is

going to be toted around and sat on!

No two fabric scraps are alike so the flip side

features another complimentary design.

Filled with those amazing Buckwheat Hulls from

It's Lagniappe

(a little something extra)

which translates into pure comfort during your

meditation practice.

Get Your Zafu On!

The Zabuton

The Zabuton

A Japanese floor cushion...

multi-functional in that it can be used wherever

a little cushion is needed.

Today it is most often used in meditation

A time of quiet reflection

to think inward without outside distractions.

Foot, knee, or ankle pain

can distract from your experience

and you will not receive the full benefit

of your practice.

The Zabuton and The Zafu

Paired together...

working together.

The Zafu assists in pelvic alignment,

while The Zabuton gently cushions the joints.

Consider creating a meditation corner in your home

A place to go to reflect and calm the senses.

An alternative to "time out"

Call it "time in"

A place to focus inward and let the physical

world pass.

A Word about the materials...

As always Old Maid New!

Too cool to be old?

Bingo.

My big sis had some Amy Butler scraps (that she

was going to scrap) she thought of me.

Thanks Tina!

I put them to work in that One-of-a-Kind Yoga Strap.

The Zafu and Zabuton

both constructed from Old Objects Found

and given a new and beautiful

purpose.

Additionally, (if you've read this far)

The Zabuton contains a crafted futon

beneath made from salvaged cotton

blankets and/or towels

to give it a sturdy cush that won't

break down. Available at Harmony in Life Sylvania, Ohio

Create your little corner of peace.

The One-of-a-Kind Yoga Strap

The Yoga Strap

an essential prop for those of us who

are still working on flexibility.

Utilized in many postures to increase flexibility...

so you can get deeper into the pose.

Allows a beginner to get into a stretch

without sacrificing alignment.

So why sacrifice on style?

I improved upon this utilitarian strap and

created

The One-of-a-kind Yoga Strap.

Each one is as individual as you are.

Function and Beauty can co-exist!

The best part...I can finally use those scraps-of-fabric-

that-I-just-couldn't-part-with-because-

I-knew-I-would -find-a-purpose-for-them.

Don't let their good looks fool you.

They are long and strong and ready to assist you

in your next yoga practice.

Stretch in Style!

Sister's Weekend in Northville, MI

What a Blast of a Weekend!

But then again I always have fun when I'm hanging

out with my sisters.

The fun started Saturday night with dinner at Barada's...

hummus, grape leaves, fatoosh...YUMMY

Followed by frenzied magazine dreamin' at Tina's.

This is where she told me about

a new series on HGTV...Cash and Cari...that

looked like my dream job. In addition to running

estate sales, Cari owns a store,

RePurpose, that looks like...well, me.

My kinda place.

After a bit of googling we found that it was not

only based in Michigan...it was only 1 short

hour away.

Road Trip!

Sunday...right after church (for some of us)...

we were on our way.

The suspense and anticipation mounted as we

traveled through the quaint town of

Northville, Michigan.

Here we are just steps from our

destination...

Hmmm...Solid Grounds Coffee...

we were two coffees deep but knew we

were going to need number three.

My sisters...missing Mom and Mary (next time I hope)

Just outside the door and diggin' the

window display.

I saw this three shelf cart as soon as I stepped in...

the funky green, the groovy flowers...

I knew it wanted to go home with me

and get busy in my craft room.

We wanted to browse BUT after all that coffee

we needed to take a brief detour.

Sorry, TMI.

Cari's wheels were on display in the court.

I won't lie to you...I was coveting.

Screamin cool...don't you think?

I'll let the pictures do the talking...

Keep scrolling...for more cool.

If you're ever in the neighborhood,

we highly recommend you take a peek.

The town is "timeless with a twist"...with a lot of interesting shops

and restaurants. Many were closed on Sunday...

shucks, an excuse to go back.

After grabbing a delicious Zebra Latte @

Solid Grounds

and stashing my new cart in Tina's hatch...

we were jived for more fun...

which explains IKEA above.

Sister's Weekends.

A saving grace during these long winter months!

Filled with dreams and inspiration.

Does a body good.

Thanks Tina and Susie...love you.

The Savasana Eye Pillow

Savasana

the reward you receive at the end of

your yoga practice.

A time to focus your mind

on complete relaxation.

These 100% organic flaxseed and lavender

eye pillows will enhance and aid

in achieving deeper

meditation.

The gentle weight of the flax seed

adapts to individual facial contours which

helps to relax the muscles

behind the eyes and nose and

will trigger deeper

relaxation in the cheek, jaw, chin and neck.

Organic Lavender

is known for its relaxing and

calming effect on the central nervous system.

Its benefits include; relief for painful sinuses, headache,

and muscular aches, and it can induce sleep

even in the most chronic insomniac.

The coolness of the silk fabric

is particularly pleasant after your asana practice...

blocking the light and outside distractions...

comforting and aromatic.

The health benefits of meditation

are, by now, well known to all.

Did you know that a simple nap is equally beneficial?

Napping improves stamina, increases alertness,

reduces stress, lowers blood pressure,

enlightens mood and attitude,

increases accuracy,

preserves youth "get your beauty sleep",

increases metabolism...facilitating weight loss!

That's why I keep my

Savasana Eye Pillow

where I need it most...

That beautiful lavender fragrance envelopes

for now I lay me...

Footnote:

These Savasana Eye Pillows

are also 100% Old Maid New!

If you thought you recognized the fabrics

from mens silk ties...you

were absolutely correct!

I am hoping to create my first tutorial

very soon so that you too

can experience the amazing effect

of these Flaxseed/Lavender

Eye Pillows.

Peace and Calm to You.

The Zafu

The Zafu

is a traditional Japanese cushion

used for meditation.

After careful research into shape

and design, I created my own version

of the Zafu.

The round shape elevates and cushions

the pelvis...improving seated posture,

easing joint and back pain, and aiding

in achieving deeper and longer

meditation sessions.

The best compliment came when I dropped

these beauties off at the shop

Harmony in Life,

and Sue (co-owner) sat on one and

proclaimed it to be...

"the most comfortable thing I've ever sat on!"

The Zafu

Made of sturdy (you guessed it) recycled denim and

upholstery type fabric for years of meditation use.

Reinforced stitching throughout.

A built-in handle

for ease of transport to and from class.

Comfortable seating can go wherever you go!

The best part lies beneath...

these meditation pillows are filled with

a hefty 3+ pounds of domestically

grown, pillow-grade

Buckwheat Hulls.

Buckwheat hulls perfectly contour to your

individual shape.

Quite simply, it will be the most

comfortable thing you've ever sat on.

The company I purchased them from,

"It's Lagniappe"

(a little something extra)

were terrific to work with.

Fast delivery (even during the holidays),

great follow-through with the order via email,

most importantly...a terrific product.

The buckwheat hulls are super clean and

beautiful to work with too.

Revolutionize your Meditation.

Think Zafu!

The Woolen Loofa

January is a time for pampering.

A little investment in you!

Exercise. Diet. Live Joy-Fully.

My day starts in the shower.

Soap.

A daily necessity.

I decided this past summer to be more mindful

of not only what goes into

my body...but what I put on my body as well.

I learned how to make soap.

100% natural...I know what goes into it...

soap.

My family has willingly tested and

I have received nothing but positive feedback.

My husband's favorite...

"the bumpy one"

aka oatmeal and oat milk.

Very soothing for winter skin.

One day at the sewing machine I decided to combine

my crafts and I made a little pillowcase

for my soap.

Recycled, felted wool that will continue

to felt with use.

It is fun and pampering to use.

Get it wet, squeeze for lather, and gently scrub and

exfoliate in a circular motion over your entire body!

Place it on a rack to dry.

As any of my saponification buds will tell you...

handmade soap needs to dry between use.

Pure clean.

Natural Woman

Refers to the fragrance...I wish you could sniff it

through your screen.

It's a little bit groovy...a little bit patchouli...

a little bit rock and roll.

A whole lot fabulous!

Go ahead...pamper yourself!

Winter Wish

Winter Means Pastel to Me

Flowers?

The promise of the Spring to come!

Pillows add interest, texture, and warmth to a room...

or even a porch swing.

Pillows convey a sense of comfort.

Inviting you to rest for a while...maybe even

snuggle with someone you love.

Share a moment together.

Share your dreams.

Say a prayer.

Sleep tight.

The Winter Wish Collection.

Made from 100% Recycled Woolens. Vintage buttons. Reverse side constructed from an old flannel shirt. As always...Old Maid New.