Photo Challenge – Strength

The prompt from this week’s Photo Challenge is STRENGTH.

As children, our parents are our strength. They love, support, and guide us through all of our trials and tribulations. The day may come however, when we must be their strength. Even though she is tiny and frail, my little mother soldiers on. As you can  see, there is quite an incline ahead, and mama is anxious to get to the top of it. This picture was taken several months ago and she’s had a debilitating fall since then. After weekly physical therapy sessions, she has decided today is the day to walk again toward that hill, in preparation for walking in the hills of Wales one more time next month!

Marching on
Kicking up more dust
Reward? PIE!

She is still my strength and my inspiration.

 

Thanks to the originators of the photo challenge:

Cathy from Nanacathydotcom

Jane from Rainbowjunkiecorner

Melissa from The Aran Artisan

Sandra from Wild Daffodil

Haiku for Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge! This week’s prompts were PIE and DUST.

Sending out an SOS…

My sewing friends, I am in desperate need of some design assistance.

As you may know, my daughter’s wedding is coming up this fall and, oh, the days are passing with lightening speed. My MOB dress has finally arrived and is ready to go for alteration tomorrow (it’s much too long, and the bodice is considerably “off”). This flowy, chiffon dress was actually from the bridesmaid’s collection, and it’s black, but my daughter selected it – she loves it and I do, too. What then, is the issue?

It is sleeveless, a configuration that simply won’t work for me, and as I don’t want to wear all black, some adjustments are in order. I’m at a loss.

Below is the dress as worn by a real person, grabbed from personal reviews on David’s Bridal website, and the details are clearly shown (3 ruffles front and back, lined chiffon, satin belt).

I’ve tried a number of toppers:

a silver, fine knit bolero – sloppy, too casual, and uninteresting.

a black lace and sequins cropped jacket – so-so, and so much black.

and this loose, silvery, shiny cropped number with flutter sleeves – way too loose, shapeless, unflattering and soundly rejected by the bride, as it should have been.

My online search revealed a no longer available jacket (I believe sold originally as a set) that met with approval from both of us. Daughter likes that it is fitted, matte, and not sheer, as do I. However, my concerns are that it is too structured and formal for this dress and the beach setting, and that it might difficult to execute.

Here’s where you come in.

• Do you know of a pattern similar to this?
• Would it be simple enough for me to sew?
• What fabric would work to add the proper amount of structure to such a flowy dress?
• How do I make the black dress and gray jacket work well together?
• Would black piping help to connect the two pieces?
• Should the dress’ black satin belt be changed?
• Should I abandon all hope and keep looking in RTW?

I am most grateful for any help and advice.

THANK YOU!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Sevens – Week 94

Hello All and welcome to today’s installment of Sunday Sevens, invented by the lovely Natalie of Threads and Bobbins. Why not give it a peek and see how you can join in.

Seems like a rather uneventful week…but I’ve been up with the birds every day and walking about in the neighborhood. Here are a few shots of what I’ve been enjoying…

Early morning sunlight

This is one of my favorite trees, the light makes these puffy flowers just glow.

A tiny detour

The surrounding woods offer paths and trails for hiking, biking, walking or running – or in my case, simply meandering.

Street art

The whole intersection in this quiet family block is painted in such vivid, colorful, happy nature scenes.

Veggies galore

Healthy eating can be a joyful experience…just look at the delicious beginnings of this 15-bean soup. Yum!

Or how about a “deconstructed” salad, served with a little balsamic, cheese and homemade bread (there must always be bread).

Out my kitchen window

The sweet aroma wafts in and fills the kitchen, and I happily share these blooms with the birds and bees.

We watched a bit of soccer

Gareth!

Not really construction

We are just painting a bedroom, but poorly done repairs by previous owners necessitated some new plastering, new molding, and new closet interiors. Just a quick peek into the entry. More to come.

The double rainbow in the feature photo was taken by my hubby after a recent, welcome rain.

Have a great week, everyone!