Sunday Morning Quiet Time

     It's VERY early here at my home and even after the last two days of high energy craziness, I find myself awake and blogging to YOU!!  This seems to be happening alot lately (not the blogging part--my bad, I know I need to blog more!) I wake up before my alarm goes off and lay in my bed trying to solve the problems of the world---well, at least those in my own life!

   What thoughts are going through my head at 4:30am in the morning?-----"remember to pay the insurance bill today, it was due yesterday';     'what am I going to feed Brayden (my grandson and best baby in the WORLD) for breakfast this morning, I don't have any eggs';     'I need to sort through all the vintage clothes I just bought on Friday and get them ready to post in my new internet shop---www.mykitschycloset.etsy.com';     'can I stay in my pajama's all morning or will I have to get dressed at some point--I don't want to get dressed or go anywhere today!';  and my all-time favorite----'can I go back to sleep or should I just get up and get on with life?!?'  What---you were expecting me to have REALLY deep, earth-shattering thoughts?  Nah, not at 4:30am in the morning!!!!

   But seriously, I have found myself thinking more and more about my life, past, present and future, and I have been concerned with what I've found.  I think all this is probably brought on because I will be having a "BIG" birthday in a few months----the big 6-0!!!  Just typing it makes me shutter-uugghhh!!   Anyway, I've started to wonder what my life would have been like if I had made 'different' decisions in my younger days.  Maybe not have married so young or started a family so soon.  Perhaps if I had stayed in college and become a graphic designer as I had planned.  Or perhaps me and my best friend at that time, Jackie, would have traveled to foreign lands to absorb all we could of their artist cultures.  Or even have done some missionary work here in the states or overseas--perhaps.  But dwelling on 'what could have been' does no one any good!

     And then I begin to see the faces of my children, I see then as the little ones they once were and remember the precious adults they have become.  I remember all the pain and illness my mom has gone through the past few years and I cherish every moment I still have with her.  I feel the warm breathe of my grandson Brayden as he falls asleep on my shoulder, his sweet body cuddled in my arms, and I realize........I am blessed.

   There is a wonderful scripture in Psalms 90--"Teach us to make the most of our time....and make our efforts successful.  Yes, make our efforts successful!" (NLT)  I believe that's what everyone wants in life, no matter your religion, no matter your nationality, no matter your race, political leanings or life-preferences.  We all just want to matter, to have our efforts in life be successful!!

     And although success can be measured differently by different standards, in my own eyes I am successful!  Was this the life I planned for myself so many years ago--definitely NOT!!  But is this the life, with all it's struggles and hardships and pains, that is making me the person God intended me to be----absolutely!!

     And so this early morning 'thought session' becomes a time to thank my Heavenly Father for all that I have and all that I will become.  I'm not were I need to be but I'm on my way, and that's ok!!  And so I leave you with a few pictures to enjoy and I pray you are blessed as I have been blessed.......

 

Brayden showing me his banana--cheeky fellow!!

 

My son Jonathan and I at the beach

 

Brayden and I visiting my mom at the nursing home

My daughter Brittany (Brayden's mom) and momma

My grandson Tyler age 7 (Jonathan's son) who lives in Michigan--we haven't seen him since he was 3 yrs old

 

 

 

    I hear Brayden stirring and must fix breakfast---God Bless all and any who read this!!

Pat, A Remade Life
 
 

Vintage/Retro Clothing Shop will open soon!

     You know, I've NEVER been accused of just doing 'nothing'!  In fact, it's always been the other way with me---I do too much!!  My 'problem' has always been that I like so many different things, I love doing different projects, creating art and trying new things.  That's really not such a bad thing unless you can't focus--and that's always been my issue, lack of focus.

     I've been reading a book lately (also a hard task cause most books can't hold my interest for long) about a group the author calls 'scanners' people who are just like me and love many different and varied things.  People like us are often looked at with a 'jaundiced eye'---you know, like we're crazy!!  Well, I'm here to tell you we AREN'T crazy, we just have very creative minds that continuously finds interests in different areas!!  Now, that's a mouth full, but what it means is we love life and want to participate in EVERYTHING!!

     Ok, so I'm pretty much liking this book, but it still feels as if something is just not right.  I just can't find peace in anything for very long.  So I have begun to pray and seek God's mind on why He made me this way and what I'm doing wrong.  He really is such a loving Father to us and I know His plans for me are good.

     It finally came to me not too long after I started seeking Him that there MUST be focus in one's life--it's ok to love/participate in many different things, but in order to have true peace--there MUST be focus!!  At least, that's what I am finding for my own life.  Without focus our minds flitter about from here to there, thinking this thought, that thought, never landing on one thing and often not completing what we are working on.  Without focus, there is no peace, true peace of accomplishment, cause you are always running from one issue/project/thing to the next, taking no time to enjoy and dwell on what you've done---again, this is what I am finding in my own life, maybe it's not true for you.

     With all that say, I'm still working on my focus and where it needs to be.  Wish I could tell you I've found it, but at least I'm getting closer and closer.  And there has been great joy in that knowledge-that I'm on my way!!

     And so now to the title of this blog-post:   I have always loved fabrics/materials and I'm finding out more and more that I love vintage/retro clothing.  Everything/project I've been working on lately seems to revolve around textiles of some kind.  I even like to call myself a 'textile artist.  My mind is constantly coming up with ideas involving fabric/textiles of some kind or another!  Therefore, I will be opening a new shop on etsy soon that will sell retro/vintage clothing, some even altered by me to enhance it's look!!!  I am excited and nervous about this, all at the same time!!

     And above all, I will look at it as a new adventure, a new path to walk down not always knowing where it is leading but trusting that my heavenly Father is guiding my steps!! And if it's NOT my true path, then I've had a good time walking it and I'll just look for another!!

     Here are a few pictures of some of the clothing I have in my 'hoard':

1950's-style oriental dress-beautiful

Everyone needs a retro Harley Davidson shirt!

I LOVE this sweater--maybe I should keep it?!

Anyone remember neheu jackets/dresses?

Very ornate silk blouse/dress from India

Can you say vintage 1950's!!

Oh my, I think I had a set like this back in the 60's

Very classy knit dress from the 1980's

I look at this and want to change my name to "Moonbeam", what's up with that?!!

Well, that's it for now, another page out of my life but one I gladly share with you!

God bless all and any who read this,

Pat, A Remade Life

'like' us on facebook (please):  Remade Life Emporium

"Whatever" Purses are here!!!!

     As some of you may know I had foot surgery almost 5 weeks ago---and, although it went very well, a reaction to the meds and edema in my foot caused me to be laid up a little longer then usual.  Now, I am NOT one to just lay around and watch soaps (and what's up with cable?!-all those channels and nothing good to watch!!!) so I decided to try to get a little creative work in.  However, not being very mobile kinda limited what I could do.

     So, I gathered as many bolts of laces, trims, fabrics, kitschy items and STUFF that I could grab, sat myself down on my sofa, propped my foot up on a pillow and started sewing!!

     The one rule I made myself stick to was "JUST HAVE FUN"!!!   Under no circumstances would I let myself stress out over, 'does it look right?", 'is it too small', is it too big', is it kitschy enough', 'is it too odd'!!?? and on and on and on........NO!!

    And so I just started grabbing whatever was within my reach and sewed it on the purse.  Some purses turned out cute, some turned out a little odd, but ALL were fun to make!!!  And it was GREAT therapy as I recovered.  As a matter of fact, it was sooooooooo much fun that I decided to finish them up and I've posted them in my etsy shop for sale- www.aremadelife.etsy.com  .

     And that's how the "Whatever Purse" was born!!!  I do plan on continuing making them, even though my foot is doing better.  (I'm still in that silly 'boot' thing but will hopefully be out of it soon!)  Here are a few pictures of my Whatever Purses---let me know what you think!

Please be sure and leave me a comment, let me know what you think!
And be sure to 'like' us on facebook--'Remade Life Emporium"
Until then, God bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life
www.aremadelife.etsy.com
www.lovethatvintagestyle.etsy.com

Mischief Is In the Air!!

     I don't know about you, but when the mornings start getting a little cooler (and I do mean A LITTLE--it's still about 76 degrees in the mornings and topping out around 94-100 by the end of the day!!) and the trees start thinking of shedding their leafs.....well,I find myself feeling all frisky and, dare I say it, mischievous!! NOT in a bad way, but kinda like wanting to run up behind people you know and yell "Boo", then giggle and run off! What?...you don't think of doing that kinda thing?! Well, you should!!

     As I get older (I just had a b-day last month) I find myself thinking more and more of my childhood and all the things the kids in the neighborhood use to do. Things like staying outside until our parents practically dragged us back inside; or playing tennis in the middle of the street until we just got too tired to chase the ball anymore; or just sitting on the street curb and talking...not about anything in particular, just talking.

     Those were good days, but these days can be good too! So I invite you to 'get a little mischievous' (in a good way!) Grab your best bud and go running through the sprinklers before it gets too cold, or invite friends over for pizza and have a food fight (in the backyard of course--NO ONE likes to clean the kitchen!), or just sit on the street curb and talk about nothing in particular---I think you will find it will help to 'cleanse' away all your tensions and stress...and hopefully give you a refreshed outlook on life!

      Before I leave you, here are a few pictures of my curent ongoing project, one I am very excited about. I may try to have a 'grand opening/reveal' before the holidays...at least that's my goal. There is still lots to work out and I can't reveal too much at this time but will try very soon!!

Well, that's it for now----anyone in the mood for pizza!?!?!
God Bless All and Any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life

Moving Forward

     So many things have been going through my head over the last few weeks.  Questions about my future, regrets about my past and so many thoughts about what actions to take to make changes in my life.  It can be overwhelming and even very depressing if I let it be.  I have lived with depression most of my life and depression tends to lead to inaction.  It's just easier to stay in the rut you have fallen into, so much easier than it is to climb out of that rut---that's just too much work and depression tells us we are 'too tired, too weak and just not good enough' to make it.  Well, I'm here to tell you---depression is WRONG!

     I wish I could say that I've got the answer now, that I know what my future holds but I don't.  What I DO know is that God is in control and I've chosen to trust Him.  That doesn't mean that I am going to sit idly by and just wait to see what happens.  No, I am going to start MOVING, to start making plans, to set goals and work towards them--I am going to take ACTION!!!  For too many years I've just let myself be  'tossed about by every wind and wave' but no more.  I know there will be good days and not so good days, but with Gods grace, I will stand strong in my resolve and keep moving forward, trusting Him to guide my steps and direct my path.

     I'm hoping that you will join me as I walk down this path called 'my life'--who knows, maybe it will lead to YOU!!  ;)

    With all that said, here are some pictures of the reset of my Winnie shop--and of course, I've thrown in a few pics of my sweet grandson, Brayden!

                                            My son Jonathan's new spot-in-the-making!

                                                       Lots of work still to do!

                                             Hmmmmm, what should I put here?

                                         Don't you just love using vintage linens as backdrops?!

                              My new luggage area--you should see it now that its' finished

Brayden's first Easter AND his first chocolate bunny   

                              Happy Birthday my sweet precious boy--you are blessed!!!

May God bless all and any who read this,
Pat, A Remade Life