Finally finished the winter purse

This purse lay unfinished in my work area for months.  Argh, I thought having the blog would light a fire for me to finish projects on time.  I tend to start, start, start, and then finish, finish, finish.  I'm either in a starting mood or a finishing mood.  Alas.  Yet, as soon as that crisp weather settled in, I finished it.

Pattern is the One Yard Wonders Folklore Bag pattern.

I used a pair of grey wool pants from the Gap I found at a thrift store and some leftover green Moda cotton.

This is a close up of the reverse applique design I created on the front of the bag.  

Someday, when I'm not spending each night canning amazing food from my husband's garden, I'd be happy to create a tutorial for this process.  Ah, winter...

Ten on Ten October--Baby Isaac born

Today is 10-10-10!

Ten on Ten--a photography journal project.
Take ten photos on the tenth of the month--one an hour for ten consecutive hours.

This morning I woke to a phone call from my friend Hannah, who had invited me to be at her birth.  She  was in labor.  Her contractions were eight minutes apart.  She told me to take a shower, have breakfast, take my time.  Her last labor had been 36 hours long.  She called me 30 minutes later to tell me to get there as soon as I could.  When I got there, her midwife, George, had just checked her out and said, "You're ready!"  She gave birth half an hour later.

8 o'clock hour: Hannah, looking radiant, taking a moment's rest in the tub.

9 o'clock hour: Her baby is birthed in the tub.  George brings the baby out of the water and places him in Hannah's arms.  This is the moment right after they looked to see that he was a BOY!  Throughout the pregnancy, they felt he was a girl.  Jeff kisses Hannah in celebration.

10 o'clock hour: lots of laughter.

10:30: George wraps Baby up in a sling to weigh him.  Nine and a half pounds!

(Ok, I know I'm cheating here with the once an hour picture, but I just can't help myself.  Time does funny things when a new life enters the world.)

11 o'clock hour: Hannah and baby boy cuddle.

12 o'clock hour: Baby is wrapped up in Papa Jeff's arms.  We take Hannah to the hospital for a check up.  Jeff snuggles with his son until we get back.

1 o'clock hour: Badger the pup waits quietly upstairs.

2 o'clock hour: His name is Isaac. 

Isaac means laughter. 

The alter is still alight with candles.

Mama settles back in the bed.

3 o'clock hour: Big brother Kai wakes up from his nap.  He holds his little brother saying, "He is soft.  He is all softness".

4 o'clock hour: Grandmother holds Baby Isaac while George watches their dance.

I drive home to see my own two boys.  

What a beautiful day.

Welcome to our world Isaac.