I joined a sewing group dedicated to making vintage and retro style clothing called Sew Retro. I’m excited and a bit intimidated because my sewing skills are fairly basic. Much of what I do know about using my machine comes from what little sewing I did when I was young, or from what I’ve learned from Jason who seems to be able to do just about anything. All he has to do is stare at something for five minutes and then he’s an expert. I’d like to be independent of the clothing industry for a variety of reasons. It also goes along with my decision to be less of a consumer.

I just received this dress pattern from Rusty Zipper on Wednesday. I’m going to do it in a warm fall print or black and white. I seem to be on a black and white kick this week. I’m also going to make some flower pins to go with it for a little extra floof. A lot of people could whip this puppy up in no time, but I’ll be happy if it’s finished by Monday morning.

Hello, everyone. Ramie Nunally and I have an exhibit up for the month of July at Poet’s on the Square. Please drop in and check it out. Ramie does beautiful vivid illustration style paintings and this is her debut show!

Ramie Nunally

The paintings I’m exhibiting are sketchy smeary smear mixed media collage/paintings in acrylic, which is a medium I had not used for about five years until recently. (How’s smeary smear for art speak?) Working quickly was a liberating change and has got me excited about doing some new stuff. I will be returning to my high art fancy pants oils soon, but for the moment I am enjoying the immediacy of acrylics and having time to experiment. I’ll have a few new pieces up in my store by next month.

Stacie R. Johnson

On Sunday the fourteenth of May, Jason and I were married on top of a hill overlooking Standing Stone Lake surrounded by our family and close friends. It felt more like a cozy little winter wedding than spring, but I enjoyed our evening at the cabin with a nice fire and good company to share it with. Our mothers, Frances and Linda, decorated and did the food along with my sister Joanna who also did the flowers. Daisies! Patrick wrote and performed our ceremony, Dave sang us wonderful songs, Joanna blessed our marriage, and Liz made a beautiful rose cake. The day was just what Jason and I wanted. Personal and sincere. It even rained which I hear is good luck!

About a week later, we went to Wyoming to house, cat, and horse sit for Jason’s Aunt Sue and Uncle Doug. It was a wonderfully happy and beautiful time, and I’m thankful I was able to go. I loved the wind, the rolling prairie, and watching storms in the distance. We were able to take a few mini vacations including a couple of trips to Colorado and a quickie up to the Tetons. I finished more books in those three weeks, thanks to Sue’s awesome collection, than I have all year, and I also spent a few afternoons painting. All in all it was a lovely end to spring.