Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Big Changes Coming!!!

So many things are changing - and my oh my the intricacies of all the change!!!

In the past few weeks I have stitched LOTS of clothes, scheduled  and managed a photo shoot -complete with models ....






organized my workspace for more efficiency,ordered TONS of fabric,


FINALLY-in the next couple of weeks you will get to see the results of all the tiny steps MettaMarie has been taking!
We plan on launching online sales through an E-store - hopefully by mid December.

I'm already so blessed to have two of the coolest  retail stores anywhere carrying MettaMarie -
Eighty One-a true American creative factory  :)  and Hamilton House-a creative and unique store brimming with nice folks!

Please stop in and let us know what you think once the E store is launched-I'll post a link as soon as the first items are are posted for sale.

Sunday, November 6, 2011



Man is a knot into which relationships are tied.  ~
          ~Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Flight to Arras, 1942, translated from French by Lewis Galantière
What a tangled knot it can become~

Having good intentions or a clear consience  won't keep the knot from happening.
 Sometimes it seems like no matter what you do to untangle the knot it grows and grows and grows.  

Ive been accused of having a simplistic view of life -which is mostly a compliment I think. 
 In that simple view,I invest my emotions entirely 
into others ,assuming that they  do the same. 
In reality,sometimes they do - but most times that isn't the case. 
In those times,  I find myself emotionally spent ,wounded and hurt.

I'm trying to learn to balance my  investment in others  -but it isn't easy. It feels awfully selfish.
I'm trying to let go of the expectations that I have of others as well.

~As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.  You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.  You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken.  You'll fight with your best friend.  You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.  You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.  ~Author Unknown


I guess I'm trying to learn to live a more realistic life- not so much the idealistic way I wish it all were.

No one remains quite what he was when he recognizes himself.  ~Thomas Mann





Tuesday, November 1, 2011

My 70's fashion flashback!

 When you're old enough for a cultural extreme to resurface its generally pretty funny to see it re-expressed -
most times  badly -but still funny!

In my case the 70's are everywhere I look. Some of the kids that love it  feel so cool! 
I guess we felt cool in the 70's but honestly I don't remember "thinking" about how I felt. We just did what we did-and most times for no reason at all-
except that we were kids and we could. 
The fashion part of MY 70's started early- I remember begging for my first pair of Go-Go Boots when I was 4-5 yrs old.
 They were white and they came from a new type of shoe store-Payless-in Corpus Christi Texas! 
They were on the last aisle on the left side of the store about a foot above my reach. 

A few years later I spotted the next best boot ever-the suede lace up tall boot-and I got those too!
I was in the sixth grade and by all accounts, there was not a cool bone in my body- I was awkward,shy and not really very girly and I had bad hair-every day- I had bad hair!
But I knew what I wanted to wear and it didn't matter to me whether anyone else liked it or not.
 It amuses me NOW that some of those same things are exactly what I want to wear now-whether anyone likes it or not. :)
Of course the leather fringed vest was a key part of "my 70s look"- although there was no real plan to that look! 
There was no real PLAN to anything in the 70's for me-and sometimes it's still that way for me.
But this vest and those lace up suede boots went with every other piece of my crazy wardrobe-at least until I moved to Louisiana! That's a whole other story!!!!!

Everything in the 70's reached for the extremes-there was the mini-the maxi -the gauchos-the high waisted tight jeans and the ultra low cut hip huggers.  Platform shoes - tall boots- Jesus sandals  and mostly barefoot-just to upset the "establishment" ya know!
 I had all of them-
And if our clothes didn't do it then we'd crank up the clock radio(really-I'm not kidding!!) or the transistor radio and listen to some  gravelly tunes by Janis-
I had plastic peel off flowers on everything in my room ,including my very cool white clock radio!
All the icons of the 70's were present and accounted for-but completely without thought!
Maybe I WAS cool but just didn't know it!!!!!
Nah- I PROMISE I wasn't-:( 
I was just another skinny girl with funny clothes and bad hair -
SO where am I going with all this???
Well, yesterday as a younger guy was tagging along with a female friend  looking at my clothes 
she commented that it made her think of hippies-and then she looked at me as though she needed to explain what hippies were.
I stopped her.
Smiling I reminded her of my age-and told her I was up on hippies- I was a teen in the 70's.
She laughed,sort of unbelieving and her guy friend said,
"Hey,I heard once a hippie,always a hippie-is it true?"
I thought about it ......
Hmmmm I Still love that leather ,suede and fringe-
I still like a tune or two by Janis-
 I have a motorcycle- 
still have several pair of boots
at least one pair of lace up ones- 
and yeah- I still like what I like to wear.....

I finally have better hair(maybe  letting it grow was the answer all along!) 
I'm not the skinny girl anymore so I can't wear most of what I love- but modified versions of it-
so I think the answer is....
 yes.....sort of.
Interestingly enough somehow those things that I love -my 70's -  surface  in the clothes that I  
design and wear.
Not by plan or projection-just like back then-
 things just sort of ...happen.... and it works!



I usually refer to those things as Happy Accidents!

Friday, October 28, 2011

WILDFLOWERS

 Every FaLL these lovely,happy flowers appear and every year,for the past 25  years I have been amazed at them! There are layers of different size,color and shapes and though I take lots of pictures of them I am never satisfied that I have truly captured their beauty. I think you just have to come walk in them with me to really capture that-so come on!!!!

Some fun changes are coming up for MettaMarie!
 Some of those changes call for some professional photos of some of the OTHER WILD-flowers close to the MettaMarie headquarters-AKA  Providence
These wildflowers amaze me as much as the yellow ones. I can't wait to share the photos that our professional took today. I'm certain they will be wonderful! I'll fill you in on the changes too!!!!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Recycling, Repeating or Remembering~

One day-somewhere- someone stood over mounds of wool,cotton and other fibers and made thread,yarn and fabrics. With those raw materials they envisioned things of beauty and functionality for everyday life. 
They didn't just stand there and think about it-they carded the raw fibers,refined it ,spun,weaved and sewed with it until those beauties materialized.
True art!!
In our modern age we are so far removed from these
 processes that we don't really understand how they did it. 
Maybe thats why I am sooo taken with the Vintage and Antique needlework that I find and collect.

I always imagine the beginning of the piece I hold in my hand and wonder what the farm was 
like on the day THIS cotton (or other fiber)was picked,hauled,cleaned and carded? Who did it?
How the fiber  affected their life-were they slaves,or free people?
Did they loathe the cotton sack or appreciate it?

It was hard work no matter who it was and because I so admire
 honest labor and good workmanship I appreciate the person that picked that tiny fluffy ball of fiber or sheared that sheep and  stuffed that wool into a bag ready for the next step of the process.
I equally admire the person who took the fine threads or rough hemp and fashioned a beautiful crochet edging for a pillowcase or a tough but beautiful grain sack to use time and time again to haul valuable grain from the farm to its next destination. 

 These timeless pieces are OUR history-they are tactile reminders of working hands whether free or forced and workmanship that has stood the test of time.
 Maybe that's why I am so drawn to the textiles of the years when people REALLY did things rather than observed things done.
 Busy hands- creating beauty even in work. I just love it!
When I first learned the history of the German grain sacks I was amazed at the durability and beauty in such a functional little item! This was the time when folks didn't throw everything away after one use-it was expected to be used and used and used and then maybe reused for another purpose until there was no practical use left in it.
I'll admit upfront that I am not as "green" as I should be-I don't recycle everything and I do my part in filling up the world's landfills- but I'd like to do better-if I could find a way to do it without driving myself crazy.
( It leads me very close to hoarding to try to recycle much more than I do right now.LOL! )

I purchase what seemed like a huge amount(at the time) of German Grain Sack fabric on our recent trip to Texas- perhaps it seemed so huge because I was SOOOOO tired and my arms were full of equally good finds.
I knew what I wanted to make and I could hardly wait to get started!~



I love these fantastic Market Bags with long straps  for wearing cross-body. Each bag is unique with a large button closure and a vintage textile inside pocket. 
These bags were too beautiful to line-I wanted every inch of the linen to be visible. 

For all my thriftiness I only made 5 bags ~ and the only bit of fabric I'm holding back is for my very own bag just like these!!! 
Please visit a few of these sites to read about the use and construction of this" piece of the past textile"!


*Please visit Mettamarie on facebook for purchase info

Sunday, October 2, 2011

DANGER!!! Unlimited shopping ahead!!!! ROUND TOP ,TEXAS!

 My hubby and I just returned from a great couple of days in Texas shopping till we literally DROPPED!!! Every kind of old,rusty,tattered and torn piece of the past was on display for our pleasure!!!! What fun we had!!!!!!!!
 And though there was more than we ever could have hoped to see, we did see a huge part of it-and in my opinion the best of it all. Better yet, we bought some of it - some because it was what I went looking for to make beautiful clothes and some because it made me happy!
So if YOU ever get the chance -make the trip to Round Top in the spring or fall to this great event!! You'll be glad you did!!!!
 All of this loveliness will be clothes and bags very soon!!!!
Antique/Vintage lace and crochet and European linen and velvet!!!!
 And this gorgeous Antique German grainsack with the embroidered initials of some German family  is mine-just for me to enjoy! 
Watch for all the goodies that I get to make with this wonderful load of vintage linens!!!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Countdown.....4-3-2-1

Pretty Pumpkins mean FALL!!!!!!

This pretty one to "Wanny & PawPaw" was painted and delivered by Wendy Rayne~
She hasn't quite got the hang of a "G" for Granny yet so amusingly enough I have become Wanny!
 LOL!

I LOVE repurposing fabric of every kind and these folk art pumpkins are the perfect way to re-use sweaters and other" Fall-ish" fabrics.
They  have become a yearly project and one that I look forward to-at least until the first few bunches of them sell! I make a LOT of these -but only until I get tired  and then it's over till next Fall!!!!


Fall means another thing- Round Top Texas Flea Market Extraordinaire!!!!!
 I'm heading out to get a Texas sized dose of inspiration and fun too!!!! 
See you there!!

Friday, September 16, 2011

FINALLY!!!!!

My oh my what a summer! The heat and drought have been nothing short of oppressive!
This morning it was clear that we were given a little reprieve from all that heat-there was a crispness in the air- a hint that the heat and all that goes with it is beginning to make it's exit-FINALLY!

We can FINALLY go outside and enjoy the front porch swing again! Sit by the pond- laze in the hammock and yes-just relax and take a break.

Here in Louisiana ,we spend lots of time outside-lots of time! On the front porch-by the pond or lake, in the woods - just outside. Why leave the fun stuff inside?

I LOVE these burlap pillows on the porch swing, in the hammock and in the lounge chairs.
Burlap is THE fabric you want outside -its durable and it just screams FALL-cozy, comfy Home -and sometimes it just says it real quiet-hand stamped with Antique rubber stamps-which I will never tire of! :)

So get on outside and enjoy the crisp fall  moment- hurry- cause we'll have lots more heat before this weather is permanent!

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

New Beginnings...again!!!

This past few weeks have been challenging to say the least. I've endured things I had never hoped to and experienced things I never dreamt of.

I suppose that the lesson in all this is STILL...live today- don't borrow trouble from tomorrow...enjoy the surprises along the way.... and trust God to get you through the impossibly difficult times-one day at a time.
In fact I think thats biblical-

25“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifeb?

28“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
 And so today, I begin again. Somehow ,even the grace to "begin again" is a blessing to me. The things in my life that have changed  have changed ME-I will never be the same person again.
Even the smaller  things,like my daughter and her husband moving out of our guest house has seemed truamatic just now-but in reality I KNOW that it is but a small thing and not so bad.

My heart is wounded by grief and so these things seem huge~ the void left by the change seems a gaping hole. I vow each time not to hold my children and grandchildren so tightly-but alas it is beyond my control!
And I do believe I would rather hurt deeply because of it than to be disconnected from any of them! :)

In the short two weeks past I have kissed my sweet grandbaby Declan Jace goodbye from this world, welcomed his grieving parents back closer to home, flown for the first time ever, rushed to the scene of my mom's auto crash( a head on collision!) , helped my kids move  an hour away and been published in a magazine!!!
See? I told you I've been busy! My heart is conflicted and my body is tired- but I know I am blessed and so I begin ...AGAIN...right back in the sewing room ....creating fun things to wear.

If you're tired and weary too...please get back up with me...and start again....we can help each other and enjoy the day before us, only casually looking back to remember.....but always moving forward!

Go check out  & order the magazine HERE!
 

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Thorns and Thistles

Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them.  The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us.  ~Voltaire
Today as I contemplated how to begin again I had to pause to think exactly what it was I was to begin again-which life event to address first.
My oldest son and his wife have just lost a baby,they are in the process of moving back home, and the funeral is pending ,as a new job awaits him here.
My daughter and son in law,coincidentally ,are moving from our guest house  to a house nearer his job,about an hour away.
My youngest  received word just  last night, that his long awaited dream of enlistment as a Marine has been denied due to a minor heartbeat issue . 
My husband is struggling with health issues again and also pursuing retirement in the very near future.


As I reflected on each of these ,I was amused at myself for thinking I had some power to do anything about any of them!How absurd of me!!!!
Even the day to day issues of my other two children who are struggling through marriage issues ,financial difficulty because of the economy and all the other issues involved with those things,are beyond my control.
Honestly,what CAN I do about those things?


If I believe what I say I do ,then I need to leave those things at the feet of Jesus and trust Him to work them out for the good of each of them. 
I also need to get busy with the things that I can do ~ one of those things is sewing. 
I can begin again because I need to be busy,productive and ...ok ...I admit it...- I need the distraction so that I can continue on with what promises to be another exciting,eventful few months.


SO today,while life is at times unbearably difficult, I am determined to begin again in my sewing room and create clothing that I enjoy and my sweet clients enjoy.


I am determined not to dwell amongst the thorns in the way long enough to allow them to harm me.




And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according tohis purpose.
Romans 8:28



Saturday, August 20, 2011

Friends & Family of Declan Jace Carroll

Our focus just now is to stand with my son and daughter in law and help them through this time of sadness -






Thank you all for bearing this with us all!

Monday, August 8, 2011

Gathering Evidence....


Dishes stacked all over the kitchen...
 Half-eaten birthday cake....
 Overturned cups.....
 A wrecked living room...
 A very "played in" playroom....
 A lonely rubber ducky.....
Looks to me like we had TONS of fun!!!!!!!!

My daughter in law would be horrified to think she had not left things perfectly in order-she always does.

Actually all my girls are VERY good at putting things back in order after even a short visit-but sometimes it's 

just more important to have fun than to clean up -and this was one of those times.

So the evidence suggests that we ALL had a great time!!!!

Sunday, August 7, 2011

I LOVE Giveaways!!!!

This just looks SOOO inviting!!!!

Click on this link to enter the giveaway for this great little copy of 

Romantic Prarie Style.

All you have to do is leave Sonia a comment 

and BAM! you're entered!

Friday, August 5, 2011

O Happy Day!!!!

A life as busy and full as mine has been doesn't see many "firsts" at this point. 
I've seen and done an awful lot of things in my 50-something(I honestly don't remeber 50-what!!!)years-some by choice and some of necessity.
 Some of it  fun and some...well, not so much. 

~Sara~ 

But today, is a first for me-a REAL first!  
  Creating Vintage Charm Magazine has a little portion with MY name on it and it was released today online!


I've already shared what a surprising and exciting year this has been for me- but honestly, this is icing on the cake!!!! 
And you all know how I LOVE icing!!!! 
TO celebrate I am giving a copy of this newly released mag to someone FREE! So now this is officially a PARTY!!!!WOO!HOO!!!

Just go here  and scroll down to the post with the Creating Vintage Charm picture and post and click LIKE before 8pm tonight and YOU can be entered!!! 


Hey! Wait a minute!!! 
Ya'll need to help me clean all this confetti and cake up! You can't just run off.....
Oh well...guess I'll just sit down with some cake 

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Locks...



Lots of things in this world change but theres one thing I want my kids and grandkids to know-
Our love is locked forever! Theres nothing they can do to make me UN love them.

One day a customer returning from a trip to  Italy showed me some pictures and told me the story of the garden gate 
filled with locks ,placed by people who wanted to dedicate their love to someone else ,very special . 


I was immediately impressed and chill bumps covered my body as I thought about all the people I loved and wanted to express that too.
.Our home and property have long been a special place to our family-both in good and bad times. Its a place of safety and acceptance and also a place of truth and expression. 
These locks were the perfect expression of that  "forever love" that I have always wanted my family to experience.

This weekend, while part of our family was visiting I decided to start this project. As a family we have been fractured by death,divorce and distance - but without fail we remain faithful to each other and continue to be a family-skinned knees and mashed fingers- but still a family. 

This weekend, 4 little girls decorated their very own lock(a vintage lock) to hang on our forever post. I wanted to keep it simple  so I grabbed nail polish and one girl at a time so I could explain that this lock represented their family's love-it was locked-forever! 
There was no key to unlock these locks and once placed on the post it was their link to forever in this family. They know where their lock is and can touch and feel their very own place and remember ...eternal love.