we're serious about fun

Have you seen Planet Earth yet? We don't have cable or satellite so we just bought and began watching the video series a few weeks ago. To say it is unbelievable is no exaggeration. I've watched every episodes with my mouth gaping open. I promise, you have never seen anything like it. It is kind of like The Life of Pi, it will make you believe in God.  And the Caves episode is particularly popular with the kids because it has bird spit, worm snot, and bat poop all in the same episode. We've already watched that one many, many times.

And something else to check out. Not quite so life transforming though still very good:

The premier issue of Stampington & Co.'s Sew Somerset. I have an article inside on making fabric art journals like this, this, or this one. I was really close to the deadline making the journals for the article and forgot to photograph them, so I'll share pictures when I get them back and they may even make their way into my Etsy Shop. But here's a peek at the article. On the chapter intro page, the blue with purple hearts in the middle is mine.

A while back I mentioned that I wanted to do a tutorial on how I make my painted papers but later it occurred to me that I described that process in this article, only for painting on fabric, and I should wait until after the article came out to do the tutorial. So, I'm going to finish working on that now. Hopefully I'll get to work on it while we're in Memphis (I've already learned that it's pronounced Mehm-fus.) and not have to wait until we get back.

Speaking of Memphis, after reading my last post, my husband commented that it sounded like I hate my life here in the Valley which I really do not. I love it actually. My life. Being home with my kids. Homeschooling. The very close knit community we have at our church. Our friendships that have been deeper and more rewarding here than we've ever had anywhere else. The only thing I don't like is the Valley itself. We've been here 6 yrs and it still doesn't feel like home to me. There are things I am thankful for about raising my kids here. The levels and influence of consumerism aren't anywhere near what they would be back in Austin, largely because of the extreme poverty that also exists here. I'm thankful that we can go right over the border (although we don't need to) and see what real poverty is and that my kids have the opportunity to see it with their own eyes. I'm also thankful that the cultural climate here in many ways supports the values we are trying to live out before our children instead of tearing them down. And, ultimately, I know this is where God has called us and where we are meant to be at this point in our lives. But it is still sometimes hard. And I'm glad to be able to get away when we can.

I've already packed up our winter clothes and my art supplies (I've given up the admittedly unrealistic hope of actually sewing anything between now and our leaving.) but I still have so much left to do to leave the house for several months. I wonder how being empty for that long will effect everything? Will there still be dust (which is mostly dead skin cells--sorry to have to tell you) if no one's there??

Comments

[Amy]

Now I want to watch those DVD's. I remember seeing the commercials but I never did watch them. It was funny that you wrote about this because I am in the middle of reading Life of Pi.

[Michelle]

I just bought Sew Somerset today. The cashier said - do you realize this is 14.95? I just said, well, yeah, and it's worth every penny! Terrific article and I'm looking forward to the paper tutorial. I've been following your blog for a while now. Love your work. (Videos look incredible, BTW, will have to check it out)

[Debra]

Hi Debra, lovely post and blog!
Planet Earth sounds very interesting indeed.
Your lifestyle sounds good... are you about to leave your home for a while then? I must read down to other posts to understand more ha!
Fabric journals sound great, I dabble in a homemade one but haven't done anything in there for months - it gets like that doesn't it!
Take care, I'll be back soon,
Debra x

[cowboyssweetheart]

Congrats, Debra, on the article. I took a peek at the fabric journals - fanflippingtastic! (just as I knew they would be!)

Deb

[Leah R]

PlanetEarth IS amazing. My technology consumed boyfriend bought a high definition TV awhile back, just in time for Discovery Channel to broadcast the entire planet earth series in high def. AMAZING. I'm looking forward to getting the DVD's for christmas so i can sit @ home and watch them over & over. I highly reccomend watching them!

[arlene]

I must get the Planet Earth series...we just canceled our cable and don't get reception for peasant vision. I loved Life of Pi too!

Congrats on your article. I can't wait to get a copy of that publication! I'll go looking for it tomorrow. I'm up in Canada, so it's sometimes later before I can get a copy in the bookstore.

We're in the same group for the Christmas Swap...I worked (or rather "played") with my gifties all day. I'm lovin' it!!

[sk]

Just catching up on your lovely blog! My dad has been telling me to watch planet earth for a while now (and funny, he said exactly the same things you said about it - except the poo parts lol)...I'm saving it for Christmas break.

[Deryn Mentock]

Congratulations!