Debra VanDeventer, Author at Seams Like a Story

February 26, 2022January 21, 2023

New Girl in Town

A Husqvarna Viking machine joins my sewing family

Meet Ingrid

There’s a new girl in town. She’s sexy, sophisticated, and Swedish. I named her Ingrid.

Ingrid is a Husqvarna Viking Sapphire 835. She was “born” somewhere around 2010 and my husband’s aunt Wanita purchased the machine shortly thereafter. Aunt Nita was a lively, exuberant personality, always ready for fun and adventure. I didn’t know her sewing habits , but she was impressed by the machine and took a few sewing classes. Maybe she wanted to quilt. Sadly, Aunt Nita passed away before she could use the machine much and it was given to my mother-in-law. In Norma’s spare bedroom it sat on top of her treadle sewing machine cabinet. Occasionally she would use the Husqvarna to hem slacks.

This Christmas, Norma gifted the machine to me. Ingrid joins me in my sewing studio with my other machines, Kendra (my 1970s vintage Sears Kenmore) and Joy (my mother’s machine, a 1990s Kenmore)

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February 19, 2022January 21, 2023

Rock On!

Painted Rocks Tell the Story

found on the Nature Trail at Catalina State Park

The first one appeared two weeks ago when Ed and I were hiking at Catalina State Park. “Never Give UP!” This small, black rock was perched on the top of a boulder encouraging us as we climbed the steep hill on the nature trail. We left it for other hikers who might need motivation.

A few days later, this one appeared on the sidewalk in front of our house. “Hey, You matter.” The rocks were definitely talking to me. It seams like a story and for some expert help I called on my friend David to be my guest blogger this week. David R. Davis the author of two books, https://www.davidrdavisauthor.com and writes a blog.https://desert-writer.blog/ Here’s what he has to say about his rock painting hobby.

In David’s Words:

The logical first question is – Why? For me, it’s a simple three-part answer. It’s fun. It is another way of creating something tangible, and its great fun to leave them on trails or at parks hoping someone may find and enjoy them.

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February 12, 2022January 21, 2023

The Desert Snowman

Against all Odds

The weather reports from family and freinds in the midwest came in last week with tales of ice and snow. It was in the 60s here in the desert, but I was reminded of a surprising snow we had a few years ago. I know, the 2 inches we got that year was pretty pittiful in comparison, but it inspired this story:

The Desert Snowman

by Debra VanDeventer

The sound of the rain hitting the adobe tiled roof had stopped during the night. I open the blinds to reveal the morning sun blocked by gray clouds and crystal white silent snowflakes. One, maybe two inches are piled up like foolish frosting on the brightly colored cushions of the poolside chaise lounges. We had moved to the Southwest to escape the winter snows …and yet… I pull on yoga pants, boots, and a sweatshirt and scurry out to our desert garden.

The unexpected rush of cool air delights me. I scoop up a handful of the wet, sticky snow and fashion a small ball, then another, and another to form a tiny snowman. I know I must work quickly. Returning to the house, I gather a baby carrot, two raisins, a scrap of ribbon, and race back outside to add the final touches that bring my creation to life. Although short in stature, as snowmen go, he stands courageous and defiant among the cacti.

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February 5, 2022January 21, 2023

Tidying Up

What is it about the first of the year that makes me want to tidy up something? I think it has to do with wanting a fresh start. I even love the term “tidying up.” It sounds clean, sensible, British.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m tidying up.”

“Jolly good, then. Carry on.”

Spark Joy

During the pandemic shut-down, I became serious about tidying up. I watched the Marie Kondo series on Netflix and bought her book. I was hooked. For a while (because there was nothing else to do) I was taking her method seriously. I folded my undies and T-shirts into origami shapes and placed them neatly into drawers and went through my house asking myself if an item “sparked joy” or not.

Avalanche

Life goes on and my fascination with tidying up waned until the other day when a search for a stapler caused an avalanche of fabric in my office/studio closet. As a sewist, writer, and a creator of things, I end up with bits and pieces of fabric, sewing notions, buttons, patterns, rough draft manuscripts, notebooks, assorted pens and markers, books, journals… this and thats. Though fortunate to have a dedicated room for my creative life, the space is compact. Lately my tidying up style has deteriorated to stashing stuff in the closet, so I can run the vacuum across the floor now and then. Hence the avalanche. It was time to make a change.

Two Sides

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January 29, 2022April 29, 2024

The Runcible Spoon

What’s in a Name?

On a quest for biscuits and gravy, my son Matt recently led the family to the Runcible Spoon Cafe tucked away in a quaint section of Bloomington, Indiana, near the campus of Indiana University. Curiosity about the name of the cafe led me down the proverbial rabbit hole.

Stay with me. Here we go….

Clue #1 : The Menu

Enterning the bungalow/cafe, the warm smells of coffee and bacon greeted me. I was already in love. The hostess seated us at one of the last available tables in a little nook by the front window. Mismatched chairs and tables, floor to ceiling bookshelves, and an eclectic assortment of wall art and knick-knacks added to the charm.

We started with lattes and a pot of hot tea as we perused the menu. Sadly, the sought-after biscuits and gravy had sold out, but we made other yummy choices. Clue #1: There was a picture of an owl and a cat with a spoon on the back of the menu. Hmmm..

Clue #2: The song

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