Patrice Pastel

Blanket of White

2018-02-06T16:33:00.003-05:00

I've been missing in action for a while. It may not even look like a hint of Spring is near but the blanket of white comes and goes in Upstate NY. While the gardens are still tucked in, I'm gaining momentum in my studio to unfold my ideas into Spring items for my shop.

I've been just a little busy lately and spending time with this little guy who inspires me to not only dream and create a little better
but be better.

Love Has No Season

2017-12-28T17:26:00.001-05:00

Another December has come and will be gone in a few days. The anticipation of making it just right for my family has passed for another year. Every year I tell myself it is not about choosing perfect gifts for my family but I find myself thinking about each person for many weeks and hope the gift I match them with will be right.

This year family has changed in some ways. Not all could be gathered together even though they are quietly present in my heart. I found myself thinking of Jesus' mother. This song brings the miraculous moment in time to the heart of any believer as the gift for all time.

In all the Decembers of my life I cannot focus on any memory greater than this gift of God's perfect love. Merry Christmas and wishing you the love that has no season.

Diana Krall - Blue Skies (Audio) - Seneca Lake

2017-09-04T11:20:00.000-04:00

My littlest loyal love

2017-04-29T15:04:00.002-04:00

This April was almost 18 seasons of Springtime with my little yorkie. I had to say goodbye on Easter. This time of year will ever mark a day when my heart broke for my longtime loyal companion. I tried to prepare for this day as he was failing in health over many months and as my vet told me 6 months ago "he is just an old man in assisted living". Dog lovers and pet lovers know the agony. It is part of the commitment of sharing love with one dependent upon you for survival, affection and quality of life. Seeing him through to his last breath and bringing him back home again to rest beneath my daffodil gardens is done. I know I will add many beautiful flowers to his place of remembrance.

Many memories are tucked away in my consciousness for now. The journey of grief seems to unfairly bring forth the years of family snapshots crowding the mind and cascading the tears. One day they will bring such warmth and joy to my heart. For now, I just miss a little 7 lb terrier who when he was at his best, thought he was a lion.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2017

2017-01-01T18:02:00.000-05:00

Wishing every person who takes a moment from their day to visit patricepastel a most wonderful beginning to 2017. Christmas holds its wonder for each of us. For me, I end up back into my childhood thinking of my grandfather who made everything special. I grew up having a real fir tree in the living room, stockings hung on the mantle, a roaring fire in the fireplace with chestnuts actually roasting on Christmas Eve and my mom playing classic Christmas carols on the upright piano. Oh, how I miss my grandparents! I have vintage ornaments I so carefully preserved from my grandmother. How would I know that as the years pass by each and every ornament would take me back to the smell and the sights and the feelings of being less than 5 years old?

May your Christmas hold memory that is kind to your heart. If it be past, present or a future memory that makes it dear - think on that! May 2017 be a year that brings you peace and hope and love. The God kind of love that never runs dry and restores.
Best to You!
Patrice

Oneida Lake Late Summer Love

2016-09-18T12:29:00.002-04:00

It may be September, but the lure of a breezy,balmy, late Summer beach memory is made for a 6 year old. There is no better way to clear out one's mind of cluttering thoughts than the rushing sound of sunlit waves upon the sand with my loves.

August Sunflowers

2016-08-23T12:09:00.000-04:00

Reaching for the sun, these small but tall beauties announce that Summer can be endless. Not rain nor drought seems to cancel their late Summer sun dance. Faithful no matter what late August brings ~ tends to be their message. Some days I feel kind of knocked down by the winds. These golden faces seem to say just get up again for the season always passes. You can count on it.

Looking Up

2015-08-29T12:15:00.001-04:00

Antiquing under the August Skies in Beautiful Bouckville, NY

Enjoying every day of my late Summer blooms

Making time for taking in amazing sunsets of The Great Lakes

From Imagery by Kimberly

2015-07-17T13:17:00.001-04:00

Photos courtesy of Images by Kimberly. She is masterful. Visit her blog here:

http://deardaisycottage.typepad.com/imagery_by_kimberly/

and if you feel alone.....

remember; He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:4

Saratoga's Adelphi

2015-07-17T12:41:00.001-04:00

It's been a delightful and busy Summer for the Mr. and me. We love Central New York and have gathered so many memories from every place within 250 miles of where we live. Saratoga isn't just for horse racing, but for just about every kind of muse. Great place for fine dining or cupcake eating , shopping, every kind of music, sidewalk entertainment, ballet (of course), antiquing ...

just a great town ~

for the designer or the artist in you that you didn't know you were

and did I say....shopping?!

oh my... best dress and shoes I snatched up in a long time.

Through the Eyes of a Parent

2015-06-06T13:03:00.000-04:00

When you're a mom, with every birthday that passes your children grow and you stand back amazed. You watch them become the young adults they are meant to be. You are thankful for every good thing that comes into their lives. You stand hopeful that they will be blessed beyond their dreams while knowing that they share this world that has its ups and its downs.

When they are young, you treasure moments when their eyes look up to you and their smiles say it all... oh, maybe it's just a quiet day of fishing and the thrill isn't really in catching anything but is in the tight hold of the pole as they cast a fishing line over the water for the very first time. You see that beaming smile of satisfaction on their face. You are still the most important people in their world.

Why is it that no matter how old our children get, when we look into their eyes we can't just relish in the breaking news of their present day? Parenthood looks into the eyes of their children and they never really seem older ~ just more wonderful.

To a mom, she may be seeing her son at 2 or 32 and you can't possibly tell what she is really thinking about. The memories and the moments are as deep as the sea, as wide as its horizon above it and as current as the morning begins once more.

Love you today, then and always ~

Mom

Finger Lakes Lavender Festival: Finger Lakes Lavender Festival 2015 Schedule/Activ...

2015-05-28T17:00:00.001-04:00

Always on my Summer Calendar Finger Lakes Lavender Festival: Finger Lakes Lavender Festival 2015 Schedule/Activ...: Festival Hours: Saturday, July 11 th and Sunday, July 12 th 9:00a.m. – 5:00p.m. Free Admission and Parking Saturday, July 11th ...

Bags and Totes

2015-04-24T12:04:00.001-04:00

I love bags, all kinds of them! All girls have some kind of bag crush. Mine started when I was really young because I loved collecting and organizing. "A place for everything, and everything in its place" I guess you could say was in my makeup. So then later in life I became a teacher and had the need for many different carryalls.

Bag designs have changed over the years and tote bags made into artful and functionally fun accessories is a passion for creative addicts like me.

Call them handbags, shoulder bags, tote bags, market bags, etc. ~ It's all about the design of a bag that draws us in. Growing up, my grandmother and mom called them "pocketbooks". And today my kids think that's really funny.

I guess my love for vintage goes back to my grandmother. I can still smell her linens drying in the breeze in her yard that was dotted with Rose of Sharon, Peonies and Lilies of the Field. Ah, sweetest memories!

Anyway, this tote, all handmade and machine sewn by me

is for sale in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for visiting!

https://www.etsy.com/shop/patricepastel?ref=hdr_shop_menu

https://www.etsy.com/listing/230986455/pink-green-on-black-butterfly-dragonfly?ref=shop_home_feat_3

Spring's secret

2015-03-10T15:46:00.000-04:00

Spring is near. I can feel it. Soon it's gonna rain. I can tell.

Winter Scape

2015-01-28T12:15:00.001-05:00

Well, there are two ways I can look at this. The new year in my neck of the woods promises driving cold and freshly falling flakes. I either count the days till Spring ... or ... make every day count until then. So I'm busy in my studio, organizing, planning and sewing and staying warm. Even the birds are hiding today. Only 51 days till Spring ~ but who's really counting.
Bless the work of your mind and your hands today, wherever you are.
Sincerely,
Patrice

Painting Pink

2014-12-18T12:07:00.002-05:00

Vintage Santa Hand Painted in pink. Only one like him this year and he's sold!

If you like soft pastels in Pink, Mint Green and Snowy White

available for 2014 is my

Snow Family of 3

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNOWMAN-FAMILY-Mom-Dad-Child-amp-TREE-Shabby-Pink-Mint-Green-HP-patricepastel-OOAK-/311221320409?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Merry Christmas from New York ~ Where I count on a White Christmas

Grief

2014-11-01T16:12:00.000-04:00

Like most everyone, life sometimes deals you unexpected times. I'm still in rebound mode from grieving a dear friend who endured a long uncompromising battle with lymphoma. Her name is Kathy. She may have left too soon for her family and all who love her. I could write chapters about her. Someday I probably will but for now the lines of life aren't very distinct, in fact, they are just a little blurred. I'm finding that the gift of friendship has no real beginning and no real end. And one day, I will see her again. So to those of you who know what I mean, take heart, this may be an approaching season for family and friends and for grieving too. It's okay. In fact, it's so okay that God started a chapter in His book that goes like this,

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven... Ecc. 3:1

The best part about this is... it is only one chapter. The story never really ends. Kathy knew her story was not over. She left all of us with her certainty of meeting the One who started it all. He was her Savior, and mine too. His name is Jesus.

2014-11-01T15:34:00.001-04:00

Well, it's November 1st and a really happy day for me. My yorkie made it to 15 years old! He's a Halloween baby. So my heart is grateful and since he has been my faithful little sidekick, it should be a productive Christmas season. I'm busy in my studio and soon will be offering some of my one-of-a-kind items for home, cottage, and gift-giving.

My Horse Crush

2014-09-05T13:50:00.000-04:00

After the performance

Isn't she lovely? One look into her eyes and I'm smitten. I could just stay all day.

A peek into the New York State Fair Horse Building ...........There's just something extraordinary about being in the presence of these mighty draft horses.

A Summer Walk

2014-08-22T14:45:00.001-04:00

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path

Psalm 119:105

photo by PatricePastel

My favorite times to unwind and gain momentum for the next project almost always comes from simply taking a walk. It's amazing how my mind clears and my spirit revives. It's August and I don't want Summer to end. So today, I'll see where this path leads me. Be still my heart. Although the days are filled with plans, this Summer day is mine and with every step I am renewed.

The Reward of Parenting

2014-06-06T13:18:00.003-04:00

Thankful for my oldest son. He has always been our creative one. God blessed him with wonderful talent. What a joy when your child grows into the man you love and labor over for hours, months, years ... then one day, you breathe easier. It happens. Parents often ask me, 'does it get better'? My answer may not be a resounding YES. All I know is once you become a parent, you are always a parent. The thing that truly gets better is this; the role changes. Then one day you find yourself filling in the gaps of the past and always so grateful for the grace of God. Maybe part of the parent journey becomes clearer as you stood in steadfast prayer, waiting. That, I find, has been the answer. And the reward, oh so wonderful the reward, comes at the proper time.

Happy Birthday today, my sweet son, now a blessed husband and devoted father of girls.

Love you more every day!

Spring Ephemeral

2014-05-06T13:59:00.003-04:00

Trillium

Wildflowers of Spring

The emerging Trillium takes my breath away each and every year. A quiet walk introduced me to a secret encounter with a forest floor of white. While sunlight danced from the canopy above, the white ladies swayed below to nature's acoustic music. I will never forget that walk and my senses will always recall that day.

It's been 7 years since I took that walk. Gardens hold memories though all our senses. Only yesterday I found a new patch of wondrous white in a woods behind my mom's home. It's a bittersweet life sometimes. Building is taking place in that woods. So I quickly picked up my mom to take her there and we basked in that moment that brought us back to the day when my mom could garden for hours and lose track of the time. Lucky for me our gardens hold the times we share as family. So another Mother's Day may come and go, but this time it's a sweet memory made where time stands still. Love you Mom, always!

Cutting and Layering and Sewing

2014-04-09T15:21:00.000-04:00

A peek into my sewing room ..............

"blossoms" boutique baby cloth

reminds me of pink and blue forget-me-nots

visit my shop for my collection

patricepastel.etsy.com

4 layers of cotton

pretty blossoms, stripes, + 2 layers

my trusty Singer does the job

finishing touches

Spring and Ballet Pink and French Knot Rosebuds

2014-04-07T09:37:00.000-04:00

There is something about smocking and pastel pink and French knot rosebuds that warms me inside. Could be because I swoon over the techniques of days gone by, or maybe it just takes me back to my ballet shoes. Whatever it may be, Spring is here for sure this week and I am preparing for my favorite time of the year. May the Lord bless you on this Monday, in every small task you may undertake today.

This little dress has been sold

Spring thoughts

2014-03-26T19:08:00.001-04:00

you can count on Spring, like the long season of silenced faith, lying dormant....