Terri Dux

When visiting my mom this weekend, my niece and mom found this photo of me, my brother, and cousins when we were on "Checkers & Pogo" in 1974. Did you watch "Checkers & Pogo?" Those were the days.





#808

Yesterday, I drove to town (which I hardly do this anymore) to run errands with my mom which included lunch at Panya. After dropping off donations , we browsed through the store. So pleased to include my mom in my sketch for Urban Sketchers O'ahu virtual sketch theme which was Celebrate Fall.

When I was in college, there was no such thing as online classes. Hope I can keep up.

Look at this adorable from Christine . Love the little handsewn pocket on the front of the kitty's dress. Such a nice added touch. If you want to make your own pocket cat for holiday gifts, go to stitchesandcat.com and download your pattern today!

I have plans for this cardboard carrier. Reuse and recycle. Read "After the beer is gone" in today's blog at stitchesandcat.com. Link in the bio.

Perfect for your commute to the office, this one-of-a-kind shoulder bag travels with you keeping everything you need: wallet, cell, laptop, tablet, shoes, workout clothing, water bottle, and more.

Designed to recycle nine discontinued upholstery samples with zero waste. Plus, it's reversible so you can have two different looks in one. Click the link in bio to learn more.

Thank you Rene for your kind words about my handcrafted insulated potholders. I hope you are baking something delicious.
Find more one-of-a-kind potholders at stitchesandcat.com. Link in the bio.

Working on a new look for my stitchesandcat.com site. At least until the 49ers game starts this afternoon.

Really wanted to include the iconic clock tower in my nocture watercolor for Urban Sketchers O'ahu virtual sketch. The wet road captures the reflection of Friday's peaceful sunset.

Working on a new bag design that incorporates nearly every inch of my upholstery samples to create zero waste. I'm so excited about this one. Stay tuned.

I no longer work at a furniture company but because I'm a fabric collector (not hoarder), I have stacks and stacks of discontinued upholstry samples
just waiting for their chance to be one-of-a-kind bags. When I woke up at 3 a.m. I decided to reorganize my upholstery by color instead of size. This took 3 hours to do. But now it will be easier to find exactly what I need for each project. What are you doing today?

I no longer work at a furniture company but because I'm a fabric collector (not hoarder), I have stacks and stacks of discontinued upholstry samples
just waiting for their chance to be one-of-a-kind bags. When I woke up at 3 a.m. I decided to reorganize my upholstery by color instead of size. This took 3 hours to do. But now it will be easier to find exactly what I need for each project. What are you doing today?

Farewell September. You felt like an extra long month.

Best thing about having a bad day is waking up to a brand new day full of hope and optimism. Learn and grow. Here's to resilience.

It's been one of those days.

Yesterday's virtual sketch theme "Take Two" for Urban Sketchers O'ahu was to revisit a sketch from your sketchbook. I choose to sketch our orange tree again because 1) our orange tree has significantly less oranges than in April and 2) I really want to improve sketching trees. Maybe I have to sketch it a third time. Swipe to see previous sketch.

Happy Birthday Bill! Dinner on the beach and a really nice afternoon swim until we saw a school of fish jump out of the water in front of us. Yikes! Time to get out. Also, first time seeing a honu at the beach.

Yesterday, I found these excellent gently-used picture frames in Aiea. You can usually find nice picture frames in abundance while thrifting. These are ready for the holidays!

I didn't have a good photo of my cousin's cat, Nemo so I'm not sure if this even looks like him. I hope she likes it. Swipe to see the second version.

My very first art commission for the holidays. I agreed to do this and then realized I've never sketched a dog before. Thanks and for great tips for painting furry friends.

Matchy-matchy. With leftover fabric from a Scout Tee I made last year, I used nearly every inch of scrap fabric to make this Ogden Cami, scrunchie, and facemask. No waste. Swipe to see the label I made to mark the back.

For many years, my dear friend Cindy would ask me about this dainty pink flowers that bloomed on a street I grew up in Manoa. She would ask me if I knew what flower it was and tell me how she much liked it. For years, we never knew the name. We never saw it at garden stores.

In 2018, when we loss Cindy to Ovarian Cancer, I vowed that I would plant a garden in memory of her. But I still never knew the name of the pink flowers.

Last year, I saw the flowers blooming at my mom's house. My mom said she had got them from her neighbor (the same front yard that Cindy would mention when we drove by). They called them hurricane flowers because they only bloom during hurricane season. I ask my Mom for a few plantings.

There is no "hurricane flowers" online, but knowing that they were seasonal helped me solve the mystery. They are called Rain Lillies. They bloom after a heavy rain in late summer.

I transparented the bulbs to my front yard on July 20th, exactly 2 years after Cindy's passing. Today, I saw the first blooms.

This is the start of my new friendship garden. These little pink blooms mean the world to me.

In memory of Cindy.

Today's virtual sketch theme for Urban Sketchers O'ahu is “Sketch Your Happy Place." Couldn't decide if my happy place is my garden or my sewing space. But then it started to rain so sewing space it is!

Earlier in the pandemic, I made this cross-back apron for from "Sewing Happiness" book that Laura gave to me as a Christmas gift. Swipe to see the book.

Now is a great time to start sewing Christmas gifts for your loved ones. If you don't sew, I do have my self-drafted aprons for sale at stitchesandcat.com. Click link in the bio to see aprons.

I just love how people are jumping into their garden and growing all the things. A few months ago, I met Moana through fellow crafter . She was interested in vermicomposting (composting with worms). I've been vermicomposting for 14 years. Our trash has decreased tremendously since food scraps (veggie peelings & melon rind) go to the worms. In return, dark, rich worm castings are added to our garden. Worms are not gross or scary. They are happy gardening assistants!

Yesterday, I shared a handful of red wigglers with Moana so she can start her own vermicompost and she gave me these lovely pair of handcrafted earrings. Thanks Moana for choosing a sustainable way to garden. I hope your plants will be as beautiful as your jewelry.

Reusing pom-poms from a scarf, the Boho Chic bag is another way to upcycle and save our landfill! Bold and colorful, Boho Chic is a mix of bohemian and gypsy style you will be proud to carry around. This bag is designed with 15 swatches of recycled upholstery samples which makes it extremely durable, one-of-a-kind, and very earth-friendly. Now available at stitchesandcat.com. Click on the link in the bio.

Made facemasks for using the cuter fabrics in my stash since she landed a job at a preschool. I prefer t-shirt yarn instead of elastic for comfort, although I have yet to wear a mask for more than an hour or so.

"I've been a long time fan of Stitches + Cat. She never disappoints! Got (potholders) as a gift and I know they're gonna be a hit! Everything is always so well made & so cute!" - Tiffany T.

Thanks .thom.9. Fun and bursting with personality, handcrafted potholders make the perfect gifts for bakers and cooks this holiday season! All potholders are insulated to protect you from heat. Together, let's bake all the things. See all the designs at stitchesandcat.com. Link in the bio.

Before my grandfather's passing in 2008, he verbally "wrote" letters to his grandchildren which my aunty typed and he signed. We were presented with his letters after he passed and I have treasured it every since.

On this Grandparents Day, we honor all grandparents with love and respect.

Went outside to get inspiration for today's Urban Sketchers Oahu virtual sketch theme which is pattern or repetition. Ended up at the entrance to the Lychee Farm, which is a 10-minute walk to the top of Mililani Mauka. The trees here have always looked magical to me. Ran into along the way and she told me this 128-acre property just sold for $13 million. That's a lot of lychee.

Until I can afford real art pencils, I make due with clearance school supplies from Walmart. Pack of 12 for $1.

My String of Pearls has a special place in my heart. This dainty cascading succulent can be tricky to grow. But those who have String of Pearls love them very much. Hoping this String of Pearls bag will tug on your heartstrings, just like the plant. Do you know someone who loves Strings of Pearls?

This bag is designed with 15 swatches of recycled upholstery samples which makes it extremely durable, one-of-a-kind, and very earth-friendly. More style and less in the landfill! New "String of Pearls" bag is available at stitchesandcat.com. Click on the link in the bio.

Day 14/14 "Don't look back. You are on the road to good things" watercolor and pencil sketch. Practicing "Daily Art Practice for Self Care: 14 Days of Messages to Yourself" .

No regrets. No bad paths. You learn and move foward. The road in front of you is full of good things.

Gardening at the planter boxes is definitely my favorite place to be in our backyard. I planted most of our veggies here. It's easy to w**d since the planter box is raised and I don't have to be on my knees.

If you want to to build your own planter box, download our detailed instructions on our website. Let's garden together!

For details, go to link in the bio or visit stitchesandcat.com.

Day 13/14 "Tree" watercolor and pencil sketch. Practicing "Daily Art Practice for Self Care: 14 Days of Messages to Yourself"

Trying to learn how to paint trees to expand my skills. Just like a tree. Always growing.

Happy Labor Day! Spent part of today "laboring" on one of my loves: my sewing area. "An Organized Labor of Love" is now on my blog. Click on link in the bio to read. Hope you are enjoying your holiday.

Didn't catch a shisa but got to add more dancers to my sketch today. Did you know I took Okinawan dance for over a year from Nakasone Sensei? Not a big fan of the pancake makeup on my face. I was 11 and I still remember it!

Are you watching the virtual this weekend? Enjoy the Okinawan spirit through music and dance from the comfort and safety of your home.

This was yesterday's sketch for . I hope to catch a shisa today!
The colorful festival continues on Sunday starting at 2pm. To watch, go to www.okinawanfestival.com

Day 12/14 "A stronger foundation means more room to grow" watercolor and pencil sketch. Practicing "Daily Art Practice for Self Care: 14 Days of Messages to Yourself" by Jessica Swift on Skillshare.

My ficus inspired me this morning.