angry chicken

I am insane (in a good way?)

if you can't stay up way too late sewing a dress for your daughter's 3rd b-day in 48 hours, when can you do it? so, it's midnight (sorry for the mood lighting) and I am done with Sadie's dress and matching handbag which I am now going to wrap. there was no swearing at all on this one. I love it when things just go together. the amazing fabric is from this assortment of new ones that I received from Cia's Palette. . .

It is such a pleasing group I had to just pat it for a week. I used the second one from the right for knee pads on a pair of pants for Sadie (I will spare you the way too crappy photo of this) and then had the guts to really get into the rest. Pete and I and the girls got to meet Cia and her husband Mark a few weeks back and it was one of those times when you just click with people and feel like you have known them forever. Or at least a lot longer then, well, an hour or so, which is about how long we got to hang out. We talked fabric, music, computers, life, so many things. I could go on and on here, but really I just have to say that they are Good People and they have a rad online fabric shop, and it is definitely a wonderful place to buy fabric.

regarding the 3rd b-party, the goodie bags are almost done. I was all set to finish them up and had the girls in the car to run errands and they both fell asleep, so we ended up back home and then I fell asleep listening to them breathing in the car. so we all slept in the driveway and didn't get our errands done. but I am quite close to being done. I wrapped gifts and I am fully aware that it's supposed to rain this weekend which will mean absolute chaos because we really do not have room for all the adults and kids in the house. I need to bake the cake (and with everything else, I may be baking it at the store if you know what I mean) and, of course, Tie One On is happening. Ha! it's funny, really. (see I'm insane title above) But I need to say that I am happy and in a really good mood, not doing the freaky perfectionist thing at all, really. (she said convincingly)

 

the goodie-bag dilemma

**update-okay, I was starting to reply to everyone for all the great suggestions, and stopped, it's all too much, so I will say it here, thank you! so many wonderful creative ideas!There should be a kids b-day/toys/making crafts resource site, like a blog! don't you think? with great links, craft how-to's, party ideas, and recipies with links to other blogger's kids parties, etc. okay someone, get on that! (I just checked out MSL kids online and all your ideas kick way more bootie.)

I'm sewing the goodie bags themselves right now (and have corrected the spelling of dilemma, yikes! so glad grammie didn't see that-shh)

Miss Sadie is turning 3 on Saturday. (my brother's b-day is the same day, I love this!) We are having a little party for her on Sunday (the theme is "rainbow") and I am having the goodie-bag dilemma. I want to put in cool, nice, hand-made toys, or at least not the crappy garbage toys out of weird plastic. I'd like this amazing goodie bag here, but really should make stuff ( I can't buy 9 of these and have them air-shipped. that's crazy talk.) However, I also have a very unrealistic and long list of things I want to do for this party (sewing a new dress for the b-day girl, making/buying food/ oh, and wrapping gifts, cleaning the house, etc.) and the goodie-bag thing is so killin' me! I am asking for ideas here. I don't really need craft ideas for the party itself-I have access to a ton of kid gear; hoops, big parachute, balls, and crazy obstacle course items. (insurence release perhaps?) but if anyone has some cool ideas as to what to put in the goodies bags, please help. we have about 8-9 kids the oldest is 5 but most hover around 2-3. And I only have 4 days. and I don't want to spend a ton of $$ and have no time. Awesome!

I like this crayons craft project above (from MSL kids) but I would actually have to buy crayons to do this-which I can do, but it seems more cool if you just have a ton that are all used and broken, which we don't really, we only have a few, and Sadie loves them all broken and stubby. I made bean bags as little favors for Sadie's first b-day with her face on one of them (it was a 3-pack) and that was so fun and cool. Maybe that's what I should do, make one cool thing, and have that be the favor, not try to get 3-4 things for a bag. Matchbox cards and mini-slinkies were very popular last year-but can I repeat? I think not.

self-portrait tuesday

here's my ear at the coast 2 weeks ago. we had an amazing trip. the weather was perfect It looks all foggy and spooky here, but the fog burned off by afternoon and was sunny and hot the whole time. now I want to go back.

Just a reminder, Tie One On aprons are due by the end of the day Friday. I don't want to pressure any of you, but I have to say, the sewing the dish towel apron (doesn't tea towel sound much better?) okay- sewing this tea towel apron was so fun and so incredibly satisfying that I can't quite express it. so, if you are new to sewing or need a super quick project, do this one!

quilt monday-stuck in redville

yes, when I get into something (redwork) I really get into it. so, this is also from that same magazine as this post. I am fixating on these tiny flying woodland elf/faeries on the border of the quilt. Can you see them? Click on the photo for a closer look. So sweet (and yes, I realize they are wearing hats exactly like what I just sewed for Oscar in my last post) well, at least I am consistent (or boringly predictable.)

These are all so amazing, but I am really diggin on the realistic mushrooms looming above to the right. Wonderful. And I also like this dark bloody color of red for the embroidery. Also, what a beautiful photograph! It's so impossible to photograph quilts. This way is perfect. A close up with movement, you know?

And very exciting to report, Laura posted a translation of the Japanese text on last week's yo-yo quilt in the comment section. Thank you, Laura!

cute-off sign-off

here's my last cute. I am biased, because I made them, but pretty cute, huh? they could go euro-acorn boy with some Italian shoes, or with little vans, a toddler skate-punk. Thanks Hillary, this cute-off was so fun (and a bit exhausting, no?) great images, finds, and links to keep me busy for weeks to come! These are headed off to Oscar in the mail this weekend, a small token of thanks for all the amazing creations you made us this summer! oxox! (it IS getting cold there now, right?)

more bag cute

I know, I know, more cute bags. I love the simplicity of these and I can't get enough of the hidden patterned pleat thing right now. I keep posting handbags, which is funny, because I don't use handbags/purses. (unless I am sans child, which is just about never.) My wallet fits in my pocket and all the other stuff (mostly kid snacks, why do I tote around so much food?) is in a back-pack, which I am addicted to because I know at any moment I can pick up both kids and run. Which comes up more than you'd think. So, I need to design the perfect back-pack, until then, I will just look at cool bags to adapt.

This last one here is my favorite. I love the fabrics together. I know someone out there has tried to use these clasps. I like these big plastic ones. Very nice. All these are from a cool site here.

a brief interruption

The Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival is happening this weekend and I need to mention it to all you Oregon crafters. We are sure excited to go tomorrow (and thanks for the reminder Joyce!) Sadie had a fever this morning and was quietly singing to herself at 4AM, so we shall see how the weekend really shapes up.

Also, in addition to all the eraser carving mania; see here and here (hooray! I love it when we all get excited about something at the same time!) Craftlog and Sewing Stars have rocked my reality with the computer printing on fabric thing. You have to see what they are up to, it is so exciting that I can't quite think about it right now. (a super easy way to get the text on a quilt don't you think,hillary? and way less expensive the the 5-pack of fabric paper sheets that costs a fortunate at the fabric store.)

now back to the regularly scheduled cute-off, which is ending today-whew!

um, wood dolls again?

Okay, I know I keep posting about wooden dolls. I admit I have a problem. But admitting I have a problem is the first step, right? And this is a wooden doll AND a happy mobile. You see my dilemma? Yes, I know I have already covered wooden doll images, but here is another one, and you know, I just have to show it. I like the little town. and the yellow hood. and the cloud in the first photo (who seems kind of grumpy)

holiday cute

I found these amazing needlework bags by akiko kawana. The second one isn't really holiday-ish, but the first one is, and how dang cute are they?! Cute! The handles are done in the circle fabric so it looks like stripes. genius. These are so simple and pleasing to me. I'm getting back tack II ideas here. hmmm.

it hurts! cute-off

They all seem like such good friends, don't they? Please notice the "mermaid" and the small handbag in the top right shot. sigh. Again, Sarah makes cuter ones, however anything with a kerchief is right on time in my book. Go babushka!