angry chicken

Re-issue of Mailorder #4! The Earflap Hat & Halloween Decor

I'm very pleased to make available (just in time for Halloween decorations and the approaching of cooler weather which might require a new hat) the re-issue of the original Mailorder #4! It contains all the same fun stuff, but is a PDF file you download rather than something you get in the mail. Consequently, the price has been reduced a bit from the original Mailorder rate. It's available right here for a mere $8.

The re-issue of Mailorder #4 includes:

• The Earflap Hat Sewing Project (in 3 sizes, Adult, Youth and Baby)
• The Halloween Garland Paper Project
• The Annoyed Silhouette Paper Project
• The Merit Badge
• The Mailorder Recipe Card
• The Mailorder Riddle, which after solving will earn you a very special prize. 

I hope you enjoy this PDF re-issue. Nothing can really replicate the magic of getting the original Mailorders in the mail, in the red envelope printed on the fancy paper—but this will come close. You can see examples of projects made from this and all the other issues over in the Mailorder Flickr Group. Add yours when you are done!

 

Why I will knit this fall. I'm serious this time.

I have been looking at this book, Men's Knits: 20 New Classics, by Erika Knight for a few weeks now and have much enthusiasm to start a new knitting project.

I really love the knitted styles and the look of the guys in this book—

and the austere backgrounds. 

I have not tried any of the projects yet. I need to do a little more research and see what people are making. Here's a free v-neck sleeveless sweater pattern from this book. Found via Ravelry.

Okay, whenever I go to Ravelry I get lost for 45 minutes. Lost in a very good way. Here's a lovely men's hat pattern (free!) by Jared Flood. Now I want to start this, too.

And I am writing about this to get my hiney in gear to finish the sweater I started last year. I have never knitted a sweater. I tend to knit small items—hats, lots of baby booties, that type of thing. So, I need to just get in the groove here. I wish I could knit standing. I sure many of you can. I might take al this as a sign to slow down/do less so I can sit a knit for a little bit? That, or I need to tie up my baby.

popovers.

I made these popovers for breakfast and while no amount of butter in the muffin tin seemed to prevent them from sticking, they were so delicious. I remember this recipe floating around blogs a few years back and at that time I had a terrible sticking-in-the-pan episode. This time around it was much better, even though they didn't just fall out by any means. I need a cast iron muffin pan I think. Even with the sticking issue, these were really quick and easy (and much less messy) because this time I made the batter in the blender, whirled it a bit, and then just poured the batter straight from the blender into the muffin tin.

The girls had theirs with powdered sugar, I had them with powdered sugar, lemon juice and jam. Yum and yum. I enjoyed them more than they did but they did eat them. They said they were "pretty good."

New on the wanty list:

• One of these satchels from the Cambridge Satchel Company (and in my fantasy world—3 matching smaller ones, one for each girl.) Sigh. This link came from Sarah, who is such the temptress.

• These decorative masking tapes from Japan are making me crazy and I feel I can justify the purchase with all the homemade envelopes I am making, right? (Link from eggplant.)

autumnal equinox is approaching

We are getting projects and recipes together to celebrate the autumnal equinox this week (we actually are going to be at the beach during this time, which makes it extra special.)

On the list of items I want to try/cook/make this week to celebrate but surely won't get to all of them:

• Corn Husk Dolls (I have the supplies all ready to go for these.)
• Woodland Frame (This is really more for me. I linked to this last year, god how I love it.)
• Woodland Jewelry Box (Same as above.)
• Fall foliage/pine cone wreath (I got 3 of these, only smaller, and am going to have the girls glue pine cones to them and hang them with nice velvet ribbon.) I still need to get the ribbon, actually. Moss green?
• Treasure Hunt (I just got some sweet metal acorn charms at the craft store, hemp twine and metal tins and am going to hide them around the yard supplying treasure maps for the girls to read. They are supposed to be the squirrels finding their nuts.)
• Harvest Grape Cake (I have never baked with grapes before. I am probably a little too excited to try this.)

***And thanks so much to all of you that came to my book signing! Fun was had, cake was eaten, and I hope to show photos and possibly a video soon-ish.

book signing this sunday!

Okay, I will be at Powells this sunday for a book-signing. I'm pretty excited. There will be a question and answer portion (Questions don't have to be limited to this new book of mine, by the way, they can be from my first book too, or whatever you want to ask, actually, as long as it's not really hard questions about science or something.) I also will have the real life projects from the book to look at and discuss and I will also be hosting several cakewalks. Fun! They are small cakes, but still big enough to feel very special as long as you don't share, which I wouldn't.

The details:

• Book signing—Powell's, September 20th Sunday 7:30-9 PM, downtown location.
• Cakewalk*—to enter in the cakewalk (of which there will be many, like more than 10) you must either bring my new book or buy one. I know, kind of tricky, but hey.
• I will also be giving away 2 boxes of Bend the Rules Labels to anyone who brings a project made from my newest book. If there are several of you, I will have my daughters choose—you can take it up with them.

*Cheating is encouraged, if you can figure out a way to cheat in a cake walk, more power to you. That doesn't mean not buying my book, yeah, I'm on to you. Mariko, our cakewalk DJ, is accepting bribes. I suggest you bring sour candy and/or colorful mechanical pencils and pens.

homemade envelopes and a book

 

The girls have gotten really into writing letters lately and mailing letters to family and friends and we ran out of envelopes very fast. I couldn't face buying more and realized I could just make them. So I did—and now the girls make them too. So, this is so easy and simple I feel silly even writing about it, but just in case, I made a video tutorial of how we make them. No templates to trace, no scissors needed—just some paper and tape. They have been very well received. Even though Delia's envelopes often only contain a cotton ball and a band aid. She's more into the stuffing and less into the writing.

I am super happy to announce the new book by the masterminds at Photojojo, Photojojo!: Insanely Great Photo Projects and DIY Ideas. This book is jam packed with really creative ideas. I was flattered to be asked to contribute a project to this book (and I did.) Congrats Amit and Kelly!

The envelope project above here is not in the book, but it being made from a photo in a magazine and all, I thought thematically it worked with the post. Over think things much, you say? Yup!

labels and stuff to do with them

I am so stinking excited to have these Bend The Rules gift labels on hand for gift giving. These are the ones I wrote about a bit back. I have been using them for all kinds of things—like here on a box. This one says "I totally want to get one of these for myself, so let me know if you don't want it."

on tags, boxes, and cards—on the tag it says, "It's a gift for you! (But secretly for me.)"

And "I made this, just so you know. So, don't say anything mean about it." They are very handy.

They are published by Potter Style and are available in gift shops and book stores and also right here. I say, stock up for your holiday gift giving!

I am giving away a box of labels—leave a comment with your worst gift giving or receiving experience. Preferably handmade in nature. Like, I had a knitting teacher who would knit sweaters for her boyfriends, they would take months and months, and then they would always break up with her right after she finished the sweater.

One of my favorites which is not a handmade gift story, but still amazing, is a dear friend who gave her dad the soundtrack to O' Brother Where Art Thou, but knew he hadn't seen the movie—so she gave him the movie too, but rented it. So, he had to return it to the video store after he had watched it. Classic!

Okay, I will leave this up a couple days and then we will do a random number generator to choose the winner. Thanks!! (And I will be giving away 2 more boxes at my book signing at Powell's on the 20th, too.)

************************************************************************************************************************

Okay--WOW that was a lot of stories! I laughed, and some were so sad! Kind of like a big long This American Life segment. You all are amazing.

Alright—the Random Number Generator has chosen #168. Congrats Cay!

point & shoot

 

I gave these ridiculously cool ceramic Ghost Cameras to my photographers as thank-you gifts for collaborating with me on my book. (The mighty talented Matt Wong and Alexandra Grablewski.) I now am kicking myself for not getting one for myself. They are designed by Yellow Owl Workshop and made here locally in Portland by Mudshark Studios. I just noticed they also have the cameras at Urban Outfitters, which is awesome, but buying them directly from the artists is even awesomer.

Unrelated:

• We saw It Might Get Loud last week and it was so good. I realize that the 14 year-old boy really comes out in me when I am watching Jimmy Page play air guitar. (Yes, this really happens in the movie) There's much to discuss in this film, and it's not a perfect documentary by any means, but I really really liked it, and if you have ever liked Zeppelin, U2, or Jack White—it's worth seeing for that alone.
• Glee. Thank god for Hulu because we don't have television. I wanted to quote something from it, but how to choose?
• Just got word of a new blog Portland Loves: Local which is all out Portland shops, events and all that. Nice! Perfect resource for out of town visitors, too.

little red jacket

Delia's Fall/Winter jacket has been made. I go back and forth every year about making jackets for the girls. I want to use wool but it can't be too scratchy. I also realize the labor involved is substantial—with no guarantee that the girls will wear them. I have been lucky so far. I think it's because they pick out the fabric, patterns, and buttons themselves (with some jedi mind tricks by me, of course.) This jacket is made from Simplicity 2534. The fabric is 80% wool 20% cashmere and is heavenly to touch and work with. The Mini Boden style polka dot lining is 100% cotton.

There is no shortage of pockets. There are pockets set in the seam on the outside and hidden pockets on the inside—with the requisite matching notebook. This a small moleskin journal covered with fabric using Heat & Bond Lite. I now use over-sized industrial snaps on jackets instead of buttons with buttonholes. I can always re-attach a yanked-off snap, but it's harder to repair a stretched-out buttonhole.

Happy. Happy.

There is a ton of jacket inspiration out there. We just got the Garnet Hill Kids catalog today and saw this one, and then there are to-die-for jackets over at Little Fashion Gallery. For sewing patterns, this coat pattern from Oliver & S is so very stylish—especially for the little dudes.

So, I did see a jacket similar at Target for $25 a few weeks ago and just about had a heart attack because it was a long week when I saw it and I was fried and hadn't even cut out this jacket yet and just thought, "Why am I sewing this?" Then there was the jacket still to sew for Sadie—the whole thing just made me feel really tired. Happily, the sewing stars aligned with this project and working on it a little bit, every few days for about a week, it came together really easily with no swearing and Delia loves it. That alone is worth it. This jacket, plus the lining and the pattern, was made for just under $40. That one at Target was 100% acrylic. The nice wool ones that I like are more than $200, so it's all good.

Sadie's jacket is almost done. It hasn't been as stellar of a sewing experience. It's a different pattern and looks lovey, but there has been swearing. There is some evil law that only one of my girls will get a perfectly sewn garment, never both of them. Baby will get a hand-me-down jacket or a towel. Or both. She's still prone to ripping her clothes off at any given moment, anyway.

Unrelated:

I have become a bit obsessed with the vintage-style hair and make-up tutorials over on YouTube. I immediately did my hair after watching this. It looks pretty amateurish, but hey, the girls like it. And it did only take about 5 minutes. Pete says it's very Blade Runner. He also said it was very high. Like in the air. Okay, then.

pumpkin ginger waffles

I made these ginger pumpkin waffles over the weekend. I got the recipe in the October Country Living and it was so very good. I didn't put in the crystallized ginger because I knew the kids would balk. They were plenty ginger-y anyway. And I always use yogurt instead of buttermilk, which I did here as well. The girls like them just hot dusted with powdered sugar eaten out of their hand. The recipe doesn't appear to be on the Country Living site yet, but a very similar one is here. I told the girls they were gingerbread waffles because if I had said pumpkin waffles, one of them might have had misgivings. They were devoured. I made a double batch and keep them in the freezer and will pop them in the toaster oven during the week.

Soup!

The weather is turning and I have soup on my mind and am thrilled, more than thrilled, that Anna Thomas (her book, The New Vegetarian Epicure, is in my top 3 cookbooks of all time) has a new book coming out—Love Soup. Again, this was all in the October Country Living and they have published 5 recipes from the books here. Very, Very exciting. I forget to cook from magazines sometimes, you know? And then when I do, I get so happy. One of my favorite all time recipes is this one from Real Simple—Apricot Crumbles. They look innocent, but they are not to be trusted. You have been warned.

chillin' with some dice and tunes.

We are over the moon with this Tell Me A Story Set from Small Object. It's incredible. It comes with 3 wooden dice, each showing an image, and than a pad of paper to write down a story inspired by the rolling of the dice. There is a laminated card that has the images labeled too, which helps with spelling. Sadie promptly wrote a story about Mr. Hat, who read a book in his cozy house—it's so sweet and wonderful. I am grabbing up more for gifts. Wooden story dice have been around a long time and I love old-timey toys so much, Sarah's set is just perfect. You can see more types of handmade story dice here, and here, and here. And I need to mention Sarah's thoughtful and articulate post on making handmade items to sell and how it relates to consumerism and how she feels about all that—really good read.

Unrelated: I can't stop listening to all the uke cover songs over here by Tim Koch. I am especially fond of Mama Mia right now. Please listen to the whole song—he's amazing and in my mind, has covered the best songs ever. They bring tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my face every time. The girls dance like crazy and I see rainbows and unicorns. It's the perfect happy drug. I love cover songs. I am working on some covers right now on uke, and they are horrible, in a good way I think. Metal. That's all In going to say.

Thanks for all your props on the TV gig, it was really fun. Happy long weekend! I'm gonna do a whole lot of sleeping.

I'm gonna be on TV.

I am thrilled to be not swearing on television this Thursday, September 3rd, on our local morning show—AM Northwest on KATU (station 2)

The show runs live from 9-10AM and I think I will be on for about 5-ish minutes sometime after 9:30 doing a demo from my new book. It's live folks, that's all I'm gonna say. And I will totally try and get a copy to upload so we can all have a good laugh. Woot!

**Okay, here it is. I showed how to make the Aunt Sarah and Uncle Pete dolls from the book and the PDF I mentioned is available here using the password in the book which is on page 120. Good times, man!

homemade brown sugar

I finally made some brown sugar. I usually just use white sugar and add a little bit of molasses when I bake because I am too lazy to fix it up ahead of time. This means I usually add a little too much molasses, which I love, but the rest of the family complains about. But they complain — in a nice way.

So I finally made some brown sugar ahead of time to have on hand. Delia shovels it into her mouth like a crazed sugar monster — I need to hide it from her. It's so easy I am totally embarrassed I was too lazy to take the 5 minutes to make it before now.

Here's what I did:

In a bowl add 1-2 Tablespoons molasses to every 1 cup white sugar. Then mix for a bit (hands work best) and that's it. I store it in a mason jar. You can also mix it all in a big Ziplock and use that for storage, too.

For the Happy Homemade Brown Sugar Party*, I am thinking of trying one the following recipes:

Brown Sugar-Walnut Pound Cake

Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Brown Sugar and Lime

Pot O' Gold Scones

Oatmeal & Brown Sugar Toasting Bread

Baked Apples with Brown Sugar

*Pretty much every activity in the house is a Party, according to the girls, and I say, why not!?