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!

more reasons to carve

I found these in this shop will looking about. Sorry the links are not direct, it's hard to right right these exact items. Plus, digging around the site is more fun (when the babes aren't screaming and hanging from your pants, which is my reality right now) So, why the elephant gets a crown, I don't know. But I think it is swell. And I really like the little stars with the bird and cage group.

fabric-cute

okay,
here are some fabrics to drool over. I really am digging on these pinks, oranges, and reds, with the hint of light blue. The first fabric is rockin' my world right now. Maybe someone who is good at research can figure out how we can order this stuff. Or perhaps a friendly Japanese reader can help us out? (god knows I need the "help" because my fabric stash is so, um small.)

sittin' pretty

I sure like this sitting dolly with big feet and no fingers. This is a shout-out to Sarah, who I also know would dig it. Hillary, I know you love all the wood figures that Sarah makes and I just got my Loop Troupe I ordered yesterday and she is so lovely. Really amazing in person. So, I'm not exactly sure how to start making some wood toys/ figures, but I do know how to collect images of some cool ones. And that's what this is. And, I am almost done painting one set of russian nesting dolls. Not the quickest project in the world.

cute-off apron style

good morning! how could I resist this red-work-ish apron? I can't, I tell you! So, on an unrelated note, I am already digging through my eraser carving supplies after the cute-off yesterday. great stuff! and back to the apron, can you see what is tucked into that pocket and why does it say "what?" Oh, the mysteries of the zakka.

cute carving

I must have been getting vibes from craftog's super cool back-tack kit when I bookmarked this last week. I keep seeing cute little images stamped onto fabric, usually lovely linen or muslin. I know I have some fabric ink somewhere-I need to get out my erasers to carve and my x-actos (and some band-aids.) these are from this site here.

notice the super cute tags (good for holiday gifts, huh?)

cute off update-

Hillary,
did you see what Sarah (the genius we also know as the small object) has over at flickr? she has a set called "idea cards" with all these really cool project ideas, visuals, inspirations, etc. wonderful resource!! (am I the last person to notice this?) thanks for sharing the crafty love, sarah!

#2 quilty-cute

Hillary,
I can't enough of this little quilted clutch (we don't say "pouch" do we?) How perfect for scraps and the quilted lining is so good. just add some bias trim and some snaps, and you are done. I'm looking at the gusset detail and I think I've got it, I think. Now, I won't feel so crazy keeping all my teeny-tiny scraps. I found it at this site here. Lots to look at.

cute-off with the gang

Dearest Hillary,
To kick off the "cute off" I thought I'd share these naughty friends. look at these little buddies all lined up for their mug shot! The stripey scarf is the best along with the profile shot of the rabbit (obviously he knocked over a armored car) I like the seasonal backdrops, too. They are from here, and then click on "joutes" and then spend 1/2 hour looking at this cool handmade zakka site (you'll recognize the animals from the "for sweet baby " book I posted about a bit back)

cute it up!

Hillary and I were discussing how there was a lull in our crafty energy (dare I say manic-y crafty energy?) and so she came up with the brilliant idea of a cute off! we inundate each other with cute images back and forth all week to get things shakin. wooo-hooo! so here we go! (pete is wondering how I can possibly spend more time on the computer, ha!)

quilt monday-inspiration

This AMAZING quilt is from the same Japanese quilting magazine issue as this post. The top is all hand stitched, and is open, not really a "top" I the traditional sense. But, now that I think of it, weren't all yo-yo quilts pieced like this? with no batting or backing? Gammie, please comment if you know. Please click for a closer look. I am realizing I need to do a quilt Monday on yo-yo quilts. the perfect t.v. project, really.

here's the large view. wow. wow. Wish I could read all about this artist. (no japanese speaking people in this house) And some other lovely quilts floating around right now over here and here.

gone fishin'

We are headed to the coast today (otter rock/devil's punch bowl, near newport, for all you locals) and will be back on monday. I was going to show a photo from the public park site but they are all lame, so I will show some of ours when we return. I'm going to try Quilt Monday will early, like as in today. I was going post it in the "future" but I have had mixed results with that. And for all of you who had order card packs this week, thank you! They all have been shipped. Okay, need to pack. Isn't packing for kids the hardest ever? I always forget my own stuff end up bringing one pair of pants for myself and like, one sock. Actually, I have strange dreams about packing. I once dreamed I was Russia and when I open my suitcase all I had was nonsense paperwork and a few cans of soup.

my little stripy sock

my stripy sock photo submission.

crafts I want to try

so, I need to give my back-tack II mate some ideas so this post is all about that. Although my craft space is overflowing, I always want to try more. Thanks to Craftlog (who has her lovely needlework shown in this post) I found out about this book coming out by the wool and hoop kit designer. Very exciting. I posted about wanting to try crewel work this spring, and of course, haven't tried it yet.

and I would love to try needle felting. this image is from my own stash that I posted about here. I have never tried felting at all and am ashamed to say that I haven't even made felt beads from the roving Stephanie gave me! bad crafter!!

and I have always been intrigued by rug hooking, especially learning how so I can work on my own designs. that would be super fun I think. has anyone done this? is it very tedious?? I should check a book out of the library and find out more and see if it's a total bear or not.

drop spindle intrigues me as well. I just found this book searching around. I have no idea if it's good or not, but the photo is lovely. I also have no spinning experience at all. I like the idea of drop spindle because it seems so much less of a commitment (not needling a big wheel and all) and I love the chunky look. And I have been drooling over the yarn at my paper crane and for so long and so tempted by the kit at hello yarn's great site.

okay back tack buddy, hope this helps! I know it's a bunch of ideas, so please just pick your favorite! (and the one that's the easiest for you to put together!!)

last weekend

On Saturday we all went to a little harvest fair on Sauvie's Island with Pete's sister and her lovely new baby, Will. There was really good music from a local band, Trashcan Joe (great name) and lots and lots of food. And there was this great tractor pull cow ride.

Sadie on a hay bale. We ate marionberry pie, tamales, fresh donuts, sausage and chips, and lemonade. We also painted pumpkins, saw a scary-ass puppet show (that Sadie promptly left after about 5 min.) and got a little rained on. hooray for Autumn! which isn't really here yet, I know, but I am excited.

 

quilt monday-small quilt cards

The small quilt postcards are here! I got them back from the printers last week and am so happy with the level of detail. You can really see all the tiny stitches and fabrics. They are available now over at king pod under the new "paper goods" category.

these two designs are in a pack. 5 of each postcard, 10 cards total. You can buy them by clicking this button right here:

I've been meaning to mention

 

 

Heather Ross (of munki-munki) has a new collection of fabrics out with Free Spirit. Very exciting! See the gnomes! Too good. There are more than what I've shown, see here. (to see them; go to free spirit->lightning bugs and other mysteries->coordinates) They will be available in mid-October online over at Cia's Palette (really wonderful online fabric shop!) very very excited. 

Helen over at stripy sock studio (really funny and great blog) has a stripy sock photo competition going on for the month of September. And there is a prize! See the gallery for the great submissions so far. I need to bust out my striped socks and get snapping. It's just getting cold enough now to even think about socks. This great stripy sock photo here is of Helen's sock drawer!

I saw this kit here locally (at the toy shop on nw 23rd for all you portland people) and this company, Harrisville, has these great metal, not plastic, potholder looms with 100% cotton or wool loops! I only usually see nylon and I know both Stephanie and Sarah have been working with/looking for/ potholder stuff. Sorry I am too lazy to link to where you all were talking about this, but I know you were at some point. And Stephanie, they do sell just the loops at the shop on 23rd. You can get them at The Woolery online as well, which is a fiber online shop new to me and has a kids section for crafty fiber fun. Sadie needs to be a but older for almost all of this, but that won't stop me from buying, I'm sure. I made so many potholders from my loom when I was little. I have no idea what we did with them.

And, as of yesterday or so, Back Tack II buddies have been matched up! very exciting. I have been lurking on my buddy's weblog already and have made contact with her (albeit with a made up name.) all the details are on the Back Tack II weblog and I sure am glad I ready the FAQ because I was totally about to blow the whole thing the the first day. oops.

tie one on-dishtowel aprons

I spent way too long setting this shot up. It resulted in me screaming at Sadie who had swiped the vintage buttons and was tearing them off the card, and then defensively explaining to Pete why the photo-styling was really important to me at that very moment, and yes, I had to do it all right there at the kitchen table because the light is best there. sigh. I think it turned out pretty good (for all that, thank you family for helping me pretend I live in a Japanese craft-book) you can see I am still fully into this red-work look. the lovely basket was one of many things I have received from Hillary, thank you.

apron #1: from the 4-pack of dish towels I made these 4 aprons. twill tape and extra fabrics were all from my stash, the rule here for me was no extra purchases except the dish towels. and I stuck with the rules, for once. also, no hand sewing. these were to be quick and easy. I did zig-zag embellishment on the twill tape here and no pleats on this one. way to bulky.

apron #2: I swiped this pocket design from a Japanese apron I saw in a craft book. super easy to do and really fun. twill tape is my best new friend and makes a great binding, too. The pleats here were so easy because I just used the plaid as a guide. does that make sense?

apron #3: no, there is nothing in this bowl. this pocket looks a bit more like a stuck on clutch, but I like it anyway. it ties in back.

apron #4: I ran out of the natural color of twill tape here, so switched to brown. I would have had enough but I kept making the ties on the aprons tie in front which takes a LOT of tape.

okay, please remember that you only have to do one for Tie One On. these were even easier than I thought and were super fun and satisfying. family and friends, please act surprised when you get one for Christmas and let me know if you want dibs on one. wooden spoon and white bowl not included.

 

new pants

Sadie has new pants. she won't stop growing (the tape isn't working) so I made these for her over the weekend. It's getting a bit cooler here in the mornings and evenings, perfect weather really. She's gets knee pads on the mini-corduroy this year because she's turning into a small child, not a toddler anymore, I can't believe she will be 3 the beginning of October. Must plan her party.I have a been crafting crazy person. It helps me deal with all the sadness. But it means I haven't slept as much and I could drop now, and it's only 8:00 PM.

So, I have decided to just do kids clothes for my family and friends (and here locally in shops) this fall and not sell any on king pod at least until after the new year. I have been too busy with other projects and clothes are the only thing I make "to order" and that type of time I just can't schedule on any regularly basis. I plan to offer small quilt cards however, which came back from the printers today! I am so excited and hope the get them up on king pod sometime this weekend (Pete is laughing here. he's the code-man, I just do the graphics)

quilt monday-you can help!

I am way into this redwork look I posted about last week. I tried it in my own style for this great project Shanna has started; Quilts for Katrina. You all can help too! Please see the link for the group on flickr with all the details. There already have been some amazing blocks posted. She has asked everyone to make a block, which will be made into a quilt and auctioned off. All the proceeds go to the red cross. I felt a tiny bit better today working on this, knowing it would help. I have been crafting crazy this weekend, I always need to keep extra busy if my mind is crazy, like it has been this last week.

***update-I just saw that Shanna has received such a wonderful response that the group is closing the end of the day Monday. what a wonderful group of crafters out there!

 

mail and such

I have been getting some goodies in the mail. This is all from Hillary. A lovely organdy patchwork apron and a chicken scratch apron, a cross-stitch Bambi growth chart, and a really good vintage craft book. Thank you!! The cross stitch on the growth chart is lovely and I love, love, love patchwork aprons so much.

And here is a group from Sarah. The framed photo and injured clothespin peep. This all is at my cutting table. This area is off limits to Sadie, who loves to play with all these things (who can blame her?) all the other goodies are from over the last few months. The wee is from Hillary, you can see Camila's and Tania's postcards, and the Jen Corace print from tiny showcase. The bulletin board is FULL of all my cards from all you wonderful crafters. It's an amazing assortment of images. And to think 9 months ago, I didn't have any of you in my life! amazing. Feeling very very grateful these days.

the garden report

I really feared the worst for the tomatoes this year. 2 years ago the garden was insane, I had an amazing bounty. Everything went wild. Then last year I rotated the tomatoes into a different bed, and neither they nor the peppers did squat. I was so upset. actually way too upset. This year we had, like, 21 straight days of rain in July, seriously, and I thought all was lost, but finally we have some red here!

and my first year of butternut squash. the yellow cucumbers, and reg cucumbers have been pretty lame and the basil totally crapped out. Why?? usually I can't keep it under control. All and all, not a great year. the herb garden is crazy and will need some serious trimming back this fall. The peppers, again not so good. we watered too much in august, we were too excited by the sun and the tomatoes got "blossom end rot" sounds icky, huh? well it looked icky, but fortunately it was only the first crop that got it bad.

I am a "plant it and forget about it, but visit it often" type of gardener. I like to spend one weekend in the early summer freaking out in the yard and then I just let it go.I also have a work party every year for my birthday and my mom and in-laws do all the hard work for me while I watch the girls. They are amazing. I visit the garden every day, but do no maintenance at all. It works for me and I get much more enjoyment this way. And Sadie loves to pick the veggies but won't eat a tomato,but Delia will! ha!

so, the Tie One Gallery is up and looking fine. very great indeed. Even though doing the apron gallery is something I LOVE to do, I've been in the dumps all day today. (Pete's first day back at work and the crisis from Katrina.) but tomorrow is Friday and a 3 day weekend at that. I have decided to write a check to Red Cross for the Katrina Relief effort. Giving is so personal, and after talking about it with Pete, I think this is the best way to go for us. I'm going to put some links on Tie One On for people who want to sell their apron, etc.

aprons and the world

The September Tie One On theme is out. I'm very excited about this theme. It's frugal, smart and can in voled re-using, which is aways a great thing. And I will be working on the August gallery today and it will be done by tomorrow, I'd guess. Thanks so much for all the amazing submissions, it's looking great!

So, I'm feeling horrible about all the suffering and damage in New Orleans and other places. I'm going to try and figure out my own way to deal with this. Red Cross donation? Selling items with the proceeds going to help? I'm not sure, but I know I need to do something. I'm feeling a bit odd talking about aprons, you know?