angry chicken

I'm sick (candy)

It didn't rain on us! it was raining all day here and I was so afraid we'd end up at the mall or something really depressing like that, but it all worked out great! Sadie wore her cape and insisted the hood be up the whole time (amazing.)

and here's Delia as the wolf. The wolf disguised as Grandma, like in the story. But it's actually a mouse mask, but we are pretending it's wolf mask, and I think it's passable. Delia doesn't wear hats easily (she'll learn, there is no escaping my hat mania) but for some crazy reason, she really got a kick out of this granny night cap I made for her costume. It was so funny. She also raked in a ton of candy. They really give it out to the babies, huh? terrifying. We left the rest of the candy at my mom's, I got sooo sick. and I have to leave room for the pumpkin spice cake (cream cheese frosting) we made. I am gross.

The new Tie One On theme will be up tomorrow morning and I will probably get the gallery done tomorrow too . .when I'm not eating pumpkin cake.

quilt monday-fabrics

Quilt Monday a day early-I'm so excited to see these new Heather Ross fabrics in person-

especially this one! And they are now available and I'm gonna get some over at Cia's Palette, the gnomes are perfect for Christmas crafts. . .

and Happy Halloween! I love this little dude from Cody Foster and I will be sad to put the Halloween decorations down. . .I wish all that great stuff over at Christmas Traditions went on sale after the holidays.

***the Tie One On aprons are due by the end of the day on the 31st!! New theme posted November 1. Please send me your jpegs if you have made an apron!

matryoshka

I have had this blank set of dolls for awhile (I got 3 sets total) and finally finished Sadie's last night. Delia's is next and will be red faces with white bodies. I am really diggin using red and white for the girls, it makes so many other decisions easier. These were super fun to paint (I did screw up a big doll real bad, so set # 3 will start with a smaller doll, thank god they are nesting!)

I had several sets of these when I was little and loved them so much. I am part Russian, so I am so excited to have the girls play with something heritage-y like this. I found out some interesting history about nesting dolls here. Awhile back the wurst gallery had a wonderful group show with a bunch of artists painting matryoshka which was such a wonderful idea and great inspiration. And the amazing matryoshka by maminka right are truly incedible.

travel puppet theater

I have been working on this small, travel sized puppet theater in my head and finally was able to make it. I did a prototype first and realized that covering the boxes with paper was a drag and mess and then lo and behold, saw these boxes in front of me that I had bought for absolutely no good reason about 6 months ago, just waiting to be used! I made the labels and sewed little curtains that fold up into the boxes. . .

and then you flip the box over, stick your hand and fingers under the curtain and through the cut out holes and the finger puppets are ready to put on a show! I made scenes on heavy card stock that can be switched out (and may get laminated?) so the show can have different dramatic options. Here they are at the Great Wall of China. . .

and in Egypt and at the beach on a cold day. These are for Sadie and Delia, but they are mostly for me (pretty obvious) because I don't know how well they will hold up and the holes are sized for my fingers, not their tiny ones. But I was thinking in restaurants (what the heck is a restaurant?) and in the car, I could put on a little show for them and then it all can be tucked away in the box. Very pleasing.

here are some of the scenic cards (The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Safari Fun, and Haggia Sophia not shown) and the mini clothes pins and hats, scarf, etc go in the tiny small parts envelopes. The mini clothes pins are how I clip the back of the box to the stage to make the theater. It's a bit wobbly, but does the trick. Older kids could make this themselves and even draw their own scenes-that would be very cool, I think.
I'd love to do something similar with a cigar box, so it can be a bit more childproof. I originally saw the idea of fingers in cardboard as puppets in this book, recommend by the clever robin, for some reason I can't find it now, but I swear it's in there. I think. I couldn't stop thinking about making a stage with holes. Then Myra did this amazing self-portrait a bit back. too much! it made me so nutty, and the rest of it all smacks of The Small Object to me in such a big way and I swear she was guiding my hand while I was making these. Thank you.

tie one on-mixed media

*Quilt Monday will return when I find/write an amazing quilt post, or when I make a quilt, or, you know, otherwise get it together. Until then. . .*

The most amazing thing happened earlier this week. Pete was cleaning the kitchen with a baby on a hip and Sadie on the floor and said to me "you know, I'd really like an apron." what??? holly crap! Thinking about it, I shouldn't have been surprised. Pete's a pretty neat and tidy guy, and also, working grocery for over 12 years, spent many a day with an apron and a box knife. (this was before he turned into a computer.) So, I jumped to make him one, obviously, and although the Mapron will at some point be an upcoming theme, I couldn't let this opportunity go.

So, I wouldn't say Pete is fussy (but he is) so I'll just say he knows exactly what he likes. Heavy cotton duck, in brown, long, but not too long, no pockets and no gimmicks. But I had to get the mixed media theme in. . .

and here it is. on the 2 matching ovenmits are the two main recipes Pete bakes. Corn bread and pizza dough. Now he'll have the recipe right there!

I used the ridiculously expensive computer fabric sheets because I have had no luck sending waxed paper backed fabric through the printer and I don't have the bubble jet stuff yet. Pete is happy, I am happy and we had pizza last Friday night.

all we need is a basket

The red wool cape is done and I can't believe how long it took. Remind me not to use binding again when I could have so easily lined this. I am really happy with how it looks, but hand-stitching the satin binding all on one side was tedious, especially when I put it on the wrong side, so on most of the cape, the hand-stitched side is facing out, not in. genius. Well, I am still happy with it. I wanted it super simple with nothing detracting from it's red-ness. so I used a hidden hook and eye closure at the neck, not a toggle button. And the wool is really nice, not to stiff, so it has a bit of swing. I sure hope Sadie will wear it. (ha!)

here's the book we have been reading to Sadie to prepare her. It's illustrations are lovely. The wolf, who is turning one right after Halloween, is barfing today. I hope is doesn't spread to everyone in the house.

The vintage pattern (from the generous Hillary) that I used. This was so simple and wonderful my poor girls are going to look like hobbits before long. I will have to make many more of these and they will get teased for looking like they are from middle earth. well, there are worse things to be teased about. .

The simple unadorned front

 

my awesome banana-pumpkin bread

**update** I saw "me, you, and everyone we know" when I went out last night and loved it. It's poignant, funny, sad, nerve wracking, and visually lovely. Best film I have seen in a long time. here is the recipe-let me know if you all have luck in different pans. I'm still mad at it so probably won't try it again for a bit, but Pete, when destroying the evidence, said it was super-tasty.

350 degrees. grease and flour 2 (!) loaf pans (or one bundt pan) or muffins tins, etc.
1 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 butter or marg.
2 eggs
1cup ripe bananas
3/4 canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp of nutmeg, allspice, and ginger (each)
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

cream butter and sugar. add eggs, bananas, pumpkin and vanilla. then mix in all the dry. bake 55-65 minutes. cool 10 min. turn out of pans.

I am coming along on the red cape. I think I should have it done soon. It's talking awhile because I am hand-stitching the satin binding on the inside and this is because I decided against lining it, which I think was an error in judgment. Really, I felt I couldn't spend even more $$ on more fabric because the cape HAD to be wool, but couldn't I have spent the extra $10 to get some flannel or something to line it? What is my problem? I know Sadie will play with this until she's probably 10 or something. I guess I will line Delia's. ha! But it will still be really nice. We didn't make it to the pumpkin patch yet, maybe this Friday? I'm trying to avoid the crowds that will surely be there this weekend.

The first baking disaster of the holiday season visited our house this afternoon. It's name was "I am pumpkin banana bread and my recipe says I will fit in one loaf pan, but in fact, I will just overflow it and then scorch the bottom of your oven and fill your house with smoke and be raw and disgusting." How nice to meet you! I should have known better when the batter filled the pan to the top with no room left. But I really thought this recipe was tested and it came from a reliable source (FOOD DAY in the the Oregonian, not to name names) and it said one loaf pan. . . but clearly it need to be divided into two. my bad.

Going out tonight to see a movie (first time since Delia was born. I feel like I am 16 with a new driver's license). hopefully the burnt smell will have faded by the time I get back.

back-tack II-it's here!

Quilt Monday has been bumped this week because my box came from my back-tack II partner and I got the most amazing, wonderful, inspired handcrafted creations by Alison! The large bag is amazing, and the small notion bag is so sturdy and well made. The needlework is stunning, and you can see the design she was inspired by in the truly wonderful japanese craftbook she sent me (although Alison's is far superior)

Here the goodies as I unwrapped them, and the wrapping was so lovely, notice the buttons and thread on the gifts. The paper with the script is her handwriting. I am obsessed with handwriting, and I especially love seeing weblog friend's handwriting because normally you only see typing, and hers is exquisite. The craft she choose for me was drop spindle (hooray!) there is lovely silk (!) roving there and also beautiful yarn and needles (to crochet a little sweater for Sadie) plus some chocolate. .

and books for miss Sadie and Delia and here is the wonderful tape measure she covered (I wanted one of these so bad!) AND in what only can be described as a amazing and incredible coincidence, this all matches and fits into, the beautiful basket bag Hillary made me several months ago. . .wow! I can't quite describe how exciting this all is. This apple fabric makes me cuckoo crazy happy and to know TWO people thought I was worthy of it is unbelievable. I am jumpin' up and down here! (more photos of all this here, and you can see Alison's great photos here) Thank you so much Alison!!! I am embarrassed to admit how often I visited Alison's blog looking at these goodies hoping I was her partner. I was kind of obsessed to be honest, and got so freaky excited when the box came I felt like I was five in the Hello Kitty store. big stuff!

 

the weekend

I have toy irons on the brain. I found the sweetest vintage toy ironing board for the girls about a month ago and have been on the lookout for toy irons, which are really hard to find! (eBay has quite a few vintage ones, but good lord, you have to weed through all the "iron" cast-iron toys, all 29 pages worth) but then I accidentally stumbled on this one here at Schylling, the same company that made the bowling monkeys. and the price is great.(Stephanie, didn't you all make an iron? I swear I'm not making that up) I'm getting so excited for Christmas with the girls, especially now that Sadie actually plays with toys, and not just the boxes and the ribbon. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I feel like an ass spending $29.99 on a cardboard box.. .

Apple crisp was for breakfast, with hazelnuts on top. We have a birthday party to go to later toady, carving pumpkins, which could be fun or a horrible disaster. probably a bit of both. Tomorrow we might brave the pumpkin patch if the weather holds. craft-wise, finishing up another pair of pants for Sadie, a gift for the b-day party, and I need to get into a pile of red wool and cut out out a cape with a hood for Halloween (you can figure this out, Delia is the wolf)

And,my back-tack box came! I can't quite believe my good fortune and need to give it a proper post with descriptions, exclamations, and fanfare, so I will do that very soon. I really lucked out here. okay-of to get pho for lunch. yum.

mail and such

I'm catching up on some really great mail I have received lately (there is even more that I will post soon, I'm not sure why it takes me so long to show mail. I think it's because I open and then hide everything from the curious hands that live in this house.) This package is from Hillary, (thank you!) and there are fabrics,(the pink reminds me of the one I coveted here) an apron, and 2 of the sweetest vintage cards ever (and a small wind-up metal ladybug toy which I couldn't retrieve from under the sofa to photograph)

also this really great sweater for Sadie (shown here slung over Delia's shoulder), who absolutely refuses to put on, so now it belongs to miss Delia (I love having 2 girls, and one who is too young to refuse clothes)

 
front and back. cute and double cute. I would have killed for this when I was little. This green was my favorite color-

and here's a sweet package from Vicki, which had these goodies; a little bag with a chicken, a red kerchief, vintage buttons and this sweet little fellow which is a lavender sachet, and I am in love with him. he's so cute and smells good. you can buy one in her shop here, and they are so flippin' great I LOVE them. check out her shop, there is some really cute stuff there. thank you!!

and some fabulous wristbands from Lizette Greco, embroidered with a house and a kitty. they are probably intended for the girls, but as you can see, they fits me quite well too. and the artists (her lovely children who I met this summer) also decorated the envelope. very very cool. thank you!

no icing, just sprinkles

The Halloween cookies got made yesterday. The recipe was really good. they really are more like a cookie brownie. with a bit in cinnamon. we didn't do the royal icing. I think after the 3rd tray of rolling and cutting, we were all pretty tired. so, I busted out the handy sprinkle jar from Target. it's the kind that has all the different types of sprinkles all in the jar, you know? like 6 different segments of sprinkles. genius. I definitely have to pick up the Christmas one when it comes out.

Sadie got all arty on us and made this one without a cutter. that's my girl.I think it looks like a headless girl centaur with stubby legs and no tail.you can see that, right?

quilt monday

These are both from Sweet Nostalgia, by Hollie Ann Milne, the other book that I got last weekend. (thanks again, Lupine!) and there are some really sweet patterns in here. They could easily be altered to more bold colors/prints. I really like the effect of the stripes here.

This one is called Row House #556.

halloween agenda

I am planning to make these (from MSL) soon. this week? next? (Lupine, I know you made these, right?) I have a thing for caramel apples, but I always seem to get lock jaw when I am eating them, So I thought these petite lady apples would be perfect.  I hope I can find some when we go to the apple farms here next weekend, If the weather is good. And then the pumpkin patch! We need more weekends in this month.Today we are making Halloween cookies, but I think the frosting will be a little more loose. More Sadie style. Photos to follow. I love cooking with Sadie so much, but she did stick her fingers in the hot toaster and got a finger burn last night (sorry grandparents who are surely reading this and shaking their heads) so, I guess we need to be a bit more watchful with the counter play.

back (tack II) at you

I have my main components for back tack II done. this bag took a long time! all went well, but it was a labor of love. It's really more of a "fashion handbag" (doesn't that sound dorky?) my partner wants to try garment sewing, so my thought was to send yardage, possibly for a skirt,with a bunch of matching notions, and make a matching handbag for, you know, going out on the town. So, here is the fabric, with a matching pin cushion and small clutch and some twill tape. many more goodies will be included, but I have to keep some things a surprise.

here a better shot of the bag showing the handles. I did the pleat detail on both sides with top stitching (hard to see) and then free motion quilting with hand stitching detail on one side. I hope to get all the other goodies together and get it out monday. exciting!! and even more exciting, my partner e-mailed me to say my package is on it's way-woo-hoo!

the party

Sadie's 3rd b-day party was a huge success (despite rain cold weather, and runny noses) these monkeys came from Lupine (thank you!) and I must remember to let Sadie actually play with them and not just pose them around the house. **update: you can get them here!

some favors that were stuffed in the goddie bags (which I did sew, filled with these, wooden animals, lizards, a sucker and some stickers)

Here's the not homemade cake. Thank god I came to my senses and bought one. When the cake was bought out a baby/child riot broke out. I have never seen cake disappear so fast.

What I didn't photograph (was too busy videotaping) was during 1/2 hour of dry weather we played with a huge (HUGE!) parachute which required almost every adult because it was so super big. the kids loved it. seeing kids play under/on parachutes almost makes my cry! it's so amazing how happy it makes them. really really fun.

quilt monday-book

I had every intention on skipping or delaying quilt Monday this week and just taking a much needed rest, but at Sadie's party (which went so well, thanks for all the great suggestions! photos tomorrow.) my sweet and very thoughtful friend Lupine brought me two books, one of which I posted about here, it's called Bloom, by Allison Jane Smith.(thank you so much, Lupine!!) The cover caught my eye, but I had no idea what was was inside. Well, cool stuff is in there, like these lovely projects. (I love the pleats and the colors on the one above)

And the stripes on this one are so sweet I really like the soft colors and 1930s feeling it has with all the shirting fabric. It's such a happy quilt.

And a yo-yo project with buttons. I know that modern contemporary/modern quilts what is happening right now with all the new books floating about and certainly modern is what I always lean toward in my quilts, but I have such a soft spot for these retro looks.

the aprons are up and sadie is 3

Sadie is 3! we went to the pancake house for breakfast and she got these horses here and is happy as a lark and has a runny nose. The apron gallery is up (whew!) and now we are all gonna play with toys and kick-back until the party tomorrow.