angry chicken

the upcoming princess party

Sadie is invited to a b-day party this weekend, a princess themed b-day party of a sweet 4 year old. The b-day girl is getting this magic wand I made over the weekend. I am quite pleased with it and need to make more. I really am enjoying working with paint, wood, and paper right now. And I love toy making.

Sadie is supposed to come all princess-ed out and we really aren't all that into princesses here. She is only just 3 and is really into pretending to be Peter Rabbit or Harold (of purple crayon fame) . For lack of a formal princess outfit, I am going to have her wear a mish-mash of things, this skirt, possibly some fairy wings, (fairy princess?), and then maybe a birthday crown I made the girls but never even got around to using (will photograph this if it she will keep it on)

another view of the wand, between wishes.

I was discussing with my close friend, who is also more of a tomboy like myself and also has a young daughter, about the proliferation of princess stuff out there right now. Not just all the night gowns (these give me the heebies-all that synthetic!) but in the movies, etc. I was born in 1972 and it was all Holly Hobby, Free to Be, You and Me, back then and I refused to wear dresses (overalls only) after the age of 4-until I was 12. Seriously. My b-day parties were all about Snoopy, and I wanted to be Tatum O'Neil from the Bad News Bears. Don't get me wrong, I am all for dress up, princess dress up too, but I just realized how much more pink and sparkle there is out there right now then when I was growing up. I did have superstar barbie and all that,but the Disney thing was so different then. All I remember coming out when I was little was The Rescuers (which I LOVED and had the album and cried almost every time I heard it.) I don't want you to think I am anti-princess, I loved Cinderella. a whole bunch.

Sadie is not really all that girly. yet, anyway. She has been showing strong preferences towards fairies lately, which I wholly embrace because I want to live in the forest with my gnome family under a mushroom and eat moss for dinner. And on that note, although I am happy with the wand, I would love to make one out of an actual stick (not a painted wood dowel) with the bark showing, but I don't think the b-day girl would be as happy with that, so I made this one without bark.

Oh!! And I really flipped when I saw this link from Karen-these crowns by Ashley Carter are amazing!! and do you see the magic wand in there too?? I thought I was being all cool with my stripes, but this amazing gal not only has stripes on her magic wands, but glitter stripes!

** and thanks so much for all the kind words about my quilt! that sure feels good.

quilt monday-my new quilt

I started this new quilt a couple weeks ago. It's machine pieced (blue and red, my new favorite, with the red polka dot making it's appearance, again.) the "hills" are machine appliqued with a small zig-zag. I then did some free motion quilting around the shapes in red and the added some red hand quilting with embroidery floss.

god, it is so hard to photograph quilts well. and then there are all the helpers, but this one is so very cute, that I guess it's okay. Grammie was a super star and did the machine quilting for me on her gammel (thank you!!) and also helped with the binding.

you can see some of the hand work in this shot-and there are more photos here. I wish I could just spend a few months making these. This is the first quilt I have ever made for myself (that wasn't a wall piece) and it felt so good to do exactly what I wanted. It came together so quickly (thanks to grammie) but also because I was thinking about it non-stop while I was going about my day, so when I finally got a chance to make it, it came together really fast. I told pete that it feels like living with a soft painting on the sofa. soft art! I love the idea of soft art. soft art. soft art.

ornaments, good lord.

Thanksgiving was great. the girls did so well (two dinners at two houses with extended family) and pete and I ate an impressive amount of pie. pumpkin for him and chocolate pecan pie (or crack, as I like to call it) for me. wow. then I went out today to buy toys, listen to music really loud in the car (with no kids) and go to shops that children really should not be in. all the little knick-knack stores with glitter and ornaments and mean ladies who scowl when you try to bring in a stroller. . .

and these came home with me. I really don't need to be spending money on ornaments right now-but good god. had to have these.and of course when I got home and checked the blogs, I saw that  Hillary posted a sick (good sick) link with some of these already and others that are really horrifyingly cute and wonderful. (apron ornaments on little hangers and little sacks of flour!) the kitchen themed tree is all that and a bag of chips. (yes, I just said that)

russian dolls, done.

I am now done painting delia's dolls. so now both sets are ready to wrap for christmas. I think they might be slightly scary (?) for the girls, maybe not. I know some friends were sort of freaked out by these nesting dolls when they were young and the red faces are maybe not the friendliest. But I am really happy with them and the girls won't be able to tell me that they were scared by them until they are adults anyway, so who knows. more to talk about in therapy, I say! like, I just now found out my brother was freaked out by "the red balloon" that silent French movie from the 1970s with the boy following the red balloon. what? he said it was weird. he told me this last night on the phone. it scared him! I suspect he thinks my blog is dumb and doesn't read it, so we shall see if I get busted writing about this.

here's sadie set (which I have already shown) and speaking of childhood fears, the purple panda on Mister Rodgers freaked me right out. why didn't it talk? I also was not super excited by clowns or any loud games. like Operation. That game was my worst nightmare. I still hate it and that freaky picture of that dude on it, with the red nose? scary!

the village

I really was planning on waiting until the day after thanksgiving to start this. but we had some time this weekend and Sadie was so excited to help, and I was itching to get this set up in the worst way.

looks a bit bit bare bones and minimal here. must add some pink and maybe some more sparkle.I have other bottle brush trees in storage that are a bit more glam. and I have lights. but I was a dork and bought the green cord, not the white cord. . . so those will go up next.
** update.see the moody night lighting here.

this vintage deer family (the dad buck is on the shelf in the previous photo) was an ebay score last week. I had been looking for a while at these and missed out on some great sets because I forgot to bid. long story. yes, deer are super trendy right now (dare I say, totally over done?) but, I love them anyway and it's flippin christmas, so if I can't use them now, when can I? ha! I was thinking next year or the year after, setting up a christmas farm scene. I need to make/find the sheep that are made out of batting. all primitive and weird and wonderful looking? I saw a bunch in a County Living a while back and loved them. (I think it was Country Living, but now I'm not sure)
 

tie one on-holiday apron

here's the holiday apron for tie one on. wow. this took way too long. too many other project interruptions. I laughed when I finished because I am obsessed with light blue and red right now and didn't even realize it. it's appearing in everything I do. It's also the colors of a fabulous vintage apron Laura sent me this summer, which I have been wearing daily. So much that I haven't even photographed it yet.

Christmas present + glitter rick-rack= pocket. And I was planning on using this wonderful fabric for a Christmas quilt (I got it so long ago) but it did really feel right for my quilt work right now, but I do love it, so perfect for an apron, I'd say.

okay-here's the detail where the straps button to the inside of the waistband. the pins are for the oh so professional photo styling. I used this vintage apron pattern for this apron. I really really love sewing from vintage patterns. can't I say that enough. It warms my heart to be sewing and reading the same directions that my grandmother would have, not that it was her pattern, but it could have been! okay,now I really have to get busy making cookie dough. (wearing this apron while I do it) I've made 3 kinds so far, and want to make 4 more (or more- insane?? yes!)
***on a tie on one related note: the holiday aprons are due on december 31st. so you have 6 more weeks. I wanted to extend it since we are taking next month off anyway. so, new gallery will be in January, with the new theme, as promised.

thanksgiving table

Thanksgiving is at grammie's house this year (and then up to Pete's parents for the 2nd round of desserts) so I will not be responsible for making a lovely harvest table. However in true micro-managing fashion I keep sending mom links to various CUTE stuff, which I am convinced we need to have. Like the hand-painted ceramic (?) squirrel place card holders. I know not everyone feels the way I do about squirrels (true love) but I can't get enough. squirrels and nuts. squirrels and nuts.

acorn salt and pepper shakers from Christmas Traditions (I sure wish there was a direct link to items on this site)

and I like the attitude of this fellow, but he is resin, not paper pulp, which is too bad. I have no thanksgiving decorations at all. I hosted thanksgiving at my house 3 years ago with success (except for the curdling buttermilk mashed potatoes incident) but am not super excited to have the cooked fowl smell in my house again anytime soon, me being non-meat eating and all.

ears.

I am almost done with my holiday apron for tie one on. despite what I said before I did end up making my own bias trim for this project. I didn't have any red trim on hand, but did have extra red fabric and thought "heck, I'll make it" and get all sewing old school. (not really "heck", but you know what I mean)

well, the additional steps of this effort added days to the project. I can't quite explain why. I am happy I made the bias trim because it's 100% cotton and it's not nearly as stiff as usual, especially because I zig-zag on the trim and that makes it even stiffer. Originally, I wanted to use a stripe for the trim so when cut on the bias, it would make a nifty candy cane stripey effect like here. very cool. but the 2 fabric stores I went to were out of red and white stripes (how can this be?) and also had no pre-made red bias trim. you may ask what kind of stores I was going to? they were fabric stores, I swear.

so, back to the bias trim. I don't make it very often (ever) and so I usually take a bit of time fiddling (nice word, but exchange for a swear word) with the angles before sewing it together right. so, I am making this crappy thing while talking to my mom, who is over, and the strips, while they lay out correctly are way off. WAY OFF. am I losing my mind?? no, my mom tells me,"you need to make sure it has ears." what the heck? (another swear word.) ears. like illustrated above. I feel like such a dork because I LOVE binding trim so much, how can I not know about this crucial detail? The thing is (my excuse anyway) is that when I make my binding for my quilts (which I do make, never buy) it's a simple straight strip. because there are no curves on a quilt (not in mine yet, anyway) there is no need to make the binding on the bias, but for an apron with curves (yes, curves)  it needs to be true bias binding. thanks mom!! so, now the binding is on and I will show it real soon. must add button holes. yes, button holes.

quilt monday-small quilt cards!

We are back from the coast and it was rainy but really nice to get away. I came back, got organized (sort of-clothes are still on the floor, but I went through the mail.) and got some computer time in so I can show you the new small quilt cards:

"the long walk home." and "I keep my stuff in there." are featured in this pack (these notecards are details from the small quilts here) 10 postcards and 10 bright green envelopes (how festive!) all tucked into a clear resealable baggie. They would make the perfect stocking stuffer or gift for that special sewing someone in your life, don't you think? I sure do. Like the other card pack, they are $10 plus $2 shipping and they will be up on king pod later this week (I am trying to give pete a break, here.) but you can buy them right now by clicking this handy-dandy paypal button:.

**please e-mail me if you are overseas and I will send you an invoice. thanks!

bonnets and stuff

I stayed up a bit too late last night making these for one of Sadie's friends who was having a birthday party. The party was today, but the b-day girl got the stomach flu about an hour before we were supposed to come over, poor thing. we took the gift over anyway and just peaked in. mostly because I was afraid someone was starting to get too attached to the bonnet .. .

she is asking for one already. I'm not sure what this whole bonnet thing is about, but I having been itching to make one for awhile. This is my own pattern and I am so happy with how it came out. I used soft flannel (that looked like wool) and it's lined, and there is an additional layer of flannel inside as well (3 layers total) so it has shape, but is still soft and really warm.

in other fabric sewing news, I finally went over to a great new fabric shop in the neighborhood, Bolt, which has been open about a month I think. It is a wonderful shop carrying tons of great fabric (kaffe, amy butler, valerie wells, and heather ross soon) and they are having an evening grand opening this Saturday, November 12th from 6:30-8:30 at 2136 ne alberta st. (503) 287-bolt

I am so happy this shop is so close, although it is a bit dangerous, must have some self control (and the knitting store next door is supposed to be open really soon) I'm bummed I can't go to the opening event, we are leaving for the coast on Friday for the weekend. hopefully it won't rain the whole time.

christmas mania already?

I'm already obsessing a bit on Christmas decorations. Like these candles. But you really don't burn them, right? How horrible to see the melty head! I saw these last year before the MSL store went belly up-so happy they are here. I am also starting to get accessories together for a table top (a very high table top) Christmas village-complete with batting (snow) glitter (for unnatural sparkle) and possibly a mirror to simulate a ice pond (thank you Cathy for the suggestion) and some spray flocking-oh the horror. I can't wait to use that creepy stuff. . . and in terms great gift ideas of gifts-

these lovely crochet patterns (also available as kits) are designed by Alicia Paulson who has a sweet shop here in Portland, Ella Posie, and I met her when I dropped off my king pod quilt cards (shameless plug) at her shop and she is delightful, witty and incredibly creative. I am really enjoying her new, incredibly well written blog (**please read this post, really amazing) of course, I didn't actually make any $$$ from the cards in her shop-all in trade, thank you very much. the sweater pattern above had to come home with me, along with 2 other patterns.

I am also really enjoying her finished items (her shop is really amazing, it was featured in Country Living a few months ago) like this badge. because it's a badge. I think badges are very cool.

the gingerbread recipe

here's the recipe. I have altered it quite a bit over the years and made it extra dark and spicy and not too sweet. I used all fresh spices and you can use hot water if it's a pain to make coffee, but it won't be as good.

2 1/2 cups four
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground coves
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 sugar
1 egg
1 cup molasses
1 cup hot dark coffee

pre-heat oven 350 degrees-grease and flour 13 x 9 (ish) pan. beat oil, sugar and then add egg and molasses. mix all dry ingredients together in another bowl and then add slowly to wet ingredients. when all mixed, slowly add hot coffee. the batter will be very runny. cook 30-35-ish minutes.cool for a bit ***very important to serve with whipped cream and a lot of it!

b-day girl

miss delia jean is 1 today! she's is usually such a ham-I love this serious b-day cake photo. this year has gone by so fast. she's not walking yet, crawling works out so well for her. why walk? but I think her crawling days are numbered-cruising around furniture is her favorite. the b-day cake here is gingerbread. our whole family is crazy about ginger-anything.

there goes the small glass cake plate.

the evidence left. we had a small family shindig, which was low key and really nice. so far, sadie has been really good (sort of) about actually letting delia play with the new toys she's received-but I'm not sure how sadie will feel about delia getting this. hmmm. happy birthday my crazy chicken girl!

mission accomplished

I went down to motel Thursday night and saw jen corace's new show. I also met her and she was so friendly and lovely. Very excited to meet her in person. We had actually exchanged a few e-mails this summer, so I wasn't being a total stalker, just a sort-of stalker. I was so excited to see her new work in person. I can't quite put into words how delicate and absolutely exquisite her works on paper are. I can't stop thinking about them and get a little teary-eyed when I do. Her lines are incredible. Even something as simple as a shoe. The way she draws a shoe or a hand. Unbelievable. She can convey so much character in such few perfect lines.

these two portraits in particular really amaze me. There is more to see here- and while I was at motel I picked up two of jen's ornaments

which kill me. I'm so excited that so many artists are making christmas ornaments this year. I gave thought to making some. for about half a second,and then came to my senses. . .not this year. The tree will be only half decorated from the middle up anyway because of a small crazy person in the house, who turns one on monday.

** I read this post over a bit, talked to pete, and called motel and bought the girl portrait. I was feeling agitated all day about this piece and didn't want to look at it online, fearing it had sold AND fearing that it was still available-because I knew I had to have it. I am so happy (in that special "I can't afford this way") so, I get to look at her all the time now. my christmas comes early this year!

cookie factory

I have a new project. Baking cookies and freezing them. We all need to have goals. For the last 3 years or so, I have made cookies to give to friends and family, it's been getting really hard to do it right before the holidays. Actually, hard enough that has become a bit stressful, so I thought why not start now? I actually threw out all my baking spices and got all fresh new ones. We made a special trip to the new Penzey's here (in a very strange location, in a stripmall next to a wallmart) and everything smells so fresh and wonderful now, very pleasing.
So, the new plan is to start making the dough now and freeze them in the full size freezer we have have in the garage. I got it when mom moved two summers ago. I have been spending a lot (too much?) time think about freezing cookies in the best way. Some cookies don't freeze. Some freeze better as dough (in loggy form) and then I think some really freeze better after they are baked. But I think this is harder to figure out, and god forbid the get that freezer taste.. also, the log is really the easier, but what about the cookies that you roll into balls? then do you freeze in ball form? or maybe just the log again. . .it's all about the log.

this handy dandy visual index is from the Holiday Cookies Magazine above. Thank god for this. Although it brilliantly has code for which cookies can be frozen, it's doesn't say at which stage to freeze them. . .
Yesterday Sadie and I made snickerdoodle dough and the next will be something chocolate. I will make Russian tea cakes (you will notice that I link to Mexican wedding cakes here, same thing, different name), my absolute favorite of all time. I love anything with butter and finely ground nuts. And then the usual ginger and sugar cookies. I hope to make a batch a week, which I think will actually not be too hard. What really get tedious is all the baking and the racks all over the kitchen. and sprinkles in this house, not laborious frosting. But I think if I freeze some that I have already baked (not log-ified), I should do that closer to Christmas, huh?

another b-day and misc.

this dolly was made over the weekend (using the baba pattern from magic cabin) I made one of these dolls for sadie first b-day and freaked out over the weekend, worried I wouldn't have one for Delia on her first b-day next week, so I busted this one out. It went together really fast since I had made one before. I have only made a few dolls and soft creatures but making them really reminds me of quilt making in that you can make it up as you go (with not so great results and a ton of labor) or you can get a kit or read a book and learn a ton and it's so much easier. I used the kit for sadie's doll, so when I made delia's it was a snap. (it's wool with wool stuffing, it's impossible to really pack the head shape unless it's wool, plus it's so nice and warm.) I  love waldorf-type dolls, so all of the kits at magic cabin make me really happy. ( AND they are having a 15% off everything sale until the 7th with this code MC47, BTW)

the awesome wood stroller is from this AMAZING toy site, Zebra Hall-wow.wow. I got their catalog with the order and the stuff is incredible. expensive, but truly wonderful toys. I wish I had gotten this wood stroller for Sadie, her stroller and dolly are THE favorites around here, but oh well. I love splurging on this knowing that it can be passed down. I got a bit fussy about finding the perfect one (wood pram?,etc.) and am really happy with this one.

in local news-Thursday I hope to get my hiney down to motel to see the jen corace show (and hope to meet her in a nice, un-stalkerish way, which will be hard, but I am going to try and play it cool. I will report on how this mission goes) and Stephanie and Joyce have reminded me of the MAMMOTH Catlin Gable Rummage Sale happening Thursday-Sunday and it sound amazing and a bit overwhelming. I may go, but I'm not sure I should, if you know what I mean.

and the october Tie One On gallery is up. take a gander, they look amazing! and the new theme for November is set too. . .