angry chicken

a brief interruption. . .

 

Wow! What amazing baby love! I love it that there is no other craft project we can do that will generate more love, support, and encouragement than making a soft little baby. She's not stuffed with wool, but she's still plenty warm.

We are getting over the 5-day hump, you know, the milk coming in big time (ouch!) the lack of sleep for me and the 24 hour sleep-fest for Lydia, (and then she won't wake up to eat) that kind of thing. The girls are doing amazing, and we are all good. Tired, but so very happy. Thank you all for comments, it feels so good. As you can see, Liddy is already a complete crack-up. She is amazing and funny. . .we are totally in love with her and already can't imagine not having 3 girls in the house. Pete's in trouble.

This time is so surreal, I keep wondering if the Bend-The-Rules Sewing really came out last week? It's all so hazy and wonderful and such a whirl-wind.

I would love to direct you to some great book reviews/interviews from Not Martha and from Susan Beal at the Adorn Blog. These are very flattering (Thank you so much, you two!) and both give you a sense of what is in my book, if it's right for you, (I hope it is!) and provide some extra peeks inside. . . I also have a new podcast up over at craftsanity where I talk a lot about the book, (Yeah, it's a long one again.) and a bit about what it was like writing the book. Thanks Jennifer for the interview. You rock.

If you have already made some projects, please post them over on the Bend-The-Rules Sewing group on Flickr for some fun show and tell. I have received some really touching personal e-mails from people telling me how much they like the book. Thank you so much. It means a ton to me to hear all that, thanks for taking the time to write. On an apron note, I am getting great submissions for the Tie One On pocket theme and plan to get the gallery up after July 1st, but I know if it's up late, you all will be very understanding. . . ;)

Okay, back to napping, toe-biting, and snuggling.

she's here!

Lydia Rose Matern came to us Friday, June 22 and we are ecstatic!! We have 3 girls! Papa hasn't put her down. My water broke Thursday and then. . . . nothing. So we waited and waited and had her here, at home, in the tub, about 27 hours later. It was awesome and we are all doing great!

summer fun (and some trouble)

I haven't read this book. I haven't even cracked the cover. Okay, I don't own it, that's the real deal. But I really dig the way it looks and am excited to get my hands on a copy. The Dangerous Book for Boys, by Hal and Gonn Iggulden, reminds me so much of this book from the Handy series I posted about, awhile ago and surely it was a major inspiration. The problem with the old Handy Books, (I love them dearly, don't get me wrong) is that it's really hard to replicate the projects because they often involve fire, farms, iced over ponds, and other things that are either not in Portland and/or are now illegal. But the illos alone make all the Handy books worth owning, I think.

I have heard much criticism of the girls versions of these types of books, (There is no girl version of the Dangerous Book for Boys.) Either they don't exist or the ideas are too dated and limiting. I think that is true, which is why, even if we have 3 girls, this book will be on our shelves. I was making bombs with my brother (sorry mom), chucking slugs, and trying to learn to pick locks growing up and had a swell time.

I saw this book while browsing online, but it's not out yet (it's new, it just looks old) so, it's still a mystery. The cover is awesome, but I don't really dig the title, 'cause we all know being the best at something isn't really the point. . .anyhoo, there is a boy version too. Maybe this girl version will be a bit more rough and tumble in its scope of activities? Who knows. Even though I LOVE this stuff, I'm surprised at how much gender is separated today, especially with these new titles. Like why not The Dangerous book for Kids? Not just boys? I was a Free To Be You and Me child, born in 1972, and gender was really downplayed during that time, especially in clothes. . .then again, we all had bowl cuts, too, so there was some compromise.

this house is way into barrettes.

Thanks so much for the book love! I feel so supported and good about the whole thing. . .it's hard to put into words, except to say thank you.

I am not really able to stay focused on any one big project right now (like the the quilt and blanket I have started and not finished for this baby) so, I jumped to something else and I tried my hand at some felt covered barrettes last week and these are quick and easy. They go together so fast, it won't make me crazy if we lose them. I had stolen some glances at a pair at a b-day party last week and these are a close approximation of what that toddler was wearing. I think she really wanted me to stop messing with her hair. I just pretended it was normal to take a child's barrette out, examine it, and hastily try to get it back in her hair unnoticed. . . . and didn't make eye contact with the mom (bad me). . I think I got away with it. That, or I will be on a birthday party blacklist.

I had this bag of plain metal barrettes from the craft store lying around and I always meant to cover them in a clever way and never got around to it. There are a ton in this bag. I'm not sure how many, but they are easy to find in bulk in the beading section in craft shops. I didn't research any tutorials on making these, but I bet they are out there. Here's how I made them:

1. I traced the outline of the barrette onto (wool) felt with my trusty water-soluble pen. I use wool felt because the other stuff freaks me out and these colors are to die for. 

2. Then, I cut a second piece of felt out the same size as the first and laid it behind the top piece, trimming it a bit shorter in the length. I flipped both pieces over and sewed right on the drawn outline I made with the pen (the second shorter piece of felt will be on the bottom, so you won't see it while you sew.) What you are making here is a barrette sleeping bag. I used brown stitching on the bottom so you can see it for clarity, but on the top, make sure the thread matches the felt, it's much more forgiving that way.

3. I trimmed very close to the stitching with really sharp scissors. I tried pinking sheers too, and it was nice, but made the overall shape bigger than I wanted. I have seen edges done with baby scallops, and they are way cute, so that would be fun to try, too. I slid the barrette into its sleeping bag to make it all cozy and sprayed off any blue line left with water.

4. You probably don't have to do this, but I sewed a little button/felt shape, like a flower of a heart, on top through felt and then the bars of the barrette, so it will still open, but the sleeping bag won't slide off. The girls love these so much because they are "clothes" for barrettes, which means the felt gets taken off and lost. To discourage this, the sewn on embellishment/button keeps it altogether. They still try to undress them, however.

 

They are quite popular around here. Like so many things, it seems easier to make several of these barrettes, assembly-line style, than one at a time. I am wearing them too, which might be slightly questionable, but who cares. They go with the glitter glue on my shirt.

The book!

Next week my book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing, comes out! It's been such a crazy month. So exciting and so overwhelming. . . all in a good way. Never in a million years did I think, while I was working on this book almost 18 months ago, that I would be having a baby the same week the book hit the stores. The crazy game of life, I tell ya!

These are some of my favorite photos. I love all the photos in the book so much, I still pinch myself when I look at them. My photographer, Alexandra Grablewski, shot this all with film, not digital, and the result is lush photos with such depth and warmth, they make my heart flutter.

I hope you all enjoy this book. I smile big when I look through it, and I hope you will too. My intent is to help, inspire, and demystify sewing-while trying to get a laugh out of you all, and I think I've accomplished that, which feels pretty awesome. I have heard a few of the pre-orders have landed already and you can find it online and in major bookstores near you soon. The official release date is June 19th. And I have set up a group on flickr to share images of projects and tips-please join up and show and tell.

And, most importantly, thank you all for reading this craft blog and for all the support you have given me. I say this in my acknowledgments and can't seem to say it any better now, so I will just type what is in the book:

Handmade is where it is at. It has the real heart and soul, and craft bloggers are at the forefront of this movement. Mining sites and images all over the world, craft bloggers can spread information and enthusiasm with incredible force and speed, and they are the pulse of the new DIY movement. I would have never written this book had it not been for the amazing time I have spent getting to know other craft bloggers and maintaining my own craft blog. For everyone out there reading and contributing, I thank you for being part of this amazing movement.

I bow down to you all. . . thank you so very much.

I supect good times will be had. . .

This Saturday, here in Portland, a friend is reading at this amazing event. She is one of the organizers as well, and the whole thing sounds so very cool, I really am hoping to go. (Hang in there, baby!) Local writers/performers "read and reflect on their favorite passages from the famous works of Judy Blume." Brilliant! I would be reading from Wifey, because I was one of the naughty girls who read that one way too young. I know I'm not the only one! Oh, and Forever, that one I remember so well. . .sigh.

running not walking. . .

Very VERY excited to get in on this limited edition t-shirt by The Small Object. It's the second in her series and is only available for 7 days starting now. . .so you better hurry! The quality of the first one was stellar, the screen print so clear, the t-shirt super soft. . can't wait to get this one.

Tie One On-the pocket

This is my apron for the Tie One On theme, the pocket. We have a b-day party for a 2 year-old to go to next week and the girls wanted to make clothespin dolls for her, and I need a pocket themed apron. . so here you have it.

I got this idea from an amazing vintage apron pattern that Barb posted a bit back I couldn't get out of my head. Can I say one more time how much I love the vintage apron flickr groups? Yes, I can. This fabric is from the lovely stash I got from Cia a bit back along with some left over brown linen from some loose capri pants I have all cut out and ready to go for myself after baby comes. I'm waiting, with high hopes, to fit myself after baby, so until then they will remain unfinished. Let's hope for the best on that front and let's give 3 cheers for elastic waists and long tunic tops.

wanty!!!!

Happy Friday! This amazing online clothes/toy/furnishings shop for kids, Little Fashion Gallery, is making me soooooooooooo happy.

This blanket! 100% pure genius. Completely and fully. I love puppets, love blankets, it's red and white, has cross-stitch. . .what more is there? I am wondering how many gross stains this lovely off-white would highlight, but let's not dwell on reality right now. (via Bloesem and she posts a private sale code)

coaster love.

Lightning fast Sarah Small Object has some lovely foundation blocks from mailorder #7 done and made-up all crazy cute into coasters. I swiped these photos that she posted on the mailorder group on flickr. She's got a ton of ideas in this post. Way cool!

Machine quilting that diamond is the perfect touch. And that patterned bias binding! These are killing me. I am so happy these directions work for people-it is way harder to explain than to do. And if there is interest, I will make this as a pattern only (when I do the bonnet pattern) in the Fall, so if you didn't get this mailorder, no worries, just hang tight.

gathering up all the stuff. . .

I'm starting to gather supplies for baby and pulled out the bottle of homemade baby wipe solution. I made this right before Sadie--when I was on a crazy brain/pre-baby freak out and all I could do was research cloth diapers and get up at 5 AM every morning and sew baby wipes like a mad woman. Seriously. I didn't really do anything like this pre-Delia. I'm sure I had other issues (I have blocked them out.) and I'm not even going to talk about my crazy pre-baby brain right now, ahem.

Pulling out this pile, I get almost weepy, which seems to be my constant state nowadays. I am so happy I made all these wipes (about 30) almost 5 years ago, how ever early in the morning it was. The wipe solution is the best. I have used not only the wipes but the same cloth diapers for both girls and the same covers too. (This was after a bit of trial and error, but after we found the perfect diaper/cover combo, we even shared the covers with friends back and forth with multiple babies.) Washing the wipes is super simple-just throw them in the diaper pail and wash them with the cloth diapers. I need to make a few more wipes (where do they disappear to?) and a fresh wipe solution and then we are all set. Then I just need a dirty baby bottom, which will come soon enough.

The wipes are just a single layer of flannel surged with a rolled hem. I made nursing pads the same way, but with 3 layers of flannel. (Thank you old flannel sheet for providing for all of this.) You don't need a serger though, just a small tight zig-zag would work. If you don't have a serger, for the nursing pads I would trace a circle on a square of flannel, add 2 more layers behind it, zig-zag, and THEN cut out close to the edge, to avoid swearing at the shifting flannel while you sew.

The wipe solution recipe I use is:

3 cups cups water
1/8 cup olive oil
4 drops tea tree oil
8 drops lavender oil (not for baby boys, it can affect hormones)
1 tablespoon baby shampoo (I use Dr. Bronners Unscented Baby Liquid Soap or California Baby Liquid Soap)

Pour into a spray bottle and shake. I don't use this until baby is older, just water for a few months, but then when I need it, it's ready to go. It lasts a long time, in fact, it goes bad before you can use it all-you can tell when it smells "off" which seems like it takes months and months, or even longer.

There are a ton more wipe recipes here too, ones that look good for diaper rash, etc. And on the topic of homemade body stuff-check out Nikkishell's great cloth pad post over at Sew Green.

My FAQ

Hi there!
Got a question? Please check here first, hopefully you will find what you are looking for. If I have directed you here in response to a question, thank you for coming.

General Questions:

So, what's up with the name "Angry Chicken"?
Not too much. I wish there were a funny/interesting story here. I should invent one. It's part of the title of one of my favorite small quilts I made. I figured the name wasn't too popular, and needed a blog name. That was as much thought as I gave it. I like chickens, but I am not "angry" nor have I ever thought of myself as a "chicken" although I now realize to everyone else, I AM the angry chicken—and I'm cool with that. I have friends now that call me "chicken" or "A.C." Both of which I love.

I'm headed to Portland and want to check out some cool places-where should I go?
I really want to have a long list here of my personal Portland faves, and some day I will, but for now you can find a ton of great suggestions over here at Alicia's wonderful blog, Posie Gets Cozy. For restaurants, check out all the reviews over here at my favorite Portland food blog. My favorite shopping/eating/hang-out neighborhood is N. Mississippi—for just eating head to all the places on SE Division.

I'd like to advertise on your blog. What are your rates?
I don't offer any advertising on my blog or websites. I also don't do blog giveaways or retail discounts. I consider my blog an online art/sketchbook and brain dump just for me. In a way, it's one big ad for everything I do—for my books, patterns, artwork, things I sell, etc.

Do you have a press page or some place with reviews of your book and other projects you have contributed to?
Why yes I do! It's right here, on my personal website.

You homeschool, right? What curriculum do you use and do you have any favorite resources you can suggest?

Yes, we do homeschool our 3 girls and we don't use a purchased curriculum. We unschool, but that term is so broad and means different things for each family. We use our library and the world to work on themes together—like the Titanic, or the Civil War, or Volcanoes, and then just go for it. It works for us and is always changing. I have a category on the blog called "learning" that I try to file this under. I could write a whole blog about this, but then I'd have no time left to actually unschool! ha!

So, I realize you don't do ads but what's your deal with company links and are you associated with any companies as an associate?
Except for the following shops listed below, I don't review or link to items for profit, cash, or trade—so if I link to a shop, it's because I really do just like them or what they are selling. Sometimes I do review products I have been sent for free and I clearly say in the post I was given something. I enjoy reviewing books and sometimes receive review copies for free and sometimes I buy them, again I state in the blog post if they were purchased by me or sent to me for free. There are new FTC rules regarding product reviews on blog and I am in compliance with these, please check it out.

I am an associate for the following companies: Mountain Rose Herbs (an Oregon herb company) Powell's Books (a Portland bookstore) Amazon (you know them already) and Indie Bound (an online source to buy from local bookshops). What this means is any time I link to these companies and you follow the link and make a purchase, I get a small percentage of money. This is a way for me to support the companies I already like to use and a way for you to support me in my time and effort providing content that you enjoy on this blog. I hope everyone shops local first—but it's not always possible, I love spreading online love to local shops as well.

What kind of sewing machine do you use? How about some advice on what to look for?
I use a Bernina Artista 165E and I love it. I got it after having the same Viking Husqvarna since I was 18 (I still love that machine.) you can read about my Bernina here. This exact model is no long made, FYI. I have advice in my book about buying machines and what to look for (nice book plug!) and Not Martha has a really good post here about buying a sewing machine and she links to a lot of sewing books as well. Make sure to check out all the great info in her comments on that post, too.

Where can I buy cool fabric in Portland? How about online?
I list Portland fabric shops in this post here, and check the comments too, and then I started a discussion listing online fabric shops here in my Bend-the-Rules Sewing flickr group.

Do you have a serger? What kind? And do I need one?
I do have a serger. I have a Babylock Imagine and I can't imagine ever being without it. Do you need one? Well... this really deserves it's own blog post, it's such a big subject. The short answer is no. But if you do a lot of garment sewing, especially clothes that get a lot of washing (like for kids)  it's a wonderful investment. It finishes your seams, so there is no fraying, and also trims and sews at the same time. I could really say a lot about this, and I will at some point. For now I'd say, if you want one, get the best you  can possibly afford. It's way worse having a lame serger than no serger, trust me. Threading these can be so hard, it will make you not want to use it-which is I why I got the Babylock one, it's amazing. My first serger was pretty much a nightmare.

I have your book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing and Bend the Rules with Fabric, and I have a question about a pattern/resource/material, etc.
I'm so happy you have the book! Take a peek at the flickr group for both groups. Lots of questions are answered there, as well as photos of completed projects. If you have a issue or question which isn't covered, feel free to post the question in the discussion sections on flickr, I check it often. You can also e-mail me, but the response might be slower.

I want to sell items made from the patterns in your book, Bend-the-Rules Sewing, is this okay?
It is! But, I do need to be given credit as the designer. Potter Craft, my publisher, has requested the following text be on the hang tag of any sold item made from my book. "This is an original design by Amy Karol from her book Bend-the-Rules Sewing published by Potter Craft, 2007" They also would prefer if the cover of the book is shown as well, but realize that might be hard to do.

Hi! I have a blog and I tagged you for a meme, blog-thingy, or some other type of question thing, will you play along?
Hey, thanks! I am horrible at these. I always mean to do them, then forget, then feel horrible trying to tag other bloggers, and then I just stress about it—so I just usually let them fester in my comments and feel about it not doing them. Sorry! I do read all my comments, and I do know when I have been tagged, I just can't seem to get on these. But thank you!!!

I was wondering about how you got your book deal. Did you self publish? Do you have a literary agent? Any advice about getting into this whole gig?
Everyone I have talked to in publishing has their own back story on all this, never two experiences alike. There are a ton of books and resources out there about publishing as well. I made it all up as I went along and learned a lot. I did not self publish. My books are published by Potter Craft (an imprint of Random House) and I do have a literary agent. I recently did a podcast interview about my books over at craftsanity and talk about this a little bit-you can hear it right here.

What kind of camera do you use?
I now have a Canon Rebel 400 and I love it!

Do you have a mailing list?
Why, yes I do. Please see it under "mail list" over at kingpod.

I signed up on your mailing list, but I don't get the e-mails. What gives?
Sorry! Maybe you have a tough spam filter on? My mail gets through to 99% of the people who subscribe to it.

Mailorder Questions:

This is a craftclub I used to have, and sometime I still put out new issues. You can read all about it here.

Tie One On/ Apron Questions:

This was an ongoing apron sewing make-a-long with a flickr gallery and blog I had going from 2005-2012. You can read all about it and find the links here.

Japanese Craftbook Questions:

Where do you buy these books?
I get mine here locally in Portland (well, Beaverton to be exact) at the bookstore Kinokuniya, inside of Uwajimaya.

Are these books in English at all?
No, not usually.

Can I actually use these books for making projects, or are they more inspirational?
Well, both. It depends on what kind of crafter you are. If you have enough skill/experience and don't mind projects turning out a bit different than pictured, they are just fine, but if you need more instruction or are a beginner, they are potentially frustrating and not the best books to learn from. I think these books are just so lovely to look at, sometimes that is enough for me, but I know that is not the case for everyone. Things to keep in mind with the sewing books; they usually require you to trace the patterns out of the book first, add seam allowances, and are in metric.

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Most of these questions are related to my blog content, but you can find out more over on my personal website, amykarol.com, with links to interviews and list of other projects I have done.

 

 

aw, man!

Oh, my brain. This recipe card that comes with the mailorder #7 has an omission. For the topping, it doesn't state exactly how much butter to use. . .it should say 1/2 stick of butter (Which is 4 tablespoons.) Sigh. I blame the heat, this big baby in me, and my mushy brain. Deepest apologies!

Up this week in our kitchen is strawberry shortcake. I was inspired by this over at the small object and although I don't really need strawberry shortcake more than once or twice a season, I do need it. And I have this handy whip cream canister, don't you know, making several helpings in a few days that much easier. That gadget is seriously dangerous.