angry chicken

paper love part 2

Penny rugs and paper cutting were in my head at the same time the last few weeks. I think I am trying to figure out a way to combine the two in my head. Some sort of felt cut on a penny rug as if it were paper. . .I haven't worked it out yet. And I may not. Regardless, I am super excited to just be experimenting with the good ol' paper/knife thing right now--the wool felt version can wait. I drew and cut this last night with an x-acto, not enough light, and some green tea. And my glasses, which I have really been needing lately. I used to only wear them at work and then crafting and then not at all, and now I can't seem to read anything or sew without them. Everyone assumes they are fake. Why? I don't know. Not like I see anyone anyway, but I think it's funny how many people assume that. Or maybe that says more about me. Do people think I would be the type to wear fake glasses? I guess so. Which makes me sound sort of lame, huh? Or theatrical, anyway.

Anyhoo, I am digging this big time and I want to do more. This is addicting. I was a bit too excited to stop and change the blade, so this was cut with only one and you can tell. I drew this really fast and I really like the irregular look. It's definitely easier to just design/draw these yourself--it saves the step of transferring a pattern. The red is just regular old text weight paper here. It was cut from an 8 1/2" x 11 sheet folded longways. I think I will frame it, but I am not even sure what I will do with it. I think several of these would be really nice reduced way down and made into note cards too. Or printed/screened on fabric. Oh, that's the ticket!!

a very short list of paper cutting inspirations and research:

-this book cover seen on Amanda's side bar

-amazing amazing amazing work by Robert Ryan (via ~>O<~) that sarah sent me links to at least 3 times.

-this paper cutting book I got from the library

-incredible paper cutting blog (with great tips!)

And. . . this is the last day of November so I am done posting everyday! I really didn't go the whole month with a post-a-day because I started on the 6th or something, but after that, I did it. Okay, so it was fun, but a bit crazy making. I think it was fun because I knew it was only for the month and I liked feeling like I could post about the most trivial thing ever. But I was getting desperate. I was going to write about Q-tips soon. So, back to my normal-ish schedule. Thanks for putting up with my random!

more jen love.

I was alerted by Josie (thanks!) that tiny showcase has a Jen Corace print up right now. I freaked and bought it right away--so surprised it wasn't sold out. It's actually an unlimited edition available through this friday (11/30) to celebrate the opening of the rad sounding craft show, Craftland, that I can't go to because it's across the country from me.

I actually received a postcard version of this print (and got all giddy when it came, you rock, Sarah) but had to buy this print version too, cause, you know, it's Jen Corace. And paper dolls. Good god, could it get any better? And what would I do if she actually made a paper doll book or something? Just die right away? That would be so sad for the girls--for me to have a heart attack over Jen Corace paper dolls. I did not buy an original piece this year by Jen, I opted for a significantly cheaper gift for myself, a desperately needed new winter coat, which is on it's way and better fit, dangit.

Okay, links here:

-Jen's current show at Giant Robot
-tiny showcase jen corace print
-craftland show I can't go to

paper love

I made a bunch of simple blank books for the girls. They are really into dictating stories and coloring. The stories are amazing. I made similar books for Sadie's B-Day goodie bags to give away, but didn't think to make them for us (Duh.) After seeing the stack Amanda keeps on hand, I busted these out, pronto. Genius!! I used old scrap paper I had saved and let them add blank labels. They are all different sizes depending on the size cardstock scrap. Most of these books (filled in by the girls) will be gifts for family and friends, sorry for ruining the surprise. Okay, this is getting hard, not showing stuff we are making for gifts. The smallest books are tucked in my bag for the desperately needed on the road/out of the house/waiting in line/ type entertainment.

I cut and folded these all assembly line style and then just ran them though my sewing machine with a long stitch. Then I tied a double knot and trimmed the thread. The smallest books I stapled.

Here are the books with the stickers I made for Sadie's party. The stickers were drawn freehand, scanned, and colored in photoshop.

These books about bookbinding Amanda posted look very cool, as well as the amazing wooden acorns. Wow. That shop put a dent on my wallet, but in such a good way.

happy baby love!

We have a new niece and are so thrilled!! I love seeing the family grow. Pete's parents now have 5 grandkids in 5 years—not too shabby.

I was gifted these super cute cookie boxes and had to fill them up, you know, with cookies for the new family of four. I had a feeling this surprise baby was going to be a girl—so the pink box it was packed early (not the red) to test myself. Ha! These cookies are a bit big for the box, but I was able to cram in 6 large ones. That little card back there is from my stash of flippin' adorable baby cards. They come with little glassine envelopes and I never see them around (I got my at Spoiled Rotten in Portland) so when I get the chance I snatch them up. I need these stickers!

Nothing like the smell of a day old baby!! Yipeee!

my holiday penny rug

I finished the holiday penny rug that had been taking over my brain. I am really happy with how it came out. It's in wool felt and I made it almost entirely by machine. I know, pretty cheat-y, but dang it, it's not the time for methodical hand sewing right now. I just can't balance this cute baby (who seems to nurses 24/7) on my lap while hand sewing. I can do a lot while nursing, but hand sewing isn't one of them. And when I'm not nursing I am trying to get someone out of pj's.

I made card stock templates, drew around them onto the felt, stitched a blanket stitch by machine (I love my Bernina so much) then carefully trimmed out the shape without trimming the blanket stitch outline. Then I used a combo of hand stitching (so the shapes wouldn't shift) and heat and bond to place them. Lots of steps, but I am really happy with how the process went. It was at times harder doing this by machine then it would have been sewing this by hand, but I was up for the challenge and was dying to use my machine blanket stitch. I was also dying to make this sometime this millennium, which wouldn't have happen if I have stitched by hand, I am sorry to say.

It lives here, in very good company.

sunrise

When I went to get the paper this is what was in the sky.

the pie was yummy

A wonderful Thanksgiving was had by all. Things are slow around here, which is lovely. I need to report that the 1/2 cup or so of frozen raspberries that I added to the apple pie was inspired. I don't know if it was because I hadn't had pie in so long or what, but I swear it was like heaven in my mouth. Really. The tart berries were just perfect with the sweet apples. I may never have straight-up apple pie again. This is the best use raspberries in pies, I am convinced of it.

Okay back to the leftovers. I'm going to make some shepard's pies with the extra mashed potatoes and freeze them. That's the plan anyway.

books I have been reading-

I love that Nick Hornby column in The Believer about books he is reading (or has bought and hasn't read)  and in this last issue he even admitted to starting but not finishing a book. And he never plans on finishing it. I didn't start doing this until a few years ago (Have I already blogged about this??) I decided that if a book is getting on my nerves and I feel like I have given it a fair shake, then I'm done with it. It's so liberating. Almost as crazy as the cereal graveyard. This works best with books from the library, obviously. I put about 5 on hold at a time, pick them up, and usually end up reading 3 or 4 from the bunch. So, here's some random ones. A lot of guilty pleasures here, sorry. My literary tastes have slid lately. I just need my books to be NOT real, you know? I feel like an escape is what I need, not some very intense and emotional tragedy. So, having said that, I did not finish The Kite Runner two summers ago. I know, the horror. I suck. But it was so heavy handed and so. . . well, you know what I mean.

To the Tower Born. I liked this a whole lot. Um, these reviews are going to suck, by the way. It's either a thumbs up or down. This is a big thumbs up. I heart historical fiction a lot.

The Subtle Knife, which is the second in the His Dark Materials series. I loved this. I enjoyed it more than the first, which I also loved. I am scared for the movie of the first one. How can it be good? or as good as the books? They are so brutal. . . I can't imagine the movies capturing the pain in these novels. (boy, I make is sound like a fun read, huh, but they are so good!) Big thumbs up.

The Debutante Divorcee. Okay, this is so fun and so silly and just the best beach read ever. I read it right after I had Liddy when I was tired and so out of it and loved every second of it. Bug thumbs up. (Mildly embarrassed, but why?)

There's more, but I need to save them for this posting everyday thing.

happy thanksgiving!!

I started early today—gingerbread for breakfast. With whipped cream. Glorious. The recipe is from here, and I split the recipe between 2 8" rounds and froze one. It's perfect and not too sweet. This somehow makes it seem good for me. So, that is what I choose to believe.

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful. —Buddha

soap.

I have been on a pampering kick lately. I don't get out much now-a-days with the babies and all, and when I do, it seems to be only to the grocery store or the library, so I have been trying to do little things for myself that feel good, like buying new red lipstick and other small indulgences.

After looking on etsy at handmade soap (my god, there are so many listings) I decided on these 3 bars by Purusha and wow, oh wow. They are just lovely. The scents are amazing, the bars are the perfect size, they came quickly and wonderfully packaged, and I think I will pick up more for gifts. They are so minimal and wonderful. She provides a ton of info in her shop about how to store them, how they are packaged, and the process that goes into making them, it's a pleasure to read about it all. And now I don't have to contemplate making my own, which I was, until I came to my senses.

And speaking of great packaging-I am in love with this brilliant idea here over at A Little Hut.

for some friends-

I made this little wool Waldorf style doll for a new friend. We are so excited to meet him! There are some great groups here and here on flickr for these types of dolls.

And some homemade vapor rub (along with Lincoln Logs) for his big brother. The vapor rub recipe is from this book and the girls really like it and so do I.

succuming to the folk

Oh, that Martha. This is all from K-mart (You devil, Hillary.) Gads. I usually only buy after Christmas, 1/2 off, but the folksy splendor was to good this year.

I wanted this tree skirt too, but we have a nice one I made years ago and I decided to stay sane. But if it goes 1/2 off--that sucker is mine. Wait, is this even a tree skirt?? Now I don't even know. Well, I like it, whatever it is. This is what happens when I save images without naming them. It's a placemat. I am awesome!

And, speaking of holiday freak-outs, this site is making me crazy!! Talk about folksy love. I have started a holiday penny rug just to deal with my dreams about the images from this shop.

getting ready

Apple raspberry pie, all ready to be baked Thursday morning. I didn't know you could freeze fruite pies, unbaked, until last summer. . .but you can. This will make Thursday so much easier. Now I just have to wait and make my final decisions on the side dishes (Grammie is doing everything else.)

happy corner

This is a happy spot in our dinning room. The pink highchair came from Grammie for Sadie's 5th, the amazing Bunny is from Hillary, of course, about 2 years ago. You can make your own with her pattern (it's in her shop, scroll down, put-togther book #1) This one is an original made by her. Gloat. Glaot. Judy (the bunny) has received a lot of love, her apron and hair bow are now elsewhere. The blue cradle was made by my brother for Delia's 3rd. I drew the template for him and he had the tools and bought the wood and busted this out and painted it. What an uncle. We will cherish it and already do. Surely it will go to grandchildren and great grandchildren. I love that.  He made two, one will go to Liddy on her first birthday. The vintage style stickers on the headboard are from my computer (from wrapping paper from the paperzone about 2 years ago) and the Baba doll in there I made was from an old Magic Cabin pattern that I don't think they sell anymore. Grammie made an adorable striped mattress and matching pillow.

This cradle I think was made just with a scroll saw and some wood screws. It's pine and probably cost about $10? He was super excited to make it and it just warms my heart. This seems like such a cool project for people to make who are into working with wood-it's only 5 pieces and the head and foot are the only pieces that actually need to be cut out, the rest you can get cut for you to size at the lumber yard. The top rails were added by him, a nice little detail. Thank you good Uncle!!

-I am freaking on the cuteness of this elf clog pattern over at allsorts. Gads!! I need to print it out and make it up, pronoto

-Hillary has her way cute mr. & mrs. gnome pattern up now, just in time to start for the Christmas decor. We need a set on the sofa.

-Alicia rocked the cuteness this week with her St. Lucia clothespin dollmaking kit for sale. Kits?? Pure genius. I snatched one up. They are now sold out--sorry, but I still had to make you look, cause, dang!!

-Everyday for the month of November, the Sew, Mama, Sew blog is linking to tutorials for handmade gifts to give this season. Prepare to get distracted for a long time--and we are only 1/2 through the month!

-Check this 30% off code (via susan beal, thank you!!)  at chonlicle books. And free shipping. Huh? God, that's good. And dangerous.

-Congrats Melissa!!! I can't wait to meet him!

new make-up

I am thrilled with my new purchases of lipsticks, mascara, and green eyeshadow from Josie Maran cosmetics. I have been waiting for this all natural/non-creepy (no parabens, etc.) line to come out for awhile and am not disappointed. It has swell recycled packages and absolutely no smell. I haven't seen the stats for the line over at the Skin Deep yet, but I am very pleased.

On my lips is the color Desirous, which is all that. Notice how much less pink it really looks on. I am a lipstick junkie and this lipstick is light and perfect with a ton of color. The 2 reds I got are right on time and I feel all glam and good about not giving my babies lead-y kisses. I feel more like myself with the bright red on and have missed it a lot. Mariko tried this on too and it looked just perfect on her. She also gave it the thumbs up. (And probably gave me cooties, too.) I think this line is only at Barney's right now or on the website.

In other random make-up news:

-In skincare. . . .I switched from Jurlique (which I had been using for 5 years) to the much less expensive and much easier to find MyChelle about 5 months ago and am super happy. The line is now 20% off at Wild Oats until the 27th, BTW, for all you Portland people. I love it a ton, especially the serums.

-Burt's Bees was just purchased by Clorox (via Treehugger)

-I have been using Giovanni on my hair and I like it a lot. Again, it's all good and not creepy, but like MyChelle, and the Josie Maran cosmetics, is hip and not too crunchy. You know what I mean. Also at Wild Oats/Whole Foods.

-I am loving Camellia Pure Beauty on Fremont. It's an all natural beauty bar and it's just a pleasure to shop there. I have already done some damage there and I am telling the men in my life to get gift certificates from there for the holidays. She carries small handmade products as well as bigger lines--very very cool.

**And totally unrelated, I have a new interview over at craft::boom all about the business side of what I do. (ha! I find this funny, it's sort of an un-business advice type interview-I am mental) Thanks Lisa!

if you happen to in NYC. . .

Jen Corace is having an opening at Giant Robot in NYC this Saturday, the 17th. You can get the details here. I sure wish I could go.

This new body of work is titled, Told you so.

I wrote the gallery right away asking about online sales and the works should be available about a week after the opening. So you collectors of Jen's amazing work (like me) can pounce all over that. Early Christmas gift to myself?

cake & spice drops

We are done with our family birthdays for the year (well, there is a new niece or nephew coming in less than 2 weeks, so that's a huge birthday) but I mean we are done with kids b-days. Whew.The middle child is now 3 and it was so great. She asked for chocolate cake with light blue frosting. I used the chocolate cake recipe from my cheat sheet and the frosting was just a basic cream cheese frosting tinted light blue. The spice drops are my go-to decoration for cakes because the girls can help and the spice drop flavor is really good with the cake-it's like after cake mint. yummy.

She actually ate 2 pieces! (Not this big, ha.) She never normally eats cake--we were thrilled.

Earlier in the week, on her actual birthday, we had a few neighbor friends over for a low key cupcake decorating party. I made chocolate and vanilla cupcakes and light green and light blue frosting. The kids got to pick a cupcake and decorate it. Only one got dropped on the floor and the mamas ate more than all the kids combined. It lasted about 45 minutes, which I think is ideal for a 3 year old party, you know? And even though this seems like a sugar overload, the kids actually didn't even eat much. I think having the decorating be the craft project made them less interested in freaking out on the sugar and consuming it. The ice cream probably was the sugar freak-out, now that I think of it.

The adorable fabric for the tablecloths I quickly stitched up is from the Barefoot Roses collection.

And it matches so nicely, I have to show this lovely book, Cherry the Pig, that came for Delia from her lovely Auntie. The illustrations are outstanding. This artist, Utako Yamada, is new to me and I am in love. The story is sweet, too.

early shopping. . .

I was cruising Mahar Drygoods yesterday and these are my favorites. This felt gingerbread house it pure genius! So simple and so fun.

And these elf slippers. . .

We special ordered this moose last year for the girls and they loved it and still do--wonderful craftsmanship.

And the shadow puppets!!(We got these too) . . . .just awesome. Nothing is cooler then a Yeti.

Robert's shop is just perfect for the handmade pledge. And he has a top 100 fave books list at Powell's, too, I just found this the other day and has great ideas.

fall.

These leaves on our block.

Helpers. Delia is still wearing her Halloween Sally dress, by the way.

We forget to compost two really big leaves.

Unrelated, our conversation this morning-

pete: "I'm going to do recycling now before work."

me: "cool."

pete: I'm also going to throw away this old grilled cheese sandwich in my pocket, here."

me: "you're crazy like that."

what I eat sometimes

Sadie: "Why are you taking a picture of your cereal?"

Me: "That's a really good question."

About a year ago I started blending my cereals. It was a new thing for me-very renegade, actually. Pete was shocked. I had never done this before (he still won't) and I only do with the last remaining bits in each bag, right before they are empty. Sometimes I blend 2 but often as many as 4 different kinds. I hate throwing any out. When I first did it, it felt so odd yet strangely exciting, and now I love it, and secretly look forward to the boxes getting low enough for me to polish 3 off at once. I never was a big soda fountain graveyard drinker--we call this the cereal graveyard, after that. That's not regional, right? The graveyard? When you blend every soda flavor from the fountain in one cup and drink it and pretend it's not the most vile thing ever? I never did that much as a kid, but knowing I could do it was pretty cool.

I know this looks like one kind of cereal here, but it's 2, some hippie brown rice crispies are under the flakes. So, um, how's this for posting everyday, huh? It's getting ridiculously mundane, yet it's oddly satisfying for me.

excitment

It's not out yet (May 1st or there abouts) but it's coming. . .and I am so excited. The second built by wendy bookis all about sewing garments from knit fabrics. Bomb. I can't express how brilliant I think this is. I need to work with knits more. I don't very often mostly because finding good quality knit yardage can be hard. . .but I am going to start stockpiling now. Knits are so forgiving so sew with, I need to get back on that horse. And you don't need a serger to sew with knits, I know many people assume you do. Having said that, my serger rocks (babylock) and handles knits like a dream. I loved wendy's first book a ton so I have high hopes for this one.

And Mix Tape Zine issue 2 is out and I think is almost completely gone already-take a peek and snatch one up if you can. I love reading this over lunch while the girls are playing. God, remember zines?? It's so nice to get this great content NOT on a computer. This issue makes me want to start making soap again. (Almost.) And thanks for the sweet review of Bend-the-Rules, Justine. I am very flattered.

This posting everyday thing is working out for me so far. I think limiting my posts to one item a day--that's my speed right now. I made a list though, because I have forgotten that one thing a few times already. . . (And today there were 2 things, I'm tricky!!)

signing, sewing, and good times

Wow! Wow! The book signing at Bolt was so awesome, I just can't believe how fun it was. It was so great meeting everyone, seeing the projects, making inappropriate jokes--and just getting out of the house after dark, crazy!

Back in June, giving birth to Liddy a few days after the book came out was so surreal. I never really processed the whole book thing at the time, you know? And now I finally feel like I have. So, thank you. Thank you so much for coming out, meeting me, eating donuts, and saying hi. My peeps and family were there in full force as well, and that was awesome. Thanks Gina for having the event--it's a great fabric shop, huh?

Sadie was bummed there weren't more kids and that the donut selection excluded maple bars--which I guess are sort of regional? I have gotten questions before about what a maple bar is. Well, it's pure heaven, I tell you!! You can see the photos up close here--so many photos of projects and people were too out of focus to show, sorry! Still figuring out my new camera--but I think we are all happy the flash wasn't used. And where is my flip? I really wish I had it last night, I would have taken video all stealth like and then you all would have been mad. That would have been awesome.

You all have got to be the nicest group of sewers ever. Keep sewing--and don't be afraid to try binding!! (You know who you are, and there is more than one of you!)

promote-y

See you tonight!

robots are stealing my luggage.

I have been a bit slow on the uptake around here. Grammie casually mentioned this amazing 2006 best in show award winning quilt based off of the Story of The Root Children, by Sibylle von Olfers. Details from the quilt, made by Sieglinde Schoen-Smith, are shown here in this new book, Mother Earth and Her Children, A Quilted Fairy Tale. I posted about loving von Olfers, and later Grammie said that this new book and quilt were mentioned by someone in my comments on that post. . .that Grammie. I obviously need to read better.

So, this is wicked sick stitching here. The faces of the children are all in a satin stitch. It's hard to see and even harder to describe, but it's amazing. Please take a look at this book. I don't have it yet, but saw the details of the quilt in the Quilters Newsletter about 2 issues ago. (And you can read a bit about the copyright issues here.) Wow. Wow. Wow. Like see that cover there the book? It's all fabric with embroidery. The whole thing. No drawing, just fabric needle and thread. That's how amazing this is.

your aprons want to work for you.

There's a cool homemade apron contest over at Craft and I'm gonna enter this one-

You all have to enter this!!

All you need to send is an image of a homemade apron. That's it!

Okay, there are hundreds of these already made over at Tie One On, so all of you apron makers out there, just send in a jpeg of what you have made before!! 5 winners will get a copy of this fine book, Prairie Girl, (which is the inspiration for this contest) and the lucky 5 will also get to see their apron in the actual Craft magazine. See the details here and make your aprons famous! The deadline is November 12th.

gifty

I put this little gift box together for a special 3 year old a few weeks back. I heart sticker paper. I did this label in Illustrator. The box is from Michaels. (Photos with the old camera, curses!)

Inside it contains small object bootie that anyone would envy. I love putting together these little gift boxes so much. I have quite a few empty and waiting for sewing, map-making, book-making, sticker-making, & beading supplies all to be tucked in, ready to go for our small friends.

Did you see what Hillary is up to ? Posting everyday this month! How inspiring! It takes the edge off, for me anyway, thinking about a once a day post, cause then I can make it quick and dirty. Now, if I actually do it. . . .we shall see. We have a big week ahead of us. The middle child turns 3, a book signing, and a kid party. . . and only one runny nose so far. whoo-hoo!

a dry fall

There has been no rain here for a bit now and none in the upcoming forecast. It feels weird to have it be so dry here, but really nice because we get to see the leaves change. Usually it justs dumps rain and then the leaves just fall into a mushy pile in about 2 days. This is our beloved smoke tree we planted given to us by Grammie when we moved into this house. It's 5 years old now and just amazing this time of year.

Random bits:

-The Tie One On gallery is up and it's stellar. The new theme is posted as well and not due until February 1, to give us a bit of extra time during the holidays.

-I finally saw Blades of Gory and am buying it.

-I was very flattered to be interviewed by megan of not martha over at the design*sponge guest blog. I am in great company, please take a look at all the interviews--thanks megan!

-I am loving this jacket so very much.

-I am loving these dresses for the girls very very much.

-I saw some of the new MSL crafts christmas line at Michael's and it good. To good. These will be have to be mine soon.