angry chicken

a new dress

This is a dress made from Vogue 8232 and I am pretty happy with it. I got the pattern with Frenchie (she made up a stellar dress which is next on my list) and she also alerted me to this flippin' awesome print. I got this at the sale at Bolt (it's Alexander Henry, My Secret Garden—Wine and is available all over online, and in your local fabric shop) It reminds me of Vera in the best way, even if it looks a little like I am wearing a tablecloth.

I changed/added a few details. I altered the neck to make more of a boat neck shape, used an invisible zipper (the only kind I use when I can because they are so easy and are invisible!) added a contrasting red waistband-type detail, which is just sewn over the top on the dress, and then some little covered buttons for some sassy love.

 

And here's the real life version 20 minutes later after freezing my hiney off. Yeah. Well, at least I can garden now.

homemade cards

 

These cards were made for 2 reasons. Documentation and blank card requirements.

We have been writing down our kids comments on a master list the last few months because they have been getting more and more amazing. I know this is the case with all kids, but dang. So, I wanted to document these quotes and was originally thinking flash cards, but wasn't sure what to do with them. Then I was thinking small business sized cards—I could tuck in cards and gifts, but again, wasn't sure how they might be kept, save putting them in a scrapbook/photo album. We needed a blank card recently to give to a family member and I realized putting these quotes on cards would be perfect.

I love making homemade cards so much. It also fulfills my creative urges to combine stark simple design with crazy child brain. (Apologies to certain design talent who are totally over Helvetica, you know who you are.)

the minutiae of jersey

Here's a new underwear set, this time from Pete's old t-shirt. The undies are from the sleeve (I made two pairs) and the long camisole/short nightie is from the shirt part. A few things-

• Although I love stretch lace, I think it's a bit stretchy for the straps. I am going to try narrow lingerie elastic next time.
• Tissue t-shirts kind of make me mad. They wear out so fast, are usually kind of see through and are too soft and stretchy for undies, in my opinion. These stay up fine, but I think a thicker t-shirt makes for a nicer set.
• Using the existing hem of the t-shirt as the hem of the camisole/nightie top makes this so very easy and makes me feel clever, and I love feeling clever.
• I used the same t-shirt fabric for the gusset, eliminating the contrasting fabric gusset, which although one doesn't see all the time (presumably), is nice and understated.
• I also finally encased both seams on the gusset piece, which is easy, but kind of a weird moebius strip-type thing to do. This made for a much nicer finish and looks much more professional. On the other hand not matching my thread on the inside was a little less professional looking (me = lazy) so let's just call it a deconstructed/raw look and pretend that's exactly I was going for.

Unrelated—

• I am really digging this new comment platform Typepad has. I can reply much easier now to questions and am really having fun with it. I also like the new feature which allows you all to reply to each other. So cool.
• I am having a book giveaway over on Tie One On, so check it out! (There's a catch.)

paper flowers

All 3 bonnets were sewn in time for Easter this year. It wasn't that bad, but I will say sewing the same thing for three girls gets a bit tedious. Also, they either need to be pretty much identical or totally different— otherwise there is much comparing and discussion. These were all the same, pink linen with a lovely fabric lining, the only detail that made them unique was the color of ribbon and flowers. I knew I wanted to use flowers to trim them, but was stumped. I looked at the craft store and the silk ones were pretty awful. They were not silk, too huge, and expensive. I wished I had a secret stash of vintage millinery trims, but I do not. I was getting pretty discouraged and then found a gold mine in the paper/scrapbook section.

Okay, there is a huge paper flower selection out there that I didn't know about and they were perfect for the bonnets. I actually am not sure how you would use them in a scrapbook, they are 3D, so I'm not sure how the book would close, but they are great as little embellishments for craft/sewing projects.

I glued these on with E6000, which is very stinky but sure works well. I also glued them to tiny terra cotta pots that had chocolate eggs tucked in them for the girls' baskets. Next I need to make some brooches with paper flowers for my spring/summer cardigans. I have the compulsion to gussy up unadorned cardigans, but realize it's not always best to make the embellishments permanent—hence the brooch idea. And i've been seeing some very stylish hair clips with flowers too, so I will try that next.

outdoor rooms

 



I'm late night window shopping at Ikea. When we moved we left all of our outdoor furniture/potting bench/pots at our old house. The buyers wanted it all and we were so stoked to be selling we were happy to leave all that stuff—but now we have nothing to sit on and the weather is starting to get nice. I love these items, but what's up with Ikea pots never having drain holes? I know we can get a a special drill bit to make these holes but come on, man. Just put a stinkin' hole in the pots so I don't have to. I just wrote stinkin' hole. Heh.

cobbler.

hey, thanks so much for the new book props!!

I got the first rhubarb of the season and was all set to make hand pies, and then thought, no—a regular pie, and then changed my mind to a crisp and then, at the very last minute, switched to making this outstanding cobbler. I just think this recipe is perfect. I followed it exactly and am now ready to add a cobbler topping to every fruit imaginable. I would suspect that you could use arrowroot powder instead of the corn starch, if that's your preference. I'm going to try that next time. Look out fruit—you all will be wearing biscuit hats soon.

it's coming soon! (sorta)

I am jumping-up-and-down excited to let you all know that my second book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More (Potter Craft Summer 2009) is now available for pre-order!

Here's a sneak peek inside. I was able to work with the same ridiculously talented team on this book as my first (photography by Alexandra Grablewski and design by Amy Sly) which means this book looks amazing, is clearly organized, and puts a big smile on my face.

This book is all about altering fabric—and not all the projects require a sewing machine, so it's great for sewers, and non-sewers alike. Woot! Here's a painted toile artwork project shown with an inexplicably creepy mask.

Here's how to make t-shirts for your family band. These say It's not my bedtime. You will freak out when you try this technique—it's silk screening without photo emulsion or drawing fluid or Gocco. Life changing, I tell you.

And the Uncle Pete and Aunt Sarah dolls make an appearance, of course.

There are plenty of sewing projects with patterns as well, and they all come with ideas, techniques, and tips on altering fabric to make it your own. I really think you guys will dig it (I hope so!) Please pre-order it, how's that for a hard sell?

It's available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and your local book shop (I didn't see it yet at Powell's) and it will be out in the world, for real, the end of August. I already have a book signing/party set up at Powell's here in Portland the end of September (and I will have one at Bolt, too) and I just want to say two words. Cake walk. I'm serious.

 

vintage/new quilt

Following the calico patchwork theme from the last post, here's an outstanding quilt Grammie just finished. The top is vintage, found by Grammie in Indiana a couple years go (right, mom?) She took the top, added a batting and a backing and then machine quilted a wonderful design on it. I love it so much— the borders and sashing are so randomly wonderful. Were are both kind of freaking out about how cattywampus it is.

 

Like the fabric in the last post this uses a cheater cloth—the block patterns are not pieced, but printed. Although we both think the border colors are very 1930s, we have decided that the top is probably from the 1970s-the calico seems to be leaning that way. As I write this, I am remembering that long ago in blog time I posted about quilt related items every Monday. So, here's a very long overdue Quilt Monday.

I'm not sure what I'm going to start for a new quilt project, but I sure am having fun over at All People Quilt looking at all the patterns, especially this one here (which isn't actually from All People Quilt, but from Better Homes and Gardens, which owns All People Quilt, confusing, but you know what I mean. I never know where I end up after all the clicking.)

Unrelated, I read this really interesting article about Facebook yesterday. I signed up on Facebook, but we just never hit it off.

sewing for kids is a good thing

Happy Friday! Here's Miss Delia playing in clothes that Grammie (we call my mom Grammie) made for me circa 1976, as if you couldn't tell. Oh the patchwork. It's a cheater cloth, but still. The colors, so very Holly Hobby cool.

Grammie has this huge box full of clothes that she sewed for me when I was little. There is a lot in there—I had no idea she made that much. There is often a ballet/dress-up freak out party when they go over there involving characters like Snappy Tomato and Bella Blue. It's so sweet and makes me remember why I want to sew for my girls when I am swearing at my fabric/machine/elastic and getting a neck cramp or some such thing. So, I better have some grandchildren—and some better be girls at that. Ha! No pressure, or anything.

baked eggs

Here's a very tasty dinner made from the April 2009 Everyday Food. I love it when they post the recipes from the current issue. Here it is and if you like eggs, it's just crazy good. But crazy hot! I burnt my tongue really bad, which almost ruined the dinner for me. I didn't technically make it, husband did. Everyday Food is his go-to for cooking. Clear, easy, one page, and pretty dang solid. We have had very few misses. It would be a nice dish for an Easter brunch I think, a bit different, but still egg-y. Speaking of Easter brunch, I need to make the yummy dough from the bread book (I have been using this book all year, I pretty much have it memorized) for the hot crossed buns for this weekend. Or maybe a braided bread. Can't decide. Both?

I forgot to mention that the children thought this was the stinkiest dinner ever and they almost started crying because it smelled so bad (it didn't). At one point Sadie said it smelled like Liddy's dirty diaper and Delia said it smelled like her vomit. Wow. Tough crowd. Needless to say, they didn't try it.

I need to start a new quilt project

Material Obsession: Modern Quilts with Traditional Roots, by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke, is on the table right now and I am so happy looking through it. The quilt projects are really unexpected in a very cool way, with refreshing color combinations which bridge the gap between modern/simple and vintage/complicated. I made some horrible scans of the inside pages (what's my problem?) that aren't worthy to show, but here's some nice interior shots and a much more thorough review of this book at CraftyPod.

friday cake

I made this cake last Friday and am tempted to make it today. It is incredibly light. It has no butter, just eggs, a little flour, sugar, and almond paste—which is where I got the recipe.

It's just heavenly with a strong cup of coffee at about 2:30 pm, right before the back-to-back ballet classes. The thing is—it's so light and airy it's not filing in the least, so eating half the cake seems like a reasonable thing to do. I used restraint and it was wonderful for breakfast the next morning with berries on top. I should try to make my own almond paste. I usually buy it, but I'm sure a little internet research will yield some homemade options. And I know someone out there has made it, right? It's basically almond butter with sugar added? I have no clue, but plan to find out.

easter thoughts

                                                    _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

In thinking about Easter/Spring baskets for the girls I found myself on Etsy and was struck by the simple loveliness of the items for sale over at Dream Child Studio.

                                                    _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

                                                  _{photo by Dream Child Studio}

I'm really digging the use of wood here in this photo. And of course the crown is just perfect. These would be so sweet in their baskets. I also plan to sew up some bunnies (cute insanity!) from this Wee Wonderful's pattern and print some Shiny Happy Printables from The Small Object as well. A little homemade and a little purchased—that's my speed right now. Add some unpainted wooden eggs and paint for them to decorate and we are done. Oh, and chocolate lambs and chocolate nests, can't forget those. And bonnets. Okay, the list is getting longer now.