angry chicken

There was a bee sting incident.

 

A normal day at the park was interrupted by screams, tears, the stripping of clothes, and a mad dash to the car. 7 bee stings later, poor little Miss Delia was covered in cotton pads on top of herbal poultices made of plantain. Sadie reminded me to use this herb for bee stings (and she is the arm model here, although she didn't get any) and I am so thankful for her levelheadedness. We got the plantain with a bunch of other herbs a bit back, after buying and loving this book all about using herbs for children. The girls love it, read if for fun, and now know what the herbs do. When they get a cold, they ask for a herbal steam. It's really wonderful. We actually are growing some of the herbs in our garden now to use fresh and also to dry for later. They make their own little herbal first aid kits, too. The ingredients and supplies are all listed in this book.

I love it that you can introduce something to kids, act like you have been doing it all your life, and they just take it as fact and as completely normal. I keep thinking, I can't believe this works, they actually know how to treat a sore throat by making a slippery elm lozenge! It's better for us to prep all this stuff before they get sick/hurt, of course. So we make sprays, teas, lozenges, herbs tied in cheesecloth all in a day, and tuck them into bags and kits—ready for when something happens. Seems like September is when we usually do this. I have thanked myself so many times that I have been able to quickly grab a herbal remedy right away— although if they aren't very sick or hurt, they love watching me make up a herbal remedy for them. It calms them down and makes them feel taken care of. It's really sweet. And it calms me down, too. So it's a win-win.

and the winning quotes are—

"Burn like a screaming eagle."

From Kelly who says: No, seriously. Giovanni Ribisi signed an autograph for me (that a friend begged him for) with that one. I have no idea what it means, but I can see it in a yearbook for sure.

"Dude! I will never 4get that night at the pits. And dinners at Moxies or lunch at Wendy's. U rock!" 

From Cheryl who writes: Sad, but so true. How did we ever think we were intelligent?

From Jen who says: Okay I must have been hanging out with a very immature crowd compared to everyone else commenting.... in the crease of the binding of almost ALL of my yearbooks is written:

"I AM WRITING IN YOUR CRACK. DOES IT TICKLE? HAGS!" (Have a good summer.)

Pete (the judge) says:

There were several "crack" quotes (disturbingly.) This one was randomly chosen within that group of quotes.

Runner Up:

Ivy said...

"The blacksmith and the artist, reflect it in their art. They forge their creativity, closer to the heart."
-- Rush

And Honorable mention:

Jeannine said...

Lickin' a Lobster for luck-KITH
See you round like a donut.

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Okay— these were so fippin' funny we were dying reading them!!! Thank you all so much! And thanks to husband who took his job very seriously, it was a lot of quotes to read. It was pretty much all we talked about since Tuesday.

Stay tuned for another giveaway at the end of next week. Have a hot weekend, but stay kool. Later Vader!

(I'm now trying to work in yearbook quotes in daily life—surely annoying to all around me.)

wednesday brain dump

We are still freaking out on all the quotes. Amazing. And I am thrilled someone quoted The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai—that would be a winner for sure if I were the judge.

• I have extend the apron submissions on Tie One On. So, the Mad About Plaid apron isn't due until October ST. And I also show the book giveaway for this theme.

• I am really hoping to make it to the Portland Fermentation Festival this Thursday at the ecotrust building from 6-PM. I love fermented foods and want so badly to try more than pickles and yogurt. And I want to be able to say "Hey, nice kefir." to someone before I die. Just sayin'.

• I am practicing yoga pretty regularly now, which has been really incredible. The Cindy Lee books you all recommended were great, and there were so many other wonderful yoga recommendations in the comments of this post. I have been using Yoga Today several times a week. It's beyond awesome. You can just stream the classes from your computer. That's it. No getting in the car or pre-planning with the kids. I know the 1 hour episodes used to all be free—now they are unlimited for $9.99 a month. This is so worth it to me, I didn't even bat an eye at the cost. Especially because husband can use them, too. I also like the 1/2 hour episodes a lot, which are all free over on you tube. I really miss going to a studio more regularly and being with live humans and a real life teacher, but this is a great option for me to have and has really kept me going. Sarah Kline is my favorite teacher on Yoga Today, but they are all good.

• The new Mix Tape #9 is now available and it awesome, as usual. I love holding this in my hands. A real 'zine.

• The newest issue of Small Magazine Autumn 09 is also out and it's so lovely—such amazing images. I love this finger puppet project and am fascinated by this interview with the filmmaker that makes movies with children. Really, really interesting.

• I feel there is something really wrong with the way girls clothes are made—the lack of pockets. My girls don't wear jeans, so almost all their purchased clothes have no pockets. I am going to start sewing patch pockets to their clothes. They are partial to collecting small items and have nowhere to stash them. And really, they don't always need to have a purse, I'd like them to have another reasonable option. It's criminal. I also am adding secret pockets to the inside of their jackets and cardigans.

my new book, a surprise, & a giveaway!!

I am pretty much ecstatic to announce that my new book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More is now available. I haven't been out to see if it's in the shops yet, but I know the ship date is today, so if you pre-ordered, you will get it soon. It will also be in all the big chain bookstores (Borders, Powells, Barnes and Noble) very soon, if not already, and hopefully your local independent bookshop will have it as well. If not, please ask them to order one for you!

 

I am also thrilled to tell you that in about 5 days (on September 1st, to be exact) these Bend the Rules Gift Labels will be available from Potter Style. These have the copy I used years ago for the holiday labels I made as a PDF. I am thrilled to have them professionally designed and published by this fabulous imprint. They are printed on thick label paper and come in the nicest sturdy box. The packaging is really impressive. They say things like, This seemed like a good idea at the time, but now I'm not so sure. And, I totally want to get get one of these for myself, so let me know if you don't want it.  I'm going to show and tell about these more in the next week or so, but I thought it would be really lame to wait until September 1st to tell you about them. If any of you want to buy both the labels and my new book right now at the same time—the combined shipping would save you a little dough. Just sayin'. I will give away 3 boxes of labels when I get them—so stayed tuned for that.

And speaking of giveaways:

You all are amazing and there is no way I would have ever been able to write my two sewing books and do what I do without all of you reading, commenting, and giving me support. BIG thanks to you all. I want to give away 3 signed copies of the new book here on the blog and I feel very strongly about personally inscribing a cheesy quote in the front. So, please leave a comment with your quote of choice (I'm thinking yearbook style—like a quote from a movie or from your favorite heavy metal song) and if your quote is chosen, you will get a free book with your ridiculous quote written in the front. Awesome! The only rule is no Pink Floyd lyrics—that's way too easy.

I am going to let my husband choose from the quotes, so you all can send any complaints to him later. This is a 24 hour thing, so by this time tomorrow I will close comments and get out my sharpie.

Thanks you guys!!!

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Okay, I have closed comments, thank you so much! Pete has his work cut out for him. These are so good, I love the year book jargon! I will report the 3 winning quotes very soon. Thanks for all the new book and new label love!

more coloring & various announcements

I bought several packs of these blank business cards from paper source (which I realize would be super easy to cut myself, but I couldn't resist buying the small packs with matching envelopes) and I gave them to the girls and let them have at it with my fancy mommy-only stinky markers. They came up with the coolest series of drawings. The cards were light pink to begin with and they fully saturated them with the markers while allowing some of the pink show though. They look like watercolors. I love it when I remember to put out colored paper for them to work on—it really changes the way they use color and mix the layers.

I know I sound a little like a stoner analyzing their artwork so much, but I really am excited and struck by what they come up with and how they use their art tools. The way they see the world and how they express that into drawings and symbols—I can't get enough of it.

• I am hearing rumblings that my new book, Bend the Rules with Fabric: Fun Sewing Projects with Stencils, Stamps, Dye, Photo Transfers, Silk Screening, and More is already shipping out to the people who pre-ordered. Excited!!! The actually release date is August 25th. A big post about all that will be coming soon, but just to let you know, I already set up a flickr group for all of you who are ready to get crazy with your fabric, have questions, or want to show and tell from the book projects and techniques. Woot!

• Portland sewers, Bolt is having a sale this weekend, 20% off. And they carry Liberty. They have a shop blog now too and I am very excited to see they are caring new pattern lines and sewing mags which I find thrilling.

• Boomerang (after reading about it on wisecraft) is now in our house—it's an audio program for kids, mostly narrated by kids. "In each hour-long episode, the Boomerang! kids present stories about big ideas: science, current events, history, economics, poetry, geography, jokes, mysteries and more. . ." The shows are for kids ages 6-12, and you can buy single episodes. They are pretty swell, wonderful on road trips in the car, and great to give on a cd to grandparents when begging for babysitting. Pretty dang cool.

happy handmade home

I'm so excited that Amanda's second book is out, Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures. It's packed full of great ideas, projects, and activities.

This sketchbook project is one of my favorites. This book is wonderful— all the ideas in it involve using stuff you already have lying around the house. It's awesome.

The girls can't put this down and are already marking the projects they want to try. I think this art tray (and the bird drawings) are next. It's so great to see kids in the act of making these projects—so many craft books don't show children actually making stuff (more just posing with the finished product) it really resonates with my kids and makes them so excited to try these activities. Congrats Amanda!

breakfast on sunday

I had some pluots* getting a bit soft on the counter so I cooked them up and had them over my oatmeal. I try to do this as much as I can remember because the effort it requires is so minimal but the taste in my mouth is so outstanding—it always surprises me at how easy it is and just how good and fresh it tastes. Here's what I do: (Although it's a bit different each time depending on what my hands touch first.)

Serving 2 (or one very big serving)

• Cooked oatmeal for 2 (Rolled or cut oatmeal.)
• 2 pluots sliced (Or any other fruit. One apple is good, too.)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1/8 cup orange juice (or water)
• wee bit of salt
• Grated nutmeg, not very much, like a pinch
• 1/8 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

First I start the oatmeal cooking. If it's a rolled kind, this is all done about the same time. If it's steel cut, I cook it first and then make the fruit topping in the last 5 minutes. I slice the pluots and set aside. Then in a sauce pan I add all the other ingredients (except the chopped nuts) and bring to a low boil, add the fruit, and stir it a bit until the fruit softens and the mixture thickens. It takes less than 5 minutes. That's it. I spoon it over the oatmeal, add a little milk and the chopped nuts.

It feels so special and fancy, but it's actually just a super easy and very tasty way to use up fruit. Double goodness. Baby loves it. The older girls are all still about the blueberries. They have to be frozen so they act as cooling agents on the oatmeal.

*or plucot, or plumcot, depending on your plum-apricot hybrid of choice.

And the little pitcher. I use these a ton, but they belong to the girls. They use them to add milk to oatmeal and soups, mac and cheese—anything that needs a little cooling off. They run to the table when they see them set out, so it's pretty rad. Baby can even use hers without spilling. I introduced these as a way to have better meals together. I am less fussy about when they come to the table to eat because I never have to add the milk to anything, they do, so it doesn't cool off too much or get soggy, in the case of syrup and pancakes. Also, they are pretty into their own portion control, understandably, so that takes care of that. I actually have been known to pack these pitchers—they are such a big part of our meals. I think I got them at Cost Plus. They are actually creamers for coffee. Just the right size so if they spill, there's not a ton to clean up.

Unrelated to oatmeal:

We are pretty crazy into the Girl's Little League Softball World Series, which is going on, live and in real life, less than 3 miles from where we live. It runs all day and evening until through wednesday. Under the lights, candy and snow cones, the girls are riveted. The joy it brings me to see them watch older girls (age 12-14) play in such a bad-ass way is priceless. The girls love it. Oregon played Latin America on friday. Asia Pacific was having a rough go, and we haven't seen Canada play yet. The uniforms have changed a bit since I played. I don't remember matching glitter headbands being standard issue. We always had the horrible foam hats. Oh, those were so awful.

Liberty blouse

This blouse was made out of a Liberty print I had saved for almost 2 years, much like the Nani Iro fabric. I had originally intended it for Sadie (sorry, honey) and then thought about how cute it would be made into tap pants for myself, and then thought about maybe making it into a belt (I think I still might have enough for that) and then a men's shirt (but I only had enough for contrasting details) and then—without really giving it much thought, cut it out for Simplicity 2599 and made it. I am really happy with this pattern. There are so many ways to do this type of detail. I want to try an asymmetrical placement with the ruffle next, and a ruffle in a contrasting print would look very sharp on a solid color shirt. A stripe or polka-dotted ruffle? Something like that.

 

It's fitted—not too loose or tight, which is nice. Darts in front give it some shape.

And my favorite blouse closure is in back. I love this type of closure. So easy. I use a covered hair elastic for the button loop, which works like a charm.

I have to say, the weight of Liberty fabric is like nothing else. I would not sew this blouse in anything other than a super-lightweight fabric. I get pretty fussy about quilting-weight cottons being used for garment sewing—unless it's a skirt or a more structured dress. Liberty is a dream to sew with. Totally worth the high price in my book. Locally, there is Liberty at Bolt and probably other shops, too, maybe Josephine's? This particular print was purchased at Purl fabrics. They always have a great selection.

• I'm excited to try this dress over at Burda Style. I know I just made a dress very similar, but this one has great pockets. And what cute photography! Except you can't really see the dress that well. But still, I love the happy.
• Debating if I should sew a coat like this for Sadie. I think I can make it for less than buying, but not a ton less. Ugh. See, if I sew it, I will have to sew one for Delia, even though she has about 4 hand-me-downs that will work this Fall. Baby will get an old towel, she doesn't know. Only half joking. Actually she does know, but I am in denial about her alarming interest in clothes for a just turned 2-year old. I just re-read that last sentence and realize the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Ahem.

books about colors

I had Pete and the girls pick up extra paint samples at the paint store a few weeks back. They have free donuts there at the paint shop, so it's quite popular with our family.

I made 3 of these super simple books after reading about a similar project in this stellar book I highly recommend, How to Be an Explorer of the World: Portable Life Museum, by Keri Smith. Just having some of the ideas in my head while running around with the kids is wonderful. I see the projects as loose ideas, 'cause the best ideas come after the girls get involved and then change it all up.

So, The idea here was to glue in the paint chips and find items outside that matched, and glue/tape/adhere them in too. But Delia did her own thing with a hole punch, and Sadie was interested in re-writing the color names on the paint chips—which lead to a lengthy vocabulary discussion about what all these words meant and how they were used to describe colors and why—like Windmill Wings and Blue Lapis.

Digression—Who has to come up with all these color names? And how do they not run out of ideas? Mine would get so surreal/dumb after awhile, like Muddy Stick and Volcano Sunset. I got really into reading all the color names and tried to figure out which ones were made up when that person was obviously burnt out. I realized next time I want to start a prog-rock band I know where to look for both my band name and the name of my concept album. I'm leaning towards Emerald Isle recording the album White Heaven. There will be strings, of course.

An envelope was glued in the back for extra paint chip storage. Very pleasing.

adventures of the summer variety

We have been getting out more this summer, which is weird, because I feel like we are doing less. We are doing more, but planning less. That's I guess what I mean. It's been much more spur-of-the-moment, not "Let's make big plans for next weekend and then potentially have them not work" but instead "Let's go out in the next hour. Everyone use the bathroom before we go." This has made a huge difference in the brain department of my body. I feel the to-do list shrinking. When it's a last minute plan—it doesn't have time to turn into a to-do item.

The girls now have their own camera. It's a real digital one (not made for kids) and that means they also have their own photo albums. They get to print 5 photos at a time—the photos and choices are pretty awesome. The last three photos were taken by one of the kids. Not sure which, but I think it was Sadie because Delia's are pretty much exclusively of the toilet. I'm serious.

There's a new banner up there and new links on the side there and can I say how much Google Reader rocks? It does. I finally organized all the blogs into folders and named one simply "happy" and it's my go-to folder. It's 100% good stuff. Safe, inspiring, funny, and silly—so if I only have 5 minutes to look online, I don't get stuck clicking around like a crazy person. Why did it take me so long to do that? I know you can make all this public and share all these things, which is a great tool too. I have mine all set to private right now, 'cause I feel public enough, if you know what I mean. It's a very cool feature.

flotsam & jetsam

I was so flattered and excited to put together this Guest Curator bit for Etsy that you see above here. I love their blog, The Storque, and all its features, how-tos, interviews, and whatnot. Etsy is so flippin' huge now and their blog helps me feel like I can get my arms around it.  The theme I chose was "Summer at the Beach." Of course, I love everything I chose immensely, please check these items out.

I also have a new podcast interview up over at Craftcast with Alison Lee. This is a really fun eclectic show she has—a little bit of everything. My interview is in the middle, right after the song. Alison is amazing, and we talk about my new book coming out, keeping my blog real, and the merits of blogging the mundane. It's always great talking to her.

And thanks for participating in the clog/sandals socks poll! Who knew? Well, now we know. I love the poll thing so much, I will try not to abuse it.

striped dress and socks with clogs

I sewed this dress with Vogue #7871. I have had this pattern for years. I never regret buying patterns, even when I feel I have too many, because they go out of print. This one has. This is the fourth dress I have made from this pattern. I actually had forgotten about the pattern until I saw this stunner and had to copy it. I promised myself to use fabric I already had on hand with an existing pattern from my stash. This was also because I couldn't face getting the 3 girls dressed to get them in the car and to the fabric shop.

Okay—the belt. I had in mind a belt exactly like this and couldn't find one. And then thought I should sew one. I kept thinking about the "perfect" belt and how it would be a natural cotton with a fake bakelite buckle and um, yeah—I designed a project like this for my new book and had the leftovers in my stash. So that was a good moment it terms of sewing the perfect belt, albeit alarming that I would forget such a thing. These belts are so easy you will never buy one again.The buckle and thick cotton canvas strapping came from Fabric Depot here in Portland. (And speaking of belts, I am totally making one like this for Pete, 'cause dang, this look is hot, and I think I have tapestry ribbon like this already.)

Here's the dress in real life action. Please notice the clogs. Yes, they are the clogs from this post, and yes, I love them so dearly—

And now onto most important matters involving the ridiculous use of a blog survey application.

kerchiefs

These kerchiefs for small heads were made a few weeks back and have been a huge hit around here. I made the same size for all 3 girls, with FOE, just like these here that Melissa made (and has great tips for, please check it out) minus the fancy hardware which I was too lazy to use. They are a great use for fabric scraps. Very satisfying. I made no less than 8, and I have no clue where any of them are now. What do they do with these? When I do find one, I always think it's a napkin. So does baby, since the last one I found had jam smeared on it. sweet!