turkey feathers

Slipping Up

As often happens, when I'm distracted or rushing to update the blog, I realize later from the comments and emails I receive, that I've inadvertently forgotten or left out an important detail and caused confusion after wards due to lack of explanation.  There's a fine line I think, between NEI and TMI on a blog after all, and I don't want to cross it.  I share the neatly edited home craft version of my life.  It's usually all I have time for anyway.  And since it doesn't look like I'll be getting back to my in-box soon...(sorry, there's only so much a busy gal can do)...I'd better clarify something that's been on my mind and maybe yours too. Although, for your sake I hope not.  Apparently my post about the ceramic nursery figurines caused some spooky speculation that, literally had me choking on my chai with laughter when I re-read it and realized how it could be misinterpreted.  I guess I should have explained that I only admired the baby vases from afar, and snapped a picture to capture their aesthetic beauty.  In fact, I didn't buy a single one.  Just for the record, I'm already a mama to four, (five, if you include Miss Lily-putins up there); with the last baby being our (ahem) "happy little surprise" (at 43,) so I can say with sincere relief, that we are very much done in that department.

So, moving on...here's the finished slip-cover project!  That I've been trying to get a good clear pix of for days now.  It's been slushy outside with random, fleeting sunlight and I nearly broke my neck running through the house trying to find my camera, hopefully to get a few pictures before the dark clouds loomed large again.  And all because I was shamefully proud to show this off.  OK, I can admit it.  I'm so-o-o happy with this!  Really, it didn't give me too much trouble.  Well. Except for that last seam (it's always that last seam!) that innocent looking seam, that went over the arm and around to the back.  That back was tricky because of the arm bulge that stuck out at the side.  Hard to explain, but somehow, I just couldn't wrap my brain (or the fabric) around that seemingly behemoth shape while trying to fit and pin it in the reversed position.  I fiddled with it every-which-way for most of the afternoon until I finally realized that all I needed to do was sew a few tucks to get the curve I needed to hug that shape. Sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious when you are nose to nose with a thing.  But I worked it out. 

So, anyway, now I'm all set to grab a cuppa and lounge, or faint, which ever I prefer, or just delve into the latest issue of Marie Claire Idees, compliments of biscuit bear in France, who was kind enough to do a little magazine swaparoo with me.  "Martha's on the way dearie!"

Kalamata Olive Quiche

Sunday Brunch never tasted better.

Enter: the kalamata olive quiche.  Sounds dreadful perhaps.  I admit, I too had my doubts.  But surprising things happened when I added the artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, crumbled feta, and mozzarella.

That's just the gist of it though.  The whole recipe is over here. 

Bon Appetit!

Weekend Wonders

Thank you dearies, for the *cake love*.  All that's left of that temptress is a few crumbs and the pictures I posted. And BTW, yes, that was (homemade) raspberry jam filling in the middle.  Talk about good.  Oh my.  I guard those last jars of jam in my pantry like they were gold.  Especially now, as they dwindle, after the long haul of winter.  But, we're almost there.  Only a few more days left of fickle feb and soon we'll be marching toward spring.  I'm already noticing little flower sprouts and bulbs poking their sleepy heads up in the garden, and while we wait patiently for the first bloom, this sweet pink kalanchoe is perking things up around here.  (Thank you again Grace!) I love how easy these succulents are to care for and it's the perfect addition to our indoor windowsill garden, which is, um, looking a wee bit weary about now.  Boy, do I know the feeling!  Think we could all use a little warm sunshine and a new wardrobe of pretty, light flowery things. 

Just Because

We've had just about every kind of weather this week, but waking up to snow was a surprise this morning.  I love watching snow fall, it's so peaceful.  By now, more pictures of snow would just be redundant as the view from my back porch may never again look as magical as this scene.  February, (as I've said before) is a fickle month, and although it's the shortest it always feels like the longest as we anticipate the arrival of spring.   But happily, this week flew by in a flash.  There was fun out-of-town shopping earlier in the week.  At home, everyone was buzzing like bees happily occupied with personal interests. Friends stopped by.  There were a few AH-HA moments for Grace as she unraveled the mysteries of the quadratic equation and realized it was actually less work and easier than pulling up miles of gathering stitches on a 3-tier ruffled skirt she's determined to make herself.  (I try not to be discouraging when a project seems bigger than her limited experience.  Most of the time I'm here within shouting distance if she needs me. (For help with the sewing, not the math...thankfully, that's her dad's department!)   Ginger and I finished reading "Understood Betsy", a sweet story about a nine-year-old girl who realizes that she can think for herself and discovers other truths of the heart.  This book was first published in 1917 by Dorothy Canfield Fisher, (an early proponent of Montessori teaching methods) and it's always been one of my favorites.  I've grown quite fond of "those horrid Putney cousins" out on the farm, along with their lazy, snorting dog, Old Shep. 

I've been busy with quite a few things myself this week (the slip-cover included, see below for the update), but not too busy to bake a cake...apparently. At least we have our priorities straight around here.  Besides, everyone was in the mood for a *Just Because* party.  I was quite pleased with my frosting swirls and studied them for some time, unable to decide if I really wanted to cover them up with a decoration of some kind. The new WS catalog had me wishing for these truffle filled eggs and other exquisite candies to nest on top.  Like this little candy peep set right there in the middle.  It also crossed my mind that I could try and make these edible candied violets, if I could maybe find a few in the garden, but as it was hailing violently outside by this time, I opted to leave my cake plain and do a little photoshop decorating instead.  (This was so fun!  And NO mess afterward. Feel free to clip my cake pictures and decorate them anyway you like.  Be sure and send me a link to your creation and I'll post the ideas you come up with.)

Anyway, as it turned out, it was perfectly wonderful just as it was. 

As promised, here's my progress on the afore-mentioned slip-cover, which is coming along surprisingly fast considering I've been working on it in shifts between visitors, odd jobs, and baking.  Actually, I'm further along with it than this picture shows.  I got the back piece cut out and sewn yesterday.  Just have one more seam to go, then the hem, and it's done!  I'm hoping to wrap it up over the weekend so I can get started making a few pillows to cozy it up. 

Sailing Along

My ship's about to set sail. Yep, there was some serious sewing happening around here on the slipcover yesterday, but no pictures to show of the progress just yet.  It was late and dark by the time I finished fiddling and finessing to get the corners, pleats and intersections just so.  I've been out of the house the rest of the time, taking care of less ethereal matters.  But not to worry, I promise not to abandon ship.  How can I?  There's nothing like committing something to the blog for motivation, now is there?   Which also reminds me that I am sort of over-due in the self-imposed quiche making department.  I've got the K recipe down on paper, have already sent my personal shopper's out for the ingredients, but haven't had time to toss it together.  (Making notes to myself right now.)  Anyway, in between a few responsible moments...there was fun thrifting! This picture was taken on Friday; a collection of white ceramic figurine vases (for the nursery) which gave me happy pause.  And still do.

Steady As She Goes

The piecing of the slip-cover continued over the weekend, although somewhat sporadically.  There were two expeditions that interrupted the progress.  One involving a hike through the woods and the other a shopping trip.  Both very much needed and thoroughly enjoyed.   It's always good to step away from a big project like this once in awhile and take a breather.  Like now. (More about my thrift treasure hunt later.) As for the sewing...all's going well.  I'll try and share more as I go along for those who expressed an interest in it.  Marvelous to see that some of you are on your toes and were able to figure out the blunder in the last post!  Normally, a slip-cover is pinned wrong-side out onto a chair or sofa that has equal sides and proportions.  Because both sides match, it works even though it gets reversed when you turn it right-side out.  In other words, what was pinned on the left arm, fits the right arm and vice versa.  It gets tricky with sectionals and other one-armed pieces like this though, and I should've remembered it before I started pinning.  But no harm done, I just flipped it around and re-pinned it the other way and it came out fine. 

You can see how this is coming together.  I'm working on the back sections now.  There will be three pieces for this; a short one that fits across the front, and a matching back piece that hangs to the floor.  These two pieces will be connected by a narrow gusset that will run the length of the top back.  That's the plan anyway.  Will see how it goes.

 

I'm just measuring and making templates as I go along.  Used recycled brown packaging paper, taped it together to get the length I needed and then traced the backrest curves by turning the chaise over onto the paper. (Paper taped to the wall behind the backrest also works, but my wall wasn't long enough so we improvised.)   

This is what I ended up with for the backrest; this piece faces towards the front.  I like to add length to the parts that can be tucked into creases.  It adds slack, minimizing stress on the seams when you sit on it.  And if there's shrinkage I'm fairly safe.  It is recommended that most fabrics be pre-washed before cutting, but I really find that hard to do, often with so many yards of it, so I choose to do it this way, say a prayer and keep my fingers crossed.  So far, so good.  I should also say that, this post is not meant to be a tutorial, it's just something I'm showing in a conversational way, because sewing slipcovers isn't necessarily quick nor easy, and I don't want to give that impression.  The best advice I can give anyone is to study a number of books on the subject.  Realize too, that directions will be approximate due to furniture styles, shapes, and structural variations.  But the basic construction steps are the same.  If your piece has clean, straight lines it shouldn't be too difficult.  You can always start with a kitchen chair or ottoman to get your tootsies wet. (baby steps!) 

***

So...a few books I've used in the past and can recommend:  Decorating with Fabric (1986) has a short chapter on slipcovers, with fairly good directions and diagrams that cover the basics.  (This was the book I used to make my first slip-cover for an old sofa bed.)  Check your library for it.  Also, Slipcover Magic (1995) which is more comprehensive with lots of styles and projects.  For inspiration, I like Simple Soft Furnishings (2004).  There are a few simple slipcover projects too that look pretty easy for a beginner.  To answer another question, I'm using a medium upholstery weight 60"width cotton twill on the chaise.  I prefer this for bedroom chairs and light slipcovers.  For more durability, on a sofa for instance, I really like natural cotton duck which is heavier.  Both of these fabrics are inexpensive and easy to work with.  Check out this website.  I just noticed that some of the fabrics can even be purchased pre-washed, which I'm taking note of myself for future reference. 

***

OK, that's it for now.  Time to get back to the ship before I lose momentum. 

*

Oh and one more thing (unrelated), no postal service on President's Day; patterns and other packages will ship out Tuesday.

 

Under Cover

My work in progress is also the query of the week.  What's wrong with this picture?  Hint: this is a chaise and it has one arm.  I have several good books on hand for making slip-covers, and have made a few, but never found any how-to's for asymmetrical shapes.  And I'm telling ya, nothing kills happy enthusiasm like having to rip seams, but luckily, I figured it out before I started down the wrong path.  Can you see the blunder I almost made in the first picture?  (Think spatially.)

Sweet Talk

Pink cupcakes topped with candy hearts may be anti-climatic the day after Valentine's Day, but these few were left-over from a party we went to yesterday with friends from our homeschool group.  Ginger, who is nine, has taken a more serious interest in baking lately, and did most of the measuring and mixing using one of my favorite stand-by recipes; Yellow Cupcakes from THE FANNIE FARMER BAKING BOOK.  Page number 378 to be exact; a well-seasoned page to be sure, one that is rumpled and batter-spattered from years of use as (we) continue to turn to it, time and again.  Here's what the author has to say about this recipe: ***"Quickly and inexpensively made, easily put together without an electric mixer, these cakes are a good dessert for any picnic or lunch box.  They also are nice for bake sales and informal buffets.  You can whip them up for an impromptu tea (love that) and have them ready to serve, still warm from the oven, in less than 30 minutes." ***The icing recipe we used, tucked inside our book, is a tear-out from CH magazine (April 2004 issue) calling for Wilton's pastel paste food coloring.)   They topped those cupcakes with edible violets.  Love how sweet they look.  But being Valentine's day and all, we just went with the hearts.

Did you know that these conversational hearts date back to the 1860's?  Had no idea they went back that far. 

Some fun hearts you can make here and here.   These folks will make real customized hearts for you.  And there are these "Bittersweets" for sad disparaging souls.  Which are hilarious, respectively, of course.

And I'm possibly the last to know that candy heart phrases and themes change every year.  For 2007 it's "pet-inspired" with sayings such as, COOL CAT, PUPPY LOVE, TAKE A WALK, MY PET, etc.  (Apparently mine date back a ways.  Do they go bad?) I'd better read on.... there's so much more to know about them here.

Just Browsing

The Mister and I went out for a little fresh air over the weekend, and got caught in a downpour while we were out poking around downtown.  We were both practically drenched before we were able to duck into this thrift shop, which turned out to be an unexpected and happy surprise off the beaten path.   We were primarily looking for an antique armoire for the bedroom, and I had my camera with me in case we found a piece we liked.  Didn't find any furniture we could use in here, but the place proved to be a wonderful source for blog fodder.  This room was so jam-packed I couldn't get near these quilts, blankets, and linens.  I'll have to go back when I'm ready to wade and dig.   I'd like to go through this basket of old sewing patterns too.  Don't the teddies look sweet?  And that crewel pillow is amazing. Another room full of lovely old things. . . 

...and more treasure!  Yes, I'm definitely going to have to go back.

Oooh-La La!

Well, I warned ya:  February is a hard month for me.  I'll most likely be tinting my braids pink and crocheting blue poodles to hide the bathroom tissue next!  Seriously though, I did enjoy making this, particularly the French Knots.  I love the texture they add to embroidery and they also make the sweetest little flower centers and rose buds. They might be hard to master at first, but after you've made a few *good ones*--- you'll no doubt want to make more.  You will, trust me.  Mostly, just to prove to yourself, that you really can do it.  Like I said, they're a bit tricky, but well worth the effort if you want to add a little dimension to your needlework.  I used three strands here, and I wind my thread clock-wise, although you can do it counter-clock-wise because there's no hard and fast rule, just do what is comfortable.  Consistency being key, rather than direction.  The transfer pattern for the Fi-Fi vintage poodle motif is on my website here, but you can use any design and just fill it in with knots.  I did the embroidery first on a 10 x 10-inch scrap of pink cloth, and then cut it out in a heart-shape for my pillow. I added a few pinches of dried lavender in with the stuffing so it smells really good too.  This is the kind of silly little thing that makes a good practice piece.  No one's going to throw you under the bus if you make mistakes, and no matter how it looks, it will still scent your nighties.  So.  If you want to learn something new, take up your needles and follow me over here for an excellent tutorial by the wonderfully talented and generous Janet McCaffrey at Primrose Design, and check out her Stitch School tutorial posts for other common and not-so common embroidery stitches, while you're at it.  I've even learned a few new ones.  Well, time to dash away Dearies---my stitchery, tea, and chocolate peppermint cookies (from TJ's ) are calling....