turkey feathers

Feast for the Eyes

We are having some seriously nice weather here for May making it VERY hard to be inside for any length of time, because who knows how long it will last.   The girls and I got out yesterday though, and met friends at one of our favorite nurseries, this little oasis tucked away out in the hills about twenty or so miles from home.   First of all, don't even ask me what the names of all these plants and flowers are.  There were hundreds of varieties, and most were tagged but after awhile I couldn't see straight.  So much to take in.  Made my head spin and my eyeballs twirl.  All I can tell you is, we just marched around making exclamatory noises like a gaggle of geese.   I was so overwhelmed that I came home empty-handed (which is probably a good thing; remembered my resolve to think things through before I plant more stuff).   Grace bought Lady's Mantle, and Ginger bought a carnivorous plant, that she's since been feeding little green "spittle bugs" to, with maniacal glee.  (hey. you're only a kid once and besides, the plant does need to eat.) 

Anyway, the Peonies are in season now and they had some beauties.  Hard to tell the actual scale from this picture, but this was nearly a foot across.   I kid you not, it was huge.  Like a dinner plate.

The color glowed on this one, causing everyone to gasp. 

More eye candy and more drooling.

Pretty pinks and squeals of delight.

I wonder if deer would eat these? I know I wanted to.

Speaking of that...update:  The deer still haven't touched any of my roses (or any other flowers for that matter) after spraying them with the magic concoction.   Isn't that just the best news?  Just look how they're taking over that bench outside.  No one around here has the heart to trim them back either now that they've finally made it this far.  It looks like they're headed for the back door though, so I might re-think this at some point.  Especially because the red and white roses behind the pinks are also starting to wake up and blossom.  I can't remember the last time I saw those in bloom either.  It's all so pretty and exciting around here!  Dawn made the pretty banner bunting from old quilt blocks, appropriately called, Grandmother's Flower Garden.  How perfect is that?

Stepping Into Summer

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer, though it seems at times, the weather can't quite make up its mind.  But so far it's looking good and we had a great weekend celebrating its arrival.  There was a full day of gardening on Saturday, so much that I could barely stand upright at the end of the day.  Nothing a hot bath couldn't fix though.  Most of  Sunday was spent dashing about in the kitchen making crock-pot chili and potato salad for a family BBQ, and much baking.  Including these sweeties (see below) for Grace's "Sweet 16"  craft-tea party yesterday, which was part craft fest, and then a more refined luncheon inside, with table settings of silver, crystal (water goblets), and the blue and white "china".  Such fun.  I've had these dishes (Ming Tree) since the Mister and I were married, almost 26 years now, so I guess that makes them...and, um, us..vintage...but I still really like them.  There's just something classic about blue and white dishes and I've hung onto these as other sets have come and gone.

The vintage tea cloth was a gift from a dear blog reader (thanks again, Marcia!) who found inspiration here while she was recovering from cancer treatment last year.  I think of her and her courageous spirit every time I look at it, and am touched and happy to know that my blog, apparently can be a light for someone who's in a dark place.  Although that thought, is making it hard now as I contemplate my next move.  Which is to sign-off for the summer.  It's time.  I need to plant a vegetable garden, build a new chicken coop, take some relaxing trips,  get back to a few house projects I've let slide, and do a lot more entertaining.   The PatternBee website and Esty shop will continue to be open and updated from time to time, and the blog archives will still be accessible, I just won't be yakking about anything new here (after the end of this week), until Labor Day.  In the meantime, I'll be a busy bee!!  And when I return, I'll hopefully have something new to bring to the conversation.

So.  Now let me tell you about these cupcakes.  Oh my.  What is it about tiny pink cupcakes anyway?   Can we ever get enough of them?  I say not!  What we have here is a standard simple white cake recipe,  poured into greased mini-cupcake tins (without papers).  Then I turned to Wilton's for the  quintessential Buttercream Icing recipe, my favorite, because it always turns out perfect for piping or decorating and holds its shape beautifully.  For the icing swirls I used my open star cake tip #22, starting at the outside edge and working toward the center in a continuous circle.  Very easy.  Wilton Icing color: pink #256, in varying shades.

The cake part of the cupcake was only a mouthful, mostly a vehicle for all the delicious fluffy icing.  Yum.  I see a lot more of these in my future.    Lots.

FAQ Friday

Welcome to FAQ Friday. This is where you will find answers to questions concerning my projects, patterns, and other things you may wonder about. You can ask questions in the comment box or email them to me and I will select random topics each week to reply to here. If you want a link back to your website or blog just ask. I'll try and let you know if your question has been selected earlier in the week, or just check back here Friday for the answers if you're shy (tee hee) and don't want to post an email address. Before asking a question, check here first to see if it's already been addressed. OK, that's it! Here are this week's picks:

Q.  I love your website and all the vintage embroidery patterns, thank you so much for sharing them. Do you know where I can find flour sack tea towels to embroider on? Thanks, Sherry

A.  I've found a number of sources on the Internet, here, here, and here.  Some people like to make their own towels out of birdseye cotton (diaper fabric) and huck toweling, both available by the yard at most fabric super stores.  Both will shrink quite a bit, so buy extra with that in mind.

Q.  Your quiche recipes never fail me, I've clipped them out and save them.  Will you be adding more soon? Jean

A.  As a matter of fact, I've just added "L" to the list in the side-bar album. This one's a yummy springtime Leek and Carrot Quiche.  Another hearty meatless dish and a great way to use leeks. Hope you enjoy it!   

Q.  Hi,  I love reading your blog and all the things you make are so lovely. Ellanora, the elephant doll has sent me on a search for elephant doll patterns. Which pattern did you use for her and could you tell me where to purchase it? Thank you, Lee

A.  I used an older Simplicity Crafts pattern #7140 created by Faith Van Zanten in 1990, and modified it a bit.  Your best chance of finding this pattern would be to search any number of auction sites, including ETSY.

Thank you for the quiltie-love. Sounds like those white backgrounds are just as scarce as I thought. Yoo-Hoo fabric designers, more white backgrounds please. We have a pretty busy weekend planned and it looks like good weather is sticking around for it so far. I think it reached 80 degrees yesterday, we were out in the yard working 'til sundown. I'm feeling happy because the "fortress" is almost finished. We hired someone to roto-till and The Mister finished the gates yesterday. He's going to start building the raised-bed frames today. We're also throwing an early birthday party and BBQ with family and friends for Grace on Memorial Day; she's going to be "sweet 16" in another week, which I can hardly believe, and driving a car now too. (I feel gray hairs sprouting as I speak.) How quickly they grow up. So dearies, I've got a lot to do; time to tie on my apron and get cracking. Hope everyone has a super-dooper weekend!

Dolly's Delights

Our own lovely Miss Grace has been busy over here, whipping up more petite confections.  These sweeties, fresh from the dollhouse bakery, are for Jenny.  (Warning:  a visit to her site may send you into a diabetic coma! Happily so.)  These are the teeniest cupcakes ever.  I can't even fathom this, and yet here they are.  Each one is about the size of a blueberry, the platter an inch-and-a-half in diameter.  I want to gobble them down in one bite.  But I won't, I promise.  They'll be on their way soon, right after I stop drooling and staring at them.  Besides, Grace would kill me!  She's worked meticulously on them for weeks now.   

And here's one of my latest doll quilts: 12" x 12" (approximately).   I'm really so fond of  this block pattern made by simple strip-piecing.  Little embroidered bunny is from this old pattern set.  The blue and white flower print fabric, was picked up from a thrift store for 25c.  There was just a handful, not enough to do much with, except, make a doll quilt of course.  For which, it worked perfectly.  I'm always on the lookout for floral prints with white (not cream) backgrounds, but they are so hard to find for some reason.   Is this the case or am I just not looking in the right places? 

At Your Service

Head Cook, third in command: 

" Her first duty, in large establishments and where it is requisite, should be to set her dough for the breakfast rolls, provided this has not been done on the previous night, and then to engage herself with those numerous little preliminary occupations which may not inappropriately be termed laying out her duties for the day.  This will bring breakfast hour of eight, after which, directions must be given, and preparations made, for the different dinners of the household and family." 

~Mrs. Beeton (1861)

I'm still here with my nose in the afore mentioned household management book.  It's been years since I took it down from the bookshelf, other than to dust it off, but now I'm looking at it again with re-newed appreciation and insight.  The attention to detail is amazing.  The print is so small though that I'm having a hard time reading it.  I have to put on my glasses and read through a big magnifying glass.   Granted my eyesight isn't what it used to be, but still.   It's also exceedingly chunky because of it's size, just 4 x 7-inches, so it won't lie flat and my wrists give out after awhile of  forcing it open.  Insert: loud cracking complaints from the book-spine.  (Ouch!)

I'm glad some of you had a chance to watch the program, and thank you for alerting me to the biography that's out now.  I'm adding it to my reading list.  I'm nearing the end of Astrid and Veronika, at the moment.  Another tragic tear-jerker.  Oh my.  It's books and stories like these that can make us thankful for so many things.  Fortunately, (for balance sake), Ginger and I are reading this book together, which is beautifully written (I highly recommend it) and light-hearted, although life deals Ida and her family a few blows too.  But we are nearing the end now and things seem to be sorting themselves out.  One of the things I love about children's literature, is the inevitable conclusion and the happy ending.  Eventually, we all learn that real life is not always so neat and tidy, but without an occasional happy ending, where is the hope?  I'm simple.  I like my stories and movies that way too.  Just knowing that certain things are possible is very encouraging somehow. 

Like chicken servants.  Aren't these two cute?  I'd hire them to do my cooking in a heartbeat.  But for now I will just have to be content with them gracing my dishtowels.  Janet shared the patterns with me months ago (thanks again) and I finally got them done.  You can find them here on her website.  OK.  Off to find a scullery maid now. 

Household Management

I was standing in the kitchen yesterday, waiting to pull toasted garlic bread out from under the broiler, when I happened to look across into the next room and saw this illuminated scene through the window.  My camera was sitting on the counter, so I quickly snapped a few pictures, using the zoom, but this is the only one that sort of came out.  You get the idea anyway.  As the sun was going down it lit up this spot outside.  From inside the dark room, the flowers looked like  they were glowing.  It made me so happy.  Especially seeing that the Mister's magic concoction that I sprayed on the lupine last week, to deter the deer, was apparently working.  So, yes indeedy, a happy moment.

After dinner, I finally had a chance to sit back, grab my sewing, and watch my DVR recording of "The Secret Life of Mrs. Beeton" that aired on PBS Masterpiece Theater this past Sunday.   What a tragic tale it was too, did anyone else catch this?  Were you surprised to learn that "old" Mrs. Beeton was actually a young newlywed of 21 when she began the monumental task of compiling this exhaustive study of household management for the common woman?  The likes of which would make even our own dear Martha pale in comparison, (and that's saying something).  I picked up this facsimile in the early 70's, but the original was published in 1861 in London, where she resided with her husband/publisher Samuel Beeton.  It's a stout fascinating little tome of over a thousand pages, with as many recipes, and covers a multitude of subjects.  From the cover page, "Comprising Information for the: mistress, housekeeper, cook, kitchen-maid, butler, footman, coachman, valet, upper and under housemaids, lady's maid, maid-of-all-work, laundry maid, nurse and nursemaid; monthly, wet, sick nurse; also, sanitary, medical, legal memoranda; with a history of the origin, properties, and uses of all things connected with home life and comfort."  And so much more.  Makes me plain tired just thinking about it.  Anyone who's home managing things knows this list, but it makes it seem harder to fathom, I think, when it's all laid out in black and white.  We do wear many hats!

I don't believe Mrs. B herself had more than one or two domestics at the time, but nothing was apparently left out.  If anything, this woman was thorough.  The recipes are curious, and are at the heart of the book, even though she herself was not, at her age, an experienced cook.  Isabella borrowed from other books and unknown sources and meticulously prepared things in her own kitchen, made notations for each, particularly measurements and exact cooking times, which is to her credit, because that had never been done before and was quite evolutionary in the history of cookbooks.  Some of the advice is hilarious of course, as most quaint things are through modern observation.  But most of the recipes hold up.  I might even try a few for fun.  Hmm..let's see, Fairy Butter looks interesting, and here's one for Fried Parsley (I might skip that one), but the Damson Tart looks promising...anyone know where I can find a damson?  Um.  What is a damson?  Oh, apparently I only needed to scroll down the page to find that out, there's a nice notation with a picture and how to grow it and where it comes from, etc, etc.  More than I'll ever need to know to bake the pie, but there you have it.  Knowledge is power!  I'll be on the lookout for damson's now.  (Check your local library for a copy of the book.)  Now. I'd better get busy. 

Catching Up

"Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul

and sings the tune without words,

and never stops, at all." 

~Emily Dickinson

After this last post, I realized that I was way overdue in the show-and-tell department around here, with regards to swaps, works, talents, and just the amazing generosities of others.  So I thought it was time to thank some people and share pix of all the loot I've been finding in my mailbox these past few months...like handmades I've ordered from other indie crafters, and wonderful little surprises from very thoughtful blog pals out there who send me things "just because."    Like this sweet fabric postcard from Janice that arrived as a 'thank you' after I did a custom mini-quilt for her, in purple-and-red.  How nice was that?  VERY nice, I say.  The darling felt bird is from Pookie and Fig.   I just love this little guy!  I've been waiting for others to show up in her ETSY shop, (hint-hint) especially after seeing pictures of them with flower parasols on her blog.  Oh, please make more!  This one needs a friend, or two, or three...

 

More handcrafted goodness in the form of fabric postcards from Mimi.  OMGosh these are so cute!  I was thrilled to be the first in line to get this babe with the vintage embroidered nightie.  Her work is amazingly detailed.   There might be a few left here, plus other adorable things.  If not, I think you can still get a set of cards with all the designs.   It was all so nice, and she sent me a bundle of cotton prints tied with rick-rack flower trim too!   I can't wait to do something with them now.  A nice note arrived with a package of assorted tea bags from Rachel.  I can't get over how sweet you peeps are!

And I was so thrilled to win the Valentine's give-away on Mo's blog back in February (my goodness how time flies), and this is what she sent me.  I can't believe how much I love her stuff.  Everything is so incredible sweet.  Find it all over here on her website. 

More sweetness!  I couldn't resist these lavender sachet pillows made from vintage hankies and buttons from Primrose Design.  They made the most perfect Valentine's gifts for the girls.  They've been enjoying them ever since.  Me too!  Boy do they smell good!  (Had to order the big pillow for myself.)  Thanks Janet!   Check out her shop and the new/vintage embroidery designs she's offering as traceable patterns. 

And going back even further, um, this is sooo embarrassing.  I'm like the turtle, I get there eventually.  This was just some of the sweet treasure that arrived from blog pals in January.  The fox pattern, boy paperdoll fabric and needlecase is from LK.  I don't know how she does all that she does with her "two littles" AND a baby.   I loved this post she wrote about motherhood, and her blog is a treasure of resources.  The January note and teensy-weensy card and envelope came from the crafty-hands of Amanda R. who is a big supporter of Grace's mini-treats.  So cute!  This book, full of inspirational quotes, was a gift from Bonnie, who also included a beautiful card, a feather, a bookmark, a pressed flower, a tea bag from Harrod's, and the above quote.  I love her creative thoughtfulness.  She told me in her note, that mine was the first "stranger blog" that she'd ever commented on.  I take that to heart.  I really do.  The adorable red polka-dot fridge magnet was purchased from Charlotte's Etsy shop.  I had just discovered her blog at that time, and had to buy something made from her own two hands since she is one crafty gal that I greatly admire.  And besides, how cute is this?  Her books are wonderful too, I think I have every single one!  And I'm not just saying that, I've had them for quite awhile now actually. 

Yes, this IS a Christmas Cat, BUT all this only just arrived on Saturday.  (I swear it did!)  It's from the new issue of The Cross-Stitcher, their Christmas 2007 preview issue that just hit the newsstands.  My blog pal, Pam Kellogg, of Kitty & Me Designs, who creates the most delicious Victorian inspired crazy-quilt blocks I've ever seen, and who generously offers step-by-step guidance for anyone choosing to follow along, also designs counted cross-stitch designs for craft magazines.  She contacted me about a year ago, with a request to do a pattern of our cat, Lily, from this picture she saw on my blog, and this is what she came up with.  She was nice enough to send me the pillow proto-type too, that made me tear-up when I saw it.   I told Pam I thought she captured Lily's essence perfectly.  We will cherish this always.  (I've already got it hanging up too, I'm not waiting for Christmas to display it!) 

Ok, I'm all caught up now.   That feels better.  I just hope I haven't left anyone out.  If I did, I sincerely apologize, but please know that your offerings of friendship are always greatly appreciated even if they don't happen to make it onto the blog.  (Time to go, I think I hear the mailman coming around to the back door again.  Oh goodie!)

Simply Marvelous Mail

The mailman was smiling when he brought the big pink polka-dot box with butterfly stickers all over it, around to the back door.  I'm sure he thought it was someone's birthday.  I thought it was mine when I saw it, but then I remembered it was only May, and not September.  I did a little swaparoo with Calamity Kim;  a mini-quilt for an apron, and this is what she sent me.  Oh my.  Such sweet generosity from one of the nicest (and sometimes most hilarious) blog pals on the planet.

Every package held something special.  Packages within packages, all wrapped in delicious scraps of cloth and yummy trims.  This treasure box was for Mother's Day.  (How sweet is that?) It was packed with many, many delightful things too.  I was (and still am) so touched by it all.  There were...things like....

...vintage hankies, seed beads, mica glitter, a flower pin, darling little miniatures for the dollhouse, a tiny paper umbrella, alpha deck of letter cards;  I just sat on the floor and took my time opening every little thoughtfully wrapped present and feeling totally spoiled.

Another package held a very cute heart-shaped pincushion on a stand. Everything seemed to be sprinkled with flowers and butterflies.  And I hadn't even gotten to the package with the apron yet. 

Which was exquisite...and was sprinkled with flowers and butterflies...and fairies, and birds, and lace, and yo-yo's, and all kinds of the sweetest things.  After I calmed down and stopped screaming, I just sat and held it, staring at every minute detail for the longest time.  Grace happened to walk into the room then, wearing the perfect outfit (I thought), so she got to model for me.  I think I'm gonna have a heck of a time wranglin' this sweet nellie away from her though.  Especially now that she's noticed it's reversible, with CUPCAKES on the other side.   Yes, I may have some trouble on my hands people.  Maybe we can share it.  Um...Yoo-Hoo...Gracie-e-e-e, do you think I might have a turn wearing it now?  Pretty please...

 

Well.  I just couldn't be more pleased with this.  Thank you so much, Kim!  (I owe you big time now Dearie.  Need any vintage embroidery patterns?)  Check out the apron in more detail over here.  And while you're at it, take a gander at the new flickr group Kim started, appropriately called, Doll Quilt CrAzY, and add your wee-quilt pix if you have them.  (I need to go do that now.)

FAQ Friday

Welcome to FAQ Friday.  This is where you will find answers to questions concerning my projects, patterns, and other things you may wonder about.    You can ask questions in the comment box or email them to me and I will select random topics each week to reply to here.  If you want a link back to your website or blog just ask.  I'll try and let you know if your question has been selected earlier in the week, or just check back here Friday for the answers if you're shy (tee hee) and don't want to post an email address.  Before asking a question, check here first to see if it's already been addressed. OK, that's it!  Here are this week's picks: 

Q.  I love your mini quilts. When in the process do you do the embroidery? On the muslin before the square is cut? After the top is pieced? Or does it matter? You've inspired me.  Linda N.

A.  Thank you Linda!  I tend to do things off the cuff as I'm going along, but I think the best advice is to do the embroidery first.  Make sure you stamp or draw your design on a piece of cloth that is larger than your embroidery hoop so it can be stretched taught as you work.   Press it from behind to remove any wrinkles, and don't forget to include a 1/4" seam allowance all the way around before cutting it to the desired size. 

Q.  Do you sell the items on your website or patterns to make them?  I am interested in purchasing the Mixed Bag, and several other items I saw. Thanks, Melonie.

A.  Hi Melonie, I used to make and sell things on my sister website, scrap.happy, but I found that managing another site on top of my PatternBee biz, took more time than I had to devote to it properly.  For now, the few items I still make can be found in the Etsy shop I share with my daughter Grace.  The bags and other items I've shown on my blog were made without patterns, (unless noted) and at this time, I have no plans to design and sell patterns for them.

Q.  I have really enjoyed reading all your posts & looking at your photos! Such colorful creativity! So many great links too. I'm curious about the swaps you do, how do you find out about them - do you use swapbot at all? Thanks so much. Smiles, DianeM :)

A.  Thank you Diane, I'm happy you're enjoying my little corner of crafty blogland!  Swaps are fun but totally random with me. I've never used swapbot, or join groups anymore.  I've had to find a balance by setting priorities and time limits for certain things, and tend to connect with blog pals individually if there's a shared interest in something.

I can't beleive this week is drawing to a close already, it seemed to go by too fast, but I think I got most of the things done that I wanted to do.  Poor Miss Ginger woke up with a sore throat first thing Monday morning, thwarting our field-trip plans to visit the OG.  By Wednesday though, she was feeling better and we were able to hook up with friends a couple times this week.  My gal-pal Missy, (who sells this wonderful fiber-wrapped felted handmade soap), has a very cute  'new addition'  to her family.  One of her alpaca's had a baby (called a "cria") ten days ago, and we saw it for the first time yesterday.  I forgot my camera, but I couldn't get a better picture than the one she sent me of little Neopolitan here, napping with his face to the sun.   She had a few baby chicks hatch out too, they were so cute.   Talking and thinking about all this reminds me that the new PatternBee "Signs of Spring" bonus transfer, is up on the website now, inspired by all the hatchlings and early flowers.  I'm looking forward to a little garden action this weekend.  We're all set for an afternoon delivery of top soil today.  Can't wait to dig in the dirt now!  (It takes so little to entertain me sometimes.)

   

All Or Nothing

Isn't this pretty?  It's one of those ingenious hanging berry pots, I bought from Cynthia's organic farm stand a few weeks ago.  This is how it looked right after I brought it home.   I love it and have been fussing over it since, moving it around to various sunny spots on the patio, perhaps hanging it a little too low at times, but I was keeping a close eye on it.  Or, um, I thought I was.  Yesterday it was really loaded with juicy ripe strawberries and as I passed by it, I was gleefully thinking to myself that I would finally pick them.  Unfortunately, I got busy with a few things first and put it off just a few moments too long.  Big mistake.  Every berry was gone, (along with half the plant) when I went back.  Yep, you guessed it.  We had visitors when my back was turned.  The deer, (two bucks) even had the gall to lounge around on the grass after wards gloating, patting their bellies and licking their chops and would not leave.  (And why should they?  We hand out free strawberries here afterall.) Talk about wearing out your welcome.  First the purple lupine, then the strawberries.  Boo-Hoo-h--o-oo.  If it sounds like I'm whining, I SO am.  (You should hear the pitiful sad sounds I'm making behind the scenes here just re-living this in the telling.)  pooh.

But, (sniff), there's still a bit of GOOD NEWS:  the roses have not been touched.  Not a single bud or flower has been munched.  So it's not all bad. And that can only be attributed to the Mister's Magic Concoction.   I truly hope so anyway, because several folks have been asking for the recipe, which we are happy to share, I just don't want to make any wild claims.  Ya know, just in case. 

Deer Repellent Mixture

To 1 quart spray bottle add:

1 beaten egg

1/4 cup milk

1/4 teas. dish soap liquid

1/4 teas. vegetable oil

5 drops clove oil (available at craft or health food store)

Water to fill container after all ingredients have been added.

It's recommended to spray this mixture once a month, but I have been misting a few times a week, because I'm still not totally convinced this is all it takes.  So far it does seem to be working though.  Just for fun, I'd love for anyone else to give it a try and tell us what your experience is with repelling deer, bugs, slugs, aphids, or whatever you discover it's good or bad for. 

So dear ones, that concludes our garden tour for this week.  I hope you enjoyed it.  Thanks for coming along.  I'll be back tomorrow with another FAQ Friday, which includes a sneak peak at my latest mini-quilt WIP.