turkey feathers

Marching Out

So, it's the last day of March already!   "In like a Lion, Out like a Lamb"...as the saying goes, with winter and spring in a transitional tussle. Our weather, here in the northwest, was a mixture of hail and sunshine that alternated about every fifteen minutes for most of the weekend.  I don't know how these flowers survived all the battering they got, but I'm glad they did.  I know some peeps out there, that are just dying for a glimpse of spring too, so here's a little peek.This group of Hyacinth emerge early from the ground in the middle of a 'dead zone' of other plants and shrubbery in the backyard, and are quite spectacular-looking standing out there on their own. I appreciate these tiny grape-Hyacinth varieties too, the blues mix so well with the daffodils and other bulbs. The Mister (bless him) cooked all our meals this weekend (with a little help), giving me time to (1) get caught up on some pattern orders, (2) dedicate time to the wool project book, and (3) get reacquainted with my beloved sewing machine.  I've missed the long quiet interludes of contemplative sewing and had some new ideas I was excited to explore.  (More about that later.) It was just what I needed.

It's All About the Details

While half-watching a freaky old b&w movie last night, Bunny Lake Is Missing (1965), I personalized this pair of pillowcases I picked up for a song at TJ Maxx.  Love that place, it's like a retail garage sale, never know what treasure or bargain you're going to find.  I was delighted to find these ultra-lux king cases last week.  Think I only paid about ten dollars for the pair.  Can't beat that.  The color was perfect for our bedroom too, and I brought them home knowing I'd have to cut them down to fit our queen-size pillows.  (Why is it that when you buy queen-size sheets you still get standard-size cases?)  Well, I measured these and they were a whopping 40" long--so cut off about four inches from the ends, and sewed them up again using a sturdy over-lock stitch.  The monograms I used (available on my website) are from an older pattern that had designs on each side, I wanted to keep these simple though, so trimmed that part of the design away before stamping them.  Here are a few tips ::  To place monograms, find the center of the pillowcase by folding it in half lengthwise and press lightly with an iron to make a crease.  Open it up to find the center line.  Then fold your transfer design in half lengthwise matching the edges of the lines as close as possible.  Unfold, and match it up with the crease lines on the pillowcase.  I placed my motifs about an inch above that bottom seam.  Pin if necessary, and then stamp your design with a hot iron.  Work the stitches in a diagonal fashion, using a satin stitch, taking note of the natural flow of written letters and how they overlap.  It didn't make any difference for the G, but was necessary for the V.  Note my stitches aren't perfect, yours probably won't be either, but it's OK.  It's just a pillowcase ya know. After a few washings the stitches seem to find their place and settle in and you won't notice slight imperfections anyway.  AND hopefully any wrong color choices.  Because in the dim light last night, and with the afore-mentioned movie drama distraction, (a seriously weird twist with the broken doll), I thought I'd chosen a taupe color of floss from my thread basket; just noticed this morning that it's actually a lichen shade of green.  Good grief.  DMC #524 to be exact.  I really like it though.  It works beautifully with this shade of blue.  Mistakes can be good sometimes.

Petal Paparazzi

This pretty little princess held her head up today despite rain, snow, sleet, and hail.  We should all be so brave!  The sun also showed its glowing face inbetween all this crazy weather, allowing me just enough time to slip outside and take her picture. Nearby, a fading star demanded equal time.  "I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Demille." Her fans waved enthusiastically.Still,  some were less impressed.

Bread of Friendship

Well, the party's over and I need to put away a "few" decorations.  (You learn to pick your battles.) I really meant to jump back in here sooner.  My new spring regime consists of going to bed early and sleeping late, and although I'm feeling more rested and relaxed, its throwing off my routine.  The day goes by so fast now and before I know it, I'm climbing back into bed again.  Spring may be officially here, but I'm still in hibernation mode.  It's also snowing at the moment, so that just proves my point.  Our Easter Brunch was great btw!  Grace baked yummy carrot-cake cupcakes; I made cinnamon rolls from the Amish Friendship Bread starter we happily received a couple weeks ago.  That stuff is so gross, and smells to high heaven, but it makes some pretty tasty bread.  It arrived in a large zip-loc plastic bag with instructions to "mush the bag" and relieve the gas once a day.  Which we did.  Religiously.  Just in case it exploded or something.  Seriously.  That would not be good.  On the 6th day we added more flour, sugar, and milk.  (The milk sours and accounts for the smell.)  It was ready on day ten.  I scooped out a cupful and added flour, oil, baking powder, and salt to make some pizza dough.  I didn't measure precisely here, just kept adding flour (about 3 cups or so) until the dough was the right consistency.  Then I crossed my fingers and rolled it out.  Happy to report it was really really good.  Both pizzas baked up beautifully.  Did the same thing with the cinnamon rolls, adding a little sugar into the mix this time, and also had pretty good results.  If you ever have the opportunity to try it or want to make some to share with friends, I highly recommend it.  (Visit the above link if you want to find out more about it.) 

Bambi

Easter is early this year and I do seem to be having time issues with that, so we've decided to just keep things as simple as possible around here.  We're planning a mid-day brunch with our collective families so there's a little prep and baking to be done, but before I slip into my apron and get started, I wanted to leave you with a little Spring inspiration.   We rarely see deer during the winter (where do they go?), but they're slowly coming out of hiding again and this little guy was the first to poke his head out.  The girls and I were in the kitchen washing dishes and cleaning up after lunch, and we looked up and there he was just standing there, as still as a statue, just mesmerized.  He stood staring for the longest time. Just watching us.  I'm not sure who was more entertained, him watching us, or us watching him.  Or if he was seeing his own reflection in the glass for the first time.  Maybe thinking his double was a buddy.  He lost his mother, and had been tagging along with another doe and her twins last year, but it looks like he's on his own now and doing fine.  After a little grazing on the hill, he settled down in the vinca vines for a nap.  The vines are scattered with tiny blue flowers now, a sweet sight and a reminder of life anew.  I'll be back next week.  Have a wonderful holiday!

*Welcome Spring*

Bonnet & Blankie

Every time I look out my window lately I see the cutest little baby cottontails bouncing around my backyard.  And naturally, with Easter nearly upon us, bunnies of the *chocolate variety* are on my mind too.  Both were the inspiration for this sweet little set I just finished for grand baby #2 due in a few more weeks.  (The designs are part of my new free-with-purchase embroidery transfers for March/April 2008.)   Miss Thumbelina is my make-shift baby model again, I've got her posing in a picnic basket this time.   I really like the size of this blankie.  I'm calling it that, because it's not really a crib blanket.  It's only about 22" square, the perfect size for a variety of uses, but mostly for keeping baby company and cozy on outings.  Like a security blanket.  Could also be used as a changing-pad in a pinch.  It's cool here in the spring, so I used scrumptious heavy-weight cotton flannel, lined with crisp cotton for both the bonnet and  the blankie.  If you can't tell from the picture, there's a brown bunny in each corner with pink posies in between.  I added one set of flowers to the bonnet to match.  Still using this same pattern for the bonnet, but added eyelot lace to the brim this time.  Some of you already know my penchant for polka dots and I thought they were perfect for this.  The binding :: another use for those wonderful jelly-roll strips :: cut in half lengthwise, with different patterns seamed together.  Love that effect.   

Bird Watching

The weeks following the "spring ahead" time-change is always a bust around here with everyone feeling sleep-deprived and out-of-sorts.  Just keeping all expectations low while we make body-clock adjustments and try to shake off the residual brain fog.  Again.  Grumble-Grumble.  Think we're finally pulling out of it.  The sun keeps peeking out from the clouds reminding us that Spring will officially be here soon and it lifts our spirits.  Flower bulbs are up and waving 'hello'.  Birdsong is abundant.  I see Lily with her face pressed against the windows anxiously awaiting another mild day so she can get back outside again.  She likes to birdwatch with the rest of us.  Our friend John, recently made bird houses from recycled wood (using crate packaging from France) to put up around the area, and gave us a couple of them.  Finally got both up last weekend.  These are primarily for the preservation of the Western Bluebird, which is considered a sensitive species due to loss of natural habitat.  They are darling little birds, part of the thrush family, related to the Robin, and they primarily eat insects which makes them beneficial to the garden.  We've seen them nearby in the woods and also in other locations peeking out from similar birdhouses.  These nesting boxes are made with optimal specifications to attract them, but the English Sparrows sometimes take up residence too. There's a hatch on the side that can be opened to evict them if need be.  I'm not sure I could do that though and hope I never have to make that decision.  Within half-an-hour of erecting the first one, a pair of chickadees was already checking it out, and I started getting nervous.  Fortunately, and to my great relief, they didn't move in.  Grace had her camera at-the-ready and got this picture of one of them peeking inside.   No sign of bluebirds yet, though we remain ever hopeful.  If you have an interest in creating a backyard bluebird habitat, you can read about it here.  See more images in the Bluebirds flickr group.

Tot's Tote

There's just no end to the creativity out there, and here's proof of that.  This darling tote and teddy bear set was made by Mercedes, a turkey feathers reader in New Zealand, who sent me this photo and gave me her blessing to share it on my blog since she doesn't have one (yet).  All this was for her daughter's little friend, who was having a party to celebrate her fourth birthday.  Mercedes used my Hugs & Kisses tote bag tutorial and personalized it with the child's name, then made a matching doll quilt with the left-over scraps.  In fact, she told me that all this was created using what she had.  She purchased the bear though, and used this free pattern tutorial for the dress, compliments of Raggedy Old Annies, along with another old doll pattern for the accessories.  Last I heard, she'd taken the stuffing out of a cushion she wasn't using to make little lambkin.  I just cracked up when I heard that.  Apparently her young daughter found it with the seam open and stuffing hanging out and quickly declared, "I didn't do it!"  Nothing will be safe now...

Quilted Forest

On Saturday we had an opportunity to visit Greenbaum's Quilted Forest, which is just an awesome place in old-town historic Salem, the oldest family-run business in the same location since the 1900's, and recently voted one of the best quilt shops in the U.S. and Canada.  It was my first visit there.  I know, where have I been?  I can tell you, it certainly won't be my last.  I truly could've spent eons in there.  Sorry, no indoor pix, I was too busy gawking.  Had a nice conversation with Sylvia, the third generation owner though, and was happily surprised to find out they [also] have a website with *free shipping* (in the Continental U.S.) on just about everything in the store.  So if you are a PJ shopper like me, or when venturing out isn't so convenient, you can shop from the comfort of your easy-chair, save gas and a few bucks on shipping at the same time.  Love being able to shop "locally" like that.  Still, I must say, it's nice to actually be there in person too, to handle the fabrics, flip through the books, soak in the beautiful displays of handwork hanging from the rafters.  Speaking of which, and as luck would have it, the 2007 Hoffman Quilt Challenge traveling exhibit was on display there and the entries couldn't have been more inspiring, especially since the theme was "Spring".  If you're not familiar with this particular quilt contest (which is quickly approaching its 20th birthday) take note.  Every year a team from Hoffman Fabrics chooses an upcoming fabric design and then issues a challenge to create original designs for dolls, quilts, and clothing.  Entries are juried and a team of judges award winners.  The entries become part of a trunk show that travels around the U.S. and Canada to various guilds, museums, textile shows, and quilt shops.  There's a lot more information about it on their website; see 2008 challenge info here if this interests you.  Just passing it on.

And... on an entirely unrelated but timely topic: the facts are in and I'm not surprised.  Enough of this charade already.  I think this pretty much sums it up in one word. 

Food for Thought

Here's another excuse why I have such a hard time staying on task lately.  The aromas that emanate from the kitchen on a regular basis and find me at the other end of the house, where I work, are hard to ignore.  Not that I'm really complaining, I mean, what's not to like here?  Grace has been working out recipes using spelt flour substitutions and these cupcakes were the successful result of her experimentation yesterday.  Earlier in the week there were chocolate chip cookies.  Which were gone after only two days.  Then brownies, muffins, and pancakes weeks before, and then this pizza (one of two) for dinner last night.  Which was amazing as you can see.  Yes, that IS fresh pineapple.  I'm keeping this girl on my payroll!   Anyway, it's my understanding that spelt flour has less gluten so adjustments need to be made to compensate for that.  Spelt isn't anything new though, on the contrary it's as old as the hills.  Ancient actually.  And possibly better for human consumption in general.  Whole-wheat flour has a tendency to aggrivate our allergies so we've become spelt converts around here now. If you're curious you can read more about it here.  There are many sources and products on the web if you don't have access to it locally.  And recipes too, like this chocolate espresso cake I think we will try next.  I say "we", as in; she bakes, I taste.  Perfect.