turkey feathers

Pixies If You Please

Most of the decorations (inside and out) are up now, there are lovely packages wrapped and ready to be placed under the tree, and others ready to ship, including contest winnings and patterns (thank you for ordering!) The past weekend was a vortex of activity and before I knew it days had passed, including this one.  Now the dust has settled, and I can see and appreciate just how much we've gotten done.  I say we, because everything around here is a collaborative effort.  There's no way I can possibly manage it all by my lonesome  if the Mister and the girls weren't behind me.  Without their help I wouldn't have any time to craft and cook and create all the things I do, let alone keep this blog alive.  It's the old 'divide and conquer' routine that seems to work for us.  We share the load.

The tree is up!  A straight and sturdy prickly pine, that made the whole house smell like Christmas when they brought it in.  We're not particularly into "theme" trees, but this year Ginger expressed a desire to do one, so *elves and pixies* won out since we already have quite a bit of that happening around here.  Most of the decorations I've collected are old, but I think that's part of their quirky charm.  If you put enough lights and shiny bulbs on a tree though, you really can't go wrong either.  I decided to gather a few for a group portrait and made the new blog banner.

We've been decorating our tree a little bit each evening after dinner.  I just bring out another box to pick through.  Eventually we'll run out of ornaments (or tree branches) and will have to call it 'good'.  We're almost there.  I just want to flop in my cozy chair with a hot cuppa, a warm blanket, and stare at it.  This all reminds me of a couple of other things that had me gazing dreamily recently:  Hey Lucy's ultra-cute pillowcase, and this darling doll quilt from Martha Macgiver.  There was so much more too.  Wish I had the energy (and time) to add all the other links I found, but that will have to wait until another day because right now, I really need to get some food on the table.  My turn to cook.

Warm Fuzzies

Spotted on a walk through the woods. Lovely leg-warmers hand-knitted by daughter Grace, for her sister Ginger.

Belly rubs.

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!)

Happy Monday

Delightful things that have me spinning in silly circles today:.1.   Victoria magazine is planning a comeback.  (Read the press release all about it here.) .2.  Mimi Kirchner's adorable fabric postcard babies.   Warning: may cause light-headed dizziness..3.  This website: Apolline a Paris.  I feel a doll-making attack coming on..4.  These cute things.    .5.  The lilacs are in bloom!.Enjoy!

Snapshots

Yesterday: a fun trip to OMSI with the Mister and the girls. 

Today: a Flowering Tea Crab Apple, one of a few in our "secret garden" making a show-stopping display.

Tomorrow: my WIP, (a special-order piece) in red and purple.

NOW: back to the kitchen, where some seriously good baking is going on.

Violette

I never intend for so much time to pass between postings, but alack-alas they do, and before I know it a few days have gone by in a wink.  I really appreciate all who still stop in and drop me a note though.  I read them and I smile.  My heart is happy.  Some of you guessed it was me over here.  Like most people, I don't like having my picture taken, even when I'm the one taking it.  Which I never do, obviously.  Still, I did this awkwardly with my left hand, keeping all vanity intact, to get my good side, but couldn't quite get the angle, which explains why I cut off my chin.  It's a nice chin, but I'll just save that part for another time.  Oh, well, still fun to peek out a little from the shadows after nearly two years of sharing this blog.  When others have done this I've always been surprised by how different they look from how I've imagined them and wonder how I've been perceived: an old wrinkled, white-haired granny sitting in a rocker with her embroidery hoop, maybe?  Well, maybe NOT entirely false.

So.  Anyway. Now that you've seen my face (well, part of it) you may or may not be ready for the rest of me.  But, here she is.  May I introduce you to Miss Violette, my no-hold-bars nemesis!  She arrived yesterday in a great big box that had everyone around here speculating about the contents and when she (literally) popped out of the box, and nearly poked out eyeballs, she was not exactly what they were expecting.  (I'm sure the neighbors were wondering what was going on over here, with all the hootin' and hollerin' emanating from the premises.)  Actually, I found her sort of shocking myself at first, but now we're old gal-pals, Vi and me.  She's my Uniquely You dress form, that lets "You See Yourself as Others See You", good or bad that's the deal, and she's here to help me style some new duds.  Does anyone else have one of these?  I can't believe how much I love her!  She's made out of soft polyurethane foam and comes with a "cocktail dress" that zips up the back.  You pin it snugly onto your body to conform to your shape, sew it, and then fit it on the form.  The neat thing is, you can refit the dress if your shape changes, or buy additional sizes to alter for another person in the same size range.  Grace helped me pin and fit it, which was a little weird, and humbling, because Violette didn't hold anything back.  Big reality check ladies.  And, to my eye, we are looking rather matronly.  But I suppose, that is as it should be and I'm really OK with that.  Still.  Have to have the robe for modesty sake, cuz I'm not ready to let anyone else see me standing naked in the middle of the room.  Let's spin the old girl around and take a gander at the backside.  Hmmm...so that's how it is.  I always wondered.  Interesting. 

Well.  If I can cover a chaise, I should be able to do this, right?

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.

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.

The Handwork of Others

Isn't this the sweetest face? It's the spitting image of my dear old mother as I remember her when I was small.  I found her a few days ago (sitting on a Christmas tree branch) tucked inside a little cottage off the beaten path called, The Vintage Roost.  It's the most charming little place, full of all manor of things that are collected or handmade by twenty-five friends; then all these wonderful things are offered for sale a few times a year. 

The lady who owns the shop made this doll from vintage pieces of lace and polka-dot flannel, and I just love everything about her, especially the hair.   (Grace inherited her grandmother's wild curls but not the color. )  I know mom would get a kick out of this if she were alive to see it.

This is the little doll quilt that another dear redhead, made and sent me a while back.  Ginger snatched it up as soon as she saw it though and put it to use right away.  And can you blame her?  One must keep ones doll's toes warm mustn't one?  I finally got a picture of it while she was out playing with a friend today.  I love the tiny stitches. 

On the other side of town... a table outside a second-hand shop offered these items for free.  (My lucky day!) A few of the glass ornaments are hand-painted.  The stockings were homemade, and although a bit time-worn are still sweetly nostalgic.  They've got rusty metal bells hanging from the green bows.  The embroidered pine springs are a nice touch too.

And a surprise gift from Tabetha (aka minnie pumpkin) who makes these adorable pendants and charms.  Just how cute is that turkey?  The back has a little message that says, count your blessings.   And I do.  Thank you!!   

Around the House

It was mostly a hygge weekend around here.  I love this concept.  Can't stop thinking about it now that there's a name for it.  Equivilent maybe, to our idea of "nesting"?  The only outings this weekend consisted of a visit to the pumpkin patch and the paint store, resulting in pumpkin carving and more painting.  Plus there was a quick trip to a friend's house to help erect a 200 lb., nine-foot metal sculpture that was a commissioned piece,  sight unseen, and required three men to steady it.   The Mister and I picked up a couple of movies while we were out:  The Lake House (still trying to wrap my brain around this one) and Garrison Keillor's, Prairie Home Companion (crude humor with an interesting peek behind the scenes at radio show-biz folk.)    And in case you thought you felt an earthquake here in the northwest, that was just the Beaver fans rushing the field after the home team won over USC on Saturday.  There was some fabulous cooking happening in between all this too.  This time it was Broccoli Quiche, the second addition to my A-Z Quiche Cook-Off.  I added sweet red peppers, onions, and bacon with provolone cheese.  Scrumptious.  And very festive if you want something red and green for a holiday brunch.   

I also spent some time curled up with this fabulous new book just out last month simply called, The Apron Book, by EllynAnne Geisel.  I really REALLY loved this book, from it's glossy orange end-papers and everything in between.  And that kind of surprised me because, when I was first approached by McMeel Publishing to review the book, my first thought was, "great idea, but how much can you really say about an apron?"  Well, actually,  quite a lot. I think the subtitle sums it up nicely:  "Making, Wearing, and Sharing A Bit of Cloth & Comfort".   The entire book is a feast for the eyes too and so beautifully done, I found myself going back to it, over and over, whenever I needed a respit from the rigors of the day.  I particularly enjoyed reading the personal apron stories and taking a closer look at the ingenuity and details of the older designs and what inspired them.  For instance, there's so much more to an apron pocket than meets the eye.  I'd never really thought about it before, but it's these little details that inspire us.   Because, remember, "Necessity is the Mother of Invention" for most things, and it's always interesting to me how and why ideas come about, even with something as humble as the apron.  In fact, there is quite a long history here along with little happy doses of nostalgia.  Plus patterns!  Along with apron construction how-to's, a few recipes sprinkled here and there, its also complete with a darling bib-apron pattern inside, so you can make one yourself.  I think that's such a sweet and generous gift. Certainly worth the price of the book anyway.  It's a simple, basic design, so even if you've never sewn an apron in your life, this would be a great starter project for a beginner.  So.  If you are enamored with apron-love, or have a friend who is, I think this would make a great gift, accompanied of course, with a home-sewn apron or a vintage one.  Which reminds me of this one Cassi sent me last year.  I just got it out again because it's so perfect for fall.  I love the autumn colors and the pictures of beeskeps, covered bridges, and waterwheels.   Images that bring a connection from my past into the present time.

I'm definitely in the mood to make some new aprons now.  Just need to decide which ones.  So many choices!