picnic

When my brother and I were wee folk we used to have these picnics. We laid out a blanket and pulled out all our fisher-price people, some food and got to it.
I saw something like this tablecloth online (sorry I can't recall where) and decided I had to make one too so that Little M and I could re-create this wonderful memory of my childhood days.

The other day while he was napping I set up this little scene with a bunch of his play food and cooking stuff. I tried not to get my hopes up too high that he would like it but, when he saw it his eyes lit up and we had our little pretend picnic. The next day he even pulled it out himself and then I knew he really loved it.

I made this over several days...snippets of time. It was a really fun project and overall it most likely only takes a few hours.

doll clothes

My Mom comes once a week to visit with me and the kids.

Last week she brought me some of my baby clothes- smocked dresses, a pink blouse with bird embroidery, a blouse with lace with a matching bonnet etc. I was jumping with joy.

This week she brought some doll clothes that belonged to her. She doesn't remember what dolls they are for but, they are so sweet I felt compelled to share some of them with you. I adore them so.

Two Plaid Doll Capes


Winter Coat

Dress

Slip


Happy Weekend!

cowl

After seeing Melissa's cowl I was smitten and knew it would be a quick, satisfying and wearable knit. Although I most likely won't be wearing it for several months unless we get a cold snap which I wouldn't be fond of considering all the planting I've done.

I haven't finished the first cowl I started back when it was Winter because I ran out of yarn and have not bothered to buy more of it because I'm secretly hoping my friend who gave it to me might have one more skein. Anna, are you reading?

So, there I was at my new lys and Malabrigo was staring at me and I've been wanting to try this yarn for quite a while now and it was so soft and pretty and so I plopped down my cash and came home with it.

So, here it is and it's so comforting.. a little like your favorite stuffie or blanket when you are little that you carry everywhere.

Dolores Park Cowl
Yarn- Malabrigo Chunky in Damask
Needles - Size 13 24" circular

dresden skirt

I did a bit of sewing (and knitting) this weekend and here is one of the projects that was completed.

An applique using another vintage 30's Dresden plate. The skirt was made to order for me and designed by a lovely small independent girl years and years ago and unfortunately, without a label + my lack of memory I can't say who made it. I believe she was located in Texas. It has a very sweet detail in the back with a ribbon that laces through eyelets and it's been hiding in the back of the closet where is should not have been. This embellishment was perfect for a little pick-me-up. And, to make it even better this skirt is so comfortable on because of the tie it is adjustable.

We had a lovely memorial day weekend. I recovered from my cold and had some fun and relaxed. A few of the highlights included my first trip to both libraries in town and since we were blessed with sun I did some gardening, went on a picnic and dined alfresco several times.

wishing for a nap

So, this week has been a long, hard one for me and I'm so looking forward to the long weekend.

Like Ms. Scarlett O'Hara here I am wishing for a nap.

I've been wanting to say thank you to all my new readers and for all your sweet comments. I wish I could respond to each of you but, since I can't please know that they make my day.

And, now for the good stuff....Jeannie (sorry I can't figure out how to link to you) and Mushroom Meadows you will both be getting a package of goodies from me in the near future. Emails from me are waiting in your inbox so I will just need your address.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone.

alice scarf

It has still been a bit chilly here and I've been admiring scarfs made of fabric for some time so I made this patchwork scarf to bring a little fun to all the solid colors I mostly wear and to keep warm. I used two Alice in Wonderland prints and mixed them with two polka dot prints. The white with black polka dots is the reverse. It is just the three pieces mixed with two of the same on the back sewn with right sides together leaving one end open and then turning right side out & top stitching all around.

One is never too old for Alice in Wonderland

black candy

It's a good thing my Mom is so easy-going because she just got her Mother's Day gift today. Okay, that's not entirely true because I did bake her an awesome apple cake for her visit that day although the lunch was take-out (a little treat for both of us).I knit her three washcloths and gave her a bar of licorice soap from this Etsy shop. She is a huge lover of black licorice which of course makes me think of the song 'Black Candy' by Beat Happening. I thought it was nice and useful and a little bit of fun because my Mom doesn't go for luxury but, this sort of indulgence she may allow herself plus bath/shower time has been ranking as one of my most favorite times of the day being that it's one of the few times I am all alone and with nice soap and a hand knit washcloth (note... must make myself one) it makes all the difference in the world.

The yarn is Debbie Bliss cotton which is just so amazing both the way it feels and the luminescent look of it.

spring branches

My friend Gwynne says in her bio

I am always lured by the dream imagery that haunts me. It is the fruit and essence of my existence, the world that intrigues me most. I have always felt torn, one foot down to earth, the other in the skies.

I too am a sort of person who lives life both in reality and partially in an imaginary world I create. I like to fantasize and romanticize and sort of look at things through fogged glasses sometimes. I feel it is a good quality and close to they way the mind of childhood works or the way you feel deeply immersed when reading good fiction.

With that said, I had picked up some branches on my block a few weeks ago thinking how lovely they were. I'd actually been thinking of doing crafty things with branches for years and decided to go ahead and do something about it. I used vintage and new bits and bobs I had. I love the idea here of incorporating the natural with the illusion of the natural, the fantasy. Then of course, one could also think about the sourcing of the objects here such as spun cotton and paper which is also an interesting aspect bringing it back to the natural.

300 posts

I just realized that my post yesterday marked 300.
So, as a special thank you to my readers I'd like to do a giveaway.
I would like to send out two packages of goodies so leave me a comment and you will receive a special package in the mail sometime in the near future.

The package will include
1) yarn and or fabric so please tell me what kind of stitcher you are
2) a handmade item by me
3) notions

Thanks for reading and good luck.

I hope you will love your present as much as Little M here loved his handknit robot monster I made for his birthday.


I will put names in a hat or use random number generator...something like that.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend. I've gone shopping and done some planting but, mostly I've been telling Mick where to put the seeds while I sit or stand around.

P.S. I will be choosing the two names on Friday so leave a comment by Thursday if you want a chance at one of the packages.

in the garden

I've been spending a lot of time in the garden.

I spent all last Saturday planting both flowers in the ground, pots and whiskey barrels(dahlia, portulaca, geranium, sanvitalia, calibrachoa, snow crystals allyssum...there was a lot more) in the back and vegetables & herbs in the front (romaine, courgette, various tomatoes including the heirloom green zebra, poblano peppers, basil, thyme, parsley...) Oh, I could go on and on. I planted a lot and I've still got a lot more to do. There was also a lot of herbs from last year that returned such as the mint and chives. I have a ton of mint. I plan to spend a little more time out there this weekend planting seeds. Although I have a party to plan and clean/organize for and I've been sick with a cold for a few days now so we will see.

It is certainly hard work and I've seen lots of earthworms...not my favorite thing but they are good for the soil.

It is nice that there was so much beauty already here such as these bleeding hearts and I've got lily of the valley. Swoon.




But, you know I've got to make my footprint as well.






I really really want to pretty up the inside of the house but it's so overwhelming to me at the moment. I've been spending a lot of time here for inspiration.

P.S. The strawberry fields are full of flowers so I should have like a zillion strawberries next month.

dresden plate pillow

I originally posted about these here and while working on the organizing of my fabric I was reminded of my plans for them. However, I skipped over some of my original ideas for my first project. I decided to do a pillow. I liked this red pillow that I had so all I did here was applique the quilt piece on.

I think it came out quite pretty.

vintage pillowcase dress

I completed an order for vintage pillowcase dresses for Mackey Blue this week.
I made three for the store and one for my lovely model here.

This particular pillowcase has had a few incarnations. First, of course, it was a pillowcase, then a skirt for me (I never really wore it) and now a dress for Scarlet.

fabric cabinet

I fear it will be quite a while before the craft room is really organized. I did decide to keep the china cabinet up there and have been busy folding and organizing my fabric when I get the chance. The drawers hold the smaller pieces. Babette, is my fabric librarian and she is from Le Train Fantome. I've had her for quite a while now. She is very sweet.



Here is another corner of my space. You will notice a painting by The Black Apple. It is titled "Lucy on a Windy Day." The cabinet with the lace panel has been around for awhile. It was formerly in our bathroom. The green table was made by my Grandfather and has been painted all sorts of colors and had many purposes over the years. The sewing machine is a Singer and I bought it off Ebay ages ago.

wooly mauve dress

I finished up Scarlet's dress this morning (ok, it still needs a steam) and am totally smitten with it and the color. I've been enjoying a phase of muted shades in baby/kids clothing for quite a while now and so this color was a perfect choice. There is not enough of muted shades out there. The yarn came from Shadyside Farm and the pattern is from here. This was knit up in the 12 month size and I'm envisioning it with a long sleeved tee or turtleneck and tights this Fall/Winter.
The hanger is from Sarah (of course). I couldn't resist it.
Oh, and thanks for the suggestions for the gift certificate. I got all fancy and ordered Liberty fabric because I can never justify spending that much on fabric any other time. I got 2 yards of Orange Enid and 1 yard of Blue Betsy.

$100 at Purl

If you had a $100 at Purl what would you buy? Seriously, I want to know.

This was one of my birthday gifts and it is so so hard to decide but I'm thinking some Liberty fabric and a cutting mat and rotary blade. Considering the fact that I knit doesn't make it easier because their yarn selection is incredible.

It's amazing how $100 used to seem like a lot of money, not that it isn't, but, when it comes to Purl it's just not.