Classroom Cutie: Custom Kid Gift

These fleece stockings were delivered to students filled with candies from teacher. 

T-Shirt Quilt: Headed to BYU

T-Shirt Quilt: Boy Scouts of America

Pattern Review: McCall's 6066

Recent project using McCall's pattern 6066. It's a youth skirt for girls. I tried the F cut and found it to be simple to follow, not difficult, and easy to modify. This skirt is basically a circle skirt and it great for twirling little dancers.

I used an IKEA home dec fabric (the vegetable pattern) and a simple gingham in tablecloth check size. The piping along the bottom of the skirt is bias tape I made from scraps. 

Quilt: Go Confidently

Custom Quilt: To Space and Beyond

Vintage Fabric: Peter Rabbit Panel Book Page Quilt

Vintage Fabric: Police Officer Panel Book Page Quilt

Vintage Fabric: Zoo Animal Panel Book Page Quilt

T-Shirt Quilt: Soccer Star

Ill-Advised

Let's review a list of ill-advised kitchen implement purchases I have made.

No. 1: The mini muffin pan. Once upon a time I went to someone's house for a playdate and they served miniature carrot cake with raisins muffins as refreshments. I decided this was super cool so I used a 30% off coupon to buy one for myself. I have made miniature muffins one time. That is when I realized that my children don't have miniature stomachs. They ate 26 muffins each and I realized that I could have fed them much more efficiently if I had baked normal sized muffins. Also, I don't actually like baking muffins.

No. 2: The super awesome pizza stone. This seems like a home run. We eat pizza at least once a week. Usually home made or at the very least take and bake from Papa Murphy's – which is to say we’ve made our own pizza like one time in the past year and picked up pizza at a take and bake place almost once a week since 2004. You don't need a stone. But I have a rather heavy, super-duty pizza baking stone in my cupboard. Let’s not overlook how hard it is to find a cupboard that can accommodate its girth.

No. 3: The eggs Benedict pan. If I remember correctly, I paid a measly $16 for a pan that was designed to make it easier to make eggs Benedict. I have never even tried, not once. I bought the pan because I love eggs Benedict; it is usually the thing I order from a restaurant when I eat breakfast out. (Well, when I'm not ordering biscuits and gravy.) I love the dish so much that I'm afraid to try cooking it and ruin it in my taste memory forever. Also, I'm lazy.

No. 4: The 3-shapes melon baller from Crate&Barrel. Ummmmm, I’m allergic to all melons. True story. But I actually bought myself the melon baller set from CB. Just once I would like to go to a party and notice they have balled their melon into star shapes and beehive shapes. Come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I saw melons balled at all, is this a  trend of the past?

And while we're at it, let's make a list of kitchen implements that I was given but would never have purchased nor seen a need for. And since owning have learned that they are remarkably useful and worth every penny. I'll be listing these in reverse order so as to be a little more dramatic.

Fourth Runner Up

The egg white separator.

Don’t actually buy one of these. But the Pyrex set that includes one. It actually hooks onto the side of the Pyrex measuring cups so you can divide your eggs from their yolks, hands free! Yes, that’s fancy. But I actually like mine. Surprise.

Third Runner Up

The salad spinner.

Even in the days of pre-washed salad bags the salad spinner is a must. I’ve gone through a couple of these in the past decade. I really can’t live without one. But they are a pain to store in the kitchen.

Second Runner Up

The apple corer slicer dicer.

I have children under the age of 8, of course I use this to slice apples. Everyone knows that when your children start loosing their teeth an apple is the last thing they will bite into. I also use them (yes, I have more than one) to cut up onions for fajitas and stir fry. But do not, I repeat do not try it on potatoes. That will not work and will result in you buying a new apple corer slicer dicer. If you are in the market for such a thing, don’t blow your budget. Just pick one up at the dollar store or IKEA. Those are honestly just as good.

First Runner Up

The salad scissors.

I use the salad scissors to cut up big pieces of greens. I also use it to cut up hot dogs – well, actually I did that more when my little kids were at risk of choking on hot dogs. I use the salad scissors to cut just about anything that needs to be cut but at the time it needs cutting I’m too lazy to reach down and pull out a cutting board. Buy one, that’s all I’m saying.  

And the Winner of the most Awesome Kitchen Implement in my possession is:

The Knitted Dish Rag

OK, so technically this isn't an implement. But I've just discovered the beauty of them. The knitted little knots make a natural scrubber and they clean up granite so beautifully. At first I was afraid that it would get all stinky like a sponge. Then I was afraid that by using it to clean the really dirty stuff it would be spoiled. But truly, it cleans up so easy on the Deep Steam Cycle of my washer. You can buy one from my friend Katrine here. Not kidding, they are fab. 

For Piano Lessons

Our 6 yol takes piano lessons. IKEA has this cute fabric that appears to have a music ledger printed on it. I whipped up a little bag for him to tote his books to lessons. I love how it turned out -- even if it appears a little unironed in this photo. 

It was a pattern that I made based on a vinyl tote I bought at Target years ago. It's almost square, which is weird because it looks much longer than it is wide. I also lined it with IKEA dec weight fabric because the music theme fabric is very thin and see through. 

The interior has a simple pocket for the flashcards and a pencil. I'm thinking about making a few for the etsy shop. Feedback?

Knitted by Katrine

A dear friend of mine is going to start listing a few of her knitted items and original knitting patterns on my Etsy site. So, those of you who know me and know I don't knit, don't you worry... she DOES.

Watch for these in the shop and also the appliqued tea towels I made to match them. A great gift set for teacher, don't you think?

Lucky

Let’s talk about fun things we find on Pinterest, shall we?

First I saw this cute licorice concept and I almost peed my pants because it’s really cute. This has happened to you before, so don’t go acting like it hasn’t.


Then I started talking it through… looks easy… I’ll just pick up some multi colored licorice… toss in some gold foil wrapped candy… use this awesome printable… all good.

Oi! As with so many things on Pinterest, the really great stuff is posted by really amazing artists and designers. Evern with their spring board of a great idea, you have to fidget the hell out of the project to make it work for you and with what you can find.

Step number one. For St. Patty’s sake, do you know how many places I looked for plain cellophane bags just the right size for 4 vines of licorice? I found super big ones, super decorated ones, but never super perfect ones. So, I settled. My bags were fairly big (could accommodate lots and lots of licorice.

Then I began step number two. Find colorful licorice. Oh Jeez. My pursuit of the colorful licorice did lead me to an offshoot of this project that I ended up loving as much if not more than the original plan. But let me tell you, Wal-Mart may say they have rainbow twizzlers in stock, they do not. I ended up buying mine in bulk at a specialty foods market and spending about $24 on licorice and had enough to make more than 20 items – about 18 more than I had planned to need.


The “gold” at the end of the rainbow was far easier to come by. I used both rolos and Hershey’s Nuggets with Almonds. I also considered using Lindt truffles and Ferrero Rocher.

The main lesson I learned about making this project was this, there are a lot of things that come in rainbow colors or in rainbow packaging. I considered using everything from Rainbow Goldfish to Skittles (the sour ones came in a green box). I did like the individual twisted twizzlers for my single serving size option.

The labels were easy. I used both sizes offered by the talented http://bethproudfoot.blogspot.com/. And because my craft room is actually unavailable to me due to remodeling, I just used whatever ribbon and papers I could pull out of storage. I assembled most of the bags and toppers with a stapler and then used ribbons and the printables I found online to hide the staples.

Before I forget, let’s talk about smaller servings. I found the rainbow twisted Twizzlers in a single serving size, individually wrapped package and picked them up as a back-up in case I never found bulk licorice. Once I had them I decided I’d use them for the same treat on a different scale. I loved them as a handout in for my 5-yol’s class.


My favorite embellishments were the sparkly shamrocks I found at JoAnn’s. They were fabric mesh adhesive just like a Band-Aid and were so easy to use and very sticky. I think, however, this is a seasonal item so stock up now. (I found them while standing in line by the dollar items.)

This project helped me fall in love with rainbows, again. Now, I’m off to bake those cupcakes with the rainbow airheads on top.

Custom Order: Henry's Debut

I've had a very special assignment, sewing the outfit worn by my newest nephew on the day his parents introduced him to their church and the world.


I only wish I could have been there in person and not states away to see him in this little suit.

I followed an older Simplicity pattern. I wouldn't call it vintage but it was a reproduction. I used basic white Oxford weave and made the pin-tucks with contrast red thread. I haven't had much success with a snap setter, so, I sewed plastic snaps in the legs for easy diaper changing.

The buttons on the front are for show and feature little red rocking horses. Basic clear acrylic buttons make the opening in the back. The pattern called for shorts, but it is winter, so I lengthened the legs to make trousers. Happy with the result.

Seasonally Appropriate: Neighbor Gifts

This year I took to some hand-embroidered napkins to accompany mugs and cocoa for the neighbor gifts.

Over the Shoulder: New York State of Mind

I recently took a trip to New York City. Aside from the glitz and glamour of it, I reveled in the basic functionality of the Garment District. Everywhere I looked there was something to inspire a project. An entire warehouse of zippers! Buyers, Sellers, Project Runway fans! The district had it all.


I stopped in at Mood. That was excellent. Though, I probably never EVER need to go back. Big fabric stores across the U.S. compete, I assure you. But I did see Swatch and even gave him a little scratch behind the ears. I dawdled in the knits aisle and purchased two -- project to debut when I'm not so crazy busy. And I went wild at a small boutique where it seemed everything cost $20.


Where I found my real creative inspirations, however, were the holiday marts. We hit to major ones -- one in Grand Central Station and the other in Union Square. Among the fur lined hunting caps, knitted animal novelty hats, and to-die-for original jewelry there were lots of handbag - tote bag - messenger bag artists. The other thing I felt compelled to do each night once we were back at the apartment is sketch out little ideas I would have on the perfect bag to carry on the subway. Really, nothing I owned could have been right that week. Nothing had the right size handle to wear it cross body, nor the right exterior pockets. And nothing, I repeat nothing, was big enough. You become a bag lady when you go to the city. Too much to carry with you to know have one enormous bag.


Upon returning I started sewing immediately. The reason was two-fold. I had orders up the wazoo and I had ideas spilling out of my brain. From one of those ideas, came this.

I predict this style or something like it will be big for Spring 2011! My cross body bag in canvas hits all the trends right now. Carrying your satchel across your body is still a chic alternative to the everyday hobo and it seemed to me that tons of people in NYC loved being hands free (I for one). It’s a very modern look and perfect for moms as well as teenagers. Incredibly versatile and appealing to women of all ages. Right?


In canvas you get twice the trend points. Everyone loves a casual and light bag for Spring -- or so I'm told. This is it. With warmer weather around the corner, fabrics that feel lighter and come in lighter tones are a must. (Have you seen the eye-popping colors at Michael Kors?!?!?) Canvas feels easy but always looks chic and this version is a favorite, classic but preppy.

This bold pattern of this quality print makes a huge statement. It's from IKEA of all places and I fancy cut the panels to showcase the elements that I love the most. I think it adds major style to anyone’s wardrobe to carry around both a caged bird and a squirrel with a cheese shaver. Paired with jeans and a simple tee you’ll feel chic and casual without being slouchy.

The adjustable strap allows you to wear this number over the shoulder, as well. The magnetic closure and interior divider permit security. Completely machine washable in 100 % cotton. The innovative exterior pocket design zips for easy access to items you still want protected. Take another look at that exterior pocket. It's cool, right!??!?!!

Approx dimensions: 2”x 12” x 16” (excluding strap)

These are in the shop right now as a custom order only item.

Run Run Rudolph Table Runner

Right now it feels like we're all over Christmas. But when I was stitching the finishing touches on this gift I was still filled with sugar plum fuel and happy thoughts. When the no-retail rule came to reside in our family gift exchanges I was in a panic. But turned out a small-ish quilt to be used on the table for Christmas feasting. Actually could be hung on the wall for decoration is you were so inclined.

For the label I embroidered right into the back piece, as I tend to do for all my quilt signatures. But this time I used metallic thread. It was actual metal. Imagine embroidering with a guitar string. Lesson learned.

Every time I finish a quilt remember how much I love hand sewing a binding.

Over the Shoulder: Campus Carryall for Tweens

There comes a time when you've worked with a fabric in so many ways and so many times that you know exactly how to cut it, how to lay a pattern to it, how to use it. I think I'm there with my Laurie Smith stash. It's at the tail end. Honestly, not sure it has another piece in it. So it was the natural go-to material for a recent pair of totes I was making.

The annual making and distributing of the babysitters' gifts. Last year I went with something you could put a loaf of bread in, and not much else. This year I took inspiration from the styles I was seeing in NYC and whipped these up. There are mismatched fabrics because I don't have much left. But I love the effect, and I knew I would because I have loved everything I've made with these fabrics. Perfect weight, great prints, nice quality. I'm sad they are almost gone.

These are gifts, but a custom version is going in the shop. So if you want one, go order one in the colors you like.