indigo pears

2012-02-08T06:49:00.000-08:00

Today, February 8th, is the Hari-Kuyo festival (see yesterday's post).

this was my sewing basket last night. I was determined to do some stitches to be ready for the festival.....then I found this old crochet piece (from my grandmother) which was just perfect for the back.

Now it is almost finished....a small Valentine stitchery. To hang or not, to keep or to give away...

it just needs my signature in red pigma pen, down in the corner!

2012-02-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

What is this woman doing with her old pins and needles?

Look here for a blog post explaining a festival celebrated annually on February 8th.

Known as the Festival of Broken Needles, it is a ritual of thanks and respect for tools of the sewing, tailoring and embroidery trades. It dates back 1500 years; women (and men) dress in fine kimono and gather together all of the needles they've used, broken and/or and worn out during the previous year. They proceed to the local temple or shrine, where a three-tiered altar is prepared. The lower level displays sewing accessories, such as scissors, thimbles, thread and so forth. The top tier offers seasonal fruit, and white mochi (ceremonial rice cake offerings). In the center section is a large slab of tofu, into which everyone plunges the pieces of their broken needles.

It is time to slow down and appreciate the small things we take for granted in our lives.

I remember being told that needles were very precious to the early pilgrims, they were treasured and shared as they were few in number!

2012-02-05T18:30:00.001-08:00

Because my sister had given me some Ozark black walnuts, I HAD to bake this
"Blackberry Jam Cake" from P. Allen Smith's grandmother! [We watched him make this on his TV show yesterday.]...this one is baked in my grandmother's very antique graniteware tube pan!

Black walnuts, raisins, buttermilk, flour and eggs are assembled to begin making the cake.

Following his instructions, the eggs are separated and the whites beaten until frothy but not meringue!

Adding the buttermilk and blackberry jam gives the batter a wonderful deep color!

As it cooled on the plate, I made a syrup of the blackberry jam and some red wine, simmering until it thickened a bit....then used it to glaze the cake.

Here is the recipe from P. Allen Smith's website. [my pan was smaller so I made half of the recipe!]

Ingredients
1/2 tsp. salt
4 cups flour
2 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon, ground
1 cup raisins
2 tsp. nutmeg, ground
6 eggs, room temperature
2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 cup black walnuts, chopped
1 cup butter, salted, softened
2 cups blackberry jam, room temperature
2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
Equipment
1 tube pan
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter and flower a large tube pan, or use a flour-based baking spray such as Baker's Joy. Set the pan aside.
Separate the eggs, putting the yolks and whites in different mixing bowls. I another large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of the flour mixture with the black walnuts and raisins.
Add the brown sugar, butter, and blackberry jam to the egg yolks, and stir together thoroughly. Stir in the buttermilk. Add the flour mixture.
Beat the egg whites until they turn white but are loose and runny, not too "airy." Fold the egg whites into the batter. Then mix the nuts and raisins, blending only enough so that they are equally distributed in the batter.
Pour the batter into the tube pan and bake for 1 ½ to 2 hours. When a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, it's done.
Remove the pan from the oven and let the cake cool for about 10 minutes in the pan. Then loosen the cake from the sides of the pan by running a knife around the edge. Invert a cake plate over the pan, and invert the tow together. Lift off the tube pan.
Slice and serve.

2012-02-03T06:35:00.001-08:00

What I am reading this month.....

love the cover on this one! Great colors! You too can read along and join Cornflower's book group [see Cornflower in my blog links!]!

My favorite series..... about Maise Dobbs.....the latest, "A Lesson in Secrets". BTW, another in the series, "Elegy For Eddie" will be out soon.

YOu can read Jacqueline Winspear's blog (Google that) and learn SO much! [sorry for not putting the links in for you...I've just been called to go in to work!]

If you like to know more here is a review of "A Lesson in Secrets"!

2012-01-31T06:07:00.000-08:00

Forget those "Superbowl" ads which are coming up this Sunday!

This ad for the Jason Wu line at Target is the one I love!

Take a look here for a look at the short, creative, sewing-studio-with-a-cat, video! [You'll maybe need to scroll down just a little to find the video!]

2012-01-30T09:56:00.000-08:00

The sunny weather finally drew me outdoors......

where I found early signs of spring (too early?)...Japonica or flowering quince (lovely to take the budding branches in the house for a vase--I didn't yet)....

.....daffodils emerging.....and below, crocus in their golden moment!

and yes, the Japonica buds are opening.....(out of focus, my camera was thinking that the little branch was the important thing here!)

2012-01-30T06:42:00.000-08:00

It has been a beautiful sunshine filled weekend here in Northwest Arkansas!

Our window sill has a glass with a paperwhite narcissus (which broke off the main plant) and below, the sun shines through the large leaves of a "beefsteak" begonia.

Inspite of the sunshine, it was still chilly outside so I headed to my sewing/ art studio.

Mr. P came along with his camera and snapped this picture of me with the antique sewing machine. I am piecing a version of the "Fonthill Quilt" from Kaffe Fassett's "Passionate Patchwork" book. This quilt has several hundred small half-square triangles and so can be very scrappy, which I love. The floral print surrounding the patchwork sort of ties it all together and gives an overall effect of being softer and greener!

I still have lots more to add to the quilt, sawtooth and pinwheel stripped borders will make it grow!
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Meanwhile, using that same antique sewing machine and some hand quilting (on the gold circles) I have finished my pink and red "Sakiori" quilt.

...here (below) is the indigo again! This time from the cover of a Japanese sewing magazine.....

that wrap dress looks so comfortable!

I just finished my "boro bag" inspired by the cover of a book on Japanese tote bags....(Google that and you can find the original book, in Japanese). I love using this bag....as my current purse!

One more work in progress...the American flag pillow requested by Mr.P. My version uses white and indigo ikat weave for the backkground.....and dk red grosgrain ribbons for the stripes. I will use a glue stick before stitching them down! [pillow is about 13x18, as was my British flag pillow].

It's going to be warmer today, (where is our winter?) and I really will try to get out for a walk....

2012-01-25T05:01:00.000-08:00

It is a cool, rainy day. Perfect for making a simple, comforting, meal. I reached for a cookbook from the author of one of my favorite series.....the Mitford series by Jan Karon.

I'm not disappointed....Jan shares lots of Southern recipes here. Her pot of beans is just what I am looking for....and a cornbread recipe (in an iron skillet, of course!).

She also has a good recipe for collard greens. However, I used this one, which I found on the Internet before opening her book. [I did add a T. of brown sugar and a dash of apple cider vinegar to the greens after reading some of the comments with this recipe!] This was my first time to try collard greens. Not bad! [I'm learning to like kale, also!]

Jan's Pot of Beans in Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook

1 pound mixed dried beans, picked over
3 T. butter
2 T. olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 T. minced garlic, heaping
1 T. dried rosemary
1 T. dried thyme
2 bay leaves
1 ham hock
1 T. paprika
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
2 t. coarse sea salt (added after beans are VERY soft)
Tabasco sauce to taste
Chopped Vidalia onions, for serving (topping each bowl)

Place beans in a large stockpot and cover with water. Bring to a rolling boil. Cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let the beans sit for 1 hour. Drain the beans. In the same stockpot, heat the butter and oil over medium heat and saute the onions and garlic for 8-10 minutes, or until softened. Add the beans and enough fresh water to cover. Add the rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, paprika, and pepper. Cover and simmer for 2 hours, checking the beans often and adding water as necessary. Once beans are soft, add the ham and sea salt....cook as long as you wish, the flavors just get better! Remove the bay leaves before serving.

2012-01-20T09:15:00.000-08:00

Still baking......

apple cake with oatmeal struesel topping.

Wonderful with a cup of green Earl Grey tea! [ooops, need to scoot that saucer and cup off the cake plate! LOL!]

Low Fat Apple Cake (low sugar too!)

3 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup low fat milk
1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups Bisquick (gluten free if desired)
1 -2 large green apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/4 c. rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar, 2 T. cold butter, cut into small bits.

Directions-
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat an 10-inch spring form pan with cooking spray.
Beat eggs and 1/4 cup of sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Stir in milk and vanilla extract.
Add Bisquick. Stir and pour into the pan.

Arrange apple slices on top of the cake batter.

Combine oats, brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples. Dot the bits of butter on top of everything.

Bake 28-33 minutes....until done!

2012-01-18T06:20:00.000-08:00

A 4-month-old cutie pie who lives in a cold climate......

...even though his grandmother prefers natural fibers, she just had to sew some fleece for him...sleep sacks!

[Fleece hoodie coming up for his little cousin soon and some pink fleece came home with me yesterday....for baby girl jackets, or something!]
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This is a quilt which I pin basted yesterday.....lots of red and pink for the gray days of winter...and a piece of whimsical bird fabric as part of the backing! Now ready for machine and hand quilting....

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When I get time for more meditative "sitting", I often knit a row or two on my
"Cornish Frock".....knitted in cotton indigo which is designed to shrink and to fade, just as blue jeans do.

2012-01-10T06:21:00.001-08:00

It all started back in the spring of last year when I saw these
kits for these little pin cushions.

The idea stayed in my mind, I visited Google images several times and saw pillows from Shabby Chic....in pastels and florals, still the British flag was recognizable!
Months later, I finally got started, inspired by the wonderful ribbons available where I work!
These pillows were the result! [I made some for giveaway, as the fabric and ribbons were in good supply].

Yesterday, I came across this photo in a magazine decorating article....

Apparently, this is a trend! Seeing this article, Mr. P announced that he wants an AMERICAN FLAG pillow. So today I tried Google images to find inspiration for making and American Flag pillow (I had made several a few years ago....but wanted new ideas.)

I found a lovely website of a kindred spirit, Natalie,"Hideaway Girl"! She had made an American flag pillow (very patchworky and clever) and there, also, in her sidebar was this.....

Natalie had made it last February and in July she had made the American cousin....

Now, I wonder, would Mr. P accept the floral fabrics in Natalie's flag pillow (below) were I to do something similar...???

Perhaps I need to make mine more "Stripey" and "Starry"???? I'll update you as this evolves.

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Meanwhile, I did read a good book.....about a grieving young minister and his congregation. It was worth reading.

2012-01-07T18:47:00.000-08:00

Though the Internet is loaded with recipes, sometimes a cookbook is nice to hold and use!
I think this in my current favorite!

Tonight's dinner, "Nouvelle Chicken Veronique"! It is easy, and delicious. It uses red seedless table grapes instead of the traditional green grapes. I substituted champagne vinegar for the balsamic vinegar (because I had no white wine in the house and didn't want to run out for some...I thought the "white" taste of the champagne would work. It did!)

Here is a link to the recipe....I know you will love it!

P.S.--Wini Maranville, the cookbook's author came by with a comment, recommending a salad with blue cheese to compliment the grapes. [coincidentally, I had served romaine with apples and blue cheese with this dinner!]

2012-01-02T06:31:00.000-08:00

Just off the downtown square, after night fall on New Year's Eve, one can glimpse a wonderful celebration of larger than life characters....."wild things", muses, Janus ( looking both directions as the New Year comes in), queens, party girls, peace cranes, dragons......and even a unicorn!

Our town square decorated with Christmas lights was the setting for a family friendly New Year's Eve celebration, "Last Night". The weather was perfect for the giant puppet parade featuring creations of artist JoAnn Kaminsky (manned by volunteers). Wonderful for the child in each of us!

Here is a short video clip of the nighttime giant puppet parade from my husband's camera.

2012-01-01T08:54:00.000-08:00

Grandkids and their Christmas gifts of Spirithoods . Keeping their heads and "paws" warm!

Above, "B3" as a "wolf"....... and below sister wearing her snow leopard Spirithood. Funds from the sale of these warm hoods go to help endangered species! [I saw several other children wearing these at our local "family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration downtown last night.]

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Today, I have a busy New Year's Day as I am working this afternoon. I WILL make this dip (see photo) from Pioneer Woman using black-eyed peas to ensure good luck in the coming year! [We are in the South here! LOL!]

Happy New Year to all of you!

2011-12-27T14:45:00.000-08:00

This scrappy strippy quilt is called "Sakiori" and is one from my new quilting book,

"Japanese Quilt Inspirations" by Susan Briscoe.

The book is wonderful and I am inspired to make a quilt similar to this one using pinks, reds and aqua. [this is the 3rd scrappy quilt I have recently started....I hope to have a top ready to show you before too long! LOL!]

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Still on the "aqua and red" kick, how about making these?

"Little Cottage by the Sea" blogger has a free pattern and tutorial!

2011-12-27T08:24:00.000-08:00

I found fleece (anti-pill, the better choice) on sale at work yesterday.....

so I got enough to make a front zipper sleep sack for each baby. This is the first one, going out to Baby Wesley in Idaho. The pink ones are for the twins in Georgia. [There is a wonderful tutorial here on making these wearable blankets.]

More projects to come.....and some Japanese inspired quilts too!

2011-12-23T05:48:00.000-08:00

Under our tree are wonderful packages waiting.....

our real blessings and gifts have arrived earlier this year, 3 new grandchildren!!!

Here are some recent (December 2011) photos of the little darlings...

looking like a snowbaby is 3-month-old Wesley!

Nina Kate is sparkling like her Christmas tree!

Twin sister, Sophie Jane, is enjoying the peace of the season! [the twins are now 5 months old]

Listen! Do you think that could be Santa coming now?

[the beautiful innocence of babies' first Christmas!]

2011-12-21T06:22:00.000-08:00

Simple, humble, yet somehow wonderful.....

the frugal Japanese make things out of discarded, worn indigo cloth. These are called boro, and were often used as futon covers.

Portland Oregon Japanese Gardens has recently hosted a show about these, called "Mottainai: fabric of Life." This blog post from Willy Wonka Quilts has wonderful photos of the show....and there is a catalog available from the gardens. [ NOTE:"mottainai"="waste nothing"]

Artist Melanie Testa is leading a group working on "boro" clothing, here! it is fun to watch her progress or join in if you have interesting fabric bits in your stash, an old garment which could use updating, and feel happy doing hand stitching....

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Last February, I worked on something similar...raw edges and hand stitches with a bird included. It is a wall piece, not clothing, though!

2011-12-17T19:19:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday afternoon, we had reservations for a visit to the new Crystal Bridges art museum
near our home.
The setting, in the Ozark town of Bentonville, AR is wonderful! The architecture and environment work together so beautifully!

The galleries flow from one century to another, covering American Art History. There is plenty of room to see each painting at your leisure.

This whimsical work by Maxfield Parrish is currently on display....

A contemporary "winged victory" in essence, this beautiful molded glass draped dress is life-size and beautifully captures the lights nearby. It was one of my favorite pieces!

My least favorite was probably this pile of molten metal....

Mary Cassatt and other American Impressionists are well represented. Here is Cassatt's

"Woman Reading".

One wing had a temporary show of very current 21st century art and here I am in front of one thing which I loved..... this yellow "lace" piece made from disassembled silk flowers which were stitched together...I love the shadows it casts too!

You can see from my smile that I was delighted to be there. Thank- you Alice Walton!

2011-12-15T07:11:00.000-08:00

Christmas mice? All creatures great and small......fun for the children!

You can find the recipe and links to more here .

2011-12-15T05:23:00.000-08:00

The dangers of surfing the web [I was researching Alexander McCall Smith] are that you will find treasures, which in turn you must seek...LOL!

I had no idea that there was a cookbook "out there"....now the original hardcover of this one is very rare and is listed at $350.00-$500.00! .... but the paperback is available for about $20.00....be sure you order from the correct side of the pond though, or you could be in for some shipping costs!

He also has some children's books....

These quiet, cloudy late autumn days are perfect for some reading! I am enjoying this McCall Smith novel, # 8 in a series set in Edinburgh, Scotland.

...and if I had an "e-reader" I would be getting this one too! I love spending time with these characters and this setting!

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A "Grandma" post--

Here is a video of our 3 month old grandson, Wes, giggling with his mom!

Mary & Andrew's Baby News: Wes and his kicking giggles. Nothing better than ...: Wes and his kicking giggles. Nothing better than a happy baby. Even better when you get some giggles. Here is a recent video to enjoy. W...

2011-12-10T14:26:00.000-08:00

A perfect plan for me! [from Cat Patches blogger, click the button]

I needed to spend a day down there and it was great fun....with a book on tape and NPR.

First I made more of the Union Jack pillows....

Then, I managed to make 9 bibs and one terry bathmat with a border....all for the children and grandchildren!

These are made with fingertip towels....and rib knit fabric. Tutorials (not mine) are available on-line for these wonderful, easy to use bibs!

Since I had the rib knit neckbands going so well, I cut some scrap denim and made some raw edge (so they can fray over time!) bibs out of old blue jeans.

This terry bath mat is from a remnant from work and some fabric in my stash!

Now, these things are definitely "loving hands at home" but I think they will be quite useful!

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Not pictured but fun to do, I managed to make several more paper foundation string-pieced diamonds for a scrappy star quilt!

2011-12-08T09:14:00.000-08:00

A few minutes ago in our front yard.....the Red Sunset Maple tree was planted and watered.

It is our Christmas gift for each other and one day may look like this!

It replaces a huge elm tree with we lost last year! I feel so good about having a thing of beauty to

enjoy!

2011-12-07T07:45:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's project......

A Union Jack pillow, perfect for an armchair traveller!

I made the pillow by the dimensions of the bag of fiberfil....18"x 13". Then found wonderful ribbons to sew on for the crosses....

Before starting this, I had seen many creative take-offs on this idea by using Google "Images"...some were even done in soft pink and green shabby chic colors and floral fabrics. One was by British artist, Ann Carrington, and was made from worn blue jeans....create and "fly" any "flag" you like! The flags which feature "crosses" certainly will work well....Sweden? Norway? [I do have ancestors from the Yorkshire area....so I suppose I can claim this one!]

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My current knitting project....pink leggings for the twin infant granddaughters from Bernat's "Baby Jaquards" yarn.

2011-12-04T07:05:00.001-08:00

A wonderful winter salad! *

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
1 package mixed baby greens
1 large ripe pear (Bartlett or d’Anjou)
3 oz. crumbled blue cheese
3 oz. walnuts, chopped
For Vinaigrette Dressing:
4 TBSP Extra-virgin olive oil
2 TBSP Balsamic vinegar
1 TSP Dijon mustard
½ TSP sugar
¼ TSP salt
Instructions:
Divide the mixed baby greens onto six salad plates. Peel and slice the pear thinly. Top the salad greens with pear slices, dividing the slices among the 6 plates. Top each salad with ½ oz. of the crumbled blue cheese. Next, top the salads with ½ oz. of the chopped walnuts. For the dressing, combine 4 TBSP of extra-virgin olive oil with 2 TBSP of balsamic vinegar. Mix in the Dijon mustard, sugar and salt. Top each salad with the dressing and serve immediately.
Note: May substitute plain chopped walnuts for candy coated ones, if desired.

*This is a Stemilt Growers LLC recipe and photo.

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It is so cold and rainy that we are missing church this morning. At 88, and using a walker, Mom
decided not to "push" it!
So, I have a day to cook, and work on quilts and knitting~~~ back later with photos, if the sun comes out I get better photos....I'm listening to the divine Etta James..a sampler of her newest, comprehensive double CD...."The Essential Etta" is on Amazon. This would make a perfect Christmas gift!

2011-11-29T05:15:00.000-08:00

Blogging in the SLOW zone!

Today, I have tried to upload a photo.....took a shower while waiting for it to finish uploading... (and no, it was not a large digital photo). It still hadn't finished when I came back just now.

So, how do I show you ruffled diaper covers (like you really want to see them even thought they are CUTE! LOL!), all the latest projects from my sewing room, photos of my grandbabies, my art work.... and recipes, etc.?
Our "new" computer has been nothing but a headache. DH ("Bless his heart" and mine too!) has worked for hours, removing and re-installing data and software programs. This is not progress!

I was perfectly happy with my old computer....and may try to set it up again. I miss posting and visiting your blogs. [If things don't improve, I will have to go back to doing my art journal scrapbooks which I was faithful to before I was blogging!]
Now, off to read some blogs and then to yoga class.....and to my part time job.
Hope you all have a good day, free from technical difficulties!

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Later...I WAS able to upload the photo (lots of pink, bibs, sleep sacks, fleece stroller blankets) of my latest sewing for the twins just now. Good!

One last piece of trivia....for those of us who are always reading British novels and watching the BBC.... here is an article explaining the origin of the expletive "Bloody" which has always puzzled me. (note the article was from 1914!)

"Bloody" is a centuries old corruption of the oath "By our Lady!". Makes sense!

2011-11-16T06:59:00.000-08:00

Finished at last!!!!

The "Mitered Crosses" blanket ( pattern available as a PDF download for a donation to help with the Japanese Tsunami victims) is finished! I used all wool and silk for this blanket. It is put together with whip stitch since it was worked in garter stitch. Then I added extra horizontal bands of garter stitch in the back ground yarn (lavender). Edges were lavender crochet, single then double. Ending with a single crochet row of the variegated Silk Garden ( by NORO) and a double crochet edge of worsted weight hand-dyed by Brown Sheep Company.

Here is a view of the blanket showing the beautiful crosses made from the "Silk Garden" skeins!

This was the most fun thing I have ever knitted! It is going as a gift to my BIL and SIL for their birthdays.....I may have to knit another one!

2011-11-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

twin granddaughters are now almost 5 months old...

Their mom just sent me this photo from today....I have been sewing for them. Hope to be here soon with photos of the sleep sacks I am making from onesies.....pretty cute!

2011-11-07T07:35:00.000-08:00

Artists and colors we love.......

Above, Pierre Bonnard rendered a landscape near the Mediterranean....it caught my eye because of the lime (yellow green) and wonderful blues...indigo, turquoise, aqua, cobalt...

notice too how his sky is yellow and lavender, we'll get back to that later...

Recently, my friend and fellow quilt artist, Paula gave me two photos. The first (underneath in the scan) is of an "ocean waves" quilt which she is working on. [I had given her the tote bag from old blue jeans]. It had wonderful blues, limes and a little bright yellow to "pop" and excite the eye.

Then, last month, I received the second, a post card from her trip to Colorado.

They were lying together on a table top and I realized that the colors were repeating again! She had selected a postcard true to the month of her visit to the area, and the colors were right there! I think this shows how an artist is subconsciously organizing and reacting to colors most of the time!

Now back to the yellow sky and lavender, here is a landscape art quilt which I made last spring. It is of our Ozark mountains on a misty morning.....(donated to a silent auction last week. )

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I was so happy to stumble across two recent books in the Maise Dobbs mystery series....

I just read "The Mapping of Love and Death" last week, and have the next in the series on reserve for me at our library...

I recommend this series ( which I was introduced to by my friend, Paula, LOL!) for anyone interested in an accurate portrayal of English life from the early 1900's as Maisie grows up...and especially the period between the two World Wars. The first book of the series, by Jacqueline Winspear, is simply titled "Maisie Dobbs".

2011-10-31T07:34:00.000-07:00

Family, friends and fibers.....

Yesterday, Mom and I went to our friend, Sally's home for a visit which included good food (apple cake, thanks, Sally!) good conversation ( we have known each other since we were in junior high school) and stitching! Mom worked on the quilt top she is making by blanket stitch appliqueing some flower garden blocks which were made by HER mother to a print background (idea from Kaffe Fassett's PASSIONATE PATCHWORK book).
We love how they play "hide and seek" on the busy background!

Sally picked up her knitting.......

a colorful cotton yarn which was quickly becoming a new dishcloth! Sally's hands were so fast they left a only a blur! LOL!

While there, I finished the last of my "Mitered Crosses" knitted blocks....and am now considering how I should put them together....it seems to be rather small....I still have almost two skeins of the hand-dyed lavendar background yarn....so maybe I could "sash" them as I would quilt blocks....

[Find the "Mitered Crosses" pattern on Mason Dixon knitting....pattern is a PDF which is raising funds for victims of the Tsunami in Japan...the block feature hand-dyed NORO silk garden yarn, a joy to work with!]

2011-10-31T06:43:00.001-07:00

Fall color??

I took up my camera hoping to capture some of it ( the colors of autumn!) but first wanted a more current seasonal photo of myself. This was as good as it got. [Just try photographing yourself in a mirror and you will see....especially if the camera (or the one taking the photo) is a little "off" !LOL!]

I really like the "JUST BREATHE" quilt in earthy colors which is behind me! It is one of my favorites! I have made it at least 2 times!

One reason for taking this photo....I have been trying to get another "tossed collage" of my digital photos to use as a header on this blog. I can make the collage on Picassa, but can find no way to save and publish it....(it was SO easy the last time it did it!...ever since we changed to this newer computer, I have struggled....BTW I read many more blog posts than I can now comment on....sometimes, the comments just don't "take"!)

I know that I need to be better with the camera and the computer!

Next, I took the camera outside to find color. We are about at "peek" for our fall color this week. I took a photo of our yellow maple beginning to turn....and then the battery was dead in the camera....!!!

So, that is enough photographic frustration for today I'll just get out my paints and apply all the colors I want!.....meanwhile and full of color.....

You can read more about this rural knitter and her designs here . The colors in yarns and fabrics are a little easier to capture today than the colors of autumn!

And thinking of color, I can't overlook my purple Mary Janes with the red straps and indigo knitted socks......yes, I did manage to get these in my size! Some of us never grow up!

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2011-10-27T08:50:00.000-07:00

Pajama's and a quilt are ready to send to a grandson for his 4th birthday!

The flannel pj's are a "smiling monkey" print on yellow. Yellow is a great color for B3 and it seems that monkey's are really "in" right now....and appropriate for a cute someone who climbs and clowns a lot!

The quilt, for the "big boy" bed is a simple, colorful bright "4-patch" pieced by my mom, this little guy's great grandmother,....we send it his way with lots of love!

2011-10-23T15:41:00.000-07:00

Cooler weather and the season of zucchini make it time for baking!

The photo above is of the recipe found here! I'm looking forward to trying this one as it makes one loaf and will be just what we need here, for the 3 of us....it is called a breakfast bread...yummm!

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Supper tonight is Portuguese white bean and kale soup....another cool weather favorite!

When I make soup, I read several recipes and then improvise or play....using what I have on hand. White beans, kale, sausage, chicken broth, carrots, potatoes, onion, fresh thyme, canned chopped tomatoes....and I may serve it with some wonderful bread, or even tortilla chips, as I have a real affinity toward them!

2011-10-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Sketched and scanned.....

Painting is such fun....but so is quilting, and knitting and cooking....oh well!

2011-10-19T07:30:00.001-07:00

A chilly October morning.....I pull out my paints.

This is the "Last Bouquet" as the frost will change things tonight!

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Painting takes my mind off of these colorful (two-toned red) shoes.....which are perfect for an artist and even have my name on them! LOL!

Right now, my size is unavailable....we will see.....

http://www.onlineshoes.com/womens-el-naturalista-n284-otono-lila-leather-p_id219887

2011-10-18T06:48:00.001-07:00

This caught my eye since I have alwas loved "paper dolls"....

"The world is round," said Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, "so that friendship may encircle it."

2011-10-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

Enjoying a wonderful week here in Minnesota with our new grandson, Wesley!

The October weather is fabulous and so is Wesley!

My son and DIL and baby Wes took me out for coffee at a local garden center/decorating center/coffee shop......fun!

Here is the little guy....almost 6 weeks old!

2011-10-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

After a day or so of slow life...resting with the sinus or cold thing....I was back to "busy"!

These sweaters were finished and sent to the grandchildren, pink for the twin girls and orange for their older brother!

I am still enjoying working on my "Mitered Crosses" knitted blanket. [ I did discover that as often happens with my distractable mind, I made more work for myself by not completely reading how to knit the colorful mitered center crosses....it could have been done with far fewer loose ends if I had followed her directions!LOL!] Also, I am practicing with my non-dominate hand and knitting the lavendar background in the "picking" rather than "throwing" method of knitting....so there is an even greater irregularity here, the true "handmade" look!

These two art quilts have just been given labels, "Morning Mist--Springtime in the Ozarks", and "Wild Roses". Both have been donated to an art auction for the local women's shelter.

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Now I fly to meet my new grandson, a month old....5 weeks! I can hardly wait and will be back with photos from Minnesota!

2011-09-29T07:53:00.001-07:00

Here is a collage I made for a friend....it says, "art saves our dreams". So true!
Autumn is a time when I love to do "art" (and other creative activities) non-stop.
Even on days like today, when I am "under the weather" and still planning to go in to work my shift at our local fabric store....it is hard for me to just rest until time to go.

Perhaps a new collage should say, "rest saves our dreams too!" I found some wonderful thoughts on this here.

Ann Voskamp can really express the underlying reality of each moment!

Enjoy! [Then rest!]

2011-09-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

First day of autumn, yesterday was a wonderful, perfect equinox day!
Mom, our friend, Paula and I set out to have a little fun at a local quilt shop. Here, near the shop, we are in a city park with an antique railroad car.

The night before, we had been at the Quilt Guild meeting and were given a dark red solid fabric to use in a challenge. I had jumped right in and started this but now needed a fabric for the outer edges of my "Seeking Balance" contemporary design ....

This one, from the shop's sale fabrics should work very well! It is a" RED, White and maybe a little BLUE" challenge....well, mine is quite a bit blue. I am loving indigo again.....

There was also this yard of purple Amy Butler "LOVE" (retro 60's!) fabric. I think a skirt for my granddaughter could be just what it needs to become!

Today, inspired by all the exposure to quilting....I am going through my stash, trying out fabrics which might set off this hand-pieced and appliqued block of a blackbird on a "Russian sunflower".

And, THE package came today!...I now have 21 balls of medium indigo "TRUE BLUE" cotton yarn to use in knitting this "Cornish Knit Frock" [ from "Indigo Knits" by Jane Gottelier].

2011-09-19T07:41:00.001-07:00

Indigo again---A knitting book from our library on Indigo Knits (by Jane Gottelier, British knitwear designer) is all about knitting with indigo dyed yarn. This one (below) caught my eye!

It is the "Cornish Knit Frock". I have just ordered yarn [originally from South Africa, where they are known for working with indigo (and at 60% off!--Elann yarns)] to knit this one.....

And if you have a young "pirate' who needs a jacket, check out this!

Perfect for "Talk like a pirate day".....September 19th!

2011-09-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

We're having a cool overcast day with light rain.....after a VERY hot summer, this is wonderful!
My life today with scraps and zinnia's is a jumble of color! I love it!

Using the antique Singer featherweight, I am making "string pieced", 60 degree triangles. This is done by first cutting scrap paper into 5" (or you choose the size!) equilateral triangles. Then fabric strips or "strings" are sewn down to the paper foundation. They look messy but are fun and trim down to be just the perfect unit for making a scrappy 6-pointed star quilt.

You can find a tutorial here for making the foundation pieced triangles. It was generously posted earlier by Crazy Mom Quilts!

2011-09-13T08:20:00.000-07:00

Well fed and peacefully sleeping......my newest grandson in his father's arms...

(Being born at the end of summer allows for an outdoor photo shoot when one is only a week old! Photo by Matthew Skalski of Minneapolis. Great work, Matthew!)

Oh, yes, Grandma loves those dimples!

2011-09-12T08:39:00.000-07:00

Beautiful, beautiful "Silk Garden" yarns by NORO......an update on my knitting project.

I've been knitting the small mitered squares which will make the Mitered Crosses blanket when they are sewn together.....

You can find a lovely example of the blanket here . And order the pattern too!

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If I have any yarn left over, I plan on using it to accent this altered sweater. The pullover was found in a trift store, cut open off center and will have decorative buttons too.....more to come!

2011-09-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

The "busy-baby" summer continues in our family!

While daughter Laura was busy juggling her twin daughters Sophie Jane and Nina Kate, (cute!!, huh?).......

our son Andrew and DIL Mary delivered a perfect grandson, Wesley!!!

I can hardly wait to meet little Wes! [and another trip to see those smiling, cooing granddaughters would also be fabulous!]

[Many thanks to family members who took these photos!]

2011-09-05T06:13:00.000-07:00

What gifts!
Peaches from a local orchard and fresh basil from the garden of a friend!

Not only do they make a pretty picture together, but, I remember seeing recipes which combine them....

....after reading through several (they use way too much sugar!) I have a plan!

Peaches are chopped and put into a bowl. The basil is chopped and heated in a small saucepan with 3/4 c. water and 3 T. honey. just 'til it simmers.

Pour over the peaches. Cover and let flavors blend for an hour or so.

Serve over pound cake and with vanilla frozen yogurt! Yum! Luscious!

2011-08-30T18:01:00.001-07:00

Grandma time----Nina Kate and Sophie Jane.

Love those darlings!!!! [these photos were taken the day after I left last week!]

2011-08-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

Beautiful zinnias have been the best thing from the garden this hot summer!

A friend gave me seeds for the green zinnia variety. That new color certainly "cools" down the bouquet!
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For months, I have been reading about making mozzarella and ricotta. I have collected the supplies, citric acid, milk, thermometer, rennet, pans and all....finally Saturday I was ready!

It was my first try, and a long story.....I ended up with some curds, and finally.....

.....RICOTTA!

A lot of ricotta (and at least 3 quarts of whey).[ I agonized over a great way to use that whey (hate to waste anything! And decided since using it in baking wouldn't happen until the weather cools and I didn't have room to store it in the freezer or fridge....that probably using it for a bathtub treat would do...I did read that drinking it could make your skin glow and remove redness! so many possiblilties!]

This beautiful ricotta (below) was used with an eggplant to make Rachel Ray's Eggplant Lasagna.

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Another thing I have been wanting to do was to piece a "Russian Sunflower" block. In honor of our drive across Kansas this summer. [And because my friend Lizzie found a entire wonderful scrappy quilt top of this pattern in a flea market recently!]

It is an old Kansas City Star pattern and I found it in a book called, The Sister Blocks" by Edie McGinnis.
My block......

Lizzie's quilt top....

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One more topic.....where had the shine in my hair gone to???? Even with gentle natural hair color products, there were days when I felt like I now had straw on my head!

Thankfully, I found this wonderful product which makes it glow! A spritz or two on dry hair and wow!

And this one, which Good Housekeeping loved in their recent tests......it makes the hair stronger, softer and shinier!!!! ...... I feel much better now!!!!

2011-08-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

The twins today..... (actually this past weekend!)

Nina napping (above) and sweet Sophie (below)

In the crib together....

Big brother "Boogie" (... nickname because he love to dance and perform).
At 3.5 years already thinks that "Girls like me if I have my shirt open...." [Has he been reading the Abercrombie and Finch catalog????
Is this the end of civilization as we have known it??? He goes to a Christian pre-school....where did he pick this up....the Disney channel???? Probably!]

2011-08-23T19:01:00.000-07:00

We have a new little shop for hungry travelers in our regional airport....and I wandered in today after flying home from visiting the daughter and her family (including the twins, now 9 weeks old!)
There I found these cookies...of which I had fond memories, from when they were marketed as "Kathleen's" cookies (Kathleen King). Simple but wonderful.

The recipe is available in this cookbook......

....and it is also here . I could save LOTS of money by baking some myself...but as I have been saying, it is too hot to bake! LOL! I will try the recipe eventually!

Meanwhile, this also looks like a great cookie...

...with cark chocolate and Brazil nuts. The recipe is in Cross and Black's recipes, here .

I hope to be back very soon with a post showing photos of the twins....they are so cute!!!!

2011-08-17T14:38:00.000-07:00

I love knitting this mitered cross blanket (see earlier post)!
....now should I try to bring it along on the airplane (that is into the airport where I may have a long wait...)or should I be content with reading and leave this project at home?

I am using short bamboo needles (read that airport security is less likely to seize these!) and have just purchased the round antique brass colored pendant....which is also a yarn cutter! So, I should be set for hours of fun!

Making these squares is very addicting, especially with the beautiful variegated silk and wool, Noro Silk Garden, yarn. [ I think that sewing all these together and then knitting more lavender around each cross will be less fun than watching the colors change while knitting these mitered squares!]

2011-08-16T10:52:00.000-07:00

Food.com has a lovely zucchini and cheese tart recipe !
I think it is getting cool enough that I could use the oven to bake one! [Don't think this would work well in my crock pot!]
I might bake one for my daughter and her family as I'm very happy to be going to help out with my 2-month old twin granddaughters this weekend!!! I will try to get some photos of that special time....meanwhile, off to find some zucchini and gruyere!

2011-08-14T11:57:00.000-07:00

Plums (and peaches) are in season now. We have enjoyed them fresh and delicious. Today I want to bake the French yogurt cake and use some plums in it.

I still do not want to use my oven and make the house hotter....so I am adapting the recipe for my crockpot.

Modified French Yogurt Cake
1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 c. yogurt 3 Tbs. vegetable oil
1 c. gluten free Bisquik 1/2 c. sugar (scant)
1/4 t. nutmeg 2-3 peaches or plums, sliced

Gently mix batter from all ingredients except the fruit. Spray the inside of the crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Put a few slices of fruit on the bottom, then add some batter, then some fruit, etc. until it is all in there!
Bake on high for 2 hours....longer if needed. (I like to take the lid off at the last to allow the "cake" to finish.) Test for doneness by inserting a knife, or straw...

I'll be back later with the finished cake photo!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here it is!

2011-08-13T07:44:00.000-07:00

A glorious collection of color!

The yarns I ordered to knit a special blanket have arrived! Noro Silk Garden, a blend of silk, mohair, and wool in gradated colors, each skein a delight will make the "crosses" in this "Mitered Crosses Blanket"!

The blanket pattern is available as PDF for $5.00. All proceeds are going to MERCY CORPS's Japan relief fund. So far pattern sales from this have raised $16,000 for the tsunami devastated area!

The original pattern calls for a background yarn by Noro in color 269. This is discontinued. so it is interesting to see what yarns other knitters have substituted! I searched the web for the right weight (medium-4) variegated, soft, subtle colored yarn...and ended up with this variegated lavender, hand-dyed in Chili, I think it will work well with the jewel tones of the Noro Silk Garden!

I found a finished blanket on the blog of another knitter. [She and her friends have a wonderfully creative knitting group , check it out!]

2011-08-07T12:17:00.001-07:00

Still staying cool with the old crock pot! Today, a small pork tenderloin roast....

for the Tuscan pork roast recipe (featuring fennel seed, rosemary, balsamic vinegar...I added red pepper flakes and chopped dried figs!) go here.

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"Got yarn?'" [More quiet inside activity to be cool on these record breaking hot days.....]

I have found directions for knitting log cabin blocks....a great way to use some leftovers...????

Directions are available in this book. Or of course, they can be found by doing a Google search! (Search "images" and you'll see lots of inspiration!)

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For another kind of inspiration, I love Ann Voskamp's blog. She writes in a way that gets to the real heart of things.

Today she also shared a link to help those in Africa who have much worse to deal with than a summer heat wave!

2011-08-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

This bread was baked in a crock pot by Stephanie at A Year of Slow Cooking. I was encouraged to try this as I don't want to bake in the oven and make my air conditioner work that much harder!

However, I found a more savory recipe than Stephanie's here.
It features green chilies and all in the batter. [there is even a version using broccoli!]
Hooray for slow cookers!!!!
This all started yesterday when I was reading the Pioneer Woman Cooks blog about cooking Spicy Beans. Her photos make the dish look fabulous!
My thoughts on her directions----I would never cook pinto beans without pre-boiling and discarding the first cooking water by draining them and then continuing to cook in fresh water; and no matter how tasty I wanted them to be, I don't add the salt ( or the salty ham, etc) until the beans are tender....otherwise they stay tough!

So that's dinner for tonight...or should I say "supper"??? Pinto beans and cornbread with fresh chopped onion on top and maybe to cool things off even more, some cottage cheese on the side!

2011-08-03T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today's forecast is for 109 degree record breaking high temperature!

It is definitely time to "play inside"! We had a buffet of cool salads for our supper last night....and tonight may be sandwiches....too hot to cook!
My energies turn to quilting when I can't get out of the house....(though a movie could be a good idea! theaters are so air-conditioned!)
My friend Liz brought this antique quilt top to "share" with us last night. She found it in flea market. I think it is called "Russian Sunflower". It definitely deserves to be quilted!

The fabrics are from the 1930's.

[ Sorry, the heat made the photo out of focus!]
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My flea market find was this doll cradle...not too old but perfect for when those little granddaughters come to visit.

A pile of scraps and "Triangles on a Roll" (paper piecing guides) are the beginning.....

and after a few quiet hours, a doll-sized quilt top is ready!

[The heat is having it's effect again...LOL! Of course, with twins, I will have to make several quilts for multiple dolls....I'm sure it will not be a bother!]

2011-08-02T06:14:00.000-07:00

I went out to see my garden at 8:00 p.m. yesterday.
Everything was wilting in the 102 degree heat....still 102 at 8:00 p.m.!

My "Arkansas Traveler" tomatoes are the only ones which have managed to put on a tomato and here they are, wilted and tired!

I did an intense watering with the hose, and knew the cooler temps after dark would help too!

This morning, plants are upright (except for the heavy sunflower heads). I have hope....maybe I will still get some tomatoes or at least some more zinnias! Zinnias are about to bloom....even some soft green ones from seeds given my gardening/quilting friend, Paula!

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Meanwhile, the little twins are catching some rest......(from their mom's facebook page!)

2011-07-31T15:55:00.000-07:00

Inspite of the heat, I found some zinnias at a garden center and brought them home this week....

Then I harvested the blossoms and decorated a window sill....(so the plants could grow roots for a bit, instead of blossoms!)

[Back to these zinnias in a minute....]

Yesterday we held a quilt guild workshop to make children's quilts for charity. It was so nice to be in a spacious air conditioned community room at our local electric co-op!

I finished binding this child's quilt (below) for a girl....maybe at the women's shelter...or a hospital. Mom pieced the 4 patches recently and we had a head start on the project!

After several hours of sewing and fellowship, I brought home some of the extra fabrics to make a couple more quilts to donate. It is nice to sew when it is too hot outside!

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Today I have been painting a small, 5X5 of some of those zinnias on the windowsill....the painting is still in progress!

2011-07-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

At last---some photos to show that I really did spend the first 3 weeks of their lives with my twin graddaughters....

What fun, and of course it was more JOY than work! [I miss you, Sophie Jane and Nina Kate!]

2011-07-25T15:10:00.001-07:00

It is time to find food for the evening meal. It is also too hot to really cook, so here is an easy recipe which uses fresh from the garden tomatoes and basil!

2011-07-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

Colorado rock and wild flower.....we loved our trip! We saw many flowers and carpets of ferns beneath the aspen trees!

The place we stayed in Steamboat Springs was delightful on it's own! My SIL always has a fantastic home!

I especially loved these chairs....to look at, not necessarily to sit on! I'll come back later with more details....we did JUST get home!

2011-07-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

An escape from the heat of summer????

We drive to Steamboat Springs, Colorado tomorrow.....to visit family. Fun!

[The website, "Stuckntexas", for this fantastic photo is here!]

I'm hoping to see lots of mountain wildflowers and will try to post some photos!

(I know I am far behind on posting photos of the twin granddaughters....life at their home, is so busy with caring for them that sharing the photos are not a priority yet!)

2011-07-15T09:47:00.001-07:00

Today is too hot to do much, I will be picking Mom up from getting her hair done, and earlier I waited while new tires were installed on the car. I had a good book with me, so the time went quickly!

I can recommend this one! It grabs you from the opening sentence on!

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Then, while I was "playing" around on line, looking for a printable coupon, I left a review...

Originally submitted at Bob's Red Mill

Black Turtle Beans have a wonderful flavor all their own. They make delicious black bean soup and great refried beans for Mexican dishes.

are my daughter's favorite. She fixed them for us while I was helping her with the new babies. I couldn't believe how much better than other balck beans they were!

We are having an owner appreciation weekend at our local natural foods co-op and I plan to stock up on these!

Pros: Flavorful, Unique, Vegetarian, Satisfying, Health

Best tasting Black turtle beans we have ever eaten!

Blogger insists on spreading this post with lots of empty spaces.....of course, Blogger is FREE!

2011-07-13T08:12:00.000-07:00

Happy to be back home, feeling rested after being a loving, caretaker, Grandmother of my daughter's newborn twin girls! Tonight we have a friend coming for dinner....

I will be making a coconut cake today. The recipe is here, from "TASTE of the SOUTH" magazine. I will make only one layer...but will use all the right ingredients to make it really a strong coconut flavor!

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The last evening I was at my daughter's, I baked this almond cake (gluten free) from a traditional Spanish (or even older Jewish Passover) recipe. Delicious!

The top is lightly glazed with orange marmalade (there is orange zest in the cake).

2011-07-08T19:00:00.000-07:00

Two sweet bundles, ready for who knows what next....they have just had their baths and are recharging their batteries with their pacifiers and a little shut-eye! Won't last long, we know!

They are fabulous! And quite a lot of work, of course.

Mom would love some good sleep and Dad too!

Their Uncle Andrew and their Granddad were here this week....much to the delight of the 2 older grandchildren!

We are all watching "THE NO.1 LADIES DETECTIVE AGENCY" on DVD. filmed in Botswana and wonderful!

I leave in 2 days....and Laura does have help coming!!!

I will miss these cuties!

2011-07-03T07:07:00.000-07:00

Please, go to sleep now little Sophie Jane! Your twin sister Nina Kate has been peacefully sleeping for at least an hour!

Sunday morning with the 2 week old twins..... they seem to have different temperaments too!

Nina Kate is quiet, her gray blue eyes seldom open. She eats and sleeps....Sophie squirms, watches, wiggles, is perhaps more high maintenance...still beautiful and SWEET of course!

This morning, in trying to get her down, (which is usually a simple process) she went through 3 diapers and 2 clothing changes in 10 minutes....then she was "Miss Bright Eyes"!

So, I think I can get down to the kitchen for my breakfast and coffee....s-h-h-h-h!

2011-06-27T10:59:00.000-07:00

It's a great time.....babies to cuddle and a 3-year-old too! [Big sister helps with all the cuddling, rocking, diaper changing etc.]

The week-old twins and their parents are off to the pediatrician for their first check-up. And weigh-in.

They have been doing well!

Now, I have a minute to blog! Ha! [I hope to have photos of the babies on here soon, this is not my computer nor do I have a camera along. I'll share the family photos when I can.]

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Meanwhile, I am enjoying this landscape by Pierre Bonnard.....with its wonderful blues and lime greens. Inspiration for a future art project, I'm sure.

I am also ordering a copy of this new book.....an elegant travelogue as the artists follows the history and culture of indigo throughout the ages.

On a lighter note, I have been reading Mary Kay Andrew's latest novel, "the Fixer-Uppper".

Set here in Georgia and lots of fun!

Lovely and peaceful!

2011-06-21T17:00:00.000-07:00

These little beauties come home tomorrow!
NINA KATE and SOPHIE Jane.

So cuddly! And they are getting lots of loving kisses and pats from the Big Brother, age 3 1/2.
The big Sister, just shy of 12 years old is already a great little mother to them!

They were 4 weeks early but are just perfect...and it is very peaceful when they are sleeping like this!
(photo from their Mom's iPHONE this morning)

2011-06-13T05:53:00.001-07:00

My daughter, Laura with her family as they await the approaching birth of twin girls!

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Another grandchild, a little boy is coming soon, to my son's family. He will sleep in a cradle like this one....

.... and have a handmade quilt for that cradle. A copy of a 19th century crib quilt....(made by his Grandma Lila, with good wishes and joy in every stitch!)

And to complete this moment of expectations....a lovely post by Ann Voscamp which involves a baby in a cradle.[As only she can write...breaking our hearts open!]

2011-06-12T10:50:00.000-07:00

I am joining something.....joining the thousands of people who have bought and loved Ann Voskamp's book! It is Christian writing which does not insult my intelligence nor lead to nit picking theological disputes. It just celebrates and beauty and joy found all around us!

For more about this best-selling book, look here.

Off to get my copy now....it wasn't easy to find! I called and they are holding their last copy!

P.S. For some beautiful writing and photos, just Google Ann Voskamp blog. Enjoy!

2011-06-11T11:12:00.000-07:00

Summer sewing and gardening.....

Using my vintage Laura Ashley pattern, with a few changes (zipper instead of buttons and several darts added to give more shape), from some shasta daisy cotton print, I sewed this retro romper...

It was perfect to wear this morning, out to water the garden and catch a few Ozark breezes!
(please excuse the toes in the photo...my current photo editing system hasn't yet shown me how to crop the image!)

2011-06-09T17:14:00.000-07:00

Some shots from the garden this morning. A rainy spring has made things very lush.

... lamb's ear above, bee balm and lemon verbena below.

Day lilies are going crazy!

I especially love this soft gold one with the freckles!

2011-06-06T10:23:00.000-07:00

Painting practice this morning.

The last page in my watercolor sketchbook. I used this moleskine when taking an on-line class with Jane LaFazio (through Joggles.com). Jane is a good teacher and I really enjoyed it!

2011-06-04T15:55:00.000-07:00

Frankly pleased with my new "floaty" sundress.....it's in the 90's here! I'm still a gal who loves the Laura Ashley look! This is my own adaptation of her pattern (funny how my figure has changed in 20 some years!!!)...found ancient pearl buttons in my button jar too!

Now, this dress cost me quite a bit, as I had to buy a new sewing machine to make it!!! LOL!

I love the automatic buttonholes on the Janome! It took less than 15 minutes to make all 7, and I'm just learning the machine!

Mom had reminded me that I could do the buttonholes by hand,...and wouldn't that be charming????? Of course it probably would have taken me 4-5 hours rather than 15 minutes!

I love getting a consistent well-made, perfectly sized for the buttonhole result with the machine...and with 3 grandbabies coming this summer, I'm sure to use it!

2011-06-03T09:50:00.000-07:00

Summer mornings, once again I'm out of the house to water everything...

It is still cool enough (barely) that the leaf lettuce is thriving! I love fresh salad from the garden!

It won't be long before the lettuce "bolts" and goes to seed as the cilantro is doing.
I'm putting in annuals for the duration of the summer back here. Zinnias are coming up among the coleus!

In a bed nearby, I have planted 4 tomatoes, 1 Black Crim, 1 Cherokee Purple and 2 Arkansas Travelers. I was surprised to see several coming volunteer from last year's tomatoes...what fun!

After the garden chores, it is time to be inside with air-conditioning. Mom and I are making a few charity quilts. I have lots of fabric to "work up"! Here Mom is taking a break from piecing 4 patches on the antique Singer Featherweight. I have the new Janome to "break in"!

2011-05-31T07:20:00.000-07:00

We came home from our trip to see family and found the hydrangea in full bloom for the first time!

I love the deep pink! This is an "Endless Summer" hydrangea which is supposed to bloom all summer....we shall see!

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With summer humidity coming and Memorial Day yesterday I am craving a floaty sundress!!

Yesterday, I was at work, patterns were 99 cents each. I bought several and some fabric. However, I am SO happy that I have kept my old (1980's) Laura Ashley pattern. It is modest, comfortable, actually "floats" rather than "fits" and is a great pattern to showcase a fabric!

So, no form-fitting plunging necklines, no spagetti straps, no skimpy skirts....this is my favorite!!! [And the romper might be cute for gardening too!] Off to the sewing room now!

2011-05-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Appreciating the garden at this moment.

St. Francis with the hostas.

"Endless Summer" Hydrangea beginning to bloom. Below a lily is delightful!

All is quiet and peaceful now....more severe weather expected this evening and into the night.

90 miles north of here, the city of Joplin, Missouri, is in shreds from Sunday evening's tornado. No peaceful garden there....reminding us how quickly things can change and how to savor the little things!

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I am finishing up some projects to take to my daughter's. Here, knitted caps and sweaters for the expected twin girls!

Three irregular and free form art quilts are now mounted on light green acrylic paint- washed canvas panels.

I love seeing them all together on the primitive bench!

2011-05-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

What a fun class! My little shrine art quilt is finished!

It just found its home surrounding a small incense burner in my studio (trying to get out the musty smells from all the rain, AND wanting the smell of the yoga studio I go to!).

One more art quilt lesson left, then I will be "on my own" and really missing the teacher, Jane LaFazio!

2011-05-20T06:20:00.000-07:00

A photo of a Japanese flycatcher was the inspiration for this small art quilt. A friend had given me a piece of golden dragon fly fabric which is perfect with it! Primitive, playful and irregular, embellished with lots of embroidery, these art quilts are small treasures!

These were created as I am taking a class with Jane LaFazio at Joggles.com. The last one is based on the line of poetry "My heart is like a singing bird" (Christina Rosetti) and has hearts and music LOL!

Our fifth and current class is on making a 3-dimentional art quilt which can stand alone. A "shrine". I am planning one with a lotus inside, using some of my Japanese indigo antique fabrics and....

embroidered trim from the sleeves of this tunic. The tunic is from a thrift store but the sleeves are too tight. So it is a low cost way to find some ethnic embellishment if I cut them out, making the tunic sleeveless now ( pj top for summer???), and use the trim from the ends of the sleeve in decorating this next art quilt!

2011-05-16T08:45:00.000-07:00

Some have requested that I show the creative changes I made to the linen camp shirt which I got at the thrift store. Here are some photos showing the embroidery (with natural linen thread) and the crochet trim I added. I was able to lenghten the sleeves about 3.5 inches this way! [Cropped fabric from the lower edge of the shirt and used it on the sleeves.]

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I'm getting started on the bird themed art quilts today......Jane LaFazio's online class.

2011-05-13T11:53:00.000-07:00

Life goes on.... [blogger totally removed the last post during their maintenance yesterday. It was about the elm tree being cut down]

So, moving right along, here is today's post!

This wonderful heavy handmade wooden bench was made by Wally Clark and belongs to my nephew. We are storing it for a few weeks as the nephew is moving. Wally used tree branches and parts of an old church pew. I like it right here, under a painting I once did of the woodpile behind our house (40 years ago!)

This week we had a similar woodpile in our front yard here, as the ancient elm was cut down.

It was tempting to keep some of that wood for Wally.....no telling what wonderful things he could have made from it!

2011-05-11T15:27:00.000-07:00

The "indigo dog" portrait art quilts are almost finished...they just need the hanging sleeves on the back!

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A cross-section of the mighty elm which stood in our front yard.

Below, Mr. P showing just how big the trunk was!

2011-05-11T07:28:00.000-07:00

Photo in this morning's paper.....the Dalai Lama arriving here yesterday!

NOTE: the security guard!

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Our good friend, Karen has a birthday this weekend. She has requested this flourless chocolate cake for her celebration. Looks good to me!

2011-05-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

From Mother's Day 2009.....now a blossom!

"Sorbet" peony! Delightful!

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Working on my art projects.....I found a soft corduroy shirt in a thrift store.

The colors and design were just what I needed for the frame and back of my wool and raw silk pillow

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Still working on the "Indigo Dog" portraits of Juniper! Adding black machine stitching and will be quilting with large hand stitching too.

Jane LaFazio's classes are great!

2011-05-06T17:36:00.001-07:00

Trying new ideas in Jane LaFazio's on-line art quilt class.

Working this week on a pet portrait on canvas. This (above)is the work in progress. I am trying 2 versions!

The pet is in the photo below, Juniper, who belongs to my son and his wife!

2011-05-05T15:00:00.000-07:00

Full blown beauty!

One large peony in a small glass vase (on a raw silk cloth).

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I have finished stitching on the little morning mist in the Ozarks art quilt. This was really fun! Our next art quilt is done with wool felt.

2011-05-04T06:53:00.000-07:00

I'm a natural.....

lover of natural fibers, that is! I cannot "abide" (as my grandmother would have put it) polyester!

So I was delighted to find wonderful 100% linen shirts at the local thrift shops! They even have pearl buttons and each was less than $3.00! My "inner hippie artist" wants to embellish them a bit more and make them uniquely "mine"!

While I was at the large fabric store where I work part-time, yesterday, I checked on threads to use for this. I found LINEN embroidery floss!!!! [It is being discontinued...so I may need to buy it all--Ha!]

There were only a few soft natural colors, but the green works perfectly, I think, on my green linen and the taupe is great on the natural linen. I am considering using the cotton crochet thread to further embellish and make the sleeves of this former natural linen "camp shirt" a bit longer...we will see!
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I have also enrolled in another class with Jane LaFazio! this one is on experimental art quilts...and will have more fun opportunities for embellishment and stitching!

p>
this is a landscape quilt, about 8.5"X11". It is called "Morning Mist in the Ozark Springtime".

Off to stitich now!

2011-05-02T14:11:00.000-07:00

A collage finally finished. This is from the on-line class I took with Jane LaFazio.

It is on watercolor paper and uses other papers and my sketches and paintings. The sparrow was painted first on muslin then fused to the collage with fusible webbing. The pomegranate in her hand is stenciled, then beaded. It is about Kishimojin a Japanese Buddhist goddess who is the protectress of pregnant women and young children. She is usually shown with a pomegranate in her left hand (symbolising fertility!)

This seems an appropriate subject for my artwork this time, as I will be the proud grandmother of three new babies by the end of this coming summer!

2011-04-30T13:37:00.000-07:00

sometimes things just happen......

These May Day flowers were meant to go to our daughter for her birthday tomorrow...May 1st. However, they were delivered here today by someone's error. So we are enjoying them and are happy to share them on the blog.

[Now, for the energy to paint them!!!!...I'm still a little tired from all those hours of watching the wedding! LOL! and knitting while watching!]

2011-04-28T07:42:00.000-07:00

I was browsing the Internet for "royal wedding fabric" (there seems to be some, but hard to find!) and came across this charming pincushion. Lots of fun!!!!
Kits are available here!

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I am happy to say that the sun is out today! Of course, the devastation in Alabama and Georgia is heartbreaking and terrifying. My prayers go out for all in that area.

2011-04-26T11:45:00.000-07:00

What a difference 24 hours can make! Yesterday at this time, I was looking out into a torrential downpour. The water was gushing down the rocks across the street and making tiny waterfalls as is flooded our street.

Today, though the sun is not shining, and we may have severe weather tonight, I have been with the camera enjoying the peonies!

2011-04-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

This quilt was completed earlier and delivered to my daughter when I visited a few weeks ago.

This is a rainy Saturday before Easter! I have just put the ruffle on this second crib quilt for the twin granddaughters! This second one is vertical in orientation, the first was horizontal.

Both have large, "wagon wheel" type appliqued flowers and contemporary fabrics!

Here is another view of the same quilt, before the ruffle

The little darlings should arrive at the end of June. So these will be ready for them!

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As soon as our rainy weather clears, we are to have a large old dying elm tree cut down from our front yard. Here, one branch is trying to grow and leafing out, near a little bird house which is stuck in the tree. [The bird house is permanent now, squeezed by the large branches!]

As far as I can tell, no birds are living in it.

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A plan for Easter brunch....because aspargus is in season and we love it!

The recipe is here !

Enjoy! Have a lovely Easter whatever you do!

2011-04-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

My "homework" from the art class with Jane LaFazio.......

It is a small book, made from an 18"x12" piece of Lutradur and folded to make these pages.

Here it stands near a vase of greenery, and I am loving how the light shines through the pages!

I have filled it with a few quotes and lore about butterflies. For more about it, see my "Arty Collages and Dolls" blog .

2011-04-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

NOTE: I just want to say, that I did not make those run-on paragraphs in the post below....I had them spaced and doing well....then Blogger took out all my spacing....Hmmm.

2011-04-16T15:30:00.001-07:00

I am so happy! My trillium has returned again this spring! Here it is in the hostas at the base of a statue of St. Francis! You see, I thought it had been accidentally destroyed early last summer by an "over-zealous" weeder who shall remain nameless!

To me, this is my own little "Easter lily" this year!

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I think that it's the little things, the little moments that make our lives authentic! So, I was recently delighted to be able to attend a lecture at our local library. The speaker was escorted in with bagpipes and wearing a kilt! He is one of my favorite writers, Alexander McCall Smith! His topic was "The Very Small Things of Life" which he writes about beautifully in his several detective series. His characters are known for sitting and having peaceful discussions over cups of tea (bush tea in the "#1 Ladies Detective Agency" series, set in Botswana), and though he says his publishers have sometimes suggested it, his books will NOT be having car chases or other such escapades. McCall Smith is a world respected expert on medical ethics and he was in our university town as a speaker for the law school on that subject. He was truly delightful and funny! If you haven't read any of his books, give them a try!

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In my small world, I have recently enjoyed making a hand carded linoleum block stamp for a little bird....who knows what adventures she will come across in my collages and art quilts!?!

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Another small delight didn't start out that way!---It started with my yearly physical exam. Not delightful but necessary. Requiring the shedding of my clothes and donning a loose fitting garment. Afterward, having dressed, gone down the elevator, across the parking lot and driving home, I realized I was wearing only one of my favorite small gold hoop earrings. Oh, no! So I called the Dr.'s office and they checked the dressing room. Yes, they had an earring! I drove back up there. No, it was a different earring...oh well. Walking back out to my car, I remembered that as I had walked out a few hours earlier something had brushed my hand. I had looked around then and decided that it was a pine straw blown down by the wind. Now, remembering that, I decided to look down at the pavement as I crossed to the car. As soon as I cast my I eyes down, I saw the shining golden earring! The lost was found, and undamaged! Persevering paid off! **********************************************************************

Lastly, the delight of finding just the thing you had been wishing for.... I love floaty cool skirts for summer weather. [and I have a bit of an "inner hippie!"]

Yesterday when our houseguests took us out to breakfast in our funky college town, the bakery we chose was next to a little boutique. Hanging in front, spinning in the breeze was a great skirt.....

of course I came back for it later and am enjoying many things about it...light, colorful recycled silk patchwork. Goes with everything!

New patchwork skirt can be found here.

2011-04-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

I'm just home from a trip to visit my grandkids on part of their Spring Break....a beautiful time of year! The pollen was really heavy, so they washed my car!!!

They had a new soft-serve ice cream machine to enjoy....and the "almost 12-year-old granddaughter" became a master at making it!

Her little brother was a master at eating it...in his own style of course!!!

My granddaughter was busy with her friends and her cell phone, but the grandson was good at shadowing me...he is also a master at stopping up toilets with too much toilet paper and locking bathroom doors when no one is in there....oh the fun and challenges of early childhood!

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It was a good trip, a long drive with lots of wisteria and dogwoods to see....

this fabulous arbor of wisteria was a Crowley's Ridge rest stop on the Interstate in Arkansas.

And once I reached my own front yard, I was rewarded with a much anticipated sight....

remember these "Main Performance" daffodil bulbs given to me by my friend, Paula?

They are blooming...large and bold and bright yellow with just a hint of orange around the "trumpet". I hope they come back bigger and bettter each spring!

Now back to making those quilts for the twins to be born in June...2 little girls in the family I just visited.

[My son and DIL are having their first in late August. We will be told the apparent gender of that baby in a couple of weeks....]

Looking forward to a great summer here!

2011-03-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

I added color to the daffodil in my art journal....trying to capture some of those creams and yellows in the different varieties! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This art collage is from a class I am taking at Joggles.com taught by Jane La Fazio. Fun!

Yesterday, I managed to add the hand stitching and beading to this layered collage. [Reminds me of the Bullseye quilts I have made!] (click on the photo to see more embellishment detail...and loose threads!)

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Finally, here is the newest crib quilt top, in process, for one of the 3 grandbabies we are expecting this summer. I love the perky "wagon wheel" flowers. [From Applique Outside the Lines by Piece O' Cake quilters].

Off to get more art supplies now.....(with a coupon, of course!)

2011-03-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

A package!

It's from Japan, ordered from KimonoBoy website.

Besides the indigo pieces we have a lovely origami type packing slip and a packet of lovely green tea! Delightful!

The indigo is from old Japanese textiles, cleaned and ready to re-purpose. It is already cut into 8 " squares. Most are solids in various shades and textures. Linen or cotton or hemp or a blend. It is hard to know. Real treasures to me!

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Our guild's quilt show is coming up. I am loaning this quilt for a booth displaying "scrapbook" quilts.

I made it month-by-month in the year 2000. It is a real look at who and where we were then!

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We are making progress with the Mixed Medium collage class I am taking. Today we started using our machines and stitching on the canvases. Fun! [Soon, I will post more in my Arty Collage blog--see sidebar]

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More art in process....pencil sketches of daffodils. and some more now in ink, waiting to be painted with watercolor..whew! So much to do!!!

2011-03-22T07:41:00.000-07:00

It must be spring......

a few days ago I found radishes with leaves attached. SO cute! I had to paint them before using them in a salad!