Poppies and Milk

summer scrapbook :: summer making...

I started off the summer teaching some sewing workshops at a local fabric and craft store {Once Around for locals} and had a great time with these little girls!  They were so excited to make and sew and do!  The future craftswomen of america! :) 

they chose their own fabric...

we all made a set of napkins for them to use in their lunches in the fall.

busy hands... 

couldn't resist this sweet little shot.  she got some extra fabric to take home to make a doll dress... 

of course, this inspired some spontaneous sewing of my own when I returned home.  

using some of the fabrics I purchased from Molly's store a while back.  

{what she does when I sew - on a good day!} 

{subtle foreshadowing...}

and low and behold- some new shorts for me! {photos by eden}

of course, the pocket goes onto any garment I sew for myself - {sometimes  I add pockets to other clothing as well.  I always need at least one.} 

inspired by erin's post a while back, I knew we needed some of that hula hoopin' action over here! 

so, we got some tape... and some irrigation tubing from our local garden store... 

and got to work! 

eden's is a rainbow... 

even elijah wanted in.  (although I taped his myself, he insisted on cutting everything for everyone!) 

even the girls wanted in on the action... 

eden insisted I include this shot as she thought the shadow was amazing... 

{some gratuitous shots of the rose garden in full bloom...}

{and the double delights!  so fragrant!}

here are a few hoops in progress... somehow I dont have photos of the finished ones, but you get the idea...  And now, to learn how to do this!

august :: folksy goodness...

I started this quilt just after finishing the matching one for my daughter, but some summer sewing, knitting and, well, playing just got in the way of finishing this one.  Enter one "big boy bed" and the timeframe of this project just swung into finishing mode.  I just cannot recommend this fabric enough.  It really is like butter.  Velvety soft and the patterns and colors are just really amazing...  

{eden teaching elijah some summer math... and me finishing the binding}

{the front...}

{details of the front- I cant even explain how much I love these colors and patterns!}

{the back.  as the last one, i let the scraps decide how they fit together and didnt really plan out this part.  I love the random design they create as it is something very contrary to how I usually sew...}

The Big Boy Bed!  {he usually makes it a couple hours in here before staking his claim in our bed...}

SO, hooray for finishing and hooray for me finally doing a blog post!  Here's to more of both... ;)

august :: this moment {finishing}

"a friday ritual.

a single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. 

a simple, special, extraordinary moment. 

a moment I want to pause, savor and remember."

hoping to slowly move back into a regular groove here in this space... 

happy weekending... 

june :: something old, something new...

Here is my something old... just look at these gems!  One of my little rewards for reinventing my kitchen through our non-disposable life kitchen focus.  I purchased them from this great etsy store.

I am in love with the patterns of tarnishing.  Like rainbows... 

I read about this great way to shine them up naturally (using aluminum foil, baking soda, salt and boiling water) but am so torn as to whether to leave them like this or to erase this history... 

and the details are really beautiful... 

and now, on to my something new:

 

guess who has not one but two articles in the most recent issue of Rhythm of the Home?? (yes, the correct answer is me :)

Such a pleasure to work with this amazing team of women.  I have been so busy I haven't even had the time to sit and savor this amazing issue... I am waiting for just the right block of time.

I wrote this article on the Three Lives of a Dress and this one on how to make a Sunshine Skirt which you might remember from a little while back in this space... 

So, take the time to soak in this amazing issue and if you have more time and are new to this lovely online magazine, browse the archives.

Happy Monday ... um, I mean Tuesday!  

may :: creative play

All in a flash yesterday it dawned on me... 

Creativity does not need to have an "end product".  It is just as important to see, feel, manipulate and get familiar with "creative materials" as it is to be project oriented.  

This explains why sometimes I need to just touch some yarn, some amazing fabric, stick my hands in clay, etc.  

To be near these materials... 

As a formally trained art teacher, it is so difficult for me to remember to play.  To not have an end in sight, to not want an end in sight, but to just be able to enjoy the company and the aesthetics of the raw materials.  To feel the anticipation and excitement of what is to become of these yet, at the same time, to be able to appreciate what they are.  Just as they are. 

Definitely the best thing that I can remember these days, most especially with my littlest of littles...  

may :: scenes from these days...

a lovely scene from mother's day... the rose quartz heart was such a sweet and dear surprise.

Been staring at all of this goodness lately.  Do you ever have a collection of fabric and notions that are so gorgeous, you don't want to cut into them? (Especially that delicious Liberty fabric!)  I have plans for some summer headscarves/kerchiefs for me and my girl.  I will just stare at this beauty a little while longer until I muster the courage to stitch them up! 

And so it goes, another chicken story... We had to put this girl, as sweet as she is, in isolation at first.  Right after Bertha was attacked and taken out of the flock, things started getting very violent in the coop.  Miss Maggie was a bit of a bully from the start, but Bertha gently kept her in check and the situation never got bigger than an occasional chase or peck.  After Bertha was gone, Maggie seized the opportunity to start some pretty heavy pecking and chasing with the others, especially after we got a new chick.  After lots of advice and reading, we isolated her for quite a while, giving her lots of love, etc.  We then reintroduced her into the flock and the fighting and pecking was even worse.  We spoke with a rescue organization and, long story short, she is now in a flock with a rooster to keep her in check.  I know I might get some comments here, but we have been through so much chicken drama, etc.  that we just couldn't handle another death in the flock that could have been prevented (a fellow, and far more experienced, chicken owner warned me that a bully chick can actually peck another chick to death... yikes.) We feel we made the right decision for the flock and, according the the peace and quiet in the coop right now, I think the chicks would agree...

Marveling lately at how big this boy is getting... and he is such a bread muncher! 

This is Georgia, our newest chick.  She is a Barred {Plymouth} Rock and is really into people!  We were just sitting outside on the picnic blanket the other day and she came right up to say hello!  

And now our first flock is down to three, with only one of the original members.  And, yes, after all of this and learning so much already (with still SO much to learn, I am sure!) about the coop dynamics, etc.  and with much thought and deliberation, we decided to get a second small flock which we can introduce to this small flock in a few weeks to create a good sized flock to live in peace and harmony in a predator-free environment.  (Furiously and vigorously knocking on wood with that last comment...) I will introduce you to our flock of new babies in the next few days.  

Happy Monday to you...

april :: working on one for the boy...

When I got my stack of Folksy Flannel, I separated it out into two equal portions. This is the other half... My first matchy-matchy project for my two... 

I was thinking about pinwheeling it rather than keeping the eclectic design of the other one... but we shall see... I kind of like the diversity of hers... 

And our school's annual auction is coming up soon... Among a few other items which I am putting together, this is a little doll quilt I am working on to donate.  I think it will be paired with a matching doll pillow... 

And this is just a random snapshot of a little nook in my house that I like.  We have lived her now for over a year and are finally feeling like we can exhale a bit...  Because of our history of having to move so many times for one reason or another, I have been hesitant to put anything up on the walls (or anywhere else for that matter) that is not utilitarian.  I am feeling really good about staying here for a while (knock on wood for me) and am now starting to embellish a little.  I love the work of Nikki McClure and we will be seeing more of it around the house very soon... 

AND, big news at the end of our day to be shared more in detail tomorrow... one tiny hint: {peep!} 

april :: spring sewing {part four}

Quilted and bound, this one is done!  

By far this is the softest, most buttery flannel I have ever worked with.  

And the colors and patterns are really unbelievable!  I don't often fall in love with fabric (I usually reserve those feeling for yarn...) but this is really nothing less than perfection.  

I knew I wanted to do something with triangles, but wasn't sure exactly how to make the pattern up.  I am really pleased with the final combinations, using repetition, but still remaining eclectic.  

I was really stumped on what to use on the backside.  I mean, how do you partner perfection?  So, I decided to partner it with itself.  I did not cut any of the scraps which were left over from the piecing, other than to fit inside of the main shape.  I really like how this side came out as well.  It is so different from anything I usually create.  So serendipitous... 

I also like how the stitching came out looking on the backside.  

Needless to say, she is in love as well.  Who wouldn't be with this fabric?  I think I could have just sewn the large pieces together without cutting, bound them up and she would have been in heaven.  

Now, she wont sleep without it.  

But, let's face it, {if you know her}, even with it, sleep is hard to reach for my sweet, creative and active-minded girl!  Though this new "quiltie" is definitely helping!  :) 

april :: spring sewing {part two}

in addition to dresses, my girl LOVES her skirts.  she likes them to be looooong and twirly.  

i have been looking at this gorgeous Anna Maria Horner fabric in my stash for a while, trying to find a worthy project.  something to showcase the true beauty of this amazing print... 

as soon as the sun started to shine again a few days ago, it literally just called out to me to be made into a skirt.  

{E was so excited to set up this shot...}

the pattern, well, i "imagined it" {as E put it}... 

now, first i must tell you, after the initial sewing of this skirt, it was actually so wide at the top that it would fit me.  ok, let's be honest, it would fit two of me.  i was trying to make it wide and twirly, but overdid the waist width.  no problem with that, i just cut it into a trapezoid (thanks, 4th period class for giving me that long-lost geometry term:) and restitched the waistband and side hems.  the fit now is great and i know how to do it right from the get-go next time {oh, yes, i see more of these in the near future}.  

i found this pretty yellow fabric in my stash and added it as raw-edged trim as well as a ruffle at the bottom for extra twirl effect.

and, of course, added an extra large pouchy pocket for treasures.  this one was made with elastic in the top edge rather than a drawstring tie {from yesterday's dress}.

overall i am really pleased with the result!  i couldn't love this fabric more and the fit is great for her!

she was thrilled with the skirt to say the least.  

i documented my process and took good notes, so i am hoping to turn this one into a tutorial for anyone interested.  i will keep you posted... 

i think i will call it the "Running with the Fairies Skirt"...  any other suggestions? 

oh, and guess who just finished stitching the binding onto a certain quilt in progress... (!!)

march :: spring sewing {part one}

i have decided to sew my daughter a spring/summer (hopefully autumn?) wardrobe.  you see, she LOVES her skirts and dresses.  she loves to roll in the mud in style.  i am always inspired by my past attempts at garment sewing which have actually worked out, as well as the beautiful work by a favorite "mama seamstress."

there is something so empowering and satisfying about sewing clothing.  makes me think of the Little House on the Prairie books... calico dresses, special ones for sundays... my mom used to sew lots of our clothing when i was younger so perhaps it is in my genes.  i also really love the notion of a sewing project from a pattern.  as much as i love to create my own designs for clothing and other goods, following a pattern really is quite relaxing on the creative psyche, if you know what i mean... 

behold, Butterick B4176!  i love pin-tucking and am really happy with how this turned out.  it really was "fast and easy."  the thing that took me the longest was the trim around the edges of the neck and the arms.

i also decided to add a pocket for my little treasure-hunter.

I 

i designed it with a drawstring which ties in the middle for maximum pouch capacity (my girl finds things everywhere we go...) 

i also really love the styling of this dress.  it is a little retro, a little classic and mainly really girly (as opposed to the "teen styling" of many patterns out there...)

the fabric was a beautiful japanese calico which i got from a local store last year (you might remember it from this project)  i literally bought all that was left on the bolt (a few yards? :) as i loved it so much.  still have enough left for another project... any ideas?

i am so happy with this first dress of the season.  i plan to make more from this pattern as it really was so simple and looks so sweet.  

but the best part is that she can play, jump, climb, and dig in this dress... 

and she actually really loves it!  yay!  

more spring sewing posts to come... just you wait! :)

:::::::::::::::

OH, and speaking of beautiful calicos... this surprise package arrived this weekend from a very sweet friend... 

how gorgeous is this fabric? (which she sent a whole lot of, by the way...) don't you think it looks similar to the dress above?  how did she know i would adore it?

and the best was this sweet little sewing set/needlebook... 

thanks so much, again, julia!  you are a treasure...