Giveaway winner!

Wow! So many super sweet comments on my giveaway, thanks! Random.org says Maricris from Zen Ventures is the winner:

Maricris Zen Mama said...

unoriginal or not, I love it! So please count me in!

2:37 PM

Congrats, enjoy and happy June to everyone!!

SMS Giveaway day, the sequel

Sew Mama Sew giveaway day: View blogs with awesome giveaways, comment, win. Easy peasy!



I'm being unoriginal and giving away another activity tote + crayon roll, same as last time. I had something else in mind but accidentally spent 6 hours at the zoo yesterday. So yes, I am shamelessly blaming the penguins and meerkats for my lack of originality.



I'll pick a random winner from comments on this post on Sunday, May 31st to win either the black floral or the spaceman activity tote pictured here, winner's choice. More pics/views of both totes & crayon rolls are in my shop.

Good luck! And, be sure to check out the other giveaway goodness via SMS!

Mini quilt monday

It's Monday in May which can only mean one thing: it's time for another mini quilt, of course.



I call this one "ode to vintage fabric" because that pile of vintage fabrics in my craft room doesn't get used quite as often as it should.



The big blocks on the front are my all-time favorite print (right now) and I have a couple large panels of the same fabric destined to become curtains in my new craft room.



I plan on hanging this little quilt on the wall, to be all matchy-matchy with the curtains.



That is, if a small fish doesn't claim it first!

Happy day, all!

Goats (not bugs)

That bug picture was creeping me out so I'm posting a few shots from our goat farm adventure today. Goats trump bugs anyday.





We had goat milk ice cream: super yummy! It doesn't taste goat-y at all!





I adore goats and their unfussy, aloof ways. I always thought it would be fun to have one roaming around, nibbling the lawn, keeping us all in check. But I learned today that they are browsers, not grazers as I thought (they prefer to snack on the tips of woody shrubs and leaves). Bummer. Seems sheep are the lawn mowers and I'm not a big fan of the sheep sooooo, livestockless we will remain for the time being (although I've been eyeing some mighty fine chicken coops around blogland lately. Hmmmmm....)

Happy weekend everyone!

Name that pupa

...or larva or chrysalis or whatever heck form of baby bug it may be.

We found it in the yard today, buried in the moist ground. It's a little over an inch long, dark red in color and has a hard, armor-like shell that makes your skin crawl makes you really super enthusiastic about researching this little backyard neighbor of ours!



It took all my courage to take these pictures and as I type, I'm trying my hardest not to get overtaken by the eebie jeebies. I'm not a fan of the bugs.

We've half-heartedly poured through our insect field guide but all these little critters look the same (I'm sorry, I hope that doesn't sound insect-ist of me). Any bug enthusiasts out there that know what this thing is?

Cookie meatballs + quilt blocks

After reading Mary Beth's post yesterday and noticing that "make cookies" mysteriously appeared on our day's to-do list (ahem), I decided it was time to take the Clean Food Cookie plunge. Or make "meatball cookies" as Holden later declared them.



Ahh, that's a better, non-meatball-y shot (somewhat).

I was so glad to see the footnote about using unsweetened carob chips because I have an overflowing jar-full that I mistakenly bought awhile back and haven't been able to coerce my kids into eating. But it looks like chocolate!!!???? No dice from my chocolate purist children.

I changed a couple things. Ok, that's not true -- I changed a lot of things, but the cookies are still the same in spirit, right?

used white whole wheat flour

swapped cardamom for the cinnamon

used 1/2 coconut oil and 1/2 canola oil

used brown sugar instead of maple syrup (didn't have any on hand, otherwise I'm all about the maple syrup)

used pecans instead of walnuts

used unsweetened carob chips instead of the chocolate

The sweet, patient cookies stood up to all my wacky changes (whew) and are delicious.



In crafty news, I finished Kathryn's requested 9-patch block for 12 square,



and here is the state of my 12 square quilt. I arranged the blocks on my bed (ala Kristina) and am trying to figure out what color sashing to use, if any. Any suggestions? It's a little confusing with my bedspread down there in the lower left and the light solid is blue, not white.



Speaking of blocks, here's a teeny peek at a quilt that I've started for a very special someone. Working with these fabrics instantly raises my spirits because who can be grumpy around these colors?

improvements

Good (in theory).



Better (but still makes me wince, even in pictures).



Best!

Have a wonderful weekend, mothers and all!!

Craft Book Challenge: April (in May)

Just in time for May, here is April’s Craft Book Challenge project: quilted coasters from Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. And Last Minute they definitely were – I finished sewing them as a birthday gift for my BFF a half hour before she arrived. Whew.

These were so fun and easy, I’d highly recommend making them. The concentric quilting is mesmerizingly relaxing and the construction fast and easy. It took me less than an hour to make 4 coasters (not counting the humming and hawing over the perfect fabric choice for BFF).



The only part I struggled with was inserting the batting into the sewn fabric pocket. This would probably be easy for normal people, but I go bonkers over dreaded tasks like putting the comforter inside the duvet cover. Once I finally decided to listen to that annoying voice in my head that said, “it’s just a coaster. Leave it be” things improved. And those little bumps and tucks disappear once it’s quilted anyway. Yeah, I need to listen to that little voice of reason more often.

Anyway, BFF hearted them and agreed that I should have a matching pair, so I’ll definitely be revisiting this pattern.

Happy birthday, sweet goil. And go fuzzballs!!

edgefield

Thank you for your sweet anniversary wishes. We had a wonderful day amongst the fairy gardens and brew pubs of McMenamin's Edgefield. I'm already looking forward to next year's visit. And the next and the next and the next.....





It was a pretty drippy day outside, but I did manage to catch a few shots of the grounds. Edgefield is truly a magical place.





We had the pleasure of seeing wilco play there a couple summers back and we have tickets for deathcab for cutie this summer. I couldn't stop pestering the staff for information about the rock stars that stay there. [So, for the curious...there is a rock star VIP area. No need to show up the morning after the concert in hopes of breakfasting next to Chris Isaak] [Not that I was thinking of doing that] [ahem].



So anyway, the day: we didn't reminisce about the past, we didn't plan for the future, we just steeped in the pleasure of the present -- and I do mean "steeped" quite literally, as the grounds boast an outdoor heated soaking pool. Think 102 degree chemical-free 3-foot deep pool that meanders through an oasis of beautifully landscaped stillness.



Yes, we spent quite a bit of time steeping. Morning, noon and night.

A quilt for a fish

Esme declared this a quilt for her fish, Bloop. Meet Bloop:



Who could not love that squishy fishy face? I’ve had this mini quilt in the works for awhile now but just needed that extra little kick-in-the-pants to get it done, which A Stitch in Dye is so graciously providing with Mini Quilt Monday (thank you, malka!).

So, mini quilt it is. The triangles are cut from a disappearing nine-patch that never quite made its way to the quilting table.



The binding is my all-time favorite binding fabric that adds that tiny touch of coral which every fish needs.



I wish I’d used a different color bobbin thread for the back. It’s a really light blue which is barely discernible, even up close. It just looks brash white (I need to consult my paint color chips for the perfect brash white description). Anyway, It’s too contrast-y for my liking.



But bloop is not picky (well, not with his quilts at least) so he will take it, overly contrast-y lines and all.

And I do realize that I'm a little premature with the whole Monday thing, but Brian and I are heading to this fantastical place, sans children, to celebrate our 7 year anniversary. Seven wonderful years, nary an itch to be had!

Nutty Hippy Hummus

Holden weighed in at 5% for weight at his 5yo check up last week. He’s been in the string bean category his whole life so his doctor isn’t worried, but his poor mama worries constantly. Both kids will eat fruits and veggies until the cows come home, but instantly turn their cute little button noses up at anything resembling a calorie.

So I’ve been relying heavily these days on our old standbys: peanut butter and hummus (not together).

I thought I’d share my super easy fast & yummy hummus recipe in case you have little protein snubbers as well (or, if you just so happen to like hummus)

But first, I must share these conversations between Holden and his nurse because they had me laughing off that tiny chair in the pediatrician’s office.

Nurse (in sing-songy nurse-talking-to-preschooler voice): Can you count to ten?
Holden (in exasperated why-is-she-asking-me-this voice): onetwothreefourfivesixseveneightnineten. What’s that thing around your neck?
N: It’s a stethoscope. Can you draw a triangle in the air with your finger?
H: (drawing triangle in air with finger) What’s a thethostope do?
N: It listens to your insides. How many times a day do you brush your teeth?
H: Two. My insides, like my brain? (pause) Did you hear that?
N: Hear what?
H: My thinking.
N: No. I can just hear things like your heart pumping and your lungs breathing.
H: Ok. Good. (!!!??? I was too afraid to ask)

And then later:

N: Can you dress yourself?
H: Yes.
N: Can you climb?
H: Yes.
N: Can you skip?
H: (pause) oh yeah: one…three…five…seven…nine…

OK, thanks for humoring me! Here’s the recipe!

Nutty Hippy Hummus

Handful of nuts (walnuts preferred but I’ve used pecans, almonds and cashews in a pinch)
Can of garbanzo beans, drained & rinsed.
A couple glugs of olive oil
A clove of garlic (use more if you like garlic. my kids aren’t fond of it so I use it sparingly)
About 2 tsp curry powder

1. Process the nuts in the food processor for a couple seconds. I like to leave mine fairly large, like lentil-sized. Don’t process too much or you’ll get nut butter!
2. Take the nuts out!!! Don’t skip this step, otherwise you’ll have hummus-y nut butter.
3. Add the garbanzo beans, olive oil, garlic and curry powder. Process until smooth, about 1 minute.
4. The trick to creamy hummus is water! Add a few tablespoons at a time and process until you get the desired consistency.
5. Stir the nuts back in and salt to taste.
5. Eat with chips, pita, celery, fingers…whatever.

And speaking of star wars (not), check these out. So Funny. MTFBWY and happy weekend!

Quilt Fest!

I'm joining in on Amy's fabulous idea of an online Quilt Festival today, sharing my favorite quilt.



I've written about it before here. But with time between, it remains my favorite.



These first little drawings of Holden's are still so magical to me. I wanted to preserve the memory of his memories of the world around his 3-year-old self: some birds from a field guide, his hand-held sister, a swirly snail, a little skeleton man...you know, all the important things in a 3yo's life.



We're not afraid to use this quilt: backyard picnics, zoo trips, an extra layer of warmth on a foggy day stroller ride. It's beginning to show the wear and tear of a much-loved quilt, which makes me love it even more.



And now, as little glimmers of big-headed, pokey-footed people and animals begin to appear on Esme's canvases, I'm beginning to dream up the colors and design for another favorite quilt as well...



I'm off to peek into some other favorite quilts in blogland. Be sure to join in, there are some great quilts to see and some great prizes to be had!

**Edited to add: This quilt was inspired by a similar one done by soulemama which I mentioned in my original blog post but felt I should add it here as well to give credit where it's due. OK, back to regular programming...

Random desert ramblings

Hi all. We are in Central OR, breaking away from the not-so-fast pace of city life to give the hubby some one-on-one time with our not-yet-finished house renovation because I oh-so-badly want to move in. OH so badly.

I forgot my camera cable thing-y otherwise I’d be showing scenes of desert life, mainly us all snugged up indoors while the weather outside has a freakout. We planned on leaving tomorrow but I’m terrified of snowy mountain driving so may stay an extra day or two…or seven depending on the elements. I really hate driving in snow.

I don’t have my crafty provisions here, but I’m having fun vignette-ing with Photoshop (thanks Tracy for the tip!) Recognize those socks, steph? Yes, they’re yours and no, you can’t have them back. I'm holding them ransom until you hang out with me again :-P

I have been semi-productive: I wrote a letter to Martha Stewart informing her that the recent smattering of High Fructose Corn Syrup ads in her magazines are definitely not a “good thing” and that I’m willing to discontinue my love affair subscription if the ads continue. Needless to say, I’m not holding my breath on this one. But knowing that my subscription dollars are supporting an industry that I very strongly disagree with…well, I’m just not feeling the MS Living love anymore. I’ll let you know if she writes back (riiiiiiiight).

And speaking of crafty love, I’m excited to participate in Amy’s virtual quilt festival next week. Check it out, and join in if you have a favorite quilt + story!

just because

our tea party needed more color.

we have a winner

Thank you, sweet peeps, for the quilt love! And now, onto the apron winner........

RNG says it's Lia! (check out Lia's wee wonderful make-along doll, so cute!)

Lia, please email me your mailing address and I'll pop this into the mail asap. Picture of apron-wearing husband is optional, of course.

And now, I'm off to see Handmade Nation with a crafty cohort of mine. But not until we're properly happy houred first.

Happy weekend, all!!!

Emmy's Quilt

It's hard to get too overly excited about a new quilt when 1) you have to give it away and 2) your 3yo was up for 3+ hours in the middle of the previous night. But here I am, semi-awake with a done quilt to show off. (Please excuse any brash grammatical insults, I'm running purely on caffeine today)



This is the finished auction quilt, sortof the quilt-y offspring of this quilt and this quilt. It's going to a sweet little artist named Emmy.



I'm kindof in love with the mary engelbreit backing material which just may showcase itself as a sundress or spring skirt in the near future. I hope that it, along with the flowery binding fabric, adds that extra magical something that little girls fall in love with.



But my favorite part of this project was the help I received in making it. Holden's getting pretty good at machine sewing (with a box under the foot pedal, so cute!) so I let him help with quilting the straight(ish) lines. Esme was in charge of transferring the pins to their pincushion home and measuring herself repeatedly with the tape measure. It truly takes a village, people.



Esme was a little bummed that this quilt wasn't for her. She requested one just like it for her new room which elicited a happy dance from me since I plan on hanging this quilt on her wall. It's not often that I'm one step ahead of her, so I'll give a little woot here. Woot!



And thanks for all the apron love! Check back tomorrow when I'll be drawing a random winner from the magical RNG machine...