Patterns all around us

Whip-up has an ongoing theme of inspiration being all around us in everyday things. For as long as I can remember, I am the one constantly photographing things, clipping pics from newspapers and magazines, sketching and scribbling notes everywhere...
Artists need a lot of storage :)
Like this pineapple taken off the side of a fruit crate box. Wouldn't it make a wonderful quilting block pattern or applique pattern? Crochet pattern? Pincushion? Even a softie pattern? Shoot, maybe even a rug?


Stained-glass window with ship imagery, in a house I recently stayed. This would make a wonderful applique or embroidery pattern.

Gadget

This might be old news to some of you, but for me this was a huge discovery. This made the cost of my quilting class immediately worth the course fee. Most of you have used fusible webs like Wonder Under, Aleene's, etc...right?

Have you heard of Steam-a-Seam?

You iron on the backside of your fabric, and peel off the paper to expose the glue (just like regular fusible web),

but then it's FINGER PRESSABLE! and REPOSITIONABLE!

Only after finding exactly where you want it do you iron it on permanently.
THAT, my friends, is the best!
In my area at least, it's available at Joann's Fabrics.

Goodies in the Mail!!!!

Mail is just about the best thing ever. Heather sent me these goodies yesterday--neckties for my sewing stash!. Inspiration. A 'just because', a 'thinking of you'. I mean, how incredible is that?! It's really special to know someone thought of me.

These babies will go into a future project. I'm thinking of doing a quilt with burgundy, so maybe this will give me the boost to get started.


And the ninja! I love novelty stuff like that. I am going to combine this with some other super heroes and cartoon character neckties, and make a tote bag.

Heather also sent adorable retro Sugar Crisp cereal notecards, but my computer was over uploading for me and shut itself off. She wrapped everything in multi-colored polka dot tissue paper that looks a lot like Amy Butler designs. I love retro stuff too, and the cards will get used because I honestly do write real old-fashioned letters. Thank you Heather.

Crochet-covered bottlecap

The first post I ever did on this blog (other than an introduction) was of a bag I made with a mod floral fabric. I made a flower pin that looked like a clasp, but the best part was finally finding a use for a crochet-covered bottlecap that a friend had given to me. Now that I have a scanner, I can show you the detail a bit better. And the great thing about my using Flickr here versus Picasa, is that you can click on the image to see a larger version.

Note worthy bloggers

I still haven't learned to knit. I actually still want to even after this post by Rock Chick Knits. Now that's entertainment. I think I'll stick with the store bought variety.

I'll post other bloggers later. I have to get to bed--work in just a few hours, eek.

I started a quilting class today that is so amazing. I feel like I found my niche. More details soon...
My teacher's (Jane LaFazio) life motto:

"What I do today is important because I am paying a day of my life for it. What I accomplish must be worthwhile because the price is high."

Nuestro Himno--a slap in the face (in my opinion)

"...it's a bunch of non sequiturs thrown together--like a BeeGees song."

KFI talk show host, John Kobylt, referring to Nuestro Himno, a rewritten version of our national anthem...sung in Spanish.

SAPP Thursday

Yeah, I know, I need a better name. SAPP, for Share A Past Project on Thursday. Email me the link to your post, and I'll acknowledge it here, like Andrea does for Photobooth Friday.

(you can click on image to enlarge)

Amy recently posted about past projects and where we all began. One of the tenets of blogging is a sharing, a revealing, a getting-to-know-one-another philosophy. Sharing a past project is one small token toward sharing parts of ourselves.

This is my first and only attempt at filet crochet. I have it lying atop a piece of yellow fabric just so you can see it better. It is four ducks across, 4" high and 15" long. I found it insanely tedious. I made this back in the 80's sometime, and I've never known what to do with it. It would look cute as a bodice on a little girl's dress, but I never did have kids, so it sits at the bottom of my sewing box in a ziploc bag

Gift bag idea

What a fun idea! (how to here). This is from Asta Arts, a local San Diego rubber stamping DIY company. She and three friends have started a get together called The San Diego Craft Mafia. More power to girl groups and DIY!

Candy swappers!

  
I just realized that I never posted the goodies I received from my first candy swappers swap! Well, I DID thank her and I did post to the candy site--I'm not THAT lame.
Candy Swappers first theme was regional candies. I was lucky and got a partner from the UK, so was blown away by the Banana-flavored Kit Kat, and what she labeled "Perry Sweets" (what we call Gummis!). There was even a fried egg-shaped gummi, a Coke bottle, and hearts! And check out those coconut mushrooms! Chocolate-covered Brazil nuts. The licorice pinwheels were seriously to die for--all tied up in pretty cellophane with a gold sticker, then other candies in clear cellophane and brown satin ribbon. So pretty and all so yummy. The hard striped candies were also licorice and amazingly good. A new swap will be announced soon.

Is Picasa down?

Grrr...tried to post today and Picasa is not letting me load new pics. The process looks like it works, but what posts is an old pic. Not sure what the deal is. My computer is so old that it takes about 15 minutes for one image to upload to Flickr (hence why my apron collection isn't up there).

More vintage needle cards

Weird MeMe

Second one for the day! This one seen on Amy's blog.

1) I was a vegetarian from 3rd grade to 7th, after the school taught us about farm animals and how they were killed for our food. I dabbled in meat on occasion since then, but some sort of pride has prevented me from ever telling my family.

2) I sleep better during the afternoons. I am a night owl by nature--rarely go to be before 1am even on the days I work early. I am somewhat afraid of the dark.

3) I was stalked by an ex-boyfriend, as well as the girlfriend of an ex-boyfriend. Very stressful indeed. I have also been physically assaulted, but I refuse to be jaded by this.

4) I am obsessive about being thorough and detailed at work, yet my own bedroom is always a complete mess. I am like my mom and leave all kinds of crap on the dining table.

5) I am great about ideas but not so great on finishing.

6) I can't walk within a mile of an animal and not say hi. Usually in a squeaky voice. Animals love me.

7) I can drink water straight out of the kitchen faucet (can you say three brothers?) and milk still tastes better out of a paper carton.

8) I hate Thanksgiving. Haven't celebrated it in as long as I can remember. Initially it involved too many weird family members, and then the whole can't eat turkey thing because I said so (see #1). Stubborn pride. Ah, she really is a redhead!

I'm sure there are many more strange traits, but that's all I can think of right now.

I've been tagged!

Miss Eagle tagged me to share my ten Simple Pleasures. I really like her list. Let's see...

1) The sun on my face. There's no joy quite like enjoying the sun, the sunset over the ocean, the heat, walks on Dog Beach. I love living in California.

2) Curling up in a chair with a yummy blanket, and reading. No time limits, no pressing engagements...just time to myself. I am fortunate in that I have tons of freedom, tons of free time. I like it that way. I could never be a slave to a list or a schedule.

3) Going through cookbooks or magazine clippings or internet recipe sites, planning a new item to make (usually a dessert--baking is my favorite) and feeling a sense of accomplishment at having tried something new, and making it beautiful. Then sharing my treat and the rave reviews that make me smile. I get a real sense of pride from keeping traditions alive--baking from scratch, sewing, keeping good values.

4) Finding hidden treasure in thrift shops. Hoping for moments when the breath catches in my throat because I can't believe my good fortune.

5) A cafe, a cafe mocha, and endless conversation with a good friend. Conversation is my key to joy. That connection can be magic, battery-charging, motivating.

6) Live music venues. I can listen to almost anything live. I love to dance also. I considered majoring in dance in college. I wish I would have followed through on that. But music moves my soul.

7) Cruising the internet. I am a phenomenal researcher. I can find anything. And time just zooms by. I wish I could find a job doing this.

8) Going to sleep with my black cat Terry curled up beside me under the covers. Best cat on the planet, and already 15. I've almost lost him a few times (urinary tract problems) but God blessed me with more years with him. A former boyfriend gave him to me for Valentine's Day when Terry was just 4 months old. A free kitty in the newspaper, given away when a landlord found a tenant with a kitten in a 'no pets' building. I have always wondered why people don't just MOVE under those circumstances. Are you going to dump your children too? Just sayin'. It was funny though, because I asked for a kitten, and for a young female, gray long hair. I was given a 4 month old male, black short hair. Hello! But it worked out beautifully. The old man isn't solid black anymore. Age has brought three white whiskers!

9) I miss being in a relationship. I miss dog walks, trips to Mexico, cocktails and conversation, reading in bed, making dinners together. I hope that joy finds me again. It's the LITTLE things that make a relationship special. The little things are what I miss.

10) Spending time with my mom. Trips to quilt shops and gardens...
I'm trying to cherish every moment.

I won't tag anyone specifically, but feel free to post your own list.

Moments in time: Photo Sharing

 
I came across an old box of photos at my mom's. For whatever reason, these weren't deemed worthy enough for the album pages. But they hold memories just the same. Not sure how old I was here. I was the only girl in the family. Youngest, with three brothers. Ambition and career success wasn't something considered at that time. At least not in my family. Secretary was what girls were supposed to be. Obviously that wasn't the case, but I didn't know any better. I took typing and shorthand (!) in high school, but never did go the admin route. I have pages and pages of diary written in shorthand that I no longer can decipher. 

 
Gaylord was a battery-operated dog that walked on a leash. I loved that dog. I don't know why I no longer have him, or what happened to him. I've seen him on ebay now go for over $300. He was given to me after my brother was playing with me and threw me in the air to land on the bed, and my knee grazed the bedpost...leading to my first stitches. I was allowed to go to the store and pick out anything I wanted (can you say spoiled rotten?), and I chose Gaylord. Everytime I was hurt or sick as a child, I always got gifts. One would think I would have turned into a hypochondriac after that! I remember getting coloring books, a huge troll doll (that I still have), and an over-sized plastic whistle that I adored (and also still have). Looking at that photo now, I'm seriously diggin' that rug! Don't you just want to be able to go back in time and grab up a bunch of cool Eames stuff and have it now? Or collectibles like novelty lunch boxes, etc? But who knew? 


Cute Red-riding hood look. And my beloved saddle shoes(possibly...I can't tell here, I'm guessing. May be tennies in this pic, but I did love my saddle shoes). I used to ask Nanny (my grandma) please please can I put them on just one more time. I have pics of me sleeping with them on. But what I remember most here is the dress. THE dress. It was white light-weight cotton, with a border of zoo animals. I loved that dress. I wish I still had it for the fabric. Or had an adult-sized version. The irony is that I have never been into clothes. I would rather buy kitchen stuff or greeting cards than go clothes shopping.

I admit it, I'm an eBay addict

Away from home and my scanner, so have to post shopping ideas. Oh darn, heehee.
Tonight I was cruising ebay (ahem, yes it's Saturday night). How fun are these things?! Flipsies socks for flip-flops!


kitten knitting needles made with polymer clay. The image is copyrighted so I can't post it, but super cute. And great craft idea.

Adorable handmade felt pincushion set atop a wooden spool. By Prim Penny Designs.


And this lovely fairy tale pendant on an 'ivory'domino. Love love love.

Springtime...

I always say my favorite time of year is Summer, but I think really it's now. Spring. The birds are hovering about the feeder outside the picture window. The weather is warm enough for shorts, but not too cold. And not hot the way it will be in a few months when I'll thank God the air conditioning in my car works.

Speaking of God, I got an email from Jesus Christ today. As in from the Jesus Christ Show on KFI 640AM, since I posted about it recently. I thought that was pretty cool.

It has been a nice day all around. Took Duke (the dog in my banner) to Fiesta Island, where the wildflowers are in bloom again. Treated myself to a butterscotch-dipped twist cone at Mr. Frosty in Pacific Beach. I love that place. It's a San Diego landmark as far as I'm concerned.

What's up in your neck of the woods?

Add to the list of 'to do', 'to learn', future UFO

I've been plagued with headaches lately. If you count my chiropractor, I've been to five doctor visits in one week. No diagnosis yet, but walking around feeling like you're balancing a bowling ball isn't the best ingredient for the creative process.

I haven't sewn squat.

I went to the hippie co-op under my chiro's orders to start taking several vitamins, and on impulse purchased a magazine called Natural Home & Garden. I think my number one passion is with 'green' design (environmentally conscious building materials, including fabrics).

Anyway, imagine my pleasant surprise to find this little tidbit. A bowl/basket made from neckties! Like I said, the headaches have kept me from showing my own version yet, but I really like the idea of a cat bed. I know it's against copyright law or something to post these things, but I figure I'm basically giving an advertisement for their magazine, so why should anyone complain? Just sayin'.

  

Thanks, Anonymous

Whoever 'anonymous' is that left this website in comments...thank you!!! Blogger does have email notification of comments, but very often I'm not given the email address of the person writing. Is this only when people don't leave their information? Because sometimes it's there. I really like to respond to people personally (especially the first time they write), and it's so frustrating. Sometimes I get a link to blogs, and I'll leave a comment there if their email address is not available. I rarely comment within my comments, because it's too difficult for people to remember to check back, and I find it too impersonal. But anyway, that was a great link, and I hadn't seen it previously. Very cool!

Post Script: Holy crap! They're in my own city! Gotta check that place out. I think that's one of the shops that I found in a local magazine's lists of places to see. Yep, definitely.

Maybe I should start my own online shop????

Sweet Pea Day!

 
Last week was Sweet Pea Day at Summers Past Farm. The sweet peas are blooming, and there's nothing quite like that fragrance. Unfortunately, the event was just a bit early, in that many of the flowers weren't quite ready for cutting. But it's still fun to go to events and fun places, and this is a perfect place to picnic. They've got some great classes on things like herbal soap-making, but the price is a bit too steep for my pocketbook. I would like to learn how to make some glycerin soap bars with cut soap shapes inside. They don't teach that class because they say it's really easy to learn on your own (guess I'd better look into library books). They do sell wonderful glycerin soaps there though for $5.95 per bar--I especially like the seahorse and bee-shaped ones. Expect to be greeted by their huge yellow mascot kitty and the friendly banti rooster. 

Yarr, it's a party, mate.

 
One of my ex-roommates is having a party for her son with an 'under the sea' theme. I found this cute book at the library to give her more ideas. His party last year was actually pirates, but it's still applicable. 

 
How fun are these?! Fruit juice popsicles with cookie cutter-cut shapes of cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon, or whatever other fruit you'd like to use. The book says these are "Titanic Treats...let's sink a few of these jiggling icebergs". 

 
"Shipmates' Snacks...we'll have a whale of a time!" 

Other ideas for the party include:
*Fishing game with a magnet at the end of the pole, and the kids can fish for prizes.
*Freeze sea creature-shaped gummis or fruit snacks in ice cube trays, then add the ice to blue punch.
*Or add the gummis to blue-colored jello.
*Serve goldfish crackers and other snacks in sand pails, or make a sand pail cake.
*Hang crepe paper streamers from the ceiling or a doorway, and clear balloons (bubbles) for the kids to walk through the sea. Add cardboard cut-out seaweed.

any other ideas I can pass along?

Someone guard my wallet

{gasp} Birds on a wire. This is just downright awesome.
Must. have. purse.
From Yakpak, it also comes in green, grey, and black.


Sheesh, how cute! And cuteness for a cause, no less. There are lots of these sock coin purses out there (search ebay), but this one goes toward animal rescue. Great idea though, huh? Order here.

PS: I've posted multiple times this weekend, so make sure you scroll down and don't miss anything. My posting is usually feast or famine, and right now I'm having to hold myself back!

Bumper sticker impressions

I always thought an interesting photography book could be made by focusing on what people display on and in their cars. Next to the shoes people wear, how we personalize our vehicles tends to say volumes. Interior back window shelves of old cars are often filled with stuffed animals. Bumper stickers might scream political affiliation or world views. Items hanging from rear view mirrors offer a window into the soul.
 
Here's what I've got on my back window. Aloha turtle sticker, logo from the music site where I write CD reviews, Shag aloha sticker, and an alternative music radio station's sticker (they just went independent again. Yay, no more dreaded Clear Channel).

Hanging from my rear view mirror is an assortment of chains: my dad's track shoe-shaped charms from high school (awards from races he won), a vintage sterling Madonna pendant set in a cut-out frame--even though I'm not Catholic (it's beautiful), a wooden Mexican cross with a painted scene, a sterling pin of a surfer checking out the waves (I don't surf, but tend to date them. One of my supervisors says, "friends don't let friends date surfers" even though he himself surfs ), and hanging from an organza ribbon there's a silver soldered frame I purchased from an artist. The frame surrounds a photo of artists' pastels on one side, and "Live your Dream" on the other. 

More shopping ideas!

 
My computer is having issues (so what else is new?), so I wasn't able to capture as many pics as I wanted to, but at least here's an idea. Pictured here is the kimono shoulder bag (a bit ouch on the price, but it sure is pretty to look at), Japanese cake erasers (they have ice cream ones also), and cupcake necklace. The other day when I posted about the magnetic birds, I ended up cruising more sites to find a company that used USPS rather than UPS so I could use my post office box.

I found a few, including a fun site called Sugar Pine Beauty, where I did indeed purchase a bird magnet.

The magnet as well as a bunch of other fun items are made by Pylones of Paris. Check out their site here

(I find it easiest to navigate by scrolling throught the product finder). I love the dog-shaped cake server. They also have lady-shaped graters and veggie peelers, and a fun set of mini chalkboards for labeling plants in your garden. 

Briercrest Park

 
Most of you already know that I love the work of James Hubbell. The mosaics at
Briercrest Park are new, and more work is planned here--a living maze, a scented garden, and a butterfly garden. The latter will include a stone archway in which the arch portion will be a giant butterfly.

I love that he used pyrite in the fountain. He forms organic shapes then mosaics with glass, tiles, and rough stones. Stones that one doesn't normally see in 'art'. Natural quartz chunks, for example, along with tumbled rock. Really beautiful. Hubbell is one of the few who can do many things (watercolor painting, architecture, mosaics, stained glass...) and do them all well. Nothing he touches is ever mediocre (versus the cliche about doing one thing well or a lot mediocre). 

Recycled bench!

  
A bench whose wooden slats have been replaced with old skis! I saw this at Nicolosi's Restaurant. One of the few places in San Diego that make thick crust Pesto Ricotta pizza. Ummmm.....

Shopping....

I really want some of these magnetic birds that chirp when you take off paper clips (or straight pins).
Best price is at Doe.

My favorite limited edition flavor of ice cream is back--German Chocolate Cake. You know that yummy coconut-pecan frosting that's on German Chocolate Cake? Well, that's mixed into chocolate ice cream along with chocolate pieces and cake pieces. Orgasmic.

I'm obsessed with Zappos lately. I could spend a gazillion dollars on that site. How funny are these rooster sandals?!
Right now I want these.

Window dressing

 
Ha! Fun window display of a thrift store in Hillcrest. 

Mama's Lil Helpers

 
I'm trying to sew with my ties stash, but the box is just too tempting for these guys. Note Terry's black tail in the front. Heehee 

Key Lime Pie Recipe

My friend Amy says, "nothing tastes as good as thin feels....EXCEPT when it comes to this pie." She gave me the recipe (from Cottage Living Magazine, February of this year) and I was finally able to make it today. Key limes aren't very common around here, but Henry's (a local health-oriented market) got in a shipment from Mexico. These limes were really small, so I had to use two full one-pound bags of limes. It helps having some kind of juicer. Super easy to make, yummy and tart.

Key Lime Pie

1+1/4 cups crushed graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
4 Tbsp butter, melted
2 (14 oz each) cans sweetened condensed milk
1+1/4 cups Key Lime juice (can substitute the more common Persian limes, but do NOT use the bottled juice)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
2 Tbsp powdered sugar
garnishes: grated lime zest and lime slices

1) Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, and butter and press firmly into bottom and sides of a 10-inch pie plate. Bake for 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from oven and let stand 15 minutes to cool.
2) Whisk together condensed milk, lime juice, and eggs until well blended. Pour into crust. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until set. Chill in refrig at least 4 hours.
3) Combine creme fraiche and powdered sugar. Spread evenly over chilled pie. Garnish if desired with a last minute squeeze of lime and grated zest on top. For variation, you can substitute 1/4 cup chopped dry roasted macademia nuts for 1/4 cup of the cracker crumbs, and add to the 1 cup of crumbs. Proceed as directed, then sprinkle an additional 1/4 cup chopped dry roasted macademias evenly over topping.

I'll huff and I'll puff....

 
I'm not usually into making stuffed animals, because there aren't too many small children in my life. I'm actually really bummed that Backtack is softies this time around too (bags would be better for me). But how cute is this pattern?! And from socks! Copyright 1958. 

Today is my birthday

Yep, today is the day. I won't tell you how old I am, in that people tend to judge. I guess most people want to rub shoulders with those in their age group, and any number that might be different than expectations can cause disappointment. So I'll leave it vague. Usually I have lots of ideas on places I want to go or things I want to see, but this year not so much. Maybe because it's rainy and cold. I almost attended the memorial service for Buddy Blue, but I didn't plan my day accordingly and I didn't want to show up late. What a loss though. I'll bet the crowd will be interesting--I wonder if the Farmers will play?

My mom and I have a tradition of going to lunch at the Bread Basket on my birthday, so I look forward to that. But I can't think of any movies I want to see, or galleries to visit. Oh well. It will be a quiet day. That's okay.

Sewing with Towels

"Matching Stole" hahahahahaha
Boy you'd be high stylin' in that get up. This is from a booklet by Cannon Mills, "Make it with Towels". I saw this booklet posted on Craftster forever ago, and finally found it on ebay. I love ebay's feature of being notified when something you're seeking is available.














I love this hippo that Hillary posted on her new blog. I have a love affair with towels. For me, they're right up there with neckties regarding fun to craft material. I have some booklets for making animals with towels, but I hadn't thought of using printed ones! Hello! So this sparks a whole new resurgence of interest for me.

I have five patterns posted on Flickr of clothing made from towels. See it here, along with the rest of the towel booklet.

Who knew blogs had so much good stuff?!

"But it's OK. I'm totally fine being just the doofus part of hipster doofus. Doofuses (Doofii? Doofusees? Doofusers?) are good people. We are "colorful." We have our own brand of Doofus Chic, and we are livin' out loud and proud. Kind of like Scientologists... but not so jumpy on the couchy."

That is a quote from Crazy Aunt Purl, a blog that has the quantity of comments I long for...so she certainly doesn't need any advertising from the likes of me...but damn that woman needs to write a book already.

Recipe Update

I had some requests for the recipe I posted. I made it this morning and it was super easy and super yummy. I do think it would be improved, however, by adding the cinnamon to the cake itself, and omiting the sugar topping. Instead do a streusal crumble top with nuts and brown sugar (maybe even coconut), or frost with cream cheese frosting, or just plain whipped cream. Or it might be really yummy with a regular powdered sugar/butter/milk glaze.

But I love coffee cake. This reminds me of a restaurant in Santa Cruz that I used to frequent, called Hobies. I wonder if they're still famous for their coffee cake?

Blueberry Boy Bait

2 cups Pillsbury's Best All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup blueberries, frozen, fresh, or drained canned
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Oven 350 degrees
13 x 9 inch cake

In large mixer bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, butter, milk, and eggs. Blend at low speed until dry ingredients are moistened; beat at medium speed for 3 minutes. Pour into greased and floured 13x9 inch pan. Arrange blueberries on top. Combine sugar and cinnamon, sprinkle over top. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 50 minutes or until cake springs back when touched lightly in center. Cut in squares and serve warm or cold with whipped cream or ice cream.

Wanna catch yourself a man? Make him dessert.

 
You gotta love that the dish is called 'Blueberry Boy Bait'.

I've been on a thrifting binge this week. So much for the challenge that a lot of people are participating in this month: to not buy anything new. This is from a vintage cookbook of Pillsbury Bake Off Desserts, 1968.  

Just a neighborhood house that I love