STITCHING PINK

A Welcomed Surprise

2011-03-27T16:19:00.000-07:00

I don't buy many knitting/sewing/embroidery books these days. Most seem to be much like those that came before. Aprons, one-skein projects, quick gifts, baby gifts and more aprons. Not that I don't appreciate the work and creativity that goes into writing and publishing craft books - I just don't need to own them when I have a rather larger collection already.

And then every once in a while I come across a book that completely surprises me. The book pictured at the left is just that! I actually found it in the craft section, not sewing or embroidery. I initially figured it was more of the same until I opened it and realized that the projects are arranged by color and include both drawings for embroidery and cross-stitch charts! And, these motifs are modern, lovely and fun. The projects are whimsical and useful though no sewing instruction are included. But I can find basic instruction for most of the finished projects in one of the many books that I already own.

So of course, I had to take this one home with me. And for the last few hours I have been turning the pages while thinking about my next project. A cross-stitch sampler perhaps or maybe just a simply embellished pillow. The designs have an aesthetic that seem classic, as though you once saw them on your grandmother's bed or maybe on one of her dishtowels. That's what made the book jump out at me - the longing for something from the past and an opportunity to make it new again.

After this post, I plan to pull out my collection of DMC thread and that fine Irish linen I've been saving for a few years. For this project I want instant gratification so I'll probably start with a simple cross-stitched sachet. A heart. In pink, of course.

Happy Stitching!

It's been too long

2011-01-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

It's not that I haven't been knitting or sewing, it's just that I haven't been writing about it. Of course, I do spend a lot of time over here and my new professional experiences are taking up much of my time but knitting will always be my first love.

In fact, I've finished a few projects recently and picked up a few UFO's including a shawl from Two Old Bags and a pair of socks that need to be darned. The shawl I started when I was pregnant with Lucy nearly 7 years ago. I bought the yarn at my first visit to Maryland Sheep and Wool literally wrangling it out of the hands of another knitter.... But, my focus shifted to my pregnancy and then to Lucy and then to knitting and sewing for Lucy and then to maybe making another baby, nursing my husband through an illness, losing a pregnancy, starting a new job in Philly, leaving that job and then entering an entirely new profession. But, despite all of the ups and downs, that shawl has been waiting patiently for me to return. And so I have and can't believe how quickly the pattern has come back to me.

I'm hoping to be over here more but without the pressure to create and publish photos and witticisms. This is a place to document my musings on creating needlework not just for those who are here now but for those who will be here many years after I am gone.

Be well.

Yummy Cookies

2010-09-05T11:28:00.001-07:00

Chocolate chip cranberry oatmeal cookies, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is one of my very favorite cookie recipes from this book though I have modified it quite a bit and provide the recipe below. These are not your typical oatmeal cookies - they are filled with chocolate chips, cranberries and, if you like, walnuts or pecans. Today I omitted the nuts because we are taking them to a picnic but if I'm just making these for us, I like to add chopped pecans.

Heat oven to 350.

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 large eggs

2 1/2 cups oatmeal - not quick cooking
1 cup flour
1/2 cup wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cranberries (or more if you like)
1 cup chopped nuts - walnuts or pecans.

Beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time then vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl then mix with butter/sugar mixture. Last add chocolate chips, dried cranberries and nuts if you like.

I use a small ice cream scoop which is about 2 tsp. Space at least 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Make sure they cook through - these are good really crispy.

Makes about 4 to 5 dozen.

Enjoy.

Kate Spade Polyvore Contest - My Entry, My Life

2010-07-27T09:29:00.000-07:00

Out for a Ride by stitchingpink featuring Kate Spade

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kate spade 'pearl sparkle' ring
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canvas bella nook cover
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Kate Spade Readers
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Kate Spade Sentiment
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Flowers from the farm

2010-07-24T07:47:00.001-07:00

Flowers from the farm, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Yesterday I made it to the farm early before the humidity really picked up. Luckily for me our farm share allowed me to cut 30 flowers. I have a thing for snapdragons so I made my way to them first picking only those with pink and orange hues of course. Then I walked over to the zinnias where I found myself immersed in a sea of vibrantly colored flowers with honey bees and butterflies dancing from bloom to bloom. I took my time finding the perfect ones to accompany the snapdragons, allowing the bees to finish their business before snipping the stem. More than once I stood and watched a large yellow and black butterfly flap her wings on the perfect bloom - she seemed to have the exact same taste in flowers as mine!

Once home, I cut a few of the remaining pink hydrangea blooms from the bush outside my front door. I then haphazardly arranged my bounty in an old milk glass pitcher, placed the arrangement in a spot where I could enjoy them and sat down to read my new book. All in all a lovely morning.

Enjoy.

You can see last year's arrangement here

This is on my to-do list

2010-07-21T06:22:00.000-07:00

From Amy Butler's latest pattern collection - knits! Love the simplicity, the color and the yarns are also luscious. Definitely on my knitting to-do list for the winter!

A picture worth a thousand words and smiles.

2010-07-16T14:01:00.000-07:00

I have happy feet. There's really nothing much else to say. The picture speaks for itself. I found these over at Anthropologie on sale in a size 9.5. To my great delight and surprise they actually fit. They are described as needlepoint wedges but we all know that this is cross-stitch. Made by Schuler and Sons which I think is an Anthro brand.

Happy Stitching and Walking!

For some reason the picture won't post - will take a picture of them on my feet and post later!

I love this book!

2010-07-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

A dear friend of mine joined me on a visit to Purl Soho today. Though I was tempted buy the new Amy Butler knitting book and yarn, I refrained for now. Instead I came home with this absolutely lovely book about macarons. A number of the reviews suggest that adjustments need to be made to the recipes but I'm willing to give them a try and tweak as necessary. Plus the pictures are adorable!

Happy baking and eating!

New Skirt for Lucy

2010-07-03T06:25:00.001-07:00

New skirt for Lucy, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I came across this fabric while helping my mom move out of her house. There wasn't much of it - maybe 3/4 of a yard. So, I cut a simple skirt using this pattern in the smallest size, added a slip made out of the fabric I used for Lucy's curtains and voila! A perfect summer skirt that will last at least a year as it's a tad bit long.

I had the perfect flowery top all picked out for the skirt - something I picked up at the Saks Outlet. But Lucy said it was too itchy so instead she's wearing a Mini Mouse graphic tee from The Gap. Oh well. But the girl does have style!

Happy Sewing.

Crazy connections

2010-05-29T12:10:00.000-07:00

Last month I visited a wonderful new consignment shop in town, Jane, to go to a trunk show of vintage charms from M and B Vintage. I picked out a few charms and also brought with me my collection of about 20 charms as well as two vintage Bowdoin bracelets I bought while attending college. After almost 25 year of collection charms, I finally had them solder my charms to a Tiffany's bracelet I had been given by a very generous patient of mine. I also had them combine the two Bowdoin bracelets into one. And I got Lucy started with a charm bracelet - her first charm is a bicycle since she recently learned to ride without training wheels!

Anyway, the bracelets arrived and I have only taken them off to sleep. It brings me such joy to hear them clanging on my wrist and to know that the charms are safely all in one place. It's like wearing a little bit of history on my wrist.

So today I was going through our bookshelves to get ready for our garage sale when I came across this book. The authors' names seemed familiar and then the lightbulb went on - these are the women of M and B vintage. I loved reading this book when I was pregnant with Lucy. I ordered it on Amazon and poured over it for the remaining weeks of Lucy's gestation, day dreaming of the perfect vintage nursery.

What a delightful moment. These women inspired me on my journey to becoming a mother and now their creativity provides me with endless joy with each twist of my wrist. What a wonderful connection.

Be well.

Hedgehogs

2010-05-12T19:18:00.000-07:00

A while back my husband suggested that I read Elegance of the Hedgehog. I use the term "read" but what I really mean is listen to it on my ipod. I usually don't like listening to books on tape/ipod. I prefer to read the words and admire the grammar, sentence structure, etc. There's something about a really well written sentence that I just love - to think that someone can take words and create such beautiful prose inspires me. If there is one thing that I wish that I could do well it's write.

Anyway, after much prodding, I gave in and started listening to this book. It was awesome. The actors reading the parts were superb. The language was seductive and elegant. I adored all the references to philosophy, film and Anna Karenina. I listened to it bit by bit, portioning the book out over a period of weeks for fear that it would end. And then it came, the ending, and it overwhelmed me.

There are many reviews of this book out there so I'm not going to contribute mine except to say that this is a beautiful book and if you don't read it you will miss out on something wonderful. I can't say much more because I don't want to spoil it for you. Believe me, this one is worth the time and if you prefer to listen to books, I found this recording particularly enjoyable.

That's all for now. Lately I have been embroidering and sewing only occasionally. We are in the middle of a kitchen renovation so that takes most of my time. And I'm still trying to exercise but with the house a mess, I haven't gotten to the gym nearly as much as I should.

Happy Spring and be well.

Where am I?

2010-05-05T19:33:00.001-07:00

I'm over here these days. Come visit.

Hope to come back to this site soon. Keep checking in!

Happy Mother's Day!

Baby Sweater

2010-04-28T14:24:00.000-07:00

Just in case you thought I wasn't knitting anymore, here's proof. I made this for my adorable nephew. The color suits him, don't you think?

Sweater pattern is from Simple Knits for Cherished Babies by Erika Knight. One of my all time favorite baby knitting books. The patterns are incredibly simple and the pictures are lovely.

MARTHA

2010-04-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

This has been an exciting year for me as I have had the opportunity to be in the studio audience for 2 MARTHA shows! The first was back in February for the couples Valentine's special and the second was just last week with my friend, Alexis.

I couldn't really enjoy the first one - I was way too anxious about actually seeing someone I have admired for years. But it was really about more than that. I've been sewing and knitting for as long as I can remember. In fact, the desire to do needlework is in my blood. On my mother's side, my mother, grandmother, great-aunt, their mother, their great aunt all knit, sewed, and embroidered. Part of the family folklore is that a great-great-great aunt of mine, Cassandra Burgess, sewed a stunning trupunto quilt using her old ball gowns from the antebellum South. She had been disowned because she married a sickly man who subsequently died and left her penniless. Nonetheless she created beautiful things out of such misery. Another of her creations is a whole cloth quilt meticulously quilted at 12 stitches per inch.

On my father's side, my maternal grandmother sewed and knit keeping her Singer Featherweight set up and ready to go in her home office where she made decisions about investing in oil wells. Her mother sewed a bit but her grandmother, my great-great grandmother was quite an accomplished seamstress who also did intricate beadwork. The remnants of her work that still exist are breathtaking.

Now I am not suggesting that I am nearly as accomplished as these women were but I do think that I was born to work with needles. You may ask what this has to do with Martha Stewart so I will tell you. Through the years my hobbies seemed like something that old women do, sitting in their rocking chairs. But Martha Stewart gave all of this crafting street cred and she elevated it to the level of art. Her magazine and television show profile needlework artisans as great artists, which they are. They create the art that surrounds us everyday, that we use on a daily basis. They make the functional beautiful.

So, to meet this maven of craft completely freaked me out! I was a wreck. My stomach in knots, my brain in a fog. Having my husband with me (remember, it was the couples show) didn't really help as he found the whole thing a bit on the silly side. Although he was quite happy to receive his free ipod nano! But at the second show, I enjoyed myself immensely. I sat in the front row with my dear friend Alexis and I even got on TV a little bit (I'm the one sitting next to the pregnant woman, smiling in the orange top and red classes). There were no giveaways but just being in that gorgeous studio again was enough of a gift for me.

I hope that Lucy will also inherit this love of needlework. I'm starting her early and so now she sews on that Singer Featherweight though we don't invest in oil wells while we sew - we watch MARTHA.

A Box Arrives

2010-04-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

I came home this afternoon to find two boxes waiting for me. Both were from my father in Oklahoma City. I knew what was inside but I didn't know exactly what I would find.

My grandmother, Dorothy, passed away a little more than two years ago. She left behind a huge legacy - some great and some not so great. As her only granddaughter I had the opportunity to have an exclusive relationship with her. She had high hopes for me - that I would become a great physician, marry a wonderful man and move back to Oklahoma.

I didn't become a doctor much to her dismay though over time she accepted my chosen profession of midwifery, in fact she often bragged that I was a graduate of the best midwifery school in the country and it was an Ivy! I did marry a wonderful man who, as it turns out, is a physician so I guess I came close enough to the doctor thing for her. She was one of the few in the family who supported our engagement as Mitch and I are not the same faith. Her final wish was not granted. I never did move back to OKC and visited infrequently, less and less after graduate school and even less once I started my job as a midwife. I toyed with the idea with moving home but I knew that I never could. Not that Oklahoma doesn't have its bright spots - really that had very little to do with decision.

My father is a bright man who suffers from an illness that makes him a bit...unpredictable. Over the years I got used to this and learned to live with it until I really couldn't and moved away to be educated. The stories are endless and so there is no need to detail them here. But there is one story that relates back to these boxes.

As Dorothy approached her final months, my father's actions became more and more erratic. He cut his family off and went into a dark and crazy place. Upon her death, my father held an estate sale the day before Dorothy's funeral. I flew into town to lay my grandmother to rest and ended up having to frantically go through her belongings and pay for what I wanted. There was little time and much emotion making the whole process gut-wrenching. I paid for what I knew Dorothy wanted me to have and grabbed a few other of her personal belongings including her signature purses and decoupaged lunch box.

A few months earlier my father had removed her Singer Featherweight and promised me that it was mine. I did manage to get it out of my parents' house the weekend of her funeral and have safely stored it in my sewing room ever since. Recently I unpacked it to teach Lucy to sew but found it too emotional to actually work on the machine.

In these boxes that I received today were the rest of her sewing supplies. The attachments for her machine, instruction manual, sewing needles, patterns, thread, scissors, lace, fabric. Can you believe that the thread actually smelled like her? I went through each box, untangling thread, organizing needles and testing scissors. I cleaned out what was no longer needed or was too old to use (elastic) and neatly arranged the rest in a box to be taken upstairs. The fabric I will give to Lucy for dress-up.

The day that I had to buy my own grandmother's belongings was one of the worst days of my life. It was a blur in the midst of insanity. But with these boxes full of sewing notions I feel that my father is trying to mend things, make it right again. I appreciate that and will accept from him whatever he is willing to offer.

spring is in the air

2010-03-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

March is a tricky month. If you become too complacent and put away your winter coats, she is quick to remind that winter is not yet over. Central Jersey was hit with a major rainstorm last weekend - reminded me of my Oklahoma roots! Thankfully we are fine and our friends are also ok except for a lack of power.

The good thing is that the weather has been so crummy that I have been busy sewing and knitting. I completed Lucy's spring dress using a pattern from this book - well, almost completed. I still have to do the buttonholes but I hesitate to do them on my old Pfaff. Sometimes it gets overwhelmed by the process and just whigs out. I may take the dress over to the store and do them on one of the shop Berninas. I'm always looking for an excuse to sew on those! Perhaps I'll take the new 730 for a spin....

And, I finished two knitting projects for my baby nephew. Nothing fancy - everything in a 3 month size looks adorable don't you agree?

A few of my favorite things about spring:

1. buying a new pair of converse sneakers

2. lightweight jackets

3. helping Lucy learn to ride a bike without training wheels

4. watching daffodils emerge

5. budding trees

6. sunlight and longer days

7. coloring eggs

8. flourless chocolate tortes for Passover

9. drinking coffee outside while reading The New Yorker

10. opening my sunroof

Pictures soon. Be well and as always, happy (spring) stitching!

I knew it had been a while but....

2010-03-04T15:51:00.000-08:00

All this snow has really thrown me off my game over the last few weeks. Everyday I say to myself "I will write on my blog" and everyday I just don't seem to get to it. It's either snowing, someone's sick or I'm working.

Let's be honest - our house obsessively watched the Olympics and yes we became addicted to Curling.

But the season is changing, the sun is shining and it's time to get sewing. I have many projects in queue including a spring dress for Lucy made out of Liberty, a cowboy baby blanket for my darling new nephew and fruit pincushions for some very special friends.

Happy (almost) spring and as always, happy sewing.

Sewing Room - The Sewing Wall

2010-01-21T20:32:00.001-08:00

The Sewing Wall, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

A place for everything and everything in its place.

This is where I do most of my work. I had wanted the machines to be facing the window but this layout turned out soooo much better. I love my notions wall. When I'm sewing I can just reach up for scissors, a zipper or needles. Plus it allows me to display some of my favorite things.

The sewing table was my maternal grandmother's and still houses her old, working Singer. I recovered the seat with Denyse Schmidt upholstery weight fabric. The serger is set-up on an old bedside table I picked up at a thrift store in Pittsburgh. I keep the serger thread in the top drawer. The little drawing above my serger is from my beloved great-aunt. It says "yeah Marisa" and was given to me when I graduated from midwifery school. Above that is one of those neat removable chalk boards - I use it to keep track of works in progress, of which there are many. Prints on the left are Bad Bird and Sarah Jane Studios.

Overall, I think the room turned out pretty great. I certainly like hanging out in here!

Tough day - Happy Thoughts: My Sewing Room

2010-01-18T05:39:00.001-08:00

Sewing Room - View from Door, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy has been up since about 3:30 am with a horrid stomach virus. I just stumbled downstairs to take a break and found myself at the computer looking for happy things, which are clearly not in the news, when I remembered that I hadn't posted a pic of the entire sewing room. So here it is. I try to keep it nice and neat when not in use so that when I am inspired to come in here I can jump right into a project without having to clean up first. Most of the time that works but quite often this room is covered in a sea of fabric, cutting rulers and yarn!

Here's to wishing for a brighter tomorrow!

Let us pause

2010-01-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

Please take a moment and donate to the Red Cross for Haiti Relief and Development.

Favorite Fabrics 2009

2010-01-14T15:01:00.000-08:00

Ok. So over at this site there's a little thing going to list your favorite fabrics. I have so many but have done my best to narrow it down! What were your favorites?

Favorite Quilting Weight Cotton Collection

Rouenneries by French General for Moda

Favorite Home Decor Weight Fabric or Collection

Vicky Payne For Your Home Collection from Free Spirit

Favorite New Designer

Jay McCarroll Woodland Wonderland for Free Spirit

Favorite Floral Print

Amy Butler Love for Westminster Fibers

Favorite Holiday Fabric or Collection

Have a Sheri Berry Holiday

Favorite Juvenile Print: Boys, Girls:

Snippets paper Doll Panel in Pink from American Jane

Favorite New Fabric You Worked With in 2009

Kaffe Fasset Russian Rose Laminated Fabric

Wildcard Category

Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile for Free Spirit

Favorite Overall Designer: Heather Bailey

Favorite Fabric Shop: Pennington Quiltworks

Last photo of 2009

2010-01-12T16:24:00.001-08:00

Nutcracker Ballet camp, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is the last picture that I took in 2009. Lucy participated in an adorable Nutcracker ballet camp through the local Y. All the girls and boys danced fabulously and appeared to have a wonderful time. This picture of Lucy seemed to capture the spirit of it all: pink, glitter and trees. To me she looks both grown-up and young: one foot in the future and one in the now.

So here's to twirling into 2010!

The Sewing Closet

2010-01-11T10:33:00.001-08:00

The Sewing Closet, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I figured that it was about time to blog about the sewing room. I will post pictures every few days and provide details. This picture is of the actual closet. I removed the doors and painted the closet the same color as the room walls. The curtains are hung on a tension wire though I wish they were a bit higher. I used fabric from this designer to make them. I cheated and just serged the edges and then folded the top over. This way I didn't have to commit to a length. I love that I can just close the "curtains" and tidy up the room when guests are staying or when I just want to curl up with a book and not be tempted by fabric!

The shelving unit is from The Container Store. It was a labor of love. The right side is all of the fabric somewhat organized by style. Unfortunately it's not as organized as I would like but that's because I'm constantly digging through it looking for just the right fabric for a project. Underneath the fabric are the extra sewing machines: my mother's Singer from the '60's and Dorothy's featherweight. Above the fabric is one long shelf that holds batting and stuffing, etc.

The shelves above the dresser mostly contain books and embroidery tools. I also have three cases of old patterns. I've been going through them and have kept my faves and plan to post the remainder on etsy. I use the dresser for sewing notions/tools. The bottom 4 drawers are empty for guests.

The TV is not hooked up to cable so for the most part I don't watch it. I've found that I make mistakes if I sew and watch old Gilmore Girls or Masterpiece Theater DVDs. I do watch Martha when I can - I don't make as many mistakes with her on in the background! ha ha!

Oh and to the very left of the closet I left space for wrapping paper and I plan to hang a grid on that wall for ribbon, etc.

For the most part, I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out. Any suggestions?

My lovely friend Sandy just sent me this link from BHG about craft rooms. Great ideas! Thanks Sandy!

Cheap Shot - Making Fun of Scorpios.

2010-01-08T10:11:00.001-08:00

Scorpios, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

My brother found this inside a Butterfinger wrapper years (1991) ago and gave it to me. I think it pretty well sums up his experience of having a Scorpio as a sister: "You see yourself as forceful, compelling and passionate. Others see you as an abusive, self-righteous psycho."

And, at last, the finished house

2010-01-04T13:46:00.001-08:00

front of finished house., originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is the front of Lucy's house. The marshmallows are supposed to be snow drifts. Turned out much better than I expected, mostly due to the fact the Lucy did the decorating! Next year I want to make one from scratch, not using one of those Wilton kits. We'll see if that actually happens!

And here's the back:

Twittering

2010-01-04T13:41:00.001-08:00

Ok, I gave in. Now I'm on twitter as stitchingpink. Thought I should try it out before I judge....

Gratuitous Lucy Photo

2009-12-30T07:05:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned in a previous post, Mitch bought himself a new Mac and has been in the process of transferring photos to this computer. Lucy and I have spent countless hours going through early photos of her to which she usually replies "Oh, I was so cute," which of course, she was. So I thought I would post one of my favorites. It's not a great picture of me but it really captures the moment. I think that this was later in the day after I gave birth to her.

What an angel.

Fast and easy notions bags

2009-12-29T16:53:00.001-08:00

Fun and easy bags, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I loved making these - super cute and easy. Quick as 1-2-3. The pattern is from Quilts and More Winter 2009 and uses the new Westminster Fibers laminated fabric. I finished my edges with a serger but you could just use pinking shears. Had I not been on a coffee cozy craze, I would have given these as gifts but I think I'll start sewing a bunch of them in the New Year to give out as gifts. They would work well as reusable snack bags!

It is unbelievably cold here which inspired me to make beef stew from this book. Yum yum.

And I just finished Cleaving. Still trying to get my head around this book. Julie Powell is a truly gifted writer with a clever way of describing her experiences with food. This book though is less about food and more about her struggles to not just to find her life passion but how she lost it. Complicated. I myself am not a great writer so I would never do her book justice by writing a synopsis here. Let me just sum it up with this: S & M, butchery, goat's blood, Buffy, world travels, alcoholism, adultery, narcissism and soul mates. If that doesn't peak your interest then I don't know what will.

Glittering Nature

2009-12-23T07:29:00.000-08:00

Mitch bought himself a new Mac and I haven't figured out how to upload photos yet so an updated photo of the gingerbread house will have to wait. For now, please enjoy Lucy's glittered woodland collection. We gathered the bark, acorns and pine cones on a recent nature walk and then came home and glittered to our hearts' content. There's no better path to a happy day than with Martha Stewart glitter. I'm not kidding. One problem- it gets everywhere. It's not a big problem but it is a bit embarrassing to be at work and see red and pink glitter sparkling in your hairline! Oh well, it comes with the territory if you have a crafty girl (or two) in your house!

BTW, over at Martha Stewart you can enter your glittered projects into a photo contest. You can find our photo there amidst some seriously crazy glittered photos and other projects. I don't think we have the slightest chance of winning but it's worth a shot plus Lucy loves to see the photo of her project on the MSL website!

Hope everyone is getting ready for the holidays. The snow has certainly added to the Christmas spirit. My pink decorations look even cuter against a white background. Ha ha!

Keep warm!

Hmm.

2009-12-20T11:13:00.001-08:00

Mitch's attempt at gingerbread house, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is what happens when you go to work and leave your husband in charge of assembling the gingerbread house....

'Tis The Season

2009-12-16T10:30:00.001-08:00

Urban Outfitters tinsel tree, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Well, it's getting closer each day. I'm feeling very sparkly this year, in fact I just added two more strands of twinkle lights to my holiday decor and I feel like I need more! It's just that kind of year. Plus all that Martha Stewart glitter has made me super-giddy about sparkles.

This tree I picked up at Urban Outfitters 7 or 8 years ago. I love how sparse the branches are as well as their length. It's the perfect tree to display my collection of homemade ornaments. My mother sewed the felt ones and my great-aunt did the tatting as well as the sequined styrofoam balls. I have a few sets of these felt patterns that my mother never made but to be honest they're just too much work! I can't believe that she had the patience to do all of these - my brother has another dozen or so. But it was the 70's which were all about craft, kind of like now but using less glue. ha ha!

Keep warm.

Amy Butler Field Bag

2009-12-15T05:44:00.001-08:00

Amy Butler Field Bag, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

So here it is. At last. The Amy Butler Field Bag. It was a challenge as expected but well worth it. There are four large side pockets plus I added a small pocket for a cell phone or ipod. I put together 10 kits which are available at the shop plus I plan to teach a class in the spring.

This may be my last bag for a while only because there are so many things that I want to sew: baby blankets, pajamas, doll clothes.... And I need to figure out how to do more stuff on my serger - I'm just not taking advantage of its full potential.

I did manage to make an Eagles fleece poncho for my father-in-law. He's in a wheel chair so it's much easier to drape a poncho over him than a coat. It was fabulous! I gave it to him on game day when he was decked out in his oh-so-retro Eagles sweat suit from the 70's. I'll post a pic later this week. (My plan had been to make everyone pajama bottoms but that plan came to a grinding halt when I realized that I cut them a bit too short!)

Lots to do for the holidays. I decided to make fabric gift bags instead of wrap everything. The serger makes it super-easy plus it gives me an excuse to play with my stash!

Keep warm.

I'm Dreaming of a Pink Christmas

2009-12-12T08:14:00.001-08:00

Pink Christmas, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is my pink tree and decorations collection. It's taken about 6 years to collect all of this stuff. I decided to display them together this year so that there could be a mass effect. What do you think? All I can say is that I grin each time I walk down the stairs and see all this PINK.

This ornament we found at Lord and Taylor. Lucy has shoes that match!

My great-aunt tatted the two following ornaments. Each year she would send us a box filled with tatted Christmas trees, candy canes and snowflakes. I have about 4 dozen of them now!

Lucy and I are way into Martha Stewart glitter. It's everywhere - in our hair, on our face, imbedded into the carpet. But that's ok. Everyone needs a little sparkle this time of year!

2009-11-23T06:50:00.000-08:00

Mitch got this book for me as a belated birthday present. Actually, the exchange went something like this:

Me "I have coupons at Barnes and Noble that need to be used today if you want to buy some presents for your dad."

Mitch "OK. I can get him a couple of bestsellers."

Me "That's a good idea. One of the coupons is for any book in the store."

Mitch "Is there anything that you want?"

Me "Yes, I would like a copy of The Sartorialist."

Later:

Mitch "You know, this book is just a bunch of pictures."

Me "Yes, I know that. His blog is essentially a display of people wearing clothes."

Mitch "OK, as long as you know what it is."

Even later:

Mitch "Here's the book you wanted. Happy Birthday."

Me "Thanks. How thoughtful of you."

The book is FABULOUS beyond belief. I am going to pour over it for hours and hours just studying the outfits, hair, shoes, bags - basically everything. If it's not already on your

holiday wish list you need to add it. But if you'd rather not have another book in your house that will collect dust, then just visit the blog.

Have a great Thanksgiving!

And She Sews!

2009-11-12T10:47:00.001-08:00

Minnie Mouse Sewing Machine, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I'm fresh off the plane from Disney World. Whew. That was an exhausting trip though it was tons of fun. Lucy loved meeting all of her favorite characters and princesses. As I scanned through my pics today this one stuck out - Minnie's Sewing Machine. Minnie's house was adorable and included an entire craft room. There in the corner was this little pink beauty. Who wouldn't want to sew on a machine like that? And you can't see it in this pic, but off to the side is a bowl of yarn. Minnie is one crafty chic.

American Girl Sewing

2009-11-03T10:42:00.001-08:00

Chrissa's Maxi Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy got this doll for her birthday last month and since then she has been busy making clothing requests. I made this maxi dress inspired by the one in Weekend Sewing. Lucy and I have the same one. I also made a nightgown and another summer outfit using Kaffe Fasset/Brandon Mably fabrics (below). I have to admit that it is quite fun to sew for a doll and my serger makes it sooo easy!

I took Lucy to the shop to pick out fabric for coordinating outfits and she wasy so funny about it. She new exactly which fabrics she wanted and she also had strong opinions about how much we needed. In the queue are the following: coordinating Holiday Pajamas, sundresses and another skirt.

Oh, and did you know that this doll, Chrissa, is a crafty girl? She even has a sewing table and machine. So of course, I had to get that for Lucy. Lucy already decorated it with stickers from craft pudding like the ones I have on my machine.

Girls are just awesome.

I have been busy

2009-10-13T13:56:00.000-07:00

Instead of blogging, I have been busy...

1. Selling unused yarn and patterns on ebay
2. Planning Lucy's 5th Birthday Party
3. Decorating the sewing room
4. Recovering from a cold that turned into a sinus infection
5. Finishing the Field Bag kit for the quilt store
6. Sewing clothes for Lucy's new American Girl Doll, Chrissa
7. Buying stuff on etsy using money made from the first thing on this list

I will post pics of numbers 3 , 5, 6 and 7 soon.

Happy Fall!

Bento Boxes

2009-09-10T05:04:00.001-07:00

Other lunch ideas can be found in this article from the NY Times. I did some of this for Lucy last year but have to admit that there are many days where I just peel an apple, throw in a hard-boiled egg, some carrots and milk.

Getting Ready for Back-to-School: Lunch

2009-09-06T15:27:00.000-07:00

I love this time of year. The air is crisp, the leaves change color and the stores are bursting with fabulous back-to-school products! I can never resist buying new pens, pencil cases and colorful spiral bound notebooks never mind that I've been out of school for over a decade.

Recently I made a trip to The Container Store. My family used to make a yearly pilgrimage there to buy organizing supplies. I loved to stock up on all sizes of these plastic containers - they were perfect for holding precious stickers, paperclips and earrings. The purpose of my recent trip was to buy organizing supplies for the sewing room but I was quickly distracted by the lunch section. I love the BPA-free containers featured here as well as these Klip-it containers. Lucy needed a new lunch bag so I spent quite a bit of time trying out different options and finally settled on the pink version of this one - it is roomy, insulated and won't show too much dirt (a must for a 4 year-old.) And I couldn't leave the store without a few color-coordinated freeze blocks!

For those of you are interested in a more homemade lunch box, check out etsy for a huge supply of reusable snack and sandwich bags. My preference is for the ones lined with vinyl - I think that they would be easier to clean. I'm sure that these little bags are very easy to make but these crafters have done such a nice job choosing the fabrics and to be honest, I have too many projects in queue.

The time will come when back-to-school will mean buying pens, paper and notebooks. For now I'm content with buying lunch boxes.

Sweaters: Start to Finish

2009-09-04T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've been cleaning out my yarn/knitting stash over the last few weeks with the goal of having it all in one place instead of "hidden" throughout the house. Some of the yarn and a few of the patterns/magazines have landed themselves on ebay. It's hard to do but I think it's a necessary evil; this way I will have room for the supplies that I really really like not just the ones that I kinda like. Plus, with my earnings, I can buy yarn to make myself one of those infinity/moebius scarf things that seem to be all over the fashion magazine!

Anyway, the great benefit of this sort of cleaning project is that I have found a few of my early purchases. The first is a pattern for a cotton sweater that I started when I was 13. My mother helped me pick out the yarn and knit the project but then we had a car accident, I grew bigger and honestly I never could make it past those pockets! I found the actual project a few years back and will probably come across it again once my mom sells her house. I think I was knitting it in a light dusty pink. My mother was knitting a sweater out of the same yarn. Hers was a Calvin Klein pattern knit from sleeve end to sleeve end with cables. I remember sitting with her in her bed while she recovered, both of us knitting. Maybe that's why we never finished either project - once she was healed we just didn't want to look back.

The other pattern I found is this Lopi one. I started this project my sophomore year in college. Maine is a very cold and dark place in the winter so I was looking for something to do to keep me busy (I was too prude to do the other things people do when it's cold and dark.) Plus, lots of the co-eds were knitting and everyone was knitting with Lopi. I couldn't stand the colors of this sweater so I knit mine in mint green with pink and lavender. Unfortunately I didn't yet understand or appreciate the value of gauge swatches so I ran out of yarn...twice. The thing was monstrously huge. I swear that we could have fit two or 3 of us in there, in fact I think we tried. But lest you think I was a ninny, part of the reason I became such an avid knitter is that there was a very cute boy living downstairs who could knit. Often I would knock on his door and ask for help - I could never remember how to cast on. Never mind the fact that I had been knitting since I was very young - he was cute and like I said it was cold and dark in Maine. Nothing exciting ever happened there but I did finish that sweater. My mom "misplaced" it somewhere along the way - it was a mess with poorly woven ends and an occasional hole but I loved it. Maybe I will make it again, this time with the correct size needles!

So the moral to the story is: check your gauge and make friends with cute people who knit. ha ha!

Inspiring Stories

2009-08-15T13:47:00.000-07:00

I went to see the movie "Julie and Julia" the other night with two of my other foodie friends. The movie was absolutely delightful - truly a joyful movie-going experience, something that doesn't happen too often these days. It's not to say that it was perfect - at times both of the women's' stories seemed over-simplified but overall it was well done and certainly worth the price of admission.

I have a number of very early memories associated with Julia Child. Back in the 70's before everyone had cable, there were the standard 3 channels, a few UHF channels that only showed The Little Rascals, Laurel and Hardy movies and bad sci-fi movies from Japan and PBS. My parents didn't like commercial television so my brother and I were often forced to watch PBS. A lot of PBS. Sunday nights were for Masterpiece Theater. Weekdays were NOVA. Saturday mornings and afternoons were dedicated to Julia Child and This Old House. We turned it off when the crazy-hair oil-painting guy came on.

I loved watching Julia. My mother and I would watch each show waiting to see when she would throw something to the floor and often wondered about the poor person who had to clean up that mess! We daydreamed of having someone who could clean up our messes - an imaginary intern who would dutifully catch our scraps of pastry, chicken fat or ground meat. When I was 13, my family was in a bad car accident. My mother was bedridden for 4 weeks in the hospital and then another 4-6 weeks at home. On the weekends that we visited her at the hospital we would watch Julia and look forward to the moment when mom would come home and we could cook again. At home, I would come to her room when Julia was on and watch with her, hoping that my presence would help my mom heal faster and inspire her to get out of bed.

Eventually, my mother's bones healed and we continued watching Julia together. It became a Saturday morning ritual, at least until I became a full-blown teenager and was too busy on Saturday mornings to allow for TV watching.

As I got older, more channels came and then I went off to college. I would watch Julia when I was home or later, in grad school, on my tiny (not an exaggeration) TV. But it wasn't until after I was married and faced with my own first real health crisis that Julia Child came into my kitchen.

While volunteering at a local charity gift shop, I came across a second edition of Mastering the Art of French Cooking. I didn't have a copy of my own but remembered my years of watching Julia and my mother talking obsessively about the boeuf bourguignon. I bought the copy for $2, took it home and read it at night. Her writing was so sassy and fun. Who knew that I had been making scrambled eggs wrong all these years! Eggs were cheap and a staple of our menu while my husband was in residency, so I read the egg chapter with particular attention. Needless to say, we had lots of omelets.

Around this time we realized that we were going down the long and challenging road of infertility. I quit my job as a midwife so that I could devote my attention to getting pregnant. I also decided that I would dive into being a real housewife: I would scrub floors (we let the cleaning lady go), iron all of Mitchell's shirts and cook all our meals. Housekeeping would be my new ambition and I was determined to do it well, really really well. It worked for a few weeks but after slaving away at scrubbing floors and ironing shirts I was ready to go back to work so I went back to the knitting store where I had worked off and on during our time in Pittsburgh. But the cooking, the cooking I wasn't ready to give up. I enjoyed planning the meals, shopping for ingredients and watching the whole thing come to life. Plus my husband and his hungry friends were always eager to eat my offerings.

We tried IVF once, it failed. The second time ended in a miscarriage. By this time we were back in Philly and I was working part-time in a knitting store and an OB/Gyn clinic but I was still cooking. I became determined to make boeuf bourguignon. I studied the recipe, picked a day when I wasn't working, bought the ingredients and started cooking. I used every pot we had and nearly every spoon all the while filling the apartment with the most amazing aromas. We invited my brother-in-law and sister-in-law over to taste my triumph. It was beyond delicious - worth all the effort and then some. We each enjoyed the meal and I felt satisfied. Not just with the food but with that moment.

The rest is history. We did another IVF cycle and this time I carried to term and gave birth to darling Lucy. It would be a stretch to say the Julia Child made it possible. I have doctors, drugs and acupuncture to thank for that. But she did calm my soul and help me find peace along our journey.

Vacation Posting

2009-08-14T08:35:00.000-07:00

I wrote this while on vacation but haven't had a chance to post it since that time! More to come.

“You’re a really bad vacationer.”

This is what my husband said to me as I plopped down next to him on the plastic wicker loveseat on the balcony of our beach rental. This is what he said to me as he drank the delicious French press coffee that I made for him. This is what he said to me as he enjoyed the triple berry scones (from this book) that I got up early and made for him and Lucy.

And he’s right.

I’m horrible at it. I’m not really sure why. We never vacationed like this when I was a kid – that is we didn’t take vacations where we laid around near a lake or ocean or mountain. Our vacations were destinations, an opportunity for my parents to expose us to the world outside of Oklahoma City. We went to Santa Fe, Boston, and Washington DC. And we went to Dallas. A lot. Shopping was abysmal in OKC so we made the 4 hour journey at least 4 times a year. But that’s another blog entry.

When I was a bit older, we flew to Maine for a few weeks each summer, staying with family friends. These were true vacations but by that time I was a sour teenager and couldn’t appreciate it. I just wanted to go to Freehold and do some shopping.

So now, at the ripe of age of 37, I take vacations. Real ones. To the beach, to Florida, to Maine and I’m just not good at it. I get anxious. I can’t relax. What to do when there is nothing to do?

So this is what I do. I cook, mostly bake. For a week or two before our annual vacations to a rental (either NJ or Maine), I peruse all of my favorite cookbooks and decide which treats I’m going to make. There are the staples: vegetable frittatas, chocolate chip cookies, blueberry muffins. And then there are the treats like this morning with the berry scones. Last year we made ice cream.

One of the reasons that my husband says that I’m a terrible vacationer is that when I get to said rental, I immediately go through the kitchen and figure out what they have and what they don’t. Then I lament to my husband who dutifully tells me to go to the store and just buy the baking sheet/measuring spoons/whisk or whatever it is that is lacking.

I did just that last night and bought all those things. Oh and a hand mixer too (who doesn’t have a mixer in the kitchen?) I woke early due to the pitter patter of rain and decided to get to work on breakfast. First I made the coffee. Then I started the scones. No food processor – no worries. My hands dug right in, kneading the butter into small pieces. I forgot to buy the buttermilk – no worries. A little lemon juice in 2%milk should do the trick. No currants – no problem. Chopped cranberries made a delightful substitution.

With the buzz of the coffee coming on, I was feeling pretty good. I turned on the oven. Mitch and Lucy were up by this point. I offered them fresh berries while they waited for the scones. All was well. Until I realized that the oven wasn’t working. Then the panic set in. No oven? How am I ever to relax without an oven? Others may come to the shore to body surf, build sandcastles or sunbathe but I come to bake! Mitch could sense that I was on the verge of tears and tried to calm me down but he knew that his efforts were futile so he went back out to the deck and suggested that I call the landlady.

After a bit of tinkering, we got the oven working. I could feel myself relax. The oven heated up beautifully, baking the scones to crisp perfection. While they baked, I brewed tea for my ice tea/lemonade drink.

So when I sat down with Mitch, even though everything had worked out ok, he could still feel the lingering tension. Of course, his observation only made me annoyed and defensive but then something else happened: I took Lucy on a bike ride. After that, I packed the two of us up for the beach (Mitch had to go to the city for a family funeral.). At the beach, I read Michael Polan’s article on food shows (another blog entry) and then helped Lucy make chocolate stew – my job consisted of walking back and forth to the ocean carrying pails of water. When it stated raining, we came home, took showers and then ate our snacks while we watched the downpour. And now, Lucy is doing princess watercolors and I’m writing. For fun. It feels great.

So I may be a bad vacationer but today I’m making the commitment to becoming a better one.

Good morning

2009-08-01T04:33:00.001-07:00

Strawberry Rhubarb jam, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I ate the last of the jam the other day. It was so yummy. Rhubarb and strawberry - really is there anything better?? (The answer is no.) I just used lots of strawberries, cut up rhubarb and followed the cooking recipe from the sure-jell box. Turned out perfect. Don't tell anyone, but I had on occassion just eaten it by the spoonfulls from the jar. Makes me think of this clip.

Need a good laugh. Check out this little cartoon.

Flowers and A Shout Out

2009-07-30T10:14:00.001-07:00

fresh flowers, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I'm pretty pleased with this arrangement. The snapdragons are from the farm where we have our CSA membership and the hydrangeas are from outside my front door. Snapdragons are my absolute favorite and this color in particular makes me very happy. I had to search through rows of flowers to find them - clearly they make other people happy too. And the hydrangea - well I have my friend Tania to thank for those. A few years back she went up to Connecticut to get a few plants for the spring holidays and offered to buy them for anyone who was interested. I bought two - kept one for myself which I later planted outside the front door and the other for my brother and sister-in-law which they nearly killed. I'm nursing it back to health determined that it will someday be as big as mine. Each year it sports more blooms as if to say "You can't kill me!"

And a shout out to my friend Candace who is in Salt Lake City right now. There's an article about SLC in this month's BUST - I promise I will visit next year!

Grommet Love/Grommet Hate

2009-07-29T17:16:00.000-07:00

I meant to post a pic of this sooo long ago but honestly I completely forgot about it. Oops. I love the bag and so do a lot of the employees and patrons of the shop but for some reason there are like 6 kits left (out of 9.) I seem to be having bad kit karma. Not sure why. My next one is going to be awesome (I hope) and will hopefully break my bad streak.

The pattern is from Stitch magazine and the fabric is Heather Bailey, of course. To be honest, I think that I was drawn to this bag because of the grommets. There are 8 total which means a lot of hammer use - an awesome way to work out pent up aggression. Not that I have any pent up aggression.... Anyway, I got a bit nervous because the anvil got stuck in one of them but fortunately it released. Now if some quilters would just buy the kit, I could take this bag home and carry some yarn or some other project around in it.

After I made this bag, I became so enthralled with grommets that I decided to use them in another bag I was making for a friend's 40th birthday. This time I wasn't so lucky. For the bag I used some "vintage" Amy Butler (circa 2006.) Cute fabric though a bit more bold than her latest designs. Anyway, after putting it together, I proceeded downstairs to the garage, grommets and hammer in hand. I got everything ready and inserted the grommets as instructed on the back of the box. A few whacks later I was ready to see the completed grommet but when I went to pull out the grommet tool thingy it was stuck. Horror of horrors. I pulled, tugged, banged from the other end but it would not budge one bit. At the time I was upset but mildly amused. Reminded me of Winnie the Pooh getting stuck in Rabbit's front door after eating too much honey but in this case, depriving the tool of food wasn't going to help. For some insane reason I decided to try again with another tool set and again, the whole thing got stuck. At this point I was really getting frustrated. I went upstairs, got my rotary cutter, whacked the top off and left the mutilated bag and the stuck grommets on the cutting table until I could stomach it again. A few days later, I decided to just put handles on the bag the regular way. My friend was none the wiser.

I look at my grommet collection every now and then, briefly considering that I should try them again. But for now, I'm a bit grommet shy.

What I've Been Doing

2009-07-28T15:09:00.000-07:00

I have not written for a while. I've been busy with life and the blog has taken a back seat. I think about it often, wondering if its still out there and if anyone is reading it. The problem is that although I sew ALL the time, I do other things too. Things that I want to write about. Things that keep me busy and distracted and engaged. So in no particular order, here is what I have been doing:

Recovering from my triathlon. It was incredibly hard - aside from childbirth, the hardest thing I have ever done. The swim was cancelled because of too many CFUs in the river (don't ask) so instead I had to run/bike/run and it was beyond horrible. I cried. I would have quit except that Lucy was standing outside the transition area with a sign that said "Go Mommy Go". I wiped my tears, changed into my running shoes and hobbled another 3 miles to the finish line where Lucy stood, cheering me on. I cried some more. And I plan to do it again next year.

Reading. A lot. Crossing to Safety. Julie and Julia. A Homemade Life. Anne of Green Gables. Plus The New Yorker, Wall Street and Times (to remove the bad taste that the Wall Street Journal leaves).

Sewing. I have gotten kind of addicted to those coffee cozies and now my friends have put in "orders" as in Me: "Can I borrow a couple of bucks for coffee." Friend: "Sure, just pay me back me a cozy." Not a bad system really. And I'm also addicted to smocked summer dresses after seeing Heather Ross on MSL. The free pattern is great - do have it printed at Kinkos. So easy and worth the 5 or 6 bucks. Finally there's the Amy Butler bag that will (eventually) be a kit. I cut out all of the many many fabric pieces as well as the ridiculous number of interfacing pieces. I just need to fuse and sew and sew and sew. It will be a great bag and probably a fun class.

What else? Just life. My mother and father got divorced so my mom is cleaning out the house to sell it. Very strange actually. I guess that life moves on but I'm not ready for her to move, for some other family to live in the house, sleep in my room. I try not to think about it but my mom calls daily to see if I want this or that, should she sell the bolts of Ralph Lauren fabric or do I want them? And your toys, should we keep those? Do you want some china? My response is often to just sell it all and move on but move on.

But I'm no dummy - I am keeping the Rowan yarn and Liberty fabric.

Coffee Cozy and Sandwich Bag

2009-06-23T17:55:00.001-07:00

Coffee Cozy and Sandwich Bag, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I wanted to prove that I actually have been sewing, not just talking about it. The coffee cozy pattern can be found here and the lunch/gift bag pattern can be found here. Both are super easy and would be perfect as gifts, particularly for the holidays. I could see giving a matched set of one cozy, one bag, maybe one matching large tote and perhaps a little cosmetic bag. That would be a nice gift, don't you think? I'd sure like to receive it!

As for the fabric, the coffee cozies are Heather Bailey Pop Garden and the lunch bag is Anna Maria Horner's latest oilcoth! It was actually pretty easy to work with, I just used a denim needle and a longer stitch length.

Tomorrow I'll post a pic of the bag kit. I'm going to finish putting the kits together right now while watching this chick flick.

Good night.

Retro Knitting Bag

2009-06-23T06:32:00.001-07:00

Retro Knitting Bag, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is yet another find from my mom's garage. She used it in college and then my grandmother used it to store her projects. We're using it to hold library books as I don't need another vessel for yarn! The colors are perfect in my living room though I'm sure that at some point, I thought the colors were putrid. Amazing how colors can come back into fashion. Another blogger found a similar one at a garage sale - love the fabric!

I'm headed to the quilt store this afternoon to put together a really cute bag kit. I'm hoping that the kits sell quickly as I'd like to carry the bag before summer's end! I'll post a picture of it tomorrow.

More Found Stuff

2009-06-18T09:20:00.001-07:00

Vintage Valentine's Cards, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This morning I opened the rest of the boxes that I sent back from OKC. There's all sorts of stuff in them - books, toys, my grandmother's wedding dress (the first one, she was married 4 times.) Anyway, I found this set of Valentines sitting on top of a pile of stuff in my mom's garage. They're just too precious. The plastic wrap is open just a little so I think that Dorothy used a few of them. There are two sheets intact. I plan to just admire them for a while and then maybe frame a few or send them to very very special friends.

Dress-Up Tea Party

2009-06-17T16:15:00.001-07:00

Tea Party, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

A couple of weeks ago, Lucy and I hosted her very first tea party. It was a truly delightful event. Lucy's little friends came dressed in their very best and displayed their best manners. We read two books: "Tea for Ruby" and "When I Have a Little Girl" then the children did crafts and played with tea sets, including my grandmother's silver tea service! Here's the menu:

Cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches
Cream cheese and maraschino cherry sandwiches
Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches
Mellon balls
Mini chocolate muffins
Petit Fours
Madeleines
Gingerbread cookies and
Pink sparkling lemonade!

I loved setting the table with family heirlooms, vintage finds and wedding presents. Entertaining provides a wonderful opportunity to share with others your creativity but most of all, I enjoy hosting friends in our home. I hope that Lucy will learn to enjoy this too.

Betsey Johnson knitting designs

2009-06-16T07:52:00.001-07:00

Betsy Johnson knitting designs, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

So here is the first of future posts of stuff I found in my mom's house. I love these Betsey Johnson patterns! Can't believe how young Lulu is here in these pics! The article comes from the July/August 1981 McCall's Needlework and Crafts Magazine. Don't you think Lucy and I need those matching sweaters?

And I love love love this pattern with the telephone!! Phone number on cap is "411." Totally fabulous, don't you think? And those roller skates that Lulu is wearing in the other picture - great! And those yarn braids - oh, my!

Checking In

2009-06-15T17:05:00.000-07:00

Still training. This triathlon is starting to seem like a very very bad idea....

Just got back from OKC. I sent almost all of my childhood books back to Princeton as well as some seriously awesome craft magazines from the early 1980's. And I found some fabulous fabric and unfinished sewing projects including a Liberty peasant blouse ready to be sewn together!

On the way back home, Lucy and I ran into Dan Zanes in the Memphis airport. Very random. He is quite nice and even gave Lucy a guitar pick. I admit, I felt a bit like a silly suburban mom, particularly when I told him that we've been to all his concerts in Princeton. Really silly.

I'm missing flickr and blogging so I'm planning to be back very soon. Plus I have so much to post - I just finished my first shirt made on the serger. Loved it! How did I ever function without one?

What I've Been Doing

2009-05-30T06:03:00.001-07:00

I have been sewing quite a lot and enjoying my new serger. Pillowcases, bags, curtains and gifts. But I'm also busy training for a triathlon, the Philly Women's Triathlon to be exact. It seemed like a good idea a few months ago - a way to motivate (scare) me into getting to the gym. Now that it's coming up in 6 weeks I'm a bit terrified and spending most of my free time swimming, biking or running. The process of training has been inspiring. Each day I am a bit surprised at what I am able to do and how much stronger I seem. My amazing trainer has really helped in this process as well. My body seems to be doing what it wants to do - work and work hard. One day he told me that the human body is one of the few things that will actually breakdown from lack of use. We were meant to walk, reach, carry, jump, run.

I wish that I could report that my body has turned into some version of Sarah Conner from Terminator but that hasn't happened and I'm ok with it. I'm doing this not to look like an amazonian women, but rather to better myself for now and going forward. I have a lot of things I want to do in the coming years and I need to take better care of myself in order to make that happen. Plus, I have to get in better shape to keep up with Lucy! I swear, at four, that she can run faster than I can.

So, I will be back with pictures and knitting and sewing projects. After the tri, if I survive, I will write more. Plus, I want to get a jump on my holiday projects and not wait until the very last minute.....

Latest Book Obsession

2009-05-09T15:28:00.000-07:00

I love this book! Especially the cover quilt though I'm pretty sure that I don't have the time or patience to make it right now. Still this is a great book - full of inspiration and ideas based on classic quilt designs. The quilters are based in Australia though one of them, Kathy Doughty, hales from Ohio! And Kaffe Fasset wrote the intro so you know it has to be interesting.

And while we're on the topic of reading material, check out the latest issue of "Stitch" from Quilting Arts. I have to admit that I wasn't too impressed with the first issue last Winter but this one is better - great colors and a range of projects. In fact, I'm heading to the quilt store on Monday to purchase materials to make one of the bags.

Anything else, hmm. I did make this cute little project as a shop sample. Great for recessionista lunches. I used Anna Maria Horner's oilcloth version of her latest collection. Perfect. My friend Jess recommended that I make a coordinating reusable sandwich wrap and placement like this. I'd like to design something I can make with my lovely new serger.

Serger Love

2009-05-07T07:16:00.001-07:00

The serger is here. In my house. Threaded and ready for use. I promise to post projects and updates soon. The sewing room is nearly complete - I just need to finish and hang the curtains as well as buy a simple bed frame for the daybed. This one from West Elm is the primary contender.

The little one is upstairs in bed sick so I need to get back to her. More in the coming weeks....

Spring Birds

2009-04-01T14:13:00.001-07:00

Birds for Hadley, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I bought this book a while back and was so enchanted by the birds on the front cover. My intention has been to make them for quite a while and I finally got an inspiration - Lucy's friend, Hadley, was having a bird birthday party. My first one was a bit wonky but the next three were lovely. I have cut out quite a few more - all from 30's fabric - and hope to get to them after my sewing room is put back together.

And, then today I came across this post which led me to this blog. Given my work at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, I found the mission for 100 birds in Cooper's memory particularly touching. Please read her story. If you can sew, sew birds, if you can knit, knit birds. If you can't do either, just feel comforted in knowing that there are people out there who turn horrible losses into beautiful gifts.

Quick houses

2009-03-26T17:38:00.000-07:00

A quick post with a quick link! I love love love this tutorial for making free-style houses. Check it out here. Tomorrow I was planning on sewing another shirt for me but I made need to make one (or two) of these instead!

Skirts for Lucy

2009-03-23T19:04:00.001-07:00

Seams to Me Bo Peep Skirt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

The quilt store recently started carrying Bernina sewing machines and sergers. I've been drooling over them since their arrival, particularly the sergers. I have no need for another machine but a serger - well I would happily add one to my sewing room.

I wanted to try them out so I chose this project from "Seams to Me" by Anna Maria Horner. I finished the seams and the edges with the serger and then completed this skirt using a Bernette 56 which is a lovely and simple first sewing machine. I used leftover scraps from my samples of the Portobello Pixie patterns. The skirt is adorable! Even Lucy loves it but for now it is hanging in the shop as a sample.

I also made the following skirt for Lucy quite a while back. It's made using this super-easy pattern - it probably took only an hour from start to finish. I would be much much faster with a serger! My favorite part of the pic is the "matching" tights and Smurfette t-shirt.

So, I'm saving for a serger. My hope is to have it in my hot stitching hands by mid-summer, just in time to sew for the holidays and create my own winter wardrobe....

Sewing Room Inspiration

2009-02-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Currently I'm hard at work picking colors to paint the upstairs and just get everything pulled together. Almost 5 years ago we moved into this house while I mas 6 months pregnant. My priority was Lucy's room and the downstairs. We just have never gotten around to painting and decorating the upstairs - mainly our room and the extra/sewing room. Mitch has finally conceded the extra room to me but it will still need to serve the function of a guest room. My plan is to convert the closet into a sewing/craft storage space and buy a sewing table that I can fold up and roll into the closet so that when guests are here, they don't have to look at (admire) my sewing projects.

I have bought two wonderful books to help me along the process and also discovered the magazine above, which doesn't come out until next month. The books can be found here and here on amazon and you can visit the crafter whose room is on the cover of the magazine here.

Basically, I need to get a painter hired and going so that I can keep my momentum. I'll post updates as they happen.

Another one bites the dust

2009-02-13T05:30:00.000-08:00

Goodbye CRAFT. See you online.

Gratuitous Lucy Photo and Lily Allen

2009-02-10T10:49:00.000-08:00

I'm posting this picture for no reason other that I think it's a fabulous photo of Lucy. We were at the airport eating a bit of breakfast before getting on the plane. She has this sassy, bored and just-so-Lucy look on her face. I love it!

And if you haven't bought it yet - go buy Lily Allen's latest album RIGHT NOW! I love her. I woke up this morning with a huge smile on my face knowing that her album would be waiting for me to download on itunes - I bought it a few weeks ago so that I could have it today. Can't remember the last time I did that. Probably Pink's sophomore release in 2001 - it came out on my birthday (November 15th for the record.)

So, what are you waiting for, head over to itunes or amazon and get that album. You will love it!

A Finished Project!!

2009-02-09T10:10:00.001-08:00

"Claire" Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This dress was made using the "Claire" Pattern from PortabelloPixie Boutique Patterns. the fabrics are Heather Bailey of course. Overall, it's an easy pattern - my only source of frustration was the machine applique of the flowers on the apron but that has less to do with the pattern and more to do with me and my machine (more on that later in this post.) I wish that I could show you a picture of Lucy modeling the dress but she refused to try it on for no apparent reason other than that I asked her to. Now it is hanging in the shop to inspire others. I hope they don't look too closely at my applique....

Now to my machine. Grrr. I can't get the tension to be right. I've messed with the bobbin and the tension on the top thread with no success. I broke down and took it in for a service which I know is the right thing to do but really I want a new machine. The shop is going to start carrying them in a month (yeah!) which is great for the owner but bad for me - too much temptation. I am trying to stay focused on my quest for a serger. I may just have to put blinders on when I walk in and ignore the whole machine section. ha! That will never happen.

I bought this pattern from Wee Wonderfuls hoping that Lucy and I can work on them together. My mother made me Raggedy Ann and Andy as a kid and they are still my favorites, aside from Mandy and Jenny of course. So, once my machine returns from the sewing machine "hospital" Lucy and I will get to work.

The written word

2009-02-08T06:06:00.000-08:00

I really miss receiving and sending mail. Also, I love the concept of calling cards. Whenever I read Jane Austen or watch Masterpiece Theater, I wish that I had a few calling cards in my back pocket. Or even just little cards to jot down a website or phone number for a friend or new acquaintance. Well, at last I think I have found the perfect solution. These notecards and little cards from the Small Object are just adorable. And better yet, they're available as a PDF so you can print as many as you like. So, if you are my friend or relative, get ready. I have cards and I am prepared to use them!

Bacon

2009-02-06T16:26:00.001-08:00

Check this site out! I love it! Click here to see it in action.

On a Happier Note

2009-02-04T20:42:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I picked up this little book and have been pleasantly surprised by its contents. The pictures are crisp and the projects are inviting. Plus, Jenny Ryan writes for BUST, my new favorite magazine so the book has to be great. In theory, I don't need a book of patterns to make the projects she describes but that's really not the point. What's nice here is the inspiration and the way that she uses notions such as ribbons, ric-rac and buttons. Also the vintage towels and sheets look modern and fresh as purses, sewing machine covers and baby doll blankets. Very recessionista. I recommend it for new sewers and old (read experienced) who are looking for something different and an excuse to stay up late reading sewing books. In fact, that is what I'm going to do right now. Ta ta.

Magazine Blues

2009-02-04T08:16:00.000-08:00

First Martha Stewart Kids, then Blueprint, then Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion and now Domino! I can't believe it. All that's left is Martha Stewart Living and some random Euro design magazines. Plus all the Better Homes and Gardens Special Decorating Issues. Oh, and dwell - that will probably be cancelled too. I guess I will have to start reading Real Simple again though I swear their target audience is a divorced 40 year-old executive mom. Not a chocolate-eating-crafty-part-time nurse-midwife-married-mother. Come to think of it, Bust sounds like it's more my style. I just got a subscription which sadly means that it will probably be discontinued in a month or two. Sorry.

PS - I love Atomic Ranch but I don't dare get a subscription to that. It contains all my hopes and dreams for my perfect 50's ranch-style home. I need something to look forward to at the bookstore!

Hello

2009-02-02T06:56:00.000-08:00

I'm still around just not blogging much. We went on vacation for a week and since then I've been trying to recover from it. Why is that? It is so true that I feel like I need a vacation after vacation to recover from vacation!

Currently I am working on one of Sandi Henderson's dress patterns and hope to have the dress finished this week. It's adorable. In the meantime, here's a link to my friend's finished dresses. She did a great job - can you believe these were her first dress projects? Go Candace!

I'll be back soon with pics.

Lucy's cupcake

2009-01-06T17:36:00.001-08:00

Lucy's cupcake, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy gave me the book Hello Cupcake for the holidays and has been asking to make cupcakes everyday since then. We made these this past Sunday and it really was fun. I used this Vanilla Vanilla recipe on the MSL website, courtesy of Billy's Bakery. I also used the butter cream recipe that went with the cupcakes, just adding more powdered sugar to thicken the icing. Then we decorated much to Lucy's delight and my own. These are covered with sprinkles and twizzlers cut into small pieces.

Our other cupcakes may not look perfect but they are tasty and weren't around for long!

Lucy in Portabello Pixie Gracie Dress

2009-01-05T10:26:00.001-08:00

Lucy in Portabello Pixie Gracie Dress, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Can't believe that I never posted this! Things got super-busy with the holidays: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas! I loved making this dress - for now it's at Pennington Quilt works. Now that the holidays are over, I'm busy with a pair of pants and another dress from the same pattern collection.

Lots of posting to come this month. Plus I've noticed that many people come looking for Mandy and Jenny patterns/inspiration. I'm going to post more about those too in the coming months.

Happy New Year!

My birthday cake

2008-11-26T12:18:00.001-08:00

My birthday cake, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I celebrated my birthday recently and had the pleasure of making my own chocolate cake. For the cake and frosting I used a recipe from Birthday Cakes. Yum! Lucy was very concerned that I wasn't having a party for my birthday so she "invited" a few friends over for pizza, cake and dress-up. She had every intention of helping me make the cake but those dress-up clothes were just too tempting!

So, I'm a year-older and I hope that makes me a year-wiser. The last few years have certainly presented my family and me with a number of challenges that I think we have trudged through with only a few scrapes remaining. I'm grateful to all my friends and family for their support and love and hope that I can reciprocate when the time comes.

Happy Belated Birthday to Me!

Going shawl crazy

2008-11-25T10:04:00.001-08:00

Koigu shawlette, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I'm way into shawls these days. Not really sure why. I think I was missing my knitting, particularly all the Koigu I have stashed away! I just grabbed a few skeins that were already wound (probably for some other UFO), cast on and started knitting. I might give this one to my mother for Christmas but I'm sure that she won't mind if I wear it until then....

I have a WIP using Ella Rae Lace Merino. This yarn is lovely and very indulgent. Though I have to admit that I'm anxious to finish it so that I can get back into that Koigu stash.

Happy Knitting!

Is it too late for a Halloween Picture?

2008-11-11T14:25:00.001-08:00

Neptune and mermaid, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Lucy went as the Little Mermaid. I made her costume out of some blue pique I found in my stash. The pattern is a mix of one of the new patterns from Portabello Pixie and a Simplicity mermaid pattern. It worked out well but I think it's the wig that made the costume! Mitch decided to go as Neptune. Lucy had lots of fun pulling off his beard!

Recently I've become obsessed with Angry Little Girls. Hilarious and a bit dark - what does that say about me? ha ha!

Weekender Bag Class

2008-11-09T11:11:00.001-08:00

Weekender Bag Class, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Here are the pics from my class. I think that everyone did really well and I loved their fabric choices.

I love how Laurel centered a bird on her side pocket panel!

All these bags almost inspires me to make another one....

Weekender Bag's first outing

2008-11-08T07:02:00.001-08:00

Weekender Bag's first outing, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

What an amazing week in American History! I couldn't start this post without acknowledging our country's progress!

My Weekender Bag went on its first trip a few weeks ago. We visited my brother in Atlanta and I also took a class at the SAGA convention. We had a lovely time and I think the Bag enjoyed getting some fresh air. As a safeguard, I sprayed the bag with Scotchguard.

The bag is now safely back at the shop - I was a bit stressed carrying it around with me plus I want to teach my class one more time. I'll post those photos tomorrow.

Flirty Skirt and Halloween Skirt

2008-10-22T18:06:00.001-07:00

Flirty Skirt and Halloween Skirt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

While Lucy and I were in Atlanta, she performed for us on my brother's balcony. Yes, that is a flirty skirt covering the Halloween play-skirt I made for her. The skirt turned out a bit fuller and longer than I expected but Lucy clearly didn't mind. And yes, she is dancing with a dreidel in her hand. I believe she was pretending that it was a microphone.

Still working on her mermaid costume. Ugh. My mother looked at it today and I could see that she was trying to say something nice about it, particularly that it looked like an actual mermaid for a preschooler. sigh. I mean, it's a costume for a 4 year old and it's not store bought so it's going to be fine, right??

I would love to spend the day sewing tomorrow but I also have to pull together Lucy's birthday party on Saturday. Fortunately we are doing it at a local bird preserve so I don't have to plan entertainment. However, Lucy is expecting me to make mini cupcakes for the party as well as mini cut-out cookies for her class on Friday. Sometimes I wonder why I can't be one of those women who just buys stuff from a regular store? I mean, does anyone even notice the extra effort it takes? Well, that's a silly questions because I notice and I think that Lucy notices too. And, I enjoy doing it...most of the time.

First game of the World Series on tv - gotta run. GO PHILLIES!!

Shadow Work Initital

2008-10-21T04:54:00.001-07:00

Shadow Work Initial, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is one of the things that I learned - Shadow Work. This particular design is from a new book called Old Fashioned Baby. The designs are adorable. Her other patterns are equally lovely. Plus, at the SAGA market, she had the most fabulous collection of vintage buttons and lace. Oh my!!

Stitching Away

2008-10-19T06:08:00.001-07:00

This last week I went to visit my brother and his wife in their new city - Atlanta. While there, I had the opportunity to take a class as part of the Smocking Arts Guild of America Convention. My class was with Wendy Schoen - I learned shadow work embroidery and gold work. The class was challenging but I really enjoyed myself and was surprised to find how much I enjoyed delicate stitch work. I will post pics of my projects this week and also provide more details on the convention in general.

I also took my Weekender Bag on its first trip! I took pictures of it on its outing as well and will post those over the coming days. It really is a very functional bag and quite comfortable on my shoulders though, if I do another one, I think that I will make the straps a bit wider and perhaps padded as well.

Happy Stitching!

The Delights of Fall

2008-10-07T19:45:00.001-07:00

Apple Pie after shot, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I love fall, absolutely love it! When I was growing up in Oklahoma, fall always meant the end of the summer heat - we could finally sit outside comfortably and enjoy the breeze coming off the plains. Plus, there's nothing as great as shopping for back-to-school. I still look forward to each fall fashion with all its tweeds, jewel tones and cozy sweaters. And, unlike winter, during fall one can enjoy the crisp air without bundling up in a coat and multiple other warm accessories.

Plus, the fall harvest. Now that I live in NJ, I have the opportunity to buy locally grown produce. Lucy and I go to our CSA each week and pick up our share of veggies and fruit. We look forward to each week, wondering what goodies await us at the farm stand. Last week we were delighted to find squash, pumpkins,, swiss chard, peppers, lettuce, beets, radicchio and more! And the tomatoes - we've been getting them for about 6 weeks and they have been sweet and juicy. Below is my latest collection of sauce tomatoes ready to be blanched and frozen for winter stew.

In the last week, Lucy and I made two pies, a batch of applesauce and apple muffins. I bought Winesaps and Macouns at the Trenton Farmer's Market. The Winesaps were great in the pies and the Macouns were crisp and sweet treats. I"m hoping to get the Terhune Orchards to pick apples with Lucy tomorrow. As a child in Oklahoma I could never have imagined the opportunity to pick my own apples!

And finally, a bit unrelated, here's a picture of my Tupperware pastry rolling mat. As young children and teenagers, my brother and I rolled out hundreds of batches of cookies and pastry on this mat. My mom gave it to me when I moved into my first apartment in Philadelphia more than a decade ago. To see Lucy's little hands working at this mat reminded me of my own childhood and the simple joys of cooking with my mother.

Get outside and breath in the cool, crisp air. Enjoy.

Matryoshka Doll skirt

2008-10-06T12:30:00.001-07:00

Matryoshka Doll skirt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I've been busy with lots and lots of sewing projects, mostly skirts for Lucy. This one turned out really cute - I put a lace trim on the bottom instead of hemming it. I just cut two large rectangles, sewed the seams, inserted elastic and voila. A new fun winter skirt. I'm hoping to make lots more of these. Check out this site over at Oliver and S for another simple pattern.

I also finished a holiday tag kit for the shop and am teaching a class on those in November. I promise pics of them soon.

Now, it's on to the Halloween - Lucy wants to be a mermaid. I hope I can get it made and finished before the local parade on the 30th!

I'm still here

2008-09-18T18:24:00.001-07:00

I have a lot to write and I promise to get to it asap. I haven't had much time with work and getting Lucy back to school though I have managed to read "Little Women" (love that cover!!) in the last month and think that I will dive back into it again. What a lovely and kind book. Just what I needed these days. I also started reading "Gilead" by Marilynne Robinson which is an equally lovely book. Over the past two months I have faced a number of challenges that have required a lot of my spirit; both of these books seem to be filling me back up again.

I know, sappy. But that's where I am these days. More about stitching books/magazines that I'm reading in the next week.

And, btw, I did join Ravelry thought I haven't done much with it. Hopefully I can get to that too....

Lucy's First Quilt

2008-07-25T14:31:00.001-07:00

Lucy's first quilt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

I found this picture today while I was browsing through pictures of Lucy as a baby. The quilt was being displayed at the annual Pennington Quiltworks Quilt Hanging. It was the first quilt I made from start to finish - I did all the piecing and quilting by machine. Making this quilt was one of my favorite things about being pregnant. I would spend the last part of my pregnancy sitting at the machine, day-dreaming of Lucy. I finished it just in time, a few days shy of her birth! Lucy still has the quilt on her bed and although I've made her others, this is the one she prefers.

The quilt is a simple 9 patch set on-point. I had actually found the floral focal fabric a few years before I had Lucy and held onto it for just the right moment. The other fabrics are a collection of Aunt Grace.

Looking at Lucy here, it's hard to remember that she was every little. I believe that she was around 10 months at the time of this picture. Look at how happy she is in this picture! She still smiles for the camera and has that same love of life!

I miss doing patchwork - perhaps this is a sign that I need to start piecing again....

Summer Fun

2008-07-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Sam Skates, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Wow! I can hardly believe it's almost August! I've been busy with work at CHOP and sewing when I can. I made Lucy a nightgown that she loves loves loves - she wants me to make "hundreds of them" for her. That request is a bit more than I can do but two or three more are in the works.

Plus, I bought quite a bit of yardage of Anna Maria Horner's new home dec fabric with the intention of making curtains for my sewing room. For now, I've tacked it in place just to see how it looks (love it) until I can get a bit more time. Ha Ha.

The little girl skating is called "Sam Skates" and is from the Wee Wonderfuls site. Her designs are just delightful. I want to do all of them! Her latest, the picnic fairy, is so cute. I feel a paypal purchase coming on.

Speaking of, I just sold a bunch of yarn on ebay and with my "winnings" I bought two Japanese sewing books. I can hardly wait to get them -they should arrive by Friday! The simplicity of the designs is inspiring. Maybe after the nightgowns and curtains I can get to them!

And, as far as classes at the shop, I have three scheduled. Flirty Skirts is August 6th, On a Whim (the circles quit I blogged about here) is October 8th and The Weekender Bag is October 12th and 26th. I also hope to put together a class on English paper piecing (Grandmother's Flower Garden) and appliqued t-shirts. More on those to come.

Keep cool!

Sewing for Lucy....

2008-07-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

I made another outfit from this pattern for Lucy using the green colorway of Denyse Schmidt's previous collection. I loved making the entire outfit, the top especially because it presented the challenge of understitching, something I rarely do but always gives great results. The whole outfit is just really cute. Well, Lucy put it on this morning for about five minutes before she announced that it was too small on the top and that she didn't like shorts - she wants skirts that "spin around." Devastation. As much as I tried to convince her otherwise, she wasn't going for it.

So, this afternoon I bribed her to try it on for me so that I could take some pictures. The bribe: she doesn't have to wear it again. Clearly, the only way to successfully sew for Lucy is to involve her from the outset. I talked to my mom about this recent development. She said that I never complained about her sewing (it's true, I loved everything she ever made me) but I was always very involved in the process from picking the patterns, fabric and buttons. Lesson learned.

Here are the pics. Again, she wasn't up for posing so most of these are taken on the go. As you can see, Lucy is a climber too.

On a separate note, I just came across another great blog knittinginpink Everything is lovely on the site - this blogger loves socks and has so many great pictures of her creations. Plus, anyone who uses pink in their blog description is going to be a favorite of mine! Check out her site if you have a chance.

Lucy wants to take off her outfit. Oh well, maybe I'll just hang it in my sewing room for inspiration and as a reminder of what not to sew! Ha ha!

My Friend Mandy and Jenny patterns

2008-07-04T06:47:00.001-07:00

My Friend Mandy and Jenny patterns, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Mandy and Jenny were my very favorite dolls. I had a doll box filled with clothes and accessories that I would pack up and bring with me on overnight trips to my grandmother's house. Grandma was kind enough to make me outfits for the dolls and my mother contributed as well. I saved the dolls and clothes with the hope that someday I would have my own little girl who would enjoy the dolls as much as I did.

That day has come. I recently gave Lucy both of the dolls as well as the box filled with clothes. I wish that Grandma could have seen Lucy dressing Mandy in the clothes that she made - I know that she would have been delighted to see the joy in another generation.

My mother found her collection of patterns for Mandy and Jenny. This one is my favorite - the drawings are so sweet and sooo 70's! It's hard to believe that those groovy fashions are coming back into style! My plan this fall is to make Lucy and the dolls coordinating outfits. Hopefully I can make that happen!

Getting it together

2008-06-29T10:27:00.001-07:00

Grandma's sewing table with machine, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

One of my goals for 2008 is to finally pull our house together. We've lived here for 4 years and the upstairs still isn't painted (except Lucy's room, of course), the carpet hasn't been replaced, and the light fixtures are in a desperate need of an update! We inherited so many fabulous pieces from our families; I really think that they deserve to be in a house that's a bit more coordinated! I will post updates as we progress.

My current focus is lighting. For the kitchen, I found the most perfect light fixture ever here. I really want the pink fixture but the orange would probably be more sensible. Our kitchen table is a 1970's orange with pink vinyl seats. The pink vinyl is going to be replaced this summer with a darker pink, almost rose vinyl but the table will still be the original orange. Other fixtures to be hung include a vintage chandelier in Lucy's room, another vintage chandelier over the dining room table and a 1970's glass ball fixture in the stairwell. I also ordered a bunch of fixtures from Restoration Hardware (on sale) for the bathrooms and to replace the builder "quality" fixtures in the ceilings.

I'm planning to consult with a really cool designer from Black-Eyed Susan. I think she'll help me pull all these pieces together. Yes, I could probably do it myself but sometimes it just helps to have an outsider's perspective.

And finally, the sewing room. We took the extra bed out - now the space is all mine. I'm excited and overwhelmed by the prospect. I know it will be great for me and Lucy to have a room to create in and for me to have cutting space as well as sewing space. For now, I'm really enjoying using my grandmother's table (pictured above). Next week I'm going to take the actual machine in to be repaired so that I can actually use it too! Plus, with the extra space, I may get another small table just for Dorothy's Featherweight.

I'm off to Jo-Ann's to buy a fold-away cutting table! Yeah! Maybe I should get a dress form too...

Bye. Happy Sewing!

Inspriation/stuff board

2008-06-26T09:03:00.001-07:00

Inspriation/stuff board, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

This is a picture of the board in my room. It's no so much as a design space as much as it is a collection of stuff that either means something to me or inspires me or both. If you go to my flickr page, you can scan over most of the items for a description.

I've been busy making some very very cute fabric gift tags for the shop's annual Christmas party. Really fun machine applique. I will post pics when they're finished.

I'm also busy trying to pull our house together. A while back we received a lot of family heirlooms, furniture, light fixtures, etc - sadly a lot of it has either been put in the garage for shoved in a corner. Now that I have a bit more time I want to get stuff hung, recovered, repainted and so on so that we can enjoy them. More on that as I get projects completed.

Flirty Skirts

2008-06-18T08:19:00.000-07:00

Over the last few months I have spent a large chunk of time each day sitting on a Septa train commuting to and from Phildelphia. Usually I read and listen to music. Sometimes I dream about sewing and knitting projects (a lot of the time actually.) These skirts were one of those dreams. I first saw the pattern here and then found a more refined version in the Summer 2008 issue of Quilts and More. I loved the simplicity of the pattern plus I could cut all pieces using a rotary cutter.

The first one I made was so simple that I immediately cut out fabric for the next one. Plus the blue and red one was a bit small for Lucy.

The second one I did out of Amy Butler's latest fabric collection.

And then I was having so much fun I just made this skirt with tiers of gathered fabric. Actually this one fits Lucy the best.

Also, as I went along I changed a few things. For starters, I used french seams to join side seams. I also added a bit more fabric to allow for a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Since I don't have a serger (yet, hint, hint...) I finished the gather edges by doing the following: I sewed the 1/2 inch seam. Then I sewed another seam about 1/8 inch to the right of the first one. Then I trimmed the seam to 1/4 inch. Then I zig-zagged the edge. A lot of work but I think it will hold up better in the wash. Plus, I grew up with a mother who was always turning clothes inside out to check the finishing. She said that the true sign of a well made garment was in the finished details - the stuff no one could see. So, as much as I try to be quick and easy about things, I still hear her voice as I'm finishing a project. sigh.

I plan to teach this project as a class because I think it's a simple project for a new sewer and the resulting product is just very very cute. Also, once you learn the basics, you can improvise and make your own version.

Finally, thanks so much to Sew Mama Sew for posting the circles quilt on their Featured Creativity blog entry! I hope that those of you who are visiting for the first time will come back often. I promise to update with more frequency now that I have more time. I also plan to post a tutorital for making the circles.

Off to the quilt store.

Finished at last!

2008-06-16T14:45:00.001-07:00

Circles Quilt, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Here it is. The circles quilt from Valori Wells' book "Simple Start, Stunning Finish." I never thought I would actually get it finished with my schedule of travleing back and forth to Philly for the last 3 months! I backed it in corduroy as well - yellow with blocks of pink, green and turquoise. I'll get a pic of that the next time I'm at the shop; since I made it as a shop sample/kit, it will be there for a while. Karen of Poppycourt Quilting did the machine quilting for me and put the bias binding on as well - I just handstitched the binding to the back of the quilt. Lucy likes it so hopefully the kits will sell quickly so that we can have it on her bed this fall.

I'm well. It's been an adjustment to working but the part-time schedule is going to be fabulous. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia is an amazing place - I'm happy to be a part of the care that they provide to families.

As for sewing, I'm doing a lot of it - skirts, baby blankets, bibs, etc. I will post of those later this week.

Speaking of, Lucy is asleep so I'm going to run upstairs, put a Gilmore Girls DVD in, and get stitching....

Eleanor

2008-04-29T14:16:00.000-07:00

My grandmother, Eleanor, passed away last week on April 21st. It's very hard for me to accept that I lost both of my grandmothers in less than 6 months. I know that I wrote about Dorothy last year. Below is what I read at Grandma's funeral:

One of my earliest childhood memories involved making Jell-O with Grandma in the kitchen. We were stirring the electric colored sugar crystals in the water when the phone rang. Grandma went to answer the phone in the bedroom hallway and came back with the good news – I was a big sister. My mother had given birth to my baby brother Harper. I remember the excitement in her eyes and voice. We talked about it briefly and then went back to stirring the Jell-O, pouring it in the pan and waiting for it to set.

Most of my memories of grandma are like this. Simple yet significant. Not that she was a simple woman. She was a devoted sister, loving mother, doting grandmother, and compassionate friend. When you spent time with her, you always felt that she was present, listening, responding and laughing. She was an amazing storyteller, sharing experiences from her life as a child on the family farm in Southern Virginia, her time in the city as working girl in Richmond, and her travels with her husband and children through towns and states in post-war America. Along the way I can imagine that she easily made friends with neighbors and was loved by many.

Time spent with grandma was always very busy. Looking back I can see now that she was teaching us but it seemed so much fun that we never even noticed. On visits to neighbors, like Mrs. Beaman, we learned manners, patience and charity. Working in the garden, we learned to care for our surroundings and how to enjoy the smell of fresh air. In the kitchen while making biscuits, fried chicken and Jell-O we learned to measure, count, read and follow directions. While playing cards we learned analytical skills and the value of quiet, self-entertainment. And finally, when we knit, crocheted and sewed we found satisfaction in our ability to create something functional and beautiful out of scraps of string and thread.

All the while, we told stories, laughing until we cried. Or, in fact, I think we told stories and tried to act funny until we incited her laughter and her eyes lit up with delight. Her laugh was so full of joy and love that hearing it made us feel heard and appreciated. She would always talk about how bright, sweet and funny her children and grandchildren were even if their actions seemed a bit on the devilish side!

When I teach knitting and sewing classes, I am often asked how I learned needle arts. I tell of how on rainy days, grandma would hand us needles and yarn and with great patience she would teach us to make a bookmark or a cap for a baby doll. Of course, I know now that she was just trying to get us to sit still for a while so that she could rest! My very favorite story of creating with grandma is when she decided that we would sew her an outfit over the weekend. She took Harper and me to Hancock’s over on 23rd. There we picked out the patterns, fabric and notions needed to make her a skirt and shirt. We spent the weekend cutting, pinning and sewing. She sat patiently with us as we guided the fabric under the needle of her machine. Harper was the most diligent, being sure not to make a mistake. By the end of the weekend, grandma had a new skirt and shirt. And she wore them both with great pride to work the next day and told us how impressed all her co-workers were with our handiwork. That weekend was such a gift for me. I only hope that I will be able to have the level of creativity and patience with my own child and future grandchildren.

In so many ways, for me, Grandma was the quintessential grandmother. I tell her stories with great pride. My hope is that as a family we will continue to honor her spirit through creativity, laughter and love. In doing that, she will be missed but never forgotten.

Sad News

2008-04-11T05:31:00.000-07:00

My step-grandfather, Dorothy's husband, passed away yesterday - on their wedding anniversary. It has been just 5 months since Dorothy's passing. John has been in intense mourning since her death and so we believe that he died of a broken heart.

John was an incredibly kind and generous man. He was the only grandfather that I knew and although we were not blood-related, he treated me as his own and always made me feel loved. He adored Lucy and in turn, she showered him with adoration in the form of songs, dances, and hugs. I am so grateful that Lucy was able to know him and be loved by him.

Sadly, I don't think we will be able to make it to his funeral. Between the airline cancellations and my training schedule, I can't figure out how to get there by Tuesday. Lucy will want to visit the grave and so later this spring or summer we will make a trip out to Oklahoma.

I hope that John and Dorothy have reunited with their loved ones, wherever they are. Here on earth, we will miss them.

Fabric in Philly

2008-04-03T18:47:00.000-07:00

The other day on my way out of Philly, I decided to stop by Loop on South Street mainly because I had heard a rumor that there was a new sewing store, Spool, next door. I was able to get a perfect parking spot right in front of both shops, put a few quarters in the meter and quietly browse both of these lovely, modern, and colorful stores. I made no purchases during this quick visit though I was quite tempted. I am focused on finishing a top-down sweater for Lucy and then getting to work on some summer outfits for her after I finish that circle quilt for the shop....

Anyway, back to the stores. Loop is a crisp store with shots of color and just the right amount of yarn. I love the lighting, seating, and yarn displays. I promised myself that I would go back next week after my paycheck to pick up a couple of pattern books - more on those in the future.

Spool is equally lovely. It is bright with fabric displayed at eye level. There are a few samples - mostly clothes made from Westminster/Free Sprit fabric (Amy Butler, Denyse Schmidt, Kaffe Fasset) and quilt tops - almost all Kaffe Fasset. The shop also has a sewing "studio" in the back with machines for rent at $5/hour. One of the best parts of my visit though was meeting the designer of Betsy Ross Patterns. I have been eyeing her patterns for a while now, particularly the Hip Tie Blouse. She had a sample made up in Kaffe's shot cotton - very very cute. Aimee has a great sense of style and is very aware of the needs of today's young sewers. I hope to make one of her patterns soon!

For now, sewing will have to wait. My new job is taking most of my energy and with that, I am off to sleep.

New Amy Butler!

2008-03-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had to do a bit of business at the shop regarding the Weekender Bag Class so I thought I'd just run in for a few minutes. Much to my delight the new Amy Butler Midwest Modern collection had arrived and was on the floor. It is stunning. The color palate is crisp, fresh and citrusy. It makes me want to put a straw in it and take a long sip. Amazing. This collection is different from her others in it's scale, motifs and hues.

I'm sure that I need some of this loveliness but I'm just not sure how much....

Lucy's race outfit

2008-03-23T12:01:00.001-07:00

Lucy's race outfit, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Last week, Mitch, Lucy and I participated in the Virginia Beach Shamrock Fest. I jogged/walked the 8K, Mitch ran the half-marathon and Lucy ran the children's marathon (26.2 yards). I was just happy that I finished my race without passing out! I will spare you pics of me at the finish line - believe me, you don't want to see them!

I made Lucy this little shirt using Lite-Steam-a-Seam and then going around the edges with a zig zag stitching. She also has green sweatpants with hearts appliqued on the knees. She looked very cute and had a wonderful time at the races. She cheered Mitch and me on with great gusto and for us, seeing her face at the finish line made all of our work well worth it.

Happy Easter!

Dorothy's Chairs

2008-03-22T11:56:00.001-07:00

Dorothy's Chairs, originally uploaded by stitchingpink.

Here's a picture of two of the chairs of Dorothy's. I loved these chairs as a kid and spent countless hours spinning them around, rocking back and forth and then when I got older, I would just recline in a chair and read a book. I believe that the chairs may have been designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin though I'm not totally sure. The cube was also Dorothy's.

I'm so happy to have all three of these pieces. Dorothy had lots of parties so I remember her guests relaxing in these with bridge mix and martinis. Imagine Esquivel in the background or some Henry Mancini to complete the memory.

As soon as I rearrance my sewing room/extra bedroom, I promise a picture of my other grandmother's sewing machine and table. I can't wait to plug it in and hear it sew again....

Hi hi, hi ho it's off to work I go...

2008-03-21T19:57:00.000-07:00

I know that it's been a really long time since I've posted anything here. I always have the best of intentions but by the end of the day I'm just too tired to write anything creative or attempt to be witty. I have actually completed a few projects and started even a few more. I promise pictures soon but my computer is still having issues with uploading pics and I'm not in the habit of working with Mitchell's computer.

On Tuesday the things from Oklahoma City arrived, that is, my grandmothers' belongings plus a few other random pieces of furniture and childhood toys. It's weird to sit in Dorothy's very cool club chairs or work at my grandmother's sewing table but it also feels very comforting. It really is like having Dorothy and Eleanor in my home. The only problem is that all of Dorothy's furniture smells like her house - she always wore just a tad too much perfume. It's a bit eerie to smell my deceased grandmother in my house but I'm sure that in time, the scent will diminish and then I will long to smell it again.

The other reason that I haven't written is that I am indeed headed back to work as a nurse-midwife. I've accepted at position at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as part of the Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Center, more specifically, as a midwife in the Special Delivery Unit. The first two months will be intense with training 5 days/week. After that I'll work part-time so of course I hope to continue working at the quilt store a couple times a month and also have more time to sew, knit, etc with Lucy in a longer day at school. I know I'm being wishful but a girl can dream....

I've been cooking up a storm the last couple of days and have two more days in the kitchen before I start. Plus I'm busy with laundry, reorganizing the house and finishing quilting projects. A friend of mine said I was "work-nesting." I like that.

More nesting tomorrow and hopefully some pics for here too.

And another thing

2008-03-06T11:19:00.001-08:00

I have been meaning to get on the blog for a while - every spare moment seems to be spent sewing the circles quilt, entertaining Lucy, or organizing my house! My grandmothers' belongings are arriving next week including Dorothy's dining room set and swivel club chair and my maternal grandmother's (Eleanor) sewing table with her 1940's Singer inside. Needless to say, I have a lot of work to provide the room for these beloved belongings. Also, I fear for the delivery men - I could be in tears as they unload my family treasures. I hope they come prepared. Ha ha

I forgot to share another tip about the Amy Butler Weekender Bag. Two of my students used an old cutting mat for the inside of the false bottom rather than use template plastic. This produced a much more firm bottom and provided additional structure to the bag. Great idea!

And, have you seen Ginger Blossom? I absolutely LOVE it. Maybe just a few yards of it will do - I have to make room for the new Amy Butler too.

Back to the sewing machine. I watched the entire Project Runway 2008 season yesterday and I'm feeling inspired.

Weekender Bag Class

2008-02-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, at Pennington Quiltworks, I taught the second class of a two class session series on the Weekender Bag. Almost everyone completed the bag exterior or at least was able to sew one side on. I was very impressed with everyone's accomplishments - some of the students were beginners and tackled the project with great enthusiasm. One student, Gail, sewed the project on her Singer Featherweight which has inspired me to unpack Dorothy's and get stitching!

One mother/daughter team even went on-line and found this tutorial for making a zippered pocket in the lining! Their results were impressive:

I made a few changes to the pattern for the purposes of the class. First, in the pattern, it is recommended that you cross the cording over on itself at the bottom of the bag for finishing. The problem is that it creates a lot of bulk at the bottom of the bag and makes it very difficult to sew in the final steps of assembling the exterior. Instead, I had the students finish the cording using a method similar to one used in applying continuous binding. I'm not great at written instructions but you can find more details about this method in Amy Butler's Sophia Carry-All pattern.

Also, taking another tip from the Sophia Carry-All, I had the students machine sew the interior lining of the bag to the exterior in the seam allowances. It creates a much more sturdy attachment of the lining and actually enhances the overall interior shape of the bag. Pics of that are below:

And finally, here are a couple of pics of the bags made by the students. Most of the class made the kit which is like my sample. Three picked out their own fabrics and did a great job! Sorry Joanne that I didn't get a picture of yours!

Thanks to Gail, Barbara, Judith, Robin, Stefanie, Linda, Janice and Joanne for making my first class a success. I look forward to teaching my next Weekender Bag class in March - you have set a very high bar for them!

And, when I got home, this is what I found:

Mitch and Lucy hard at work hanging bathroom accessories, pictures, etc. Lucy told me to go away, that she was helping Daddy. I happily retreated to my sewing room to organize fabric/projects....

My Celebrity Morph by MyHeritage

2008-02-23T08:08:00.001-08:00

Lucy's was pretty fun so I thought I'd try it too. Sophia Bush and I look kinda alike except that perhaps she's a tad thinner and younger....

MyHeritage: Celebrity Morph - Pedigree chart - Free genealogy

Lucy's celebrity look-alikes

2008-02-23T07:53:00.000-08:00

I found a link for this on play is the thing and thought I would try it out. What do you think?

So much to do

2008-02-18T17:05:00.001-08:00

Today Lucy didn't have school so I was ready to entertain. The day actually went pretty well. We made whole wheat millet bread using the Tassajara Bread Book, one of my very favorite books of all time! My first batch of bread was made using the book and since then I have never been dissapointed with the results. Each recipe makes two loaves which seems like a lot but it never lasts more than a few days. His method requires four risings including one where you make a sponge. The resulting bread is dense but not heavy - excellent sandwich bread. Great as toast in the morning. In fact, I never really had satisfying toast until I started making my own bread - with homemade jam it's just heavenly.

I made a quick peasant style soup/stew to go with the bread: I added whatever vegetables I had in the fridge or on the counter to simple homemade chicken stock that was thickened with flour and butter. Lucy actually ate it which made me very happy and really, it was pretty tasty.

Today, Lucy and I also participated in the Great Backyard Bird Count. The birds were only able to hold Lucy's attention for 30 minutes so that's all we did but it was still fun. After we were finished, we logged into the site to report our data. I'm already looking forward to next year. I know, I've become a geek about birds!

I'm working on this quilt for the shop and though it seemed like it would be easy, I'm finding it to be a bit of a chore. The pattern comes from Valori Wells latest book, Simple Start - Stunning Finish. All this machine applique is overwhelming for me. My circles don't seem to be true circles and well, they just don't look perfect. I'm hoping it will come out ok after it's quilted. I have to get with it in order to get this to the quilter by the end of the month which is in 10 days! Argh!

My favorite projects of late are the Stitchettes from Wee Wonderfuls. They are sooo much fun to stitch and produce extremely gratifying results. Lucy picks out the colors for each of them (with a little guidance from me, of course) and then I stitch them up for her. I'm not sure what I am going to do with them - maybe display in embroidery hoops? I just ordered the Quilting Bee Stitchettes and can hardly wait to get started on them!!