Berlin's Whimsy

All White.

As if the heat wasn't enough, we must now suffer the white/grey smoke (yes, picture me saying this in a whining voice). Of course, it goes hand in hand here, the hot temps and then the smoke----hot temperatures often create one of two things: human lapses in judgement or mother nature wielding a lightning bolt. Both of them spark fires. Whichever is the cause, we now have the fire's smoke blanketing the land...

I retreated to my sewing machine today and produced a white linen shirt for my daughter. Ah, linen... It's so refreshing in summer. Though for me, linen is a favorite all year long----it's a convergence of both refinery and simplicity woven together.

I planned on embroidering her blouse and my daughter requested a mushroom. I'll admit I'm a little "over" my mushroom phase but "ask and you shall receive" was in order today.

She likes her new linen blouse. Especially after observing (Or coveting--- Are we to that phase yet?) my absolute favorite linen shirt that I've been wearing day after day recently. My shirt is not handmade-----it's from the clearance rack at J. Jill. I would LOVE to reproduce this blouse's cut and design-----a little femininity mixed with a little utility----one day I just might do it when I'm feeling a bit more adventurous...

But not today. Today, I used my old stand-bye pattern Simplicity #4589 . In fact, if any of you have used this pattern, please post your finished photos to my Flickr group: Simplicity 4589... I would love it if you shared!

The smoke won't be leaving anytime soon---perhaps more sewing is in my future!

Vintage Stitches.

And another.

Vintage Stitches with another little doily design. I rather like this one...

Updating.

I updated my etsy shop with these two project totes yesterday.

I have a couple more of these bags to complete and I'll add them to the shop as I finish them. I've noticed Etsy has an RSS option for shop updates if you would like to be notified when I update...

For these bag's dimensions, I use the pattern in Lotta Jansdotter's book, Simple Sewing, but I've changed it a bit. I add facings to the inner liner for added shape and strength and I add pockets to both ends of the tote. Those pockets are incredibly handy! I nixed the outer pocket of the original design. I use one of these for my own knitting bag and it's a great size to carry my projects----even the afghan I'm working on...

My plan is to update the shop with some linen sets early next week, as well...

Mini Doilies= many stitches.

Tell me, how do those little old ladies do it----stitch those intricate, web-like doily stitches without becoming cross-eyed? Wow.

I managed to stitch up a few mini-doilies for a couple of my bag designs. They were quite fun to make but I just might need a pair of glasses afterwards. And these, I MUST get some of these---ouch!

Nonetheless, the singular focus to detail and the resulting feeling of accomplishment made it all worth it! I'm pushing up against my deadline for finishing these things...

Some Etsy TLC & Shop Update

I'm putting a little love and attention into my Etsy shop again. I listed a couple cute children's vintage clothing items I found months ago from my Grandmother's stash of old clothes. I absolutely love the vintage smock----oh, how I wish my kids were that little again! I wanted to keep these items but I'm beginning to understand that I cannot collect everything (though I try)...

And, I'm currently creating four more of those large project bags. I'm excited about these bags as I'm using some of my vintage fabric, doilies, buttons, and trim. I think they'll be very fun! My goal is to list them in my shop by Monday, June 9th. You'll see them on the sidebar when they're listed...

From "Ewww!" to "Mmmm" Giveaway

A LITTLE GIVEAWAY: The kids & I are heading to the Oregon coast for a few days of visiting with long lost friends and rubbing our toes in our familiar sand... So, I'm leaving you with this post... The giveaway details are at the end...

One of our steadfast lunchtime sandwiches is the peanut butter and pickle sandwich. I grew up eating them and have never given them a second thought. That was until my kids started bringing them to school and the other kids started exclaiming, "Ewww!"

Luckily, my kids weren't swayed. They are PB & Pickle fans. And I am, too. Usually, I make our sandwiches with dill pickles but a shopping oversight resulted in a jar of sweet pickles sitting in the cupboard for far too long. In desparation one day, I decided to use that jar. And even my "Ewww" reaction to sweet pickles turned to "Mmmm" in the sandwich with peanut butter. I still prefer dill but the sweet is a nice mix up.

Recently, our family discussed our "weird" food combinations. I remembered my Dad slathering up a peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwich while I sat looking aghast. I don't think it was the taste combo as much as the texture that repulsed me.

During our discussion, my sister-in-law told me about the peanut butter and sprout sandwich. I immediately thought "Ewww" until she pointed out the similarity to the Thai food flavor combination so I tried it and it turned to a "Mmmm" (I used mung bean sprouts, following the Pad Thai combination).

And then there is my early strawberry season recipe: balsamic vinegar reduction sauce over strawberries and ice cream. "Ewww! Vinegar?!" I initially thought. But then I tried it!

It's a great way to use the early season strawberries that lack the flavor of our local Oregon berries (yes, I'm partial). All that is required is reducing 2 Cups of balsamic vinegar (I like the Costco brand for this recipe---don't use expensive balsamic!) over a low simmer until it is thick and it coats the back of a spoon. Cool just a bit and then spoon the sauce over sliced strawberries and vanilla ice cream. "Mmmm!"

***GIVEAWAY: I want to hear about your flavor combos, recipes, or stories of food items that might seem weird to today's palate but you still enjoy... OR your family's traditional recipes that might not be 'en vogue' today (I'm thinking pickled watermelon rinds and that sort of thing). What "weird" foods do you like? And if you don't have anything of the sort to share, just post a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing... I will choose a random comment next Tuesday.

The prize? Four embroidered linen "Doily Napkins" (it's a fun little pattern of mine that I've been enjoying---pictured above) and an itty bitty cookbook (made by me) that includes a few of my favorite recipes along with related stories...

Have a great weekend!   

Sewing Fabric Beads.

For my simple curtains, I used the selvages off white linen for the tie-backs. In fact, I use selvages for many things such as tying up packages or for use in kids' crafts. My kids often turn those selvages into reins for horses or leashes for their softies. Selvages have so many possibilities because of their disposable nature and their strength, too...

After peering at my plain tie-backs, I decided they would look even better with some color contrast so I added fabric beads to the ends. Fabric beads are always my go-to choice for adding that little extra something to a sewn item.

I first learned to make fabric beads from the wonderful book, 'Omiyage' by Kumiko Sudo. If you are interested in making special little sewn items, this book is for you! I've owned my copy for years and I continue to turn to the wonderful projects inside for special gifts for others (hmmm, Mother's Day?!).

Fabric beads are simple to make and are one of those crafts easily done by hand in an evening. They can be added to ties of all sorts (even shoelaces)! Here's how I do it:

#1: Tie a knot in the string to be bound in a fabric bead. Just an overhand knot is fine but make sure it is secure.

#2: Cut off the extra string.

#3: Depending on the size of the knot to be covered, cut out a circle of coordinating fabric. A juice cup works great...

#4: Around the perimeter of the circle, press a small hem under with your fingers (creating a crease).

#5: Now with your thread and needle and leaving a long tail, hem that raw edge down along the crease with a long running stitch which you will use next to gather up your stitches...

#6: Gather up the stitches a little to produce a cup shape to your future bead with the right side of your fabric on the convex (outer) side. Before pulling the gathered stitches tight, add the knot to the inside of the bead and then pull the stitches to enclose that knot.

#7: With the same thread, secure the fabric bead to the string by stitching through the entire bead & string back & forth with small stitches (I used a contrasting thread here for these photos but you should use a thread that matches the bead's fabric). If there is any additional bulk in your gathering, stitch that down, as well. When finished securing the bead to the string, knot the thread and cut off excess.

There you have it----a fabric bead!!

Doilies.

Found at the thriftstore today----enough doilies to create a "pond" full of doily lily pads.

Doilies... Created by the hands of others, they are one of my favorite thriftstore treasures. Is it the memories? Visions of my Great Aunt's doilies gracing the back of her couch or cradling flower pots throughout her farmhouse... Or is it my appreciation of the patience I lack to create doilies--- all those intricate stitches, so intimidating.

I collected them even before Amanda made them so beautifully famous but she graciously opened the door for the doily's graduation from Grandma's parlor to bags, quilts, and so much more...

If only.

If only life was so easily mended...

and holes in hearts, too.

Softie Smiles.

Off my needles come little critters. They do feel like a bit of fancy---silliness, I guess---but when I see my kids carry them around in their pockets and tuck them into bed at night, they don't seem so irrelevant to our lives.

My son carries his little 'Bunny Foo Foo' around with him and he loves his newly knitted snail. He wants to knit one himself---perhaps a weekend project.

When these little projects near completion they provide me with a big smile, a spark of delight for my heart.

I don't know what the funk I've been experiencing is----perhaps another visit to that pity party I try not to participate in, although its allure seems inevitable sometimes. I think the most recent visit is over and I left the party with favors in the form of new plans and routines.

Sometimes I get too caught up in shoulds. I look around me and backtrack my life and the shoulds are not far to follow. I realize now how much of my creativity was suppressed all these years-----set aside for other things deemed more important for lack of a support system.

Now, I allow myself bits of whimsy here and there---even silly irrelevance. No, little softies sporting their own handspun and handknit sweaters won't save the world but they remind a couple sweet children that their Mom loves them; moreover, they bring a smile to the face of the Mom that made them.

***The little guy with the sweater is my own version of Margaret's Ornament Guy. The minute I saw him I knew I had to make one (or two?!) for my kids, so thank you, Margie, for sharing with me. Do check out Margie's 'Handmade by Me' Flickr set. Wonderful!

***The Snail is a pattern from Mochimochi. We'll probably have a whole "flock" of them soon...

***Have you looked at the entries for the Second Annual Softies Awards? They'll put a smile to your face...