tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8157931941441554182024-03-05T06:59:53.863-08:00schnickelfritz and turtleAdventures in domesticityalexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-71057370113720327532008-05-05T11:06:00.000-07:002008-05-06T07:13:36.205-07:00hello, baby bunting(flags)Friday night I got together with some crafty chicas,and we sewed until midnight. It was good, good medicine. I made these bunting flags. I had to make some after seeing <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/">these</a>. Sorry my picture is so crappy, my camera batteries were dying so I had to act fast. I used pinks and blues and greens to sort-of coordinate with Sophie's quilt. Her room was looking kind of blah, and these liven things up a little in there. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguei99JVeyTxkvlRVKedAp-1BcATkcm6MAky9bzuTpBLCpPfU6v8XpfifekVQdoQylpvMjaHil0ROAk3rMeQLseKAKe6MG1MgYKFhvIt4Y_UOLr3EESRoFOd_eJUc-a0PkrW_kV5mhQr32/s1600-h/HPIM1059.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196957027848892594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguei99JVeyTxkvlRVKedAp-1BcATkcm6MAky9bzuTpBLCpPfU6v8XpfifekVQdoQylpvMjaHil0ROAk3rMeQLseKAKe6MG1MgYKFhvIt4Y_UOLr3EESRoFOd_eJUc-a0PkrW_kV5mhQr32/s320/HPIM1059.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-33819670839376018642008-04-29T10:31:00.000-07:002008-04-29T15:02:54.438-07:00whoa, where'd I go?It's been a long time since my last post. I won't bore you with details of why I suck at keeping my blog going, but I will say that not getting on the computer every day may not be the worst thing I could do for myself and my family. I've been spending more time outside. All the wildflowers are in bloom right now, and we've been taking some morning walks, soaking up the sunshine and fresh air. I've been doing some knitting...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmvjOKgjz9OuGHDjevCSEfY-7PWqxQjMLu5bSuy3zJzmiw446DSW5ObRhfQpijWeTsG5uSSTekUcC-34cPGvAMn-NOr2oh5xm4EfC7vQG7X-YhcS5galvmJk2VFS5bw-qIEkFZvIB2qUO/s1600-h/HPIM1050.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194721931163021458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMmvjOKgjz9OuGHDjevCSEfY-7PWqxQjMLu5bSuy3zJzmiw446DSW5ObRhfQpijWeTsG5uSSTekUcC-34cPGvAMn-NOr2oh5xm4EfC7vQG7X-YhcS5galvmJk2VFS5bw-qIEkFZvIB2qUO/s320/HPIM1050.JPG" border="0" /></a> All these babes being born are keeping my needles clicking. The hat is the same as the last one, from Last Minute Knitted Gifts, only this time I used Rowan wool cotton in this vibrant grape-y color. I knitted up some baby socks with the leftover, and man, those babies knit up quick. The background is a little blanket I stitched up. You can't see it in the photo, but I did a scalloped crochet edging around the border.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJg7ew4FvfrDbr_N7_DPN47KJxIoGKKDI-vy-E0uVav6jLodeqLtXEx-nogRxw3vIQlpX2pvdUJR6WPRa74ZZM99DBEWyvd5KRZqU363Lkjvloiw02Hyh3qkbvO_ccPIMz3vGBtpO8hQ9q/s1600-h/HPIM1052.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194721935457988770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJg7ew4FvfrDbr_N7_DPN47KJxIoGKKDI-vy-E0uVav6jLodeqLtXEx-nogRxw3vIQlpX2pvdUJR6WPRa74ZZM99DBEWyvd5KRZqU363Lkjvloiw02Hyh3qkbvO_ccPIMz3vGBtpO8hQ9q/s320/HPIM1052.JPG" border="0" /></a> I sewed this dress for Sophie last week, even though the pattern and fabric had been in my basket for 2 months or so. This pattern gave me so much grief, between the bias trim on the neck and armholes that turned out kind of puckered, and the godets. What is a godet, you ask? Well I could use some choice words to properly describe the little <a href="mailto:#@*&!es">#@*&!es</a>, but I won't. Instead just say they are the little triangles in the skirt that make Schnickelfritz twirl so prettily. I used the <a href="http://schnickelfritzandturtle.blogspot.com/2007/11/cake-presents-and-twirly-dress.html">pink matryoshka fabric </a>for the bodice lining, and that turned out sort of cute. Of course it has ketchup stains on it already, but if I'm going to work this hard on a dress, the kid might as well get to wear it. Oh, and don't let the demure pose fool you. She is a banshee. A wild and crazy banshee.<br />Okay. Dearest <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/">Val </a>tagged me to share 5 things about myself. Here goes: 1. I used to live in Alaska, when I was little. I have a picture of myself sitting on a giant snow duck my parents and I built. 2. Ever since I was about 10 I have dreamed of owning my own bookstore/cafe. 3. I smoked cigarettes for 11 years. Embroidery and nicotine patches helped me kick the habit 3 years ago and I haven't touched the stuff since. 4. I used to secretly think people who whined about really wanting a second child were just being greedy. Guess what...now I am one of those people. Ain't life funny? 5. I miss the Pixies.<br />Um, who do I know to tag? Not enough people. So I guess I just got to ramble on about myself for no particular reason. Ha! Good thing it's a blog.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-82978909975860369032008-03-07T05:55:00.000-08:002008-03-07T13:04:01.532-08:00I've been knitting up a stormI finished the socks. Dave loves them. Maybe he was just stroking me, but he did say they were the comfiest socks he's ever worn. I was a little worried about the colors. He refers to lots of blue shades as "gay blue," and I was sure this sky blue would fit that category. But apparently this is a heterosexual blue, once again proving my complete inability to distinguish the difference. It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OK</span>. I don't have to be the best at everything.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnljmmO2o3MGlrHhKMbLD0HwkBpx_od5mCtNq8GCusa34eS8V7spFto1Gf2QGAu4SDyYtBZ0xo0jhZjZCvaa1YNu8X_OwOq8L2TSrXJGZeb36Vducveaiz1F52w00QJTZtjFBpad2fU18/s1600-h/HPIM0999.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174999007813003266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUnljmmO2o3MGlrHhKMbLD0HwkBpx_od5mCtNq8GCusa34eS8V7spFto1Gf2QGAu4SDyYtBZ0xo0jhZjZCvaa1YNu8X_OwOq8L2TSrXJGZeb36Vducveaiz1F52w00QJTZtjFBpad2fU18/s320/HPIM0999.JPG" border="0" /></a> But finishing these socks was bittersweet, kind of like when you come to the end of a book you've loved. I was so happy when my <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/yarndetail/3058">new sock yarn</a> arrived from Purl the next day. Turns out I love sock knitting. These next ones are for me. The colors remind me of a mixed berry cobbler.<br /><br /><div align="center">These beauties (you are forced to take my word for it; I am SO not a food photographer) resulted from a combination of intentional modifications to the recipe and multiple times of forgetting to read the directions.<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"> We're all pretty pleased with the result, I think. I call them <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oopsie</span> bars.(I figure every mommy needs at least one dessert recipe with a hokey name.) The original recipe is a Betty. </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB3Fp52N8fY9avAT302Gg2q-ZoJuqVxypLhpQovXqWUhsH5cXAKMzysaU3cyqJ0Bvi6Y0hiqTz2YY8TURzZLVRlR33X0zjjXeuXHjcj79B-0ADLulE933dLyIgJ1-nr1N-Mevt7Vo46AU/s1600-h/HPIM1014.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174999012107970578" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHB3Fp52N8fY9avAT302Gg2q-ZoJuqVxypLhpQovXqWUhsH5cXAKMzysaU3cyqJ0Bvi6Y0hiqTz2YY8TURzZLVRlR33X0zjjXeuXHjcj79B-0ADLulE933dLyIgJ1-nr1N-Mevt7Vo46AU/s320/HPIM1014.JPG" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><strong><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oopsie</span> Bars</strong> </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 package yellow cake mix</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 cup butter, softened</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 egg</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">2 cups old fashioned oats, divided</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 cup chopped pecans</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1 cup peanut butter chips</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">1. Preheat oven to 350. Line the bottom of an 8" square pan with parchment and spray with cooking spray.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">2. Beat cake mix, butter, and egg on low speed 1 min. Stir in 1 3/4 cup oats. Press batter in bottom of pan. Bake for 18 min.</span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">3. Sprinkle chocolate chips, pecans, and peanut butter chips over hot crust. Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup oats on top. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;">4. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool and cut into squares. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;"></span> </div><div align="center">Here is a present I knitted for a sweet new friend. I used Rowan Silk Wool <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">DK</span>. The pattern is from Joelle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Hoverson's</span> Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Love that book. I really like the way this turned out. But I did get frustrated trying to finish it last night. I can never remember how to knit I-cord. I tried reading instructions out of two of my knitting books and even watched a video online and just couldn't get it. That's what sucks about being a lefty; sometimes it's really hard to learn new things. So I ended up just alternating rows of knit and purl stitches. I know it was the wrong way, but it came out looking like I-cord, so no harm done, I guess. I love this yarn, it is the softest ever.</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYhxAsd7IDWegdFQIkwARNqp7OMgecARiTy51sEcohavwl2qdVFYJAKhSc1edHA8I5M0vQWdi_2ovtZ0nZuMUFg98KV8ula8g7s_d9hrATPBDuhdKD0YsDh3UZUMmag8VXPWUT1tTC6EM/s1600-h/HPIM1016.JPG"><span style="font-size:85%;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5174999020697905186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWYhxAsd7IDWegdFQIkwARNqp7OMgecARiTy51sEcohavwl2qdVFYJAKhSc1edHA8I5M0vQWdi_2ovtZ0nZuMUFg98KV8ula8g7s_d9hrATPBDuhdKD0YsDh3UZUMmag8VXPWUT1tTC6EM/s320/HPIM1016.JPG" border="0" /></span></a>I'm in high spirits today...it's date night! Mom's coming over to watch S<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">chnickelfritz</span> so it'll be just me and my man. Dinner and a show...rumor has it there will be an Elvis impersonator. What more could I ask for?<br /><br /><br /></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-60347410039779287382008-02-22T18:17:00.000-08:002008-02-22T19:18:01.775-08:00my february tenBoy oh, boy, is this month ever dragging. So to make it go a little faster, I sat down to make like the ever-inspiring <a href="http://soulemama.typepad.com/soulemama/2008/02/february-joy-1.html">Amanda</a> and think on some good things about this wet blanket of a month. And she's right--it does feel good.<br /><br />1. My new stove. It's so pretty and sparkling white, with a self cleaning oven. The oven CLEANS ITSELF, people. And a flat range top to boot. And it heats evenly and makes some damn good peanut butter chocolate chip cookies.<br /><br /><br /><br />2. The incredible feeling of accomplishment after knitting my first-ever sock. I started way back in November and ripped the thing out twice, but my persistence paid off. Four months ago I could not even have spelled "gusset" and now I have made one.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-2mNoRQPp-u_wYnzLw6W-Zjk6vAv3drbgULM0UDFgi48lytoflKda8mwjOAVHw6dAn9EQsbUji2fsMPDCZfwpQ3f1NJMf9d2_5ccMTJbSOdSKRFsx8dzs0nVM4ced9zg9ZyuxnjAFK5P/s1600-h/HPIM0988.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169994930059399442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx-2mNoRQPp-u_wYnzLw6W-Zjk6vAv3drbgULM0UDFgi48lytoflKda8mwjOAVHw6dAn9EQsbUji2fsMPDCZfwpQ3f1NJMf9d2_5ccMTJbSOdSKRFsx8dzs0nVM4ced9zg9ZyuxnjAFK5P/s320/HPIM0988.JPG" border="0" /></a> 3. The wait is over...She finally loves dress up! Oh, my head is spinning with plans. Plans that involve lots of tulle and glitter and maybe even a sequin fanny pack. The fun is just beginning.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-D9VzEOQWDO_Vf1i9dfvepYiv6IJ5mSDfosOmosymvSrKgRAj3axGnOrOLT-Fno9c9UtMj8YUIKOVYtwLFCdsMnVFQjxKoBCD8ayGLGXHgcN0Hj0UITsCq2oL7YWCAeEWwdXl9j3iY5x/s1600-h/HPIM0985.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169994934354366754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG-D9VzEOQWDO_Vf1i9dfvepYiv6IJ5mSDfosOmosymvSrKgRAj3axGnOrOLT-Fno9c9UtMj8YUIKOVYtwLFCdsMnVFQjxKoBCD8ayGLGXHgcN0Hj0UITsCq2oL7YWCAeEWwdXl9j3iY5x/s320/HPIM0985.JPG" border="0" /></a> 4. My new <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/product_detail.php?type=patterns&id=2907&url_path=/products/patternlist/company,141,,type,patchwork">skirt. </a>It's exactly like the one in the Midwest Modern book. Not too original of me, I know, but I wanted it as soon as I saw it. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this skirt. Notice the shiny new kitchen floor...looks good with the skirt, huh?<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwAOEqGqtG_1KQuXu8RULKdM9MCndANLwB4Cgr17-DX-nz5nQBhwVfWLD4EYWLimoplePsKTx_W7P3eKMrcLVWnEM9fx6KbRpVvKUmF2XMi9ZIsftqrFi_YD4Wuwm0_fl5RO1K35P3lzx/s1600-h/HPIM0993.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169994938649334066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCwAOEqGqtG_1KQuXu8RULKdM9MCndANLwB4Cgr17-DX-nz5nQBhwVfWLD4EYWLimoplePsKTx_W7P3eKMrcLVWnEM9fx6KbRpVvKUmF2XMi9ZIsftqrFi_YD4Wuwm0_fl5RO1K35P3lzx/s320/HPIM0993.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3ootl2oaFx5VsINh4rIqivY9VHURkW3bCt5zO_dw8dnTd7L88h1YulhNonkoAOQXCfRtxjTi2HKuU4WMlo3sr7zhMrBB-cVhRjhnntzLbx4BE1b8PAuXVWNi4xvfms2_6iaVoAgYjOU/s1600-h/HPIM0991.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169994942944301378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaY3ootl2oaFx5VsINh4rIqivY9VHURkW3bCt5zO_dw8dnTd7L88h1YulhNonkoAOQXCfRtxjTi2HKuU4WMlo3sr7zhMrBB-cVhRjhnntzLbx4BE1b8PAuXVWNi4xvfms2_6iaVoAgYjOU/s320/HPIM0991.JPG" border="0" /></a> 5. The knittiing bag I finished this morining. I've been hoarding this owl fabric for months and I feel really good about this use for it. Can you see my sock? A little bit? I know, I'm such a tease.<br /><br /><br /><br />6. The few warmish days we've had lately and the sweet promise of spring they bring with them.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTVmRbX1PEQkKvdomJ8b9anbJ3jqiAvGQE4Dm_U8NJCCQaCHQbjLeg_oMQD2K3CrBntNhfRX8jpSDXuI27mnSNYs0cunIY7C0B7AmaIIQ4mEQLT62xJd-95AexE8GGVF4UoWnP724TW1L/s1600-h/HPIM0992.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5169994942944301394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTVmRbX1PEQkKvdomJ8b9anbJ3jqiAvGQE4Dm_U8NJCCQaCHQbjLeg_oMQD2K3CrBntNhfRX8jpSDXuI27mnSNYs0cunIY7C0B7AmaIIQ4mEQLT62xJd-95AexE8GGVF4UoWnP724TW1L/s320/HPIM0992.JPG" border="0" /></a>7. Flowers...for no particular reason...from my sweet, gorgeous man. </p><br /><p>8. Sophie, in her adorable little baby-bear voice: "I want to sew, Mama."</p><br /><p>9. Cuddling up on the couch with said sweet, gorgeous man with season one of How I Met Your Mother and our new favorite--buttery salt & cracked black pepper popcorn.</p><br /><p>10. The anticipation of a mini-vacation next month and a long-awaited weekend at my <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/">best friend's</a> house.</p>So it turns out February does have some redeeming qualities after all. Who knew?alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-77462764690581679532008-02-15T06:13:00.000-08:002008-02-15T07:00:58.041-08:00skirts for sophie<div align="center">Sorry about the boring title; it's been so long since I've posted I've pretty much forgotten how to write. I did get around to making the <a href="http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/">twirly skirt </a>that was on my list. It was so easy; I could see myself making several of these and just buying her some solid color tees to mix and match with them. We'll see, though, because my short attention span prevents me from ever making more than one of the same thing. Anywho, Erin's tutorial was so thorough...she kicks ole McCall's butt. I don't know what I would do without these online tutorials. </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr_ohrpT7ubz_fezd_vjjI2q6ix3a7CDi2cTTbRHpkUcFuN6A8pBB-xzlLc-j4MtDH_FW_IzHeDilVaF_SZaCItFOTsVk9VQe1a_uXlMPS2q9EDkeOF3Wnb_3iQlASIzb8NvI1iCsnmTn/s1600-h/HPIM0969.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167210555658893010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr_ohrpT7ubz_fezd_vjjI2q6ix3a7CDi2cTTbRHpkUcFuN6A8pBB-xzlLc-j4MtDH_FW_IzHeDilVaF_SZaCItFOTsVk9VQe1a_uXlMPS2q9EDkeOF3Wnb_3iQlASIzb8NvI1iCsnmTn/s320/HPIM0969.JPG" border="0" /></a> I've been drooling over vegbee's <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=222309.0">little jackets </a>and other cute stuff over on Craftster for months, and then I discovered her <a href="http://vegbee-peripheralvision.blogspot.com/">blog.</a> She's not wordy, but she makes some dangerously cute stuff. I love her little hippie-ish patchwork skirts and dresses. So when Mom brought over a Valentiney charm pack, I knew I had to try to make one. Sophie was so excited she kept rushing me: "You done making skirt, Mama?" every three and a half minutes.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ap5E99YzIYDYe1R6DCOMBjpt8ydY0uSuwhf-2a9p6jPAKv7VFR4jWmaq26JBT9JVah9-Huc4gubpdhGv_d22NrfASiyf3A6iJHPa89iOK6dKZDVh1hYLvp-ppuhok0Kc6O_Ww0kvvkyl/s1600-h/HPIM0977.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167210564248827618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ap5E99YzIYDYe1R6DCOMBjpt8ydY0uSuwhf-2a9p6jPAKv7VFR4jWmaq26JBT9JVah9-Huc4gubpdhGv_d22NrfASiyf3A6iJHPa89iOK6dKZDVh1hYLvp-ppuhok0Kc6O_Ww0kvvkyl/s320/HPIM0977.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a>It twirls, too.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xldp58xufYxwujSVbnUi7b0E4P252TqPD02vI4AIal5oeuxw_e0IcKlUUi7BzZSVIIu_YvXK_-8P9z9HEb3w8iyp2iXjLG1iGSEbisH_GfFQ5ukkbL_IXBplAMesmkHHiSCCfLrbFLE4/s1600-h/HPIM0979.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5167210568543794930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8xldp58xufYxwujSVbnUi7b0E4P252TqPD02vI4AIal5oeuxw_e0IcKlUUi7BzZSVIIu_YvXK_-8P9z9HEb3w8iyp2iXjLG1iGSEbisH_GfFQ5ukkbL_IXBplAMesmkHHiSCCfLrbFLE4/s320/HPIM0979.JPG" border="0" /></a> I'm 100 percent caught up with the mail these days because I keep running to check if my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9578753">Emmeline</a> pattern is here yet. Please, Mr. Postman! Get a move on it already. What, is it coming from Mexico? Yeah, I guess it is, huh? It's just as well. I might just wait for the new <a href="http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/products/fabrics_top.php?fabric=midwest-modern&flid=12">Amy Butler collection </a>make it with. Until then, I will busy myself with wee skirts.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-14036838557739141972008-01-31T12:36:00.000-08:002008-01-31T18:53:15.572-08:00stuff to put stuff in and some more stuffEver since I saw the pleated beauty handbag from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bend-Rules-Sewing-Essential-Guide/dp/0307347214/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201819148&sr=8-1">Bend the Rules Sewing</a>, I knew I had to have one. And not ever being able to find anything in my droopy old purse I was too lazy to put interfacing in was starting to really get on my nerves. Enter linen and springy green Freshcut fabric from <a href="http://www.creations-online.com/">Creations</a>:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P38OQwLWXW8qIkgFhdj578zUYqKn8sNxgnOVj8E4ZniseuZ6e7JfVNNaXl86O18nQJtPTwZG5ybDBy9qBciioU0f3Ebd5M9uyYpQdYhsrDztG0k4C5dXn1Tk0b4AhUJTJcrsFKlIAn82/s1600-h/HPIM0951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161743060961950914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2P38OQwLWXW8qIkgFhdj578zUYqKn8sNxgnOVj8E4ZniseuZ6e7JfVNNaXl86O18nQJtPTwZG5ybDBy9qBciioU0f3Ebd5M9uyYpQdYhsrDztG0k4C5dXn1Tk0b4AhUJTJcrsFKlIAn82/s320/HPIM0951.JPG" border="0" /></a>I love this bag. It's even roomy enough to put my groceries in if I'm just picking up a couple things. It has really stiff interfacing on the bottom so it stands up by itself.<br />So mom and I were out poking around in a thrift shop and I fell in love with this Singer Genie. I had just been oohing and ah-ing over the one in the Softies book and lo and behold, here it was. I swear I heard angels singing. But I was totally broke, so mom insisted on buying it for me. Which I promptly yelled at her for. I guess I felt guilty, like I was hinting around, but I honestly did not expect her to get it for me. Sometimes I am such an unpleasant person. But this blog is not the place to talk about my dark side, I will just say that I am crazy in love with Jeannie. She is the first sewing machine I've ever named.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKWMBw-x6rrJ4NOpsYqdEp2-PnW5EdoWaFLMX0LTOoTQEk71pV1UoRkI7I2WA_GHgwC1jpKCztMvEo47UN0X3F2_mUcG_M-7lHRNRr_F058cMTM-EVZ5Lp-8hgFeoEtpJB9ZlpmayZzUX/s1600-h/HPIM0952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161743095321689298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKWMBw-x6rrJ4NOpsYqdEp2-PnW5EdoWaFLMX0LTOoTQEk71pV1UoRkI7I2WA_GHgwC1jpKCztMvEo47UN0X3F2_mUcG_M-7lHRNRr_F058cMTM-EVZ5Lp-8hgFeoEtpJB9ZlpmayZzUX/s320/HPIM0952.JPG" border="0" /></a> Isn't she groovalicioius?The doll is a Christmas present from Val. She normally holds a little house pincushion in her hands. Of course I am jealous of her tights. And Val also made our smallish friend Marley a really stunning doll, posted about <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/">here</a>.<br /> My latest project has nothing to do with sewing. I found a curriculum for homeschooling preschoolers on the internet that I'm starting with Sophie next week. I've been using flashcards and books to introduce her to the alphabet and numbers, but I wanted to make it more fun and creative, and give her a little more structure. So my goal is to have "school" for half an hour a day, and I'm incorporating some of the Montessori methods into the curriculum. Today I made geometric insets.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu63wM7Q3IHOS9WFof65577FiHwLjXAreJgkiiIQF45D7vARXHLEeU8_4pE5YoPzURkYq0xsb9ukAHkmsGHRYQYswfoI4W5750jO8Y9tUWMncWQfnpvCoyy2KSE9CMPtFRjQQFmgpuBrd/s1600-h/HPIM0956.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5161743121091493090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcu63wM7Q3IHOS9WFof65577FiHwLjXAreJgkiiIQF45D7vARXHLEeU8_4pE5YoPzURkYq0xsb9ukAHkmsGHRYQYswfoI4W5750jO8Y9tUWMncWQfnpvCoyy2KSE9CMPtFRjQQFmgpuBrd/s320/HPIM0956.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Tracing the outline of the shapes with her finger is supposed to develop hand-eye coordination and prepare her hand for writing. The same principle applies to the sandpaper letters, which I plan on making also. Although I must admit I'm tempted to use something softer. Velour, maybe? Or the velveteen stuff that's on those fuzzy stickers? I'm open to suggestions about this, if anybody feels moved that way.<br />In other news (do I say "In other news" in every single post?Ido, don't I?), I want to sew. My head is spinning with all my big, big plans. I want to make a <a href="http://houseonhillroad.typepad.com/photos/twirly_skirt/">twirly skirt</a> and a cute little <a href="http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/">smock</a> for Sophie. And a <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/product_detail.php?type=patterns&id=2907&url_path=/products/patternlist/company,141,,type,patchwork">skirt</a> and an <a href="http://www.montessoribyhand.net/patterns/emmeline.html">emmeline apron</a> for me. Oh, and plant a<a href="http://www.weegarden.com/Welcome.html"> wee garden</a> somewhere in there.<br />All in good time, my pretties. All in good time.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-90211690990776471032008-01-20T11:23:00.000-08:002008-01-21T08:21:29.212-08:00baby love<div align="center">What a beautiful weekend it's been. We had a baby shower for Michelle, and I got to hang out with my two best friends (kid-free), drink mimosas, and look at tiny sweet baby things. Here are the gifts I made:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcXZox4LWFhF7PkPgVcl9sH8pa58BGo1h7NFX3N25k3M4XtSO3R2j348ZlRdS-FXgprBSKORegWGZPcVTwrbKWCnTk9R4Z41haKxUoZLgrGH9LLFck8WKKggNY24RDl7m4R20KYe7kYHq/s1600-h/HPIM0945.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157641918249390386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVcXZox4LWFhF7PkPgVcl9sH8pa58BGo1h7NFX3N25k3M4XtSO3R2j348ZlRdS-FXgprBSKORegWGZPcVTwrbKWCnTk9R4Z41haKxUoZLgrGH9LLFck8WKKggNY24RDl7m4R20KYe7kYHq/s320/HPIM0945.JPG" border="0" /></a> Crib quilt. The squares are all from my stash. That gave me the warm fuzzies.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9Ku8TX0DhvKNaGaFYbaQ8W5TqCoDwK99rI-cRbCKsSOgzDMQXdcL4BXhwjkJt2HTt9Wuk-5Xboe4ctc0uV5eyV-R3tsmm2nqemHcL8cNmptpWtcNuOEOEAHdtKi8h-tw95gwOAH_pMXq/s1600-h/HPIM0947.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157641922544357698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb9Ku8TX0DhvKNaGaFYbaQ8W5TqCoDwK99rI-cRbCKsSOgzDMQXdcL4BXhwjkJt2HTt9Wuk-5Xboe4ctc0uV5eyV-R3tsmm2nqemHcL8cNmptpWtcNuOEOEAHdtKi8h-tw95gwOAH_pMXq/s320/HPIM0947.JPG" border="0" /></a>Wee bunny. Love those <a href="http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/">Hillary Lang </a>patterns. This one required much less swearing/hair pulling than did <a href="http://schnickelfritzandturtle.blogspot.com/2007/12/olive-you-sophie.html">Olive</a>. And Sophie loved helping stuff him. Her favorite part was saying, "and a other one..." every time I handed her a bit of stuffing.</div><br /><br />I so badly wanted to post pics of my new super-groovy Singer Genie (thanks mom!) and of the too-cute-to-be-legal handmade stuff Val bestowed on us for Christmas, but the camera batteries died. So those will come later, but until then, here is what's on the net that's got me inspired right now:<br /><br /><br />Val's beautiful <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/2007/12/i-just-love-vacation-time-off.html">matryoshka</a><br /><br />I'm fantasizing about making one of <a href="http://eweniquefiber.blogspot.com/2006/11/free-knitting-pattern-inga-hat.html">these</a> for me and one for Schnickelfritz<br /><br />Mom got me excited about penny rugs...until the other day, I had never heard of them. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/hillarylang/255654386/in/set-546020/">This one </a>is adorable and I want one just like it.<br /><br />I love the colors in <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisachen/2209479142/in/pool-needlefelting">this </a>felted bead bracelet. I read about how you can do this with needle felting around styrofoam balls. Must try this.<br /><br />Right now I'm working on the Pleated Beauty Handbag from the Bend-the-Rules Sewing book. I wish I had been as clever as <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltingmick/1303067920/">this</a> about it. I adore everything about this bag.<br /><br /><br /><br />My crafting is going in so many different directions right now that it's hard to get anything finished. I should probably try to focus on just one or two projects at a time, but there are so many beautiful things out there and right now I want to make them ALL.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-37201511611709540742008-01-13T06:49:00.000-08:002008-01-13T07:06:38.935-08:00saturday happenings<div align="center">Yesterday was one of those decieving days that looked warm and sunny when you peeked out the window but was actually cold and windy when you stepped outside. So we opted to stay in and be cozy. <a href="http://forest4thetreez.blogspot.com/">Mom</a> and Gunny were coming over with lasagna, so we made some dinner rolls.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6CyngRWWGMHpd5urF4JWMAq_8WQLTKxB6T1pTeRweurd6WHIGLqJG7_Q-hmtuQHnhS5BUsWGzia28L6_XI9Pa2ueVdhEHSxt1xjLY3b3txH0P-JgO1LjbVecA9m9uaw5em-5SM-9m4yb/s1600-h/HPIM0923.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154973751421128962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM6CyngRWWGMHpd5urF4JWMAq_8WQLTKxB6T1pTeRweurd6WHIGLqJG7_Q-hmtuQHnhS5BUsWGzia28L6_XI9Pa2ueVdhEHSxt1xjLY3b3txH0P-JgO1LjbVecA9m9uaw5em-5SM-9m4yb/s320/HPIM0923.JPG" border="0" /></a> Shaping the rolls<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2cL6KOED4ue-U4_K4Do3fgun6xJShBlk0eGZiBVE_9YsD_z5j66IEBmnrARcGrsr_NQN4D1iruDbSJN0aWjkH3-HNPwkWgueIMvh8TfqfDFjNJZPAqMOqwVbAKxjb64Cg2m4p9LvoffO/s1600-h/HPIM0931.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154973755716096274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2cL6KOED4ue-U4_K4Do3fgun6xJShBlk0eGZiBVE_9YsD_z5j66IEBmnrARcGrsr_NQN4D1iruDbSJN0aWjkH3-HNPwkWgueIMvh8TfqfDFjNJZPAqMOqwVbAKxjb64Cg2m4p9LvoffO/s320/HPIM0931.JPG" border="0" /></a> Brushing them with butter<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoxLSgF4Blg5iJHinEgCgH0kICiGb7eHG9pQ_gd3akoOsNg-L9IuV0Y8LYCQmUFUgLYgWbrHLvdQbxqcJ9VrK_qKaTOJ8L-byLJRzPZ5GVo-ihhIA8yf1QJ6tQs0dL332BdG-aBOsgiyt/s1600-h/HPIM0934.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5154973760011063586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRoxLSgF4Blg5iJHinEgCgH0kICiGb7eHG9pQ_gd3akoOsNg-L9IuV0Y8LYCQmUFUgLYgWbrHLvdQbxqcJ9VrK_qKaTOJ8L-byLJRzPZ5GVo-ihhIA8yf1QJ6tQs0dL332BdG-aBOsgiyt/s320/HPIM0934.JPG" border="0" /></a> After a delicious dinner(and banana pudding pie for dessert), Mom and I did some needle felting. Here she is teaching me the basics. I hope to make a bunny half as cute as hers.</div><br /><div>What a lovely day, spent doing everyday things in the place I love, creating with the people I love.</div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-8609218119191982292008-01-08T06:12:00.000-08:002008-01-08T15:48:58.974-08:00good goodsThought I'd post about a couple of handmade gifts I got for Christmas. My girl Michelle made me this winter scene fabric panel. Perfect for adorning a little side table. This was just a way to display it for a photo, but it made me realize a little curtain would be nice here on our music collection shelves. You know, to hide our shameful Soundgarten and Counting Crows collections. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZxnbXTUKTs3-3TfHCOBK9lOufnPFzFMov9XFivakmHb-3YZvC0iZE8b9SnYZ289SWdZ-c9gL37hbaHThBuSKxvn_LU9xMpJF0aaPZEFEd3KYZRtYqApTTpFyL6vwk7c4tk49ghyphenhyphenNv0qG/s1600-h/HPIM0914.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153108777836957906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZxnbXTUKTs3-3TfHCOBK9lOufnPFzFMov9XFivakmHb-3YZvC0iZE8b9SnYZ289SWdZ-c9gL37hbaHThBuSKxvn_LU9xMpJF0aaPZEFEd3KYZRtYqApTTpFyL6vwk7c4tk49ghyphenhyphenNv0qG/s320/HPIM0914.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mom made this apron. It has a potholder and towel loop in it. A TOWEL LOOP. Which may not sound like the greatest thing since french toast but it so IS. Sophie has a matching one. We just couldn't wrangle her long enough to pose with me. Check out the tulips in the background...my man loves me.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcryIJa6iJR2Ur0jRnxxOnykQqELvgFwqXShTJWzxbCddHaHXVbTlN6kL8o8uVF-au-813A_JFvuuv7R2W1cKmieSEhDKJ4NIdMo6y_Tqfa3XkP6owjCDU0SqH6jBK0kWWXAO9ioG3uT8/s1600-h/HPIM0921.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153108782131925218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJcryIJa6iJR2Ur0jRnxxOnykQqELvgFwqXShTJWzxbCddHaHXVbTlN6kL8o8uVF-au-813A_JFvuuv7R2W1cKmieSEhDKJ4NIdMo6y_Tqfa3XkP6owjCDU0SqH6jBK0kWWXAO9ioG3uT8/s320/HPIM0921.JPG" border="0" /></a>I also got the Everyday Food cookbook and this was the first recipe I made from it. I love this cookbook. When it comes to cookbooks, I relate to Alice: What's the use of a book without any pictures? Well, this book has a photo for every single recipe. And as usual with Martha, they are all exquisite. They even make iceberg with thousand island look good. Last night I made the baked shells with winter squash:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpZ1XNrT2gMDb5HC90foHOZZinuBHm0clx5UjLAptT1wDsIRWfLMaW5e8d7rh9GOpl4TdjbrR_MLKa6K5VmEsPAU6Npvj9dX9GM5bi6jubQDDKKefW9xhSv_vK1-uN0Jb_g8qnFMHSZYG/s1600-h/HPIM0918.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5153108782131925234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUpZ1XNrT2gMDb5HC90foHOZZinuBHm0clx5UjLAptT1wDsIRWfLMaW5e8d7rh9GOpl4TdjbrR_MLKa6K5VmEsPAU6Npvj9dX9GM5bi6jubQDDKKefW9xhSv_vK1-uN0Jb_g8qnFMHSZYG/s320/HPIM0918.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rosemary, acorn squash, bubbly Parmesan cheese, and tiny croutons on top. Yum. Can't wait to try more recipes from this baby. <div> </div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-13313219491956421532008-01-02T07:14:00.000-08:002008-01-02T07:58:17.625-08:00cake, presents and a twirly dressI wanted to post some pics, however late, of Sophie's birthday party. The cake was so much fun to decorate. I know the picture doesn't show it off that well, but it had lime green swags, little pink bows, and an orange and yellow ruffle border around the bottom. The shell border around the top is a bright teal. It is loosely based on the signature birthday cake from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Whimsical-Bakehouse-Fun-Make-Cakes/dp/0609608967/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1199288663&sr=8-1">this</a> book. The Italian merengue buttercream from here is the best I've ever tasted. Of course, the birthday bird was way too focused on her first ever taste of mickey d's soft serve and didn't even touch her cake. She managed to eat a whole candle before we caught on, though.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jYuGyKPZeUIS5BYl6FdH3Hap9e4SwhXGMgP8uysx8RB3t3tla3OB7jTfNK0-XAvhKsiIuXOwW-tm6Uyer6e37GxdSXs-r-7ZqWywxlb7yh9akJf2sus2IGDcPdy1Qt7E3iDtfVfvqhA2/s1600-h/Sophie's+Birthday5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150898982803427506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jYuGyKPZeUIS5BYl6FdH3Hap9e4SwhXGMgP8uysx8RB3t3tla3OB7jTfNK0-XAvhKsiIuXOwW-tm6Uyer6e37GxdSXs-r-7ZqWywxlb7yh9akJf2sus2IGDcPdy1Qt7E3iDtfVfvqhA2/s320/Sophie's+Birthday5.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21U5uRdLtVxBbRQsKYGi6eFN7aRoH5UL5BE9CqkXBiC02y0myfATefwjBI4owY3yaY2YmSA5YOtWBX_7Yce2NMexQlh-cSNSvLNLdAPzvvGVN3vNifwm0ba7UDEQRKNYQSb6LVbXOKFRL/s1600-h/Sophie's+Birthday17.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5150899008573231298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21U5uRdLtVxBbRQsKYGi6eFN7aRoH5UL5BE9CqkXBiC02y0myfATefwjBI4owY3yaY2YmSA5YOtWBX_7Yce2NMexQlh-cSNSvLNLdAPzvvGVN3vNifwm0ba7UDEQRKNYQSb6LVbXOKFRL/s320/Sophie's+Birthday17.JPG" border="0" /></a> The birthday dress is a pattern I got from <a href="http://forest4thetreez.blogspot.com/">mom's</a> stash. The lilac heather ross fabric is from <a href="http://reprodepot.com/">reprodepot</a>. It was supposed to be a complete surprise, but I wasn't clever enough with where I his the fabric, and she busted me. She came running up to me with it, crying, "clowns! clowns!" (they are actually matryoshkas, but whatever.) So thrilled by fabric and she's only two...she must be my girl.<br />I felt compelled yesterday to ramble on a while about the highlights of 2007 and what my dreams are for the coming year. But that post was doomed. I had some technical difficulties, got frustrated and deleted the whole thing. So rather than repeat myself, let me sum it up for you:<br />Happy New Year!alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-31737601392260170472007-12-25T19:21:00.000-08:002007-12-25T19:42:20.741-08:00comfy cozy are weWhen I was a little girl, I hated Christmas night. It was such a letdown knowing that all the anticipation was over and I would have to wait a whole year. Now I think it's lovely. The house is quiet. I can reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. I can relax without feeling guilty that I'm not sewing. I can look at my pretty new books, like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Butlers-Midwest-Modern-Lifestyle/dp/1584795816/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198639706&sr=8-1">this </a>one here, and wear my snuggly new bathrobe, and post on my poor neglected little blog.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Amy-Butlers-Midwest-Modern-Lifestyle/dp/1584795816/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198639706&sr=8-1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148116820543204290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8GsrG9dIQzyL5uEz4WzZKe2kA3K-i9RTYApHre6GIMMS8HjG9hz21LCNrS_P2egpH_aOvog1XiFqRmQqyV1jD_Bj9K2FV22iLetihrKSpcWQi9xauiIgwPOS6DDV-imyUNYFGxRs2jxE/s320/HPIM0905.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our Christmas table was bedecked with this mushroom centerpiece from the December 2006 issue of Martha Stewart. The green tissue paper ones are candy favors. I had so much fun making this...I had forgotten how good life can be with glitter and a hot glue gun at Christmastime.<br /> Merry Christmas to you and yours. God bless and keep you. <div> </div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-85816242340623483062007-12-13T06:40:00.000-08:002007-12-13T07:08:58.849-08:00olive you sophie<div align="center">A little Christmas present for Schnickelfritz... <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlLLR8K_SqkHKC4BTE9gV2gGr2XNByAE34Q4TELa22lHLWLlSOYghyphenhyphenZri2bXdRosBUioiokWB-7b9BTGklvDz1eu4fIolCiQGN5JRjzQ-C6xNeAq-nmfKKwH1g3YV316TYHncLqMb8OuF/s1600-h/HPIM0874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143467859790144450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlLLR8K_SqkHKC4BTE9gV2gGr2XNByAE34Q4TELa22lHLWLlSOYghyphenhyphenZri2bXdRosBUioiokWB-7b9BTGklvDz1eu4fIolCiQGN5JRjzQ-C6xNeAq-nmfKKwH1g3YV316TYHncLqMb8OuF/s320/HPIM0874.JPG" border="0" /></a> The pattern is from <a href="http://weewonderfuls.typepad.com/wee_wonderfuls/">Wee Wonderfuls.</a> Olive will be lonely for a while, as I have zero time to sew Archie right now, but I'm sure once Christmas day arrives she will be loved so much she won't even miss him.</div> I've been making some gift tags, too...<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsdYbHAaNCdq9flcvxgE4QCgK-qU9ZShYABxu3xS2bJKRgOYGxt7aAIKz1K4X7RVgPwuP2Aejr9t37gi3P1eiXjMstFv_eQcJL08E5hSLKxjj2CyM0_W8Ds6ePAGq9_VB3JDgMQ3e6Rst/s1600-h/HPIM0872.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143467864085111762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsdYbHAaNCdq9flcvxgE4QCgK-qU9ZShYABxu3xS2bJKRgOYGxt7aAIKz1K4X7RVgPwuP2Aejr9t37gi3P1eiXjMstFv_eQcJL08E5hSLKxjj2CyM0_W8Ds6ePAGq9_VB3JDgMQ3e6Rst/s320/HPIM0872.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sorry the pictures are so homely. They are lucky to even be posted, because I'm still crafting like a maniacal Christmas elf and rarely come up for air at all.<br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-29018992652154253362007-12-06T12:25:00.000-08:002007-12-06T12:43:49.748-08:00our christmas tree is on steroids<div align="center">Remember when you were a little kid, and the tree always seemed gargantuan in proportion to yourself? That's how this tree makes me feel. I can just imagine how it seems to Sophie. It's been up for a week and she is still in awe of it. Frankly, so am I. In a good way.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQayk8Rsd-MYMLtZImIaBgzdsHQGWyNWWn31vtHIqHzHvngwwQeYQf24n5szgcvQIS9sSzpZTVRGeeTnhyphenhyphenOCyCk2ljvI3DEPjA6wGIpPeqUyyTzJMh6S4_PLU-p_c8Lv4LPFGlqKHMDEM/s1600-h/HPIM0864.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140959119891593858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" height="240" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQayk8Rsd-MYMLtZImIaBgzdsHQGWyNWWn31vtHIqHzHvngwwQeYQf24n5szgcvQIS9sSzpZTVRGeeTnhyphenhyphenOCyCk2ljvI3DEPjA6wGIpPeqUyyTzJMh6S4_PLU-p_c8Lv4LPFGlqKHMDEM/s320/HPIM0864.JPG" width="336" border="0" /></a> Hot chocolate by the tree. Life is so good.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8Gqg6KGNgn1PRIcdwvSyWnJcLQsPmaMbhSbpmsA55rXckJBDi_maxW3B0b6jHWCfc_dt5RJOooCP2dMjrELwoXQbOE-awvlw-yLQmhDeIqAIl6WgnlnVGbiUxna26W6Qw892UhcKdEd_/s1600-h/HPIM0860.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140959124186561170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8Gqg6KGNgn1PRIcdwvSyWnJcLQsPmaMbhSbpmsA55rXckJBDi_maxW3B0b6jHWCfc_dt5RJOooCP2dMjrELwoXQbOE-awvlw-yLQmhDeIqAIl6WgnlnVGbiUxna26W6Qw892UhcKdEd_/s320/HPIM0860.JPG" border="0" /></a> After a day of blowup castle-jumping and Santa-visiting<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfU_dVcDHy3gjLuaUmq92Ba0fX3PkqtbnHPfgEdZqYh4zfh9MkGXjUsjvFGCYpZz6J3FgmqTyngORJRD3_0u8uqWI9TKJLSSeoFfwaWbGO4qlFHy5O5KqWOrUgMyQjnAec9bf8kjgHgp9/s1600-h/HPIM0868.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140959128481528482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfU_dVcDHy3gjLuaUmq92Ba0fX3PkqtbnHPfgEdZqYh4zfh9MkGXjUsjvFGCYpZz6J3FgmqTyngORJRD3_0u8uqWI9TKJLSSeoFfwaWbGO4qlFHy5O5KqWOrUgMyQjnAec9bf8kjgHgp9/s320/HPIM0868.JPG" border="0" /></a> I just realized this is turning into Sophie's blog. But what's a girl to do? It's not like I can go parading my Christmas crafts on here; the recipients might be lurking around. So humor me, please. </div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-27800077204250909332007-11-28T13:41:00.000-08:002007-11-28T14:29:53.174-08:00retail therapyWhat a lame blogger I've been. Part of it is that this has been the house of crud for the past week...and then some. Sophie is beyond grumpy from being sick and cooped up and is now a zombie. The other part is that I've been working in Santa's sweatshop. He doesn't pay me or give me any breaks to post. Somebody get Michael Moore on the phone.<br /> I got to do some shopping over the weekend, here are some of my goodies:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi_GkmYJ8wjUkO3ioC1VnDG5nPy8qo5NjGhaxYyUr6UqVr6S-4QWdwaexTJ7I7PpRG-Yqk5hyphenhyphena2YiDF9n-f8xioHA_S-Ks93HXlfX1ySEK3dDGoJFa54nXzif82BDjCaiYyWw75MA3F-m/s1600-h/HPIM0859.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5138009966212029394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYi_GkmYJ8wjUkO3ioC1VnDG5nPy8qo5NjGhaxYyUr6UqVr6S-4QWdwaexTJ7I7PpRG-Yqk5hyphenhyphena2YiDF9n-f8xioHA_S-Ks93HXlfX1ySEK3dDGoJFa54nXzif82BDjCaiYyWw75MA3F-m/s320/HPIM0859.JPG" border="0" /></a>The fabric is all for Christmas projects. The cute little owl napkin holder is for me. I have such a huge crush on owls right now. I love <a href="http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=203873.0">this</a> jacket. And <a href="http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/catalog/productdetail.jsp;jsessionid=D8F6486BEDB5E779817C61BD3CCCB8F6.app13-node3?itemdescription=true&itemCount=8&id=13946017&parentid=A_FURN_DINNERWARE&sortProperties=+product.marketingPriority,-product.startDate&navCount=6&navAction=poppush&color=40">these</a> shakers. Ooh, and I got a Dean Martin Christmas cd I'm gonna bust out tomorrow when we kick off our SUPER DUPER HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA weekend. Please forgive the caps lock abuse. I really can't help being a geeky little Christmas elf. Dave is definitely not as into it as I am. Sometimes I worry that Sophie will inherit her daddy's cool as a cucumber-ness and they will both stare at me with bored expressions on their gorgeous faces as I bop around every year in my reindeer antlers singing along to Bing Crosby at the top of my lungs. But that's silly. All kids love Christmas. We've been reading Twas the Night Before Christmas and she loves it. "A-din, Mama" she says every time we finish.<br /> Well, back to the sweatshop before Santa busts me.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-37575268698078769112007-11-15T18:27:00.000-08:002007-11-15T18:43:42.746-08:00sunshine in my house<div align="center">I've been noticing a lot of yellow lately. Particularly golden tones like marigold. I used to think yellow was a horrendous color that reeked of shag carpet and velour jumpsuits. But it has been creeping slowly onto my good side the past few years. And it warmed me up today:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NK64fmEgQJLJxYzcaZLrw6YPP20x4qNMwVq4Pms6pre-jYq9iXXTxxtziHPhklQFuS23t_pzHwxCsrE9InR92xBkqQjBOE4fkFv6nqTb5zcrKUHwDwXLLmWnzG_YJbRIoUHyne59mgSQ/s1600-h/HPIM0844.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133260114634742690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NK64fmEgQJLJxYzcaZLrw6YPP20x4qNMwVq4Pms6pre-jYq9iXXTxxtziHPhklQFuS23t_pzHwxCsrE9InR92xBkqQjBOE4fkFv6nqTb5zcrKUHwDwXLLmWnzG_YJbRIoUHyne59mgSQ/s320/HPIM0844.JPG" border="0" /></a> ...on this quilt block<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX9KpVp1_d_WVwoDNhTXI2u461LjJ1kMze2LVmx5tmXTIpK62obe0wrwf1HDyRWPA5jmqBNEtkPIWW9rZjd2-AGgHmrT62LJQg-nFXHkCwMDLcn_vKtIIAxKYq1rQ8hprll_NOhOKtxkX/s1600-h/HPIM0848.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133260123224677298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX9KpVp1_d_WVwoDNhTXI2u461LjJ1kMze2LVmx5tmXTIpK62obe0wrwf1HDyRWPA5jmqBNEtkPIWW9rZjd2-AGgHmrT62LJQg-nFXHkCwMDLcn_vKtIIAxKYq1rQ8hprll_NOhOKtxkX/s320/HPIM0848.JPG" border="0" /></a> in my gnome book<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5j1GXcTHt_16yJzmso8kXULy1kHVrQ1n56c3iWYalGObJevEUA8hEbWTRtd7hSI5-8J9_XNY1s9xJBHfC7Ien-rsnU0jZeHi5A1adimuuhcPPxJIWvz36uMkxohznZZB3Bc2rv1h2_to/s1600-h/HPIM0851.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5133260123224677314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5j1GXcTHt_16yJzmso8kXULy1kHVrQ1n56c3iWYalGObJevEUA8hEbWTRtd7hSI5-8J9_XNY1s9xJBHfC7Ien-rsnU0jZeHi5A1adimuuhcPPxJIWvz36uMkxohznZZB3Bc2rv1h2_to/s320/HPIM0851.JPG" border="0" /></a>and on my table.<br /><br /></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-88284519479160411632007-11-12T13:24:00.000-08:002007-11-12T13:50:46.056-08:00inspired<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH-9n3sxJJip0ocWKYOVJ3J15KnU1rAzHDHAmxjmOt6LWqYYpQYoujfdY0nxKVuXIX0TJ4W5Gk5floahSq78qpIoCqpce3lrkGc88fxrKrQF58Nv6mSXuXKkJ7fl9Dz3ZLogVONQ7b8VD/s1600-h/HPIM0835.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132071777232105954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGH-9n3sxJJip0ocWKYOVJ3J15KnU1rAzHDHAmxjmOt6LWqYYpQYoujfdY0nxKVuXIX0TJ4W5Gk5floahSq78qpIoCqpce3lrkGc88fxrKrQF58Nv6mSXuXKkJ7fl9Dz3ZLogVONQ7b8VD/s320/HPIM0835.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Wow. What an awesome weekend.Stitch Austin started out not quite as fabulous as I imagined. There was some cute stuff, and I bought a couple things, but nothing took my breath away. Then the runway show started. It was amazing. These designers have got it going on in a big way. A lot of the fashions seemed to be from thrifted and reconstructed clothing and materials, and I absolutely love that. I wish I were more fearless about cutting into thrifted things. I really need to get on the reconstruction train instead of paying 9 bucks a yard for every piece of fabric I own. My favorites were the retro outfits from <a href="http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=80152672">House of Dang</a> and the Alice in Wonderland inspired goodies from <a href="http://www.cococouture.com/">Coco Couture</a>. But seriously, all of it was fantastic beyond words. I had dreams of fabric and scissors and thread that night. In case you can't tell, those are refrigerator magnets and a Christmas ornament...then we did a little shopping and lunching the next day. I feel refreshed and happy to be back to my daily routine. Maybe it's just me, but Sophie seems to have mellowed out a bit too since we got back from Mamere's. (Thanks, Mom.)Oh and I got another built by Wendy pattern. MUST BUY MORE FABRIC NOW. </div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-30670486930195432542007-11-08T05:45:00.000-08:002007-11-08T07:06:30.892-08:00big girls do cryLast weekend I made monkey bread. Dave has always talked about how his mom used to make it. And <a href="http://www.angrychicken.typepad.com/">Amy's</a> post about it made my mouth water. If I'm going to have dessert these days, it had better have some chocolate. So I got wacky and put chocolate glaze on it. And now my pants are tight. Oh well, it was worth it. Here is the recipe:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3rSeX4Vg4tXImQpsuVB_LalEbRh3xq9e-7wzPzHxrrO5ZZpq-APHyHkd_a1Yj1XBG0XE8E2b13VdvZiRIDj1OoOUWrDn2GGAYtyExlHrF_g5ynuiPCXBG_A8llRN2v4-folWz7jLsKqG/s1600-h/HPIM0804.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130465897550066066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3rSeX4Vg4tXImQpsuVB_LalEbRh3xq9e-7wzPzHxrrO5ZZpq-APHyHkd_a1Yj1XBG0XE8E2b13VdvZiRIDj1OoOUWrDn2GGAYtyExlHrF_g5ynuiPCXBG_A8llRN2v4-folWz7jLsKqG/s320/HPIM0804.JPG" border="0" /></a> 3 12 oz. packages biscuit dough<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1 cup finely chopped nuts<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3/4 cup sugar<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />3 Tablespoons cinnamon<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mix together sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl. Put nuts into another medium bowl. Pour 1/2 cup milk into a third bowl. Cut biscuits into quarters and dredge in milk, then nuts, then cinnamon sugar mixture. Place biscuit quarters into greased and floured Bundt pan. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 to 35 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes, then invert onto plate. Let cool completely and drizzle chocolate glaze over monkey bread.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">Chocolate glaze</div><br /><br /><br /><br />3/4 cup dark chocolate chips<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1 1/2 cups powdered sugar<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1 tablespoon butter<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />2 1/2 tablespoons milk<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />1/2 teaspoon vanilla<br /><br />Combine all ingredients in saucepan over medium low heat and whisk until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />This weekend we turned Sophie's nursery into a big girl room. We got her a bed and bookshelf at Ikea.Now the whole family has room for new books. wheeee!<br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJLHFDigbjvyw1ZrIO7fz9N0i6b9koW8APVJ0wWqcJoX3ZnLbrMOxFzXuAf9QW1yE_Zx9qOLOffuHVIFy1dTdXngsC9LA-Kb6yjV1kIoyoFm5H3AsccVAW_t9JNzcB_zvRo2ulNq4Ger4/s1600-h/HPIM0813.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130465901845033378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJLHFDigbjvyw1ZrIO7fz9N0i6b9koW8APVJ0wWqcJoX3ZnLbrMOxFzXuAf9QW1yE_Zx9qOLOffuHVIFy1dTdXngsC9LA-Kb6yjV1kIoyoFm5H3AsccVAW_t9JNzcB_zvRo2ulNq4Ger4/s320/HPIM0813.JPG" border="0" /></a> I have to gush about her quilt for a while. When I was sixteen, my Nana finished a quilt her sister had made the top of and gave it to me for Christmas. I had no idea what I had at the time. I am so not proud of this, but after it was on my bed for about a year, I ditched it for some cheesy purchased bedspread, probably from Wal-Mart. Ugh. Clueless. I finally got Dave to get it out of storage and it took my breath away. My dad has talked about how poor his aunt was, and I know these are all floursack and scrap fabrics from clothing. This is what a quilt is supposed to be about. This is what I shell out hundreds of dollars trying to duplicate. The picture doesn't even begin to do it justice. Can you tell I am in awe of this quilt?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_T5arw7FlRd3nDzX09XOHcGLm_kxWcvkwOykr-JXB6J0JVbgJumO4PJ5PGSEWmrTkgsWx1bjWVQTnAvxRnXZyRUfVB3Hwcam6kvJDVmJQaKjzx6l60RecE-oANOieLHPCNsjx97C5GF0/s1600-h/HPIM0815.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130465901845033394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_T5arw7FlRd3nDzX09XOHcGLm_kxWcvkwOykr-JXB6J0JVbgJumO4PJ5PGSEWmrTkgsWx1bjWVQTnAvxRnXZyRUfVB3Hwcam6kvJDVmJQaKjzx6l60RecE-oANOieLHPCNsjx97C5GF0/s320/HPIM0815.JPG" border="0" /></a> The rug, lamp, and hanging cubby-thing are also from Ikea. Sophie, by the way, adores it all. She enjoys throwing herself on the bed and laughing wildly. One thing I did not anticipate is that ever since she got her toddler bed, she is in full toddler mode. At the word "no" she cries these manipulative crocodile tears. She has also been spending more time clinging to my leg and pounding her fists on the floor. So I am going to mom's today for a little breather. I think I'll bring my knitting and maybe rent a chick flick. And this weekend is Stitch Austin with Val. I need some good old-fashioned best friend company right now like I need oxygen.</p><p><br /><br /> </p>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-90771322094843861772007-11-02T06:49:00.000-07:002007-11-02T07:21:25.800-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcemfYfiEJDRbzcEGU-EwXNqr8zxHxFlaKc2JnTAX0PaEAWGcUSAE8rWkuuTPOIT2tAsYQi4OlIxFp9t1Ld5EeOCFJVzOnvguNtgONtQkWDrLHy3ftangNswvQG1fDkmL0k-9Bw8XvHPA/s1600-h/HPIM0800.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5128246746858737746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcemfYfiEJDRbzcEGU-EwXNqr8zxHxFlaKc2JnTAX0PaEAWGcUSAE8rWkuuTPOIT2tAsYQi4OlIxFp9t1Ld5EeOCFJVzOnvguNtgONtQkWDrLHy3ftangNswvQG1fDkmL0k-9Bw8XvHPA/s320/HPIM0800.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I had all these great intentions of posting about our Halloween, complete with lots of pictures. But alas, the blond in me(meaning some of that bleach has probably seeped into my scalp and got to my brain) won over and I forgot to put the &*%$#@^ memory card in my camera. so here is a link to mom's blog...SHE remembered her memory card, apparently.</div><br /><div><a href="http://forest4thetreez.blogspot.com/2007/10/all-hallows-eve-2.html">http://forest4thetreez.blogspot.com/2007/10/all-hallows-eve-2.html</a></div><br /><div>I will say that our church's fall festival was a smashing success. Although the craft table wasn't as big a hit as I had envisioned, the kids all seemed to have big fun. We had apple bobbing, pin-the-face-on-the-pumpkin, a cupcake walk, and even a firepit outside where you could make your own s'mores. I sewed Sophie's costume way back in August, and as for my faerie outfit, I made record time...I ran into the Fun Shop, told the owner I was in frantic I-need-costume-now mode, and was back out, full costume in hand, in less than 5 minutes. Once I got rid of the guilt for spending 50 bucks and not making my own costume, I was pretty happy with my Cyndi Lauperesque faerie getup. </div><br /><div>Sophie is now sleeping in her big-girl bed. We are still transforming her room;the bookshelf isn't up yet, so I will post pics when it's finished. She has been so thrilled about the whole thing, and so have , in some ways. But it's like any milestone, which I'm sure every mother understands. Half of me is excited for her, and the other half is going, "Wait! Bring my teeny tiny baby back!" I miss my little peanut, who seems to have been replaced by this independent, sometimes stubborn little ball of energy. but she is growing into such a lovely little person, and I get to see her unique personality develop, and that really is a gift.</div><br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-50060462518086106592007-10-26T06:07:00.000-07:002007-10-26T07:08:48.866-07:00things that make me say, "yay!"<div align="center">I made this dress, mostly to wear to Stitch Austin, but also because I've been wanting to wear something that screams, "It's Fall!" It might be an oxymoron to have a fall dress with cap sleeves. But again, this is Texas. It's good to be prepared for heat waves at shockingly inappropriate times, like mid-November. I was so happy to have an excuse to sew something with <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/2996">Denise Schmidt's </a>new line of fabrics. The pattern is Simplicity 3964.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQue1EJYvNHiZkmcFP2DJHITS3B7X_Rlsu4-_JKQfwf15TxjN8J4TYquxnCayBFOCdveLk-ibWFWVstUsPF6wDQkDZvRpuv3-aMqTyTA0zRyhP_DxgjfuoJ_sRKN3aOv8Q0xYmSF80zbb6/s1600-h/HPIM0801.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125634161202253890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQue1EJYvNHiZkmcFP2DJHITS3B7X_Rlsu4-_JKQfwf15TxjN8J4TYquxnCayBFOCdveLk-ibWFWVstUsPF6wDQkDZvRpuv3-aMqTyTA0zRyhP_DxgjfuoJ_sRKN3aOv8Q0xYmSF80zbb6/s320/HPIM0801.JPG" border="0" /></a> Some other things that make me smile:<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiajdgtoU9klOmNRo0yX10ja3vj3UGxwhCCRkJhzkANp_8whimcPWylSkcARg_e_S-m2VKHS8JFBYxm9uIoKY1g8wWzT_1TFkM5QxBOLatiCv_eqslIWjBk8FvM77Yjz1_N_rcc4SbSELJ/s1600-h/HPIM0798.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125632675143569442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiajdgtoU9klOmNRo0yX10ja3vj3UGxwhCCRkJhzkANp_8whimcPWylSkcARg_e_S-m2VKHS8JFBYxm9uIoKY1g8wWzT_1TFkM5QxBOLatiCv_eqslIWjBk8FvM77Yjz1_N_rcc4SbSELJ/s320/HPIM0798.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sophie and her friend Tatum's sparkly shoes<br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3arHEENfhZAwB8XDREfybdESCsD6VMB8jGssqAugzSu5aV9MEhX6CyOCWjRgcd0Py_Wv1cPZajEnk86dLQHlTQB5b_0hp7p0JecV2SuRnbH3fNaefP2V0c1AI3U1QdUm5M3YyXy8tUAil/s1600-h/HPIM0803.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125632679438536754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3arHEENfhZAwB8XDREfybdESCsD6VMB8jGssqAugzSu5aV9MEhX6CyOCWjRgcd0Py_Wv1cPZajEnk86dLQHlTQB5b_0hp7p0JecV2SuRnbH3fNaefP2V0c1AI3U1QdUm5M3YyXy8tUAil/s320/HPIM0803.JPG" border="0" /></a> My new milk frother ($2!!) from Ikea</div><br /><br /><br />I'm having some girls over tonight for craft night. Sophie's having a girlfriend over too.<br />On the menu: Tomato basil galettes, spiced pecans, chips and crab dip, and an assortment of cookies. I get such a thrill from making girly party food.<br /><br />In other news, I have been spending some time on etsy lately. I especially love <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=2855&section_id=5010364">these</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7590147">this</a>.There are so many strange and beautiful things out there, sometimes it's so hard to resist.alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-81179291113808343722007-10-19T06:58:00.000-07:002007-10-19T07:35:48.896-07:00baby it's cool outsideHere is Sophie's winter coat. I finished it 3 weeks ago, and <a href="http://onlyonawindyday.blogspot.com/">Val </a>has been harassing me about posting it. Thanks for caring, Val. She definitely could model it this morning; it's 48 degrees outside. (Wheeeeeee!) But I am too cozy here with my hands around my hot mug of coffee to even think of bringing her outside right now. The pattern is from the 60s.I found the cotton fabric with vintage-looking children on it at this great little fabric store I just discovered in town, (it's been there for years, I don't know how I missed it) and I couldn't resist making some buttons and a pocket dolly with it. The plaid fabric was a NIGHTMARE to work with. Fray city. But it turned out pretty cute. And it cost about twenty bucks to make.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123047776092563298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvEdvEMY2D-4jDnJ6LlgzpaoE5OopWsapYRRzCPvnCMrUiKSSErxd4xdjQwTjlVhhATJ_pxoiB3WIuf3gWdu6Xm87mq6rhhowUYU8mGyQtg7TITs9muw6-5ZwJM5ILM_FDxLj1ej3M_Skn/s320/HPIM0792.JPG" border="0" /> I am giddy this morning. It is finally cool outside. Fall lasts about 5 minutes in this part of the country. But oh, it is good while it's here. And <a href="http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4902035">this</a> present from my sweet husband has me dancing in the kitchen. And wanting to cook. We have stuff for Reuben sandwiches tonight...I'm thinking, maybe acorn squash soup to go with them?<br /><br />Last night I was reading <em>Coraline</em> and I got so deliciously creeped out. I don't want this book to end. I am so psyched to see the movie, although movies based on books this good are almost always doomed to be disappointing. Anyone have any suggestions for other good scary books to read this month?<br /><br /><br /><br /><em></em>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-58993005459802419512007-10-16T18:28:00.000-07:002007-10-16T18:53:03.470-07:00soft as schnickelfritz's buttI knit this hat for Sophie. I screwed it up the first time and ripped the whole thing out, so this was a do-over. I stopped short of what the pattern called for because I didn't want it to be tall and floppy. So it is too short to cover her ears, but it looks cute. Hey, who gets cold ears in central Texas, anyway? Her expression is due to the fact that she woke up about 5 minutes before this picture was snapped.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRELaUXuOWX7V5PtvWMskW3SppxuuZN_8DZEzNo3buQfVsCIzRFNupKD_7YgXe0kaElWe1BF2l8YqexNCHkRCPjD33sSSeXBCejAK2Z48rTxEREqMGiOKAfc7Abo8OHyakgxDrl1RTDos2/s1600-h/HPIM0783.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122112078812423986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRELaUXuOWX7V5PtvWMskW3SppxuuZN_8DZEzNo3buQfVsCIzRFNupKD_7YgXe0kaElWe1BF2l8YqexNCHkRCPjD33sSSeXBCejAK2Z48rTxEREqMGiOKAfc7Abo8OHyakgxDrl1RTDos2/s320/HPIM0783.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiih3lfvhdL9N4nd2mULuyGicnR2ldVVppiID-eWxwc4ByQhawteND92XVXwl2c0PUsdVP0ara4EYcwtEJKDw6X8SNWTnFFxSQBnTVoRmaKyEblFArebL4yVPaRyvBdvK2DVuoxBIju0V8/s1600-h/HPIM0789.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122112134646998850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiih3lfvhdL9N4nd2mULuyGicnR2ldVVppiID-eWxwc4ByQhawteND92XVXwl2c0PUsdVP0ara4EYcwtEJKDw6X8SNWTnFFxSQBnTVoRmaKyEblFArebL4yVPaRyvBdvK2DVuoxBIju0V8/s320/HPIM0789.JPG" border="0" /></a> I went to the yarn store today and bought some more hat yarn:Rowan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Cashsoft</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dk</span> in this knockout teal color. Pretty, no? Now that I've discovered this brand, I don't think I can ever go back to the scratchy acrylic yarn(Dave would call it "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Bo</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bo</span>" yarn). Sophie's hat was knit with the All-Season's cotton and it felt so good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">to</span> knit with. And this stuff is even softer...my hands are going to be very happy.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWr6tXNYLw4LeoicU5KIeruev8uyixYW7LDOJRarDCD7GX2IOKD9F2uYgimu5BuXQNl7npjeRTY_LVHSnR2-7DABIXd3745dSYPd3DkCr31leXvnpbcmnWNwMo7JVYcZOTPS3mc3adBgN/s1600-h/HPIM0791.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122112138941966162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWr6tXNYLw4LeoicU5KIeruev8uyixYW7LDOJRarDCD7GX2IOKD9F2uYgimu5BuXQNl7npjeRTY_LVHSnR2-7DABIXd3745dSYPd3DkCr31leXvnpbcmnWNwMo7JVYcZOTPS3mc3adBgN/s320/HPIM0791.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-23939756593219087462007-10-13T20:39:00.000-07:002007-10-13T21:11:27.799-07:00some terrific radiant humble pigMy craft books got here from amazon. It was like Christmas over here. Bend the Rules Sewing is amazing. I love everything about this book and have such good intentions to make a whole heap of projects out of it. I should mention that I have a somewhat severe craft book problem. I buy them with the best laid plans and they sit there on my shelf for years doing nothing but looking pretty(not to mention my nasty cookbook habit). I admit that the book on sock knitting may have a similar fate. But I will do my very best. I love the idea of cozy hand-knitted socks adorning my feet. I always think of the Pablo Neruda poem about socks where he calls his feet two colorful fish. I also got a Dean Martin CD and...squeal! Dean Martin is SUCH a dreamboat. Love those dead crooners.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKYiVv7ktUarFJ3qSepEHSThN7bNa88LZdlAfUIk6X-rxtZ537lNmgVSEBnWVDUf-Wzcmftvu9I6X0maZFAAux2RDohvr42BTZ6O47fbt2tCAvFrLx7fApHxHeQuv96g6APiNOPe0AfKl/s1600-h/HPIM0776.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121032147940550418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKYiVv7ktUarFJ3qSepEHSThN7bNa88LZdlAfUIk6X-rxtZ537lNmgVSEBnWVDUf-Wzcmftvu9I6X0maZFAAux2RDohvr42BTZ6O47fbt2tCAvFrLx7fApHxHeQuv96g6APiNOPe0AfKl/s320/HPIM0776.JPG" border="0" /></a> Here is one of the pillowcases I embroidered to honor the new quilt. I used the Kurt Halsey pattern from Sublime Stitching. I want to put the spiky yellow flowers on everything I own. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF36EIEW8XiI6T2PftNsv6kpsQL8_Wqna8NBiaumyY2mN1YPw0dfF2kFz2W1eqYZakAGDl64A8J85JRTgzJdRku9utmcTuGaO2rGzPlfGyYLIGZxaBgOj8j0MhEgmEtktmF92zVaI1c63G/s1600-h/HPIM0777.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5121032147940550434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF36EIEW8XiI6T2PftNsv6kpsQL8_Wqna8NBiaumyY2mN1YPw0dfF2kFz2W1eqYZakAGDl64A8J85JRTgzJdRku9utmcTuGaO2rGzPlfGyYLIGZxaBgOj8j0MhEgmEtktmF92zVaI1c63G/s320/HPIM0777.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sophie went to her first big screen movie today! She did so good...she sat through the whole thing. It was Charlotte's Web, and I was so excited because I thought it was the old one, the one we love, but I couldn't be too disappointed that it was the newer one, because Sophie's excitement was so infectious. She kept saying, "pig!" (She has an inexplicable fascination with pigs right now.) Then we went to the playground and took a nature walk in the flower gardens downtown. It was one of those picture-perfect mother daughter days, the kind that makes it all worth it, makes you forget the times you feel like toddler shrieks are your life's soundtrack and the never ending mess in the house and mountains of laundry are going to swallow you whole. Tomorrow should be swell, too. We are going pumpkin picking! All three of us, followed by pumpkin carving, apple cider sipping, and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown watching. I will try and get some good pics to post.<br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-57235247630844730872007-10-04T09:33:00.000-07:002007-10-04T10:05:03.296-07:00finished at last<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6PPP8MaYwj_g6NdvpV690Np2xWZfJO0dYrmCv2UevilsDvvhEEBunav5qwTPNt35KA4DYtVFoqqr9KNTn6KOsLUBRLEYLe64DpvZ0ZyYBlHhIuZpMupJ-65TFHdTACyDqjjMmJo6RbDH/s1600-h/HPIM0771.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117520989890834802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6PPP8MaYwj_g6NdvpV690Np2xWZfJO0dYrmCv2UevilsDvvhEEBunav5qwTPNt35KA4DYtVFoqqr9KNTn6KOsLUBRLEYLe64DpvZ0ZyYBlHhIuZpMupJ-65TFHdTACyDqjjMmJo6RbDH/s320/HPIM0771.JPG" border="0" /></a> I put it on the bed at 9 last night. I nearly wept...it is as pretty as I imagined it would be, which is not a common occurence with my projects. All fabrics from Amy Butler's fabulous Belle collection. It started as a lap quilt kit, and I added to it to make it fit my queen sized bed. Hubby loves it...he promptly zonked out on it as soon as I got it on. I resisted the urge to bark, "No drooling on the quilt!" I'm thinking, matching pillow shams maybe? Shams have always been a little frou-frou for my taste, but this quilt deserves something more than our stained pillowcases, I think. I have been slaving over this quilt since February, so if I am a bit too pleased with myself here, forgive me.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In other news, Sophie and I have been reading this book:</div><br /><div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Saves-Circus-Ian-Falconer/dp/068982954X/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1200701-6222525?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191516798&sr=8-2">http://www.amazon.com/Olivia-Saves-Circus-Ian-Falconer/dp/068982954X/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-1200701-6222525?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1191516798&sr=8-2</a></div><br /><div>and we are now obsessed with Olivia. I'm thinking of making her an Olivia pillow for her room. Seriously, I enjoy these books at least as much as she does...and that's saying a lot because she brings this one to me 3 times a day. The stories are so cute and the pictures make me laugh until I cry. </div><br /><div><br /><br /><div></div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-815793194144155418.post-51904523110463786772007-09-30T06:51:00.000-07:002007-09-30T07:48:19.606-07:00long tall sophie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL5C50DEpyXWSSatm967GGgXBr9t9oB9Chm6naqoIyx6LCBoTcg0_ZZh0ecvtCXo8o0MI38QMbNtEdiv5go6uiN305w7WGIcdlQmpw43Oai2RKqDwpLJ9rOOJ8N1Tm9VuMEjgQ0TWvaE8/s1600-h/HPIM0768.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116005423461226050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyL5C50DEpyXWSSatm967GGgXBr9t9oB9Chm6naqoIyx6LCBoTcg0_ZZh0ecvtCXo8o0MI38QMbNtEdiv5go6uiN305w7WGIcdlQmpw43Oai2RKqDwpLJ9rOOJ8N1Tm9VuMEjgQ0TWvaE8/s320/HPIM0768.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>My dad brought over this little stepstool he built for Sophie last night, opening up endless ways for her to make the kitchen look like a war zone. She loves to wash her hands in the sink. Dave wants to put a guardrail on it. I think he was half kidding. </div><div> When I was a kid, washing dishes was one of my regular chores. I hated it with a passion then, but now I actually don't mind it so much, which is surprising, since I pretty much wash dishes all day long. Still, I felt a bit deceitful and Tom Sawyer-ish telling Sophie, "see, wahing dishes is big fun!" Our next stepstool project will be cookie baking with our giant new fall leaf cookie cutter. </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div>alexishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13268467009051053245noreply@blogger.com1