Monthly Archive for May, 2008

AH HA! Sewing Kits

Published on May 31, 2008 in Creating, Learning To Sew, birthdays, craft, projects, sewing and sewing with kids. 1 Comment Tags: , , , .

You might have noticed that part of my evil plan is to get the rest of the world sewing. And that’s everyone. Two of our little friends had birthdays and I thought it was time for them to start sewing too!

AH HA! Sewing Kits

There are my first go at little kits. One for Miss A (turning 3) and one for Mr. H (turning 4). Each kit is quilted, so it’s nice and soft. Lots of little narrow pockets, a piece of felt for pins and needles, a happy tie and monogrammed so they won’t be lost. I put in little safety scissors, for fabric only of course, a tape measure, marking pencils, tapestry needles a few glass head pins and a rainbow of embroidery floss. I was so excited.

Exploring Her New Sewing Kit

The kits were really, really easy to make. Each one took me less than an hour. I think the next round will be a little different, The bias tape edge wasn’t as fabulous as I had envisioned, and a little flap over the pockets will make sure the scissors don’t fly out of the kit.

Little LuckyStitcher

The biggest thank you anyone could hope for? Little Mr. H (is he not just the cutest Little LuckyStitcher you’ve ever seen?), stopped by to show me his stitchery. A kitty and a carrot. Mom helped with the outlines, and Mr. H filled in. Suitable for framing in my book. Happy Sewing.

Cleaning The Plate

Published on May 31, 2008 in My Road To Fitness, food and recipes. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

I have something to tell you. I’m on the road to fitness. To better health. To losing weight and exercising so I can feel better and fit into some of my fabulous clothes. To run and play with Iz and not get out of breath. I’ve lost 18 lbs so far (that’s 18 sticks of butter! – ew).

I’ve been learning a lot about food and working on changing what I eat and how I eat it. So, I’ve been cooking a lot of new foods. Wtih summer here, I’ll probably be posting more about food and garden than sewing (although – you can bet I’ll still be sewing).

I’ve started making these super yummy Polenta Pizzas. Here’s a recent favorite:

Zucchini Tomato Feta Polenta Pizza

Zucchini Feta Tomato Polenta Pizza
1 cup coarse corn meal
3 cups stock (chicken or veggie)
1 cup red onion finely chopped
4-5 cloves of garlic finely chopped (more or less depending on your taste)
1 medium zucchini sliced
1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes sliced
1 cup feta cheese (I used non-fat)
2 tsp canola or olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
pinch or two of Italian Seasoning
1. Heat 1 tsp oil in pan, add 1/2 garlic and onions, saute until onions and garlic are soft, add pinch of Italian Seasoning, saute for 1 minute. Remove from heat.
2. Make the polenta. I use my rice cooker which works well every time. Pour garlic/onion saute into rice cooker. Add the corn meal and stock. Turn on rice cooker. (If you aren’t using a rice cooker, I pour 1 cup of cold stock onto the corn meal and stir with a fork to eliminate all the lumps. Meanwhile I’;m bringing the other 2 cups of stock to a boil, then adding the polenta/stock/garlic-onion saute mix and whisking lightly (to make sure no lumps), bring it back to a boil, then remove from heat, leaving it covered.
3. While the polenta is cooking, heat up the rest of the onion-garlic saute and add the zucchini. Brown the zucchini slightly, season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
4 Once the polenta is done pour it into a 9 inch pie plate smoothing it around and making the sides higher. If you don’t add the onion-garlic saute to the polenta, you will need to lightly grease the pie plate. Pre-heat the oven to 350º.
5. Pour the zucchini mixture over the center of the pie, keeping the edges clear. Cover with cherry tomatoes and sprinkle with feta cheese.
6. Put in the oven for about 20 minutes.

I think this tastes best after a few hours of letting the flavors mix together. It’s wonderful hot or cold, and even better the next day. It’s perfect for potlucks! Enjoy!

Summer Love

Published on May 30, 2008 in favorites. 0 Comments Tags: , , , , .

A Love Note

I So Want This….

Published on May 23, 2008 in design, favorites and green. 4 Comments Tags: , , , .

Mobile Social Portland Reception, originally uploaded by Hugger Industries.

I don’t really ride a bike anymore. I have in the past, but I am so NOT a fan of traffic. But then I saw this bike from a Bike Hugger photo and well, I think I might just have to add this to my wish list. This is the Townie from Electra. It reminds me of when I lived in Cape May for a summer and rode my bike everywhere. Fuel prices make me want to ride my bike again. It comes in really dreamy fabulous colors and I love the bag on the back! I wonder if I can get a toddler attachment for it…..

Eat Responsibly

Published on May 16, 2008 in food, garden and green. 3 Comments Tags: , , .

I’ve always been a fan of food. Always. I’ve learned to eat healthy, with the help of a holistic health care professional and a fantastic nutritionist. I needed these two people in my life to help with my allergies, and the things I learned have transformed my life! I’m much healthier, I can breathe, I can smell and taste my food, my skin, hair and nails are much stronger and I sleep well. When I became pregnant, I learned even more about nutrition and food, and worked hard to make sure my body and baby were getting the things needed to be healthy. When I introduced food to Iz, we made EVERYTHING. I bought bulk organic grains for her cereal and blended it together myself. Organic veggies and fruit arrived weekly in a lovely box from Urban Organic, and I spent delivery night steaming and prepping food for the week. I used Super Baby Food as my main source of info. Everything that we ate was as local as possible and as organic as possible. Some of it was a challenge living in NYC, but some wasn’t. We shopped the Green Markets every week, supporting local farmers and eating beautiful foods.

CSA flowers

Now that we live in the country, we have room for gardens, and we grow lots of our own veggies each season. Not only does it feel good for the soul, it’s so good for our bodies and our environment. There’s no fuel spent to deliver or pick up the food, we bond over gardening and are so proud of our harvest. For what we can’t grow, we purchase a share of our CSA. It won’t start until July, as we have a small growing window in New England, but knowing that the food is grown organically, locally and with the kind hands of our friendly farmers, makes it even more delicious.

Every day we are more and more conscious of our health and our environment and have known that the well being of each is dependent upon each other. We strive to eat as local as possible, choose things from the super market that are in season, and make as much as our own food as we have time for.

I’ve just started reading food blogs. I probably started cooking in the late 90s, after moving to Seattle and having a kitchen that we could cook in. I’m not a “natural” cook, but I am really, really interested and I’m always looking to learn more. One of my favorite blogs is Bitten, the NYTimes food blog. Mark Bittman, the blog’s author has recently spoken at TED. I think you should stop and listen. It’s 20 minutes, maybe listen one night while cooking dinner. I think it’s important.

Please make sure you know where your food comes from and the how the choices you make impact your body and the global environment. Please Eat Repsonsibly.

Such a TEAse

Published on May 14, 2008 in about me and favorites. 4 Comments Tags: , .

TEAse

I decided to order it direct from the Tea Guys themselves this time instead of hiking it to Whole Paycheck. I really love the Morning Americano. Just a hint of coffee in a black tea. I haven’t had coffee for years and I do miss it, but just can’t stomach it.

Cool things – you can order cute little sample packs to try any of their flavors, I got papaya ginger in my box today and I can’t wait to try it.  AND!  They are local yokels.  The tea itself isn’t harvested in Western Mass (obviously), but it’s all packaged and shipped right in my own back yard!

This is just perfect! Thanks Tea Guys!

Sewing The Midnight Oil

Published on May 13, 2008 in sewing. 3 Comments Tags: , , , , .

Sewing The Midnight Oil

I’ve been working on a few costumes for a ballet recital in June, but when the director decided on a quick early public performance, I stitched the night away. I’m making 2 ballet bodices with matching tutu plates and a men’s shirt and vest. I was able to finish one bodice in time for the early show, and have started working on the next one. Originally, I was going to make my own pattern, but decided to buy one.

Photo Session

I bought a bodice pattern from Tutu.com. While I had considered a career in costume design at one time, I have never really made a professional costume. This pattern was wonderful! I learned quite a bit about making this costume so it would be adjustable for this ballerina or the next one. It took me about 15 hours from start to finish, and I know the 2nd won’t take that long. I did learn a bunch of new tricks. That’s the great thing about sewing, there is always something new to learn. I always get a chuckle when people tell me that they don’t want to sew with a pattern, ever. A few here and there can’t hurt, especially when you learn things you wouldn’t by making it up as you go along. Great tips and tricks and techniques for when you are doing it all on your own. ANYWAY…

Mini Performance

I still have a few changes to make to her bodice, but overall it turned out quite wonderful. I totally recommend this pattern. I’d make a complete test one before you do the final if you have time, work out all the kinks, ask questions if you need to, and make sure it fits! I’ll be working on the plate for this bodice later this week.

That's My Husband In TIGHTS!

Rob was also in this performance. I couldn’t finish his shirt and vest in time (HECK they are still on my sketch pad!), so I stitched lovely peacock colored sequins around the neckband of his t-shirt and vintage blue crocheted trim with crystals (it’s SO LOVELY! I’ll try to post a picture later), around each armband of the T. I found this lovely old trim at Osgoods. For you local yokels – it’s well worth the trip!

Iz was super proud of her dad, yelling BRAVO at the top of her lungs and telling everyone around her “That Daddy up there is MY DADDY!”.

My Morning Walk

Published on May 5, 2008 in about me. 2 Comments Tags: , , .

On My Morning Walk

I woke up to a frost this morning (again – thankfully Rob brought in the basil and rosemary last night).  I threw on the layers and wool socks and off I went on my little walk.  I’ve been so eager for Spring and warm weather and green.  It’s taken a while for the green to pop through all the winter browns and greys.  I love my walks.  I have a little iPod, but I really, really enjoy listening to the birds and water and wind.  I think this has to be one of the most beautiful places I’ve lived.  (Although I’ve enjoyed very much every where I’ve lived…I’m just that kind of person.)

Hopeful for Warm Weather

On my walk a few days ago, not far from this very spot, a coyote crossed the road in front of me.  I was spooked, my heart in my throat and pounding and started singing and whistling and clapping, making some noise to keep other creatures at a safe distance, since they could probably see, hear, smell me and I wouldn’t have known the coyote was there if I hadn’t seen it. It was so quiet.  It was amazing.

Not only do I use this time for my walk, but I also use it for a little meditation.  Thinking about my breathing,  my body (staying healthy), but also as time to meander through my thoughts, sort things out and be able to function for the rest of the day.  It’s quiet, peaceful and invigorating, the perfect start to my day.

Peas, Swiss Chard, Spinach, Arugula, Mesclun, Spicy Greens

Published on May 3, 2008 in garden. 1 Comment Tags: .

Planting Our Garden

It was cold, but very, very sunny. I was determined to get the seeds in the garden. I love greens of all kind and having to run to the store every few days gets old, real fast. Besides, gardening is so good for the soul.

Planting Our Garden

Planting Our Garden

We have limited garden space and a friend recommended Square Foot Gardening. It’s super efficient.

Waiting For The Ice Cream Window To Open

(Taking A Break – Waiting, I mean Playing – for almost 2 hours – for the Ice Cream Stand to open)

Every day since we’ve planted, we visit our garden and seeds to see if they are up. Yep, we are a bit eager. Iz can’t wait to munch on some of those yummy peas. It’s been rainy and cold since we’ve planted our garden. Hopefully we won’t have to wait too long.

Scrap Projects

Published on May 3, 2008 in Creating, HomeSchool Sewers, LuckyStitches, Scrap Project Research, craft, green, projects and scrap projects. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Scrap Projects

I find that being the mom of a 3 year old, I am getting much better at dealing with the time I have to do projects.  I find myself working through my creative ideas while doing the dishes, preparing meals, driving to the grocery store.  I dream about my projects, practice them in my mind, make a prototype in my dreams, all this so when I have the five minutes to try it, I can actually make it.

I’ve been spending the last month on what to make with all our scraps from our Eco-Quilts.  I’ll eventually post a list of all the projects I’ve researched – so you can use your scraps too.  But I’m really excited about what we’ll be making over the next couple of weeks in our HomeSchool Sewing Class.  Week one, we’re making Scrap Flowers (just in time for Mother’s Day).  Week two, Fabric Beads.  I think the LuckyStitchers will be all scrapped out by then, so we’ll be making a bucket hat during the latter part of the month.

What I really, really love about my classes at LuckyStitches, is that each person walks away with their very own creation.  Each quilt we’ve made last month is completely unique.  There was no set pattern, only a technique that was introduced.  These creative minds can explore cutting and sewing so they can dream about it too and create their very own items, articles and art.  Nothing is wrong.  Everything is right and wonderful.

At the end of next week I’ll post our Scrap Flowers and let you know how we did it, so you can make your own too (or for the mom in your life…Mother’s Day is coming!).  They are really, really quick.  In the meantime, go grab your scraps.  If you are sewing this week, don’t toss your tiny scraps, keep them.  They work perfectly for these next two projects!