Archive for the 'blogs I read' Category

Cloth Kits and Patterns

Published on November 10, 2008 in Creating, art, blogs I read, craft, design, kits and sewing. 2 Comments Tags: , , , , .

My blog friend Heidi always finds the most interesting and beautiful art and events to read about and see.  I love checking in and seeing what she’s found, and today, well, it made my heart beat a bit faster than usual.  In fact, I almost have to think she posted it just for me!

These wonderful animal illustrations from Louise Elliot.  She’s got 12 Animals of the World that you can download (free), give to the kids to color, or as Heidi suggests, use them as crewel patterns. As I like to stitch most of my gifts, I’ve been thinking about stitching animals for kids, and I think I might have to use these!

But as I explore even more, I am just swooning over her doll and animal kits.  I am totally drawn to these.  I think it is because they are printed on fabric (if you know me, I am obsessed with anything printed on fabric, and well, just fabric in general), and two, I am completely drawn in to each design, I just love her illustrations.

I am really intrigued by cloth kits.  Some, I must be honest, I wouldn’t make, but I would make Louise Elliot’s kit in a heartbeat, and anything from clothkits especially:

this Rob Ryan skirt.  SWOON CITY!!!

Quiche Makes Me Happy

Published on September 10, 2008 in Creating, blogs I read, food and recipes. 1 Comment Tags: , , .

Spinach Quiche

There is something wonderfully satisfying about quiches for me.  I find it hard to believe that before a year ago (or so) I had never made a quiche before.  Daunting task I suppose, until I tried it.  They are so freakin’ easy and quick and pretty much always delicious.  This one was fresh garlic, Walla Walla Sweet Onions, fresh spinach, cheddar cheese, eggs and some half and half.  I was a little worried that it wouldn’t work so well after pouring in the egg/half and half mixture and it disappeared.  But I wasn’t about to add another egg.  Oh, and I coat my pastry shells (yes, this one was from the store…I know I know), with egg white.  I bake them at 350F for about 40 minutes, but always check after 25mins and decide how much longer it needs to stay in the oven.

I am not a fan of leftovers, they are almost always hard for me to eat (except the foods that get better the next day…pizza, lasagne, quiche….), so sometimes, I toss my leftovers into a quiche and you’ll never know that they were leftovers.  I’ve done it with salsa and beans YUM!  lasagne filling, Indian food, almost anything.  And they are always a treat!

Chick Pea Salad

I think you might remember that I’m a big fan of Mark Bittman and his NYT blog Bitten.  Well he posted this lovely recipe for Chickpea Salad with Ginger.  It made my mouth water!  I learned something new: toasting cumin seeds to bring out the flavor. WOWZA that’s all I have to say.  After toasting the cumin seeds, I crushed them with a rolling pin as I am sans spice grinder.  I didn’t have any ginger and I can see how it would totally add to the dish, but it was absolutely yummy without it.  And the best part.  For those of you counting – 0 points on Weight Watchers.  I think it has just a bit too much flavor for Iz, the cumin is perhaps a bit to “sweet” for her.  But I can’t get enough of it.  The recipe makes a big batch, so we’ve been eating it for 3 days so far and I’m not tired of eating it.

I think the one thing that I’ve really learned over the past 6 months is to enjoy food. Enjoy finding it, whether it be growing it myself, picking it up at the local farm, the farmer’s market or even the produce section.  Taking the time to make things from scratch as much as possible.  Sometimes it’s just not possible (although I’m learning everyday…so it could be possible).  I take my time preparing and cooking the way needed, then once it’s on the plate, really, really enjoying each and every bite.  The other big thing I’ve learned is that if it doesn’t taste good, don’t eat it.  I’m off to make lunches…

Inspiring

Published on January 30, 2008 in Creating, Flickr, about me, blogs I read, couture, favorites, inspiration, my studio and spark books. 2 Comments

Remember this photo of my Inspiration Wall in my Studio?

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This is a photo on Flickr that’s been added to the Inspiration Boards Pool, and I’ve been following the pool ever since.  I’m always looking for and collecting things that inspire me.  They got on my mantle, board or in a notebook (one of MANY!).  But I love looking at other’s inspiration boards.  I love the Flickr group and love even more that there’s a blog now about the creators of these inspiration boards.

Lately – I’ve been inspired by raw edges.

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I love this piece on the cover of the latest Selvedge.  I love this magazine.  I could tear the whole thing apart and hang it all on the wall.   I love the garments in the feature article.  If you have a chance to pick it up, it’s worth it.  Lovely.

Re-thinking it all…

Published on January 29, 2008 in about me, blogs I read, cool ideas, green and swap-o-rama-rama. 0 Comments

I read this really wonderful article about DIYers and the difference they are making in the world.  They aren’t screaming from their soap boxes, they are just doing.  Quietly, they are changing the world, one project at a time using found items, re-purposed items and making things new again (I can’t seem to find the article, if you know which one I’m talking about – let me know so I can link to it).

I think if I try to change everything in my life at the same time, I would go crazy, so I try to change at least one thing a week.  Once it was switching to phosphate free laundry detergent, then fabric softner, then not using the dryer.  I’m using Happy-Sacks instead of plastic bags.  I bring my own bags to shop with, even to stores that aren’t selling groceries.  I use old clothing and bed linens for sewing projects.  And I read blogs and learn about other ideas.

My favorite today, and OH-SO-OBVIOUS!!!  On sew green  – there’s a great post about shower curtains.  Of course, why are we buying plastic?  I’ll never buy another plastic shower curtain.  Bad.

So – another small step today.  And this has another thing brewing in my mind…

Is anyone in the Western Ma area interested in participating in a Swap-O-Rama-Rama?  I’m going to see if we can get one started here.  I’m looking for  interested folks who can volunteer to help sort, lead workshops and organize.  Email me – zannestar(at)luckystitches(dot)com if you are interested in learning more or want to help out.

Sunday Morning Clicks

Published on September 2, 2007 in LuckyStitches, blogs I read, creative spaces, design, inspiration, link love, projects and quilts. 0 Comments

I should really be helping with the roof….but I’ve been clicking away:

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This line of hats from Zooni is SO CUTE! via MightyGoods

I’ve been catching up on cake + pie and freshly{blended}, wondering if they will be doing their ornament swap this year (I really hope so…I have my idea – just want to get an early start this year – you know madness around the holidays can make them not fun.)

Sixty Six Stitches made Amy Butlers Gum Drop Pillows, and looking at her post, I think I’ll need to make a few! I am also inspired by her quilt made from old wool blankets.

When I was in Seattle, I was able to visit IKEA. It’s been a few years, and it was hard not to throw everything in my cart. I picked up some really cool placemats and some shopping bags (these would fit into my suitcase). But I’ll be going back in a few weeks to pick up some chairs for LuckyStitches, so I’ve been perusing ikea hacker for creative ideas. This bookshelf would be perfect in the new space. hmmm.

I’ve been looking at stacking chairs. Limerick. Easy Stacking Chair. Izzy. HAG. vintage OMK.

sk*rt this!

Published on August 16, 2007 in blogs I read, cool ideas and networking. 0 Comments

sk*rt!
So, I’m sure you’ve heard, but in case you haven’t, there is this great new site: sk*rt.com. It’s a daily read for me. The way it works is wicked cool. People submit links. Links to blogs, news, websites. Other people can vote on the links, making them more popular and then they pop up on the home page.  TONS of info on EVERYTHING.  Perfect for me, I love to find out about new things, find new blogs and websites.  My daily list of reads is updated constantly.  Plus – the founders all have cool blogs too!

And just for fun, I’ve added a sk*rt button at the bottom of my posts, just in case there is anything you want to share…

Free Art

Published on August 15, 2007 in Creating, art, blogs I read, cool ideas, design, family, inspiration, kindness, printtroll, projects, sewing, t-shirt and thread. 0 Comments

sporozoan embroidery, originally uploaded by printtroll.

That’s right. Send Rob a t-shirt, a skirt, a scarf, hat, bag, bib, onesie, and he’ll hand and machine embroider it with his sporozoan. He’ll send it back with his art embroidered on it in the SASE you sent with your article. You can find out more about the sporozoan on his blog and website.

Daily Reads – Design/Craft Blogs – part I

Published on July 18, 2007 in Creating, blogs I read, craft, design, inspiration and projects. 1 Comment

Ok, I should really be working on my little freelance project, Iz is at school, and this time is supposed to be devoted to my project (no worries, I’ll still make my deadline this week, but this “free time” is so rewarding and I just have to share what I’ve been clicking on…)

Design Mom:: Actually just stumbled on this one this morning, from somewhere…was it Sk*rt? It was so many clicks ago, I can’t remember. Love it. Love the guest moms, love the products. Is now a daily read.

Bitter Betty Blogs:: She does some great tutorials, and finds some wicked cool vintage fabric and patterns.

Betsy Ross’ Journal::LOVE LOVE LOVE her patterns, and when she writes about Philadelphia, I get a little homesick. Plus, she finds some of the coolest stuff.

EtsyLabs:: Totally inspiring, there is so much creativity out there, and this is the perfect place to learn how to do something. I really want to do this.

Not Martha:: I’ve been reading Megan’s blog for years. I loved her knit pink wig. I love it when she talks about cooking and meal planning, and I really want to make the shoe rack she made, and if we ever move back to Seattle, her local stuff is awesome!

And of course, Design*Sponge, Decor8 and Print & Pattern.

ok – more later, have-to-go-back-to-work.