Adventures of Henry the Yorkie Pup

Then and now!  Henry was only 12 weeks old when he came to live at the Casita.  See his puppy picture?   Henry has turned out nicely but I remind him from time to time, "Handsome is as handsome does."   Sometimes I call him Mister Dog because he is independent of spirit.  Henry loves to rummage through his doggie toy box to find squeaky toys with which to make a merry sound...eee-eee-EEee!! Henry has a big, big backyard to explore.  His favorite haunt we call Weinie Dog Hill, at the far corner of the property where the fences meet.  If he kneels down he can peek through the bit of chicken wire at the bottom of the fence to view the other side.  His mission?  To see doggie neighbors peeking back, for there are two little Daschunds that live there.  It is a sight to see Henry hopping and skipping backward down the slope of little Weinie Dog Hill in shock and surprise.  How in the world can there be little round eyes looking back at him?

Little knit nightgown

Here's a nightgown, Kwik Sew #3034, my most recent addition to Chloe's closet.  Chloe loves nightgowns.  I used a pink knit fabric, white stretch elastic for neck and arm bindings, and a roly poly elephant applique (Juju Designs) machine embroidered onto the front using bits and pieces from my fabric stash.  I especially like children's Kwik Sew patterns which I find easy to work with and make adjustments to.  Their range of styles are very limited, very basic; but that's what I'm looking for in children's clothing.  Chloe happens to be petite in body size, but long.  This pattern was cut according to her unique measurements (1T body size, 3T length).  Most all patterns come in a multi-size format, and I always copy my pattern pieces onto tracing paper, making the adjustments as I go.  It's extra work but allows me to keep the original pattern intact for future projects.  I am finally, finally making good use of the machine embroidery unit that is part of my sewing machine (Bernina 830 Series), as well as the serger (Husklock 936), both of which I have had for a while now.  I love my serger which provides perfect finished seams; great for wash and wear, quick and easy to use.  See the machine embroidery applique detail on this little nightie?  This was fun to do.  My next sewing projects will include sundresses for Jaden, and for Chloe and her new baby sister, Natalie.  My sis would like me to sew something for her granddaughter, Morgan.  Measurements; I need measurements!  And then it'll be back to struggling to create a wearable, artsy wardrobe for me, me, me.

Sites that I like...

Looking for children's fabrics?  Two sites for a good variety of print fabrics; I've had good luck with these.  Plus, Burdastyle provides outstanding articles that are current, cutting-edge, interesting, fun to read.  My opinion:  A+

www.fabricworm.com
www.thefabricfairy.com 
www.burdastyle.com 

Pants that I made...

Me in the garden, in pants that I made

It's true, this is me.  The green pants are for real...pants that I made; soft, washed linen.  My sis says I look like a Dutch boy in these; they are very boxy and non-descript, but oh so comfortable.  I do these caricatures of myself because, well...I can take photos of many things but I have yet to figure out how to take snapshots of myself, by myself.  Early June 2011; cutting roses in the garden.  First blooms are already done with; too bad, because I'd like to make rosewater using petals from my garden.  The recipe is simple enough; it requires vodka as well as rose petals (vodka acts as a preservative).  Maybe with the second bloom of roses; we'll see.

Lemon-Thyme Tea Bread

I found this recipe from Jeannette Mango of Parkesburg, Pennsylvania who noted,“I received this recipe as part of a gift, along with a lemon thyme plant and a fresh loaf of this pound cake-like bread. Everyone who tries it asks for the recipe.”  Since lemon thyme is one of the herbs I grow in my garden, I thought I'd give it a try.  Yummy!  It's another of my husband's favorites; he seems to especially enjoy quick breads to go with his coffee for breakfast or dessert.  Photo credit: Taste of Home, www.tasteofhome.com.

LEMON-THYME TEA BREAD

    Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel

GLAZE:

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Directions:

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine milk and thyme. Microwave, uncovered, on high for 1-2 minutes or until bubbly; cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Cool to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with reserved milk mixture. Stir in lemon juice and peel. Pour into a greased 9-in. x 5-in. loaf pan. Bake at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.  GLAZE:  In a small bowl, combine glaze ingredients until smooth; drizzle over bread. Yield: 1 loaf.

Machine Embroidery Applique

Here is my first attempt at machine embroidery applique.  I have had only mediocre results with machine embroidery in the past and was hesitant to try applique because I simply did not know how to.  But there are projects that I have in mind to do, so I finally gave it a try and now I am glad that I did.  Not the disaster I thought it would be and I actually enjoyed the process.  This design comes from Juju's "Tutti Frutti" collection, purchased through Oregon Patchworks.  I will use this piece to make the bodice of a summer dress or top for Chloe.

Photos from the garden.  My Brandywine heirloom tomato plant has grown beyond expectation.  Good news; this tomato plant is healthy and has set fruit.  Now it's patience time to watch them grow and ripen on the vine. 

Our New Casa - Dining Room

We have been in our new home for one year, come August 2011.  Here's the dining area which I recently worked on.  Newest additions include the mirrored console and the two over-sized wall hangings which my sister helped me pick.  I plan to change the lighting fixture next. 

Blogged Down!

I created two blogs, www.calicoquilter.blogspot.com and www.mysewingbasket.blogspot.com to separate sewing from artsy/quilting/misc. projects of mine, and to document each independent of the other.   Not working for me.  what to do?  what to do??? 

Fabric for Chloe's Summer Wardrobe

It's almost June and although summer is just around the corner, the weather has been cold and windy, even when the sun is shining.  Chloe is my l'il granddaughter and I have been working on a summer wardrobe for her.  Yesterday we went to M&L Discount Fabrics in Buena Park, California.  It's a one-hour trip from home and one of my favorite stops.  The fabrics in these pictures are all 100% cotton with prices ranging from $3.98 to $4.98 per yard.  I'll be pre-shrinking fabric next week.  These will be fun to sew up into something sweet and sassy. 

Getting rid of my stash...Slipper Disaster

So I have this slipper pattern which I've had in my binder for years, which I downloaded for free from...I can't remember where.   In the spirit of using up my fabric stash, VOILA...a slipper! Christine's Critique:  I rushed the process for no good reason, with not-so-good results.   It does not fit, it does not fit, it does not fit!  In fact, this prototype would fit Hobbit feet very well.  Why oh why do we not take time, go slower, enjoy the moment?  Darn! I still want to make slippers! I have another pattern...

The Artist - Variation on a theme

The second piece I am working on is a variation of "The Artist," originally a self-portrait drawn using India ink and watercolor pencils.  On this piece, I am utilizing muslin and other cotton fabrics, plus pastels and colored pencils for shading, to create the picture.  It will be quilted and embellished when complete and perhaps I'll frame it in a shadow box.

A work in progress

I have used paper and silk organza to create "Olangee."  The design is roughly based on an art piece I sketched using Adobe Illustrator as shown below.  I am challenging myself as an artist to use a variety of materials, a means of self-discovery, and for the fun of it.  The delicately shredded silk organdy and hand-torn paper pieces are currently laid gingerly on a piece of illustrator board.  I have not decided whether to glue the pieces to the board or to perhaps use a fabric backing and stitch the pieces in place instead.  

Slippers!! Side Note

Forgot to note...the 2011 Road to California Quilt Show is coming up at the end of January in Ontario, California.  Did not want to attend this year's show without having finished something from last year's show.  That was a good reason for starting this quilt.  Reason #2...Chloe is coming to town and maybe this blanket will be ready for her, especially since this is a proclaimed "Quilted Quickie."  Reason #3...we are finally getting my boxes out of storage and my work area is functional again.  Hurrah!!  Calico Quilter's Casita is back...now operating out of Temecula, California.

Slippers!!

 The quilt I am working on comes from a book of patterns, "Quilted Potpourri" by Jere'e McDade, which I picked up at last year's quilt show, inspired by the vibrant, whimsical sample quilt that hung on the wall of the booth.  I also purchased the fabric roll which corresponded to the prints of the sample quilt.  Purchasing a pre-selected roll of fabric cuts has been a great convenience.  While I normally enjoy picking my own prints and colors, I trust the eye of the designer for a fun quilt like this one.  Probably should have drawn from my own stash of fabric; however, it has been fun to decide which print goes where, using someone else's fabric picks.  I find that I still have to call upon my own skills in considering color value, balance and so on, as I piece the quilt blocks and put them in place. 

Handquilting Tools

Pictured are some of my quilting tools.  The ones I have come to value most for handquilting are:

1.  Two comfortable thimbles that fit well; one for the thumb, one for the forefinger

2.  Quality cotton quilting thread

3.  Sharp quilting needles; I use short ones

4.  Tiny scissors for clipping threads

5.  A trusty basket to keep my things in

These are things I am always on the lookout for at quilting shows/shops to replenish my supply, especially since I so enjoy handquilting.

Happy New Year 2011

I am a self-taught quilter.  Here's my very first calico quilt which I started more than 25 years ago.  There have been other projects over the years, but this one is a treasure, dear to my heart.  This quilt has a long history and is still a work in progress.  I will finish this quilt in 2011.

Thoughts on Moving

"In 2010 I will be working on numerous arts projects. I am just a simple artist who hopes to make a small difference through creative expression and positive interaction. So much to do, so little time."

This was my posted thought at the beginning of 2010.  Now here it is August and we are well into the second half of the year.  Time flies and so it goes.  This summer my focus has been on getting us moved to a new location.  Who knew that we would make such a big, big change in such a short, short time?  The house we picked, our new "Casita," is just right for Henry, Papa and me, a teeny tiny castle at the bottom of a big, big hill.  Everything happens for a reason!?  Artsy endeavors...quilting, sewing, artsy projects are currently on hold.  I am a firm believer that change we must and so we did; thus, the move.

Utter Clutter

Moving from a house you have lived in for 24 years is an exercise in letting go in order to move forward.  I never thought I had too many things...except maybe crafty books and, oh!! of course, those many doodly do's from my craft room...okay then!...maybe I am a crafty artist of excess; but now that all my threads, yarns, fabrics, paints, patterns, etc., etc., are packed away in boxes, my thought for the day is what utter clutter!!

Casita on the Move!

Summertime.  No thunderheads here, but the days are hot and humid nonetheless.  July 2010 is the month that we sold our house in Cerritos on the first day of Open House.  Mama, Papa and Henry are on the move.  Casita business (the creative variety) is on hold until we get settled in our new home.