all buttoned up.

Throw for One Person or Two Sets of Legs (or a Smallish Picnic)

 

This is not a very large quilt and if you really put your mind to it, I think you get it all put together and quilted in an evening (a long evening).  The binding is handsewn, but other than that-- wham bam!  This is for a family member and the colours were especially requested, though I'm not sure she's super into florals.  I would say that I'm not especially into florals either, but some of these fall into my all-time favourites category so you can call me a liar.  Florals are so tricky, don't you think?  I get bored of them pretty quickly but I think they work en masse like this.  The quilting is freehand and swoopy-- small swoops (or waves) are much easier to manage than larger swoops.  Trust me. The back is pieced with a large piece of plum coloured cotton and a couple of the front fabrics.  

  

I'm going to sew ties to the middle of one edge so that they can fold, roll, and tie it up so that it can make a trip in the car.  

Other Patchwork Things To Make or Buy:

• It is along the same lines as Erin's great quilt.
• What about a quilt or other sewing kit for a beginner sewer?  Purl (as usual) has some great ideas. 
• Which brings to mind Sharylin's beauty, that happens to be a free pattern.  I can't tell you how much I love this. 
• Rashida's book is out!  Just in time for giving (also at Powell's.)
• And have you see the new quilt patterns from Denyse Schmidt?  Next year, Peeps. 

How are you doing with holiday sewing?  Do you get all crazy or keep it low key?  If I had my way, I'd save up all my monies and blow huge wads at Crafty Wonderland or on Etsy.  But as it stands, I have problems called A Large Stash and Over Confidence. 

We have a ways to go

Labour Day weekend is late, late, late this year, making the march towards Kindergarten seem long and foreboding.  It's All Day, People.  How is he (am I) going to deal with this?  For starters, he bought a Transformers lunchbox today.  I, on the other hand, might take up mid-morning cocktails.  We are taking one more little trip next week and not least of all, trying to jam all the work we'd hope to get done on the house earlier this summer into these last few days. 

Sew, Mama, Sew posted a tutorial of mine this morning-- I put it together a while ago, but I realize it has happily coincided with Alicia's on the same topic.  There are loads of ways to paper piece... call mine the Travel Scrabble Version.  Best of all, I betcha you have everything you need to get started right. this. minute. 

I need to load up the IPod with last minute traveling stories.  Our favourites for the moment (and for all time, really) are as follows:

• Paddington and the Darkest Peru.  My favourite, too.  "Please Look After this Bear".
• Ramona the Pest... I wanted so badly for him to read this before he memorized it off the tape, but there are others.  We have the Stockard Channing version, which is very nice.  He giggles so hard and honestly, Ramona and the whole Kindergarten thing is very timely.  He also likes The Mouse and the Motorcycle, though slightly less so.

• And finally, Boomerang.  I'm guessing you've heard Blair talk about Boomerang before, but I have to say how much this program is becoming a part of our lives.  I wasn't sure that Sam was reading for it, (do all five year-olds get down with Tesla?) but he was and is.  He's an NPR kid through and through and this fits the bill perfectly.  Paul is loading up some of podcasts for his classroom this fall-- his kids are not used to seeing or hearing people their age create something like this.  He's thinking it might inspire them to create something similar as a class project.  He has high hopes-- maybe he can convince Dave Schmave to do a little urban collaboration...?  Anyway.  It's good stuff.  Our dear Blair writes for the blog and they are starting an affiliates program which I fully support.  

But before we go anywhere, though, I've committed myself to tiling a shower and piecing a quilt.  And more pickles.  I spy with my little eye a Coping Mechanism: Distract myself with a growing list.  It's probably better than drinking.  Updates to follow.

(edit: Paul thanks you all for the bday wishes and wants you to know that he sits like that all the time.  Just like they do in the movies.)

So much to say

August is terrified of bubble baths-- he panics and screams to get out.  We think it is because he cannot see his feet.  Yesterday  we went to the Dr. for a checkup and shots and an actual blood draw on his little tiny arm, and he barely flinched through any of it.  He was the first toddler they had ever seen who hadn't cried even a little bit.  But you better watch out if all of a sudden he can't see his toes.   

See?  I have so much to write down here and no time to do it. 

I started panicking myself last weekend as we started off Spring Break.  I have this massive list of to-dos from the last five months that was not doing itself and a whole week in which to worry that it was not getting finished.  I know, call me Sunshine.  Anyway, now it's Thursday and we are getting there but I'd like another week please, and pretty, pretty please someone to clean the house and cook so I could squeeze some more out of what's left? 

Thank you for all your words and the time you take to share them here.  I am shamefully behind in answering questions and responding to mail in the way that I would like.  I know you get it, and I'm pretty sure you don't expect much, but you know, I want to do better.  This space and the people in it-- you-- you have given us so much. 

Here are some more things:

• Jen sent us this beautiful package with gifts for all the boys.  It came at the perfect time for Sam who has (finally and triumphantly) taken a shine activity books and drawing for more than five minutes at a time. And then, My Word, there is this sweater...
• I am sewing!!  My sister is co-hosting a little trunk show up in B.C. on April 4th and I have been putting some things together to send up.  It's going to be in Abbotsford (for those of you In The Know) and I'm wishing I could be there for it.  If you go, please say hi to her-- her name is Sharalee.  She's pretty. 
• Nobody in this house has the flu!!  August is making a full recovery and I am so thankful that winter is over (in theory anyway).
• I'm heading over to Bolt on Saturday for Susan's book signing.  It's going to be good.  AND I have a book to give away tomorrow, so check in. 
• I lost so many plants this winter.  My yard is full of plant carcasses.  This is sad.

I'll leave you with proof of progress... Pillows for the show:

Okay!  My parents are here and my dad is changing into his work clothes which may mean I should fill buckets of water or get out the flashlights, just in case.  Also, he expects some sort of dinner food. 

The Bed is not Made

AND, there's stuff on the floor.  But this is my house, so I know you're not surprised.  Sam's room is slowly coming together and I know I said it already, but he is so pleased.  I am too.  There are a few more things for the walls and we'll probably get some sort of carpet for next winter.  I have my eye on a new light fixture. The window trim needs some paint.  There's also this little, bitty closet that I have jammed full of stuff (I'm actually standing in it to take the picture) which will get cleared out eventually.  I'll be honest though, the fact that he won't wear shirts with buttons on them sort of takes care of him needing to hang anything up and has me thinking my stuff looks just fine in there. If I had waited until everything was done to take pictures, he'd probably be old enough to throw me out and lock the door.  I'm sure parts of it would also have been repainted black.  

This is my favourite bit so far-- a Sarah Neuberger original map and a copper horse Paul banged out in middle school, which happened to fit exactly into a frame we already had.  Sam also has his first pet!  It's a house plant in its own little Grobal.  

The bulletin board is just a very cheap Ikea frame, some cork I got second-hand ages ago, and elephant fabric.  The bookshelf is the ever lovin' Ikea Expedit and so is the desk- which is huge and can easily fit a few kids around it.  The paint colours are hard to see, but it's all Yolo.  Two walls are leftovers from the living room, and the rest (including the ceiling) are painted their brightest white.  This is how one of those walls looked before and here's the rest of it when we were sleeping/sewing in it. 

 

I'm almost "done" with our room, too, which means there is also sewing happening.  I know, Shut Up!  Oh, and Whitney?  Rhubarb. 

The One Where My Son Faints From Celebrity

Sam and I received a note from Mrs. P last month, thanking me for the post and letting us know that she was coming to town to do a reading.  Sam could not believe it.  I have never seen him look or react in the way that he did, going from open mouth shock to downright giggly embarrassment.  It was as though Big Bird and The President had decided to drop by the house carrying a Fraggle under their arms for good luck.  My son was flummoxed.

He is totally confused and excited how exactly he's going to see Mrs. P outside her virtual library and asks me 16 times a day what I think she'll be wearing and how many stories she might read (as he is usually only allowed two at a time).  As such, I am looking as forward to it being done and dusted as he is for the actual event.  So... if you are so inclined (and you really should be):

Story Time with Mrs. P
Thursday, February 26 at 11am
Powell's on Cedar Hills Blvd

There are going to be loads of good people there, and as it's a school day, I would imagine a good number of them will be on the smaller side. 

This is not the only trip we have planned... we are tagging along with Paul's class to the Harlem Globe Trotters Game on Saturday.  I haven't even told Sam about this one yet.  I'm not sure his small body could bear the anticipation.  We all have to get well, though, so that's top priority.  As for this last weekend, in my stuffy nose haze I really am thrilled with the amount of work we got done on the weekend and I know all good things have to come to end one way or another.  Since my nannying days, I have come to terms with the "end" taking the form of some temporary illness or laundry or both.  Anticipating the sick makes it so much easier to take, I think.  And the laundry, well, I just put away the last load this morning so take that, Karma.

Vim and Vigor.

Do you smell that?  That is the smell of progress.  And wood veneer.  And low VOC paint.  I emerged from the long weekend with three sick children and a pile of laundry so large it blocked the front door.  I expected all of this, because it's what you get when you try to accomplish a whole lot of out-of-the-ordinary things and actually come close to getting them done. 

Quilting Bee in the Bag.

Do you like unfinished business?  Yick.  I don't know many people who do.  There is so much in my life that stays undone, so it's nice to celebrate the little finishes.   

The year long quilting bee is over with the mailing off of the last three blocks.  I will receive my blocks at some point and have to deal with those, but as far as everybody else goes, I finished up this week.  I will miss mailing Jennifer her envelope (I finally memorized her address), especially since she did such a great job organizing and taking care of the whole project.  

So-- Eren's block, which took me longer than a much larger quilt might have, but was still a good time:

Sarah's, who asked for texture only:

And finally, Grace's block, who declined her quilt altogether but was no match for the 11 of us conspiring against her (we're doing a rainbow quilt and my colour was grey):

As the blocks come in they are posted on flickr, and the details of the project are here, including the colours I sent out.  

Corduroy Hoodie

There were other things on January's list:

• We started remodeling the basement, as the novelty of sleeping in a room with babies is going to wear a little thin on our visitors.  And the whole one toilet thing is starting to wear a little thin on me. 
• Our oven broke.  We broke the oven.  Paul threw something and broke the oven.  This has been bumped on to February's list.
• We got our converter box for the little TV upstairs.  It's right by the sewing machine and hot-diggety, I now get 5 channels of the TBN and 3 channels of Public Television. 
• I got through season 3 of Mary Tyler Moore on Hulu.  
• Sewing! 

That last one has been getting me through my diaper ridden days.  I love how machine sewing is completely solitary.  Like, don't let the door hit you on the way out solitary.  We are switching our house around to accommodate our life and I think my solo sewing days might be over soon.  I am not going down without a fight, mind you, and I'm also working hard to use up some fabric piles and consolidate a little.

This fabric was not in one of those piles because it is new.  It is a lightweight cotton corduroy that I bought at the Depot (Kaufman, I think).  The pattern is based on a basic raglan hoodie (in the SEWU Stretch book) that's been modified (zipper placket, length, etc.) to work with a woven fabric and to look a little more structured.  Also, to look more like I shop at PacSun in the Mall, apparently. 

The body is lined with some kind of technical waffle knit that I got at RCT (something wickaway) and the hood is lined with a red striped Japanese cotton.  

The best part?  Someone you know got a matching print, so be prepared for twinsie photos sometime soon-- maybe something coy yet sporting.

Sentimental

I have not been terribly attached or nostalgic about either my pregnancy with Sam or our process to bring August home.  Granted, there is not much to be gah-gah over when it comes to puking up california rolls (dang avocado) or lost paperwork.  I measured milestones by what we were getting done and not so much about what we were working towards-- because in some ways, the outcome was all inevitable.  One way or another, that baby was coming out.  One way or another, that baby was coming home.  

I feel that changing slightly with this news.  In part, because it's been so unexpected and partly because small mountains are being moved every day and I know it is all working.  I am trying to document these little miracles for him-- so that he knows that even though he was unexpected, we and everyone involved (down to the FedEX guy) appeared to be ready for him.  

I'm leaving on Sunday ready or not, and when I go we will have accomplished a whole lot-- little and big. On the little side-- and this is going to sound stupid to some of you, but it's what we people do apparently-- I'm working to finish up things like my quilt blocks, Backtack, and Christmas gifts.  They are going in the mail this week because otherwise I will think about them and it will drive me crazy.  Also, I finished a Liberty Lawn Tunic which I will blog about in great detail (you lucky, lucky people) because it is awesome and I can't believe I actually cut into that fabric. 

On the big side... well, there is so much.  We feel very full.  And you are part of that.  We feel propped up by your support and propelled by so much love.  Thank you, thank you.  You are good people.  I have not had time to cry, but I will.  Very soon. 


(***Portland Peeps:  Okay, I've been working craigslist pretty hard, but I'm just about out of patience. Does anybody have a tiny baby sling/carrier/wrap that I could borrow for a little while?  I'm traveling alone and I don't think my sling or my ergo will accommodate Mr. 7 lbs.  We are also looking for a good/easy to manuever and collapse double stroller to borrow briefly or to buy.  That baby up there is going to need some restraining if we plan on leaving the house ever again.   mdfrantz (at) hotmail dot com. )

Summer's Last Stand.

It's very warm outside and I feel wholly guilty for spending so much time thinking about apples and pears and corn.  We killed half of that list this weekend by heading out to Hood River and returning home with nearly 100 pounds of apples that needed dealing with (I only kept about 40lbs... the rest were cut, frozen and sent to good homes).  We were a little early (just so you know, Portland, you'll have plenty of time to get going with the Fruit Loop.  We were told that the cool nights are keeping the season nice and slow right now.) but that just made the choices easier-- Gravenstein and Tokyo Rose for freezing and new Galas for eating.  The Bartlett's were beautiful, too.  Sam has been limited to eating two pears a day until they are gone. 

To freeze: I just peeled, cored, and sliced the fruit and put in freezer bags with a little lemon juice.  For the applesauce, I cooked a stock pot of apples down on low with a little water (just to get them started so they don't burn on the bottom) and a little bit of sweetener.  I went a little overboard on the sauce thinking the kids could eat it all winter.  Of course, as soon as I was finished and Sam tried it, he declared it "not good".  More for me, I guess. 

**

Ink and Peat was beautiful.  Jen, your work looked great. 

**

The weather is great for building my confidence on the Bakfiets.  The love affair continues.  Carrie put up a really nice bit on Apartment Therapy's Ohdeedoh and Re-Nest yesterday.  While I hadn't anticipated Paul's responsibility as a parent being called into question, I'm not too surprised that there have been comments made regarding helmet safety, etc.  Helmets for babies are very tricky things and that's why we've chosen to strap August into one of the safest carseats on the market.  Putting a helmet on him forces his neck/head forward and into his chin which is not only uncomfortable but dangerous.  Many families in town have made a similar decision.  As for the grown-ups in the family, we generally wear helmets any time we bike outside the neighborhood.  Don't even get me started on the crazy stuff we both used to do as kids.  I'll just say that the safety of our children is paramount and we wouldn't knowingly do anything to thrust them into harm's way.