tiny flower quilts

It seems like I've been cutting out circles of fabric all summer. Everywhere I go I bring a bag of scraps and some scissors, and here is why...

To make these little wall hanging quilts. 

It's been years and years since I've made this kind of quilt. It's been fun putting colors and patterns together, but more fun sitting on the beach and doin' it.

open house

This spec home just built on Capistrano Beach, just down Beach Road from where we stay, was just finished a few months ago. We decided to take advantage of the open house going on this past weekend and do a little walk through.

The kitchen- the whole house is very modern, black (dark brown) and white, clean lines and open spaces, I like it.

Lovin' the sink in the extra bathroom but it might need Windexing daily.

The icing on the cake was the master bedroom with a cherry and whip cream on top being the master bathroom. Oh man, dream bathroom. Two sections of wall, which is made of glass, fold back in an accordion way to open the whole room to the ocean, including this section between the tub and shower (closed in the picture). 

If you aren't big on privacy then perhaps this isn't the bathroom for you, anyone walking down the beach need only glance up as they pass. 

I think I could do without the privacy (having kids make you change your mind about the minor technicalities of life such as nudity...) and I will likely dream about this shower/tub (indoor-outdoor option) for the rest of my life, as will my children. I need to use this as a teaching tool, "if you focus, study and do well in school and then go onto an excellent college, you may someday be able to afford a beach house with a bathroom like this one..."

cast art

The first question one might ask is what color was the cast? The answer is green. As we left the doctors office with the brand new cast (about 2 weeks ago)F told me he wasn't going to let anyone write anything on it, ever. Oh well, so much for that plan. 

Paint pens come in very handy at times like these, even better than Sharpies on fiberglass.

There should be a cast decorating contest, and the winner gets, um, let's see... all their medical bills paid!

This piece of art stays on for another week, then the doctors will take it off, take out the pins that are holding the ulna bone in place (sticking out of the skin but buried under the cast), put a short cast on and he'll be able to bend his arm once again.

The original x-ray... ouch!

making purses

For the first time in what seems like forever, I am getting a batch of purses ready to be sewn together.  It's one of those things I procrastinate because it feels like such an overwhelming project-- but once I get rolling, I can't stop. Another idea strikes me and I have to design just one more...

Occasionally, I have a panic attack thinking that I am running out of fabric, which is completely ridiculous and would likely never happen even if I didn't purchase another yard for the next 5 years. But, I am running out of the bicycle fabric going into this purse. I think it's from the Heather Ross Lighting Bugs and other Mysteries line of fabric from a few years ago. I only have a few little strips left. I kind of want to hoard what I've got left, maybe I'll hang onto a bike or two. I'm almost out of VW Vans and goldfish fabric from the same line- for those of you who remember. So stinkin' cute.

So, whoever gets this purse should feel super lucky...

It's all about the circles (and bikes and flowers), this batch of purses is full of them.

everybody else is doing it

Here is the best of my research, my faves in the folk art flower department as I prepare to paint my shutters. I figure, there aren't many places you can get away with painting fancy swiss scenes on the side of your house, garage doors or shutters. But living in Midway UT has afforded me this special opportunity. And so, I will join the ranks of folk art painting on the outside of my house, just as soon as I can design something I find appropriate.
Links to the artists in case you want to see more of their art.

From the top left:

1. Inaluxe, etsy shop here.

2. Swiss biscuit tin, google "swiss folk flowers" image search.

3. Embroidery, pattern here.

4. Traditional Polish folk design.

5. Red Lantern folk art, Mukashi Collection, find it here.

6. Wycinanki, Polish paper art.

7. American folk art quilt.

8. Kalocsa embroidery design, pattern here.

9. Kalocsa embroidery design, pattern here.

10. Swedish folk art embroidery, pattern here.

11. American folk art quilt.

12. Green Garden Stamps, etsy shop here.

13. Karla Gerard, website here.

14. Swedish folk flowers, embroidery.
15. Hungarian folk art embroidery.
16. Wycinanki, Polish paper art.

tiny house week: friday

The grand finale of tiny house week- what our family calls "the troll house". For years we've driven the scenic route through Midway and not Heber on our way to Park City so we could pass by this house- ooh and ahh and speculate on it's history and charm. I still don't know much about it. No trolls or hobbits currently reside within, but they've hired a caretaker who keeps the place looking ship shape. One day my friends, perhaps when Bilbo returns from his journey, I can take over some hot rolls (or whatever hobbits love, I can't remember...) and get a peek inside.

tiny house week: thursday

OK, maybe not the tiniest house, but way up there in 'quaint' points. Straight out of a fairy tale,  I think I just saw Hansel and Gretel walk by...

I used to turn my nose up at all of the Swiss scenes and folk art flowers freely painted on shutters and houses everywhere in this town, like the one above. 

Well, I've changed my mind (not cheesy but charming!) and turned over a new leaf. My new attitude is, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Yes, I'm doing it, putting folk-artsy-flower-painted shutters on my very own house. I've got the paint and the shutters all ready to go. The minute it stops raining (and snowing) I'm gonna get started. Pray for sunshine and warmth so that I too can have my own fairy tale looking cottage with bikes, skate boards and scooters parked all over the front lawn.

tiny house week: wednesday

No, this isn't a house on the Mississippi river, this little pond was meant to be. I wonder if they have a pedal boat parked in a shed somewhere. This house isn't the smallest but makes the awesome list because of the quaintness of outbuildings, pond, bridge, house- even the woodpile looks perfect. They're even sporting American pride- 3x2 with the reflection, no accident I think.

I hear angels singing when I see outdoor spaces like this one.  And someday when my house grows up... my yard will look like this. My yard's guru and mentor- straight up.

tiny house week: tuesday

I think the 2 little pigs collaborated on this one, the smarter two hogs of the trio. Look, the last little pig even built his side of the house with wheelchair access.

tiny house week: monday

Tiny spaces are so intriguing to me.
 I think I can pinpoint when it all started.
When I was in elementary school there was a fabulous, intricate, brightly painted two story playhouse on a trailer parked on the side of a major road we used to drive everyday. The dollhouse/playhouse has a sign posted near it that said- 'Enter a drawing to win this playhouse.'  I begged my mom to stop and enter the drawing. Once entered, I was certain I would win. How could I not when I wanted it more than anything or anyone else?  I dreamt night and day about what the playhouse looked like inside, how I would carpet, paint and decorate it. I was obsessed, like only a naive 10 year old can be. But as entries in all drawings and giveaways go (in my world), I didn't win. I was devastated- perhaps still am.
Something in me still longs for that pint-sized playhouse of my childhood. Now as an adult, when I see a tiny house/shed/outbuilding, I have this overwhelming sense of longing and, let's be honest here, covetousness. (Also, that thing- like when you see a cute baby or a fluffy cat- I clench my teeth, raise my voice an octave or two, say 'cute' a lot, and want to squeeze the guts out of the cute thing.)
As the weather warms up,  I've been running and biking around my tiny, quaint new-to-me hometown. It's a pleasure to get out of the car and see details, all the wee buildings- like the garden shed above. I mean are you kidding me?? It's like 10 sq.ft. tops and couldn't be more perfect.

So I'm dedicating the week to tiny buildings. If you've got a favorite in your town, link it up here and share the love.

something for the boys

This bit of clever inspiration came to Steve O as we were puzzling over designing something handmade for boys. It's been feeling nearly impossible to come up with something that boys would appreciate and wear that isn't too cute, girlie or a skull and crossbones- an image I am so done with.
He came up with this luchador mask from lucha libre,  Mexican wrestling (the book shown is Espectacular  de Lucha Libre, fotographias de Lourdes Grobet) and went as far as to draw it all up, cut it all out and everything. Manly enough for sure, I think I'll add it to the very short list of good design out there for the fellas.

I just couldn't pass up these boys, I found these two never used, but previously owned linen tea towels at the local thrift store this week. At first, I had no idea what I was going to do with them, using them as towels was out of the question, within a week they'd be ruined. Make them into oven mitts?... frame them and hang them on the kitchen wall?... no, they aren't that funny... And then it hit me today- I'm thinkin' a little something/something for an apron or two, perhaps on a pocket. Just you wait, I'll see what I can come up with.

the rain in spain

Spring break was delightful, probably too much sewing and too little enjoying the great outdoors- what can I say- apparently I want to burn out. Now, back to real life. About a month and a half left of school for the smalls. The world is greening up, and when it stops raining, I'm going to ride my bike.

 I might even wait until the rain stops (or longer) to shave my legs.

Images from a reusable shopping bag from Mountain Equipment Co-op, brought back to me from a trip my boy took to Canada a while back. I'm afraid to use it cause I love it too much. I should just use it everyday as a purse, instead it's on a shelf in my sewing room- like it's a precious vase.

ladies weekend

Phew,  just back from a whirlwind trip to So Cal with the ladies. We did a little relaxing at the beach house and a little running around the Southland... a much needed get away from the monotony of winter and everyday life.

Sunday, we made our way to Pasadena- to the Rose Bowl Flea Market. I have never been to this gigantic, exhausting spread of bric-a-brac... I think I'm in love. If only there were more hours in the day, days in a lifetime...

Treasures aplenty- we were all wishing we'd driven a moving truck instead of flown to CA. Now I know where to go (with that moving van) when I'm ready to do some redecorating. 

 The variety of goods and people on display, my oh my... sunny skies above and a day of hapless wandering- smiles all around.

a nappy bag

Just finished this specially ordered diaper bag for a local gal. I haven't made any bags since the move.  I had to fumble around the new sewing room looking for all the elements of bag making for quite awhile before I got everything organized, lots of muttering "now, where did I put those... magnetic snaps, zippers, straps and hardware, plastic canvas..." going on.

I've been recently deciding to mix up the fabrics and colors on the outside of the bag, no more "party in the back, business in the front"---> now it's party everywhere/all the time.

This canvasy striped fabric on the inside is super duro, for outdoor furniture I think. You could probably wipe it all down with a wet cloth daily if necessary. Like if your precious little one spit-up in there, baby food spill, diet coke mishap, dirty nappy temporary storage...  

while my Valentine was out

My Valentine spent the weekend in NY and passed this subway street art or graffiti- thanks for the giggle Dear.

For some more mustache oogling, gather your friends around and check out more very entertaining and inspiring (for all you beard growers out there) images from the The World Beard and Mustache Championships here.

Midway Ice Castles

We finally bundled ourselves up and made our way over to the ice castles last night. Right next to the ice skating rink (unfortunately closed for the season due to broken pipes) in downtown Midway. Pretty darn amazing, and ever evolving.

Made from nothing but frozen water, ice infrastructure too, ice artist Brent Christensen works tirelessly, at all hours of the day, and in all temperatures building these castles. Believe me, I've driven carpool, first thing in the morning, and there he is. Returning home late, late at night... still working. Super tiger, I say, dedicated to his work.

Depending on the air temperatures, the ice castles take on different aspects. Last night the ice was crisp and shiny thanks to the below zero temperatures this past week. Pictures on their blog from previous warmer weeks show drippy smooth surfaces.
I need to go back about dinner time, get a view with blue sky and then a sunset. AND if it ever snows again this winter in Utah... I'd like to be ice castle observing that day too.

my pick

I think I'm in love with this Enamelware from Viva Terra. The pitcher comes in blue too, more cup colors as well.
I'm such a sucker for the bright colors, especially in the thick of winter.
The temperature was -18 degrees when the kids left for school this morning- too late, and missed their buses (even with rides to the bus stop) both had to be driven the whole way to their respective schools, separately. But how can you not be the sympathetic sucker... who wants to stand at the bus stop and turn into a popsicle? Let's just not make a habit of it, eh?

I really do love winter, I'm super jealous of Chicago and everywhere else buried in winter storm conditions right now. It's really not fair, it hasn't snowed significantly in Utah since December? really?? Pathetic.

ksl classifieds

I've been spending some serious time on KSL classified's website, searching for some budget opportunities on this basement project. It's a love/hate relationship with me and the classifieds. There are so many great deals out there if you are willing to search and then drive to pick them up. I just picked up a great double, deep sink for the craft/sewing room, with all the hardware included for $30. I was super stoked about some cabinets for the same room, but when I went to pick them up I found they had been in an doctors office and weren't even close to standard cupboard height. Darn it!  Here are a few ads that I've come across that made me laugh, scratch my head or want to remodel my whole house.

"I bought this and my wife does not like it."

Really?? Why, I can't believe she wasn't jumping with joy when you brought this sink home dude. 

"This is for a red Kohler birthday bath tub--it is BEAUTIFUL!!! It is in need of some polish and a good clean, but would look so classy in a bathroom. It does have some scratches, most of which would be covered by the feet when they are attached, and is missing one small piece on the handle that I'm sure could be replaced...It includes all the plumbing needed for installation. It retails for around $7000! I'm only getting rid of it because my husband is sick of moving it around waiting for us to build a house for it. Call, text or email if interested."

Classy?? You mean like, "I drive a Corvette" classy, or mirrors on the bedroom ceiling classy?  I think these two sellers need to team up and design a bathroom together.

"I have five 10' x 14' Aluminum Full Glass doors. Each door comes with an electric key operated door opener. Doors are in excellent condition. Asking $1,000 per door, or best offer!"

OK, now I'm being serious... quickly help me think- where can I put these doors? I love them so much, can't I think of somewhere to put them? a pool house, studio, modern dream home, garage for parking a classy Corvette...

"REMODELING! GOOD TUB COULD BE USED FOR ANYTHING. $20"

Once again, love... 'can be used for anything' huh? Do you think my neighbors would care if I half-buried it into a flower bed or better yet, how about just an outdoor bathing spot.

iplunger

I've been searching around the internet, and driving around town, looking for an affordable area rug that I really like (not an easy job) and some curtain inspiration before our new neighbors get weirded out by us and our naked windows. Along with some really groovy home furnishings under the heading "apartments" (perhaps I should grow up and look for something more mature to decorate the house with...) I came across the iplunger at Urban Outfitters.
Here's the stocking stuffer of the year my friends- for 6 bucks, why wouldn't you?

time to apply

If you're (anywhere) near the area (Provo UT) and you make some funky craft or art... you might want to apply for the Winter 2010 Beehive Bazaar coming up December 1-4th. Applications are being accepted until September 29th. Get all the info at thebeehivebazaar.com