toast'n'eggs

2010-12-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a longggggggg time. Lots has happened since I last posted over a year ago. Things like separation. Takes the wind out of the knitting sails, that's for sure! I might return to this blog or I might start a new one about Real Life! Stay well and keep making things. Maybe I'll be back.

Spring Got Eaten Up!

2009-07-13T08:53:00.000-07:00

Here it is, July, and I have not written since May! I'm still here, just very busy with my work projects and children. I am still making things, though, and will catch up on posting soon! Latest is a Burda dress in quilting cotton (rather bulbous as there's zero drape), a Japanese pattern for a blouse made with orange/white gingham, and some knitting. Lots of knitting.

Post soon, don't give up on me!

xx ella

cloudpuff baby sweater

2009-05-14T19:56:00.003-07:00

More details on Ravelry.

I knit this recently for a friend's new baby girl. Not perfect, but I'm happy with it.

lunenburg trip

2009-04-28T18:01:00.000-07:00

A month gone by and here are the remains of the day...

I sold my old house in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.

Here are a few images from the trip there to clear it all out.

It was lovely, but it's time to move on!

Now for some pics.

This is not a quilt. I found it when I was house-clearing. Can you guess what it is?

That is correct. Seven year old German gourmet chocolates from a quick trip to Berlin when I was newly pregnant and very spaced out! Guess I forgot to give them away -- or eat them! The tin is pretty though -- orange. I think I kept it. I'll know when I open my boxes...

I've had this place for fifteen years, and it was special. But it's time to move on. Here it is mid-clear-out.

This primitive rocking chair went to a friend.

I love this old typewriter...but as it doesn't work, it was donated to the world at large. That's right -- left on a curb.

A favourite old lamp -lit up, it looks gorgeous. Not lit up, you can really see the plastic strips. I sold it for a few bucks to a junk store.

The best fishcakes in the world as far as I know. Magnolia's in Lunenburg. Served with rhubarb chutney....mmmmm. Addictive.

Or of course you may order fishcake and an egg.

oxox
ella

sneakers in fantasyland

2009-03-20T13:08:00.000-07:00

...well, imagine we had a lot of disposable income...for things like these...would they take me back to grade seven?...where would they take you?...

Anna Maria Horner - Good Folks

2009-03-19T09:44:00.001-07:00

Anna Maria Horner - Good Folks
Originally uploaded by the workroom

Look at spring, in fabric!

A Couple Raglan Sweaters in Progress...and some sweet links

2009-03-16T13:58:00.000-07:00

This is a v-neck cardigan for my son, 6. Cotton/wool blend. Ravelled here. From the top-down sweater formula (see below). I love these colours. You?

Here is a baby sweater in progress, for a friend. It's super soft. Organic cotton.

Adapted from a brilliant Raglan Pattern Formula here. WAY easier than you might think, once you go through it and sort out what the heck the centre front stitches are doing. I'm a beginning knitter! This little baby sweater (for an impending girl) will only take one ball of some yummy "Blue Sky" cotton yarn. Ten bucks! Can't go wrong, baby.

Now.

I see that Lynne at Sugar City is now hooked on the knitting. I LOVE that. She and her sister-in-law are brilliant clothing/decor designers, so...the future bodes well for more cool knit patterns. I am like a crazed knitting-book consumer now. Dozens wait for me at the library. It's nice because unlike sewing (which I still and will always love) it is mobile. Silent. Stealthy.

:)

Okay, here's a little gift.

Links to free patterns for very COOL designs. Trust me, I've been scanning ravelry and the net for freebie patterns and there are some gorgeous, free, inspired knit projects. There are lots of places where you can find links to free patterns. These are simply curated by Ms Kelly at toast n eggs. That is, me. Totally biased.

Enjoy, for today:

crocheted flowers
5-hour baby sweater (knit)

xoxo
ella

Zoom-Zoom Library Bag

2009-03-10T11:49:00.000-07:00

I recently made this doubled/interfaced library bag for a little boy turning 5. Love that Echino scooter fabric. I bought a few fat quarters in different colourways. Excuse the wacky variances in late winter light...

Do you have a nice bag for the library?

xo
ella

paperwhites and a new table

2009-03-05T18:18:00.000-08:00

How decadent.
We have a new table!

Once in a long while I enter the dining area in my house and the light is so lovely, it seems to erase dirt, scratches, cheap office chairs' hideousness...and it looks quite nice. It's my favourite spot in the house. We have a lovely fellow named Thomas King (via Smash) to thank; he designed and made our table over the Christmas holidays - we didn't have a table for Christmas dinner. We were using my Ikea MDF table covered in a table-cloth.

You can see some of the grey left on the boards. I love that.

The new table is made of old barnboard coated in a thick laquer and screwed to a base of steel. We're happy with it. Plus, with the addition of these crazy thick layers of self-levelling laquer, it wipes clean perfectly, too. We went to "Smash" in Toronto to ask for advice on having a rustic table built for less than a fortune. They were so helpful and great there. I recommend it, and Thomas.

Just thought I'd share. I love seeing pictures of other bloggers' homes. I will probably never show you the rooms full of debris and chaos....but they certainly exist. Don't let this perfectly-lit sweet spot fool you. I recall I kicked the toys and laundry away into a corner. And the curtains need hemming. Bonus if you spot the pins. And you can see a sliver of red laundry bag there on the left....

xo
ella

Hello, Dolly

2009-03-05T12:53:00.000-08:00

Having a rest.

Here is a doll I made (with help) recently, based on Emily's adorable Black Apple dolls
that many of you may have seen.

I love her.

This gal has orangey-blonde "hair" (velvet), a pale pink body, embroidered face (Emily paints hers), a recycled cashmere sweater dress, and boots made of bits of an old scarf that was accidentally felted. One night my guy actually helped me finish her and stuff her little legs. He carefully used a knitting needle to poke stuffing into limb ends.

It was a lovely night -- my man and me, crafting up a storm. A new trend? Nah. It didn't take. Manhood intact. ;}

But he had to admit later, he was pretty damn good at stuffing dolls. If he cared to do such a thing again.

Have a great day.

xo, ella

Leonard Cohen

2009-03-03T13:24:00.001-08:00

I was driving my son to school and after the drop-off my 3 year-old, along for the ride, listened to Leonard Cohen in a recorded live performance, on the radio. Singing "Hallelujah".

She wanted to know about it. I described him as an old man, a famous Canadian. She listened to the song intently and it was pretty emotional, hearing his ragged old voice. Then this morning the original recording of him as a young man was on the radio and I pointed it out. "That's the old man when he was young. The same song." And she took note of this. Really listened.

I'm not sure why that makes her brilliant, to me, but it does.

Sporty French Space Dress

2009-02-24T13:15:00.001-08:00

What do you get when you combine this j. crew dress (my original inspiration), with

...a heavily modified peasant blouse pattern from the lovely Anna Maria Horner's Seams to Me

...and thoughts also a little about Sugar City's dress (which I have the pattern for but didn't actually crack open for this)...

...with some inexpensive but quite nice finely striped cotton fleece purchase for 2. a yard!...

....and some mistakes (sleeves massive, had to sew a seam right up the sides..
...and an improvised neckline with a tie (after realizing that doubling fleece to make the jcrew style ruffle would be crazy-thick...)

You get this! (The dress, of course. Not my precious model.)

Wa la!

I am pretty happy with it and I have to say, I think my daughter looks adorable in it. I think of it as a French Space Dress.

It's super-soft and comfy and I did a stretch stitch in turquoise. A ribbon gathers the neckline. It pulls over.

Ahhh. Good to be back in the sewing saddle again.

What do you think?

xoxox
ella

ps I never post pics of my children here but for this I make an exception. Vivien looked so sweet, I had to do it.

THE BIG FO MASTER BLASTER LIST

2009-02-22T05:13:00.000-08:00

Good morning.

I'm not one to boast.

But I need some lists around here.

Today we are going to review past objects made in 2008, see what was what there. Then we will create our 2009 list of projects to make. For better or worse, knitting was most recently added to the crafty category.

It's better, I think, not worse. Now my sewing bug has started to return I am feeling quite perky, craft-wise.

Last year, I appear to have made the following things....let's see here....most of this stuff was blogged with an exception here and there...

turquoise quilted cushion cover
napkins for us
pillow covers for DH's aunt
about 6 cushions for us and others (lost track!)
cotton japanese top for me (which i love...from a japanese pattern book)
wee potholder
large potholder
table runner, insulated
two yellow dresses for my daughter
shorts for my son
Log cabin pillow cover
Doll quilt
Doll face doll
Xmas black apple doll
Tiger for son

(Julian, in the fall - he's 6 now)

Apron for emma – pink princess
Bag for emma
Dinosaur creature for liam
Pencil case for aiden
Creature for luke
Cape for ben
Cushion set for mil
Bag for mum
Knitted scarf for mum
Knitted hats a plenty (12?)
Lap quilt, my first
Robe – in hibernation
Grey bubble tunic
Duck egg flowered strappy girls’ top
Fuschia silk skirt for vivien
Maroon cord embroidered skirt
Rust pillowcase dress vivi
Boy’s Hawaiian shirt
Baby book
Embroidered t-shirts (harley and flower)
Noro capelet
Two hallowe’en costumes – monster and witch:

daughter Vivien, 3

and

Heidi’s purple bird clutch purse
Tons of small embroideries on linen, not used yet!
Placemat set for placemat swap
Tamara kid purse
Pink tutu vivien
Robot wallet

my bulletin board...see lovely ric rac goccos i'm saving for a special fabric basket?
and my son's description of a trip to the art galler?

French napkin apron
Apron for Anna Claire
Pink chickie pillow Vivien
wee pillow Audrey
padded headboard for guest room...

speaking of which, I should post that...here's a before of the old guest room...

(this is old guest room being converted to office for DH...I painted it all white...even the floor! Ahhhhh....must post pics!)

So now we see that even lazy crafter like myself, just puttering away at stuff, really adds up!! It feels good to have made all these things in place of purchased objects. My gifts were not always spot-on or perfect, but I felt it was important to try to make something for a gift, if possible. And to involve the children in its creation, where possible.

Next year. What's on my list for next year?

Finish son's block quilt (awful pic of in-progress)

finish daughter's strip quilt
make mysef two a-line skirts of wool-linen-bamboo fabric I found
make some casual sweat-tops with cute modifications from some finely striped fleece
(that's today's project!)
i made my son a turquoise bean-bag chair for his sixth birthday -- my daughter gets a yellow one, so i have to finish that - it's cut out

i should do something with all those wee free-hand embroideries on linen
i owe my DH an apron for his god-daughter
my son wants a red backpack - it's cut out
olive corduroy pants - i bought a ton on sale, might get 3 pairs out of it!
some fabric baskets for us and for gifts
ric-rac gocco prints might be used on the above...i am saving them...
i recently finished 2 fabric bags -- a purse for me, a car bag for a boy - i need to post pics!
I want to knit myself a mustard-coloured cardigan, and a pale blue cardigan
i would like to make some light, colourful sweaters for the children for spring
i would like to make my daughter a handsome wool spring coat, vaguely French-looking
I would like to make a quilt for our bed -- king size -- maybe large abstract rectangular pieces?
i'm making a surprise object for my Mum -- she has a gallery opening next week!!

This is a very messy post, I apologize...but I always love reading people's FO lists and what they plan to make this year.

And what about you?

have a lovely day

xoxo
ella

Hello from depths of winter

2009-02-20T06:39:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been accumulating terrific free knitting patterns. I can't quite afford the swanky wool I would like for a cardigan so I use my creative energy on finding cool sweaters for me and the kids, and easy sock patterns. It's a personal contest-- see which one is the EASIEST. And I discovered the term Second Sock Syndrome. Where you knit one sock and say, satisfied, "there, that's done" then realize with dismay you have to do it all over again. Which is....well...boring. Now I have a man sock and a kid sock finished.

They're waiting.

Shall I post all my great free pattern finds? They're curated, if you will.

I'm super busy so will post a couple pictures of things. I made two very cool bags -- one for a little boy and one for me.

Have a great day.
x
ella

lost in knitland

2009-02-04T05:58:00.000-08:00

I am supposed to be working for a living. You know, making money doing what I do best. Only...the knitting is more fun.

My get-up-and-go...left.

Am I too young to retire?

What would we use for money. Magic buttons?

I am knitting obsessively. Like there's a war on and the soldiers need socks.

I actually found a #4 double-pointed needle in the bed last night when I rolled over. Glad I found it. And not my sleeping partner.

I wish I could go to the yarn store. Pretty much a constant feeling.

Will it pass?

I gather projects. I love making lists of them. And thinking about them. And starting them. Oh, I realize there's no money in it.

Many things are given away. Freebies.

I even try to make up patterns.

I might end up living in a cardboard refrigerator box. Curled up under my crazy knitted aphgan, knitting. If you see me, bring me a long espresso, okay?

hats, hats, hats

2009-01-28T11:16:00.001-08:00

I've been on a hat-knitting bender. Here's one patiently modelled by my son. Look at that shaggy hair. I can't bear to cut it. It actually looks sweet without a hat on.

Anyway.

I love how the hat yarn stripes on its own.

I knit this hat after I learned how to rib. Aren't the colours great? For a sweet red-headed eight year old boy in Cape Breton.

Further evidence I've gone knit-nuts. Here's some yarn.

This brown stuff (sorry about photo, what's up with my iphoto? argh) is yarn for a cozy tam for my DH's aunt in New Brunswick.

(Will someone help me mail my finished projects? I'm so bad at getting down to mailing...I have several completed hats sitting on the piano near the door.)

Here's an almost-completed tam. My own design. If you want to call winging it a "design".

My son's new scarf made of scrap yarn. A few mistakes in the ribs...try to ignore that part.

xo
ella

quilty gift cushions and making new knitty friends

2009-01-27T06:34:00.001-08:00

This past fall I took a quilting workshop at the workroom. "presto nine patch" with Johannam which was so much fun. At the time I asked my dear MIL to come give an opinion on my colour selection, which she did. It was so much fun I asked her if I could make her some quilted cushions, and she proceeded to choose nine fat quarters she loved.
These are the cushions, finally, given for Christmas. I'm happy with them. They're not my colour combo cup of tea -- they're a funny kind of custom gift. I would like to have placed the horses a little more artfully but the thrifty sewer in me uses as little as possible of the fabric -- so that gets in the way sometimes, when I'm choosing tidbits for quilting. This is one such time. However, I love the way they washed up and shrunk. I stitched in the ditch, nothing fancy, and backed them with leftover fat quarter fabric.

Today it's sunny, cold, and I'm working at home. Next to me is my knitting, I pick it up and knit a few stitches as I think. It's amazing how much I can knit and still work! At the moment I'm working on a crazy improvised project which I will call a "Buttercup Vest". It's for my daughter (3) and yellow is her favourite colour, as I have mentioned before if you visit me here. My mum gave me some Tanis yarn in yellow for my birthday (39 again! woo hoo) so I'm knitting that up into a sort of vest with a crazy ruffle at the bottom. I'm up to the underarms...wish me luck. I've only ever made hats and scarves before....I just signed up for Ravelry (a brilliant knitting site) and you can find me -- and hours of procrastination -- there. Not many pics yet -- too busy these days.

Last night I took my first knitting class at "lettuce knits" here in Toronto. Kensington Market, to be exact. The teacher, Kate, was fantastic, really sharp. It was two hours of learning the secret of knitting cables. I highly recommend this class. Tons of peaceful fun. I connected with a couple of fellow students and wonder if I should stalk them to the February Lady Sweater class they're signed up for. Am I crazy? Do you have the same difficulty finding craft soul mates as I do? I feel a bit alone here...thus the blog. I was never good at "dating". I just, well, fell into things. Which all worked out. But friends -- it's funny. There was a Seinfeld episode about finding friends, double-dating with couples, I think. Like -- who are our "couple friends". Weird. I mean, we meet friends at school, mothers of children. Share years of growth. We haven't chosen those friends but we have so much in common a kinship is easy. Do people in middle ages make new friends?

My mother is a brilliant example to me, actually. She is constantly making and keeping new friends. She doesn't judge. She's in her sixties, and just graduated from art school with her degree. She hung out with twenty-year-olds and made friends there. Isn't that amazing? Student friends of hers still write to her from around the world.

I learned long ago I didn't inherit that trait. I'm too shy and/or curmudgeonly. It takes a while for me to warm up.

All that said...(whew, confession time of what, sheesh) I wonder if I should ask these knitting ladies out for coffee. Of course I am not forgetting my talented blog friends at 13 mimosa and ricrac, for example

I might sign up for sweater class yet. Here's the link to lettuce.

soft baby book, a trivet pad, & michelle's outfit

2009-01-23T08:58:00.000-08:00

Good morning. This is the back of a soft book made of retro quilting fabric, as per their instructions. I made it for my baby nephew for Christmas. Though I understand he's running all over the place and may not have time to stop and read yet.

And this for his mum. A hot pad, quilted with Insulbrite so she can put a scalding pot on the table. Who does that? Here's yer mashed grits, y'all -- grab a spoon!

Okay, I so do not know what it's like in the south but I think I just insulted half of America. (Sorry, folks, I am obsessed with Louisiana due to my True Blood kick. I'm on ep 9. And finished knitting the following: hat, hat, hat, scarf, scarf, half a hat. Someday when I am not so crazy busy here at home with a tough writing schedule I will post pics of the stuff.)

So. America. What about the first lady's inaugeral outfit! Yes, yes, yes. Gold, pashmina, silk, OLIVE gloves...I mean, did you love it? I loved it. Those teal shoes were brave, too! Gutsy! What did you think?

xo
ella

my other bike is a harley

2009-01-20T07:51:00.001-08:00

Another quick catch-up on Christmas gift post while I listen to CBC R3-30 and work here at home....

Here's a t-shirt I embroidered for a sweet, funny guy I know, who has a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Old school handlebars and stuff. It's scary -- thinking of him on a bike -- but then he's a danger-loving guy. I'll say no more. Top secret. He's a softie on the inside...so I made him this.

And I made this for a beloved cool chick family member...like I said, I was crazy about olive green this Christmas. It's applique, embroidery, this and that...

Have a great day.

p.s. Thanks, 13mimosa, for the shout-out. Enjoy True Blood...it's not scary...it's full of....

uh.....S....E.....X......

Ahem.

Happy January / Twisted Sister

2009-01-17T09:21:00.000-08:00

Hi, y'all. I've been saying "y'all" since I have gotten suckered into watching True Blood on HBO. Addictive stuff. I knit and watch TV. It can lead to problems.

That, and using circular needles for the first time to knit a "Noro Capelet". Because...uh...the yarns was COMPLETELY TWISTED and I knitted it for ages...me: "la li la"....{no idea}..."oooh, it's getting longer....loo li loo....oh, I should straighten it out to see how long it is...hmmm..how do I twist this flat? uh...no, that doesn't work.......hang on....no, it couldn't be....uh.....what the...I KNITTED IN A TWIST???!!"

Ahem.

Yup. Here's the evidence. (Excuse totally erratic settings and light...light's been lousy. Winter. Pheh.)

And for a day or so I thought maybe I could learn to like it as some kind of neckwarmer. Tres chic?
No.

Tres clown.

So.

I UNDID all the knitting. And started again, (obsessively) making sure my yarn wasn't twisted.

Lesson learned.

I'll show you the "good" one sometime soon.

Anyway.

*** knitting versus sewing ***

I am TOTALLY obsessed with knitting right now. Are you? I am! Possessed! I discovered Ravelry, also. Uh oh. I mean, a big uh-oh, there goes all my time. It's so ZEN. Yet fun. The colours. The soft yarns...and chunky knitwear is so hot right now.

Anyhoo, back to sewing for a moment.

Here is a Christmas gift I can now show you. It was a hit.

Table runner for folks-in-law.

I'm not sure why, but the colour olive was clearly my fave this Christmas.

This was inspired by the Purl Bee table runner but I didn't have the desire to do applique. Instead I made a little quilt using Insulbrite.

(Picture shows it after being unwrapped and unfolded at Xmas. Thus the wrinkles. Normally it lays perfectly flat. Gotta trust me on that one.)

Top is Kokka and linen, bottom is stuff I've had since the 80s! Can you believe that? The runner is about 36 or 40" long and about 16" wide. It was immediately used for hot servers at Christmas. Yay!

I basically made an Insulbrite quilt sandwich, sewed wavy lines along the centre strip, straight lines along the linen, made a bias strip for edges -- no wait, it wasn't bias. It was straight. But I DID get a bias-tape maker for Christmas -- thanks, Mum! So I sewed the edges on with little folds. Not mitered.

You like?

I've got an even sweeter quiltier one in the works for our house. But I've been all about the knitting. Sort of a crafty A.D.D. situation. Right now I'm knitting a tam that looks more like a sweater. It's all good, baby.

xo
ella

Christmas Fever

2008-12-12T05:44:00.000-08:00

(editorialized December 29)

Bad photo taken at night of current blocks...

Here's what's up:(stand by for pics...i'm back, baby)

Sewing a cloth book (done! cute! no photo! aghghg),
making runners (okay finished one for in-laws...heat-proof and cute),
secretly making quilt blocks for a quilt that is likely going too take too long to be in time for Christmas (yep...coming up, though)
organizing a massive truffle manufacturing plant in my kitchen with a staff of two preschoolers (that worked out SO WELL..get this -- although we spent $ on realy good chocolate, it was worth it -- we had gifts enough for six teachers and five friends and relatives!..we ended up buying cute xmas-y boxes at the dollar store to tie up with ribbon and a hand-written ingredient tag...)
shopping for books, pyjamas, slippers, and hats on line (lovely, will do that again for sure),
living without a dining room table and debating what to do for Christmas (we got it and it's tres cool -- thanks, Smash!),
waiting for fabric to arrive from Australia (yummy...and I'm about to make some small sweet treats, maybe fabric baskets or dishtowels...hmm),
bothering the mailman by popping out when he is on our front steps (our regular guy is back and i love him -- he comes at 12:30 instead of 3:30 because it makes sense to him -- and it's great for us...he said the substitute delivery person we had for two weeks is a by-the-booky guy who follows the route according to book...and left us with mail at 3:30),
putting up twinkle lights across the top of the piano (and our old reliable ikea twinkle wreath, love that thing),
sneaking out to Sephora in the evening with my mother, to gleefully shop and test perfume (I don't have any galpals here I can do that with) (alas too poor for perfume this year...so far...haha),
stressing about a brake job for the car (done...boring),
searching for the elves who might be watching,
knitting secretly (done! cashmere scarf for Mum out of this gorgeous watery-coloured Fleece Artist yarn...will post a pic),
and wondering just who should get the fuzzy fleece blanket I'm whipping up....(the back of our car...it covers three people at once...and i didn't "finish" it...just threw the fabric in there and let it do its job. The back of the car of a filthy kid-crumb-covered scandal...so...)

I'm finished with my latest writing deadline -- phew -- hallelujah -- and so now spend time with kids and in the real world. (aghgh...new deadline, january 5TH! eek) However -- blog here is suffering mightily. I'll be back, I promise.
(I'm back.)

xoxox
ella

Today's Photo

2008-11-20T07:42:00.003-08:00

Alan Islands
Originally uploaded by andrewmccarthytravel

I happened upon this great photo this morning. It's like -- if you need to read this sign, you're screwed.

a meme -- does that mean a "me me me" posting?

2008-11-19T08:40:00.000-08:00

I'm feeling a bit panicked about not posting in so long. I won't be gone for good, I promise. Just a writing deadline that is looming FAST...and a sewing room that really calls me...and I try so hard to ignore it for the greater good.. For now. December is another matter. Mum is coming to visit for a MONTH (yay) and I hope we can do a sewing storm for Christmas.

About my knitting in the round. For you knitters out there, you know what twisting the stitches means. A Shawl that suddenly has turned into a twisted snake of useless time-eating knitted product. I had never done it before, and on my own, knitting a lovely varigated wool shawl into a twisted snake. How the -- I couldn't believe it. So obvious, in hindsight. So now I'm back to simple scarf knitting for a while. I'll get back on the horse again. And post a pic of the goofiness asap.

For now, quickly, via mimosa13 via posey gets cosy (she has a new book, i see! very cool!) is a quick "meme". I think that's what this is.

Hope you're having a lovely late fall day.

Where is your mobile phone? my daughter's purse?
Where is your significant other? kitchen
Your hair colour? dark blonde...ish
Your mother? halifax
Your father? cape breton
Your favourite thing? creating
Your dream last night? anxious
Your dream goal? peace
The room you're in? Bedroom
Your hobby? sewing
Your fear? incomplete works
Where do you want to be in 6 years? barcelona...?
Where were you last night? here
What you're not? humourless
One of your wish-list items? books
Where you grew up? cape breton, ns, canada
The last thing you did? made espresso
What are you wearing? running top and ratty sweats
Your TV? a bit wee
Your pets? tony baloney (tabby)
Your computer? mac laptop
Your mood? upbeat
Missing someone? mum
Your car? old volvo
Something you're not wearing? makeup
Favourite shop? workroom
Your summer? toronto...:(
Love someone? Yes
Your favourite colour? chartreuse
When is the last time you laughed? last night
When is the last time you cried? last week

Hideous Birds

2008-11-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

I'm still SWAMPED with my day job. Back soon, I hope. I need to tell you about my knitting-in-the-round fiasco.

For now, LOOK at these parrots. I just bought two "hideous birds" for my kids. (Christmas secret...shh.) Aren't they great? Find them here!

Fall's To Do List

2008-11-10T05:35:00.000-08:00

Summer is definitely gone. Shot. Vamoosed. But the up side consists of pretty weekends - light turning gold through the trees.

It won't last long...I dread winter. Winter in Canada. I KNOW. Crazy! Why don't we all move somewhere tropical? Family. Just like it is for everyone...you remain close to family, therefore remain somewhere for generations. I dream of moving to Spain or a tropical place...working from home. Hosting family visits. And tossing the snowsuits.

Until then, I think it's important to appreciate just what we've got. It's a lot. My DH's family hosted us recently...they have a lovely lakeside home. It rained. But it was beautiful. With a crazy windy walk on a lake beach.

In terms of what I should be telling you about -- my crafting and sewing -- there are tons of things going on and I haven't taken any pictures! Every time I want to post something it's dark and the pictures would be awful. Until I take some, heres' a list:

Quilt for my son (turquoise, blue, white, nine patch...I'm making it up as I go along. Christmas gift. He doesn't read the blog so I'm safe. ;) )

Robe for a family member (shhh...Christmas gift)...it's done, I just need to finish the hem.

Knitting -- I'm knitting with circular needles for the first time -- woo hoo! Of course I've dropped stitches and now have holes. I am going to throw myself at the mercy of someone at the knit cafe to help me. I'll pay you. Really. I'm making myself a sort of shrug (selfish? yes. 'fraid so) and for someone else a beautiful cashmere scarf. I mean, I hope I can finish it. Those stitches are SMALL. Dang. Yarn from a place in Nova Scotia, where I'm from (sniff), called the fleece artist. I never knit in the summer. Sounds like you guys are like that, too, some of you sweet bloggers. I am LOVING everyone's blogs and really have to restrain myself from reading them for hours every day. I really do.

Okay, back to knitting. I've taught myself how to knit in the continental fashion! I can't dance all continental, but I can twist wool. Just the knit stitch. (I used this video tutorial and watched it over and over again about twelve times to understand.) And this new method is so much faster that I now have a sore wrist from WHIPPING ALONG. I'll take a break today. Let the old wrist heal, then back at it. Mm, must take some extra calcium. I'm no spring chick, you know.

What else -- a half-finished burda-patterned short dress/tunic. I'll abandon that til spring - it's a warm weather item. Though we do visit family in Florida every year...hm. Maybe I'll finish it after Christmas.

I'm really trying to do an all-handmade Christmas this year! But for my big strong little brother, a Dad to two boys? What the heck to make him? A scarf doesn't cut it.

A red backpack for my son, "just like Jack's" in the "Jack & Annie" books. Magic Treehouse. Are your children hooked on those? Well, they have them at J.'s Montessori school so I figured they must be okay. The writing is cliched -- but then again, kids can't usually spot a cliche. Therefore, when telling stories, I can get away from that old "boy fell down a hole and dog brings help" tale. It's all new to them, baby!

Speaking of "baby", I inadvertently taught J, 5, how to say "oooh, baby!" when faced with a meal that looks good. Weird.

Okay, back to list. I am quilting more (making a free-form quilt for my daughter V, 3, out of pinks and yellows), making cushions in a patchwork style for my in-laws for Christmas (my MIL knows...she helped me pick the fabric...so...the labour is the gift! Lame? Hope not. I have to make them pretty, for sure!) .

Making simple guest room linen curtains. Hey, by the way. White linen. Was sort of yellowed when I bought it (didn't see it at the time -- weird) so I washed it with a little bleach and now it's MORE yellowed. What's up with that? Any tips?

I want to make fabric buckets out of the gocco prints from Jodie at Ricrac. I cannot for the life of me think of a better word than "crap" to embroider on them. Testament to her brilliance.

I better get to "work"-work....though I would LOVE to sew blocks together all morning...

xo
ella

PS. The Costume Results

2008-11-06T13:23:00.000-08:00

My child actually has his eyes closed here! Eyeballs are painted on. His idea. And the ankle chains (see below) were too $^%$&^ heavy to wear around. The pic below is pre-makeup. So for those of you who read the post about my sweet son's demanding costume request, here it is.

In this pic J. didn''t have his spooky makeup on yet... and he ditched the veil. I understood. It's all candy, candy, candy, and lemme have it and gimme it now.

US Presidential Election

2008-11-05T04:45:00.001-08:00

I'm a Canadian, but WOW. What an exciting time in the history of North America. Congratulations, to friends in the US, for voting in Barack Obama.

Anyone flip around the dial watching various networks' coverage? It was hilarious on the BBC, honestly. Terrific. And Fox was very flashy so when we started to get drowsy we'd switch to the loud bells and whistles. CNN a little dull. Canadian coverage was from a distance, which I guess makes sense. Interviewing crowds, etc. Snore. But honestly, the cast of characters on BBC was brilliant. The crusty old host, a little dotty with the time change from London to Washington. Forgetting where he was. Marvelling at the high-tech map of the states. And then the lovable gap-toothed Brit historian with a big view of the marvel of it all. The insanely hostile US Amabassador to the UN (who is apparently known for throwing things at underlings.). The clever, probing questioning from the BBC reporters who wanted a random exec Republican to admit defeat. The Republican getting all angry and repeating himself. Going on the attack, petulant, saying "YOU JUST DON'T KNOW YOUR HISTORY". It was excellent. Truly.

What a night. I reluctantly fell asleep before Obama's speech, but it's right here, for instance.

By the way, wasn't it interesting to see the "Crafters for Obama" buttons on blogs?

the trim A-liner

2008-10-26T18:02:00.000-07:00

I found this as a yard sale this summer for 25c . Might be just the pattern for an cozy autumn dress for V. Some other kids' patterns I bought had a particular note on the front that really irked me and must have driven moms crazy in the 60s: "Not suitable for chubby girls."

What?

WHAT?

Imagine those poor 1965-era "chubby" girls who were perfectly healthy and happy, aving a nice day with their mothers, until they fell in love with a dress pattern, only to realize....HORROR...they are 'CHUBBY' and the swish new dress is 'UNSUITABLE'. Really. Ousted from the fashionable world by a stamp likely placed on the design by a nasty little man who eats lettuce for breakfast.

Well, my little V. is a skinny thing...but even if she weren't stick-like I'd make those "unsuitable" patterns work with some expansion techniques and love. And a piece of black tape covering the offending statement. So there.

xo
ella

hey there, dollface

2008-10-26T17:38:00.001-07:00

There's something so satisfying about making a doll and doll clothes for my daughter. Even though V. strips the clothes off pretty much right away. (She's 3). My mother made tons of fashionable clothes for my Barbie dolls...my childhood neighbour even crocheted her daughter's doll clothes. It was pretty crazy.

This new one I made for my girl is mostly based on the "inside a black apple" doll. (video tutorial and pattern is here!) I mixed up the head with another pattern, somehow! I didn't have felt for the hair so I tried stitching the outline. I gave it my daughter's colouring. And the dress was a quickie, using scraps. But I did zig zag the dress edges so it wouldn't fray TOO quickly.

My girl likes her.

Yay. It's hard to find lovely cuddly-soft dolls that are appealing after baby age, you know? They all have hard plastic faces. This one, a girl can roll over on in her sleep and not get poked in the cheek with prickly eyelashes...

Now, here's a real doll maker: I love Jodie's dolls here -- and she makes an entire wardrobe for each one. Spectacular.

We're stripping off and getting ready for a spa day, perhaps?

V. used to call everything "Anna" but now she's getting more creative. So far the poor dear is nameless. We'll see who she becomes. For now she's just "dolly".

xo
ella

..a few new sewn odds and bobs...

2008-10-24T04:42:00.001-07:00

Hi! I've really got no time to write anything today! I'm working on a deadline at home and getting ready for a weekend away at relatives who live a couple hours away...So here are a few pics -- odds and ends I have had lots of fun making recently...

A wonky patchwork potholder for my gourmet chef-ish husband.

Turned out a bit bulbous...it's got an old towel as the liner. I read about that somewhere...

And a doll quilt for my daughter.

This was so fast to make, it was a very satisfying exercise.

Again, I used unusual "batting". It is babysoft polyester fleece I had lying around. Makes it quite soft and yummy, actually. I know cotton is better for you. But, you know, I had the stuff on hand...

These photos look okay when I adjust them in "iphoto" but then they look like crap when I post them. I should probably start using Photoshop or something.

Anyway, have a great autumn/spring weekend (depending on where you are). Take it easy, like bunny here.

His secret is that his bum has a burn mark from when I was a new mother, placed him on a lamp, for some odd reason. I must have been totally sleep-deprived. He is scarred but cheerful. Forgive and forget, is his motto.

x ella

hallowe'en costume request

2008-10-22T06:59:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I made the collosal mistake of asking my five year old what he'd like to be for Hallowe'en. Here's what he drew.

"Witch on top with ghost film over face, pumpkin head, witch top, monster middle, red and black witch skirt, monster middle, chains on ghost legs. And monster feet."

Uh, huh.

So a few days later I asked him what he would like to be (hoping he'd forget his original answer and say "a ghost"), and he recited this all again verbatum!!!! So, no he wasn't trying to press my buttons with crazy improvised answer the first time.

Sigh.

Wish me luck on this one.

PS - I suggested specific things tothe three-year old, telling myself she would have her chance to be really crazy/creative when she's five, too. Right? I drew the pic for her and she approved. Whew.

So I made the skirt yesterday of cheap black stuff and she decided to do interpretive dancing in it. Sweet.

finished rust log cabin pillow

2008-10-21T07:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, quick post, to say hi. Here's the finished log cabin patchwork pillow I started a week or so ago. My first log cabin, done old-style with lights on one corner and darks on the other. I don't love love love it any more, but it's done. Funny how that works. I like it, though. Must have been that short-lived craving of fall colours. Fleeting.

I used autumn-coloured scraps -- linen, kona cotton, old 80's floral, lucien stuff...

...belgian gingham from a failed hat project, my husband's orange shirt...

I finally sewed up the sides and used a zip closure. I stuck an old pillow inside it, thus the stiff look. The hand-quilting is in red -- big stitches. I have yet to use my new walking foot.

I made those other cushions you see on the couch last winter when I first started sewing again. When I decided I could have a "hobby". For me. Before it all took over my life...haha.

breakfast with mister cloud

2008-10-20T05:57:00.000-07:00

Mister Cloud cries for happiness. Don't cry, Mister Cloud. I'll share my espresso with you.

Ah, fresh joe.

(Mister Cloud, you like coffee? Dark, syrupy espresso, hopefully fair trade, and not over-roasted a la *&%#bucks.) Personally, that's my choice. No sugar, no milk. You?)

And would you like some naturally-raised bacon fried up right, in my wonky pan?
No?
You're vegetarian?
Oh. How embarrasing.
Okay.
Let's see...

How about an apple?

:)

I'm about to dive into work again this week. I'm catching up with everyone's blogs and it's so fun to have them stockpiled in my reader. (Do you use a reader?)

Back to coffee for a minute. A favourite subject. (Sorry, tea-drinkers. I admire your health but...) I go to a great place here called "Cherry Bomb". It has a minimalist Ikea/70's theme and service is fast and friendly. I'm a coffee addict. Always have been...since grade ten or so.

These pics of questionable quality are of a few freehand embroideries I did on a car trip recently. That cloud one was totally inspired by the Japanese kyuuto trend, I admit.
Sorry, these are blurry. Crummy camera.

When in doubt as to what to embroider, you can never go wrong with a bird.

Hope you have a sweet Monday.

xo ella

kitchen embroideries

2008-10-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

I hope you're having a lovely weekend. It's been very busy here at our house. For now, here's a coffee pot, traced from a 1950's cookbook photo...

...and some cutlery (embroidered on a car trip). I do that now -- like an old lady. I do my "needlework" in the car...so I don't gasp as we pass other cars...& so I don't watch the speedometer.

Ahhh...just like a tranquelizer to a back-seat driver.

I hope you're having a lovely weekend.

E.I.E.I.O.

2008-10-15T19:02:00.001-07:00

We all went to a country fair over the Thanksgiving weekend.
It's a festival that's been on the go for sixty years or so. Nice barn, huh?

Here are my kids, waiting for the next horseback riding competitor.

That's me in the pink t-shirt...Yes, I'm at the top of the Fun Slide. Sigh. What can ya do?

We ate questionable French Fries...

...pretended to go really really fast on a really really slow train...petted bunnies and chicks...

...listened (and even danced to) a family fiddle group.

Then we were somewhat startled to witness a "souped-up lawn tractor" racetrack. Crazy.

Yes. It really does say "ONTARIO EXTREME LAWN TRACTOR RACING". You know? Who thought this one up?

And those are not our kids. Ours were covering their ears and whining for cotton candy.

Yes. Here comes the lawn tractor now. Not a blade of grass in sight. Only things this baby's cutting are my EARDRUMS.

And here's the crowd! Loving it. Woah.

But anyway...the rest of it, the farmy stuff and kids' rides...was nice. 'Til it got too damn hot to stand out there with no shade. So we called it a day. Or, in our family, a half-day. Feels like a day when you reach 2 pm, don't you think?

Then, back to my in-laws' home for Thanksgiving dinner. My MIL, a very talented cook, made spicy roast chicken, Jamaican "rice and peas", sweet-roasted squash, & gravy. Dessert was pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream. Oh. My.

Thanks for going on this family weekend ride. Back to sewing/craft stuff soon. But here's another tree picture.

Tomorrow I'll post on a few new sewing projects. And maybe a sewing "to do" list? Hm. Should I make failures public, is the question. Hmmm.

Have a great night.
xo ella

ps - oh yes - the workroom had a big one-year anniversary party and it was great with wine and lucky draws and cake and i hope that it runs a long long time and okay that's all for now.

nuit blanche...with kids!

2008-10-04T19:03:00.000-07:00

We just returned from the early kid-friendly part of an all-night across-the city art event here called Nuit Blanche. It was almost enough for these kids that they were out after dark, let alone seeing art! One cool thing was called "Glow-worms". Basically, a large scan of a local park was filled with hundreds of flashing bicycle lights at about knee-height, randomly placed across the grass and under trees. Kids loved it.

autumn "emergency scarves" and a patchwork pillow

2008-10-03T19:23:00.000-07:00

The tall maple just down the street is fully red now. The curbs are lined with brown leaves. I am pretty sad to see the end of summer. I do love fall but man -- that snow. It's coming. It gets tougher every year to face it!

This morning the temperature was icy -- about 5 or 6 degrees!. The kids are still wearing summer jackets. So I pulled out some soft baby fleece, cut a couple strips, zig-zagged the edges with thread colours chosen by the children, and made some "scarves". I usually knit scarves for the winter (that's about all I knit!) but I was pleased with these emergency scarves that were soft, warm, cuddly, and as my son said, NOT ITCHY. Ahem. Yes. note to self. No itchy wool.

The other day I was inspired to create a little autumn patchwork pillow. It's still in progress but I thought I'd post it.

Here's a glimpse of my sewing area.

I'm very lucky to have a room surrounded by windows - even if it is bloody cold in winter and boiling in summer. There's the old workhorse (my machine, I mean). I'm looking for a zipper foot and a walking foot for it, so I can quilt and put in zippers again. I put one in the other day with a regular foot and let's just say it was a challenge.

I recently got this machine through Craigslist after my ancient Kenmore kacked out. I have to say, I LOVE this old Husqvarna.

Anyhoo.

My crazy curtains are Ikea fabric...I needed tons to cover all the windows and at something like 3 bucks a yard I had to take it. I know they're rather alarming...but something about them reminds me of 45 records! One day I'll make linen curtains. Maybe.

Okay, so here the front of the patchwork pillow -- the beginning, anyway. I took ages to cut the pieces according to a little instruction I found on line. (That's it, printed out on the desk, above.) But once I started sewing, it was fast. Very fun.

And, uh, there's the messy, stringy back. I am really not that exacting when it comes to seam allowances but I am trying to improve. My last quilting experience was much more wonky. So I got that going for me.

Later, after kids in bed, I added strips to make it about 17" x 17". The orange around the outside is rough silk -- and I'm not sure about it. I love the fabric...but it weakened the orange bits inside...But my guy said he thought the orange would look good and I was in the mood to be easygoing...lassez faire, if you will. (I had to expand the thing otherwise I'd end up with a dinky little 12" pillow. That's no good. You gotta be able to LOUNGE on the thing, right? Yup.) The pale orange strip is a piece of his old shirt. I like that...using old clothes. The real spirit of quilting. Or maybe I'd romaticized the whole thing because I'm hormonal. Who knows.

I'll post finished pics soon, I hope. I'm doing the quilting by hand with red thread. Almost done, actually. The debates in the US and Canada last night were easy to sew to.

Have a lovely weekend.
xo
ella

a lost robot

2008-10-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of sad about this robot. I made him for a child who shall go unnamed...he was about 8" high, a big one...and zig-zagged the linen edges so it wouldn't fray...and wrapped it and handed it over to the folks and said "I want to put him on a pillow! Take a look and send him back when you can and I'll finish him up. Just drop it in the mail box." They are practically next door.

I wanted to sew him to a boy-boy pillow for the child's bed. The embroidery was all done and I was quite happy with the guy.

As usual,, birthday gifts for six-year-olds are opened after the party. It was a lovely party. But...

I think the package went AWOL. The parents avoid responding about the gift, and I suspect it was accidentally tossed in the flurry of a million plastic gifts wrapped in paper. I've said a couple times "I must finish that pillow. You know...the robot?" They nod, looking away, a nervous smile on their lips. Hmmm...

Oops. It happens...I understand. I would just like to hear "We lost it! Man!" and all would be well.

But I think next time the kid gets a book.

:/

Somewhere, this robot is beeping. Maybe on a barge full of garbage. Adios!

xo
ella

1960 big eyed print by LEE

2008-09-29T06:11:00.001-07:00

1960 big eyed print by LEE
Originally uploaded by female trouble 2

I had something very like this in my room when I was a kid....wow. No wonder I grew up thinking I had small beady eyes.

my first quilt!

2008-09-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

This is my first quilt.

I had never quilted before but the idea has become more and more appealing lately. I had made a patchwork pillow (without quilting) in the summer, and the process of choosing colours, fabric, and assembling them was really fun. I loved it. So I decided to treat myself this fall and take an amazing three-day "nine-patch" workshop at the workroom, my favourite local sewing/fabric shop.

The bonus was they just received a fleet of Berninas to sew on. I was able to try one for the first time. Sweeeeeeeeet.

Of course what you see here is my own personal wonky handstitching. Not the product of a nice quiet Bernina - that's what I sewed the patches together with. Not by hand, are you crazy?

The mission of the class was to learn the basics of quilting by machine by creating a 32" x 32" "Nine-Patch" design quilt. Sort of a baby quilt, or a "lap" quilt. It was my first foray into quilting so I stuck with that size. Other participants expanded theirs and they were all absolutely gorgeous -- without exception! (Check out the workroom's flickr page, I think a few are over there.)

I started out by choosing my nine fabrics, focusing on blue-grey and variations. I included a silver fabric I would never normally have chosen (a little shine, how very non-quilt!) then threw in some horses, and some japanese -looking stuff, then I held up a red flowered fat quarter against all that blue and it was pretty yummy. So I threw in one fabric in red.

Later, when I did the "base" fabric -- all the strips around the edges -- I decided red would cheer it up ever more so I chose yet another red. Maybe I should have stuck with the planned blue-greys for an elegant, masculine look...but I couldn't. I had to throw a little retro in there. And I love the pale blue/red combo, always have. Sort of a 1930s palette, right?

We were also expected to put thread ties on here and there at regular intervals, but (no offense) those little threads hanging always sort of bugged me. But the real truth is I love to hand sew. So I tried my hand at that, too. I feel now the variegated blue thread is a little pale -- it sort of reads as white -- but c'est la vie.

The backing I like -- sort of a Japanese-kimono-type fabric. Chosen before the reds came along...;)

There are wonky bits but I still am pretty happy with it. Mainly it inspires me SO MUCH to make more quilts. It seemed fast though I suppose it was nine hours. But that's pretty fast, wouldn't you say? Nine hours...times three times the size for a queen size...equals 27 hours...uh....hmmmm.

Where am I going to get the time? Because I'm HOOKED now!

And we have a king size bed. It's going to take me a year...

xoxo
ella

if princesses wore aprons...

2008-09-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

A month or so ago I tried to make a birthday collage on a canvas for a friend of ours -- a girl turning 5. It was awful. No gift! Ack! Then I got busy with work...and then my machine broke. So. Finally with my machine back, I finished this apron. I think this is the best use of this fabric I've been hoarding. And that woodgrain stuff is so cute. The ties are simply organic cotton binding - it's very soft. The trim came from the little girl's grandma -- she donated a stash to me -- isn't that sweet! ? I really wanted to make her something handmade and I hope she doesn't mind too much that it's late.

Now to take the kids to cheer on hubby who's running a half marathon this morning.....banana bread and hot cocoa to bribe them. The kids, that is.

xo
ella

mister two-whisker, etc.

2008-09-24T19:15:00.001-07:00

Allright. I have lots to post so next week will be much more fun around here. But here is a rabbit...Mister Two Whisker. Daughter was helping me do the whiskers and she got bored. She is only three, after all. So...he's lop-sided. Might grow more whiskers. Might not. He's moody that way.

And, a mushroom. Given to a friend on a dishtowel...she's moving to London. Sniff. Turned out she used to be obsessed with mushrooms as a kid. So -- lucky. (Sniff).

Blue ribbon. I should give it as an award to someone. Let me think...

I dunno. My husband for being a superstar Dad the last few weeks.

And in other news, I've gone completely QUILT CRAZY thanks to a workshop at a sewing centre here (the oft-mentioned workroom). AGHGHGHGHGHGH.

I made my first one, now I'm hooked. It's wee -- 36 x 36. And not perfect. But I'm hooked.

Oh, dear.

Problem.

Prob-lem-o.

Not enough hours in day.

Or fabric in my life....

xo
ella

anyone remember catalogues of childhood?

2008-09-18T09:02:00.001-07:00

This was around when I was small...I REMEMBER it! What about you? Any catalogues you pored over when you were little?

I distinctly remember some red and blue suede shoes...circling them. And then they arrived. Joy!

...i'll be back soon...

2008-09-17T13:25:00.001-07:00

Hi there. Not sure if anyone cares or notices my absence, but for those two or three of you who read this, I'll be back to blogging in a few days. Working my a%% off on "work"-work...several empty espresso cups on my desk at all times...

So I'm behind on sewing updates. I don't know where I am sneaking time but I do have a ton of works in progress to show (including a small quilt I'm making at the workroom! Cool class. I decided to take time for myself and it's pure joy.)

Of course all these works in progress are that -- all unfinished. WIPs. Except for one wonky Burda bastardization dress. Whew. I wore it...but...you know...threads hanging everywhere. That kind of "finished".

I hope you are very well and enjoying the fall so far.

Happy creating.

xo
ella

what we talk about when we talk even when we are too busy to blog

2008-09-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

I am very busy with my day job this week..so the above is only a snippet of a project I'm working on. What do you think of this fabric?

And here are some buddies to keep you company in my absence. Courtesy the children. Oh - and a sushi roll. Son is currently obsessed with sushi.

xo ella

Ramble on Last Day Before School

2008-09-01T18:18:00.000-07:00

How was your Labour Day weekend? Ready for school? Not me. I'm fried. Clothes dirty. Suitcases from the weekend litter the front hall...and the rooms...and I'm going to bed.

So there.

Look at this fabric (above). I love the crazed line drawing style here. What do you think? Found it purely by accident just now.

Reminds me of a great-looking book by Quentin Blake (readers will know I'm a fan) I just found on line and am thinking about getting for...hm....there's the problem. I guess, for me. It's actually supposed to be for ages 4 - 8. So, er, getting it for the kids. Yeah, that's right.

Sorry about the "search inside" thing. Can't get that off. Buy it at your local independent bookstore...if you ask me. ;)

Drawing for the Artistically Undiscovered.

Isn't that a great title?

xo
ella

Easy Pants Tutorial

2008-09-01T18:12:00.000-07:00

For those of you who saw my stinkbug shorts, this is the great tutorial I used to make them. It's on Handy Home Projects. The author seems to have a massive modern home underway and it looks cool. Anyway SparklePower was wondering about pyjama patterns and I thought this would be great to use (for the bottoms, at least) -- no side seams. And you could just use a tie or string to tie up the top and Bob's yer uncle. PJ bottoms.

Hm.

I have a friend who's just purchased a Harley motorcycle. He's going through a "wild boy" phase. Think I should buy some fabric with skulls and whatnot on it -- maybe some of that crazy "Day of the Dead" fabric I've seen here and there, and make him some jammy bottoms for lounging? Boo haha....or maybe a tote bag?

That's not right.

The Shoes!

2008-08-31T18:56:00.000-07:00

At the very cool Habitat shoes.

Ahhh. Do you ever have those fantasies where you win a lottery ( a big one) and plan the actions you will take? Look at these shoes. These are part of my rich girl life.

Maybe I'm being a goof. I'm taking antihistamines that are expired. Is that okay? Hm. I'm sneezing my head off...what can I do?

I'm half asleep, scrolling the web for I don't-know-what...I think I'm addicted. I think I should set time limits on my surfing.

I think I better go to sleep. And you? You should read today's post from Jodie at Ric Rac. It's funny.

x ella

grey bubble tunic & labour day weekend

2008-08-29T17:26:00.000-07:00

I loved this fabric and imagined a cushion cover (why does it always start there? hm..) and ended up making a little tunic for my daughter. It falls to the mid-thigh and usually ties with a soft organic cotton ribbon in a natural colour. I love it. It was fiddly and no pattern but I like the yellow trim and the boat neck. It was easy except I forgot out allowances on the hems of sleeves...in other words, they were a bugger to hem. But it looks cute on V. (my 3 year old) and I think I'd make another one.

This is Labour Day Weekend in Canada. Monday is off. We're at the in-laws' farm...and school starts on Tuesday. I have started doing some experimental embroidery stuff for cushions...some bubbles...or circles...or something. We'll see how that goes. Also I was recently inspired by some Brice Marsden drawings to do embroidery that mimics roughly drawn lines. It's an experimental weekend as we spend the last summer days with the urchins...have a lovely weekend.

xo
ella

Duck Egg Blue Size 2 -- Giveaway!

2008-08-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

,,

I think it's time for a giveaway.

I don't know why I'm completing a flurry of hot-weather sewing projects...must be that new nip in the air making me rush to hang on to summer, or something. But this piece, newly completed, is now too short for a girl who's three and very tall. It's size 2. The blouse is a pullover, cotton, gathered using elastic thread in the sewing machine, and with two little pockets with hand-stitched details. Just link to this entry and next Tuesday I will pick someone to receive it (using whatever random method is at my disposal)! When you receive it, just fold it up and enjoy it next summer. Unless of course you live in Hawaii, in which case, I would like to switch places, please.

xo ella

Rust Pillowcase Dress

2008-08-25T06:21:00.000-07:00

Ah, the last of summer. Colours give a hint of the fall to come.

This is a basic pillowcase dress -- i.e. no pattern; basically fabric or ribbon threaded through the top of a rectangle with angled cut-outs for under the arms. I had these older fabrics on hand and made this for my three-year-old to wear to a party. It was very easy and now that summer's almost over I regret not making more of these. But next year. It would be lovely in voile also. You can see from the close-up that I was in such a rush I didn't even finish the tie-ends. I'm keen on peacocks right now for some reason. You know, one year it's sparrows, the last year it's been owls, now peacocks are catching my eye. Though I still love sparrows and owls. This fabric was originally purchased in the winter as I was starting to sew again after many years. It was originally intended to be a "bag-bag" - you know, a holder for plastic bags. This is close. :)

xo ella

Boy's Shirt

2008-08-24T17:23:00.000-07:00

As school was wrapping up in June, my five-year-old son requested a "Hawaiian" shirt. I searched through vintage mens' shirt racks for material to make a small shirt out of a large one. I had a pattern -- Simplicity 5581.

A bit goofy (dig the multidirectional fabric) but perfectly fine -- plus it included hat patterns which by then I was looking for. But no luck finding vintage shirts (too much polyester) or shirt material (too tacky). But then I noticed this Amy Butler fabric. (I promised I am not obsessed with Amy Butler fabric...despite appearances.) The shirt neckline was a little tricky to sort out but successfully I made the collar smaller (i.e. less 1989 than the pattern). It's now the "party shirt" and J. wears it with pride. Yay!

xo
ella

Polyvore is today's Design Solitaire

2008-08-23T08:30:00.001-07:00

Oh dear. I am in trouble. And so are you. Check out Polyvore to assemble fashion and design stuff in a collage of your own making, VERY easily and quickly. Be careful. I had to stop fooling around in mid-assemblage (see above) because I could have gotten into the perfectionist stage. Instead here's a bunch of stuff that appealed to me, on a kind of red and turquoise theme. Only together, mind you. Not even sure about individual items. I was going for a sort of Morrocan thing. However - I HAD TO STOP. Have fun!

If you have ever been a waitress...

2008-08-22T17:39:00.000-07:00

...you might want to read about the "other side"; the struggles of line cooks, prep cooks, pasta cooks, and sous chefs in this terrific, funny autobiographical book written by a former New Yorker editor. Bill Buford fell in love with cooking -- and left the New Yorker -- while being a kitchen slave for the famous Mario Batali (aka Molto Mario) of Babbo in New York. It was a position he lucked into and at times performed with hilarious ineptitude. It includes among other kitchen secrets, an entertaining and disgusting tip on why you don't want to order pasta in a restaurant after 10 pm. (It has to do with the debris in the pasta-boiling pot that goes all night...shhh.) However, "Heat" is definitely not a gross-out extravananza -- it honestly celebrates the deep passion and heritage of traditional Italian cooking.

MacFab Sale 50% Off

2008-08-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

In Toronto, MacFab is having a sale of 50% of all fabric. I just picked up some linen for curtains for my guest room (white). They also have a selection of designer fabric. Check it out because it will possibly end today. They don't know. Word is whenever the boss gets back and gets into a mood, it ends.

;)

Cheers,
ella

Bent Silberg Find

2008-08-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

(photo from The Mid-Century Modernist)

In a dumping site for furniture I found two side tables. I was dropping old baby stuff off at the Value Village here and was disgusted that some people just toss stuff into the parking lot and let it get rained on. (You're supposed to bring it inside if there's no attendant. Okay, so I read the signs.) Anyway, I brought my kids' stuff inside like a good little doo-bee, and emerged and headed for my car, sniffing at the vultures rooting around in the chaos of the sad junk pile accumulating regardless of weather, when I spotted some teak. I stopped. Then got into my car. Then got out of my car.

I'm not normally a lover of teak. But my husband is, among other things, a mid-century modern fan. Me, I am only interested in free furniture that might be paintable, able to be transformed. So. I thought of my guest room redecoration -- remember? Only a few pennies' worth of work allowed?

I yanked aside a nasty MDF table, a wet carpet, and found two Danish Modern side tables with linen magazine holders. They were dirty, but not beyond all hope. This type of thing is not my speed, normally, but they might do in the new guest room configuration if I re-do the linen, which is unbelievably shabby but also easy to replace. Plus they were about to be rained on.

It's been a while since I brought home free finds. I think I might use something other than linen to replace the WRECKED linen fabric magazine hanger portion. There are SO many cool fabrics out there and changing it up would be so easy.

The picture up there is a nice version of the set I found-- mine are identical but filthy. More pics of the one above here. Genuine Bent Sigler. (I know, I didn't know him from Adam, either, as my mum would say.) But I found him on line. Danish, 50's. Cool, right?

I'll keep you posted on how they turn out. Right now they're hiding in the basement waiting for a few hours' work. I'd better take a "before" picture, right?

Thoughts?

Have a great Wednesday.

xo
ella

Portrait by Zeesy & Happy Blues

2008-08-18T17:25:00.001-07:00

Portrait by Zeesy
Originally uploaded by the workroom

This is a pencil and watercolour portrait done by Zeesy Powers, of my three-year-old daughter yesterday at the Trunk Show. Her mother feels it's priceless. Yes, me.

You can check out more portraits and see the lovely stuff that went on at the workroom yesterday by visiting the flickr pages here.

I snuck in a purchase of some fat quarters after picking up a set of Shannon Gerard donuts (see the one in the pic?) and cookies -- crocheted -- for a Christmas present (shhh) and this adorable Angelune starfish. It's made with wool and angora. I mean, really. How cute.

And I thought, well, maybe a donut theme is starting somewhere in my life but I have no idea what that means...and maybe I'm just losing it after visiting the donut factory. Inhaled too much powdered sugar.

Have a great night.
xo
ella

P.S. I have no idea what I'm doing with those fat quarters yet but I might try a log cabin quilt pillow. Some of them are SO cool.

Kids' Trunk Show & Guest Prep

2008-08-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Crocheted donuts!

Wow, the Kids' Trunk Show at the Workroom was amazing. I am so happy I had both childrens' portraits done (watercolour and pencil) by Zeezee Powers. Thrilled. I also picked up a wool starfish (I want it for myself...my wall...but I'll sacrifice it for Christmas, I guess)..and some gorgeous crocheted cookies and donuts for tea parties. I'll post pics tomorrow after I ask the makers. Everyone's "trunk" display was so cute.

I'm exhausted tonight from doing the turbo-house-clean that one does when guests are coming for a few days. Do you do that? Phew. House looks great. Thank goodness people visit us once in a while. Otherwise, we'd wallow in our own filth for far too long. Also I needed that adrenaline to mow the lawn like a crazy woman last night, (perhaps) driving the neighbours batty as I staggered around in the dusk with the push-mower as they tried to have an elegant dinner on their new deck, two yards down. Oh, well. At least it wasn't a leaf blower or chain saw, right? Sigh.

:)

xo
ella

a real donut factory

2008-08-15T03:12:00.001-07:00

I love factories.

The other day I mentioned that at our house we joke that we go to work "making donuts" when in fact we work at home. But we recently visited a real, live donut factory, thanks to some dear friends of ours.

Here's a pic of one of the many donut racks -- these are sour cream.

Our host would casually stick her hand into large machines, racks, or sugar-dusters, and pull out sugar-dusted, or chocolate, or jam-filled donuts for the children to "try". My kids, being deprived of donuts in everyday life, would not "try" and toss, but consumed each one completely, with concentration. The kids (in ecstasy) ate about four donuts each within an hour-long period. Meanwhile, I enjoyed the scent of frying sweet dough. And for a while, envied the simple work mission. Mission: make some nice donuts.

Nothing complex, like -- "Mission: Research details then work out a timeline for delivery of a written proposal and review said proposal with corrections as per boss then translate that into a power point with appropriate music....." Ugh.

Nope.

Just good sugary work. Make some donuts. Cover 'em with sugar. Dip some in chocolate, sure, if you feel that way. Or stand at the cream-puff-cream-filling machine and make sure they all look nice.

I know I'm romanticizing tough factory work, but that day it sure seemed simple and appealing. I know, I'm nuts.

Here's the donut fridge. Have a great day in whatever factory you work in. Manufacture nice stuff today.

xo ella

...and now that we're discussing a fantasy redecoration...

2008-08-13T17:18:00.000-07:00

Crafting is slow today as I concentrate on my job.

I work at home.

So of course, I procrastinate and do some virtual shopping. Is there a word for internet window shopping? Check out this Angela Adams rug. No, I'd never heard of her, either. Lovely, hm? Might be right on for the playroom/guest room re-do. Which leads me back to paying for it. Oh yes, the job!

Well, here I go. Back to the "donut factory" as my DH and I like to call our respective self-employed gigs.

Actually, I visited a real donut factory recently.

I'll post a pic tomorrow. It was very cool.

Okay -- enough procrastination, already!

Have a great day.

x ella

earthy dress on sugar city...and house re-do

2008-08-12T12:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you unfamiliar with Sugar City Journal, it's divine. Two sisters-in-law sharing a blog. I HAD to post this dress.

See it here on their blog for more brilliant inspiration. I love it. Look at the terrific pleating and the rough softness of this fabric. Doesn't it motivate you to create some new fall clothes? (Just when my summer clothes are still waiting to be completed. Boo, me!) Their new shop gets stocked and immediately sells out in a blink of an eye. The women create clothes generally without commercial patterns! They also post pics of their homes and there are many very cool ideas on there.

Speaking of homes.

Lately I've been salivating over Apartment Therapy.

See, I'm thinking about re-doing the larger attic room of our house into a guest room/play room. From brown lino tiles, mismatched bookcases, stacks of books, papers everywhere, mismatched rugs, no curtains... to an airy white space with turquoise and yellow accents. This is my dream. On very very few dollars. I figure I simply switch the furniture around, paint it and the floors, make some bedding, a headboard, a futon cover (for the futon in the new office), and find some dirt-cheap lighting. No problemo! But where to put my husband who is currently using it as an office. In the current (wee) guest room! And so then I must re-do that room for him.

Here are some colour combos I've been eyeing. I am gravitating towards painting the floor in a pale yellow/wheat neutral. (Is that beige? Hm. Hope not. More of a yellow ochre.) And the fabric that I am loving of this batch, for a headboard, is the Kokka with the trees. Though I would love a more modern look. Like this one on the left.

For one thing, I hope to make a fabric-covered headboard and am having trouble committing, because this will anchor the whole guest/play room's colour scheme. I am seriously loving this Anna Maria Horner stuff, though.

Check out the Sketchbook in Blue. There's something cool about Volumes, too. Like a pile of books -- oh yeah! -- I get it! Duh. Volumes = books. Takes me a while sometimes. Two little kids..you know...mommy brain. :]

The pics on the left are my choices -- the ones on the right are the choices she presents on her website, FYI.

Anyway Ms. Horner is absolutely brilliant and very well known among quilters and fabric afficionados. But if you simply want to be inspired with beautiful, daring colour combinations, check it out. Her shop also sells fabric scrap bags. Mmmmmm....

I'll write more on the playroom/guest room transformation as the weeks go by.

Last week I learned about painting over lino tiles. Use TSP (ick) to clean them, or sand, then paint with oil-based paint. Fine. But is there a Lovo paint or a "cleaner" oil paint for this use? Am I pipe-dreaming?

xo ella

winging a clutch

2008-08-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

Okay. A clutch purse for a friend.

My friend requested I make her a small clutch (after I nagged her to let me make her something. I suspect she was hesitatant about ending up with something very strange. You know -- a tea-cozy with pom-pom trim and ric-rac edges and....hey, wait a minute, that sounds good.)

Anyway. After some hemming and hawing, she was visiting recently and we chose this Echino Dots Japanese fabric (the purple one in the middle...and it has bird on it, too) - I'd had a piece left over from my original purchase from the workroom (that's their photo, above).

Originally I bought it to make a pillow, but it seemed kind of wrong for it, for some reason...then I cut into it to make a pencil case for my husband - never used -- I mean, how often does the guy need a pencil case? So then I had a fat chunk -- maybe 1/3 a yard. I pulled it out when H. was here and she took one look and said, "Yes. Let's do it."

I love decisiveness.

So I started a simple, "easy-peasy" clutch, no pattern, no instructions, I mean, heck, it's only an envelope, lined with a zipper, so things don't fall out when she's dancing the night away, right? I wanted to dive in and figure it out as I went along. No problem.

Uh....no.

I had made nice headway... lined the flap and now to stuff the lining into the main part and stitch it together. I'd made an inside-out pencil-case type structure.

So. By then I had almost finished installing the purple linen lining (that had a zipped part) when I tested the zip, running it along, smooth, smooth, nice, then...air.

There were no stitches on the end....and ZOOM....off came the zip pull...What the - ?

Duh.

How dumb was that? This rendered the newly-installed zipper USELESS. No matter how much I tried to jam the zip-pull back on -- no way was it going back on.

So - I had to take an hour to remove newly installed liner pouch with zipper. So very joyful I'd sewn it in so securely... :[

Pheh.

I seam ripped for an hour watching some dumb TV show. Canada's Top Model? I forget.

So then, guiltily recalling how H had said "I don't need a zipper, really I don't", I decided to take her up on her word. I left the zipper behind and did a pouch with snap. No zip -- and had to cut out the crazy custom embroidered pocket and sew it inside all over again -- which actually created a second interior pocket. Long story.

Notice the crazy "HG" embroidery - I was fooling around with an idea and it only warranted appearance on the inside of a purse. So, here's the finished product:

I used the rest of the Echino fabric for the pocket this time.

At least now H. gets a little owl peeking at her every time she reaches for her lipstick.

Have a lovely Tuesday.

xo
ella

ps
Would anyone be interested in an "I learned the hard way" tutorial? Where I create a pattern, describe the interfacing and everything? It would be fun to do a tutorial.

Hey, wait a minute. "Might be fun". That's what I said about "winging" a clutch....

robot for brown-eyed boy

2008-08-06T12:19:00.001-07:00

This robot is receiving important radio signals. This is a lousy shot taken in a hurry en route to birthday party...it is about to become a cushion..but it might be the last I see of this robot so here it is...he's about 5" tall...

starfish for my son

2008-08-06T07:52:00.001-07:00

apple tree embroidery

2008-08-04T05:25:00.000-07:00

Beets

2008-08-02T06:06:00.001-07:00

Isn't this the nicest basket of beets ever? We ate them roasted last night on the barbeque. I am not inclined to post food items here - though I am a foodie married to a foodie/amateur gourmet chef...because I LOVE to leave the cooking to others. But what a pretty picture, huh? xo ella

Happy First Day of August

2008-08-01T18:22:00.000-07:00

An embroidery -- a small one -- for my daughter. This is a pretty simple robot...but it has a good heart.

Happy Long Weekend.

xoxo
ella

And one more thing...

2008-07-28T07:18:00.000-07:00

My "Muskoka" pillow is now in the shop. Thanks to a 2 am wake-up. What was that all about? No kids were yelling...silence...it was just me...staring at the dark ceiling. Thought I'd check my email...hopped up...looked at some blogs...thought -- aha! Add my pictures to Etsy! And there you go.

I wonder if anyone will order anything. Custom orders are probably a nerve-wrecking venture for the commissionner. (Is that word? ) I will impose a happiness-guaranteed refund motto, I suppose. Never know, as a buyer, if you might get a hideous church-bake-sale style item for top dollar. I promise -- no acrylic knit socks with Pom Poms.

Not that there's anything WRONG with those.

my small shop

2008-07-27T22:59:00.000-07:00

I am excited to report I have put three things in my shop: A neater version of this robot wallet that started my embroidery craze, the robot pal embroidery (both of which will be totally custom) and a perfected version of that yellow summer dress, which I suppose will also be custom, basically. I'm loving hand-embroidery "drawings" and every robot is a little different. If you like, check it out here .

Do you think showing these "prototypes" in the shop is okay?

To Do: A To Do List!

2008-07-26T05:14:00.000-07:00

Good morning. I am just getting the hang of this blogging and all the responsibility it entails. Like: blog at least every few days. Take decent pictures of the stuff I make -- bad camera? no excuse. Bad light? No excuse. No Macro? No bloggo! Also -- when you do a "giveaway" make sure people actually get the thing you're giving away. Does anyone else have a sort of permanent avoidance of MAILING anything? In the mail? You know -- stamps? When will we be able to email PACKAGES? How Star Trek. Maybe I've taken too many Advil this morning...This weekend I'll try to send out the giveaway I promised in JUNE. Gracious.

African Safari Shorts GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-07-25T06:56:00.000-07:00

African Safari Shorts GIVEAWAY!!!!

toys for little boys

2008-07-21T18:48:00.000-07:00

Here are a few recent things made before or during my recent trip...I had a long unexpected bus ride so embroidery was the perfect escape and I did the robot and the boy face while travelling to Cape Breton...ahh......:)

1. a boy doll for a sweet 6-month old baby boy. I made it of organic cotton (except the pants, just some leftover cotton my mum had) so baby can chew on it.

2. a rabbit guy, for the same baby, who likes chewing on rabbit's ears, much to my delight (made this a few months ago) ...dig the whiskers, my favourite part. (I made sure they were VERY secure).

3. for a lovely five-year old boy, a small (3 1/2" tall) embroidered robot on linen...lousy photos, sorry...where was the natural light and macro setting? Hm...I dunno...

I love making these creatures...especially when I see how much plastic and nasty violent fire-breathing guys the little boys inherit...i had been dragging a big piece of linen around on my vacation and embroidering some corner or another while at the airport or wherever -- nice! But I was SO HAPPY to have my arms wrapped around my little ones again when I came home. It was the longest I had ever been away from them.

BTRS Swap

2008-07-21T08:47:00.000-07:00

Here are my placemats and napkins for the Bend-the-Rules-Sewing Swap.
I'm afraid my choice of fabric made Amy Karol's design impossible -- it would have been weird to add more lines. So with apologies to Amy, but definitely inspired by her work, here they are.
Japanese cotton/linen blend with linen backs. Unlined napkins. I hope my recipient likes them....[fingernail chewing]. To make up for the fact I REALLY bent the rules, I included a little linen bag with a bird applique to hold the whole thing in. And of course a recipe for flourless chocolate cake.

back from vacation...

2008-07-18T13:14:00.001-07:00

I just returned from a high school reunion in Nova Scotia...woo hoo! I do think they water down the vodka at the church hall parties, though. I'm pretty sure. I have not been blogging but I have been making some robot embroideries. I'll post 'em soon! Enjoying the heat, everyone?

triceratops...i think

2008-07-09T19:00:00.001-07:00

A large pillow made for a child turning 5. I was aiming for "triceratops" but this is really hopeless. I tried to salvage it with embroidery but...uh, no. What triceratops has three legs? Um...well at least it's soft. :)

Halifax Harbour this evening

2008-07-09T18:56:00.001-07:00

Looking south towards George's Island.

Placemats for Swap

2008-07-09T18:40:00.000-07:00

Finally finished making the "Bend the Rules Sewing" placemat and napkin set for a swap. I am late sending it by two days (bad rookie swapper - bad) so I will add extra postage for speed AND (penance!) I made a special extra thing for my swap recipient...here's a peek. After she receives the package you'll be able to see the whole thing. For now it's a secret. I did some of the work on the plane to the east coast!

yay! what can i make now!?

2008-07-05T04:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I finished my work ("work"-work) and am excited to start making things again! I have so many ideas. For example, I actually saw a cute girls' dress at the Gap (how DID I wander in there, anyway?) Indian gathered-style hippy dresses, navy with cream embroidery - and alternative version, cream with navy embroidery -- and I got inspired to make my own items. For me. :) I have handkerchief-weight navy cotton already (washed and ready to go) that I had imagined as a skirt for my daughter. Problem is I am now dreaming of making a floaty top or dress for myself...embroidered here and there with cream french knots...and stitches. I only have one dress-up dress so I need another, don't you think? Yup!

On another sewing note -- I can't find a pattern on anywhere for a tunic (I love tunics) -- you know, with a slit neck -- perhaps a little like this lovely Virginia Johnson item. Does anyone have a tip on something that? I'd appreciate advice. In the meantime, I downloaded the free top and dress patterns from Burda so I might use that as a base to start creating...

The other new thing I MUST make is my swap! I am to sew placemats and napkins for a swap and I'm excited to get to that. I'll post pics when I'm done, after the weekend.

I finished a new boy's Hawaiian-style shirt...I'll show you soon!

For now, take in these two yummy things from Nicky at Monster-Munch. Here is a poster/tutorial on how to make a sock monster. Very cute. Check out her site.

work work work

2008-07-02T12:24:00.000-07:00

This is what I feel like today. The whole family has gone off for fun summer day, leaving me to work on my day job (which I do at home). Sometimes having a job is a bother, isn't it? It's lonely in the little cubicle of my work-mind sometimes. Which is when I start peeking at blogs...and dreaming up dresses and things. Anyway...back to it. If I'm a good little bunny today maybe I can play tomorrow.

A cutie-pie tutorial

2008-07-02T11:18:00.001-07:00

I just discovered Pink Penguin's tutorial on how to make a cutie-pie shabby-chic style patchwork odds'n'ends bag/basket, a pencil case (above), and a clutch-style bag. I could see her bag/basket being enlarged and making an even sturdier, and just as pretty basket for toys, towels, or magazines. Maybe in super-mod fabrics...hmm. Check it out. Also check out the excellent tutorial on how to make what she calls a "camera case" that I could see being used to make a clutch! In fact I owe my friend H. a clutch purse and we'll see how this works with fuschia silk...mmmm. But I like PP's use of linen and black. Nice.

On another note -- I haven't forgotten about my giveaway recipients! I'll send those treats out soon. A work deadline is eating up my crafty hours....boo hoo...:<

pretty summer top tutorial on belle epoque

2008-06-30T07:59:00.000-07:00

I just had to quickly post this tutorial on belle epoque...it demonstrates how to make a perfectly fitted yet easy drawstring summer top. Check it out. So pretty. Now...for those of us who need bras (that is...because of having two kids and all....). What about you? Feeling like letting "the girls" go free and easy? hmmmmm....

flower embroidery in progress

2008-06-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

I started with a few French knots, inspired by this tutorial. Then...I kept expanding the knots. And expanding. Now I have a lot of filling in to do...maybe. I think I'll add streaks of pink and red to the petals and call it quits...any ideas? It's about 4 inches across now...I think I will use this on a throw pillow...

The strange thing about embroidery for me is that it's like making little drawings. Sometimes I just start, with a stitch, and a colour, and then react to that "mark", whatever it is, by adding more, then deciding what it could be, then start that way. It's very relaxing and I love it. I don't really have a mind to a finished product, but I am keen to create utilitarian stuff. That said, I like (the very talented!) Jodie's idea to simply put the owls on the wall. Maybe to watch down over a little person sleeping...Hoo! Hoo! Have a lovely Monday.

Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!

2008-06-30T05:21:00.000-07:00

Roosters-N-Rickrack Pinafore GIVEAWAY!!!!

curly bird and q.b. owls

2008-06-28T18:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday. Last weekend, my dear mother-in-law gave me her ENTIRE (unused) collection of tapestry threads (SCORE!!!) so...I sat with a piece of linen and, stealing time here and there, made these embroideries. The first one is two birds, for my daughter. The baby bird has curly hair and the more plain mother does not. Like us.

The second little thread sketch is actually an ode to the brilliance of the artist/writer Quentin Blake and his book "Mister Magnolia". (We have recently ordered from the library ALL available Quentin Blake kids' books.) Mister Magnolia lives with owls. Here are two.

I have not decided what to do with these birds -- any thoughts?

A Lovely Contest From Grosgrain

2008-06-26T20:01:00.000-07:00

Grosgrain: Do you like my clothes? Do you want them for....free?!

She makes the most delicious kids' clothes. I covet most of her creations.

Yellow Summer Dress

2008-06-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Hi all. I'm a little behind in my blog -- work is getting the better of me -- but I'll catch up soon. I did a few new crazy embroideries over the weekend. And, belatedly, I'm posting this dress I made for my daughter. You'll recognize the Denyse Schmidt fabric, likely. No pattern on this one...just "wung it" which means the arm holes were not notched -- forgot that step! - but otherwise it makes my daughter happy. Yellow is her favourite colour. Have a great evening.

Anna Maria Horner fabric

2008-06-19T20:12:00.000-07:00

Look at this lovely fabric at designer anna maria horner's shop. I have a swap to sew for soon -- placemats and napkins -- and am debating using this. If I can find it in Toronto. I am hoping the workroom will be bringing it in in time for me to make them before the July 7th shipping deadline. If not, I will use something in my GROWING MASSIVE stash of fabric. I am hooked. It's a new vice. Eek. Stop me!

Today was a nice morning with the children, taking them both out to do errands. We did the boring stuff -- ink cartridge for the printer...and then down the street to cafe Patachou for a snack. It's a nicely decorated cafe (with a kind of modernist-nature theme) full of ladies-who-lunch and designer types and I loved how animated my 5 and 3-year olds were at the sight of origami birds hanging, and a row of (fake but gorgeous) wedding cakes. And confusion when the waiter "interrupted" our conversation. Then off down the street to a very expensive French frou-frou design/decor/perfume shop, to "peek". I thought they'd run screaming, as it's totally over the top with girlie stuff. This place is a very gorgeous but dangerous to take two youngsters. Glass piled everywhere, ostrich feathers, narrow lanes between antiques, glasses piled, liquid scent balanced on a tray balanced on a bed...you get the picture...but they loved it! We smelled and voted on perfume, tried on massive straw hats, and my son coveted a chunk of fool's gold used as a decor accessory. He had a two dollar allowance. It actually cost 69 dollars. So uh -- no. Anyway, it was so pretty & over the top. Just a nice moment with kids. You know when you walk along with your kids, and they brighten the faces of the people who pass? A morning like that.

That's all for now. Work is taking over so will post some new projects in a few days. Have a lovely Friday and weekend. xo ella

free fat quarter

2008-06-16T11:42:00.001-07:00

I've been buying fat quarters because they're bee-yoo-tee-ful but now I feel I need to send a couple out there into the world, as a gift for blog readers. I am also wondering if anyone reads this thing...hmm...SO. Send me a comment and two will be chosen at random next Monday. They will each get a wee package in the mail.

tamara child treasure purse

2008-06-15T16:50:00.001-07:00

This is something that sort of got away on me. I started thinking I'd make a simple little purse for a girl who's turning five. I sewed the one centred butterfly on with the beaded letters. Then added another butterfly, cut out of scraps and tested the blanket-stitch on my new-used sewing machine. Not bad. Then...added another butterfly to try to fill it out a little. Then tested more stitches, failing to master the french knot again. Covered that mess up with a "flower" of pink ribbon. Then that was indecipherable as anything but a "blob" ...so I added little stitches to the centre...sewed the whole design on the turquoise animal back and it was crooked - so added that felt flower on lower left to balance that out...and it just went ON AND ON! What was supposed to take me a half hour -- an hour tops -- took at least two, maybe three, I think! I had to laugh at myself at eleven at night! Crazy! Then I just had to line it with this great silver fabric that is perfect for costumes...But all that said, I was very pleased to be giving it to a sweet, dramatic and energetic young girl. Obviously named Tamara. I hope she likes it. Despite the flaws. I don't LOVE it but it's cute for a child and made with affection.

Stinkbug shorts hit the dirt

2008-06-15T14:45:00.000-07:00

Here are the completed "stinkbug shorts" I wrote about a couple weeks ago. Finally. Yesterday I put them on my son and proceeded to a 5-year old birthday party outdoors, where he got into dirt, pink lemonade, pizza, chocolate ice cream cake, and mysterious globs from the plant nebulae or something - or maybe that's just cedar chip debris. So, technically, these are "before" pictures. I have to say I'm kind of happy with them especially considering they are a version of that one-piece pants pattern I found on line (see a previous stinkbug post about that). The favourite part for me is the brown hand-stitching on the back pockets. But that's just me. I'm into those little hand-stitches these days. Also, I was concerned a lack of zipper on the front would look goofy on a boy his age -- but it was okay, I think. So -- now to check and see if my spot-cleaner really works. :)

tutu closer view

2008-06-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Tutu

2008-06-14T10:22:00.001-07:00

A pink tutu for dress-up, for my 3-year-old daughter (who likes to combine dance with yoga and an odd move where she simply sticks her tongue out). The tutu is simply made of grosgrain ribbon, elastic, and rectangles of netting which I left with edges raw. I love it but she is already growing out of it! The netting was a little maddening to sew on my old Kenmore. I have since purchased an old used Husqvarna workhorse, which is great.

Aqua "Muskoka" Pillow

2008-06-12T06:58:00.000-07:00

Here is an 18 x 18 patchwork pillow -- my first patchwork. The back is unbleached linen. A friend called it a "Muskoka" pillow. I had fun making it and although the strips didn't line up perfectly (thanks to my lassez-faire sewing approach to seam allowances) I am happy with its cheerful colours. I think the next one will be more "perfect". Looks cute as can be on my white couch, if I do say so myself. (By the way, if you want one -- or one with different colourways, drop me a note. I'd love to make another one as a custom order. Might be fun!)

Sleeves go Chop Chop

2008-06-12T05:36:00.000-07:00

I'm crazy busy with "work" work, up against a deadline so the blog will have to wait a day.

But I just had to mention this last week of school for the little ones. My son just left for final day of Junior Kindergarten. Sniff. He has only long sleeve crisp shirts...and a million t-shirts...so I impetuously cut down the sleeves of a Zara Kids dress shirt in about five minutes using the colour thread that happened to be in my machine. He was happy with his new short sleeve shirt and the perfectionist mother in me was pleased he went to school looking snappy. Lucky for me the material was a grid pattern so I didn't need to measure too carefully...just count boxes. Have a wonderful day, all. (Sniff).

Oh my gracious.

2008-06-11T06:11:00.000-07:00

There are such beautiful blogs out there. I am discovering such a lovely, female, gentle community that is attached to handcrafting. I am addicted. I want to go there...and there...and there... For example, last night I discovered this unbelievably beautiful blog. Sugar City Journal.

It is by far my current favourite. Look at those stairs! And the dresses! And coats! Hours of yummy entertainment. Two sisters-in-law share the blog and are obviously very very gifted.

My pal in LA sent me a comedy bit. You MUST check out Demetri Martin's comedy act if you want a laugh. Somehow he's connected to arts and craft. Those drawings....what do you guys think?

Have a nice Wednesday. More pictures coming later today. A patchwork cushion & a crazy embroidery...

Happy Monday!...and the SECOND winner is... :)

2008-06-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

Cleanangel from Florida! I'll be sending something cute your way soon. Thank you everyone (esp. Bizzy B, Woolywear) for your comments. Unfortunately you make me want to sew and make stuff more...when I probably should be working on "work". The joys of working at home. No-one knows what I'm really doing....Boohahahaha.... :)

As I may have mentioned, I'm not really an "embroidery person", but I had a great crafty weekend testing out some Constance Howard stitches while my kids ran around in the yard. So far attempted: french knot, cable, satin, pekinese. And some crazy stitches that don't make any sense. I see now why people created samplers. Though there's not a hope I'll try something that is not utilitarian. I ended up making two small odd-size fuschia washed silk sachets. (I'll call them "sachets" because they are so small I don't know what else to call these little bags. ) I embroidered initials of my daughter's art class teachers (one for each) and they were cute ... BUT you'll have to take my word for it!

Anyway I was too zoned out this morning before art class to take a pic! Next time. Not used to having a blog -- and no apologies, I swore to myself when I started. :) This morning I finally found a mens' hat pattern after searching high and low. Project is secret for now.

Also I'm very excited about doing my first swap! I am to make something for a set of placemats and napkins for a fellow swapper/blogger in Michigan. How cool is that? I've been curious about screenprinting on linen....hmmmmm....

and the winner is...

2008-06-07T04:04:00.000-07:00

Heidi. She will be receiving a custom clutch bag for posting the first comments. Which I accidentally deleted. Gist of it was, "nice work!". Thank you to friends who said nice things about "toast'n'eggs". I finally admitted I was secretly blogging. Came out of the crafty closet! The glitch is, a friend won my "first comments wins a treat" contest. So here's the scoop: if I don't know you personally (yet?) and you leave comments, you, too will win something lovely! Good luck!

Latest around here is my excitement about borrowing the book "The Constance Howard Book of Stitches" ISBN 0713489383. It's full of the most amazing stitches for embroidery. Very 70's and organic, some of them. But this is obviously a classic. Check it out -- I haven't sorted how to write "here" and then link. So here's the link to one bookseller chosen at random.http://www.alibris.com/booksearch?qwork=1295365&matches=38&author=Howard%2C+Constance&browse=1&cm_sp=works*listing*title

Have a wonderful weekend!

stinkbug embroidery

2008-06-05T18:43:00.001-07:00

Here's the boy-shorts pocket. I ironed a little patch of interfacing on the back. The embroidery is obviously freehand. I should get the hang of using markers to sketch the design first, but I'm kind of happy with this little bug. The colour in this pic is a little more accurate than the close-up.

2008-06-05T18:28:00.001-07:00

Here is a robot wallet made for my son. Crazy stitching, huh? But he loved it and was very anxious when it went AWOL for a couple days. He keeps his own school photo in there. Kind of funny. Like his momma.

the stinkbug pocket

2008-06-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

So, here's the new, revised, smaller stinkbug. Once you add the beady eyes it really takes on a life of its own. :) I'll finish the shorts up soon and post them. This photo is a little wonky, colour-wise. The fabric is actually chartreuse green. Shows me for trying to shoot pics at night without natural light.