tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63564074926020386752024-02-22T01:11:47.823-05:00Native MadridianNativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-84603149428182500992012-02-04T12:36:00.000-05:002012-02-04T12:36:00.101-05:00A Few Old Friends, Part 4What dollhouse would be complete without a few accessories? To go with the furniture, my mom also took the time to crochet and sew rugs and linens (though the linens didn't quite make it to today).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHee_LW0r_rPDp9gsVzrToAMsvzjngRprIRihdtEsv-kslHW5TgpOEc6BEvTHMM4zJRDDjViA2kmSzhdaVszdXQ4_Uh8sIGQ-Lba0xg3Ux8LZQyMAE3giV0oNrue7xvbQibkNw8z4rIQ/s1600/IMG_6031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHee_LW0r_rPDp9gsVzrToAMsvzjngRprIRihdtEsv-kslHW5TgpOEc6BEvTHMM4zJRDDjViA2kmSzhdaVszdXQ4_Uh8sIGQ-Lba0xg3Ux8LZQyMAE3giV0oNrue7xvbQibkNw8z4rIQ/s320/IMG_6031.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hqz_f-G0XzLAw-fbI-g2XRfL8bFA1fBFvKR7oL0NyvJxHvA_V2ubcPvNjZ1xOLRu__Nu4ovfnqi8Gxd5q5MHoKrIegAYTBp7g4Rd9WTLD_dJkJk6k-IIwfN7U0txaldmdS_uJPPCebU/s1600/IMG_5989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Hqz_f-G0XzLAw-fbI-g2XRfL8bFA1fBFvKR7oL0NyvJxHvA_V2ubcPvNjZ1xOLRu__Nu4ovfnqi8Gxd5q5MHoKrIegAYTBp7g4Rd9WTLD_dJkJk6k-IIwfN7U0txaldmdS_uJPPCebU/s320/IMG_5989.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My mom sewed this using a little burlap as the base and embroidering the pattern with yarn. How awesomely 70's is this?!?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64r3WzyYdGRQzgUWe96119qPKE8CyokNpLbIAbNOCmIoLkLGjxrfUmgFX304Dvb6R6_FlJa2a5_UK50UuuyXa06XfjT2W1EyaPKFTVTisoOZcvy8Ykq6AA0oUNabKNn4A61C6XElPsoo/s1600/IMG_5990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64r3WzyYdGRQzgUWe96119qPKE8CyokNpLbIAbNOCmIoLkLGjxrfUmgFX304Dvb6R6_FlJa2a5_UK50UuuyXa06XfjT2W1EyaPKFTVTisoOZcvy8Ykq6AA0oUNabKNn4A61C6XElPsoo/s320/IMG_5990.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not everything was handmade--here's the one remaining chair from a dining set that was in the kitchen. Again, fantastically retro.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONZDFHebulp6Enu4Wo9Ol9UFR-aM_6mY8WxUI7f7O94jQlKibpADAc8OC7eucU2Ix6SaDaEIAe-uAClsqhljGkN2_qh38D8ZaUx8LaAxzuVn_pjbn2LkHGIYX5sfe0fzKdZpI_qty4F8/s1600/IMG_6032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONZDFHebulp6Enu4Wo9Ol9UFR-aM_6mY8WxUI7f7O94jQlKibpADAc8OC7eucU2Ix6SaDaEIAe-uAClsqhljGkN2_qh38D8ZaUx8LaAxzuVn_pjbn2LkHGIYX5sfe0fzKdZpI_qty4F8/s320/IMG_6032.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCNi8r-aIqAJv545IGCLl8__9rLVwt8y2aowlosHyZ6AfPo-Vr4FhiF_Ib8gwE1V8nc3ITlp_8_Vb0S8RtzxemJnACoJU3x5VsCx44HWs3ZsR6ome1lY_JYUr6l0-QQOKp_j84Mtyv5E/s1600/IMG_6034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCNi8r-aIqAJv545IGCLl8__9rLVwt8y2aowlosHyZ6AfPo-Vr4FhiF_Ib8gwE1V8nc3ITlp_8_Vb0S8RtzxemJnACoJU3x5VsCx44HWs3ZsR6ome1lY_JYUr6l0-QQOKp_j84Mtyv5E/s320/IMG_6034.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82AKFDTwwYhHwvIdKvMxWBlEOtuMCqviRxDw1BjQGZxAC2CFuMs_HSnslDz53QrDmVMxMYANvegB-qzPlkwGXXDU5AcW6t9jz_m7JUsvolfi1KmrnTTw-JSew2gtFod45Jl2YYT1Ax9g/s1600/IMG_5982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh82AKFDTwwYhHwvIdKvMxWBlEOtuMCqviRxDw1BjQGZxAC2CFuMs_HSnslDz53QrDmVMxMYANvegB-qzPlkwGXXDU5AcW6t9jz_m7JUsvolfi1KmrnTTw-JSew2gtFod45Jl2YYT1Ax9g/s320/IMG_5982.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Thanks Mom and Dad for the best two gifts ever--toys that made an imprint on my heart and a love for craft and DIY. I'm so glad to pass these on, figuratively and literally, to my little girls.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-71082608025496053962012-02-02T12:27:00.000-05:002012-02-02T12:27:00.267-05:00A Few Old Friends, Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some of my favorites from my childhood dollhouse--the bedroom furniture. These toys were so well loved, which explains why there are a couple of drawers missing. I played with the dollhouse and its furniture until it just about fell apart. Then my sister played with it just as much as I did.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro3e8Vz2gOGHVQ509fxrIyPdy7WYE_xnkvfPNQ5Sz9huqqy2cYQf3fe-jmA_3o2VikZPtkR2Y2YWJAfLx-aDdnr5JL32zN45rNq66g5HCdCEinGn3j3hjzPGJ-6MTxtG5vZv7oakI0gc/s1600/IMG_6007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro3e8Vz2gOGHVQ509fxrIyPdy7WYE_xnkvfPNQ5Sz9huqqy2cYQf3fe-jmA_3o2VikZPtkR2Y2YWJAfLx-aDdnr5JL32zN45rNq66g5HCdCEinGn3j3hjzPGJ-6MTxtG5vZv7oakI0gc/s320/IMG_6007.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My parents made a dresser and an armoire--my dad doing the mini-carpentry, and my mom doing all the finishing and decoration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzrrxsHGehZ1kce0-Wu9ye-tuy_LGvY7-1wNsOKbbDcSilogt-pUpBe-LfergqAvFlOz57z2YDLewKPtM9jp3IZzAFH0OqEj9WDBWLYdvaJZPl10rB7mbpJtpJE0dwkOmBZY32dhq998/s1600/IMG_6002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzrrxsHGehZ1kce0-Wu9ye-tuy_LGvY7-1wNsOKbbDcSilogt-pUpBe-LfergqAvFlOz57z2YDLewKPtM9jp3IZzAFH0OqEj9WDBWLYdvaJZPl10rB7mbpJtpJE0dwkOmBZY32dhq998/s320/IMG_6002.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8vSSQW6kc_tqxyywdS1yu3NWb6SQlPIbVD0-8MtcQe7uzDem4SZzaagOI2Woz2Oqmek_xq2Z9NdlukOz1cqTGqleEM89Bzw4BZ_28_5NLJGACQjsaEM9rkQuPUH3mc5c1QAnqAqPb7U/s1600/IMG_6006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit8vSSQW6kc_tqxyywdS1yu3NWb6SQlPIbVD0-8MtcQe7uzDem4SZzaagOI2Woz2Oqmek_xq2Z9NdlukOz1cqTGqleEM89Bzw4BZ_28_5NLJGACQjsaEM9rkQuPUH3mc5c1QAnqAqPb7U/s320/IMG_6006.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zrFXvn-UclN3DcUkrN6crXgxU4H9R9l-7xtRYmxnplUeUFNcWXyRxLZ-H1X7ldkD3miExRs1ol7dKquPlmlAOipZY53htUOy7xr-fUeJea6z1LHgb8aJ6QsuyLKCQ0vUOPdyS8hWxPs/s1600/IMG_6009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8zrFXvn-UclN3DcUkrN6crXgxU4H9R9l-7xtRYmxnplUeUFNcWXyRxLZ-H1X7ldkD3miExRs1ol7dKquPlmlAOipZY53htUOy7xr-fUeJea6z1LHgb8aJ6QsuyLKCQ0vUOPdyS8hWxPs/s320/IMG_6009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
As I had explained in the last post, the draw pulls were made from sewing pins, and I love that my parents took the time to put in nice shelves into the armoire.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7WRDHVqtF07hWhlkVv2b5w0jBQAj9ZmrJHFIyaaTR6JgxqwwR5be3sNj0-Y4veioEtrb1lZ-47Y9AUixyjAui17jkd-6L-kW0x9J5p3vOzzUNlikS4VmDkMvSPjPzWRUxW0sCVvr2Fg/s1600/IMG_6011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7WRDHVqtF07hWhlkVv2b5w0jBQAj9ZmrJHFIyaaTR6JgxqwwR5be3sNj0-Y4veioEtrb1lZ-47Y9AUixyjAui17jkd-6L-kW0x9J5p3vOzzUNlikS4VmDkMvSPjPzWRUxW0sCVvr2Fg/s320/IMG_6011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjx9ThHu19GVneGDBRFuMydGhJiMm8hhAkWfdMZibk52amm7HUD_GqGsw7wpPtyehphoX8PakTa6wxBAiDyW7QnSTAwDHz4NaOdVylXuxg66WKHv5L9QHaKrSxIXVj8PBF2UWN7GjX-E/s1600/IMG_6016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfjx9ThHu19GVneGDBRFuMydGhJiMm8hhAkWfdMZibk52amm7HUD_GqGsw7wpPtyehphoX8PakTa6wxBAiDyW7QnSTAwDHz4NaOdVylXuxg66WKHv5L9QHaKrSxIXVj8PBF2UWN7GjX-E/s320/IMG_6016.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But the piece that really stuck with me was the bed and the crib. My mom even sewed a little mattress to go on the bed, using scraps from her fabric stash.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHyI5rvdyld7N1fbX86g5z-USPgrgrBju_dOl2wDDeGDumZc9P2d_jYhwYkoOPCMKDYvTxDMld1A6qHsrTsL9hM6n4q525Mm9sv2ZftxG6HlQRv3i8T08vQcvoFY9jSzuVZsMNPY_05w/s1600/IMG_6023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxHyI5rvdyld7N1fbX86g5z-USPgrgrBju_dOl2wDDeGDumZc9P2d_jYhwYkoOPCMKDYvTxDMld1A6qHsrTsL9hM6n4q525Mm9sv2ZftxG6HlQRv3i8T08vQcvoFY9jSzuVZsMNPY_05w/s320/IMG_6023.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbO-IHJvPW1kZJxUKiEDFwrAjmAopg8XbE_mhEDuu5zb27wSF9Q_RggOyeuooI_IdCe7WgNjQKkeKEVsURllRPuYphcUqdDU3-X_Hq9wX4NwjNYVui0Mzdf_MoDlaBXk9pohdAz76ks/s1600/IMG_6028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUbO-IHJvPW1kZJxUKiEDFwrAjmAopg8XbE_mhEDuu5zb27wSF9Q_RggOyeuooI_IdCe7WgNjQKkeKEVsURllRPuYphcUqdDU3-X_Hq9wX4NwjNYVui0Mzdf_MoDlaBXk9pohdAz76ks/s320/IMG_6028.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
More on some of the accessories, like the rug pictured above, in the next post!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-80406384250506552972012-01-31T12:18:00.000-05:002012-01-31T16:15:14.114-05:00A Few Old Friends, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I try to get to know people, one of the questions I tend to ask is, "What is the best gift you've ever received?" Hearing the answer often gives me some insight into what's truly important to them. These next few posts are about the best gift I've ever received, a dollhouse filled with homemade furniture that I received from my parents for Christmas when I was 4 years old.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I recently went back to my childhood home and brought back a few of these treasures for my little girls. Here are a few of the gems from the living room.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVMk8MEBBxrjjjsZRkWcGogwInpe0UuaWi1zFqKu1_pOU9v6hBh8b4xga_jZ7X2xKIgEOTgCUs9En7cclT_nzKNf3q32CtTnHKfn22jw_dJhE6TxwVpyoRBpy2yIrtVKOuX3VCHZvwO4/s1600/IMG_5991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVMk8MEBBxrjjjsZRkWcGogwInpe0UuaWi1zFqKu1_pOU9v6hBh8b4xga_jZ7X2xKIgEOTgCUs9En7cclT_nzKNf3q32CtTnHKfn22jw_dJhE6TxwVpyoRBpy2yIrtVKOuX3VCHZvwO4/s320/IMG_5991.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SldiMqQPwIkS5O2sH6nvjX5PQkNufzm4FmqB0AhS8HaEiNKCXUpN2FzRLctzhvWiPCkuUBEfLNvbeNJDx2Ye3vyZVjPV0RCEUg4wX_gdSFnWbIbd4pMZQqqZjtK19iGYGzLr122332g/s1600/IMG_5994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0SldiMqQPwIkS5O2sH6nvjX5PQkNufzm4FmqB0AhS8HaEiNKCXUpN2FzRLctzhvWiPCkuUBEfLNvbeNJDx2Ye3vyZVjPV0RCEUg4wX_gdSFnWbIbd4pMZQqqZjtK19iGYGzLr122332g/s320/IMG_5994.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
If you look closely at the drawer pulls on the furniture, you'll see that they're actually the heads of pins with the pointy side clipped off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pJaK3O1Win8h6WjgT5ZjKn4dVKMTEi6BEylj3iDBDxjKvCDu5ipTCcyrb44vIPbp5k12sbbeXxOgL7l47-8juwm5JmRSI379lsdI-0lxzztXUfBINO7mrrD6lItHRXz5jKQaVv4TOf0/s1600/IMG_5996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_pJaK3O1Win8h6WjgT5ZjKn4dVKMTEi6BEylj3iDBDxjKvCDu5ipTCcyrb44vIPbp5k12sbbeXxOgL7l47-8juwm5JmRSI379lsdI-0lxzztXUfBINO7mrrD6lItHRXz5jKQaVv4TOf0/s320/IMG_5996.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4CPvih0zz1nITZOWFB13A4T_gzaBSCgZwJiTTqHNdQKZ31013xxKDNAj71YtantQFehPr78YbNgV3oN9hlz1XgSL_chyphenhyphenR7rQajVh8VAs8oCqsFI70U2m20fXovI04e2ozZWHupvClrE/s1600/IMG_5998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ4CPvih0zz1nITZOWFB13A4T_gzaBSCgZwJiTTqHNdQKZ31013xxKDNAj71YtantQFehPr78YbNgV3oN9hlz1XgSL_chyphenhyphenR7rQajVh8VAs8oCqsFI70U2m20fXovI04e2ozZWHupvClrE/s320/IMG_5998.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I still have vivid memories of watching my dad cut these pieces out and my mom staining the wood.<br />
<br />
I'll show you the bedroom furniture in the next post.<br />
<br />
<br />NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-74572930328509302882012-01-29T12:10:00.003-05:002012-01-29T12:38:51.372-05:00A Few Old Friends, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I had the opportunity recently to go visit my dad back home.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
While there, I saw a box in my old closet that contained a few old friends. These were some of the toys I played with when I was a little girl, and I decided to bring them back for my little girls to play with. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H4m_21RByxyYV1HL-vUm9L8rwi-ghXvh9QqZw9BjoqHrb83_Ozi8bDlwpfPT6ojlvuQzcfVONxyuMiF7CAkjNpwu5y1EwrINptU3o6KlSiukxwbxiDzO_xPtxp7Wg_JYHYfTiRqcWlU/s1600/IMG_5983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0H4m_21RByxyYV1HL-vUm9L8rwi-ghXvh9QqZw9BjoqHrb83_Ozi8bDlwpfPT6ojlvuQzcfVONxyuMiF7CAkjNpwu5y1EwrINptU3o6KlSiukxwbxiDzO_xPtxp7Wg_JYHYfTiRqcWlU/s320/IMG_5983.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Not only does the drawer come out of the cash register...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX3wyeUq5Fex5yYYR5oloviXrsjtv8FuvvX0R-MQOLGIboiUBhYSttM6dVGuw3tGlTeVRjKmvtyfEUMLf_nQVGAzgrWK-2zWFM99-uUryy4jEm2Rwki9-l4v3_OEISOefu7CMbDeLLn8/s1600/IMG_5985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVX3wyeUq5Fex5yYYR5oloviXrsjtv8FuvvX0R-MQOLGIboiUBhYSttM6dVGuw3tGlTeVRjKmvtyfEUMLf_nQVGAzgrWK-2zWFM99-uUryy4jEm2Rwki9-l4v3_OEISOefu7CMbDeLLn8/s320/IMG_5985.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...but the crank actually turns the little record on the phonograph.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V2uxkq2dspVGjmXit_MbDDseVfwLDMMyzVu6hc81g-qkpsl5mYj_38ZpAJO6faB1uahOrIcceT1HS4Qn_sqDVjkhpdez8Z2k-STmqzjY2EvjvJDiNtmJQx-apaHN5oCyCyEQ8wUyjKk/s1600/IMG_5987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4V2uxkq2dspVGjmXit_MbDDseVfwLDMMyzVu6hc81g-qkpsl5mYj_38ZpAJO6faB1uahOrIcceT1HS4Qn_sqDVjkhpdez8Z2k-STmqzjY2EvjvJDiNtmJQx-apaHN5oCyCyEQ8wUyjKk/s320/IMG_5987.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I used to play with these "old friends" with my Barbies and also in my dollhouse (more on that in the next post!)<br />
<br />
Needless to say, A is fascinated by these little guys.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-55587530271327324222012-01-20T22:23:00.000-05:002012-01-23T22:13:39.440-05:00Ohhh, Ohhh, Godzilla!!One of my favorite things that I picked up for A was an activity book of cardboard punch-outs that made all sorts of fun things--games, finger puppets and scenery. I found <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Taro-Gomis-Play-All-Day/dp/0811871215">this book</a> and A loved punching out all the little characters with me.<br />
<br />
While my family was visiting over the holidays, we worked on one scene in particular--a cityscape, complete with skyscrapers, a roadway with little cars, a cute little mountain and lots of trees.<br />
<br />
Of course, a certain uncle of A's got in on the action, and before we knew it, our fair city was being attacked, one cardboard building at a time. (Bob the Dinosaur, how could you?!?)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-1Cvz3R_f5QoRHSIYhBl69NuiRaWwauPSvFLnwGAIMRgrh_OYNipHI4rlrzfPz5-f7dCKMz8A0fqH2_H1bjEUZOxj8_QqDaLLLAxG6Gtdz9iJkS5ARrxq6wKUEHoIF7jBUIM1sP0hcU/s1600/IMG_5883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-1Cvz3R_f5QoRHSIYhBl69NuiRaWwauPSvFLnwGAIMRgrh_OYNipHI4rlrzfPz5-f7dCKMz8A0fqH2_H1bjEUZOxj8_QqDaLLLAxG6Gtdz9iJkS5ARrxq6wKUEHoIF7jBUIM1sP0hcU/s320/IMG_5883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy637wqAGCNkwoxoiqprFMImsggylohY8mYimQmjHkZYVkwE0jA9wWqzrZhzf40D1uSvBjDUdU7mdOniduXuv305OXnI9NbzYgroFG90xKETV0svPeKkdwN-_OZ0LRSl6beCJGMN-o2E/s1600/IMG_5887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyy637wqAGCNkwoxoiqprFMImsggylohY8mYimQmjHkZYVkwE0jA9wWqzrZhzf40D1uSvBjDUdU7mdOniduXuv305OXnI9NbzYgroFG90xKETV0svPeKkdwN-_OZ0LRSl6beCJGMN-o2E/s320/IMG_5887.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7kNvTl0wNEFjJubGykHh-UJZIC1trUjHh-c6J3XTX2ji8mC5x4D9ZNwLeZGN9GEemXPBOM7GC_Z4mfV0_ifcyoa14bYkX_NHBX83mF0CNLEsE3odTqvsZ4gnXZrsdMfB6rsCwwtiSGQ/s1600/IMG_5885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7kNvTl0wNEFjJubGykHh-UJZIC1trUjHh-c6J3XTX2ji8mC5x4D9ZNwLeZGN9GEemXPBOM7GC_Z4mfV0_ifcyoa14bYkX_NHBX83mF0CNLEsE3odTqvsZ4gnXZrsdMfB6rsCwwtiSGQ/s320/IMG_5885.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I'm not sure what was more fun--punching out the scenery with A, or watching her--I mean Bob--trample our fair city.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-23946450048471576582012-01-18T21:58:00.001-05:002012-01-18T21:58:33.065-05:00Back on the Creative WagonIt's been some time since I last posted. To be honest, this has been a particularly tough holiday season. But with each end comes a new beginning, and I've started to feel creatively energized again.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A asked me to make a flower for Little Lammy, her stuffed animal. She was about to have her lunch and she needed a flower in a vase to set the table just so. It was just the request I needed.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTc60HyFaHA76IL0-l8YCHeMTzUBfRrNs4Bona5IkxJRiyHCgMKaIPr7nc7pTCoPl9Rguueo1ZOeibCPKb-bEKzMVjMAQqo-aNhxZTQYq6G2_bWOpANzDpNs_DOWIBrna8G-l7XnXm-0/s1600/IMG_6035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTc60HyFaHA76IL0-l8YCHeMTzUBfRrNs4Bona5IkxJRiyHCgMKaIPr7nc7pTCoPl9Rguueo1ZOeibCPKb-bEKzMVjMAQqo-aNhxZTQYq6G2_bWOpANzDpNs_DOWIBrna8G-l7XnXm-0/s320/IMG_6035.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think it's going to feel good to get back in the creative saddle.</div>NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-27707755725489007712011-10-18T09:37:00.000-04:002011-10-18T16:23:01.401-04:00Laundry Detergent + Boxed Wine = LOVE.I love interesting, smart packaging. I love to explore the reasoning behind it, the engineering to make it and the printing used to make it shine once it hits the shelves. I love it even more when it's coupled with something seemingly mundane like laundry detergent.<br />
<br />
As I was walking through the grocery store this past weekend, I
happened across the latest packaging from Seventh Generation for their
laundry detergent and was fascinated. Have you seen this? <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvC0VQ_CNrXu47VqiHuRfMjdSk5_pZqRoatYd3oBc-Vk3Cg-CV5Uw4VRvvmGi0CW4vjI1IWS_Q7cHOMPU-IF2RnPJ42ensVr9-Irq6fBycb0kJ9k12mQJ-dzX-3NBC0q19vGy5utwn4E/s1600/NativeMadridian1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvC0VQ_CNrXu47VqiHuRfMjdSk5_pZqRoatYd3oBc-Vk3Cg-CV5Uw4VRvvmGi0CW4vjI1IWS_Q7cHOMPU-IF2RnPJ42ensVr9-Irq6fBycb0kJ9k12mQJ-dzX-3NBC0q19vGy5utwn4E/s320/NativeMadridian1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcljFKnUHHNliFwiG1ozoGa1rOfHC5dbaPMS4pR2Wnz_uHoGD8Gim9NmCAzt53avzslYxZ00irU9UBqUAzTFn3AYqnWPG84IsEioHe2gg2fH75MMoGCTKC1UG2PMSvGta2S6OM8B9peik/s1600/NativeMadridian2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcljFKnUHHNliFwiG1ozoGa1rOfHC5dbaPMS4pR2Wnz_uHoGD8Gim9NmCAzt53avzslYxZ00irU9UBqUAzTFn3AYqnWPG84IsEioHe2gg2fH75MMoGCTKC1UG2PMSvGta2S6OM8B9peik/s320/NativeMadridian2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It has the same feel in your hand as a plastic jug, but it's actually a shell of pressed cardboard. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4XSEXFZWlnMa_bjTnKeMIYm0y8P1wac5M2jdnZycrcNgKi3DHhBHDHfEpNNECKCmw3mFcQsU6xfKdx-Cb3_Vnz7tqNTL_GQ8SfjZDMrRqkIV_CJLWzHuKs1-GFuoLtFlNCQeOk2U_og/s1600/NativeMadridian3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik4XSEXFZWlnMa_bjTnKeMIYm0y8P1wac5M2jdnZycrcNgKi3DHhBHDHfEpNNECKCmw3mFcQsU6xfKdx-Cb3_Vnz7tqNTL_GQ8SfjZDMrRqkIV_CJLWzHuKs1-GFuoLtFlNCQeOk2U_og/s320/NativeMadridian3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Inside, there is a pouch, not unlike they do with boxed wine, so that there's less waste. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCXWO71kY2vTFc4LjxmM4XzUAnG415bQPFulRIz6IHOPPlER9LLkRsmgulLx18b11cTRUlc4KMv2wseY_j1imzz-UYzByStcTkWtCjvvPBhWFL7oTQ3PxitedLuFdcPbL8qPRP0wJ9nU/s1600/NativeMadridian4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCXWO71kY2vTFc4LjxmM4XzUAnG415bQPFulRIz6IHOPPlER9LLkRsmgulLx18b11cTRUlc4KMv2wseY_j1imzz-UYzByStcTkWtCjvvPBhWFL7oTQ3PxitedLuFdcPbL8qPRP0wJ9nU/s320/NativeMadridian4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
I LOVE this.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-67634597211048158052011-09-06T10:34:00.000-04:002011-09-06T10:34:48.563-04:00Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me?!How come nobody told me my favorite magazine was packing it in? In particular, why didn't the publishers let their subscribers know?<br />
<br />
http://www.readymade.com/blog/readymade/2011/06/16/farewell_readymakersNativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-63681944583154110182011-09-04T11:10:00.000-04:002011-09-04T11:10:30.077-04:00Gimme a hand (me down)!We are in full-on hand-me-down mode here in "Madridia".<br />
<br />
After Irene hit the area, we lost power for nearly 4 days, and I knew I'd have to do some serious cleaning around here before the kiddos could come back in--mainly in the bathrooms and kitchen. Everything in the fridge was thrown away, and because we use well water, we were not able to flush our toilets.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ScvzUKdY11RWVIcCtK2oG8FENMKnPcOdOGCOkqIQfAOiVjso5IpC8Pzom0SGrKGOgZSz7IU0a10S1TgjVTirienLtD-ujHbLRDu8XWiCa7-D_GJQ7h7XMmUbPXXTQ_VcR3cSnQecmE/s1600/IMG_5210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9ScvzUKdY11RWVIcCtK2oG8FENMKnPcOdOGCOkqIQfAOiVjso5IpC8Pzom0SGrKGOgZSz7IU0a10S1TgjVTirienLtD-ujHbLRDu8XWiCa7-D_GJQ7h7XMmUbPXXTQ_VcR3cSnQecmE/s320/IMG_5210.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRkr1hccw0WYzoKiR6duxTtq4KnKotly8jW-f1p_eoIOyKG4dq4MrnRizDKBIa5GdToHTwUOzl7AWk7hJeo1GqU9mHZZA8euJEpt6b2uOn3H6uOZYs7atF9GzJ_053S5W2DF3ttPjfMM/s1600/IMG_5211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkRkr1hccw0WYzoKiR6duxTtq4KnKotly8jW-f1p_eoIOyKG4dq4MrnRizDKBIa5GdToHTwUOzl7AWk7hJeo1GqU9mHZZA8euJEpt6b2uOn3H6uOZYs7atF9GzJ_053S5W2DF3ttPjfMM/s320/IMG_5211.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
All that "Belated Spring Cleaning" motivation quickly spilled into the girls' bedrooms, and specifically, the closets. I took the opportunity to sift through A's outgrown clothes and package them up into different bins for V.<br />
<br />
Take a look--each bin is for a different size, so that as she grows out of a size, I can simply dump the older (gently worn) clothes into the white basket, and take clothes out from the next bin. Finally--I have a system! And what's nicer is that V is set up for Fall--I know what she has already and what she needs (which is just about nothing). She has all sorts of warm, wooly footie pj's and a bin full of different shoes, long sleeved shorts, jackets, fleece pants and even a few sets of scarves and hats.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDIlZQd31-Zvp017ghXjVHYHPviYSSQIvZfMnmQS8GVvrwwi573MKfBkKow53g_A0m0RapU6t85daJCmPye4ZToUxUfSscuh6jFB2ePyvWQRs2W4EIdJH2oYZi-L2_jUeBBT8w1CGB7g/s1600/IMG_5375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDIlZQd31-Zvp017ghXjVHYHPviYSSQIvZfMnmQS8GVvrwwi573MKfBkKow53g_A0m0RapU6t85daJCmPye4ZToUxUfSscuh6jFB2ePyvWQRs2W4EIdJH2oYZi-L2_jUeBBT8w1CGB7g/s320/IMG_5375.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Then I looked through V's clothes, and all the items that were out of season or were too small got packaged up for the second hand store and Goodwill, along with her baby swing, Bumbo and a few other pieces of baby gear.<br />
<br />
So yesterday A and I stopped in to the <a href="http://onceuponachild.com/">second hand store</a> and dropped off a few bins for them to look through. The little one was so fascinated by all the tricycles, strollers and play yards they had outside for purchase. Inside, it was wall-to-wall clothes and toys. They had us sign in and leave out bins and then A and I ran a few more errands. After an hour, we returned and the store had selected a number of items to purchase and cut us a check on the spot. We took our bins, and the items they didn't purchase back with us, and will drop them at Goodwill another day.<br />
<br />
Now, I'd love to be able to say that we made money on this whole Irene business, but sadly, no. Because of the electrical surges we've experienced throughout this whole ordeal, our range hood is now on the fritz--the exhaust fan won't shut off. But at least we won't have to pay to have it fixed completely out of pocket, right?NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-29402072989267020202011-08-03T09:32:00.000-04:002011-08-03T09:32:20.248-04:00Why didn't I think of that sooner?The other night, we grilled kabobs, and I had the brilliant idea to use some leftover tabbouli to dress the grilled veggies as they came off the grill.<br />
<br />
This was a stroke of genius -- SO good!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-83014437857439765262011-07-25T09:15:00.000-04:002011-07-25T09:15:36.990-04:00Making Happiness HappenI read an article that a friend posted to Facebook that really got me thinking and inspired me. (You can find it <a href="http://www.grist.org/living/2011-06-28-the-medium-chill">here</a>.)<br />
<br />
My take away from the article included a few simple ideas:<br />
<blockquote>1. We are in charge of our happiness and we can choose to be happier people. </blockquote><blockquote>2. Building a life out of quality relationships and life experiences can make your life richer than working crazy hours at your job. </blockquote><blockquote>3. Accumulating more "stuff" in our lives truly doesn't make us more happy. There will always be more "stuff" to buy, so maybe it makes more sense to simply appreciate what you've already got and refurbish when possible.</blockquote>So,<i> what the heck does all this have to do with crafting</i>?!? In a word, simplification. I have a need to make things in my life more streamlined and and more simple.<br />
<br />
To support this idea, I decided to try my hand at refashioning this weekend. I figured it would be a refurbish on something I already own, so I'm not buying anything new or throwing anything away--It's cost neutral, yet if all goes well, I'll have something else to wear in my closet. It's also something I could do inside since it's so dang hot out, and a cool, breezy dress will be just what the doctor ordered once I do need to head out to run errands on the weekend.<br />
<br />
This time last year, while I was happily pregnant, I purchased a few items of clothing that were incredibly comfortable. In this batch of clothing that -- thankfully -- is now too roomy in the belly, I had two sundresses that I'd love to be able to put to use this summer. My idea was to blend something like this dress:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apeainthepod.com/images/alternates/2559891cu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.apeainthepod.com/images/alternates/2559891cu.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">with this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www1.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/864/864446/big/on864446-01vliv01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www1.assets-gap.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/864/864446/big/on864446-01vliv01.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I wanted to better define a waistline and make the dress appropriate for my non-maternity self. So here's what I did:<br />
<br />
I turned the outfit inside out and measured the length of elastic that was already sewn into the dress below the bustline. I then cut a few pieces of 1/4" elastic at the same length and pinned it into the dress about 1 1/4" below the original elastic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVueEER9jw7WHduya19RlBln01a8JZDPgaf-lhyTOfXWhq2A7HU1OH-8MR_hwaj4_bfNJsZHOVwyeryCi5PVly2ei6rNh0Nmm1SCuNrH2yi2oEIqJLhxxelNi0e5CE4_pCfP7tjpGkvvI/s1600/DSCN4888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVueEER9jw7WHduya19RlBln01a8JZDPgaf-lhyTOfXWhq2A7HU1OH-8MR_hwaj4_bfNJsZHOVwyeryCi5PVly2ei6rNh0Nmm1SCuNrH2yi2oEIqJLhxxelNi0e5CE4_pCfP7tjpGkvvI/s320/DSCN4888.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Then, pulling the elastic taut as I sewed, I ran a zigzag stitch along the length of the elastic.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aYSIaNVURIVzrEnMquQp0F9k6hvCSc4FTwWsMW0l2vyZsD10X3-z2ySD3pfY2alqcK7tSH-btG63hRJX21xnhCN7Iq1M5bmud__fDP1HZwWRUVEPLetKIkeb2lV2hK8tb7KFYWl6RgE/s1600/DSCN4891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aYSIaNVURIVzrEnMquQp0F9k6hvCSc4FTwWsMW0l2vyZsD10X3-z2ySD3pfY2alqcK7tSH-btG63hRJX21xnhCN7Iq1M5bmud__fDP1HZwWRUVEPLetKIkeb2lV2hK8tb7KFYWl6RgE/s320/DSCN4891.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I did this twice more on the front and the back, each row about 1 1/4" below the previous row.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfEWRymsWBjccM0ACwAxnUwBOY7dQjq7PyMuxdiSsjss_priFMjZL5kdBtia4W8MeN6Hs-gaHOX7tHgH6txALiMOewacnyjjQ_RG_KJGGL1IEAt5NkP4Bb-KT78i9Dgvu5TtpjQ23s7E/s1600/DSCN4884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIfEWRymsWBjccM0ACwAxnUwBOY7dQjq7PyMuxdiSsjss_priFMjZL5kdBtia4W8MeN6Hs-gaHOX7tHgH6txALiMOewacnyjjQ_RG_KJGGL1IEAt5NkP4Bb-KT78i9Dgvu5TtpjQ23s7E/s320/DSCN4884.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmJxwL2Jrv-fdG6hvStOCRHP1whI533uouJxPpcPFl6hs6YdFonxbp_ewEDKADP_uikV8XrVRxbJaOeNbor-DoBnCXgdkbd4F1JiWotAj36F8_Lp7HwsO0JXHSUkGN7n-FLmNS3kOq2k/s1600/DSCN4892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmJxwL2Jrv-fdG6hvStOCRHP1whI533uouJxPpcPFl6hs6YdFonxbp_ewEDKADP_uikV8XrVRxbJaOeNbor-DoBnCXgdkbd4F1JiWotAj36F8_Lp7HwsO0JXHSUkGN7n-FLmNS3kOq2k/s320/DSCN4892.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Now, I've got to get working on the other dress! I'll show you the end results in the next post.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-59816642908504221632011-07-05T09:27:00.000-04:002011-07-05T09:27:31.840-04:00Bathroom Update, Part 2We are well on the way to having a functional guest bathroom again! And to be honest, I think it's a reasonable facsimile to what I had envisioned!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTl9vRpZw0T81UojDUcIRhPm7jNDoHJMAkPkIhPXc_pFQQlJ5DsOjmGFh4fqxUfEyT1eXHnMyHwnEHgjPuYQZ2HZDtEfVJOsQOTkF-2fKN-YNCjbO11hSUIwskuY4bGO4f7Eth9avL54/s1600/nativemadridian_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTl9vRpZw0T81UojDUcIRhPm7jNDoHJMAkPkIhPXc_pFQQlJ5DsOjmGFh4fqxUfEyT1eXHnMyHwnEHgjPuYQZ2HZDtEfVJOsQOTkF-2fKN-YNCjbO11hSUIwskuY4bGO4f7Eth9avL54/s320/nativemadridian_1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Just a little touching up here and there, but we can do that another weekend. I think the color on the cabinet is MUCH better than that lighter color. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXVTSIEG71Fsd0tBAtTA-zFAuOkeAojPJaRodbOXcBxu9Lbb4ObMxkS78NZ8pGV0DdGFnikBWYtphcEVR_1fEFTaVscKbSzf5-qCIvQrApJQXV8Dy1pxfHn7_N6hyJvglyDmwCxF3-kI/s1600/nativemadridian_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXVTSIEG71Fsd0tBAtTA-zFAuOkeAojPJaRodbOXcBxu9Lbb4ObMxkS78NZ8pGV0DdGFnikBWYtphcEVR_1fEFTaVscKbSzf5-qCIvQrApJQXV8Dy1pxfHn7_N6hyJvglyDmwCxF3-kI/s320/nativemadridian_2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This third photo shows the truest color compared to what I painted. It's a really cheery bathroom now, and looks like a fun place to take a tub for the girls! A helped me pick out a new shower curtain, and we also picked up some towels and new bathmats on sale this weekend. The mirror that we picked up this weekend will probably go in either tonight or tomorrow.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenWWY6-XgbQpivXcpQ_ZZ6Y1LNYR7CPXxHkWwzmXRulT9cNnNHzAfp9a-IUAmmrjCd1oSeWPx8FsYGHUhhOR-73HcUmWWwAM6pED_Zp0UwyeJcq2bJIMlYmT_PvqSdrxkLk04y5N_YeU/s1600/nativemadridian_3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhyphenhyphenWWY6-XgbQpivXcpQ_ZZ6Y1LNYR7CPXxHkWwzmXRulT9cNnNHzAfp9a-IUAmmrjCd1oSeWPx8FsYGHUhhOR-73HcUmWWwAM6pED_Zp0UwyeJcq2bJIMlYmT_PvqSdrxkLk04y5N_YeU/s320/nativemadridian_3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Many thanks to my dear husband for helping me with all the taping and for watching the girls while I painted!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-66075440468045917682011-07-01T16:13:00.000-04:002011-07-01T16:13:14.355-04:00Bathroom Update, Part 1Am I insane for planning to go to the hardware store, the paint store AND Ikea this holiday weekend?<br />
<br />
I want to be sure to have the bathroom done by the time our out-of-town guest arrives at the end of next week.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-12451554071102627772011-06-29T20:27:00.000-04:002011-06-29T20:27:52.206-04:00Through the Looking Glass, Part 2So I think I've got a plan. <span id="goog_1044116356"></span><br />
<br />
We've gotta keep it inexpensive for now, so we'll paint the walls and the cabinet. This weekend, I'll pick up a plain mirror at Ikea, and if they have an interesting simple shelf to put below it, I might do that.<br />
<br />
While I'd love to be able to switch out the light fixture and the countertop (and the cabinet for that matter), it's just not in the cards for now.<br />
<br />
And I managed to pick a wall color that didn't make my husband nauseous. Check it out:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlEupoHe8CmGFCJVZjGfZRkOEuM9Sc13Y2v3pmipiri3WzdSeGrOKh3WjkbJ6CbZv2Jq4kJukyipB4oRIQlRVqhra_odJ5vV3IzmdgvxRUdMB8aJlTvJdNTbyW0tLqfJOgO89t7tnR3E/s1600/DSCN4867a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlEupoHe8CmGFCJVZjGfZRkOEuM9Sc13Y2v3pmipiri3WzdSeGrOKh3WjkbJ6CbZv2Jq4kJukyipB4oRIQlRVqhra_odJ5vV3IzmdgvxRUdMB8aJlTvJdNTbyW0tLqfJOgO89t7tnR3E/s320/DSCN4867a.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
...ahhhhhh.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-19422720301188185342011-06-24T09:53:00.001-04:002011-06-25T13:51:11.458-04:00Through the Looking Glass<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Tuesday morning around 5:30am, we were awoken by the most horrifying sound.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The mirror in our guest bathroom mysteriously fell off the wall and broke into a bazillion pieces.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">After we (and by "we", I mean my husband) swept up the pieces, swiffered the floor and then mopped, we decided to throw away the bathmats for fear we'd never get all the little shards out. And on the way down, the mirror also took out the towel rod. Once the dust settled, my husband said the magical words that were music to my ears:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">"Well, now that the mirror is down, if you want to repaint, now's the time."</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Sadly, it was followed with a little general guidance, because I have a tendency to paint rooms a little more,... how shall I say it... <i>more chromatic</i> than he's usually comfortable with. We can usually find common ground in the end, but let's just say I think he's still not completely on board with V's bright orange accent wall. <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>(Honestly, I'm not so sure about either sometimes).</i></span></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtPSDcPzUGZo0NGh5SCJi8TRniSJUtLMJo2gS2D8h8lwaZRjRD04c5WdfERKWD6jELGLDNiQoLf7VWcsK_OWByrqycFoxBWT6H9acW66qNRHGI1DfxOyeFBL1jBD-tm9Xw2-XJDGljQI/s1600/DSCN4870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtPSDcPzUGZo0NGh5SCJi8TRniSJUtLMJo2gS2D8h8lwaZRjRD04c5WdfERKWD6jELGLDNiQoLf7VWcsK_OWByrqycFoxBWT6H9acW66qNRHGI1DfxOyeFBL1jBD-tm9Xw2-XJDGljQI/s320/DSCN4870.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm8aAPhZlCsdn-_mg0py_rQtIcFPK6_oMbHeD7RReHnmU3WJkPoHOxtGogdTPtvs7S4L53K2usUlIHseAGowIRcOOVT3U2Elnwo5_dPCb98QYm1Op4DIc75UmCBhXYalOregWVbzGp18/s1600/DSCN4869.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEm8aAPhZlCsdn-_mg0py_rQtIcFPK6_oMbHeD7RReHnmU3WJkPoHOxtGogdTPtvs7S4L53K2usUlIHseAGowIRcOOVT3U2Elnwo5_dPCb98QYm1Op4DIc75UmCBhXYalOregWVbzGp18/s320/DSCN4869.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc5qjDxRucVThoENZIfHeNFRX1YKpDU1UdFR7ZD_fT9SaUwvlErpO42fE9jd_9L88zwEHwGlyHH0HVSiWsk4o229AWaZhsbchzNh5HymJ8kZtL3FSWNjYgByHF8DnamjbT9SGxtDMNBU/s1600/DSCN4874.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFc5qjDxRucVThoENZIfHeNFRX1YKpDU1UdFR7ZD_fT9SaUwvlErpO42fE9jd_9L88zwEHwGlyHH0HVSiWsk4o229AWaZhsbchzNh5HymJ8kZtL3FSWNjYgByHF8DnamjbT9SGxtDMNBU/s320/DSCN4874.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavHdpKi2pYQJkOIzCQrl2Pj9BjUUyPQAmEhQWYBGUfCCVTNgNpMeHXi1RjqhyphenhyphenBoSUGIG51eMJlQlrzhGbJYOLeQhZfsi3MBh8NWjdv2JcRkHL_2rr4EhbEaaFzxmZnR5B-qVEMSSfkcg/s1600/DSCN4873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavHdpKi2pYQJkOIzCQrl2Pj9BjUUyPQAmEhQWYBGUfCCVTNgNpMeHXi1RjqhyphenhyphenBoSUGIG51eMJlQlrzhGbJYOLeQhZfsi3MBh8NWjdv2JcRkHL_2rr4EhbEaaFzxmZnR5B-qVEMSSfkcg/s320/DSCN4873.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32eH570ppBGwJMU-qox4A0dOferEQgkJxhK8sqVjSeXvmOVABHUp9k9esj0m47uttnlc-eci5Atm1HwPYV6DI35v15xw9rO46iQ_ZyzHsj3gh1Guwy94vwJOVBQH6urelRUy5lZeNAY/s1600/DSCN4868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh32eH570ppBGwJMU-qox4A0dOferEQgkJxhK8sqVjSeXvmOVABHUp9k9esj0m47uttnlc-eci5Atm1HwPYV6DI35v15xw9rO46iQ_ZyzHsj3gh1Guwy94vwJOVBQH6urelRUy5lZeNAY/s320/DSCN4868.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpgy0ai3cU8AFAB5BnDO4ffCkHMlmO82VbYhkpmJo6o4CB4Pzof9Xxgdy_KZ0ur5w2IxI9nMz2qV40nj3R-VxsOsTBmYP4EUjgH5eee6ROn027DnX49pYpkeVCLdf3quVTtY50COgJhU/s1600/DSCN4867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhpgy0ai3cU8AFAB5BnDO4ffCkHMlmO82VbYhkpmJo6o4CB4Pzof9Xxgdy_KZ0ur5w2IxI9nMz2qV40nj3R-VxsOsTBmYP4EUjgH5eee6ROn027DnX49pYpkeVCLdf3quVTtY50COgJhU/s320/DSCN4867.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
So what say you, blogosphere--any color suggestions? Any websites I should check out for inspiration? Please drop me your two cents below!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-76451316139046522112011-06-19T23:59:00.003-04:002011-06-19T23:59:00.198-04:00Fun New Supplies to Try OutSo I stopped in at JoAnn since they had a big sale this past weekend and picked up a few new supplies that I want to try out. I'm curious to see how I can work these in to my repertoire.<br />
<br />
First up, I bought a few different types of elastic. Dare I say, I'm getting precariously close to starting to sew with knit fabrics. I think I'd like to attempt to make a simple tank top for A with some of this stuff. I just need to figure out the best application.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpeRi6TWaKaWWSqjpDT2RYOPEoWLSgpKuS87G8lGz_J83OEKKeztCaJiuAOYlZ_p8pGoF4Qx8JpcpW1rNJJnbPP0HXOJA4vYDhJLvD0n4Dhn62mG6pEEhVyvVJSFry0q-md-jUB0-2uk/s1600/DSCN4845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzpeRi6TWaKaWWSqjpDT2RYOPEoWLSgpKuS87G8lGz_J83OEKKeztCaJiuAOYlZ_p8pGoF4Qx8JpcpW1rNJJnbPP0HXOJA4vYDhJLvD0n4Dhn62mG6pEEhVyvVJSFry0q-md-jUB0-2uk/s320/DSCN4845.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
(On a side note, I'm enjoying how writing and posting about different projects kind of commits me to trying new projects!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnAcDAZPTjmBcVBCWb3781GNdCaGQz3lZa2kZPs3N8aNOSZnqMNTADtvnexkDVaHHzYbU9zXnu6iW_Aievz1b-HjeKWv3cnyegnQGRizcgQsIigeIGPAV5TsTWOMiFphpQenbxCpGNC0/s1600/DSCN4855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmnAcDAZPTjmBcVBCWb3781GNdCaGQz3lZa2kZPs3N8aNOSZnqMNTADtvnexkDVaHHzYbU9zXnu6iW_Aievz1b-HjeKWv3cnyegnQGRizcgQsIigeIGPAV5TsTWOMiFphpQenbxCpGNC0/s320/DSCN4855.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBwzACOETggfYfYJzcXMo2IMIX10dzteYhF76Loi2AuEbiPimWG572LEfWRakAmCm6_lLTsqDf6J0EwbFtzSjEeV22c7mdxPAgWwLVbzmhWirRFCVgHM7_uUrXRsfAxBO7mc1Is3-oTQ/s1600/DSCN4850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBwzACOETggfYfYJzcXMo2IMIX10dzteYhF76Loi2AuEbiPimWG572LEfWRakAmCm6_lLTsqDf6J0EwbFtzSjEeV22c7mdxPAgWwLVbzmhWirRFCVgHM7_uUrXRsfAxBO7mc1Is3-oTQ/s320/DSCN4850.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And second up, I bought a ruffle foot for the sewing machine. Yes, I know that ruffles can be made without them, but I've been eager to give one of these a whirl. When I take this one for a test drive, I will be sure to document my progress and share with you.<br />
<br />
Lastly, you'll notice some fancy schmancy plaid in the background. Thankfully, it's not a huge surprise for my hubby, but I'm going to give some grown-up sized pajama pants a try for Father's Day.<br />
<br />
Any advice for me on the new gear? Drop me a line in the comments below.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-21572966632964925502011-06-18T22:29:00.000-04:002011-06-18T22:29:14.973-04:00Renegade Craft Fair/Brooklyn RecapI was lucky enough to meet in the city with an old friend and take in the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn last weekend. What a hoot!! We had a great time (Thanks LJ!)<br />
<br />
Of course, we saw plenty of the requisite trendy/artsy-fartsy/hipster stuff: octopuses, handlebar mustaches and bird silhouettes....lots and lots of bird silhouettes. (By the way, if you haven't seen the "Put a Bird On It" clip from Portlandia <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XM3vWJmpfo">here</a>, you HAVE to check it out.)<br />
<br />
But there were a few standouts that we checked out, in fabric crafts and illustration in particular. I was really struck/amused by the following artist booths:<br />
<br />
Ceramic Artists:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.250917319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.250917319.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Andrew Zangerle</span></div><div style="text-align: left;">Andrew Zangerle (<a href="http://www.themapleridge.etsy.com/">www.themapleridge.etsy.com</a>) - This guy had a great sense of humor. While his little figurines were not functional, they definitely made me smile.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.abbyberkson.com/images/480/feb2011-09-480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://www.abbyberkson.com/images/480/feb2011-09-480.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Abby Berkson Ceramics</span></div>Abby Berkson Ceramics (<a href="http://www.abbyberkson.com/">www.abbyberkson.com</a>) - Yes, there were some birds, but her wares were simple, understated and just sweet.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.191455115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_fullxfull.191455115.jpg" width="247" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Reshape Studio</span></div><br />
Reshape Studio (<a href="http://www.reshapestudio.etsy.com/">www.reshapestudio.etsy.com</a>) - I liked the juxtaposition of many of the objects that this studio created. I especially liked their line of ceramics made to look like cable sweaters.<br />
<br />
<br />
Jewelry:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moiraklime.com/sites/moiraklime.indiemade.com/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/5471474527_67964889ab_o.jpg?th=paper&bg=FFFFFF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://www.moiraklime.com/sites/moiraklime.indiemade.com/files/imagecache/node-gallery-display/5471474527_67964889ab_o.jpg?th=paper&bg=FFFFFF" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Moira K. Lime</span></div>Moira K. Lime Jewelry (<a href="http://www.moiraklime.com/">www.moiraklime.com</a>) - Moira's pieces were delicate, well made and so feminine. There was so much I wanted to take home with me!<br />
<br />
Hoi-An Tang (<a href="http://www.mehoi.com/">www.mehoi.com</a>) - Again, a great sense of humor! I loved her pieces, like the ham pendants and rice cooker earrings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://corkysaintclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/birdsfieldsofflowers-e1289387739801-414x500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://corkysaintclair.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/birdsfieldsofflowers-e1289387739801-414x500.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Corky Saint Clair</span></div>Corky Saint Clair (<a href="http://www.corkysaintclair.com/">www.corkysaintclair.com</a>) - I especially liked her wood necklace charms and the "Super Luxe" charms in steel. I think her work is at its best when she explores the details in these larger-sized charms.<br />
<br />
<br />
Apparel:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wooly-baby.com/products/prod076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://www.wooly-baby.com/products/prod076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Wooly Baby Slippers</span></div>Wooly Baby Slippers (<a href="http://www.wooly-baby.com/">www.wooly-baby.com</a>) - Just looking at these slippers made my feet sweat. All joking aside, these booties looked like some of the coziest footwear around. Made from recycled sweaters, you could see that the workmanship was excellent, and the design was beautiful.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.163580818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.163580818.jpg" width="192" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Eliza Jane Curtis / Morris Essex</span></div>Eliza Jane Curtis / Morris Essex - (<a href="http://www.morrisessex.com/">www.morrisessex.com</a>) - The apparel and papergoods from Morris Essex used bold colors and gorgeous stock, and their quality stood out in a sea of average t-shirts and generic cards.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sharpshirter.com/assets/images/slides/haymaker.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.sharpshirter.com/assets/images/slides/haymaker.png" width="250" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Sharp Shirter</span></div>Sharp Shirter (<a href="http://www.sharpshirter.com/">www.sharpshirter.com</a>) - by far the most hilarious and wicked t-shirts and prints at the fair. And I was very happy to see a booth with a fantastic company name!<br />
<br />
Illustration:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://jaimezollars.com/item_images/greenbug1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://jaimezollars.com/item_images/greenbug1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Jaime Zollars</span></div>Jaime Zollars (<a href="http://www.jaimezollars.com/">www.jaimezollars.com</a>) - I love coming across artists who are super-comfortable in their creative skin, and Jaime's work displayed this. The work was kid-friendly, though a little moody at times.<br />
<br />
Brainstorm Print and Design ((<a href="http://www.wearebrainstorm.com/">www.wearebrainstorm.com</a>) - I loved their state map prints! Great use of color, and the photography on their site is excellent.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.michelerosenthal.com/calendar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="http://www.michelerosenthal.com/calendar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Michele Rosenthal</span></div></div><br />
Michele Rosenthal (<a href="http://www.michelerosenthal.com/">www.michelerosenthal.com</a>) - Loved the flip calendar, shown above. Many items were very kid-friendly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kristianaparn.com/images/a%20story%20of%20little%20rabbits_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.kristianaparn.com/images/a%20story%20of%20little%20rabbits_2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Kristiana Pärn</span></div>Kristiana Pärn (<a href="http://www.kristianaparn.com/">www.kristianaparn.com</a>) - Absolutely gorgeous. I loved the prints directly onto wood, allowing the wood grain to show through.<br />
<br />
<br />
Other:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.243403302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://ny-image2.etsy.com/il_570xN.243403302.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Felt Forest</span></div>Felt Forest (<a href="http://www.feltforest.etsy.com/">www.feltforest.etsy.com</a>) - Beautiful and whimsical goods made from felt. I particularly loved the little crowns with felt hydrangeas sewn to them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jordan-elise.com/creature_glacier_puppo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.jordan-elise.com/creature_glacier_puppo.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Horrible Adorables</span></div>Horrible Adorables (<a href="http://www.jordan-elise.com/">www.jordan-elise.com</a>) - I think these were my favorite pieces in the show, and made the trek out worth it! The pieces was completely different from the other work at the show, based on a traditional idea, but created in a completely different, craft-centric way, with a little twist.<br />
<br />
Are there any other fairs that you look forward to throughout the year? Any good ones in the Tri-state area that I need to check out? Leave a comment and let me know!!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-50736524111102045922011-06-15T12:00:00.000-04:002011-06-15T12:00:29.885-04:00Back in Business!I was able to pick up my sewing machine yesterday at <a href="http://www.thequiltersalley.com/">Quilter's Alley</a>--a day earlier than I'd originally anticipated. Their owner, Stuart, is such a sweet gentleman, and even helped put the machine into my car for me.<br />
<br />
The machine itself is running beautifully, and is clean as a whistle! He had good advice for keeping my machine in good repair for the long term, (like making sure it wasn't left in extreme temperatures) and his shop offers lots of different classes--not just for quilting, but also for apparel.<br />
<br />
Can't wait to stop back in!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-52881125566418092792011-06-09T23:59:00.003-04:002011-06-10T07:18:32.922-04:00Summer Salad SeasonI don't know about you, but this warmer weather has me itching to make healthy dinner-sized salads. But here's the thing. I generally look at recipe books and use them as inspiration for what I really wind up making. It isn't too often that I actually follow the instructions. So here's some general guidance on making one of my favorite summer salads (which serves two).<br />
<br />
Heat oven to 400˚F<br />
<br />
Into a plastic zipper bag, combine the following:<br />
Half a loaf of ciabatta bread sliced into small pieces for croutons<br />
1/4 cup parmesan cheese<br />
1T dried Italian spices<br />
2 heaping teaspoons of finely diced garlic<br />
About 2-3T olive oil<br />
<br />
Shake and spread onto a cookie sheet, bake for 10 minutes.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the following:<br />
1 drained can of white canellini beans<br />
1-2 avocados (depending on size and your preference)<br />
1 bell pepper, yellow or orange<br />
1/2 a large cucumber<br />
1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced in half<br />
1 heaping teaspoon of petite capers, drained (I use 2 because my daughter loves them)<br />
1 heaping teaspoon of finely diced garlic<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9EVZ4ydoRdk0QAZjel-__0yVmPrY8QYWLd27mtckmUZeoiUtf4U6tyuvMYK8xzIurzIvo0dw-PWKfRbK5v4RY8W_bk8FMncKCZCrZAdPDOEyfzDvekjmIN3WUKCpUWvJMVToM-g3fxg/s1600/DSCN4818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl9EVZ4ydoRdk0QAZjel-__0yVmPrY8QYWLd27mtckmUZeoiUtf4U6tyuvMYK8xzIurzIvo0dw-PWKfRbK5v4RY8W_bk8FMncKCZCrZAdPDOEyfzDvekjmIN3WUKCpUWvJMVToM-g3fxg/s320/DSCN4818.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
To this, add 2T chopped basil. I had an "AHA!" moment chopping my basil this week. Why not chop fresh spices using a pizza cutter? It worked like a charm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzQSBEjYgUIbEMh8ymmioirZbUFEL78E9ImCeyu-vD3eXdwlOm_lv-BVGnslS9O2sA8Qemf0jlwsuiy5sM-dMIo_DJPlBFZE-O5hVLtHmioVvEAxDOoB-ST-5BIQFeh_uhKhjumtc2v4/s1600/DSCN4823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzQSBEjYgUIbEMh8ymmioirZbUFEL78E9ImCeyu-vD3eXdwlOm_lv-BVGnslS9O2sA8Qemf0jlwsuiy5sM-dMIo_DJPlBFZE-O5hVLtHmioVvEAxDOoB-ST-5BIQFeh_uhKhjumtc2v4/s320/DSCN4823.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And to top it all off, mix with the world's easiest tomato vinaigrette:<br />
1/2 cup tomato juice<br />
1/4 cup olive oil<br />
1/4 cup red wine vinegar<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yv_C_UOyRSMk4CDfOkXACWCirX6XdrrPDDXy0VLYye5p2Smcislbz2DvctIB0tQRhyxQqyb7ISqDWwh-Vj5tazCM4XOd0nLPo2_GO43zHRHnbGjAJ85TjBWbcNdUg9yaUq1NnUbGEiQ/s1600/DSCN4830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yv_C_UOyRSMk4CDfOkXACWCirX6XdrrPDDXy0VLYye5p2Smcislbz2DvctIB0tQRhyxQqyb7ISqDWwh-Vj5tazCM4XOd0nLPo2_GO43zHRHnbGjAJ85TjBWbcNdUg9yaUq1NnUbGEiQ/s320/DSCN4830.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Add in those homemade croutons (I'll never use store bought again) and mix all the ingredients together.<br />
<br />
Enjoy!!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-65870622264405147002011-06-07T22:23:00.005-04:002011-06-07T23:04:43.158-04:00Trouble's Brewing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzPvzosMnxofhJl9oa8TatnMKGbXcKL8wMwt9Wu1EPsE4lcaPjcgRF0SQ4Ex04vKnXDYfxXd8snL-IpDK1bxjWeMh06OqHOOUXts8I_lfMOaa893dGVymW9WFR88VJYXjQphRH8YKFNo/s1600/DSCN4833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitzPvzosMnxofhJl9oa8TatnMKGbXcKL8wMwt9Wu1EPsE4lcaPjcgRF0SQ4Ex04vKnXDYfxXd8snL-IpDK1bxjWeMh06OqHOOUXts8I_lfMOaa893dGVymW9WFR88VJYXjQphRH8YKFNo/s320/DSCN4833.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I started a new freelance graphics gig late last week and this week I realized that I'm within walking distance of a quaint little quilting & fabric store AND a great bead store. I checked both out today, and (alert the media!) walked out spending less than $12 total. But I'll be back!<br />
<br />
Great news for this blog.<br />
<br />
Not so much for my pocketbook.<br />
<br />
Stay tuned, blogosphere, stay tuned.<br />
<br />
ps: I may take a short break from the sewing since I'm planning to take my trusty Kenmore to have it tuned up at the shop I found today. It's been a total workhorse, and has survived 6 moves in three states and two floods. Who knew you were supposed to do this yearly?!? I get it done about <s>NEVER</s> once every twenty years, apparently.NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-70417213086179575772011-06-04T22:00:00.000-04:002011-06-04T22:02:53.676-04:00Copying a Baby DressOver Memorial Day weekend, my younger daughter wore a hand-me-down dress that I absolutely love. <div><br />
</div><div>As we were driving home, sleeping kiddos in the back in their car seats, I let my mind wander a bit about that dress and how it was constructed, and I wondered if I could copy that dress using fabric that I had on hand. So I decided to give it a try, and it worked remarkably well for me. Here's how I did it:<div><br />
</div><div>First, I turned the original dress inside out and traced it. I traced the back...</div><div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisABps2d-kNGZxMq7MrVvrr_-e-IKRpDO8xwzlZsP6uSR9VzhaQTnfB8z7koBe24vezAfTM2hm-vDKOa39Rw3I6Xpw2c48mQqFIUlGQwrZVd0Y7t-mEhgwBExO5vu00_jLwQzDOK1jxY0/s1600/DSCN4729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisABps2d-kNGZxMq7MrVvrr_-e-IKRpDO8xwzlZsP6uSR9VzhaQTnfB8z7koBe24vezAfTM2hm-vDKOa39Rw3I6Xpw2c48mQqFIUlGQwrZVd0Y7t-mEhgwBExO5vu00_jLwQzDOK1jxY0/s320/DSCN4729.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
...And I traced the front. I did not include any seam allowances.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaQkeEOZ79pnKhg4WD2UGXx-qSnr4-AZQpHrOd5y9wFoNNriFyggli0qgQiK2cZ611Kzbr8g2xx0kHF_nIIQtHxndnJ1QKCYkbnlpCkqxRWx9NsheUxnVAZKb-6HgENA_kNsRqOyMyII/s1600/DSCN4733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSaQkeEOZ79pnKhg4WD2UGXx-qSnr4-AZQpHrOd5y9wFoNNriFyggli0qgQiK2cZ611Kzbr8g2xx0kHF_nIIQtHxndnJ1QKCYkbnlpCkqxRWx9NsheUxnVAZKb-6HgENA_kNsRqOyMyII/s320/DSCN4733.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next, I used two fat quarters and tried to see if I could fit the pieces all together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuzlIWu8Ws4U8ocQJjO1n5FLjaTygRX2ALMgFzqJjj1EKbZw2P6PZ6dqtZv15Jntf3ESmhFtIM5M_NKDd2myDN6OH6eeZA9ZgneEX0GKfYmwZBOOtFb6fQO-GdDujozKMO3X4vh_mXfc/s1600/DSCN4737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuzlIWu8Ws4U8ocQJjO1n5FLjaTygRX2ALMgFzqJjj1EKbZw2P6PZ6dqtZv15Jntf3ESmhFtIM5M_NKDd2myDN6OH6eeZA9ZgneEX0GKfYmwZBOOtFb6fQO-GdDujozKMO3X4vh_mXfc/s320/DSCN4737.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
If you look closely, you'll see that I cheated a little. Instead of cutting the back yoke on the fold, because of its awkward shape, I cut two and decided I could live with a seam down the center back. You'll also notice that I added in my seam allowances.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfIdmY7JMF1wJ__dGINfAHbhcpT_dHgCojV_y4bxvlvV_eodujFIm5lV_EMJJQE1kgRsnCLLhQE229IEtAIOmhxajHM-eVrU3wFE5XykMFHvan5acLeBSwFWghWMrtcdnMQx2kMYAlqg/s1600/DSCN4741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfIdmY7JMF1wJ__dGINfAHbhcpT_dHgCojV_y4bxvlvV_eodujFIm5lV_EMJJQE1kgRsnCLLhQE229IEtAIOmhxajHM-eVrU3wFE5XykMFHvan5acLeBSwFWghWMrtcdnMQx2kMYAlqg/s320/DSCN4741.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next, since I don't own a serger, I zigzagged around all the pieces.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcfOJJgLimiF-ehIhLCTHY-fskXMmVrLuSngC1j_pqjrttjogj6x6h_FVFqK_tf9Q-ZajQh3RrHUpfQj2ewwT-Dd7EhkZIqlABz3NYUYIRs_b57ie6qEmjmpHvzffXbdeSpY8e7hLLtA/s1600/DSCN4748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCcfOJJgLimiF-ehIhLCTHY-fskXMmVrLuSngC1j_pqjrttjogj6x6h_FVFqK_tf9Q-ZajQh3RrHUpfQj2ewwT-Dd7EhkZIqlABz3NYUYIRs_b57ie6qEmjmpHvzffXbdeSpY8e7hLLtA/s320/DSCN4748.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I then sewed the back and the front together along the side seams and pressed the seams open.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGMtKlmXaelZh8eIXPxxz5vGTI6qlmzHwWAiogvpiJVVlXph4tEMafrsulqgdVmeC1QVpiw68KuQ_LPXlZXwd9y-tVXfFgFmsGYsgYi8lE7_GbZAMCJ2aS76ospesoNlfwUTKg4mFPlU/s1600/DSCN4768.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGMtKlmXaelZh8eIXPxxz5vGTI6qlmzHwWAiogvpiJVVlXph4tEMafrsulqgdVmeC1QVpiw68KuQ_LPXlZXwd9y-tVXfFgFmsGYsgYi8lE7_GbZAMCJ2aS76ospesoNlfwUTKg4mFPlU/s320/DSCN4768.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And after sewing the two back yoke pieces together, I sewed the front yoke and back yoke together along the side seams as well.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CNjoHt7KYcgrXPe2o2Igp22ZrbRWS8CSlF5nZ79ptv-CTw42aPDusId6d9oZk0PrZ_CVKCn2GmSl5GXsQGYikLJmMDgsVrNj6MVg1HahFuyvDSIA3XQByPHz72HqAJS45_ks-h7uaGk/s1600/DSCN4769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CNjoHt7KYcgrXPe2o2Igp22ZrbRWS8CSlF5nZ79ptv-CTw42aPDusId6d9oZk0PrZ_CVKCn2GmSl5GXsQGYikLJmMDgsVrNj6MVg1HahFuyvDSIA3XQByPHz72HqAJS45_ks-h7uaGk/s320/DSCN4769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next, I turned the dress right side out and sewed the yoke and the dress together. To keep the yoke from riding up once the dress is worn, I stitched in the ditch along the side seams to connect the yoke to the dress.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pF3rJu3Aihwb-2oVrCYdnELaCYyp8cXA3M_VpfEtN4dLd-eLDR1w3i2PLntdG0LHxuyjBrzhhVw3WkVnBDwebj9XZQ361HZiNCuKBV-VQyUzUx1yMYBgCgQjqt5UDOfB-q-utZudDQM/s1600/DSCN4773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pF3rJu3Aihwb-2oVrCYdnELaCYyp8cXA3M_VpfEtN4dLd-eLDR1w3i2PLntdG0LHxuyjBrzhhVw3WkVnBDwebj9XZQ361HZiNCuKBV-VQyUzUx1yMYBgCgQjqt5UDOfB-q-utZudDQM/s320/DSCN4773.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I then cut notches along all the curves that would be turned out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapsMKm-YSuqt4z8jYiKsYAskU6TDnz6yLmHFknLQ23djqSPcRoQjJcWyFWrG1_eIgBnJUKh73ehtUDRy-9XXQXCZVVf5fZgsUCboQZEWZmUHTexCUQ2YPsyxS1vctQtCQpNZ2zWX0TRY/s1600/DSCN4785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapsMKm-YSuqt4z8jYiKsYAskU6TDnz6yLmHFknLQ23djqSPcRoQjJcWyFWrG1_eIgBnJUKh73ehtUDRy-9XXQXCZVVf5fZgsUCboQZEWZmUHTexCUQ2YPsyxS1vctQtCQpNZ2zWX0TRY/s320/DSCN4785.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Be sure you don't cut all the way to the seam!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSrkmzRt5wyDcKMbeN7VtZ-djELYic_KZ8NGFKvou-TK5V21QmIJaiM52r7dmBevvpc2-lzTjswS5-0SywGC9SgGl6Eteimf8e3WxJhZB1FRgJA0Vr5ZmTFCY4m9Yx1smdQrM-qssMBg/s1600/DSCN4780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSrkmzRt5wyDcKMbeN7VtZ-djELYic_KZ8NGFKvou-TK5V21QmIJaiM52r7dmBevvpc2-lzTjswS5-0SywGC9SgGl6Eteimf8e3WxJhZB1FRgJA0Vr5ZmTFCY4m9Yx1smdQrM-qssMBg/s320/DSCN4780.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Once the notches were cut, I turned the dress right side out and ironed the seams. Then came some new learning for me: after owning my sewing machine for nearly 20 years, I finally taught myself to use the automatic button hole attachments. What a dream!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDuKGKw_6B6g-4wFSVjaCWVy-8PABBKxfzP5AlnlSCrDvoAm700Xc49SHJ4o4IXVTUe8gV6YBJ-9CsjiljPyc8ygu3ZjJr5wW8evqsz8bYRKnFXxdHxPd84HbDKtXO4IaiOKLwlEwK6Q/s1600/DSCN4792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHDuKGKw_6B6g-4wFSVjaCWVy-8PABBKxfzP5AlnlSCrDvoAm700Xc49SHJ4o4IXVTUe8gV6YBJ-9CsjiljPyc8ygu3ZjJr5wW8evqsz8bYRKnFXxdHxPd84HbDKtXO4IaiOKLwlEwK6Q/s320/DSCN4792.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
And I sewed the buttons on.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-u_mccWFTBSTZSHj-AjftllIZ5FqofsOSQv8-IBVqVd-eTCRzDuCM8_B62vH8IO_Z3Z0eoQlMRc_3EOMVysafFHGLrj1VcecR1Vi4oCDjZN52dS-m0jLoPW7We7gZ12IInKhXhUa09g/s1600/DSCN4798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-u_mccWFTBSTZSHj-AjftllIZ5FqofsOSQv8-IBVqVd-eTCRzDuCM8_B62vH8IO_Z3Z0eoQlMRc_3EOMVysafFHGLrj1VcecR1Vi4oCDjZN52dS-m0jLoPW7We7gZ12IInKhXhUa09g/s320/DSCN4798.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
And once I hemmed the dress, it was done.<br />
<br />
I have to say, this project was a real confidence booster for me for a few reasons. First, I used attachments on my machine that I've somehow managed to put off and put off for decades(!). Second, it taught me that I can make something a little more involved and create my own pattern. I think I may copy a few of my older daughter's dresses, including one that has some sweet pleats. Again, it has a very simple shape, and a good challenge. I bet I can do it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhbWFGG-7vtlbEwwQJmMupT6nY5Y06XjSRD1u7jEJohkFZ-4H71Z4vvNu6Feycz01pGi5t77OD2g_Wdf6K4szyFrAtZSK6DOFiRp5DGH0Z02OLeQ5l-eZwX2D_ppjlhttR9UCPHWmKao/s1600/DSCN4808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGhbWFGG-7vtlbEwwQJmMupT6nY5Y06XjSRD1u7jEJohkFZ-4H71Z4vvNu6Feycz01pGi5t77OD2g_Wdf6K4szyFrAtZSK6DOFiRp5DGH0Z02OLeQ5l-eZwX2D_ppjlhttR9UCPHWmKao/s320/DSCN4808.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div><br />
</div></div><div>I can't wait to see it on her!</div>NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-56559304320476960512011-06-03T00:00:00.010-04:002011-06-03T07:04:16.686-04:00Hop To It Lounge Outfit<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was feeling particularly industrious recently and decided to sew a pair of comfy pants and make a matching shirt for A. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We went to the fabric store and I let her pick out appropriate fabric.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_EkjAkhHHYkP-VS_d5rAFQXJUszaojtDBdjS-VjIl7_wK3RG_zTMZtQEYzB32QfFq-Wiee8t8CiYi66Rkt5cGF8KBtkExWnO4PosjnTc7HOcVuJ6hd1UIkhRpygZAYS-4yj85ajcsps/s1600/IMG_3897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw_EkjAkhHHYkP-VS_d5rAFQXJUszaojtDBdjS-VjIl7_wK3RG_zTMZtQEYzB32QfFq-Wiee8t8CiYi66Rkt5cGF8KBtkExWnO4PosjnTc7HOcVuJ6hd1UIkhRpygZAYS-4yj85ajcsps/s320/IMG_3897.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used the basic kids pants pattern from one of my very favorite blogs, Made, found <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/07/tutorial-and-pattern-kid-pants.html">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyz9AQShB4Noc7mkaKAAwywPxqi7s2WVh67zENld-loKmXxjfXQEclsLJuR9sZxqvavCahnxJEJeHyo6BGSwvdbusLuUUaWK8uiSWmEeas31btNqIrT4rsM6t1T3lXoxVxB5-oM60x10/s1600/IMG_3904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmyz9AQShB4Noc7mkaKAAwywPxqi7s2WVh67zENld-loKmXxjfXQEclsLJuR9sZxqvavCahnxJEJeHyo6BGSwvdbusLuUUaWK8uiSWmEeas31btNqIrT4rsM6t1T3lXoxVxB5-oM60x10/s320/IMG_3904.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V09aRksNgv0Eem6fb9in4f4ABSSGs_-7wuOwF7x7QimpX2H7M-H836ni4XPcbiCZM2nZzSUb1gVhQTDfWc5MAPFSQmd1Qhw0sqYpBJOwZ4hzgh3Ll9ek-MC7m81owUcUWCEqyJH2eqg/s1600/IMG_3917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2V09aRksNgv0Eem6fb9in4f4ABSSGs_-7wuOwF7x7QimpX2H7M-H836ni4XPcbiCZM2nZzSUb1gVhQTDfWc5MAPFSQmd1Qhw0sqYpBJOwZ4hzgh3Ll9ek-MC7m81owUcUWCEqyJH2eqg/s320/IMG_3917.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Then I selected a cute frog to applique to the t-shirt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAVUPZKw9a3v1Gz8zN6FNhGjYeoz0jqT8mdNi7fXg5j2CRZIB3-dC-nnR3orxuBDq0lBjYRjk2KR0W11LBKoMlxj6dD1edVJYZgNF4tqUMfv6E-DYWf_bvqNXgeW9sO98bDssB08Pdh4/s1600/IMG_3898.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAVUPZKw9a3v1Gz8zN6FNhGjYeoz0jqT8mdNi7fXg5j2CRZIB3-dC-nnR3orxuBDq0lBjYRjk2KR0W11LBKoMlxj6dD1edVJYZgNF4tqUMfv6E-DYWf_bvqNXgeW9sO98bDssB08Pdh4/s320/IMG_3898.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I used fabric stabilizer for the first time and completed the applique using a satin stitch on my sewing machine. I stitched to the inside of the edges of the applique to allow it to fray a little as it would be washed.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHNJ2fSQhDm45iz8taKTsw7ppRv97RkZhFfd6-o_FGma-WJ0CxwOeBrzGusNk-YLrPKAR6YKh_zZ6gxgTC9pl_j5bGxHdKIcYJ291En2l_6EBTLRjEUp_QkuchEZ2kcxbWDfcp2JygmU/s1600/IMG_4025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcHNJ2fSQhDm45iz8taKTsw7ppRv97RkZhFfd6-o_FGma-WJ0CxwOeBrzGusNk-YLrPKAR6YKh_zZ6gxgTC9pl_j5bGxHdKIcYJ291En2l_6EBTLRjEUp_QkuchEZ2kcxbWDfcp2JygmU/s320/IMG_4025.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was able to print my stencil directly onto the freezer paper, then cut it out and adhered it to the t-shirt, like I did in the <a href="http://nativemadridian.blogspot.com/2011/05/freezer-paper-stencil-wall-art.html">Freezer Paper Stencil Wall Art tutorial</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_HBbAvU634FGLmoRiu3HI8_eh5y1qHjr0qQcgROUXCTMkc_-ASJ7Pli185Wo7JQF6ORYLPg95YVr81MF4vryIKasmxQc_wkHReqGssHJ7QGoQQwqRoVh0qFL03vjrZDhgbSK76HoreY/s1600/IMG_4027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_HBbAvU634FGLmoRiu3HI8_eh5y1qHjr0qQcgROUXCTMkc_-ASJ7Pli185Wo7JQF6ORYLPg95YVr81MF4vryIKasmxQc_wkHReqGssHJ7QGoQQwqRoVh0qFL03vjrZDhgbSK76HoreY/s320/IMG_4027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I used a coordinating fabric paint...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eanezGak9N7HaF7snaDF2zFM5IdmrAhot4hH1eAy1yCUT9LphzRwaiS2TU6bEiVxE2WhgcEpIdq6w10lVlzu1z_W1kBsWCE0FgkEnzP3ELLxrVZkZ7YWakIt8qOX7LMSK3p0XapwFoc/s1600/IMG_4029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eanezGak9N7HaF7snaDF2zFM5IdmrAhot4hH1eAy1yCUT9LphzRwaiS2TU6bEiVxE2WhgcEpIdq6w10lVlzu1z_W1kBsWCE0FgkEnzP3ELLxrVZkZ7YWakIt8qOX7LMSK3p0XapwFoc/s320/IMG_4029.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">...and when it dried, I peeled the stencil away. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HUdlMP4LylylC-isd3ksAuVd-DA-WDLNXrv0_3s0EBQJAGgHGx7I4Hxu8EUYvBRbErWRbCq41gL1NYOwm4hlTkHScZx77WQNLkGPrpEwKkEI4T3KTQGxL3PZl58IUmmMJAlTEjqb_9E/s1600/IMG_4030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HUdlMP4LylylC-isd3ksAuVd-DA-WDLNXrv0_3s0EBQJAGgHGx7I4Hxu8EUYvBRbErWRbCq41gL1NYOwm4hlTkHScZx77WQNLkGPrpEwKkEI4T3KTQGxL3PZl58IUmmMJAlTEjqb_9E/s320/IMG_4030.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Here's the finished set.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbr2T3B34TCM5lmWd4xNKvnrxrhilem9Ui9H_O7DReZKoebr8kNBndEnHFbrvMFG2LN_klj_7jyLMWg4c5TVatlFM7chAhi8SzXqF9iNXCWfyey2Am9QQSjeZc_gmV00xsnUwhHyRDdA/s1600/IMG_4031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXbr2T3B34TCM5lmWd4xNKvnrxrhilem9Ui9H_O7DReZKoebr8kNBndEnHFbrvMFG2LN_klj_7jyLMWg4c5TVatlFM7chAhi8SzXqF9iNXCWfyey2Am9QQSjeZc_gmV00xsnUwhHyRDdA/s320/IMG_4031.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It fit A really nicely, with a little room to grow!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5WrYCHDY9S54pl6c5eL_5ZwI_mAmuAVp5imWMMsxstbBArw5MFk-U9uSBYS9t1EFL6KK1RfTWU3ZhydA9vUBzUKHLVFQtw5AAmFCogILsL7JgXAhFUVEiHK43fZoqgAbl0eIm_n_htU/s1600/IMG_4038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5WrYCHDY9S54pl6c5eL_5ZwI_mAmuAVp5imWMMsxstbBArw5MFk-U9uSBYS9t1EFL6KK1RfTWU3ZhydA9vUBzUKHLVFQtw5AAmFCogILsL7JgXAhFUVEiHK43fZoqgAbl0eIm_n_htU/s320/IMG_4038.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-51583191088585956002011-06-01T00:01:00.001-04:002011-06-01T00:01:01.103-04:00Quick and Easy Girl's Skirt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My daughter loves checking out my fabric stash, and recently, I decided to make something from a few fat quarters that she had her eye on. I wanted to keep it simple so that it could be completed while our other daughter was napping. I worked out the pattern pretty quickly in my head (but will soon publish a tutorial so you can follow along). This skirt fits a 3T, and only requires two fat quarters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7pbBZcW4bS_dUzAqHNNSJI8Jdu5jy_8BNpysUENiahvpYkP6Oign1_qesv6xL6wzRXLrBimezZDQ9mc3cKpMbTnTV319T-67XjzCkBDmDSNTAYzZT8cAyscqXu2pNHVuiuy5H2X9vDk/s1600/IMG_4376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE7pbBZcW4bS_dUzAqHNNSJI8Jdu5jy_8BNpysUENiahvpYkP6Oign1_qesv6xL6wzRXLrBimezZDQ9mc3cKpMbTnTV319T-67XjzCkBDmDSNTAYzZT8cAyscqXu2pNHVuiuy5H2X9vDk/s320/IMG_4376.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
We ended up pairing it up with one of the freezer paper stenciled t-shirts.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnwDgWUSc8uDOKkQ1j9yCppY4vK5eKZQzG8yK4wiuRkelsw7Npr0NeTtsrgNuOoxDYbHt7HlPHDwmJDM7jTHMdotSM2knSye_FtNve7qe73u7lGxKNbOIpyH7A0qHkHFAN8adckV1hsBQ/s320/IMG_4374.jpg" width="293" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UXI1c2r6K_vBIAeuirzaP_u_JWHrgRt3azSKuoDTYAwOWBEJ2ER3nA7VvnTq4aqLHnNE6kQ0T4poAz85QrKnmU2giLwpT0YYMfrFERE5IrFPSyl-OJmtTzQz-Z2ihEUnJSDGxdYTnd4/s1600/IMG_4382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UXI1c2r6K_vBIAeuirzaP_u_JWHrgRt3azSKuoDTYAwOWBEJ2ER3nA7VvnTq4aqLHnNE6kQ0T4poAz85QrKnmU2giLwpT0YYMfrFERE5IrFPSyl-OJmtTzQz-Z2ihEUnJSDGxdYTnd4/s320/IMG_4382.jpg" width="289" /></a></div><br />
Perfect for spring and summer!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-35700661352300471592011-05-31T12:26:00.000-04:002011-05-31T12:26:57.659-04:00Fairy Princess Skirt and HeadbandA had a pretty princess-themed birthday party recently, and since we were attending as a family, I thought that little V should have a costume of her own. I wanted to be sure to keep it comfy, so I decided to have her wear an existing onesie and add an elastic-waisted skirt and headband to it. I didn't have a pattern, so I just winged it (like so much of the sewing I do).<br />
<br />
For the skirt, I measured V's waist and cut a piece of pajama elastic about an inch longer and set it aside. Then I cut lots of almond shapes from scraps in my stash--some from quilting fabrics, and some pink tulle. Since I wasn't expecting V to wear this on a regular basis, I didn't bother finishing the edges of the fabric shapes.<br />
<br />
I folded them in half and overlapped them to make a skirt shape, and then sewed a seam about 1 inch from the fold to make a casing. Then I carefully inserted the elastic and maneuvered it through all the different layers until it was looped through the entire skirt.<br />
<br />
Once the elastic was completely in, I overlapped the ends about an inch and sewed them together. I then re-distributed the gathers. To finish the skirt, I cut a few strips of fabric on the bias and made a few overlapping loops, like a Christmas bow. Then I took about an 18 inch length of ribbon and hand sewed a running stitch along the length of one side. I then gathered the ribbon to make a flowery puff and hand sewed the puff and the lopped fabric to the skirt.<br />
<br />
For the headband, I measured V's little noggin and cut a piece of 1/4" elastic 1 inch longer. I overlapped the ends by an inch and stitched the two overlapping ends to each other. I then cut strips of fabric on the bias and sewed them onto the elastic using a zig zag stitch while stretching the elastic. Using the same technique on another piece of 18 inch organza ribbon, I made another little flowery puff and sewed it onto the headband.<br />
<br />
Here's the final result:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6l2N0ISk2YmkZBwj1kvc3LXLCT7sl2_wYdkH_wSvfjutR-mA0jxyV39P7C_vG1YpeO6k0Zw9zdk6LytBHTQ3ahZjUNhD-mxXvyLHBHejDPWGdy-2HBOmK37DuC5Qn4BSBBkm-Rp5Wr8/s1600/IMG_4404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6l2N0ISk2YmkZBwj1kvc3LXLCT7sl2_wYdkH_wSvfjutR-mA0jxyV39P7C_vG1YpeO6k0Zw9zdk6LytBHTQ3ahZjUNhD-mxXvyLHBHejDPWGdy-2HBOmK37DuC5Qn4BSBBkm-Rp5Wr8/s320/IMG_4404.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6356407492602038675.post-42873888366091401682011-05-29T23:13:00.001-04:002011-05-30T14:02:47.821-04:00Holy Guacamole!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As promised, here's my basic recipe for guacamole, perfect for any cookout!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidtkir25Qv4ZAhR49itoCw3GWgDAEQg10LZA0AXk-kc-9Tg0zhZZMUDzfBNQCVyKXVVDS64YDXkLaecxAhs76mObPcWGRUuING9yU_cRGcJ7mMTuwlKkSZQOSmxUo-kuEm44XoAZxdi0/s1600/DSCN4686.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhidtkir25Qv4ZAhR49itoCw3GWgDAEQg10LZA0AXk-kc-9Tg0zhZZMUDzfBNQCVyKXVVDS64YDXkLaecxAhs76mObPcWGRUuING9yU_cRGcJ7mMTuwlKkSZQOSmxUo-kuEm44XoAZxdi0/s320/DSCN4686.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You'll need the following ingredients:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">4 large ripe avocados</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">2 roma tomatoes</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 medium onion</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">1 medium lemon or 3 small limes</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">jalepeños (optional)</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">seasoned salt, to taste</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Unsure how to pick a really perfect avocado? When you select one, give it a gentle squeeze. It should have just a little bit of give, similar to how a stick of butter feels after it's been at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Too soft, and you'll have brown spots inside, and the avocado will taste slightly sour. Too hard, and the avocado will be nearly impossible to mash.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Also, to easily remove the pit, cut the avocado in half lengthwise. Twist the two hemispheres apart from each other. Holding the side of the avocado with the pit firmly in your left hand, and with your right hand, use a medium heavy chopping knife to chop into the pit, purposefully getting the knife stuck. Hold the avocado still in that left hand and turn the knife from 3 o'clock to 12 o'clock. It should loosen up easily. Then take the knife with the pit to the garbage can and strike the handle to the side of the trash can so that the pit un-sticks itself and falls into the trash. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">But make sure you retain one pit to put into your finished guacamole, to help it keep its color!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO4s_0qKtpx5WWxC3LaSeuaqed-GBvnX4FET6aGi7icsEpYNPILgcdketCqXzEilFXPS9mJPH_9uyU14VFUDJRKKm4A7y9lLxz3fe_z-MliNRJS8Y9SL6JjYm9KiP8RwioH3y6Se_4-Q/s1600/DSCN4691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxO4s_0qKtpx5WWxC3LaSeuaqed-GBvnX4FET6aGi7icsEpYNPILgcdketCqXzEilFXPS9mJPH_9uyU14VFUDJRKKm4A7y9lLxz3fe_z-MliNRJS8Y9SL6JjYm9KiP8RwioH3y6Se_4-Q/s320/DSCN4691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After you've pitted all the avocados, scoop out the flesh and put it into a bowl. Dice the tomatoes and onion. If you want to add a little heat, also finely dice some jalepeños (fresh or canned work fine, depending on your taste).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAptFJEP0y1Wm3x04bcNBFRhQI4YoJ7MgGSNRyR2QV0WpUqriOWJyNCfRXU_AcQwkLg4JOPU1Rt802QRaDF7iK_JUhZ2J8DcfG7pY0aDG399D9ZOqxG1WrrcAgmYy4_kObGM4tKj9pqo/s1600/DSCN4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCAptFJEP0y1Wm3x04bcNBFRhQI4YoJ7MgGSNRyR2QV0WpUqriOWJyNCfRXU_AcQwkLg4JOPU1Rt802QRaDF7iK_JUhZ2J8DcfG7pY0aDG399D9ZOqxG1WrrcAgmYy4_kObGM4tKj9pqo/s320/DSCN4709.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Squeeze the juice of one lemon (or 3 limes) on top.<br />
<br />
To get more juice out of your citrus, put it into the microwave for 15 seconds and then roll it on the countertop. You'll get nearly twice the juice out that way!<br />
<br />
Sprinkle seasoned salt to taste.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1zFkrfhcUpAltgB-i1n2Vkz7mOomwencD-PTk67c2zniqyIGkkBRlyV5OnlnwH2mpbGuk4-pozsygb0y-BWjICEFEsre33li8WUSJCFnxeN5fuw-jXK9JCOVmicKk5z0XWiHUrFhRq4/s1600/DSCN4713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1zFkrfhcUpAltgB-i1n2Vkz7mOomwencD-PTk67c2zniqyIGkkBRlyV5OnlnwH2mpbGuk4-pozsygb0y-BWjICEFEsre33li8WUSJCFnxeN5fuw-jXK9JCOVmicKk5z0XWiHUrFhRq4/s320/DSCN4713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Use a potato masher (the zig-zag shaped kind) to blend all the ingredients, but make sure you leave it a little lumpy! Add that pit you set aside back into the bowl to help the guacamole keep its bright green color.<br />
<br />
If you're traveling and planning to take this with you, take a piece of plastic wrap and press it into the surface of the guacamole, pressing out as many bubbles as you can. When you arrive at your destination, remove the plastic wrap and give the guacamole a quick stir.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUn9_5Pe1sYabAE2pUjVtEbZXBPQMbNDfc_lDPUbHwME2Hrc664sB1uGp6cEOgyw1I_Z31XkPcXCB9fcjnlSsikLOIVDc7619SHP4NT_OnVQeqTfZdqxpr84oIVS1_kCy8gayejd3GZJ4/s1600/DSCN4726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUn9_5Pe1sYabAE2pUjVtEbZXBPQMbNDfc_lDPUbHwME2Hrc664sB1uGp6cEOgyw1I_Z31XkPcXCB9fcjnlSsikLOIVDc7619SHP4NT_OnVQeqTfZdqxpr84oIVS1_kCy8gayejd3GZJ4/s320/DSCN4726.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span id="goog_424152166"></span>Enjoy!!NativeMadridianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08618889526462874748noreply@blogger.com3