Jen, Alex and Anne At Don Hills

little red riding hood

little red riding hood
Originally uploaded by Mimi K

From Mimi Kirchner's photos on flickr

and there were

Flowers~~~

feeling felt

Check out Mimi's dolls at the Purl Bee

inklinko

and so I am beginning the border. There are 2500 of these little diamonds needing to be sewn together. Some are printed and sewn and even pressed and some do not yet exist in the actual world. They are in a state of preexistence, an apriori of quilted I find it strangely satisfying to sit and stitch these little bits. Like pulling up to a plate of cookies and a nice cold glass of milk. Hits the spot.

tulip

This lone tulip blooms in my yard every may. It springs up right in the midst of the lilac bush.

The great Inklingo Giveaway!

Check out the give way at the Inklingo Blog!
If you have been wondering, what this "Inklingo" is all about. why not throw your hat into the ring! (where does that saying come from any way?) There are lots of prizes and chances to win. I will be donating one of the prizes..I hope you will click on the button and see what it is all about.

things

This is a peek into one of my many junk drawers. How do so many drawers get filled with junk? I actually walked around and took pictures of some of my other junk drawers but they are very boring. I was inspired to clean my silverware drawer out of shame. The blue knob came out cool in the flash....The doll with the pink hair is the swap doll I received in exchange for the doll with the pink hair. Aren't they sweet.
Swaps are a funny thing. I really enjoy thinking about how mine will be received. I enjoy making things for people. It motivates me more than making things for myself. odd I know.

Here is an another apron I made for a recent swap. I enjoyed making this one and made another for Mikes mom.
So this is what I am up to around here in between sinus headaches....

Jane Austen growing

I thought is was rather amusing the way this top has grow up to the ceiling and around the corner and spilling down onto the cutting table. My sewing space is so small that I can not get a picture of the entire thing, but I am happy to have it. I have spent a calm day off sewing sashing to the diamonds and arranging them in some order that is not exactly symmetrical but symmetrical in spirit(?)
And so I am off to shower and celebrate the birthday of my Bailey, who is seventeen.

winds

This is the kind of day it is here today. Winds are cold and wet. The beach is an inhospitable place. Even the pigeons agree.

ping again

well I am done for now. music by loggins and messina, 'be free'

untitled

The mall is closed on Easter Sunday
They will call it a loss on their
taxes.
Only the security guards will be there
congratulating each other on their solitude.

Drunk on T.V. she sleeps hard
her loneliness hollows her
and dreams are viewed on distant stages,
the players talking in an unknown tongue.

Her daughter comes home & turns off the T.V.
"I am home", she says.

Blue Moon Fiber~ Socks That Rock Kit

I bought this kit a long time ago and did not feel I had the skills to execute it. Now I do. This was a pleasant afternoon's work.

Daily thread

leftover bits

these two were made with some felted wool that I had left over from a bag.

ready to roll

I got my swap partner for the annie doll swap and the pattern so I am ready to , well, you know. I have some yellow yarn that I spun that I can use for hair, very fluffy hair, or I can think of something later. I also have some pretty fabric for a dress. Should I go for pretty or or the antique look. hmmm we'll see... Also love theses owls from Moonstitches. I want to make some-could they be pin cushions? could you possibly stick a pin in them?

a thread

There is a theory that I am testing that if you do a thread a day that you will get the job done. Here are today's threads.
One is my jeans, which were way too long, cut to a more spring like length, and trimmed in a cheerful paisley print (who is not cheered by paisley?). Now these pants are more suited to skipping.
The other is my Pindigo (the quilt formerly known as Ping) quilt thread for today. Done. No more, no less, just done.
Now I will skip off to the fabric store to find some more lovely shabby chic prints for the Jane Austen Patchwork top.

Love it!

Bag from Val! Perfection!

Spring rag doll

another nice blog....

blitheandblonde
If you want to join in -it will be an all nighter! I may jump in and see what I can get done, just for fun. In any case I will print the pattern and maybe join in next time! I am tempted...maybe it wil inspire me to finish my apron... needs to be mailed tomorrow. Anybody want to join me in a doll making all nighter?
Ps I am never, almost never, up past midnight....

knitforwardsunderstandbackwards

knitforwardsunderstandbackwards
I found this blog whilst perusing the Ravelry pattern page. Mette has published the pattern on Ravelry. MttR is her ravelry id.
Visit the blog to view Mette's beautiful wrap reproduced from a shawl dated 1897, in the Vendsyssel Museum in Denmark. I am in love with this wrap. I studied it for hours while I made up my mind to try it. Fortunately Mette published a pattern in English as well as Danish- although I was willing to try it in Danish,
My yarn in from Green Mountain Spinnery which I bought during my last visit to Pensacola. It is 20% cotton and 80% wool. It is a lovely feeling springy yarn which holds the pattern well. It will make a perfect wrap for cooler spring weather.
This will be my bigger knitting project, for times when I am able to sit at home and decipher directions. The pattern for the edging does not take too much concentration but it did take me a long time to get it right as I have never been a lace knitter. I may be a convert. The name of Mette's blog is derived from a quote from Kierkegaard~ so~ take a leap of faith a pay her a visit.

Aunt Pitty Pats

I could not resist this swap. Swaps make me happy and crazy all at the same time. I love thinking about making them and wondering what my swap recipient will. II think this doll is so cute. Go visit her blog and join in the fun. Even tho I have no little girls anymore, I am sure I will be able to find one who needs a doll.

on the "design wall"

Not a great picture~ but progress is being made.

pipers

Playing with wacom tablet.
Pleasant day off. I did not get much accomplished but sometimes you just need to doodle the day away.
These are the shore birds we call pipers. I do not know if that is actually what they are. They live on the shore's edge and dart in and out of the surf scouring the sand for food. They never get caught in the waves and their habit is to stay in a large group. I think they are so much fun to watch.

Cute aprons

I am in another apron swap-o and Lucy did send me a beautiful apron that she made to satisfy the terms of the last swap. It is fabulous! I was so excited to receive it and she says she may make a pattern from it to sell. and the cookies were good too:)
The swap features sponsors who make give aways for the swaps and todays is Jcarrelloriginals who has donated an apron for a contest giveaway. Her site has some cute stuff on it so I have linked it for you to drop in and visit. Part of the allure of these swaps is getting to know other crafters and supporting them with visits and comments and even buying something if we are so inclined. I like the line of her aprons, they are flattering and feminine but not extra frilly.

dreams from before time

I dreamed I was in the house at seven thayer street and it was devoid of any furnishing
of us
In the physical sense

I was taking pictures of the antiquities. There
was a frumpy coiffed half passed middle aged real estate lady there worriedly showing the empty house to ghostly prospects

She may have been wringing her bejeweled hands

I was taking pictures of the metal work, ancient medallions, grillwork on the heater vents, the wooden windows framing the gray new england skies, try ing to preserve the artifacts, make a record of them
Not for future generations
Not for my descendants
but for me

To preserve what was worthy and good
The creative spirit that indwelled that place
in paint and in time
that architecture that was in fact
bare of motif and medallion and to
invite that spirit back in

I visit that place in my dreams
looking for us
for traces of us

Here is where she slept under billowing lace curtains
Here is the ancient copper bath tub
Here we trod the wide planked floors

It is ever a sad search
There are no remains
and no rememberers

more Diamonds from Inklingo

Inspired by Cathi, I have made the leap to large! This block is made from the six inch Le Moyne Star shape collection. I love this size and shape. It makes twelve inch blocks which seem huge after all of the small sampler blocks I have done. I think I am going to go with this trend for a while. I already have some more cut out.I have stashed alot of brights and this is perfect for them. Cathi calls hers 'Tropical Punch'. I will have to come up with a name. As of this moment, I am drawing a blank.
On another front, I have joined another apron swap. Hopefully this time it will not get lost in the mail. Imagine some soul opening up my apron and keeping it for themselves. Watch out for Kharma. Or maybe they needed it. Whatever.
Any way I was just playing around in my sewing room, doing some Cinderelling, and cut up a shirt which was destined for the rag pile, or at least I thought it was, and came up with this apron, which was inspired by the magazine, ' apron+i+city'. It is more of an artistic suggestion, than a functional apron, although it can be tied on. The waist band is made with the cuffs and the ties are from the button band. The body is from the back of the shirt and the front did not make the cut. It is embellished with buttons and trim from my grandmothers collection. This one will not be swapped and it will be named 'Irreplaceable' .

more pics from skipjack

If you are interested in nautical art or artifact this gallery is amazing. SkipJack was totally burned down last year in a devastating blaze, and are now in the process of the arduous work of rebuilding, restocking and recreating their gallery in a new location. If you are anywhere in driving distance of Portsmouth this is one of the places you will need to see. If you are not, you can shop from the website. There is also an art gallery, for the nauticaly inclined art lover as well as some very pretty jewelry. Unfortunately my media card was filled so I could not get picutres of the painting gallery..

Mike was smitten with a knife with a scrimshaw inspired handle and sterling hardware. Maybe he will get one for his birthday? It was a good thing we saved our money (see previous post) or it would have been a long cold night in Delaware!

Elizabeth Cartier, proprietor of Starboards will fill you in on other sights to see, get you some coffee, hot or iced, and a snack and set you upon a walking tour of Olde Towne Portsmouth.

Click on the pictures to enlarge and get an idea of the beatuiful morning light that we were lucky to enjoy whilst whiling away the day, antiquing and bemusing ourselves on the High Street.

Back home

We made it home thanks to a tow truck and ATM machines. In delaware the car began to misfire and stall on the high way. Fortunately we were able to pull into a rest stop with a 24 hr dunkin donuts and a porta potty. Eventually we were able to get a flatbed to come and tow us to NY. Insert favorite curse word here.
However-I am so grateful because it could have been so much worse, if we were on turnpike where we could not have been towed, if we did not have the money, if if if.
In any case, the moral of the story is get AAA and have some extra cash.
While in VA we visited, went to Jamestown and Williamsburg and had a pleasant time in Portsmouth. In Portsmouth I always like to Visit the SkipJack Gallery and the Kitchen coop on High St.If you are into upholstery fabric, Ma Maison has a beautiful selection, which rivals any collection in NY.
.... and the socks are done, toes sewn up and ready for the next adventure.
We stopped for milkshakes on the way home at Stuckey's and yes Lewis, we did get you a pecan roll.
I do not hate this picture of me. Usually I do hate pictures of me and maybe that is why I am the one holding the camera on most occassions. Mike, having noticed this proclivity, wrested said camera away from me and snapped this one as we stood freezing at the port of Portsmouth.
It was a beautiful freezing day, and the puffy jacket hides a multitude of sins.
I have been unsubbed from the Dear Jane mailing list and I do not know why. I did write Brenda and received no reply so I am at a loss as to what happened. If anyone can fill me in......

ready to roll

I picked up this toiletry roll up kit at a 'crabtree and evelyn' store at the mall. Despite it being extremely pink, it is a great way to carry along my Inklingo bits. I will never have to worry about losing it in my locker. And it has enough room for lots of stuff. I confess to being a bit of a storage solution geek. I have many different kits for different applications. To me they are more important than pocketbooks, wallets and almost as important as shoes. But lets not get carried away.
My plan is to keep it with me and stitch at the odd moment, at lunch , in the car, on my couch watching ncis reruns, and one day have a quilt of snowflake/ poinsettia type blocks to put together for pink scrappy quiltiness.

done and finished

Ok I am finished whining now:) Thanks for all of your hugs. I guess the cure for my wallowing is an evening in the sewing room.
See you there.
I have cut about three quarters of the diamonds for the Jane Austen Patchwork. I think I need to get less finicky since I am running out of fabrics to cut that I love, and only have about a hundred yards of fabric I only like:)
....of the shabby chic genre that is. I am not counting the other types....which shall remain nameless for the purposes of this post.
Tonight my plan is to work on snowflake diamonds...I have an idea maybe I would like to make a top like thisfrom Hoopla Patterns. I have the book and love all of Froncie's beautiful fabrics but I have enough fabric for now. I also love the little sewing kit she has but alas I have enough of those as well!