Listings

I'm going to try to keep a list of things Owen says, may not quite fit into his blog, but sill, stunningly youthful and often funny.

This weekend in the middle of a(n hour long) tantrum after asking for a glass of milk "I want nei nei to throw on the ground!" hmm, at least he was honest

got the sewing machine out

Well, I haven't brought the sewing machine out for a bit, but again, I borrowed inspiration from Etsy and from Angry Chicken. I saw these cute crowns on dreamchildstudio on etsy, and as a last minute inspiration for two princess themed birthday parties this weekend, and one for Owen. I think they are super cute. Alas, they had mostly autumnal colors at the fabric store, I think for 3-year olds, the pastels may have been a bit better, but I really like how these turned out. It's three layers of felt stitched together, Brian thinks more jewels. I forget how big Owen's head can be, and knocked about 4cm off the circumference of his head, and I think it was still a loose fit for Sophia, and imagine tiny Kennedy will also find hers a bit on the roomy side. I also was weirdly inspired, after looking at my shopping cart for a Mary Green underwear order and got a little bit of sticker shock. Angry Chicken's blog has been showing off some cute underwear she has made, with the sage advice of "take your favorite pair and copy it", anyhow, with an old pair of MGs in hand, I fashioned these, and love them! I tried briefly for some fold-over elastic, but really the stretch lace is the way to go. Just so I remember how to prep and assemble: Got the fabric and lace at Mills end, about a quarter of a yard of fabric and two yards of the lace for my medium sized booty (size 6-8ish). (1) cut out the pattern pieces and the cotton, I used a really soft organic cotton from mill ends. (2) sew the lace on the legs first, (3)sew up the main seams (4) sew the crotch together (5) add the gusset (6) sew on the top lace... next time with the seam in the back. Don't ask me how I know, but check and double check when placing the lace on the legs to make sure that you sew it on the OUTSIDE of both leg sides. (7) Finally, carefully trim away excess material close to the seam. This would have been very quick if I didn't make several mistakes along the way, and if I could figure out the tension on my machine so it wouldn't "hiccup" and get top-threads spinning out.

Toasty

I finished something! Made these "Toasty" mitts (http://a-friend-to-knit-with.blogspot.com/2008/09/toasttoasty.html). I have a pair out of cotton jersey, but wanted to try knitting a set. I got this awesome wool, I think it was peruvia but can't find the label, from a trip to the coast and wanted to do something for myself out of it. Not bad, about a four evening affair. Now I have to refocus on that afagan. The progress isn't as evident, so has been hard to motivate to do, but now that I've actually completed something, I think I can refocus... for a little bit. I had enough from one skein left to make a bowl to felt... it's in the washing machine now, if it turns out I'll show that one off too!

copycat

Well, my friend Robyn pointed me to this awesome designer on Etsy ( Helicopter studios: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5986255) who makes adorable play mats. However, the price tag was a bit hefty for our tight budget and I figured I could give it a shot for Owen. Perfect a one (okay two) evening project. Although not nearly as sweet as the professional version, it was fun to make, and Owen seems to like it. Tonight we had his animals swimming in the river and climbing "my mountain Hood" and knocking down trees.... with great sound effects. It pulls all together into a tidy bundle... Outside is blue corduroy I had from Knittin Kitten, though this is where my sewing machine started making clanking noises and I gave up on any sweet trim... this is a pretty functional piece and definitely looks so from the outside. I really would like to try the campfire (because Owen seems to like the idea of roasting marshmallows... though we've only done it once about 9 months ago) or the racecar track looks strait forward, well, except I hate sewing in circles.

Little things

A letter to my son,

Hey baby... okay I know you are a big boy now. I was walking across campus today with a crazy big grin... Diane and I used to call it "left-over laugh" thinking about your love for tiny things... about how at the soup swap, you found one small, dark green leaf in a big backyard and showed it to folks with pride and intense scrutiny. It made me think about your choice of a pumpkin at Halloween... the smallest white one you could find, in a field of big orange beauties, how your choice of a Christmas tree was the one that barely came up to your waist. I think this love of things that just fit into your palm drives you to pick up a horsechestnut most days we walk by a certain tree on the way to school (you can still occasionally find one... months later), and why I always find a small stash of rocks, sticks and bark chips in your pockets... or in mine. Thanks butternut, for making me smile.

love chicken

Well... is this a food blog or a craft blog or a rambling on blog or what? I guess since it's mine, it can be all three. Anyhow, I wanted to put up a love bird I made for O. for Valentine's Day. I've been out of the creative loop since the holidays, and just gathered the oomph to get this together. I got the inspiration and the pattern from mollychicken (http://mollychicken.blogs.com/). Super easy, well, except for sewing in an oval, I"m only proficient at strait lines. Owen liked it okay... a lot for about an hour but then the felt legs are really no match for a three year old. Actually he really liked the little heart, until I tried to make it into a pin he could wear on his shirt, that angered him. She is a small step away from becoming legless. Otherwise we celebrated Valentines with some yummy special meals. Scones for breakfast with chantilly, homemade jam and lemon curd. Sooo good. Dinner was calamari with some tasty asparagus. It was just coated with wondra and a touch of salt and pepper before being fried. The trick to good tentacles was a short turn-around between coating them and dropping them in the frier. The last batch sat too long in the flour and turned all gummy and stuck together. Still tasty though.

memories and traditions and a big big smile

After the flurry of Christmas crafting and all of the winter business, I haven't actually made anything in a few weeks. However, on the note of a homemade life, I wanted to remember my Grandpa Jerry's funeral. I say a homemade life, not because Grandpa Jerry was crafty or handy with tools, but because he was very good at creating a good life. What was remembered the most at the funeral was Grandpa's good, calm nature and his smile... oh his glowing, iconic smile! Ryan also got up and remembered how Grandpa was rarely happier than if you would finish everything on your plate and he could load you up with seconds... thirds. As Ryan said, it wasn't apparent why that would make him so happy when we were kids, but upon reflection as he got older, it was because he was rarely happier than when he was providing for his family. Ry had more to say, but cut it short for composure. After putting that so perfectly, I may have to rattle him for the rest of his thoughts. Anyhow, there was a chinese ceremony at the wake, i likely won't see many more of these. Grandpa had food (tried really hard to get a RAW__ WASHED duck to include with his vegetarian meal, alas misunderstandings etc.. no duck, but I did see what may have been a turkey neck). The siblings each covered Grandpa with a blanket, and gave him a golf club, and much to Brian's shagrin, a rod with a broken eye... Wish we would have grabbed a different rod. Owen definitely saw that part, and was very sweet, and kind of matter-of-fact about the whole ceremony... basically he understood that Great-Grandpa was resting, and went away. O. thinks he's gone fishing, and that's okay, he said goodbye great-grandpa and that he loved him... then worried that Great-Grandpa needed "some rope on his pole". Some folks thought his candor was a good reminder and affirmation of life and legacy. Anyhow Grandpa also got a silver coin in his mouth, and the family each lit an incense stick and kow-towed (three bows). The siblings burned money for him. It was all quite lovely. we wore black arm bands, the grandkids had a little red tied to it. Grandma did really really well. Everyone got a white enveloppe with candy and a dime in it upon entry. The Candy to take the bitter taste of death away. The dime is supposed to be spent before going home that night. What else did I learn... not to drive direcly home, which is why we had dinner out both nights. Upon leaving the funeral, we receive a red-envelope. Adrianne and I were in charge of Grandpa's portrait (of him with a big fish and a smile), the Uncles escorted it outside of Uncle Dudley's sunroof from the church to the freeway (sorry grandpa, just couldn't leave the picture outside on the freeway). In the end, all of the funeral gear, gloves, armbands, a few flowers, were tossed in with Grandpa. You're not supposed to take any of the white envelopes or hang onto the red ones for any amount of time. Finally, the family all received a light which to hop over upon return to home... I think to keep any cemetary mojo outside of the home. It was all so interesting. However the biggest celebration of Grandpa Jerry's life.... which was documented not only in the ceremonies, the kind words, but in the masses of people who attended his funeral. The funeral director was estimating close to 500 people. All friends, loved ones who shook our hands, shed tears, had fond memories... of his generosity, of his smile.