Little Bits

Lola Bag and Helper's Apron

Puppet Master

Meet my daughter's new best friend. It's nice to make friends. She found this at the bottom of her toy box after watching the Muppet movie the other day and has become completely obsessed. This puppet belonged to me as a child and now my daughter is wild about her. I spent hours being a puppet yesterday, and though my daughter realized it was me who was talking and moving the puppet, she became so engrossed in the conversation with the puppet that I think it was almost real to her. When I decided to turn back into a mama person and told my daughter that the puppet was tired and needed a nap, she was quite upset. She took the puppet into her room and talked to her telling her to wake up. A few minutes later she called "Mama," I went to her room and she said in complete deadpan, "Mama, see. Look, she's dead," and to emphasize her point she held the puppet by the hair and dropped her to the ground in a limp pile.

The puppet has since been revived and can get my daughter to answer questions that she would otherwise ignore. It's pretty cute the way she engages with the puppet (who has no name) but, I don't know that I can keep up with the demands of being a full-time puppet. I think I may have to inform my daughter that Hollywood has called and puppet may have to go to California, she's in negotiations for her own talk show.

I Promised Pie

Fruit Pies In the Hand. How much do I love pie? So much. These homely treats were inspired by the beautiful peaches we got at the farmers market. They sat for a few days ripening to full potential and called me to action today. Then, a pint of fresh raspberries made their plea and so, it was on. I thought I had it all planned out and was happily on my way to pie, when...

The Muppet movie ceased to be entertaining, 3 trips to the potty were at emergency speed, apparently flour is more interesting on the floor - all over the floor, a peach thief was afoot, there was a kitty hostage crisis and murals were being painted on the living room wall (I swear I don't know where she found the permanent marker). Still, we ended up with pie and after all, isn't that the most important thing? Yes, yes it is.

...and I think my daughter's abstract free-form tarts are visually superior to my fussy half moons.

How I made these little pies:

Favorite pie crust recipe rolled out.

Filling:

4 peaches cut up

1/2 - 1 cup sugar

1 Tbs. Tapioca starch

1 Tbs. Fresh lemon juice

Smidge freshly grated nutmeg

Pinch ground cinnamon

Mix it up and then toss gently with 1/2 pint raspberries

So you can cut out circles of the dough and fill then fold over and seal the half circles, or free-form it, even line rammekins with dough, fill and cover with more dough...basically you can do as you please and see if it pleases you. Bake on baking sheet at 375 till golden brown and bubbly.

Here is a tip: These are messy. I lined my baking sheets with parchment paper- those were easy to clean, the rest of the kitchen less so.

Summer's Cauldron

Summer is really bubbling now and I am frequently reminded of how blessed I am to live in this beautiful place. This time of year finds us full of activity; running, jumping, splashing
and shouting out into the blue sky. I think I am appreciating this particular season of sun more than ever - having just come through a typical Northwest winter with a full-speed ahead 3 year old. There are so many brilliant things to enjoy. Summer concerts in the park, putting up "Arabian" tent castles in the back yard, bowls of sweet Summer fruit to make our smiles sticky and the lovely color of my favorite Hibiscus iced tea.

Hibiscus Iced Tea:
2 parts dried Hibiscus flowers
2 parts dried Orange Rind
1 part dried Rose Hips
1 Cinnamon Stick

Place ingredients in tea strainer. Place tea strainer in a heat safe container (I use a large canning jar). Heat water as you would for tea and pour into container. Let steep for 10 min. and remove tea strainer. Let cool and store covered in refrigerator for up to one week. You can add sweetener if you like.

With the great pull of the outdoors it is tough to spend time in my basement studio designing or sewing. I am hoping to at least make some headway on Lola's new design logo with the help of the very talented Kylie. Of course we both have crazy schedules so, it could be a little while yet. I should also look into filling out this weblog with links, my profile and image organization but hark, the kiddie pool is calling!

Waltzing Matilda

Here is the latest Lola Nova Design. A 6 gore petal skirt with an attached underskirt. Made from random cotton bits I had hanging around. It makes me happy and reminds me of a waltz for some reason, especially when worn. Some sweet swing along with a little flower power. I had a run away model this day so I was unable to get any photos of the skirt on a live girl. I will be making more of these in different sizes and fabrics. So many possibilities!

Scrappy Wrap

I made this wrap dress using vintage scraps from my grandmothers stash. Vintage buttons as well. It took longer than I expected with all the top-stitching, applique, ruffling, ric-racing and what not. It seems to be a hit though.
(This dress was based on the "Anna" Pattern from Farbenmix, then modified)

Lola Gets A Blog

To be empowered is wonderful,

to be encouraged is soul saving.

I have been encouraged to begin a new chapter in my creative life. I have been inspired and motivated in new ways lately and so, in keeping with these new ways, I have begun this blog. It seems like everyone is doing it. How hard could it be? I am going to be sharing my endeavors, adventures, creative successes (as well as the certain failures), thoughts, tips, wondering and wanderings.

What that really means is any one's guess. Anything from recipes for peach pie to my favorite Rock Anthem. Rants, raves, bugs, Arabian tents, tomatoes, accordians and general mayhem.

Let's just see what kind of mischief we can get up to around here, shall we?