Little Dress

Oh hello there! Life has been busy just being life, days roll on, flowers bloom, and I get caught up in the nature of living. Every once in a while I take a moment and dust off the sewing machine and get reacquainted.

In this case, a little dress for one of my little friends. Made from a bit of vintage fabric I've been hording for quite some time. I was inspired by the riot of blooms popping up everywhere here in the PNW. Happy Spring!

I added a vintage doily for a pocket. This is one of my favorite little girl dress patterns. I have re-traced and adjusted it so many times that I can't remember the original pattern I started with when Pony girl was about 3 years old. I made it many times and it never disappoints. I love this version in this treasured fabric.

Of course one must add a vintage button to finish it off.

It really is one of my favorite things you know, sewing for littles. Makes me happy indeed. Not to mention that this dress is going to be worn by one of the sweetest littles around!

What is one of your favorites things to make?

Inch by Inch, Row by Row

Oh I know I said there was going to be a tutorial today...

However, there was a little problem with the photos (operator error I'm afraid). 

And it's an absolutely gorgeous day outside and I ended up at the garden store and these little beauties came home with me. Time to plant!

Tutorial will follow at some other date, indeed it will!

Happy Weekend all!

Hello Monday - Bloom

Goodness, time does fly when you're having fun. I wont bore you with the details of our school holiday mayhem. Now to get back into the swing of rambling on in this happy place.

Everything is blooming around here with our crazy mild winter and beautiful days. Time to get cracking in the garden!

I'm hoping to have a fun and easy peasy DIY tutorial this week, for now I leave you with some pictures from the garden.

Happy week all!

Oh Hello!

Oh goodness, here I am! Playing catch up after last week's mayhem. You know how those go right? One member of the clan gets sick, another gets sick, and another needs a tooth pulled and it all falls apart. Nothing too serious, but it turns the house upside down. Then all on the mend we had the long weekend and...

In any case, we are on the road to rights with some crazy nice weather that has tricked the flora into thinking it's Spring. Blossoms on trees, daffs in brilliant yellow and of course a little Crocus Pokus going on.

It's lovely, though a bit disorienting knowing how cold it is in other parts of the country. What's the weather like where you are?

Hello Monday - Bloomin'

Good morning and good Monday to you all! Today I don't have much to say. I do have lots of photos of things that are popping up in the garden. While you take a look at my little piece of Spring, I will be planning my day, nay my week, of getting reacquainted with my sewing machine. It seems as though it has been ever so long.

Oh I do love flowers!

I am also quite thrilled to see that the food is growing!

Now, I'm off to look for my sewing mojo, I know I left it around here somewhere!

Happy Monday!

In the Garden - Springing

Oh my goodness! The sun has come out for a day or two, so of course I have been out in the garden. Finding flowers poking up through the soil. What beauty!

And then there has been some hard work. It's all about getting the garden ready for food growing. As of last evening 4 of our raised beds are ready for planting along with 4 large planters. Today seeds go in the cold frame (poly tunnel bed) and the 1 remaining bed needs some compost. Never mind those weeds that are a constant struggle.  So, while the sun is shining you can find me in the garden!

I'm off for a few days to attend to family celebrations, I'll see you all next week!

Much To-doing

Ah, the top of the baby quilt is done. I just made up a simple block design using some very cheery fabrics. I made it the perfect size for floor playing, tummy time, and lap snuggling.
So, on to the backing, then the batting, then the quilting, then the binding. Yes, much to-doing this weekend!

The list is getting longer every minute.
There's big batch cooking and baking afoot!
Finalizing plans for Pony Girl's Birthday
Making said Pony Girl a birthday dress
A-visiting we will go to friends to see their new home
Oh and seeds! I need seeds to plant and compost to dig and weeds to clear and... and...
Well you get the picture. All good and busy things going on this weekend!

What is on your to-doing list?

Hello Monday - Pretending Spring

Outside it is a gloomy Monday, all bluster and rain, gray skies and soggy ground. Inside however, I am pretending it is Spring. I spotted 2 little daffodils in the corner of the yard and one slightly battered Hellebore. I clapped my hands and said "Hello first flowers! You are a sight for sore eyes!" Then yes, I plucked them. The wind and rain were surely about to bash them to pieces and truth be told, I needed a bit of pretty to bring inside.

To keep up the illusion of happy Springtime on this stormy day, I have also started a quilt for a baby that could be coming any day now. Ooh, I'd better hurry shouldn't I?  I am using the most springy springtime fabric I had on hand.

I am using several fabrics from Urban Chiks - Dream On for Moda from a couple of years ago, and a vintage-ish green solid that I also had in my stash.

As you can see, it's easy pretending Spring with all these happy, pretty flowers about. Well, just as long as I don't go outside.

Are you impatiently awaiting Spring, or are on the other side awaiting Fall? Either way, may your week be a good one!

The one where Wordless Wednesday turned into Wordless Friday for obvious reasons... I was busy doing this

Thank you

I want to thank everyone for your incredibly kind comments and sweet emails I have received.  I am sorry that I am unable to reply to each and everyone, just know that you have brightened my days and made me feel much better indeed!

Things are getting sorted over here, we have discovered the culprit and are taking action.  I am hoping to be back to blogging on the regular some time next week after a few days of recovery. So looking forward to be back in my shiny place here with all of you!

Oh and happy Spring!

xo

Think Spring

As the dark clouds gather overhead with the promise of rain for days, I am thinking Spring.  The Daphne bush outside my bedroom window is laden with dark pink buds and I look forward to the heady perfume they will give once the flowers bloom.  Tulips are popping up in the neighborhood, the magic of Crocus Pokus are carpeting the roots of old trees and little green shoots are making their way up through the soil.

As soon as this rain clears up I have big plans for getting dirt under my fingernails and getting the garden ready for planting time.  Of course it could still be awhile, but it's nice to dream.

Is it looking like Spring in your neck of the woods?  Are you someplace getting ready for an entirely different season?

Pocket full of Posies - Fabric Wall Vases Pattern from my book Simple Sewing with Lola Nova. Signed copies available in my etsy shop.

Oh Hello!

Well hello you!
I do so hope that everyone had a lovely holiday weekend!
I have had a most refreshing and rather busy break, but I am back and full of big ideas. Spending time with family was so good, and so needed. There is quite a lot to tell and share with you, I will have to do so in snippets here and there. I do believe the best way to begin, is for me to tell one good thing at a time.

So, good thing #1: The Weather. You may not think that the weather is any sort of exciting news, but after so many dark days of rain trust me, the truly fantastic Spring weather we were granted over the weekend is very exciting indeed. I cannot imagine a better gift than a bit of sunshine. It has put a big smile on our faces and made for a frolicking good weekend!

Even my latest thrifty finds came in all sunshiney yellow!

And as a special bit of Spring happy, two new members of the flock came to stay. Meet Daisy and Chavez.

...and though these two have nothing to do with the weather, two fluffy baby chicks sure do make for a sunny feeling in one's heart.

The weather was so glorious that there were altogether 3 egg hunts to enjoy. Now that is one determined basket wielding girl!

I do believe that as I type this the sun is slipping behind some ominous clouds and the rain may be returning. No matter, I am simply grateful for the sun's visit and the time with my beautiful family.

I shall return soon with more good things to tell!

Spring Break

Oh my, it seems as though my short bloggy break has extended itself. We are full in school holiday mode now and I have been so busy having a grand old time that I've lost track of the days!

Pony Girl and I have been completely absorbed with our industry, we have been awfully crafty I tell you. Not to mention the adventures! When the sun came out we worked outdoors with tools...

and there were the critters to keep an eye on...

and we went on walks through the neighborhood that were part scavenger hunt and part spelling lessons. The letters X and Z were most elusive.

When the weather turned, we had our sunshine indoors...

and went wild with glitter...

when things got dark and damp, we baked Almond chocolate chip cookies to warm us up.

Later, we promised the Engineer (who was away on business) that we would save him some - the most we could guarantee was 2 cookies.

The clay came out, a mama and baby horse of course!

There were rainbows to chase...

Spring flowers sprung!

and it's only Wednesday night!

I am feeling a great pull to spend time with my family. I don't know when it's going to happen, but there will come a day when my girl stops telling me she loves me 8 times a day, when she stops saying, "Your the best Mama I could ever have in the whole wide world!" It might not happen tomorrow, but I do want to deserve those words - I want to be the best Mama in the world - warts and all. So I know that you, my friends, will understand if I extend my Spring Break just a little bit longer. I know you will wish me all the best if I take a time out from my shiny place here and instead of blogging - maybe become queen for a day and order a royal ball, or be an explorer of jungles, a dance party DJ, a den building fool...you get me?

I also want to thank all the new followers and new commenters of late. I so appreciate you taking time to visit me and say such nice things, you make me smile.

I'll be back soon, honest. I just need a Spring Break, I need to stop and smell the flowers...yes indeed!

You can catch me over on Facebook and The Twitter for updates in the meantime.

Be safe, be well, and these flowers are for you!

xo

Little Wing

The sun has graced us these last couple of days, sprouts are shooting up out of the ground, flowers are blooming, and butterflies are arriving! I have been capturing them in bell jars, framing them in old wood, and meditating on their transformational nature. I am ready for a change.

We have been host to a sudden pilgrimage of old friends from far flung ports, all arriving at the same time as the butterflies. There has been feasting, conversation, outdoor games and all manner of goings on.

Pony Girl has been chasing winged creatures from the seat of her pink streamer bedecked bicycle, practicing the difficult brake + steering maneuvers, only one training wheel whispering along the ground while the rest of her seems to take flight.

Oh, and there have been plantings, both of the edible and the decorative. Such a good feeling to get that gritty soil under my fingernails, so much promise in the act of putting something growing into the ground. Peas, potatoes, lettuces, greens, herbs, grasses, lavenders, and what will be legendary gargantuan Sunflowers! Oh happy sun, wont you make yourself at home for a while?

Would you like to capture some butterflies of your own? Here's how:
Simply look with your best butterfly spotting spectacles, you can often find them flitting about "google images". Once you have spied your most favorite 'little wings' you can print them onto card stock. You may, as I did, take colored pencils and markers to their wings for a bit of a gussy. For the framed lovelies, I stuck on a bit of tape to the backside and attached them to some tacks. For butterflies under glass, tape a thread to the critter and then to the lid of the jar to create a suspended beauty.

Happy day to you!

Come Spring

The weather 'round here has been plain silly! Now the sun is out in full force but, the temp. has dropped and the wind has picked up, so cold. I am feeling the need for a burst of color and to sing a song of springtime. I'm inviting Spring with a few of my flickr favs. Have a colorful weekend my friends!

1. Tea and Biscuits, 2. happy hearts..., 3. Annie Necklace, 4. a touch of color..., 5. Blooms, 6. Flutter ~ Floral, 7. Imperfection is underrated., 8. Old wood spools, 9. Valentine roses

Bloom

The Daphne is beginning to bloom! I couldn't wait to cut a few sprigs and bring their glorious scent into the house. The promise of Spring hangs in the air and I am trying not to be impatient. I can not wait to get into the garden and get my hands dirty! If we get a break in the rain and the cold snap moves along, I will be ready to get some seeds in the ground. I'm dreaming of salads made with our own lettuce and nasturtiums.

All this Spring wishing has me in mind to clean away the cobwebs and move things around in the little green cottage. To invite Spring in and make her welcome.

Little stripey birds and happy Holland clogs above the sofa might do the trick!

And then yesterday, I woke up with a wild idea and set about painting our dark hallway. Which in turn meant taking all the books and CDs off of their dusty shelves and deciding new homes for things. Well, this morning I am questioning the wisdom of such a plan...for suddenly there are books and papers in piles all about the house and I've only managed to prime the darkness in streaky white so far. Oh, we have guests coming this afternoon? How nice. Perhaps I can convince them that an earthquake hit our house only, what you didn't feel that? How curious. I am off now to see if perhaps there is a little door behind the sofa that leads to a magical dimension in which I can store all the extra junk...wouldn't that be convenient?
Wish me luck.

Have a lovely day my dears!

Pause

Busy bees we are. With Spring sprung and ants in the kitchen, there seems always a race. A steady buzz - wax paper folded over comb, we press our lips against and hum. Something is coming. Along with slug season, coy pinks, dangerous yellows and the farmers market, there slips in a notion of promise. Soon the wind will sweep the avenues bringing a snow storm of blushed plum blossoms that will cling to our shoes, holding on. While the hues are almost delicate, shaded - a richness envelopes and becomes anticipation. Waiting in this verdant landscape, is a tempest in a teapot. What is simply green to some, is to me, an almost surreal abundance of color all in the name of green. I am a child of this place and I am feeling my absence from the woods. I have not walked through ferns and fans of Columbine in far too long. While I may not be able to reach my favorite trails today or make the long drive to the coastal forest, I may just take a walk in some damp wooded park. Somewhere where there is a quiet riot of new growth and moss in colors that simply make you take pause.

Breathe deep.

Give Away Winner & Operation Chicken Coop

Thank you all for joining in the fun. The winner of little bear is Carrie from Whole Cloth Designs. I will be sending you an email today. For those of you who so sweetly worried about my girl missing out on the bear, do not fret, my girl's soft toy collection runneth over, a lot!
I am planning to have another give away soon so, stay tuned!

Now, in other news...
This weekend was glorious. The sun shined triumphantly and I soaked up as much vitamin D as I could to carry me through whatever weather lies ahead. We were abuzz with activity. Lettuce and Chard and potatoes oh my, all planted snug in their beds. The big buzz though,was the setting into motion of Operation Chicken Coop! Yes, it's official, we are on our way to becoming the neighborhood chicken folk. We can have up to three hens within the city limits. No roosters allowed (I am perfectly fine with that as I have had my share of rooster show downs ala spaghetti western style, but that is another story entirely).

Most of our time and labor was spent hacking away at the behemoth laurel hedge to make room for our feathered friends. On Saturday we had a couple of helpers and still only managed to take out a third of said behemoth.

Bessie was called into service to haul nearly 500 lbs of shrubbery to the city compost. That was less than half of the pile! The rest will be fed into a rented wood chipper dontcha know, next weekend.

Cutting away the hedge has revealed a few things. A much bedraggled Camellia bush/tree struggling for light, a much bigger back yard and an ugly cement wall belonging to the building behind our house. Eventually the rest of the hedge will be removed and my aesthetic sensibilities will need to be appeased in another project, but for now it just looks awful.


During this makeover it was discovered that my girl is indeed part monkey.

Here is the super handy Mr. Nova at work on the coop. See the little monkey in a tutu in the tree?

She took a little break from the climbing to do a bit of booty shakin' to Led Zepplin.

Looks as though it's becoming a right proper little house for our tiny flock. All that's left is walls, windows, nesting boxes, a caged run, a fenced run and...whew! And boy are my arms tired.

P.S. Thanks to all our helpers, Mr. Nova for being so handy and dandy, Mr. Sun for shining on us and to all of you for inspiring me.