Sunday

I cut out some 5 inch squares for a new quilt...
I baked some fresh bread. I love the way it looks right out of the oven; warm and smelling oh-so good.
I washed and dried my zigzag quilt. I love when a quilt comes out of the dryer warm, and perfectly crinkly.
I love Sundays. How was yours?

It Was Lovely

I went to Buffalo with my mom to visit some family and attend a cousin's baby shower. It was so lovely up there. We had perfect weather and it was such a welcomed relief after all the heat we have had in Florida. Highs were in the mid sixties by day...in the fifties at night. I actually wore a fleece! Gasp!

While there we hit up a couple estate sales and I scored three lovely vintage items. My favorite is the dachsund. He was with 3 others and they were all made in Germany. Sadly I just didn't have enough room to bring back all 3, so only this one made it with me. As we all know flying isn't what it used to be and all these fragile lovelies had to be packed and brought as a carry on. Luckily they made it unscathed! The violet cup is bone china, made in England. Not sure what I'll use it for yet. The rooster is also very cute and matches somewhat a vintage rooster planter that I got when I was living in LA. The trip wouldn't be complete without a visit to a LYS! I bought 6 hanks of this alpaca/wool blend in a yummy fall color to make a cardigan. I am finally making headway on a sweater that I started 2 years ago. I'll post photos soon. It's the Millie cardigan by Alicia Paulson. Anyway, after that cardigan I'll start my new one using the yarn above.

So, the baby shower was hosted by a friend of the family who lives in this lovely farmhouse

out in Wilson, NY. She has pumpkins growing in her garden. Pumpkins people, pumpkins! It put me over the edge. I was so giddy at the sight of all things fall like, as Florida is lacking in all things fall.
Plus, there were all these kittens running around. I think I was in heaven. Nothing compares to kitten love. To me anyway. All soft, and squishy. They purred and purred. Momma cat was nice too but a little skittish. This white & gray baby captured my heart. Sigh.
I whipped up a crochet hat and sweater for my cousin's little one. As the photo probably dictates, she's having a baby boy in December-ish. I really loved all the handmade gifts she received. In addition to what I made, 2 of her friends crocheted some other items including a sweater and booties. I appreciate that so many peeps are still making by hand.
I took this photo as we were getting ready to leave. It's one of my favorites. That's my aunt and cousin standing to the left of the tree with 2 younger shower guests. If I close my eyes I can still picture being there. A perfect afternoon.

For All You Poodle Lovers...

....I made a poodle totebag! I took a vintage poodle transfer pattern, traced it with a pencil on to tracing paper, then I copied it with a transfer pen onto regular white copy paper, and then ironed the design on to a piece of white linen. I quickly decided that this poodle should be none other then the color pink!

So here she sits, framed by patchwork squares. Sewn together with other patchwork squares to make the back, and voila! A poodle patchwork tote. I dare say it turned out really cute. I made it for my shop though it is tempting to want to keep it just to make shopping or library venturing more fun!

I was also naughty. I placed an online fabric order. My mind is contemplating various creative projects while I sit at my office desk all day. Alexander Henry has outdone himself this time with the chickens and apples. Just in time for fall!
Over the weekend I got bit by the baking bug. On the Monday labor day holiday I decided to whip up some cupcakes from the Martha cupcake book. These are the roasted banana cucpakes with cinnamon vanilla buttercream. They are delish! I didn't roast the bananas however, and I only used 1 banana because that's all I had. So the banana flavor is mild, yet still yummy. The recipe calls for 3 bananas, plus more for garnish. Perhaps I'll try that next time!

I've officially gotten bit by the bread making bug! This is my second loaf of Amish White Bread and it may very well be the best white bread I've. Ever. Tasted. Ever. Sorry, store bought bread. I'm ending our relationship now in favor of some homemade goodness. I cut the recipe in half so as to only make 1 loaf. Slather on some Bonne Maman and you've got yourself a slice of heaven on a plate!

What did you do or make over the Labor Day weekend?

Sunday

Finished a second quilt block to donate to Anna Maria Horner's Rainbow Around the Block project.
Finished my flying geese quilt top which I'm happy with for the most part. I do find it interesting that the pattern I followed said the finished quilt makes a good crib quilt or throw. It is quite large...around 50 inches by 50 inches. I'd say good for taking naps under on my bed!

Also tried my hand at Martha Stewart's Honey Whole Wheat bread. Yummy and quite dense. Different in texture then last week's bread recipe but good nonetheless!

I hope the weekend treated everyone well!

I've Found My New Hobby

Bread making. I am a fan. A big fan. Since today. When I baked the most marvelous, earthy,

hearty, and sinfully delicious bread ever. I mean ever. I used the recipe that Molly blogged about on her blog Orangette recently. For a first attempt at bread baking I give the bread 5 Stars. Everything about this bread making process was enjoyable. I especially liked kneading it. The way the dough stretched, and contracted...almost like it had springs in it. Here it is in the kitchen aid bowl:

The molasses, while tasty, also gave the bread a rich color.

Here it is in the bowl after the first rise:

The recipe calls for 2 cups bread flour, I used regular white, and 2 1/2 cups wheat flour, as well as, 1 cup of oats. Yum.

After the second rise, I thought "Whoa!" this is some big bread.

40 minutes later, this delightful loaf came out of the oven.

I had a slice, toasted, with raspberry jam and it definitely doesn't disappoint! I think I'll try a different recipe next weekend. I think bread baking could definitely become addictive.

I also sewed some this weekend. I'm working on my flying geese quilt. I'm loving the fabrics together but I am disappointed how the triangles are coming together. The tips are cut off....I must not have measured accurately when piecing. Then again, it could be called a flat top flying geese quilt. Yep, I think I'll go with that!

What delights did the weekend bring to you?

Monday is a Day for Dreaming

I often daydream on Mondays about the creative time I just had over the weekend, and of course, the upcoming creative time in 5 short (or long) days! Seriously, what helps get me through Mondays is the idea that after Monday there are only 4 more days till my time is my time again.

The weekend was good to me. I took my time, caught up on sleep, and did some sewing. I finished up a couple projects. The first is a patchwork tote incorporating some hand embroidery on a white linen square. I had already cut out dozens o f 6 1/4 inch squares to use in my upcoming flying geese quilt. I decided to cut an extra handful for use in this tote. I had had this idea floating in my head for some time. Here it is:

And a close up of the embroidery:

Second on the finished project list is a table topper. Could be called a runner I suppose but it's on the small side. Only about 8 1/2 inches by 20 inches. I pieced the front from fabrics in my stash and sort of made it up as I went along. I like that method; making it up as I go along. This is how I create most things. Unless I'm sewing clothing which I tend to do strictly by the pattern.

I've been having fun sewing dog capes too! I tried out some hand embroidery on this little number too. Here's Lola serving as the model:

Every doggie dreams of going to Paris, right?

All items will be listed in the shop this week. Have a good week peeps!

Birthday Weekend

Today I woke up another year older. 34! Where does the time go?? I swear it was just yesterday that I turned 14. Alas it is 20 years later, and I spent Friday afternoon through Saturday morning with my mom at the Magic Kingdom to celebrate my birthday. It was so nice but so, so hot! I guess that's what you get with Florida in July. We stayed at the Polynesian and it was amazing! A little oasis only 2 hours from where we live. When we pulled up in front of the hotel, the staff greeted us with an "Aloha", and the air smelled so sweet. I swear it was *almost* like being in Hawaii....except that I have never really been to Hawaii. ;-) It was really nice.

We checked in, dropped off our luggage and then went to the park. I had to stop and say hello to Walt and Minnie. :-) All in all we only went on 4 rides because of having to wait in lines. But we also shopped a little, ate lunch and saw a parade or two. Around 7 pm we headed back to the hotel and had dinner at the Kona Cafe. It was delicious! Great service too. We had the Asian noodles and some cucumber rolls. After dinner it was about 9:30 pm and almost time to head out to the "beach" to watch the fireworks. From there we were treated to quite the fireworks display. All in all it was a great day!

I didn't let an overnight at Disney prevent me from getting some crafting goodness in this weekend. Today I finished up this cape for Lola. I hand embroidered an "L" on it just for her. I dare say it is really cute, and I think Lola approves!

I also started piecing together the front of a tote bag project. I embroidered 3 macarons on a piece of linen and cut the square the same size as the other tote squares: 6.25 inches. So far so good! I am looking forward to putting this project together.

Ah weekend, I think I love you!