What's Happening Wednesday

Hi Gang!
Well, Summer's swinging through like Tarzan on a vine. I have been up to all kinds of wild goodness and I'm so excited to share some of it with you.

First, did you know I trade sewing lessons with an organic farmer friend for veggies? I do. And I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. I get to learn about all kinds of super deluxe gourmet treats in exchange for something I do because I like it better than anything else. How's that for an Alternative Economy? This last batch of veggies held what can only be described as a culinary revelation.  Coriander Berries.

Yep, if your cilantro is bolting, run and catch it quick and snip these pretty little berries off for a taste sensation!

I made a vinaigrette of rice wine vinegar, a little elderflower syrup*, a light olive oil,  lime zest and salt and pepper and tossed it with sliced cucumbers, chopped up basil,  and the coriander berries. Yummmmy.


I've also been doing some sewing. Here's a little WIP picture:

 It's an outfit with a secret... But I might not get to reveal it until September.

Mysterious, No?

And I finally found a cure for this little problem:

 Yup, that's supposed to be my living room.

dining area... just shove the projects over if you want to eat...

But Hey, There's no room left in the Cave

 My solution will soon be revealed.....

Mysteriously Yours,

Betty

*you can buy premade elderflower syrup at fine markets or make you own by boiling cheesecloth wrapped elderberry blossoms in simple syrup and steeping overnight. 

What Have I Been Doing While I Wasn't Blogging

Well, The first week of high school is over and the second week began today. I was moody but I'm going to be okay.

get smart alack kid back in school... check.

I think it is always catching me by surprise that back to school comes the same couple of weeks that canning gets into full swing.

make pickles the old fashioned way...soaked in brine at room temp for 3 weeks...
work still in progress... pungently so.

On top of that Back To School time makes me want to get organized ( Is it that several hours of uninterrupted thought?), and it reminds me with a stinging swat that I probably won't get all the holiday gifts done before October. Harumph.
It usually makes me think of all the practical stuff that I need to do, like really build a reasonable emergency kit, catch up on my paperwork and get shots for all the pets. I expect this year will be like the past years... I'll get shots for the pets and just worry about the rest of it.

visit the ranch in inappropriate attire... check.
(The boots, aquired at the thrift store the day before, were indeed, made for walking.
the minidress-Amy Butler- not so much...)

I did make a binder to keep all the recipes and gardening tips and crafts projects I have gleaned recently. I hope it works out. Sometimes these organizational tools work out and sometimes I find them years later and think, "I only vaguely remember doing this. It made a huge mess though, and took forever. And all these articles and stuff look awful now. Yipes!"

pick garden b-day flowers for best neighbor ever... Check.

And now for one of the crafty projects that happened in the whirlwind "Last Week Of Summer/First Week of School" Blog Break:

Happy Trailers to you- Til we meet again

The old travel trailer in my back yard got facepaint. A Jacob and Betty collaboration.



It needs a whole face lift , but we could only perk it up a little.

Now we have to tackle the inside. Yes another crazy WIP to last a lifetime. Or maybe, if we get it all buttoned up and cleaned out...The Future Craft Cave. One Never Knows.

shiny thrift fabric... oooh ahhhh.

I do Know I could use the room, because the fabric fairy won't stop dropping off yardage. I am a lucky girl. Must Sew More!

Work In Progress Wednesday: Original Design Commission

Hey All You Sizzleans!

Well, on top of being quite warm, it's been super busy, as summer tends to be, (The lazy days of summer? where did that crock of baloney come from?) so posting is getting squeezed in when it can.

Here is the work in progress today.



This is the muslin and fabric for an original design by me! It is for a friend who wanted an eyelet swimsuit cover up. The design was altered to make it a little less full in the skirt,a little shorter in the sleeves, but basically was pretty much good from the get-go, which made me very proud.


Self taught clothing designer.
I'm breaking my arm patting myself on the back.

So far, I am still not holding up my "Holiday Gift Plan", averaging about a half a gift a week, but swimsuit cover up, and strawberry jam deadlines still trump anything in far off December.

Saving You A Seat By The Pool,
Betty

WIP Wednesday: The Longest WIP

I have a WIP that is much older than

Michelle's quilt.
It transcends generations.

I found it about a quarter of the way finished, in my Grandma's closet, after she died.
The receipt that was still in the bag said 1986. Usually needlepoint isn't my gig.. but I thought she might appreciate it if I gave it a go.

I've been working on it, occasionally, for at least 7 years, maybe 8.
Just a few more stitches and then I can block it.
And make it into... whatever it was meant to be.

What is your oldest UFO? and are you now thinking about finishing it?

WIP: More Tatter's Necklaces and the summer reading program

under construction

shades of white

wild flowers in the orchard

Summer is Upon Me.
And I never even finished spring cleaning.

What a summer this looks like it will be. Busy. Hot. Interesting.

I am definitely going to have to admit to myself that I need to adopt my "Summer Blogging Schedule". I will post about once a week. Twice, if I'm lucky.

But that's bound to be okay with you folks... I bet you will be busy too.

Anybody reading anything good this summer?

I have:
"The Fig Eater" by Jody Shields
"prep" by Curtis Sittenfeld
and
"Crossing to Safety" by Wallace Stegner,
as well as, all of "His Dark Materials" by Phillip Pullman.

I just finished "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen. I really liked it.
I have been really obsessed with stories that are set in the depression.
This one is just resonant and brutal and a real page turner.

Come on... what's on your list?

WIP Wednesday: OMG

Today:

Photo shoot for New Vintage for Fashion Friday..
Video Shoot for Sew Mama Sew Vintage smock sew along...
Doing mad exercise to try and get my spandex license reinstated...
Finishing two cute Amy Butler patterns for the Amy Butler trunk show on May 9th and 10th at Luminous Threads...
Excavating the 'fridgerator to get ready for the next box of veg from my CSA...
Speed cleaning (if you do it fast it also counts as exercise. Finally,two of my least favorite activities in one package, Hurray!)
Signing the kid up for guitar lessons And comic drawing lessons to go with his robotics and film special effects and animation classes for the summer...
trying to limit my sugar... (If I am working this hard I am going to need sugar, I think.)


Yes... I don't have time to take pictures for this post, so here:



That sums it up nicely.

I will be doing a birdie girl and lace crown tutorial sometime fairly soon. But I have to get this to do list whittled down first..

stay tuned.

WIP Wednesday: What's Up These Days at My House

I am working on the dress for my anniversary date. Nearly done, but I am having trouble with the "removable collar." It is basted in when you want to wear it , which is fine, but I am having such a hard time getting it centered properly. I have re-basted 3 times. I would love an adjustable dress form. That would have really helped.
I have a beautiful dress form ,
but she and I can't share clothes.

Lemons are in season, I've been collecting.

The gardening is falling a bit behind.. These are for my pumpkin patch.
Today marks the 3rd day I have planned to get them in the ground.

This is why I have been collecting lemons. Stage 1 Home made Lemoncello, Now I patiently wait for 4 weeks for stage 2 of Homemade Lemoncello. If this batch comes out well, this will be a Handmade Holidaze 2008 project.
You can start trying to get on my good side now.

And I hope to cut out a New Vintage dress...
I washed and ironed and there's still daylight!

WIP Wednesday: Crown and Glory

crowns made from gilded lace.... macro too.. cause I'm a joiner.
I'm making some from a millinery straw as well.
No real reason,just because the lace and the straw said
"make a crown from me."
Who am I , to argue with raw materials?

and a picture of the birthday outfit in use!!
Yeah!!! She liked it!!

This Supposed to be Thrift Thursday

But it's not.
It is more like WIP Wednesday Part II.
The Quilt Top .

my very first one ever...

Milo thinks maybe I was a little too freewheeling on the seams.

"I'm going to give this my kitten paws of approval..

but I think you could do better, and frankly I am a little disappointed.

In fact, I just gotta go."

Dang, Milo sure is touchy today!

If I'm good enough for this:


I should be good enough for a surly teenage kitten.

That's right Ladies and Gentlemen,
Bitter Betty is on the board...

Thanks Kristen and Beth for letting me
play a little part in one of the coolest sewing sites ever!

oh!! and Thanks Liz!!! Flattery will get you everywhere with me!!

(Thank Goodness I have Milo around to deflate my ego! Egads!)

WIP Wednesday: Bread

Today I made cinnamon bread again..

I wore my "Lotta Jansdotter Simple Sewing" apron. Good pattern. Cute fit and comfy.




I made the bread the old fashioned way with 10 minutes of kneading. (Almost burned off a quarter of a slice with all that exercise!)



Rolled out to be sprinkled with cinnamon...









Now all I have to do is the dishes!!

Now with Recipe:
Cinnamon bread

1 pkg dry yeast (2.5 tsp)
1/2 c warm water
2 c scalded milk
2 ts salt
1/3 c sugar
1/4 c butter melted
6 1/4 c flour


1/2 c sugar
1 TB cinnamon

soften yeast in warm water
Combine milk sugar salt and butter. Let cool to lukewarm.
Stir in flour 2 cups at a time until the dough is moderately stiff.
Turn out onto a floured work surface and knead8-10 minutes until the dough is satiny and smooth. Form a ball.
Let rise in lightly oiled bowl, turning once to cover top with oil.
Should be doubled in bulk when finished rising. About 1.5 hours

Punch down and cut in half .
Roll out each half to a 6 x15 inch rectangle and sprinkle with half of the sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll up fairly tightly.

Place in grease and floured bread pan or I did mine on a silpat sheet on a cookie pan.
Cover and let rise 1 hour.
Bake in pre heated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes.

mmmm.

Spring Break...in two posts...Maybe one of them tomorrow.

okay.. I have been Blog Delinquent but I have been on spring break and that is my excuse.

Besides... maybe too many posts are too many..There are 200 unread posts in my bloglines and I need to keep working around here instead of burying myself in the internets, so if I 'm not saying hi.. That's why. But I will try and get caught up in a bit.

Okay:

WIP Wednesday: I sewed. I made an outfit for my niece for her birthday and I will be excited to show it to you soon. Milo needed to be really involved and so he curled up on my sewing table and slept in this lovely antique sewing basket I got from my mom's friend Betsy. Thanks Betsy! Milo loves it..


We are also doing some spring cleaning around here but more on that next week too..

Thrift Thursday: Great day at the thrift store! This is just some of the juicy goodness.
Some drawer organizers ( in the spring cleaning theme) and some great vintage "made in Japan' flowers, birds and bugs.




Then in a bunch of 80's patterns, I found this! EEEEP! Mail order from the LA times 1952! Making this so soon. My favorite easy no-sleeves sleeves and that peter pan collar!





The outfit I have almost sewed up for Violet was from thrifted patterns from the same day, not as vintage probably only 20 years old or so.
skirt blouse and hat, I really will show it ... maybe tomorrow.

I really am trying to ramp up the old sewing and new vintage fun...
(Now all the pages of Home Sewing Is Easy are Accessible on Flickr in one convenient set!)
which all has to do with another exciting announcement I hope to make really soon!

Ciao bellas, got to run!
Spring Break is sashaying away with a sassy look on her face.

When Spring Cuts Loose At Bitter Betty Industries

Click on the descriptions below and get right to the Shop
on the item page you are looking for..

Handmade spring bag with vintage crewelwork rescued from goodwill..

new UtiliObis!

earrings! and they come inside tiny baskets in paper covered boxes..

Vintage sewing basket with goodies.. Because I have one and 2 is too many for Mr. Bitter.

The Shop Update will now be happening in 3 sessions.. There will indeed be a "build your own basket" option.. ( thanks for your feedback on that one.) It will be baskets that are good for any age (well, over 6, really) but aimed at the crafty set.. and largely, the girly set. But if you crave a Bitter Betty Basket for Boys, email me and I will work with you to make it fantastic.

I will be offering 3 baskets Large Medium and Small: Large will have 5 items, Medium 4, Small 3.

The items to select from will be 1-2 from Pink Pompom sheep, Felted Bird, stuffed or felted bunny ( Yet TBD) , Fancy Earring Box or Deluxe Goose Egg Kit

and 2-3 from:
Vintage Glitter Tag kit, Fancy Paper pack, yummy chocolate candy in a fancy package, the really good soap bubbles with pretty new label, Mix CD,chocolate bunny, fancy fairy crown, or pompom chick.

And if you want a smaller basket, or less, or more, or just some stuffin's I will gladly do some serious customization and get it into the shop with your name on it. Just email or Convo me..
I am Notoriously Easy and Eager to Please. ( Please do not confirm this with Mr. Bitter as he is highly unreliable as a source of info... on this particular point..)

Session Number One is now up and running!
Owl Shop tomorrow ....
and Build a Basket by the end of the week.

WIP Wednesday: The Panic Sets In....

(Spoiler Alert: Family: It is time for you to stop reading the blog from now until Xmas,
unless you want your surprises ruined.)

Here at Bitter Betty Industries,
all handmade gifts are kitten tested for comfort and durability.

okay.. I am about ready to start day-drinking.

Hanukkah started last night...candle free here. Ran out of candles.. didn't have time to hunt down the menorah. If I find it tonight that will be the miracle of the lamp, 2007 style.



I am very nearly done with my Hanukkah gifts for my husband's side of the family. We exchange all in one night, Saturday, this year. I have to make wings for a dress up costume, sew a hat to a birdie's head, press and detail a purse ensemble ( matching tissue holder, cosmetic bag, coin purse and checkbook cover). And then wrap everything and pack it for a plane trip. Only one gift not handmade.
Handmade for my Father in Law turned out to be a hurdle I couldn't jump.

My side... The vastly huger side, still isn't even started. ( Yes, I know 'huger' ( say: huge- r) isn't a word, but sometimes I roll like that ... you know, like, illiterate.) I think I know what I want to make for everyone, which is good... But the list is long and varied.
It will be a very action packed next few weeks.

Last year I told myself I was going to start in January. Make a few gifts a month and then by December just cookies and decorating... What the Hell Happened to That Plan?

I went to get some supplies at Micheal's and Target (of all places) and had a panic attack just being in the stores. It is bugging me a little how much I am buying to make presents. It is supposed to be simpler, less impact on the planet, a better idea.. But I am still shopping quite a bit. It feels ironic, not funny ironic... more like, hypocritical ironic.

Busy Busy Busy.. Consume Mass Quantities... bigger, Better, Faster, Brighter,
More, More, More.

I need to soothe my soul. I need to breathe.
I need Inner Peace on Earth.

Next year I am going to be less like Betty and More Like Lenore.

Tomorrow, I promise: Less Woe.. More HoHoHo.

WIP Wednesday: The Halloweenie Post

Well some hobgoblin chewed through our ethernet cable last night and I am late with my post.
I didn't spend much time or money on outfitting myself but I did make a new skirt for the occasion.

I wore it despite it still needing buttons (hence the WIP status) and I must say:

I love it. It has 132 inches of skirt, french seams, and colors that are so fun to wear it make me a bit giddy. Wish I would have cut the bottom contrasting hem on the bias.. but what's a ghoul to do? Modeled here with Spike Heels, and Vintage Apron for the Demon Donna of Reed Street costume..




And it matches my red glittery demon housewife horns.



Mua-ha-ha.