okay... A list of catch up and #27

Let's see:

Finish Line List is as follows: 

23: paperwork stuff... covered in the last post

24: Finished all the winter pruning the garden. No photo... looks like heck. You can see my celebratory hoolahoop self portrait here.

25: Finished a major photo shoot in a great big field and did my first clone photo using and learning my new Photoshop 5. That was the utili-obi picture from my last post...perhaps you recall?

26: Made several zippered pouches. But I have not staged a decent photo shoot for them. They are cute but not earth shattering.

However, I will photograph them. 

Eventually.

Soon eventually. 

I want a Whole Month of Done mosaic to hang on my wall.

My final finish for the 31st!?

Which brings me to today.. I mean What Have I Done TODAY?

Aesop's Fables cushions.

tortise and hare 

and 

the stork and the jug.

For Etsy? or???

 Finished and photopraphed and I'm happy about that.

So G' Night.

Finish#12 : It's a Mr. E

Just a silly bunch of wooden pieces I couldn't pass up a the thrift store.

I have tons of weird little items that wait for inspiration to strike.

Clever name inspired by my nephew, who actually wears the same hat.

Now a little creature, maybe a prototype for a robot figure? 

Finish a Day is great for doing some stash busting.

Playing With Paper Clay

This was easy and fun.

Sacred heart paper clay medallions pressed with handmade woodcuts from Mexico.
These are first drafts... I think I need to make more.

All part and parcel of something fun I'm working on for a Dia De Los Muertos show.
Here is a first draft skeleton figure... He could use some refining!

I had a serious vision for a piece after I made these.
 I need to find a fine plastic piggy.
I'm curious if anyone can guess what it might be?


The piece has nothing to do with the sacred hearts, but one thing will lead to another.
Maybe I'll have time to do more than one piece for the show...
But I don't know.
I have some doctor-y stuff coming up,
Jacob has his wisdom teeth pulled on Friday
and apparently all the animals require vet visits...

Is there ever enough time for everything?
Wouldn't it be great if there was?

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. 

Holy Hula Hooper!

That's right... At the Maker Faire I got a grown up size hoop and I have been practicing every day.

One day I want to be just like this guy.. or go someplace and drink martinis and watch him in awe.



Same guy (Mat Plendl) as the kid in the commercial! He was performing at Teatro Zin Zanni in San Francisco in 2009.  Talk about finding your passion and sticking with it!
I wonder if he's still there?

As far as my own hoop dreams are concerned, if I ever master anything even remotely tricky, you'll see it here first.

I'm outta here for my weekend at Strawberry Music Festival with the ladies. Camping with the possibility of snow showers and a 100% chance of fantastic music. I am packing my hoop. No possibilities of any remote updates, but if anything exciting happens, I will report when I get home.

Made It Myself Monday: The Capelette

 

Well, you are all so sweet and encouraging that I am now ready to pick up the Gauntlet and start Blogging with Reckless Abandon,

Here is the capelette and flower collar combination. No close-ups because, frankly, the capelette leaves me a little less than thrilled. But it is a cute little photo-op as well as a learning opportunity:

Cape linings are not so easy.

I did have a really creative weekend and have lots to share this week but I wanted to start it out with some capelette closure and a

 Great Big Thanks

for all your kindnesses and encouragement!!!

xxxooo, 

Betty

Jawa Doll with Real Eye Light Action

Way,  way, back  I disclosed my love of Star Wars in a meme-ish 6 Things About Me post.

 

Then last year we had a runaway sleeper  holiday hit by making the very adorable Stuffed Bantha as age appropriate stocking stuffies for the two young men in my family.

 This year my sister and I decided that Jawa dolls with light up led eyes would be a nice  way to revisit our  former glory.

And we are happy to share our pattern with you.

Click here to Download PDF pattern and instructions.
Click here to order super cool LED light sewing kit from SternLabs.
and click here to see that adorable Bantha pattern.

Many thanks to George Lucas and many hopes that he won't make me take this pattern down since Jawas are truly his creation and this is just a humble fans homage.

Stay tuned tomorrow for another tutorial!

The Advent-ure Continues

still  Adventing away...

in little ways!

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!

Tutorial (Almost) Tuesday: Lovely Lace Jellyfish

You will need:

supplies

• doilies. I trimmed mine from an old crocheted lace place mat.
• Lace of several widths for jelly underskirting and tentacles!
• (Man, do I love a craft with tentacles!)
• Mod Podge or slightly thinned white glue
• 36 gauge wire ( Thinnest available.)
• doily colored thread.

tools

• Cutting instruments for wire and thread and lace.
• Paint brush
• Curved circular containers to use for molds.

1) Trim doilies for the jelly domes to the ideal size for you. Mine are small. 2-3 inches. But I think this would work to make much larger Jellies. Just select your lacy underbits to match the scale of your doily.

2)Find molds for your doilies that will give you the curvature you prefer. I used an old jelly mold and a margarita glass.


3) Generously coat one side of your doily with Mod Podge or thinned glue.


4) Place in molds and allow to dry.


5) Make a rosette (gather lace and sew into a spiral). Stitch into place in the center of the doily.
You may want a thimble for this part.



6) Cut lace and wire to double the length that you would like to use for your tentacles. I cut 2 of each, both the same length.

7) Weave the wire into the lace using a "running stitch". To finish fold the wire end and end of lace over and pinch to crimp the wire.

8) I folded the wired tentacles in half, but unevenly, so they would be staggered, and stitched
into the center of the rosette.


9) Fluff up your jelly and string him up for hanging.


additional note: I used two different widths for the tentacle lace to make the 4 tentacles feel like more. Also.. if you were clever and used only cotton lace these could be dyed! I'd love to see someone try that!
Please let me know if you make some. I'd love to check them out!

And for Inspirado?


Welcome to Team Jelly... No Hearts. No Brains. No Blood.

Squishily Yours,
Betty

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

Workbasket Wednesday: Coffee Tea or Me?

Sorry for the long sign off... I switched to Postum and I haven't been able to get out of bed for a week.
I kid, of course. They will be prying my coffee cup from my cold dead hands.

I actually have been sewing like a veritable fiend. I am almost done with a dress for myself and I finished a little dress for a sweet little Muse from New York, both out of fantastic vintage fabrics.
I just love working with vintage fabrics! I used new patterns in classic shapes from the new Burda Magazine I picked up last Monday, so the dresses still look "vintage-y". I liked using the magazine patterns. It was my first time with a Burda Magazine and I have to say.. It was Well Worth The Money. In fact the stuff in the new issue is looking so yummy, I may have to subscribe or something. It won't keep me from sewing true New Vintage... but it might help me work through this stash!

It's finally sunny today so I hope to get a couple of quick snapshots to share.

Oh and I have a Thrift Thursday Tutorial tomorrow. Wooo Hooo.

And I have made a cute little crop of mushroom babies.

Busy, busy, busy.
Thank You, Caffeine. You poor maligned darling.
You are my best friend.

2008 The Year in Review.. Me Too, Me Too!!

My, My, but we all have been busy....
Well here is 2008.. in thumbnails.
And this is actually edited.

1. limoncello in the offing, 2. egg craft du jour, 3. needle felted bird, 4. Lace necklace: April Snowstorm side, 5. this is how we knead the dough, 6. Vote Pillow, 7. New vintage Knit Top, 8. nesting project: mid- century chair, 9. In the bedroom, 10. orchid under glass, 11. frida egg, 12. the antique sewing basket





1. detail, 2. lace necklace project revived: Garden Party, 3. robot needlecase, 4. New Vintage Project 14: wrap dress, 5. out of his mushroom, 6. Parliamentary Class Picture, 7. birdie bag back, 8. altered book, 9. egg craft gear, 10. cupcakes today, 11. Valentine Making.. Golden, 12. Violet in her birthday outfit..




1. pink pom sheepies, 2. Tarzan's social worker, 3. hey, you!, 4. fancy handmade bubble stuff, 5. blurry office chair, 6. pj top modified, 7. New Vintage Project 14: wrap dress detail, 8. blue flower utili obi- closer, 9. betty 25/365, 10. pompom chick, 11. freaked out, 12. my first quilt top



1. birdgirl, 2. white on white necklace, 3. New Vintage project # 19 saturated, 4. reap sampler stitched, 5. He was so little back then., 6. blog party, 7. Painted Peace O' Candy Tins, 8. potholder progress-August, 9. Augie's Got Stuff, 10. Needle Point Inherited, 11. cat burrito, 12. New Vintage Wardrobe # 20

1. 40th Birthday dress: New Vintage, 2. sushi cake, 3. Orange Gourd family and stuff, 4. lace crowns, 5. Bo Peep, 6. Houseplant costumes: Ferocious Ficus, 7. bowling bunnies, 8. toy, 9. seasonal seasoning, 10. future t-shirt tycoon, 11. gnewly painted gnome, 12. beehive frost goddess


may 2009 be as fruitful!

Tutorial Tuesday: Horrifying Houseplant Costumes

Okay...all you people, making cute pet costumes...

My pets just won't have it. So i decided to pick on some residents that are slightly more cooperative... and in doing so,
I am going to show that I have more time on my hands
than anyone else in the whole wide world...
Mwah-hahah.

I made costumes for my house plants.
And I made a tutorial too...
(in case you find yourself with a little time to kill.)

The Ferocious Ficus


and

the Rest in Peace Lily

Materials:
Stryrofoam balls, acrylic paints, vampire fangs, crepe paper sheets, pins, floral wire and tape
Tools:
Hot glue gun, knife, wire cutters, scissors

Ferocious Ficus:

• Cut balls in half

• Paint outside green and inside red. Add lips to outside cut edge and let dry
• Cut crepe paper with squiggley edge

• Cut leaves out of darker crepe paper
• Place vampire fangs between halves of painted styrofoam ball

• Pin in place with a straight pin in the back

• Secure fangs with hot glue in the corners

• Use hot glue on the fronts of fangs to create a sappy drool. Let harden.

• Wrap around the outside of the ball with the squiggley crepe paper and hot glue in place.

• Insert floral wire, (1 foot long- bent in half) into the back of the stryofoam ball with an end in each half.
• Secure with hot glue and wrap crepe paper to cover.
• Wrap wire with floral tape.

• Glue on leaves and wrap floral tape to end.

• Wrap wire on tree branch.

Oh, The Horror.

Rest In Peace Lily is just a much larger styrofoam ball, painted like an eye and wrapped with cut crepe paper, hot glued in place. It is anchored with a bamboo skewer.

Look Out!