Blast From My Past: Asparagus and Kidney Beans
Nope, not a recipe… ha! Instead, a stroll down memory lane…
There must be something about spring weather that gives me the urge to purge. I’ve been turning our closets inside out, crossing off neglected tasks that have been on my To-Do list for months, donating or throwing away anything unnecessary or unused. But even though space is limited, I can still find room for a few sentimental items.
Let me introduce you to a few…
When I was cleaning out the closet recently, I stumbled upon these relics from my childhood. I guess I’ve been obsessed with dolls and “old things” ever since I was little. I sewed these dolls from scraps and filled them with kidney beans… and intentionally made them “raggedy” and full of stitches for an antique effect.
I can’t remember the names I gave them or what stories I gave them (although I’m sure they were intensely complicated and fleshed out). I do remember that the first one I made – due to the green color – was an asparagus.
Yep, a doll inspired by a leggy green vegetable. Her face was drawn on with a sharpie, and I experimented with markers and clumsy embroidery for the next two dolls.
Maybe they’re a little creepy, but I can still appreciate the floppy weight and long braidable hair that I loved when I created them. I still have a bag full of clothes I made for them out of scraps – a few inches of lace became a shawl, the hem of an outgrown nightgown became a sash, a row of buttons from an old shirt became a dress, a bracelet became a necklace. I guess I’ve always been a hoarder of fabric, although these days I’m more likely to use a machine rather than do any sewing by hand. I guess I’ll keep these little gals around…
A blast from my past, for sure!
(And again, I had lots of fun with the new photo app from A Beautiful Mess!)
Blast From My Past: Writers’ Strike
There must be something about spring weather that gives me the urge to purge. I’ve been turning our closets inside out, crossing off neglected tasks that have been on my To-Do list for months, donating or throwing away anything unnecessary or unused. But even though space is limited, I can still find room for a few sentimental items.
I’ve been trying to organize my photos lately, so of course I’ve stumbled upon all those high school mementos that I’d completely forgotten about. Among the photo albums, senior scrapbook, and yearbooks that I’ve kept from high school, I’ve also kept copies of the literary magazine I was a part of during my few years there. I haven’t thought of our high school’s literary magazine in a long time… so I had fun strolling down memory lane!
I’ve been thinking about all this lately, and trying to avoid embarrassing myself by posting my poetry and illustrations from long ago, but I’m going to share it anyway. I’m neither exalting or poking fun at my old work. It is what it is! Most of the illustrations were submitted when it came down to the final days before printing, when everyone was typing and working on the layout and scrambling to get everything finished. If something was needed to accompany a poem or short story, I would draw whatever was needed to fill up an empty space. So enjoy!
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We loved our sponsor Mrs. Smith, who commuted the 40 minute drive from her home to our high school every day—the same commute that I would make in the opposite direction when I was a school librarian years later. Mrs. Smith was energetic and encouraging, and she let us come in early and stay late after school to work on the magazine when the deadlines loomed. We even had membership cards laminated to get us past the hall monitor dragons guarding the school doors before and after the bells. I don’t think I fully appreciated the fact that us coming in early or staying late meant that Mrs. Smith was also waking up earlier, on the road earlier, spending less time with her family, working beyond the required hours. It was just fun for me and the other students, but having been in the teaching position as an adult, now I can understand better how much of a committed teacher she really was for us.
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I realize now that the details are hazy – I thought I’d worked on the magazine at least three years of high school, and that Mrs. Smith was our faculty advisor the entire time. But after flipping through the Writers’ Strike, I was only around for two issues and by the second one we had a new sponsor. It’s funny how facts get twisted around in your memory. But nevertheless, the memories of how I felt remain true. My commitment ranged from submitting a few pieces to working daily on the layout and artwork, fundraising and selling when the help was needed. But most of all, I valued my participation in the whole process and the effort involved. One year can feel like an awfully long time to a teenager, and I’m glad that my years were peppered with rewarding experiences and connections.
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Isn’t it funny how when you’re growing up, high school seems like the ultimate culmination of your entire life? All of your school years lead up to those four glorious years of high school, and there are supposed to be all those huge milestones that happen while you’re there: first dances and first boyfriends and getting your driver’s license and prom and football games and all those other expectations. And there are lots of friends and drama and activities and heartaches and hormones, and even when you graduate you still think that what you do in high school will shape the rest of your life. Then you go to college, or you get out in the world, and high school and its importance just kind of fades away. At least, that’s how it has been for me.
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The Writers’ Strike title was always a bit of a mystery to me… especially when it came to that apostrophe. We inherited the name from some long-ago students, so the meaning was never really explained… nor exactly where that pesky apostrophe should be placed. Was it one writer’s strike? Many writers’ strike? Or maybe the strike was not possessive at all, it was just a “writers strike,” a noun and verb. And the “strike” was mysterious in origin too—were we supposed to be making some sort of stance? Was the strike political in nature? Or was it more of a strike into the unknown? Or a mark? No one knew. And no one bothered to try to change it… it was what it was.
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I haven’t thought about the Writers’ Strike in a long time, but I’m glad I did!
P.S. I just got the Beautiful Mess app, so obviously I had a lot of fun playing around with the pics in today’s post! All embellishments are courtesy of the app.
Mama’s Hexis
First of all, Happy Mother’s Day weekend to everyone! My poor Mama will be without children by her side for the first time – I guess that’s what happens when we little birds start to fly from the nest. But I’d apparate to Alabama in a split second if I could! (Hey, I’d even suffer through Floo powder if that’s what it takes!) Since instantaneous travel doesn’t exist, I had to settle for sending my mama a gift instead.
Remember the Thanksgiving hexi table topper I made last year?
When my parents visited for Thanksgiving, Mom admired it and wanted one in blues and purples for herself. So come Mother’s Day, that’s exactly what I made.
(Side note: How has it already been six months since November? This whole living-across-the-country-and-seeing-family-only-twice-a-year thing is for the birds!)
I searched my scrap bin for blues and purples, but came up with a distinct lack of purple options. So the palette turned into more blue and greens, with a nautical lean as a nod to our shared love of the ocean and her childhood. A few remnants from the chevron baby quilt even worked their way in there – I love using scraps from past projects (or in this case, a work-in-progress project).
I followed the same instructions from Quilts & More magazine to paper piece and attach the hexis, except this time around I made a few tweaks to speed up the process. I lost the original hexagon template so I just looked up one online, and instead of basting through the paper template as suggested in the magazine, I used this technique from Bee In My Bonnet. The hexagon shape wasn’t quite as sharp using this technique (I think it worked better for her because she was making 2″ hexagons, but mine are a lot bigger), but removing the templates and basting stitches was a lot less painful – so I think it’s totally worth it! I also quilted it slightly different, so the outline of each hexagon was one continuous straight stitch, instead of stopping and starting for each separate hexi.
And of course I broke out the label maker again to sign my work!
I can’t adequately express how much I value my mama’s presence, but every year I try anyway. Our relationship has been a guiding force and source of strength my entire life. The daily phone calls, texts, emails, skype sessions – and above all, our shared laughter throughout – is a constant reminder. My mama’s love has guided me through the good times and the bad – not just in words, but in actions too. I’m grateful every day that I can rely on her humor and good sense to steer me in the right direction! To my mother and mother figures in my life, Happy Mother’s Day!
Today I’m linking up to Finish it Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts!
Work In Progress: HST Chevron Baby Quilt
I had high hopes of shipping off a finished baby quilt just in time for Mother’s Day, but it didn’t happen. I was humming along, piecing, squaring blocks, arranging, sewing blocks into rows, sewing rows into a quilt top. I took a break to think about how I wanted to quilt and finish, mostly because I’m still a little intimidated by using minky fabric as the backing for the first time. After deciding to quilt the top and the batting together in an argyle pattern with straight lines, then adding the backing like a blanket, I got back in the saddle and started quilting.
About an hour into quilting, I had to come to a halt. Alas… I ran out of a very necessary ingredient. Thread! I have a bunch of cheap spools in lots of different colors, but I like to use my good Gutermann thread for quilting. My very last spool was bare, and I hadn’t realized that I didn’t have any back ups left.
So now I’m waiting for thread to arrive in the mail… and maybe that little baby will wait another week too but I have a feeling he’ll make an appearance whether or not this quilt is ready!
I really do like how the quilt is coming together. I’ll try to keep the finished look under wraps until it’s safely in Mississippi. For now it’s still a work in progress… I’m sewing as slow as a snail these days!
So that’s what I’m working on at the moment! I’m linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced 
Project Pinterest: Doodle Trees
Lately I’ve been on a doodling spree! Set me in front of a blank sheet of paper, and I usually draw a blank. But thanks to Pinterest, inspiration abounds – even when it comes to doodling.
I pinned this image, which turned out to be an Eloise Renouf print.
I love the line drawings of each tree– and wouldn’t any one of them be adorable as embroidery? But for now, I’m just thinking of new ideas to doodle.
One little, two little, three little doodle trees….
Doodle Trees
Time: 5-10 minutes, but that’s not really the point this time, right?
Cost: Free, since you probably have the supplies already
Supplies:
- Paper
- Sharpie
No instructions this time – just a jumping off point for doodling, painting, embroidery, etc. I love my little doodle trees!
Hooray for Pinterest and coloring creatively!
Project Pinterest: DIY Coloring Pages, Nature Edition
I’ve been on a doodling spree! Set me in front of a blank sheet of paper, and I usually draw a blank. But thanks to Pinterest, inspiration abounds – even when it comes to doodling.
This is my third batch of doodle ideas – you can look to my Project Pinterest page for more. Below, three more ideas to jump start your doodling: Leaf Line Patterns, Dandelions, and Textured Landscapes.
Nature DIY Coloring Pages
Time: 10-20 minutes, but that’s not really the point this time, right?
Cost: Free, since you probably have the supplies already
Supplies:
- Paper
- Sharpie
- markers/crayons/colored pencils/etc.
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Leaf Line Patterns
One of my favorite elementary art blogs is Art Projects for Kids because of the daily ideas with practical supplies and instructions. I pinned this idea a while ago, and it goes with the nature theme of today’s coloring pages.
Instructions:
1. I like to start with a box, so my drawing is contained – it’s just less intimidating to me than a blank piece of paper. Draw a couple leaves with veins that extend to the edges.
2. In each section, draw a different pattern (in a different color if you want.) Zig zags, stripes, cross hatches, shapes, concentric circles, checkerboard, etc.
3. Finish up by adding “energy lines” around the shapes – concentric outlines around the leaves.
I added color to each section, but I think it would be fun to do the patterns in different colors as well, just like the original. Either way, the doodling is the best part.
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Dandelions
I pinned this step-by-step for drawing dandelions, from the same Art Projects for Kids blog where I found the leaf pattern idea – see, it really is a fun and useful blog!
There’s not much to say that isn’t covered in the drawing, but I made a little icon just for fun.
I love the three dandelions with “make a wish…” Such a cute idea!
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Textured Landscapes
I pinned this picture and then discovered that it comes from an Italian art teacher’s blog – you never know where you’ll end up when you start following pins to their source, which is another reason why I love Pinterest!
I used the example as a model the first time, then started creating my own landscapes. First, I drew outlines of each layer; From the bottom to the top: Rocks, grass, hill, tree, water, mountain, sky. Then add a different texture (in a different color if you wish) for each layer – lines, cross hatch, spirals, etc. My favorite part was writing “sky” in continuous cursive at the top – all those looping loop de loops make me smile.
These landscapes are addictive once you get started – I made another one too!
Hooray for Pinterest and coloring creatively!
Sneak Peek… Baby Boy Chevron Quilt!
One of my MS friends is due with a baby boy in May, and she asked me to make a quilt for his arrival. I’m gonna be honest – I was a little intimidated/nervous/panicky at first! I’ve gifted a couple baby quilts before (Pinwheels for a baby girl and Patchwork for a baby boy) but it was unsolicited… so I guess I didn’t worry as much about if it was perfect or not. But it helps that she picked out some awesome fabrics in the navy blue/lime green color scheme she’s using to decorate the nursery.
I’ve been pinning like crazy for ideas (especially for tips on sewing with minky fabric, since this will be the first time I’m working with it for the backing.)
We decided on a chevron pattern, so I started looking to Pinterest again for examples (so many! so beautiful!). The easiest way I’ve found to get the chevron (aka zig zag) look is using my favorite Half Square Triangles (HST).
So Saturday I finally started cutting fabric, and started piecing blocks on Sunday. Then it’s just arranging, sewing rows, attaching, and bam – quilt top! Then I’ll have to figure out exactly how I want to quilt and bind using the minky fabric as the backing.
All this cutting and sewing and brainstorming can wear a girl out…
And then… after many, many hours of pinning… I became a wee bit obsessed with HSTs. There are just so many combinations! Just one simple block can be rearranged in so many, many ways. I started doodling (of course).
I think I’ve got a few ideas for my next quilts… Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
(You can tell the later it got at night, the worse the lighting and the sloppier my doodling. Oh well!)
So that’s what I’m working on at the moment!
I’m linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
Project Pinterest: DIY Coloring Pages, Optical Illusion Edition
Lately I’ve been on a doodling spree! Set me in front of a blank sheet of paper, and I usually draw a blank. But thanks to Pinterest, inspiration abounds – even when it comes to doodling.
Optical Illusion DIY Coloring Pages
Time: 10-20 minutes, but that’s not really the point this time, right?
Cost: Free, since you probably have the supplies already
Supplies:
- Paper
- Sharpie
- markers/crayons/colored pencils/etc.
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2D Geometry Art
I follow a lot of great teaching blogs, and my favorite posts feature art projects (Runde’s Room is great, btw, if you’re an upper elementary teacher). I had to pin this 2D geometry art project she did with her 5th graders.
This simple coloring page can be done with two colors, and can easily incorporate polygon/shape/geometry lessons as well (if you’re interested in that kind of thing.)
Instructions:
1. Draw a grid – you can be fancy and use a ruler or graph paper, but I free-handed it. (Wavy lines and all!)
2. Draw several shapes on the grid with no overlapping.
3. Fill in alternating squares in a checkerboard pattern, leaving the shapes blank.
4. Color in the opposite color wherever each shape overlaps a square.
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3D Hand Art
I’ve seen this pin a few times, and I love it! Each pin has slightly different end results, but the main process is the same.
Instructions:
1. Trace your hand.
2. Draw straight lines from one end of the page to the other. Make the line “jump” or “crawl” from one side of the hand to the other in a curved line.
3. Continue until the lines fill your paper. Add color if you wish.
That’s all there is to it! You can color in each line with a different color if you wish– rainbow, ombre, patterns, etc.
Hooray for Pinterest and coloring creatively!
Project Pinterest: Easy Easter Art
(Before I get started – head over to yesterday’s post if you want to play along with a couple ice breaker games!)
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These spring holidays keep sneaking up on me! But as usual, this craft is super simple. So let’s make a good egg for Good Friday!
My idea is loosely based on this pin for paper strip eggs:
I don’t have any cute spring scrapbook paper, but I do hoard tissue paper. (Plus I had several shades of blue on hand from this project.) And tissue paper made me think of stain glass… and so this project came about! I thought about it all day at work, then made it when I got home.
Stain Glass Easter Art
Time: 5 minutes
Cost: Free, since you probably have supplies on hand
Supplies:
- construction paper
- tissue paper
- tape
- scissors
Instructions:
1. Fold a piece of construction paper in half. Draw an oval shape in the center. (I found a great egg shaped template from another pin, although I just held the papers together and eyeballed the shape.)
2. Cut out the egg shape through both sides of the folded paper. Cut tissue paper into strips about 1-inch wide.
3. Unfold the construction paper and layer the tissue strips on top of the oval on the right side. Tape down each side of the strips on either side of the cut out. This is the fun part! Layer the strips at a bit of an angle to create overlapping colors. Of course you can go random, or patterned, or ombre, whatever.
4. Fold the paper again so that the top oval shape covers the edges of the strips. Put tape loops on each corner to close.
Voila! A stained glass Easter egg! I taped my three little eggs to the window to enjoy what was left of the sun after work.
(Ignore the view – our kitchen window overlooks the back of about four different apartment buildings – not exactly picturesque!)
Once again, Pinterest to the rescue!
Project Pinterest: Vinegar Shower Head Soak
I’ve seen this pin all over Pinterest, and I’ve probably pinned it more than a few times – the idea is that soaking your shower head in vinegar results in a sparkly squeaky clean fixture.
Vinegar is all the rage right now – according to Pinterest, vinegar cleans the kitchen, tones your face, heals sore throats, it even clears your acne! I happened to have some vinegar from last Easter, so I gave it a whirl.
Vinegar Shower Head Soak
Time: 2 minutes to prepare, an hour or two for soaking
Cost: If you buy everything new, less than $5
Supplies:
- vinegar
- ziplock bag
- rubber band
Instructions:
See my nasty showerhead with the green gunk? Lovely!
I filled a baggy with vinegar and secured it over the nozzle with a rubber band, making sure that the head was submerged. Then I left it for over an hour (closer to 2 hours).
And when I removed the vinegar for the big reveal of a sparkling shower head… ummm… Not much difference!
I wiped it down with a wet cloth, as suggested… and I even used the leftover vinegar to “shine the fixtures”… which also didn’t make much of a difference. The rag did show that a bit of gunk came off, so that’s a good sign. It just wasn’t the miraculous reveal I was expecting.
So, I’m left to wonder if I did something wrong (Was the vinegar too old? Should I have let the showerhead soak longer?) or if it’s just a big ole Pinterest myth that vinegar cures all. Anybody else have better luck?
Once again, Pinterest inspired another vinegar cleaning project… but I’m thinking the promises of vinegar are mostly myth.
