Ransacked Goods

Tidy Sewing

I was out on a mental health errand at our local JoAnn's mega-store when I spotted this too cute sewing basket. Don't you love that apple print! I also saw it used in a quilt here. Obviously the basket was needed and on sale, so I had to pick it up. What's not on sale these days? I think it's all a lesson in restraint when I'm shopping now. Do I need it or do I just want it? The "want-me-give-me" vibe is strong with me.

But there is such a sense of satisfaction in being organized. I keep telling myself that if I was only more organized that I would get more done. That's simply not true, any mom will tell you that you get an insane amount of "stuff" done in one day. But with things scattered about the house I feel like I can't get any thing finished. So I'll just take it step-by-step, reclaiming the chaos of my life that is now working motherhood. And a tidy sewing box is a good step, replacing the heap of sewing and missing tools on my mantle. There's no rush to hide and catalogue away all the clutter but it does feel good.

There's one Chinese proverb that I always remind myself of when I'm getting overwhelmed by too many details and projects in my life. A [woman] who chases two rabbits catches none. Take a deep breath, slow down, do one thing well and then move on to the next.

Pretty Little Knitting

 
I'm seriously in love with this happy little knitted top over on JCasa handmade. So with my Aunt Ann (an expert knitter) in town over the weekend, I got a little tutorial and a start on this project. I've been ready to take the leap from scarves into bigger projects and this one didn't seem too complicated. Now I've found the joys of knitting in the round and it really doesn't seem too daunting. I think I'm finally getting why people enjoy knitting so much. An with so many video clips showing techniques, it's easier than ever to pick up the skill. I've never had that much luck reading diagrams in books either. So we'll see how this project finishes up. I'm happy to report that I made it through the armholes without incident last night. I'm not that happy with my yarn choice since it's reminding me of that Fruit Stripe gum I used to eat as a kid but oh well, I already had it and free is good for a first time project. It may be too big for the Chickpea this Spring but that will give me a chance to make another one for her this year once I've honed my skill a bit.

Any suggestions on good basic knitting books preferably with some kid's patterns?

Color Trends: 2009

One of the organizations that I whole heartedly support is Aid to Artisans, who educate artists and craftspeople in developing countries on product design, production and business skills. These skills mainly benefit women owned businesses in small rural communities and promote value in traditional handmade goods. It's a great training program to learn more about.

Take a look at these amazing color forecasts for 2009 in their recent magazine. I so wish it was my job to collage these together.There is so much detail in these rich storyboards. It just makes me want to throw away all my clothes, shop, paint and redecorate my house, not to mention buy a ticket to travel to these inspiring places. I'm really loving the aqua to blue green pallet with it's touches of complementary red and orange. Color forecasting often pulls form world culture and events and you can see just how global we have become.

Baking & Remembering

I made this pumpkin bread recipe yesterday. After a few disappointing batches using other recipes, I'll certainly keep this one around in my veggie hiding repertoire. Actually the Chickpea sat on the counter and ate the pumpkin straight out of the can. I had to grate up a yam to supplement all she nibbled. Fine by me. I'm sure these muffins would be even better with a little dollop of cream cheese frosting (seriously, what wouldn't be better with frosting).

Baking with this little tin pan always reminds me of my Aunt Barbara who left it at my house after she came for my wedding. Back then she arrived with it full of her sugar free, gluten free carrot cakes. I remember they were quite tasty despite not being the real McCoy, evidence of her talent in the kitchen. It always amuses me what we find endearing after someone has passed. Objects seem to hold such skewed value once their priceless owner is gone. But as I bake and use her pan I think about the rhythm of cooking and my aunt's laughter in her wonderfully warm kitchen. I'm sad but full of memories as I bake with my little daughter, whom my aunt never met. I remembered that I had pictures of her overwhelming kitchen in her once magically cluttered house so I can look back and see where that little pan once lived.

Time to Silk Screen

This weekend I took a silk screening "home edition" workshop with a friend. We learned the basics of several techniques and cost effective ways to set up shop in your home. I'm actually not sure what I'll do with all of this new information. While it's always wonderful to learn a new skill and feel like you're enriching your collective artistic knowledge, there is always the matter of time and mess. The former of which I don't have enough of, and the latter I have too much of. But I am intrigued with the idea of printing little sketches of mine like the bird above on t-shirts, cards and the likes. It's so easy and so charming.

But one other not so little snag holds me back, it's just too toxic. I became sensitive to just being in the same room with darkroom chemicals in college and I work very hard to keep toxic cleaning supplies out of my house. Why would I want to bring more into my life, even for art's sake? While there are easy ways to protect yourself and use these techniques responsibly, I have to give it a second thought before I bring it into my house. Granted there are some fairly benign art supplies we use every day already. I'll explore a few more gentle alternatives before I jump in here.

Regardless of all the hazards I still adore making things. It's a real pleasure and a gift to be in a creative environment, surrounded by the possibilities and tools of the trade. Who wouldn't want to sit down at the table below and just get to work.

 

Felty Pillow

Ta-da! Here's the final pillow with some felted applique, started way back when. I'm actually pretty happy with the way it turned out. I found a pretty little button for some detail. But that was the only thing that wasn't from my stash. I used down inserts for these pillows which makes all the difference in the comfy department. I've been trying to incorporate more blue in the house but I keep finding that I just get more sage green and terra cotta red which drives me crazy. Time for something fresh and new. Thankfully pillows are an easy fix and quick to change your mood. But I'll try another one like this sometime.

Little Gift

A little gift in the mail from lovelydesign to brighten up my day. Who doesn't like getting something lovely in the mail? Better yet, the unexpected gift.

White Elephant Sale: An Oakland Epic

This weekend I hit the White Elephant Sale with a friend of mine. To call it a "sale" is a disservice, it is in fact one of the most epic rummage sales you will ever encounter. All throughout the year the Oakland Museum Women's Board collects donated used goods in a large warehouse in an industrial area of Oakland. And for one weekend in March that warehouse is opened free to the public for a fantastic shopping event. I'm telling you the ladies who run this event are a well oiled machine. With white hair and white coats they usher you through the sale process and get you moving on to the next department to shop, shop, shop. The efficiency and camaraderie is something to behold. I was amazed to learn that this sale began in 1959 raising $500 for the museum, and last year's sale raised $1.28 million! Now that's an impressive history of turning unwanted goods into action and supporting a community. I'm so excited to see the Oakland Museum's upcoming show of one of my favorite artists, Squeak Carnwath. And these donation and sale made the show and countless other programs possible.

Above is what I picked up, mostly for the Chickpea. A bed for the baby dolls, a large set of wooden blocks, a stack of story books and vintage embroidery designs for me.

Spring is Near

 

I came home from a chilly but refreshing visit to the Pacific Northwest to find our plum tree with it's first blooms. Anticipating the end of winter is already warming my bones. One of my favorite sights in spring is that plum tree loosing all of its white blossoms in a few gusts of wind like the happiest snowfall.