Sweet Sunday

Cinnamon rolls, from scratch using my mom's recipe, make the sweetest Sunday morning.

Birthday Bugs

We celebrated birthdays for my nephew (4) and my niece (2) while we were on vacation. My sister-in-law had planned a bug themed event (she teaches elementary school and has the best ideas) and she let me make the cake. I used a butterfly cake mold and my favorite chocolate cake mix. It was a hot day so I added vegetable shortening to frosting so that it wouldn't melt. The frosted cake held up perfectly and was delicious (I managed to eat two pieces).
There were make-your-own-ladybug-cupcakes for the kids. We iced the cupcakes with red frosting and provided bowls of licorice sticks and M&M's so they could add antennae and spots at will.

Those under 4 feet tall also got to make bookmarks using bug-shaped foam stickers. It was amazing to me that even the 1 year-old knew how to peel the backing off a sticker. Seriously, kids these days are so advanced. It was especially fun to see them working on a table that was made for me by my dad.
A rousing game of "Pin the Spider on the Web" kept everyone captivated for at least 15 minutes. The door to the patio is metal, so my sister-in-law stuck magnets to the backs of homemade paper spiders.

Of course, there were presents: lots of Hot Wheels, art supplies, dolls and books. My brother enjoyed playing with them as much as the little ones under the guise of "showing them how." Some things never change, thank goodness.

Done and done

I am excited, and more than a little relieved, to tell you that I've finished both quilts! And with plenty of time to spare.

I wanted a simple, laid back summer look so I quilted every 6 inches down the length of the quilts. I love the soft look that resulted. Now brace yourself...I attached the binding entirely by machine. I know. I know. Forgive me quilters of the world for I have sinned. It's not something I would normally do but there was no physical way to handstitch 45 feet of binding in less than a week.

The back may be a little wonky in a few places but it's the back. I still have movement in my wrist and my sanity is in tack. I figured these two small points were more important than trying to achieve perfection.

I did learn alot in these few weeks of mad making.

First, a random pattern for the backing may have been a better choice. It would have hidden the stretching that happened as a result of putting a 6 yard length of fabric through the washing machine and dryer. (I tried hard to square it up but if the selvedge lined up on the mat I was never cutting through the center of all the primroses. Any hints?)

Second, my home will not accomodate a quilt larger than twin size. My kitchen floor had mere inches left after the quilt back was taped to the floor.

Third, there is such a thing as too much pinning. You'll know you've reached that point when the skin begins peeling off your thumb and you're only on the first half of the first quilt.

Finally, a walking foot rocks!

Action heroine

As promised, a few shots of the birthday girl in her Oliver & S bubble dress. I was thrilled that the dress fit her perfectly and that she loved it. This little one is already all about the shoes and the clothes in addition to her dolls and beloved blankie. Behold, photographic evidence that she's more than ready to style her own outfits, several times a day if necessary:

Slipping into her brother's sandals for a trip to the sandbox.

Moving on to flip-flops momentarily abandoned by a party guest. Angel Bear wore them briefly, but they didn't really work for him.

And, of course, there's the classic white sandals and sunglasses look.

Holy, holy is it hard to keep up with a two year-old, especially when hampered by a camera. I salute all the child portrait photographers out there because it sure isn't easy.

A 5 Minute Play

A cute blonde girl with even cuter red shoes walks into her recently renovated local Starbucks. Let's call her Tory.

Tory to cashier: I'd like a grande iced coffee with sugar-free mocha syrup, please.

12 year old cashier: Ah, oh , we don't have sugar-free mocha syrup anymore. We just discontinued it.

Tory sounding incredulous: But how can you make your light mocha frappucino then?

12 year old cashier: Umm, we just use the regular syrup.

Tory accusingly: Cheaters! Do you still have the other sugar-free syrups?

12 year old cashier: Yep.

Tory sounding resigned: I guess I'll have sugar-free caramel then.

Tory turning to address the audience: Beware! Starbucks is secretly trying to add to our bottom lines. But it does provide the power needed to bind a quilt.

Totes for tots & custom sewing

A few weeks ago I made a new batch of embellished onsies to have on hand. They are my go-to baby gift and also happen to be the most requested item from the Funky & Delightful custom sewing department*. Our friend Kelly picked out a few for her sister who is having her third boy (!!!) this fall and I wanted to send them to their new family in a cute bag (because it's all about the packaging for me).

I had some utility canvas left from the beach blanket I made earlier this summer and finally worked up the nerve to cut into the precious half yard of this elephant print that I've been hording forever. I cut two nine inch squares of the canvas, added a strip of elephants, serged all four edges and sewed them together. To get a flat bottom I stitched across the bottom corners about an inch in from the point. Two handles, one hem and a covered button later and I was done. I hope she likes it (because baby gifts are really all about the parents).

*If there is something we've made in the past that you'd like to have for yourself or buy as a gift for someone else, feel free to email us at funkyanddelightful @ comcast dot net to inquire about a custom order. Or, if you know us in real life, just ask. If we're too busy, we'll tell you :)

Baby, light my fire

Phase one of my basement makeover project is underway. I checked in at lunch to see how Dave the friendly electrician was doing installing the recessed lighting and was simultaneously amazed and horrified. Amazed at the amount of illumination provided by seven lights (I'm thinking we only needed five) and horrified at the pile of mouse droppings that fell from above when he removed the ceiling panels. Believe me, if there was an actual mouse on the premises the cats would have cornered, tortured and then presented it to us for approval long ago. We've been blissfully carcass-free since we moved in, which means that we've been living with mouse crap under our feet and above our heads for four years. Ewww! I shudder just thinking about it.

To distract you from that lovely image, I present you with a few photos from my recent trip to visit my family. Life doesn't get any better than being four and two and having an uncle who is a fireman. Enjoy.

A one and a two

Much progress has been made! I think by now you’ve figured out what my two insane, finish before Labor Day projects are.

Yep, two twin sized quilts. I’ve mentioned a time or two that each year we take a vacation to a cabin in the Berkshires. We’re having extra visitors with us this year so we needed extra blankets. And why buy boring blankets when in the last remaining weekends before vacation you could sew like mad and create two one-of-a-kind quilts?

I’ve even named them. The first one is called Windows on Pop Garden. It is 9” squares surrounded by 3” borders of white. I almost wish I’d gone with larger squares but I love it nonetheless. The second one is called Path to Pop Garden. Here each block is 12” square with a 6” swath of pattern down the middle and 3” of white on either side. Finished they’ll measure roughly 63" x 75" and 60" x 72". Or at least I’m hoping they will.

Now it’s crunch time. I have two monsters to quilt and bind in less than twelve days. So enough typing, I’m off to make some quilt sandwiches.

Squares and Rectangles

The first of the massive fabric piles was reduced to more manageable piles of various sized squares and rectangles. It took two rotary cutter blades and hours stooped over my kitchen table but I did it. How my lower back longs for a counter height cutting surface!

Some of the squares and rectangles got together t0 form 5 long panels. If my math is right they should be 69.5 inches long.

The rest of the rectangles got together to form 30 squares, 12.5 inch squares to be exact. Well, I'm hoping for exact but close will do just fine.

Then it was lots and lots of ironing seams while women's beach volleyball playws on the TV. I watch this sport in awe not because of the fabulous display of athleticism that it is. Nope, it's the wonder of how much tape must have gone into keeping those squares and rectangles in place.

Dispatch from the left coast

Auntie Elise checking in to give an update. There have been many photos taken but I forgot the camera cord again and can't bring myself to buy another replacement. Seriously, I could buy a new camera with all the money I've spent on camera cords while away from home. So, no photos until we get back in a few days. Until then, a short list of the highlights so far.

Birthdays celebrated: 1 down, 2 remaining
Number of bug-themed birthday cakes planned for party on Saturday, cupcakes included: 7
Number of times two year-old niece has asked my husband to read his address book to her: countless
Answer given by almost two year-old niece when asked her age: "Anna-and-a-half"
Answer given by almost four year-old nephew when requested to not get any older: "but I can't stop my grow!"
Chai lattes consumed: 6
Cost, in Canadian dollars, of 8 vintage pillow cases and one vintage linen table cloth at the Salvation Army Thrift Store: $16.06
Number of doll cribs my brother is making in his shop right now: 2
Number of doll cribs I will be bringing home in my luggage: 1
Number of meals eaten at the beach: 4
Days left in vacation: not enough

Insane, on many levels

I was light on the posting last week. That does not mean I was sitting idly on my hands though. My fingers were getting quite an internet shopping workout. Did you know that clicking “add to cart” counts as weight bearing exercise? If you want to add a little cardio don’t memorize your credit card number and leave your purse across the room.

The insane amount of internet shopping was the fault of one Heather Bailey. Soon after she unveiled her Pop Garden and Bijoux fabric lines I had envisioned two major projects. These projects required nine prints at a total of 17 yards plus 5 yards of white to break it all up. The best part? The new fabrics didn’t begin showing up in stores until the end of July and I have a self-imposed deadline of Labor Day weekend.

8 of the 9 prints + white

Unfortunately, my former favorite on-line retailer for one stop faric shopping made the decision not to carry Westminster or Free Spirit fabrics any longer. That means no Amy, no Heathers, no Joel, and no Anna Maria. Crazy! It was a very sad day indeed when I received that e-mail. That meant I had to find a new retailer.

Browsing all over the internet I couldn’t find a single retailer who had the entire collection. What I did find were three fantastic sellers who really came through for me in crunch time: fabricsupplies, sewlovefabrics, and Quilt Home. They couldn’t have been nicer to work with in setting up custom orders, their prices were good, and their shipping was incredibly fast. Just what I needed with September looming. Definitely give them a look the next time you’re shopping for fabric.

a baker's dozen of the 17

Now here’s where you will think I’ve really lost it. I didn’t stop at the nine fabrics I needed. I ordered an additional 17 fabrics just because I loved them and they seemed to be hard to get. And I might as well only pay for shipping once or thrice, right? Please, tell me you’re just as crazy about fabric as I am.

And the winner is.....

Congratulations to Teri G on winning my 100th post giveaway! One last thing to do Teri. Send me your mailing address and I'll get your package in the mail.

Thanks to all the commenters who left great tips on crafting with kids! They will come in handy the first week of September when my niece and her mommy, daddy, and nana come to vacation with us. I can't wait to sit down and create with her. At three I know the moments to create may be quick before she's onto a new activity, but in those brief moments I know we'll create great memories.

Now, onto my next 1oo posts. I hope you'll come along for the ride.

Solo Sunday Evening

Movie

Popcorn

Pimm's No. 1 topped with ginger ale and lemon

Have kitty, will travel

I couldn't resist one last minute craft before we leave on vacation. A sweet Wee Wonderfuls kitty with a dress like the birthday girl's. Yes, my name is Elise and I like to match.

We're off on a quick trip to the west coast, expect photos. Hopefully I can work in another fabric finding outing.

She made me do it

Ever since that Ubercrafty Virginia posted about her new addiction to Amigurumi, I have been thinking that maybe I should take up hooking as well. Tory started recently and look what she has already made. Then I came across this book while browsing for sticker-making supplies in Paper Source last night and I knew it was time to get on the crochet bandwagon.

Just look at these lions with their yarn manes. So adorable.

And frogs on vacation - fun.

Tiny fuzzy sheep with little fuzzy tails - irresistable.

I'm sure I'll pick up this crochet thing in no time, right? Because if I don't I'm heading straight to Montreal for personalized Amigurumi lessons (and maybe some wine, apparently it helps).

Don't forget to get in on Tory's 100th post give-away by leaving a comment on her post.

Funky & Delightful: the early years

Look what I found: the earliest known photo of Tory and me as co-crafters, circa 2005. We had just returned from a marathon shopping trip to buy supplies for our very first craft fair. This was before we had discovered the holy trinity of fabric designers and we were searching for the cheapest possible fabric to make some aprons to sell at the holiday craft fair held at our place of employment. Did you know we have day jobs? And we've literally worked side-by-side for going on eight years? There have been a lot of cups of tea consumed, let me tell you.

Don't forget to leave Tory a comment congratulating her on her 100th post. The tote she is offering up for her give away is just lovely. She made several for our last craft fair and they were very popular. It's a steal, people: go tell all your friends.

100

This is my 100th post! When I started blogging I was fairly certain I wouldn’t have ten things to post but here I am at 100. There is only one way to celebrate this milestone…a GIVEAWAY!

denim tote with patchwork pocket & zippered pouch

To enter just leave a comment on this post. Tell me about your best craft for crafting with kids. If you have a blog I’d love it if you would spread the word. I’ll even make it worth your while. If you post about the giveaway send me an email at funkyanddelightful@comcast.net and I'll throw your name into the hat a second time.

Comments will remain open until Friday, August 8 at noon, Boston time. The lucky winner will be revealed on Monday, August 11.

Mini Me: the dress

Me at age 2 1/2 chasing pigeons on a trip to visit family in Norway. I've always loved this sweet red print but sadly the dress is long gone, my mother doesn't even remember who she gave it to. So, when I saw this fabric I decided I had to try to recreate the look for my niece who is turning two next month. According to my mother, although my original dress looked like a blouse and a jumper it was a one piece garment. Constructing something like that without a pattern or the actual child around to measure is definitely beyond my skill level, so I opted to go with a two piece interpretation of the original. I happened to have a not quite vintage jumper pattern on hand that was perfect.

It was unbelievable fast and easy to put together. Cutting included I think it took less than three hours from start to finish. In fact, I was zooming along, not looking at the directions (sound familiar?) and forgot to attach the straps to the back yoke before finishing it. Rather than take it all apart and start over, I just opened the seams near the side and stuck the straps in, sewed over them and hoped for the best. Fortunately I got lucky and you can't tell that the straps were an afterthought.

I looked high and low for an easy child's blouse pattern, then a plain white blouse and finally settled on this top from Target. I'm thrilled how it came together in the end. Hopefully I'll get some action shots of the birthday girl wearing it (and also this dress) when we visit them next week.

Next up, trying to find a simple, pretty pattern for a blouse with a collar for a toddler. If anyone knows of one I'd be grateful if you'd share it with me.

A Charming Pair

Not only are they charming, these handbags from Bend the Rules Sewing are easy to construct. For example the charmer on the left was constructed the morning we left for our annual Berkshires vacation last fall. As we began loading the car I decided I had to have a new handbag to show off at dinner that night. I promptly abandoned the dudely and within a short time I had cut out, constructed, and packed a fabulous handbag. I may not have gotten any compliments from the staff or my fellow diners that night but I knew I had the best bag town.

Now back to the present day. Sometimes I am so pleased with a project’s result that I somehow mis-remember the amount of work that went into it. I was happy to discover this wasn’t the case when I sat down to make my second charming handbag last weekend. In the same amount of time I whipped up the charmer on the right.

Sadly this charming pair is being broken up. It is a happy split though. This new bag is on its way to my friend Kelly as a (very belated) birthday gift. I hope she finds it half as charming as I find her.