Gym bag

I finally made something out of Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross - Everything Tote. I couldn't stand my vinyl, worn gym bag. Now, I have a washable replacement that might even get me to gym more often.

Yeah!

Peek into snowy bliss

We finally are receiving our long-awaited snowstorm. Kids school is closed as well as mine.

For the most part these 'days off' are listed as lazy but I find myself (and the kids) doing lots. Lots of good - a bit of work and play.

• A chance to make No-knead bread adapted by Sullivan Street Bakery. Definitely have time today.
• Trying out our new teapot.
• Reading Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese.
• Started a rag rug for the kitchen. Strips are being kept in a thrifted bag at the Brooklyn Flea.

Glimpses from around the house:

The bar is set so low these days and yet these days seem fulfilling. My kind of day as I float from one thing to the next. Not everything needs completing. I love that the goal of such a free day is to do what you please, more else at home base.

And there's more snow a-coming. Yeah!!

Learning New

After reading Jane Brocket's The Gentle Art of Domesticity (again), I've changed my mind about 2 things: learning to crochet and knitting socks. Before I thought, why bother? Then her words and pics inspired me so. I picked up a copy of Erika Knight's Simple Crochet. I LOVE this book and the projects.

So, armed with a crochet hook and some cotton yarn, I tackled our 7 + hour ride to western NY with the goal of learning how to make a granny square. guess what? I did it. Still learning and lots of frustration, I did it. They're not perfect but that's ok. I love changing up the colors and using my stash.

So once I caught this crochet bug, I'm a bit obsessed (typical Elizabeth-style). Came across Wisecraft's Granny square scarf - this might be the perfect project for these squares. Attic 24 has a great tutorial on joining the granny squares. I don't know how warm the cotton yarn will keep me put it sure is cheery.

Crochet is so portable. I'm loving it....now to be inspired to sew in some loose ends.

Fall is in the house

After our fab-u time at the beach, I am really ready for fall. Had a few kinks to work out with preschool and Miss V. All is in motion and I am breathing again.

After lots of running around, I craved a soup and who better to look to than my beau - Jamie Oliver. From The Naked Chef Takes Off.  Soup and dumplings mid-week.

I was able to use coriander and onions from our garden.

Doesn't it look like fall goodness? yum. And, it tasted even better if you can believe it.



It is nice to be home.

Lib sings the blues

Ok. So this project was my goal for JUNE Make it, Wear it Sew along from Sew, Mama, Sew. Yes, it is mid-July. I tried, really. But didn't make the deadline. Still love the skirt!

Here's the beauty, though. The classic A-line skirt seems to be my go-to skirt. I've really enjoyed Sew What! SKIRTS by Francesca Denhartog & Carole Ann Camp in the past and thought I'd give it another try. This time: Singing the Blues.

These days, I work (sew) in 30 minute chunks. Putting this skirt together was fast and fun - my best combination, these days at least. I can't recall where I picked up the fabric but is ever so cheery. I really love the rick rack pocket. A drawstring skirt is not the most flattering from behind. A little 'sack-like', if you know what I mean. But hey, it's a perfect addition to my summer wardrobe.

Flips are optional.

Our big boy

Today is a big day. Mr. O graduated from pre-K.



Lots of hugs and tears (mom's, of course).

O has had wonderful teachers this year. Our friend is the author of this beautiful and sweet story - Felicity Floo Visits the Zoo by E.S. Redmond. It's really darling.



She wrote his teacher a nice note, from O.



And one from her.



More tears (from mom).

Look out summer vacation! Here we come.

Snuggie Wrap Blanket

My cousin's little girl, Katelyn, is one month old!! I made this Snuggie Wrap Blanket from Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones - my review. The fabric used, Alexander Henry's 2D Zoo - primary was repurposed (originally used for my son's bedroom curtains). For this project, I included a lightweight yellow fleece for the lining.

Mom and Katelyn (and Dad too!) are doing great. A welcome addition to our family.

The World According to Mr. Scarry

http://www.flickr.com/photos/welovepandas/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

I'm going down memory lane. I remember receiving Richard Scarry's Busy, Busy Town from Ciocia Ursula. I loved the gigantic sized book and escaping to another land where pickle cars existed and one of the main characters is a worm that wears a hat.

Now Oliver and Viv are drawn to these books too. We've been watching Busytown Mysteries on Cookie Jar TV. Although we're trying to limit screen-time in this house, we'll have to check out the show's interactive Web site.

Good morning snow

Last night I decided to keep the shade up and fell asleep watching flakes fall. This is what I woke up to. Kind of nice. Just enough snow for a slow start to the day and making ordinary things look fluffy.


View through the screen window and all...



Per Mr. O, we squeezed in some baking Banana Bread - lots of honey and without nuts. I'm a big James Beard fan. This recipe is from Beard on Bread.

And we made lemonade...

Actually more like Snickerdoodle cookies.

Gary was sick - on couch (almost) entire weekend. Although we were sad about that, the kids and I kept busy, trying to stay away so he could rest.



Found a lamp combo. at Target (2 desk lamps and 1 floor lamp for $29.99!) I jazzed up the shade with vintage green trim.

Perfect moment: kids playing (happily) in basement while I sewed and watched I Captured the Castle. I read this book per Alicia's (Posie Gets Cozy) recommendation a bit ago and now, the movie is available instantly on netflix. PERFECTion. I made a few pillows with stashed Pop Garden by Heather Bailey. This room, our living/sitting room is starting to feel more like us.

Escaping to England

I wish.

Rather, I stumbled upon an article in Feb. 2010 - Vanity Fair: "A Woman of Substance, Persephone Books' Feminine Mystique" by Christa D'Souza. She describes this series as : 'evok[ing] cozy and nostalgic memories of London train rides, Yardley English Lavender, freshly brewed tea being poured into a proper china cup, a spring popping out of a slightly doggy-smelling armchair.'

take. me. away.

]

Endpaper from The Village by Marghanita Laski

We're expecting a rainy day today (flood warnings) and g has a cold. If only I could get my hands on some of these titles from Persephone Books. The endpapers featured on some of these titles are just beautiful. D'Souza writes that, some of the endpaper designs come from scarves and tea gowns to name a few sources. Really - how lovely. It is a pleasure to discover such a series brought back to life by imprint founder Nicola Beauman, taking such a desire for making such special books - text and book design a delight to savor. In a time where publishers are creating such mass produced formula texts, it is a treat to find such books.

Jane from Yarnstorm highlights many of these books. Until I am able to go back to England and plan a visit to Persephone Books, I hope we can get more and more of these titles via Amazon in our hands in the U.S.