compose

Wow.  Having finally been diagnosed (bronchitis and the flu) and properly medicated, I am finally starting to feel better - on this, my 12th day of being sick.  I'm really looking forward to feeling like myself and returning to my usual level of multi-tasking busy-ness.

I've been able to put a little bit of work in on some sewing projects during my rest time spent at home.  It's been nearly impossible to stay seated on the couch, so I'd periodically cut fabric and move to a new seat at the sewing machine.

First, here's the project I was working on before my departure for Arizona.  It was my "travel tote" that I packed full of supplies and carried with me through airports.  I liked the size and strength of the bag and the deep side pocket I installed on the inside.  I was flattered to be asked once on my trip if I was selling the bags - to which I answered, "Not yet."  The deer stencil is from this cool book, which Jesse got me for Christmas.

Next is a little pincushion; the directions, by Heather Baily, can be found here.  I thought the pincushions I found at sewing supply shops were pretty horrendous, so I found this cute template and used some fabric from my first shopping spree at Mill End.  Next time I would stuff the cushion to be a bit firmer - and my slip-stitching skills (which close the final small opening by hand) really need some work.

Last is a "rice heat therapy bag" - the template can be found here - that I made as a birthday gift for my coworker.  This project includes an inner muslin bag which holds two pounds of rice, and a patchwork slipcover with a Velcro closure.  The recipient can microwave the whole bag for 2-3 minutes and apply it to "aches and pains."  I'm pretty pleased with the result and am excited to deliver this gift when I return to work tomorrow.  I found that a pre-assembled "fat quarter" pack from Joanne's provided a nice array of complimentary fabrics that I completed with some carefully chosen solids (Jesse helped with this!).

I've got to make note of yet another contest I've won!  Let me tell you that entering every contest you come across - and firmly believing that you're bound to win - is a winning combination!  This time I won two tickets to a concert that Jesse really, really wanted to attend, so I'm thrilled!  The artist is Citizen Cope, a singer we've seen several times before and who puts on a great show every time.  I just got the email this afternoon, and the show is Wednesday night, so I'm really hoping to be up and running by then.

mesquite

The bad news is that I got sick midway through my visit to Arizona, didn't pull my camera out of its case once during the trip, and now I'm going to miss at least my first day back to work.

The good news is that I snagged my sister's old cell phone, which boasts a 3.2 megapixel camera (opposed to my old scrawny 1.3), and I remained standing and somewhat active till the end.

The trip was relaxing, with very nice weather and a lot of time spent with my family.  We hit up the Sierra Vista Farmers' Market and the annual Home Show.  I also managed to visit with the "grandparents" I adopted/appointed after all of my biological grandparents had passed away, as well as enjoying a dinner out with two of my sisters-in-law.

Speaking of which, I visited the grave site of my much loved paternal grandparents, and the marker honoring my maternal grandparents, whose ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean.

I enjoyed the company of my parents' and sister's menagerie of pets.  This photo is of my dad's cat, Lucy, who is believed to be an unusual Sokoke.  Tree climbing must be a hobby of the breed.

Then there was Murphy, my sister's 9 month old pup, who I wanted to steal.  He was such a mellow, gentle sweetheart.

Kate's newest addition is Otis, a Labrador/Shepherd/Great Dane mix, who's been deemed a "piranha" because of his sharp, bitey teeth.  He still has a LOT of growing to do, and he could never really muster the energy required to move his heavy little body around quickly.

Before my family brought me to the airport, we visited Tucson's Reid Park Zoo.  In tow was my adorable, chatty 4-year old niece, Leah.  She must have quoted Spongebob Square Pants for 2 straight hours of drive time. :)

One last note before I retire, once again, to the couch.  I got an email from Powells.com while I was in Arizona letting me know I'd won the contest I'd recently entered!  The contest on their blog asked that readers submit a 50-word story beginning with "Once upon a time..."  I whipped up a Portland-themed story and was the first person to submit an entry.  My prize is a funky Alice in Wonderland tote bag featuring artwork by Camille Rose Garcia.  Pretty cool to win a writing contest from the illustrious Powell's Books!

covet

Rock Fetish Smoky Quartz Oval Ring

Garnet Girl Designs

Saucy Bracelet

Leaves of Glass

Bee Bliss Necklace

Rachel Pfeffer Designs

NV Earrings

The Glass Onion

cherry compote

A gorgeous weekend has passed and now appears the threat of untimely snow to break our stretch of early spring.

Clara kindly took me out to brunch at Detour Café on Saturday morning. We sat outside and peered through shrubbery at pups passing by on the sidewalk. I had the most delicious French toast of my life. So delicious that I must share the menu description:

Thick slices of our cardamom bread,

dipped in custard and toasted to perfection.

Topped with cherry compote and toasted almonds;

served with organic maple syrup.

I returned home in the very early afternoon and immediately threw open the door to our balcony. The sun was beginning its slow descent – the one that bathes our apartment in golden warmth and infuses the air with optimism and calm. At Clara’s recommendation, I set up an account on last.fm and got the music rolling. I pulled a small table and chair onto the balcony and sat down with a bottle of hard apple cider.

And I sat for about two and a half hours. Letting the sun warm my face, listening to a variety of birds hidden in the trees, thinking happy thoughts. Oliver and Aurora were more than happy to join me, napping in the panels of sunlight beaming down on the wood floor.

I eventually grabbed my camera and got a few photographs, before retiring back to my seat. If only every Saturday could be so glorious (not raining).

our view

saved from death by Aurora

dark-eyed junco

I did progress a bit on one project. I hope to have this all finished by Wednesday or so. Here’s a sneak peek.

Lastly, I want to mention two exciting developments! The first is that I’ll be taking a short vacation very soon. I depart next Tuesday, March 16th. I’ll be spending a few days in southern Arizona with my family – just relaxing and catching up, not to mention indulging in a margarita or two and getting some REAL sun!

Equally awesome is the news that my great friend Stephanie (you know, the gal who crafted our wedding skullpture) is coming to visit in just a month! Her trip will officially mark the beginning of visitor season here in Portland. Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to schedule your own vacation to this lovely city of roses.

skillful

Since the money trees haven't finished their spring bloom yet, I've turned to locating sewing tutorials online.  My honest preference would be to print my well-crafted wish list from Powells.com and head to the Burnside location, but it turns out searching the Interweb (as my husband likes to call it) is a lot more affordable.

So I thought I'd share some of the clever tutorials I've come across and may experiment with in the near future.

Quilted Door Stop
I love the quilted panel on this - I was thinking of incorporating the same basic idea on a handbag or a cute dress for Chloe.

Stackable Boxes
This are so practical!  What a great way to keep organized.

Simple Party Clutch
This is a smaller bag than I would normally use, but just perfect for spending an evening running around downtown Portland.

Spring Ruffle Top
I haven't made any garments yet - this may be my first one!  I'm actually partial to the version without any ruffles.

take a leap

Now that my mother's special non-birthday birthday has passed (she was born on the leap year - there was a noticeable lack of a February 29th this year), I can post photos of the two gift projects I was working on for her!

First up was a canvas "All-Day Tote" from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing.  This was my second try with this pattern and I felt a lot more confident - knowing where to make allowances and how to incorporate small changes.

I lengthened the handles and tried out a more solid, sturdy quilted bottom panel to lend the bag some additional form.  I was very pleased with the results!  The lining of the tote was my favorite component - it featured a lovely, slightly metallic sheen on the floral elements of the fabric.

Next up, I made a set of quilted coasters using this tutorial from Martha Stewart online.  I chose a subdued Southwestern pattern that will fit in perfectly at my parents' Arizona home. 

I don't know that I'll ever become a successful, crafty business person because I find it most enjoyable to give the items I make as gifts.  Which reminds me of one more project I conquered!

I located instructions for a boxy zippered pouch while searching for free online sewing tutorials.  It looked a lot easier than I had imagined this kind of project, so I set to making two - out of an amazing Dia de los Muertos style fabric I found.  As with the market tote, my first try was slightly flawed, but still functional.  With some experience under my belt, I managed to make a more skilled version, which I gave to a friend of mine who has some mega-Mexican style.  Here's a less-than-perfect cell phone shot of my less-than-perfect first try.

What do you think?  Is there more pleasure in giving gifts than receiving them?  I've received several today and it's wonderful to know that someone was thinking of you - but I think it's even better to share that sentiment with someone else!

deep c

It is finally time for the unveiling of my new blog header! 

This custom labor of love was created by my talented, kind friend Clara of Deep C Designs! 

Thanks, Clara!

towers abound

Overall, I must say the weekend was a bit lacking.  Despite the decent weather and some positive developments in this neck of the woods, I spent hours feeling blue.

A period of redemption awaited me Saturday morning.  McKenzie was in town from Denver and we set a plan to meet for brunch at the much-recommended Vita Cafe on Alberta. I must say, brunch in Portland is one of my favorite things in the world.  Getting up and out of the house on a sunny spring Saturday, eating and drinking the morning away, chatting with a close friend - these are very restorative things. 

As I drove down Alberta I was struck by all the new shops and eateries tucked into long buildings stretching the blocks.  I didn't think it had been that long since I'd visited the area, but I had a hard time keeping my eyes on the road ahead of me.  I found Vita easily and secured both a booth and a Bloody Mary.  McKenzie soon arrived and we set to devouring the menu and trying to make a selection.  I opted for the day's special - "The Leaning Tower of Huevos."  As Vita is a very veggie-centric restaurant, I had several options in terms of making my meal vegan, vegetarian, or thoughtful meat-eater.  I went with cage-free eggs and opted for a side of fresh fruit rather than bacon.

The meal was great.  McKenzie commented on how she loves that Bloody Marys are basically a meal in a glass (or a mason jar in this case), so make that the meals were great.

When we were stuffed to the point of pain, we set off on a short walk to explore some nearby shops.  We found a Mexican shrine store and a branch of the fabric store Bolt.  Holy dreamland.  Bolt's fabrics, though pricey, are gorgeous and so-charming.  I'm going to really hone my sewing skills before spending too much money there.  Our last stop was the awesome Townshend's Teahouse, where we chatted with a knowledgeable cashier man and selected some hot brews for the road.  McKenzie went with a womanly choice and I selected something like smelled like a lemony kitchen solution (which is actually a good thing, to me).  I also picked up some loose detox and peppermint teas to whip up at home and hopefully heal my ailing husband.

We parted ways and I drove off aimlessly.  I soon decided to try out the Japanese Gardens at Washington Park, which were having their annual free admission day.  The park was packed, with the zoo parking lot completely full.  I got lucky and found a spot fairly near the Japanese Gardens on my first drive through.

I hiked up the hill and followed switch backs to the Gardens' gate.  Though crowded, it was nice to stroll leisurely through knolls of nearly-blooming trees and over tiny wooden bridges.

Back at my car I discovered a pretty flower bud taking off its jacket.  Seems like a better sign than anything to do with a groundhog.