Paper Pie

Tea Time

Last weekend we added all the essential herbs to our garden. Our garden that is growing in more ways than one: parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, and others. And of course mint, one of my favorites by far. I knew that it would not be long before I was convincing my helpers to harvest a bunch or two for tea.

I recently added the book Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal by Ellen Evert Hopman, to our library. It's a beautiful book with great big photos, and each photo is accompanied by a description of each herb with ideas and recipes for using them. It's in this book, that we learned our monarda (bee balm) leaves would be a wonderful addition to our mint iced tea. It's also in this book that we learned all kinds of uses for dried mint and quickly gathered a small bunch and hung it in the pantry to dry.

We gathered our herbs, rinsed them, boiled water (Otis loves to fill the kettle and turn on the burner. All by himself of course), poured the boiling water over the herbs, covered the pot and let them steep for five minutes, added honey, let it cool, and added sliced lemon. They insist on glass ball jars for iced tea, and I agree, they seem to fit the vibe. They also insist on copious amounts of ice. They love breaking the ice out of the ice tray and adding it to their glasses, or jars, as it were. It's delicious tea made with extra honey and lots of love. 

Mother's Day Quilts

I hope all of the mama's out there had a wonderful and restful day yesterday! I wanted to share something here that I've been working on for a little while now but have not been able to talk about because of the element of surprise. A few months ago, with Mother's Day in the back of my mind, I finally decided to take the plunge on an idea I have had lingering for several years.

These lap quilts are for my mom and my mom-in-law with photos of all of their respective grandchildren. I felt like the kids were the perfect ages for a gift like this, though still changing by the second, they've all outgrown their infancy, but not quite through their teen years either, which is the case with the oldest of my mom's. I knew that these 2 very special women in my life and in the life of my children, would love to see all of their beloved grandchildren in one place, and in between some beautiful scraps of fabric I might add.


I have wanted to make these quilts for quite a while, but busyness and excuses have gotten in the way. Not the least of these excuses was figuring out how to print photos on fabric. I knew that I could buy the substrate and experiment on my home printer, but admittedly I was afraid of the amount of trial and error I'd have to endure. I also know that my obsessive attention to detail tends to make these sort of technical tasks quite painstaking. But then my Spoonflower magalog arrived in the mail, and it was while flipping through the pages that I realized I could upload my photos on their site and they would send me the fabric. Easy peasy. Also, if there were irksome details (only noticeable by me) I wouldn't be able to make changes without incurring more time and expense - an effective barrier to perfectionism.


After several weeks of work, and hand-stitching into the wee hours, the quilts were finished just before the USPS priority express overnight deadline. These quilts left my hands and quickly made their way across the country to their respective new homes. They are not the most complicated or precisely sewn objects, but I'm pretty sure they are the most sentimental and meaningful projects I have ever sewn. I know that both my mom and my mom-in-law will be so appreciative to have this tangible symbol of family - a snapshot of right now. My greatest hope is that each quilt will bring these dear and special ladies a moment of joy and will be enjoyed for years to come. 

Three French Hens

For the past month or so I have been taking part in a make-a-long with other readers of Taproot. The idea is simple, but oh so fun, more fun than I even expected. Every time you work on or complete a project in the current issue you can post your photos with the hashtag #TaprootMakealong and for each post you get an entry into a drawing to be held May 1 for a menagerie of good prizes. Participating in this has been satisfying for so many reasons; it has pushed me to try projects I otherwise may have not (or knot - hee hee.) It has motivated me to keep going on projects that may have stalled, and perhaps the most fun is seeing the other posts from around the world. It is endlessly inspiring to see such different and personal versions of the same project, recipe or pattern. That idea fascinates me . . . the notion that no 2 people will create something exactly the same, even when using the same set of instructions. I love the see the colors that people choose and the different details that are added or omitted. 

One of my posts in the make-a-long is most definitely a pattern I probably would have been too intimidated to try otherwise, but I am so glad for the gentle nudge of this contest. I've never knit little animals like the Three French Hens above. I've never employed so much shaping, and detail and dpn action. But look! I did it! There the are, and to be honest with you, easier than they look. You may have noticed these little hens from our Easter morning table. My intention was to have all 3 completed by last Sunday - one for each of my chickens - Rylie, Otis and Ryan. But alas, poor Ryan had to wait until Friday morning to receive his belated Easter French Hen, he didn't seem to mind though.

Despite the ease of the pattern, I did have to employ a new stitch for me on the top of the hens' backs. After stuffing them full, these little ladies had two sides that needed to be grafted together a la the Kitchener stitch. I was pretty intimidated, I'm not going to lie. There is a lot of talk on the interwebs about the dreaded Kitchener Stitch, but I went for it with varying degrees of success. I found this tutorial the most helpful. My seams are not quite invisible, but I did notice my skill progress from hen 1 to hen 3, which reminds me, these hens really need names! I need to ask the kids about this pronto!

Oftentimes I scoff at the idea of making multiples of the same thing (socks, mittens, sleeves.) However, what I realized with this project is that doing the same thing, several times in a row really allows one to see how quickly a knitter can improve her skills and also how much faster one becomes on the second and subsequent attempts at the same task. I love to see results in action! This pattern is designed and written by Susan B. Anderson whom has all kinds of other animal, doll and toy patterns available. uh oh. I also see that she is now offering a kit for the Three French Hens so you can pick one up and make your very own, which I highly recommend. You'll see just how very addictive they are.

Chocolate & Suspenders

Our Easter weekend was simple and sweet, the best way I think. A few weeks back I had picked up a random collection of bunnies, chickens and I think there was a bird's nest in there somewhere, while thrifting. I lucked into an amazingly weird Easter Bunny crafted in the style of a nutcracker wearing a basket on his back which doubles as a candleholder. I mean, who wouldn't pounce on that? So on Saturday night we got out our beeswax and rolled up some candles for that guy. The kids love making these candles (not as much as they love lighting them) and I must say I do too. They smell so good, and this kit I had just happened to be pastel colors. A new tradition? Perhaps. 

The kids woke up bright and early on Sunday and immediately checked the backyard for any signs of eggs. They raced out to the dining room and found lots of goodies waiting for them on the table. Books, chocolate, mama-made pajamas and pants. But none of these really held a (beeswax) candle to the suspenders the Easter Bunny left. Rylie has been looking and asking for suspenders for about 3 years now. I've never really searched much online, but they are strangely hard to come by in store. Highly seasonal and this just happens to be the season. So yeah, she has not taken them off since, wearing them even with her pajamas. Her pajamas, I should add were my first pair I've ever sewn for her and my first time sewing with knits. The fabric is from the Sidewalk line by Rae Hoekstra of Made By Rae The pajama top is the Flashback Skinny Tee also from Rae. The pajama bottoms are the Sleeping John pants from Meg McElwee's book Growing Up Sew Liberated I am so pleased with the way they turned out. Everything about them —the fabric, the fit, the comfort, Rylie's reaction— is quite nice. 

Otis also got himself some handmades from the Easter Bunny in the form of bigger and better Busytown pants. When Rylie turned two we had a Busytown themed birthday party for her because she loved her Richard Scarry books so much. After the party, I made her a pair of pants from the length of Busytown fabric we used as a tablecloth at the party. She loved them so and eventually grew out of them and they were passed down to Otis. He has also since grown to big for them, but he loved them so much that he still asks for them regularly. The Easter Bunny knows all these details, so naturally made him a new and improved pair. This pair are the Pocket Pants also from Meg McElwee's book Growing Up Sew Liberated I love these pants! The fit, the wide leg, the detail of the "itch free seam" and of course the pockets! The trim and cuffs are from Rylie's rainbow birthday party tablecloth from when she turned four. This upcycling satisfies me to no end.

After brunch and a fun morning, we headed to our friend's house —friend's that really feel more like family. I added this little tidbit because there was another wonderful example of upcycling happening over there. After the memorial service of a dear Grandmother, my friend Mandy took the gigantic floral wreath that would have otherwise been thrown away (gasp!) and we all made small posies to give to her neighbors on Easter. Now isn't that simple and sweet?

Josephine's Bouquet

Where do I even start with this garment? I guess I could jump in with just the facts. This is the Schoolhouse Tunic by Meg McElwee from Sew Liberated constructed with Amy Butler fabric for Westminster called Josephine's Bouquet. But the drama and emotion of the story is perhaps a little more compelling. This is the first piece of clothing that I have ever sewn for myself in a serious and grown up way. Maybe I've sewn an occasional bag, or Halloween costume for myself in the past, but this is the first time that I have taken a stab at choosing a pattern and making something that I would love to wear again and again. Even if I did buy this pattern 4 years ago and allowed it to lay dormant in my sewing stash all these years in the interim. It's true, I found this fabric and pattern still in the original packaging with a packing slip dated 2013. I'm not really sure why it has taken me so long to see it through, but I am so glad I finally have done it and now this sweet and versatile tunic hangs in my expanding closet of handmades.

I've been brushing up against this idea quite a lot lately. This notion that my creative life has been on hold since 2013. I've had the experience of looking back and wondering the last time I did this or that and it always comes around to 2013. Perhaps the most obvious example could be this online space and the practice of writing and blogging regularly. It probably makes perfect sense to the objective observer, that my time for self expression and creativity would have severely diminished after adding another child into the daily mix, and indeed 2013 is the year that dear Otis was born. I can also point to my father's death and managing his estate from thousands of miles away, as a heavy responsibility—both practical and emotional—that quite naturally has pushed the making habit to the back burner and forced other priorities into my life. Ironically enough, these events are actually just the big and weighty circumstances that make time for renewal and joyful expression even that much more critical. I can see that now. I can see that it is a mistake to give up what you love to do because it is very difficult to justify setting aside the time for yourself when so many other things, people, circumstances are demanding your attention. I no longer see self care, time devoted to a keen passion, and creative expression as a luxury I can only allow myself after the kids are asleep and every last dish and item of dirty clothing has been cleaned. No, on the contrary, I now see this making, doing, creating as a need, a need for not only focused work and relaxation, but a need for a sense of accomplishment. A need to do things that I may have previously doubted my ability to do. A need to push myself and the boundaries of what I believe is possible for myself. And perhaps most importantly—this lab of doing, creating and actually putting in the work—has allowed me to examine my thought processes and to identify where I have gotten stuck in the past. These insights are so valuable and necessary to move forward and they can only be acquired by doing. I actually have to DO THE THING or else I will be mired in the dibilitating cycle of cynicism and self doubt.

Wow, that's a lot of talking around this little unassuming tunic. I guess the short story is that I love it! It fits! I love the fabric! A very lovely and unplanned surprise is that my recently finished sweater looks amazing with the colors and overall look of this tunic. I couldn't be happier with this first for myself. And I couldn't be happier to be making again.

Little Shoreline Vest

Last week I put the finishing touches on the first piece I have knit for Otis since his tiny baby booties back in 2013. This was also my first ever vest, which is easier than a full on sweater because there are no pesky sleeves to contend with, just stitch up the shoulder seam and call it done. This is the Little Shoreline Vest knit with Peace Fleece in the Mourning Dove colorway. Oh, and it should be mentioned that I found a fantastic button source in town aptly named, The Button Store. And in the interest of full (closure) disclosure, I may or may not have spent more on the 3 buttons than the yarn . . . ahem. I'm noticing know there is not really a great detail shot of them, but alas, Otis is FAST!

When I found this pattern I immediately asked Otis if I could make it for him and he was very excited that I would be knitting for him this time. However, I've been around the under 5 set long enough to know that asking them to wear said garment is an entirely different story. Once I had finished and blocked the vest, I hung it in the closet for a few days to give myself some breathing room before I was all expectant. After a few days, I noticed an opportunity as we were off to a chilly afternoon playdate. To my delight, Otis was so happy to put it on. His only complaint was that the yarn was itching his neck when the top button was closed, so we unbuttoned it in a jiffy. The vest held up to hours of play, both the active and contemplative kind. Because it only buttons up top and the rest of it is open around his belly and waist, he had plenty of room to move around just as he pleased. He loved wearing it, and at the end of the day actually said, "Thank you for making my vest, mom." I mean seriously . . . he said that. My heart has been swelling ever since. 

Pine Forest

I've been knitting for a good long while now and have taken on all manner of projects: hats, scarves, socks, kid sweaters, bags, and have even knit a few dresses for Rylie (back when she would still allow me to dress her.)
But a sweater for just me. No, now that has never happened, until my dear sweet mother-in-law gifted me this beautiful pattern and some yummy yarn this past Christmas. It was such a sweet gesture, and just the gentle nudge I needed to venture outside of my comfort zone. I always felt like doing a sweater for a grown up would be such a major challenge. Mine is a much bigger torso to cover than that of my little ones, after all. And then the fit. How does that work? Just knit knit knit and hope for the best? And sleeves? You have to do 2?


However, this sweater here, just might be the best first sweater to knit in the whole world. It knit up quick, it is seamless, and the three quarter sleeves kill some of the dreaded dpn pain. This is Sabine by Julie Weisenberger, knit with Filatura Di Crosa Gioiello (a very fancy sounding yarn from Italy). It is delicate, light as a feather and easy - the perfect Southern California sweater.

Coincidentally, the color way for this yarn is called pine forest, and I just happened to be visiting my friend in her pine forest when I finished my first ever sweater. Add to that these pine green shades that Ryan gifted me for my birthday and a very special photoshoot was in order. I'm quite pleased with it all: the trees, the sunglasses (the sun!) and a dainty little number to wear around my shoulders. Thank you, Ann. I love you.

Rylie's Dolly

In the middle of reimagining, redecorating and reorganizing our house, I got a irrepressible compulsion to make Rylie a doll. I mean, when is a better time to sit down to a big, detail- oriented project than when all of ones physical belongings are either strewn about or in boxes. I'm quite sure this is precisely the right time as it has distracted me from the gigantic task of finding an orderly rhythm to it all. I'm not much of a stuffie maker, not like some (incredibly talented) people that I know. You may remember that I made a bunny for Rylie right after she was born, but I have not tried my hand at making little sweet animals and dolls very often. However, ever since I bought this book (4.5 years ago, mind you) I have often flipped to the Nutcracker Doll pattern and thought: one day, one day. 

The doll was an absolute joy to make and certainly stretched me in new ways and sometimes flinging me right out of my comfort zone. Very detailed, very precise, and very patient are the words I would use to describe the experience of making her. I ought to add very worth it, because I love her! And I think Rylie will too. The only thing that I showed her was at the very beginning when I was done embroidering her face and it was still in the hoop. She said: 
"You have a lady?"
And I said "Yes."
And she said, "Did you paint her?"
And I said, "Kind of. But I used thread instead of paint."
She needs a name, I think I'll leave that up to Rylie as she is the real genius in that department.

As I was making her, I thought about if I would give her to Rylie and let her play with her as she wished or if she would be more of a sit on a shelf and look pretty kind of doll. It reminded me of a sweet doll that was given to me when I was a young girl and my mom told me she was very special and was only to lie on my bed. She had blonde white thin yarn hair that was glued to her head and ended in a pigtail at each of her ears. She wore a heavy white pinafore over her pufffy sleeved gingham dress and right at the middle of her chest was embroidered: Elizabeth. I was fascinated by the concept that a doll could look just like me and have my name. I was a doll! I did keep her very nicely on my bed for at least a couple months, but I remember little by little pulling her glued down hair a way from her forehead. It was too easy and too fun to resist. I still have her and she now lives in a cedar chest that is still in my mom's basement. I think I need to rescue her and give her a new life. I quite imagine she would love to play with Miss YetToBeNamed.

I Finished It!

I did it! I did it! I finished the Christmas dress that I set out to make for Rylie on December 5th. It was a breath-holding, heart-pumping, sweaty race to the finish as I was attaching the buttons minutes before we stepped out to attend our Christmas Eve concert downtown. And to let you in on a little secret, I did not finish the neck the way that the pattern was written, in fact I kept the scrap yarn cast on and just went with it (it was red too.) I'm learning that I kind of like these funky details (mistakes, accidents) that are happening in my knitting lately. I like to think it adds charm and an indication of my skill level at this moment in time. But besides the messy bits, I love this dress! I mean, I really really love it. When I began I didn't quite expect to finish, but I thought: What the heck, I should give it a go! I think that is a nice thought for the New Year, too; the notion of starting things that seem too challenging or projects that cause a little friction in my brain. I think that giddy nervousness experienced when your not sure if you can do it or not is a good thing. This dress was born because I was curious to see if I could do it, if I had it in me, because I could not stop thinking WHAT IF. I have a note on my computer desktop that says: Surprise Yourself, and for the first time in a very long time I can tell you that I have done just that. Thank you for indulging this verbose pat on my own back, but I kind of just want to really take it in right now. As someone who historically is a bit hard on myself, a bit too self-critical, I want to kind of enjoy this moment of pleasant surprise in my skill and ability to meet an ambitious deadline. That's not to say that I was not up every night in December until the wee hours, nor that there were not mistakes. Oh, there were plenty, like when I knit half the sleeve on the wrong side, or when I did not order enough yarn -three different times! No kidding, but that is all part of the story, that is the narrative of this particular luscious jeweled pomegranate of a dress. I think this is quite a nice tradition - to knit dear Rylie's Christmas dress each year. It's only December 27th, I have an entire year to get the next one done. I also want to mention that my incredible man of a husband showed me unparalleled supprt in this endeavor. He ran to the yarn salon to get me more yarn when the aforementioned paltry supply ran out. Had he not done this I would not have made it to the finish line and he also wrapped a lot of presents and took one little toddler on many a Christmas errand so mama could focus on the really tricky parts. Oh, and not only is he super supportive and consistently garners very high marks on the awesomeness scale - the man also knows his yarn! I mean he really really does. He bought me a couple of skeins of Madelinetosh Vintage, hand-dyed, worsted weight, 100% merino wool in the most gorgeous of all colors - a glow of gold called Candlewick. It was exactly what I needed to start on this little gnome hat for Rylie. I am trying to get it done in time for our trip to the mountains in a few days - because, as I  am finding out, a hard deadline is just what I need to get my motor running.

Pretty Paper

My friend Kalli makes a sampler of rare and obscure seasonal tunes each year for all of her friends and loved ones. We put them on in the car when we are running here and there in preparation for all of the lovely days ahead. At some point this season, Rylie has become completely enamored with the song Pretty Paper as sung by Roy Orbison. She asks for it on demand and wants it repeated throughout the duration of our car ride. And I don't object because her other favorite, as she so affectionately calls: Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle All The Way! tends to jangle my nerves a bit, especially when I am operating at a pace somewhere between breakneck and harried. With both sides of our family in different states, we have to get most of our gifts in the mail at least the week before Christmas each year. And each year I swear up and down that it will be different. But, really and truly, I am putting it down in typing that next year, oh yes, next year, I am going to make it a priority to have my packages mailed by December 1. Wouldn't that be dreamy? Everything becomes lighter once they are on their way.

I actually did get an early start this year, and the majority of the gifts we are giving are handmade (by me, or other artisans.) It's just the wrapping up, packing in and shipping off part that seems to be put aside until the very last second. I have grand ambitions of making the most beautiful packages imaginable and I get a little overwhelmed with all of the wonderful ideas out there on the internets - it tends to paralyze me a bit. I simplified things by making a few fabric gift bags. I would love to make a bunch of these in different sizes for all season gift giving. I also used the same basic method on all of the gifts that needed to be wrapped: dotty paper, speckled twine, and a handmade gift tag. And I even got Rylie in on the action by asking her to make the paper for her gifts.

As I dropped the last of my packages and cards at the crowded, slightly hostile PO last night, I couldn't help but dance a little step. I had to fight the urge to tell the nearest stranger standing in the 25 person line that I would not be returning to the PO this year. I had to exercise restraint to not exclaim with glee that I was done, that it was over, that my hands had been washed from boxes and tape, no more would I need to think about bubble wrap and postage. No more would I need to strap the toddler to my chest in her baby carrier because her stroller was piled high with parcels. No, I am done, done, done. Now it is time to get power knitting if I am to finish that dress . . .