Paper Pie

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. 

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.

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.

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 . . . 

Spruce Up

Oh, I do love a good spruce up, don't you? When you can scratch a pesky task that has been on your to do list far too long - that is a nice feeling. I just finished listing 1 yard cuts of each print in the Domestic Bliss line to the shop. Please do stop by and take a peek. I mentioned in my listing that I have multiple yards for most of the prints, so if you see something you like and you want to purchase more than one yard, you just let me know. I've hemmed and hawed about getting Domestic Bliss into the shop because I love it so much and it is a little bittersweet to loosen my grip, but I've come to the realization that hoarding is not only futile, but also nonsensical. I think it was the thrift store encounter that served as the catalyst for my epiphany. That, and the actual process of photographing, editing, and creating a listing for each print is a necessary, but rather banal job. All that said, it is certainly worth the somewhat lighter feeling I have now to lead me into the weekend. Have a good one, friends!

**PS** I also set the shop up to accept credit cards and Etsy gift cards.

Jenny Smith,Teddy Bear Artist

Back at the beginning of June, Mandy and I attended Patchwork, an indie art & craft fair that was just around the corner from my house. I remember lots and lots of steampunk, letterpress and jewelry. I picked up a bike bell for Ryan for Father's Day and I loved the super fun jewelry at Pollyanna Cowgirl. But it was Jenny Smith, a teddy bear artist, that stopped me right in my tracks. Who knew there was a plush niche known as teddy bear artistry? I had no idea, but I am so glad that I discovered Jenny and her amazing work. Her dedication to her craft is inspiring. She does more plush than teddy bears these days, and her animals caught my attention from a mile away.
And imagine my delight when I realized that she had used my Domestic Bliss on some of her guys and gals. I introduced myself to her and told her that I designed some of the fabrics she was using. She proceeded to tell me that she used some of my fabrics on a giant (30 inches!) stuffed lion that will be used as a prop in a forthcoming movie starring Robert DeNiro. The lion will appear in DeNiro's character's childhood bedroom and my fabric was a great fit because it is supposed to look like it is from the 60s. Jenny sent me these photos:

Isn't he as creative as he is adorable? I love him! I can't wait to watch the movie. It really is a magical moment when you see something that you've made put into action, especially on something so cool as Jenny's plush! I read on her blog that she will be at Renegade this weekend and I am pretty sure that I am going to hustle right down there and bring home one of those stuffies. They are way too wonderful to pass up a second longer.

An Apron for Olivia

A love for aprons should start early I say. That is why I made this apron for Olivia's second birthday and why I plan to build upon Rylie's apron stash in the coming months. I used a fat quarter from the Good Folks collection for the bodice and the skirt is leftover from this project. I love both of these fabrics, especially together, and I am making a public challenge to myself to spend out, and use up my stash of precious fabrics that I am subconciously saving (hoarding.) It's along the same lines as never using the special china, the well-pressed linens. Everyday is special occasion enough I think. I want to live that way. I love this apron and so does Rylie, and I think Olivia will love it too. An apron makes a great gift for a 2 year old (for anyone, really) Here are some notes about the process:

* the back is lined wth the same fabrics making the apron double-sided. Probably not necessary in the future if I am short on a certain print.

* I used velco on the neck closure because I didn't have enough of the yellow gingham to do a stretchy-over-the-head jobby. I have mixed emotions about velcro. It is as scratchy as it is functional. Another option would be to tie it at the neck as it does at the waist.

* I sewed both the bodice and the skirt in the seams of the sash, but this was tricky with a lot of profanity involved. I think an easier way would be to fold the sash in half lengthwise, stitch around and then attach it to the other components. Again, it would not be double-sided this way, but I think that is ok.

And, on a COMPLETELY unrelated note:

*How dreamy would it be to live on a farm in Denmark? I may need to get back to my roots.

*And does anyone in California (or visiting California) want to take a houseboat sailing adventure with us? Seriously.

The Casual Organizer: Covering Cubes

Somebody stop me! I've been indulging in some major Springtime spruce up over here and covering everything in the house with fabric. The arrival of spring coupled with the fact that I absolutely love looking at something new and fresh in a space - even if it is a fabric covered tissue box - has got me on a sewing rampage.




I whipped these up the last two nights. It was much easier the second time. The first one was a little short so I had to add the trim at the bottom for the proper hem. All in all this was so easy and I think it looks much better than the usual hokey Trader Joe's tissue packaging. That being said, it is custom fitted for this one box size, so hopefully they never change it up. Now, I can wipe my babe's nose or dry her tears and smile a little when I see the box (which is very important, ya know?)

I also recently picked up this rather banal, navy blue, cheapie microsuede ottoman at Target and made a bright and fun slip cover for it from some extra aqua corduroy I had on hand.

This was constructed in much the same way as the tissue boxes only larger. Getting the corners crisp and sharp was the hardest part. I've made stuff like this before, like the storage bins in my studio. Doing those 3D corners is a challenge and a great skill to learn that takes practice so I was pretty happy with the way these two projects turned out. It works well with the colors in the living room and the most unexpected part is that it has become an excellent storage space for my shoes which are usually errantly strewn about the house, no two alike within the same proximity. Now, they are all here, pairs and all, and I can easily find what I am loooking for and go. Rylie loves to open it and remove all of the shoes and get inside. I'm glad to offer her a new shape and space to explore. She is not the only one in love with the ottoman slip cover project.


Zipper found the upholstery to be quite comfy when I was measiuring and cutting. I tell ya, I turn my back for one second around here and this is what happens.

The Casual Organizer: Curtains, Pillows, Rugs

It has been nothing less than a sewing frenzy over here, friends. After living in this apartment for close to five years, and complaining about the mini blinds in the windows the entire time, I have put my fabric stash and sewing machine to good use these last few days. I used both this print and this print to make curtains for the living/dining areas. They both have a light, ecru background and lend both privacy and a soft filtered glow at the same time. I love spring here in LA mostly because the angle of the light is extraordinary. The way it shines on the verdant and lush landscape this time of year makes everything sparkle. This morning as I was waking up, the first rays of light started to make their way into the house and I had this overwhelming memory of Christmastime in Michigan. I couldn't shake it, nor identify what was making me feels this way. Then it hit me. The light colored curtains where causing the windows to glow white and it dawned on me that each winter of my childhood, when the North was covered in snow, all that would come through our windows back home was glorious, bright, white light. Isn't it wonderful the way something as simple as a few straight sttiches on a panel of fabric can transform a whole room? My mind immediately jumps to asking myself why on earth I did not do it sooner.
There are new curtians in the kitchen,

on the side door,

and in the studio! All of the panels are very straightforward with a five inch hem on the bottom and hung on $5 tension rods from Target. Remember these? In all of the curtian hubbub, they got moved to their new home in the bathroom where they are doing a nice job of  infusing a pretty boring and utilitarian space with a pop of color. And afer the curtains, I busied myself with making pillows. The two large scale prints are from Jessica Jones. It is an upholstery weight that I have had sitting around for quite some time and waiting for the perfect use. I am pretty sure that I found it. Sometimes it pays to procrastinate. I love the way the pillows tie in with the art above the couch in both color and theme.



Oh, and I have been wanting to share these with you for a while now. Several weeks ago we picked up three smaller rugs and layered them together to act as a larger rug in the living room. They are vintage handwoven textiles from Thailand and we picked them up at the Santa Monica Airport Flea Market. They move around a lot and Zipper ruffles them up a bit, but that is sort of the comfortable, less than perfect look we had in mind. I was going to stitch them together to make one larger rug, but I have decided that I like the flexibility that layering them affords. I have a feeling that a little further on down the road we may get a larger, more proper area rug and move these smaller ones throughout the house, or even hang them on the wall.

It feels wonderful to transform our space. At once, it is more comfortable, inviting, and reimagined - just in time for spring!