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"You're never too old to have a happy childhood." Anonymous
I was one of those kids who adults called "wise" or an "old soul". "She's so grown up!" they'd coo. My peers had other ideas. They thought I was bossy. High and mighty. Not a lot of fun.
Each one of those observations was true, in their way. I spent my first 18 years of so trying desperately hard to be adult-like. Apparently I succeeded in many ways. I failed in many as well. But there's one thing I can tell you I did not do: I did not spend my childhood being a child. I didn't interact like one, I didn't look like one (I was tall and morbidly obese), I didn't talk like one, I didn't play like one.
College was a wierd time in it's own right. I spent much of my time there desperately and awkwardly attempting to slough off my grouchy-granny suit and "act my age". It was messy, let me tell you.
Marriage came along and although it was gradually less chaotic, I still tried to be the young woman I thought I was "supposed" to be. (Who makes up these rules anyway, I'd like to know?!) I read the expert books, joined the appropriate guilds and shopped in the right stores. Ick. How could something so "right" feel so wrong? I figured it was becuase I was so new to it. Surely the shortcoming was in me! Stepford, here I come!!!
But then some things happened. I had some kids. I moved a few times. I lost a lot of weight. And I started asking myself some similar questions to those in my first Calamitous post. When I was little and imagined myself as a grownup, what did I hope I would be like? How did I think I would dress? I would be feminine, retro and eccentric. I'd design and wear my own clothes. I'd be whimsical. No! I can't do that! People will laugh at me! What kind of home did I think I'd live in? Something magical and humorous, with growing things and lots of kids and imaginative adventures every day. Ack! But what would the neighbors think if we all charged around the backyard in costumes playing pirates or dragons? What kinds of people would I surround myself with? "Earth muffins", fairy godmothers, intuitive guides, passionate artists, deeply devoted hippies, world travelers. Good gracious. Where am I going to find a circus like that? And why would they want anything to do with me?
An interesting thing happened. Once you start honestly giving "mini you" a chance to speak up, your heart opens a little tiny door just a crack. On the door is a teeny tiny sign with one word scrawled upon it.. POSSIBILITIES.
After a while, you get comfortable with the idea of possibilities. You stick a toe in here or there (maybe I could try wearing that dress today just around the house)... You tuck your nose into the crack in the door to peek and see what's inside (who says I can't paint this wall purple?) ... And before you know it, possibilities have changed into PROBABILITIES.
Now we're getting somewhere! So, there you have it. I am Benjamin Button. Each day, I feel more able to just be who I am. Which frankly feels like I'm getting younger and younger. Or at least I'm appreciating right now in a whole new way. I'm not going to try to make an impression on anyone by shocking them or bending myself into their expectations, but simply by being who I am. Sometimes, that means I look a lot like everybody else. Sometimes, it doesn't. Sometimes, that kind of honesty takes some chutzpah. But if I'm not me, who will be?
Of course, the moments of living authentically are reward enough in themselves, but every once in a while, I am blessed to see how my courage enlivens others. The first couple of times I went out with my handcrafted bird headband, I was frankly bracing myself for taunting by the general public. Instead, you wouldn't believe the joy it gave people! I even got a handful of requests to know where other women could get their own!
Similarly, when I'm feeling extra peppy and colorful, I'll often wear one of my outfits designed with Salt Light City performances in mind. It's pretty cool to see little girls pointing me out delightedly to their friends or dragging their moms and grandmas across the grocery store to greet me. They're not laughing at me. If they're laughing, so am I! They're feeling inspired. cheered. Released into a whole new world of possibility for who they might be when they grow up! That is a gift I am deeply honored to bestow.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Marianne Williamson
So... Who did you see in your mind's eye when, as a child, you imagined yourself all grown-up? Who inspires you to fearlessly be?
I put this together today for mini quilt monday but I had so much fun with it I am considering doing another bench quilt each Monday and putting them all together eventually to make a nice picnic quilt.
I used some vintage tablecloth linen that is so nicely textured and has a bit of old gold that picks up the gold in the fern.
No pattern, just rotary cut and sewn.
Talk about fun and liberated!
Happy Mini Quilt Monday!
xo, calamity kim
It seems silly as you are standing on the bench, but then something magical happens and a smile will suddenly light up your face because you are standing taller and the view from up there is amazing.
These are my special sparkle prairie princess shoes.
When I click my heels I go to Kansas.
Happy Bench Monday
xo, calamity kim
Hello, fellow Calamity fans! Well, I don't know how all of you are, but I am just plain sick. I've had a sinus thing coming on for some time, but it exploded on me yesterday. I spent most of the day in bed with a migraine. Although I am very grateful to be over that, I still feel very, very icky. Not so inspired. Not so interested in staring at a screen for long periods of time.
BUT, to keep things lively around here, I thought I'd use this opportunity to host a tiny giveaway. Remember my upcycling post? In it, there was a hat which I beautified with felt and vintage buttons
as well as an art book based on Ecclesiastes verse 4, which says, "and I saw that all labor and all achievement springs from man's envy of his neighbor. This too is meaningless, chasing the wind".
I will part with both items as well as another (unabashedly self-promoting) item. ;) Be the first kid on your block to have your own copy of Salt Light City, "Homemade Goodness"! That's right... an authentic, autographed CD oforiginal music for kids as well as two handmade pieces of upcycled treasures can be yours today! (Do you hear my radio announcer's voice in your head?)
All you have to do is leave a message on this post and we'll randomly select a winner.
Hurry and tell your friends! This offer won't last long! ;)
Have a great night, people. I'll try to get my wits about me soon.
Have you heard the term "upcycling"? Wikipedia defines it as "the use of waste materials to provide useful products. Ideally, it is a reinvestment in the environment and embodiment of the notion that while using resources one is also contributing to them and their value. This is antithesis of the consume and waste concept in society".
I have always been drawn to the idea of upcycling, even before it had a fancy name. Not only is it an affordable way to creatively provide for yourself (and others) on a material level, but it also has important meaning to me in a more metaphysical way. There are so many parts of my life that feel old, used and icky. I often wish I could send those bits to the landfill and pretend they never existed. I want to present myself as having it all together... as having always had it all together. But I know I can't. And really, I shouldn't.
I want to learn to accept the less-than-perfect parts of myself with gentleness and dignity. And when it comes down to it, we're talking about all of my "parts", here. Who ever heard of a woman who was living her ideal?
But that doesn't mean I need to just shrug my shoulders and say, "I am what I am. Deal with it". Faked toughness or apathy has never worked out well for me in the long run.
Instead, I want to learn to take the broken bits in my life and find meaning, hope and even humor in them... to recognize that the disheveled pieces, when regarded with grace and creativity, can ultimately come together to form something beautiful and meaningful.
Note: The creations shown in this post are all mine. Just in case you were wondering. ;) But can you figure out what it all is?
Have you ever heard of Holi? It's a Hindu holiday, celebrated in the Spring, which (at a very basic level) recognizes the triumph of good over evil.
My only experience with Holi has been to view photos on the internet. But each time I see a new image, I end up staring at my computer screen with a big, stupid grin on my face.
To commemmorate this occasion, revelers light fires, play music, eat sweets, and throw colors at each other. Is that one of the coolest things you've ever heard or what?!
What if nobody painted me? Would I smudge some colors on myself so I wouldn't stand out?
Would I dare to toss a handful of green into a stranger's hair or draw orange stripes on her arm with my own hands? Would I enjoy looking individual people in the eye or would I choose to lose myself in the leaping, dancing mob? Would I feel most comfortable amidst children? Women? The elderly?
Would I choose to stay on the sidelines instead, pressed against a wall or crouched atop a brick building, spying on the many-aged children rejoicing down below? Would I get safe, vicarious pleasure in stillness, allowing the whole scene to flow around and beneath me?
Is there a significant difference between the joys of receiving, giving or meerly observing the colors? What would I do? What would you do? What DO you do?
Think about it. Because in many ways, today is a Holi day.
Note: As far as I know, these photos are free to use. If I'm mistaken, please forgive me and let me know right away. Thank you.
Have you seen this? To see selected fabrics in a color range at Etsy, click the related
color strip. It's pretty cool.
I admit it. I'm one of those crazy people. It takes an incredible amount of effort for me to wait all the way until August to start playing Christmas music. My CD collection is amply stocked but if I get tired of it, I know every good 24-hours-a-day-365-days-a-year-streaming-Christmas-marathon site on the web. I crack open my ever-growing supply of holiday books, weblogs and clippings. I review my notes from last year. And then, I finally, finally allow myself to start making lists.
Oh, how I do love a good list. I keep lists of gift ideas, party ideas, school day ideas, vacation ideas, outdoor and indoor ideas, new ideas, old ideas worth repeating, decorating ideas, baking ideas, worship ideas...
You know, maybe it's not so much the lists that I love. (Although, let's face it. I need them!) Maybe what I truly love is the opportunity to splash around in such an abundant ocean of ideas!
Sure, I could blame my holiday obsession on the fact that I have 5 kids between 4 and 8. (Yeah, yeah. I know. If I had a nickel for every time somebody told me I had my hands full!) I could pass off my lengthy bacchanalia of Christmas creation on the fact that I value handmade gifts and old-fashioned customs. I could cite the ever-increasing necessity of environmental consciousness and frugality, or my desire to return to family-centered celebrations, or even a (futile) effort to "beat the Christmas rush", but really... Who am I kidding?
I'm an artist. I love to create! How blessed we are to have important holidays as "excuses" to brainstorm, conspire, manufacture, anticipate, complete and present whole lists of original ideas, completed for the (almost) sole pleasure of those we love!
Yes. Bring it on.
PS Is there an opportunity or event that really lights your creative fire? If not, could you imagine one that would? Do tell in the comments!
In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out.
It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being.
We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.
~Albert Schweitzer
Because I have friends here who come and sit on the porch beside me and listen to my tall tales and have a cup of coffee each morning and start their day with a bit of calamity, I have asked my friend Sara to do a bit of guest blogging.
She has a wonderful way with words and is one of my finest cyber friends.
I have a secret project that is taking up all my time and focus at the moment and I must concentrate on getting it finished and am unable to blog about it but I really don't want you to come here and be disappointed by the sad emptiness of no new posts.
Perhaps you can imagine me at work, head bent, paint brush wet with water and color. Working hard to meet a deadline.
Trying to get the images in my mind onto paper.
Writing about some things to be created.
Or maybe I am on a beach with the waves laughing and running up to greet me in a spray of salt and seaweed while gulls wheel and cry above.
Please sit and talk a while with my friend Sara.
She will make you think and look inward and share her stories with you.
I'll be in and out for a while, as I get this "top secret project" sorted out.
Thanks for being patient and kind and for all the support you have blessed me with as I share my fiber art and crafts with you.
Constant use will not wear ragged the fabric of friendship. ~Dorothy Parker
love & stitches,
calamity kim
To Child Me
What if I could come to you
all grown up
and approach you softly
gently
in an all-alone moment?
What could I tell you that would comfort you
encourage you
make you see how beautiful you are?
What if I told you that someday
you'd be safe
you'd be free
you'd be on the journey to peace?
Would you believe me?
Would I seem like a stranger
an impostor
with graying hair and comfortable hips?
Would you tremble when I arrived,
afraid that I was just one more
abuser
intruder
bringing sweet lies and tempting promises
whispers of hope without substance
or strength
to fulfill them?
Would you dare to crawl into my lap
curl up in my arms
and cry it all out?
Would you hope?
Would you love me just a little
therefore sparing a little love for yourself?
Who might I be today
if you had learned that love?
If the fear and hate and shame
hadn't taken such a deep, gnarling root
in your innocent soul?
Would I be wilder?
Would I be less?
Would it matter at all?
Let me love you.
Let me hold you.
Let me in for just a moment.
You are safe. You are safe. You are safe.
Sara Shalom Scharrer
I am so honored to have been asked to guest blog today. Kim has become one of my most treasured friends-whom-I've-never-met. (Isn't technology a wondrous and bizarre thing?) Although I dabble in many different expressive art forms, the glue of passion that binds them all together is a desire to bless myself and others toward healing. I'd venture to guess that at some level, that's what the arts serve to do for all of us.
We're trying to put the pieces together and make them fit. We're trying to mend ourselves into some form that's truer. We strive to perfect, to shock, to invoke, to stretch, to lighten, to release, to inspire. The arts provide us with methods that seem safer. Safer than crying. Safer than blurting out our ideals. Safer than punching the wall or reaching out or even just being still. And sometimes, a piece of music or a dance or a cloth doll can speak to another soul more clearly and poignantly than a whole volume of prose.
One thing that really attracts me to Kim is her willingness to be honest during that process. She allows this space to be a big, tangled, beautiful riot of what's-true-right-now. I am successful. I am blessed. I am insecure. I am bold. I am lonely. I am dark. I am whimsical. I am growing. I am grateful. Aren't these things real in each of us? Isn't it amazing how they can all be true at once? Isn't it inspiring when someone else is brave enough to let us peer through the keyhole of their hearts into that very personal, yet universal process?
I think we need to be more gentle with ourselves. I really struggle with that. Despite the amount of time and energy I've spent in my life complaining about how others have wounded me, the fact remains that my own inner critic is holding the biggest stick. I'm always ready to pounce. I think that's why blogs like this one are so necessary. Sometimes it's easier to exchange encouragement with a "stranger" than it is to offer that same kindness to ourselves.
But what if we did? What if you could go back to the most vulnerable place in your life as you are right now and speak gentle hope or a rally cry to little you? What would you say? Better still, can you imagine yourself years from now... a man or woman with more experience, perspective and wisdom? What might "big you" say to you today?
I hereby dare you. Write a poem. Write a letter. Write even a sentence or a word. Where does your healing art spring from? Let's meet right here in the comments to bless each other... and ourselves... with truth.
Thank you.
I have a winner!
She inspired ME with:
i find my inspiration in:
* that first steaming cup of coffee in the morning - the one i get
while still in my jammies and the only sound i can hear is the whistle buoy in the bay out back.
* the fog creeping through the mossy spruce trees and around the laundry on the clothesline.
* sharpening my coloured pencils with that little silver hand sharpener and watching the peelings curl up.
* taking a new batch of freshly dyed fabrics out of the dryer and
ironing them, and really seeing what has happened on them for the first
time.
* you. honest. you were the first blog i ever found, and i read every
single post. i'd never heard of blogging. just a few months ago you
opened a door for me that has led to so many wonderful places,
challenges, things i never thought i'd ever try.
So, Deb Christensen, let me have some info please- the link to your blog didn't work- need your email.
She made me see each sentence in my mind and that's inspirational. I also felt the same way when I first found blogs and couldn't stop reading them and telling anyone who would listen about them!
Everyone else, we all seem to be inspired by alot of the same things- fabrics, nature, other blogs, books and family.
Thank you all for taking the time to comment, I wish I had a book for all of you.
Soon there will be more giveaway fun with Mermaid Week and the Bernina Name contest so make sure you keep checking in with me.
ever have one of those days?
Its amazing to go from
camera to computer,
to printer,
to fabric,
to sewing machine, to mini quilt monday using bench monday as the theme.
I haven't finished it yet.
Just pinned it to a treasured quilt I bought from Goodwill (that was also the backdrop for the bench monday photo).
I need to start these things earlier or maybe a day ahead because it's 8:30pm and dinner isn't made and it doesn't look like this will get finished.
Or we don't eat. Pick one.
Just too much fun to stop.
I am considering prairie points and maybe making this into a large quilted tote bag.
We shall see what tomorrow brings.
love & stitches,
calamity kim
Faeries, come take me out of this dull world,
For I would ride with you upon the wind,
Run on the top of the disheveled tide,
And dance upon the mountains like a flame.
~William Butler Yeats, "The Land of Heart's Desire," 1894
Maybe you already know about this site called TRUE UP, maybe ya don't. Maybe ya should! It's a great resource for fabric and links to every online fabric source imaginable.
I'll be back later with a mini quilt monday and bench monday post.
Till then, go
love & stitches,
calamity kim
Remember last year when I did Mermaid Week?
Well, it's starting to feel like that time of year again. You know, when it's so hot that you sweat in the shower. When opening the door to run to the mailbox is like stepping foot on the sun or that wave of heat that melts your eyelashes when you check the oven and see that the cupcakes are on fire!
When you'd love to be transformed into a mermaid so that you would never have to leave the coolness of the deep.
That's the time of year I'm talking about.
When you just want to close the curtains, crank down the air conditioning and lay still and silent in the dark. Maybe start looking around town for one of those squirt bottle fan gizmo's to spritz yourself while outdoors.
It's difficult to think in this heat and sometimes I might get a little forgetful but this time you are going to benefit from my mental heatstroke.
I accidentally bought two of these.[ Read more about the Fabricate Book (published by Interweave Press) here. They show 8 pages so be sure to click on that.]
I can only be inspired by one so I want to give one away.
All I ask is that you comment here and tell me 5 things that inspire you to create.
It wouldn't hurt my feelings if you wanted to share it on your blog if you have one.
I am asked all the time where I come up with my ideas and I have to admit I am inspired by everything!
Patterns of the steel beams that are welded to make a bridge, telephone poles, splattered spaghetti sauce on the floor when I drop a spoon, the texture of an embroidered piece of linen inspire me. A bowl of peppers, a jar of buttons, a box of embroidery thread or maybe an old, unfinished quilt top found at a rummage sale.
Maybe a trip to the library or bookstore, a card or a piece of pie. It all inspires me.
While cleaning up my sewing room I found several things I had forgotten. This felt that I made from wool sweaters and gave texture by tying glass marbles inside before felting inspires me to create something unusual and special with it.
Sometimes swatches with their colorfulness can be the spark I need to start making something.
I ran out of peach/skin tone and ordered some from Weir Dolls & Crafts and they shipped my order in two days and I was back to working on my latest obsession, er, project.
Soon I will be hostessing another Mermaid week with a new pattern for sale in the Etsy Shop and will be showing a different mermaid each day. I have a few folks helping me test the pattern so you can see how it translates
through other peoples creativity.
So, if you have a minute and want to sign up to win the new Fabricate book then put your thinking caps on and share what inspires you.
The winner will be chosen on July 22nd at noon.
From my house to yours,
wishing you peace, love and happiness along with a little inspiration,
calamity kim
Most of the time I hang out with my friends "Creativity" and "Inspiration".
They are so much more fun to be around than "Prudence" and "Patience". Those girls do not know how to have a good time.
Remember when your folks would say "birds of a feather.." well it might just be true because ever since I became "Calamity" and I started spending lots of time with "Chaos" my sewing room has gotten messier and messier and finally something had to be done.
It's like an endless cycle of sew, toss fabric everywhere, forget where anything is, then spend days cleaning and organizing until the next time it happens again.
This time I managed to purge all the paper stuff and so the sewing room is finally, truly all about sewing.
It's the most functional that it has ever been. I know where the patterns are and the scrap baskets are emptied again.
This new redo with the shelves all began because of the desk from Ikea. I was content to make do with some folding plastic tables until we went to Ikea and I got this desk. It looks modern and cool and clean and hip. Now everything needed to be white. Aqua and white- how refreshing.
Somehow the old wooden bookcases with country hearts cut out in the sides didn't fit the room. They are sturdier for books anyway and will be nice in the guest room (stamp/paper room) where I moved them.
This bookcase holds the linen, velvet, muslin,flour sack and feed cloth fabric and the chiffon which keeps sliding around.
I bought the red trimmed enamel table at Picasso Moon and it has leaves that extend on each side should I need more room for the embellishing machine that is sitting beneath it. This is going to be my needle felting station. I also pulled the interfacing, sulky solvy and plastics out from a drawer. If I can see them then I can find them and use them!
Yesterday I spent all day driving from store to store, with sweat dripping from the back of my knees, down to my ankles and finally found the cutting table I wanted in Bradenton at the JO Ann Fabrics. I had searched Michaels, Hancocks, Walmart and the Sarasota Jo Ann's.
It was on sale for 89.99- regular price is 169.00. It has adjustable legs.
My old table was standing on coffee cans that sometimes fell over. More fun for chaos and calamity I know, but really, very
Beverly Hillbilly and it was time for a real table. Fred trimmed the cutting mat and it fits perfectly.
The section on the right is removable but handy for storing scissors, rotary cutters and stuff. It also has a plug in thing for several plugs.
So am I happy with my cleaned up room? You betcha!
But, now I am just too worn out to sew.
I think I need a nap.
All that organizing has worn me out!
Fred has been playing music and it's so beautiful and soothing all I want to do is go lay down and shut my eyes and drift off with it in the background.
The stamp/paper doll room is now in need of a bit of help since that's where some of the shelves got moved to.
You don't want to see it, trust me not until it's all put back together. Neither do I as a matter of fact and it may take a few more days till I get to it.
***
I am working on a new pattern that will be for sale in the shop and of course there is still a pile of things to get finished that will probably get me through the rest of the month. I will be sewing at full speed tomorrow!
But first, a nap.
stay cool, my little calamities,
xo,
kim
They do such a good job and they will work for tuna!
I have been working on getting organized in the sewing room and yesterday I bought a new cutting table- pictures and story later.
hope all is well and you are all having a great day!
xo,
calamity kim
Going to go take a break and see the new Transformer movie. We saw The Proposal instead and it was really sweet. It was a nice diversion and we both enjoyed it.
It's not possible that I just spent 2 days folding fabric.
Is it?
yes, but so worth it!
How do you organize your fabrics?
By color?
By Designer?
By type?
Does the black and white polka dots go with the dots or the black & white pile?
Please give me some help on what works best for you and why.
Thanks!
Did you ever find your favorite embroidered towel from Anthroplogie on the floor? repeatedly?
over and over and over again?
Was it enough to drive me to the notions department to find big giant snaps to apply so that it never, ever happens again?
you bet ya. 
Are there monkeys living here?
Why does this keep happening?
Is it a ghost?
Carelessness? What?! Who is doing this to my towels???
I put the snaps at an adjusted length so that I could see all the birdies
in their cages.
Why didn't I think of this before?
Seems like a simple solution.
Another calamity averted!
No need to thank me just go buy some snaps and save your own towels.
They'll love you for it.
happy sewing ;)
calamity kim
oh yeah- then you can hang it on the back of your chair too
Just wanted to share this giveaway info- check out the Flickr Group Fresh Modern Quilts and see how they are celebrating their 1000th member to the Group! With awesome prizes donated by Fabric Worm, Stitch and Dye, oh, Fransson, Cherri House, Lizzy House, Cicada Studios and fabric from Group Admin Rossie.
Check out the discussion section (here) and enjoy the links to some awesome blogs and fabric sites and after you join the Group, leave a comment to be in the drawing. 14 winners will be chosen on July 14th at 5pm est.
I really love checking out the pool of quilt photos and am constantly amazed, delighted and inspired by what I see there.
I am off to the sewing room to either finish something, clean it all up or start something new!
Happy Fresh Modern Quilting!
calamity kim
Yesterday I started my quilt for the Mini Quilt Monday Group over at Flickr but didn't finish it until just now.
I took pictures as I put it together so that I could share some sewing fun here with you.
First I chose a botanical illustration from Dover's Flower book that comes with a cd-rom that was 50% off at the Barnes & Noble I recently visited in Pittsburgh.
After printing it (with my HP Photosmart 8250 Inkjet Printer) on to June Taylor Colorfast Fabric (available at Walmart and JoAnn's) sheets I sliced it up with a few swipes of my rotary cutter.
Then I tried it out on gold but decided to go with the Essex Putty instead.
That was an elegant color to bring out the purple and delicate greens of the iris.
After sewing the putty to the print I used the ruler and rotary cutter to even the sides and then added the gold in a log cabin frame around it.
After auditioning a few purples for the next set I picked a batik and sewed that.
Now, this looks ok but it's rather dull and I was thinking about gardens and what might be in them when suddenly a frog lept up on the table and said- "hey! What about me? I want to have some fun!"
I explained to him that he can't be on everything I make and gently grabbed him by one leg and took him back outside where he belonged.
After thinking it over (and making deviled eggs and tuna salad for dinner later) I went back to my bookcase and grabbed the Dover Insects book and printed out a bee and stitched it down after layering the cotton/wool batting and backing fabrics together with the top.
Now all this time the stack of Heather Ross fabric is just sitting there whispering to me and I just couldn't help but grab a small piece of the Mendicino Mermaids in gold and try it out.
Daydreaming about darling mermaid darlings and the honey bees and an octopuses garden by the sea and missing Pushing Daisies and hoping Ned and Chuck are happy and missing Emerson Cod and promising to quit writing run on sentences I decided it would work.
To make a little window I grab a square of fabric measuring 7x7 and trace around a cd then stitch it down on the top of the quilt where I want the window to be.
I have shown this tecnique before but if I don't explain it someoine will ask, so please bear with me if you remember me doing this on other quilts.
Usually I do this before I layer it and quilt it but I can cover the back circle with the label so it's ok.
Grab scissors and cut the inside circle out, trimming it very close to the stitching.
Pull the outer edge of fabric to the inside of the circle and iron on the back pulling it so that seam is in center along the inner edge. I cut out the mermaids and a circle of cotton/wool batting slightly larger than opening.
I machine stitched it around the edge.
The back gets trimmed and covered with a round label.
I tried out several choices for binding...
Green was ok
I finally went with the Martha Negley fern print because of the sea green and pattern.
The finished size is 19" x 15.5".
It's not as busy as my usual stuff- what do you think? Do you like it?
Is it dull?
Does it need anything else?
hmmm.
I'm going for a bike ride,
let me know what ya think.
You can enjoy this sung so sweetly by Olive Snook until I get back:
happy heatwave,
Oh, but there is a breeze!
calamity kim
I have to admit that Flickr has enhanced my life and I have made so many friends there that after 3 years of sharing in that community I couldn't imagine my life without it.
I have fun.
Really, I do and it's so addictive- checking Groups for pictures..checking emails...anxiously waiting to hear if someone has gotten something yet, it's like Christmas Morning.
I recently signed up to be a part of Krommama's Place mat Quilt Swap and had an idea within a few days of what to make. I drew it on a small piece of notepaper one night when we were at dinner and Fred smiled when I showed him and said that it would be cool.
So I got it all put together before my trip and sewed it all except for the binding and name tag.
My swap partner Toni and I mailed them last Wed and we both received them today.
Whew. The suspense was almost killing me.
The fish is from a Ralph Lauren screen printed cotton shower curtain that I found at a thrift store years ago. There were trout, salmon, and mackerel that I had cut out to use someday. I remembered where they were (oh so important when working on a project) in my stash and then I found the newsprint fabric and the perfect green for the plate (Amy Butler) and I was off to the computer to find a perfect bun and lemon slices and parsley.
I printed them on to June Taylor Colorfast InkJet fabric sheets and was thrilled with their realistic appearance.
I quilted the place mat first with random horizontal lines and then sitched the plate down using a butter yellow thread and left part of the napkin folds loose so that they looked 3-D. Once I got the bun and fish down it really started to look real.
I don't know why I am drawn to this type of thing but I love it. I was worried that she wouldn't like it, or that it wouldn't match her decor but she confirmed that she liked it and would use it so I am content.
I love the one Toni (here's her etsy shop)made for me- it has all my kitchen colors- granny cupboard green, gnome hat red and soft melted butter yellow.
I immediately started taking pictures and thought my little gnomes looked happy as June Bugs at a porch light sale!
I love it that she used some cute little elf fabric and the red cap mushroom and sun were great, happy touches.
We had agreed not to send any candy or extras- the place mat was enough but she did send me some squares of the little elves. I am not sure what I'll use them for- maybe a coaster to match the place mat?
This coffee cup is a giant planter and I couldn't resist doing some optical illusion fun- I found it at Walmart.
Actually, I saw it months ago and never bought one and then when I was there recently searching for another Johnny Depp tote bag I said "what the helicopter" (thanks Ruby) and bought one.
Life is too short to miss out on giant coffee cups- besides it matches my giant scissors!
Besides that, the larger my accessories, the smaller I look! :) ha!
I even used the new place mat for lunch!
I warmed up some sliders from last night.
Huh?
What is a slider?
A slider is like a Krystal or White Castle burger.
They are pretty far away (like almost Ga) so I started making my own.
Here's how:
I use ground sirloin, add one egg, salt and pepper, 1 grated Vidalia Onion and some minced garlic.
You smoosh it all together and then pat it out on a foil lined cookie sheet (with 1/2" sides).
Bake for about 15 minutes at 350 and then drain off fat and liquid.
Top with white or yellow American cheese and put back in oven till cheese has melted.
I use small potato rolls (or Hawaiian rolls) and put mustard, ketchup and a sprinkle of more chopped vidalia onions.
Some people add dill pickle slices.
Cut hamburgers into small squares to fit rolls and then eat!
They call them sliders cause that's what they do- they slide down your throat right to your happy belly!
***
I was trying to finish my Monday Mini Quilt but I am just worn out, people! I will have to recharge my battery and give it another try tomorrow.
I am exhausted!
I am putting on my gown, brushing my teeth and heading for bed with my book.
I'll show you some quiltie stuff tomorrow.
Love and Lightning Bugs,
calamity kim
This is a delightful town to find artistically evolved benches.
This one was painted by Joseph Melancon. It's located by Word of Mouth Restaurant on the corner of Osprey and Brother Geenan St.
I brought Henrietta the chicken bag with me cause she doesn't get out much.
Happy Bench Monday.
I'll get back to work on my Mini Quilt Monday Project...
see ya later,
ck
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
Charles Caleb Colton
We've all heard the quote and now I know it's true because I saw a quilted table cloth by Elizabeth of Oh Fransson that I simply can not get out of my mind.
She used Heather Ross fabrics and a putty colored sashing and binding of green to create a lovely table cloth quilt that is so beautiful I am not sure I can rest easy until I have one of my own. (She made it for her sister- how loving is that?)
So I gathered up all my Heather Ross fabrics and then went on a search for more.
Her newest line for Free Spirit is Mendocino Mermaids which I have used before to line a purse.
Heather also did a line called Far and Away for Kokka which features the Princess and the pea, unicorns, frog princes waiting to be kissed, snails, flowers and it comes in several color ways.
You can read about Heather's fabric collection here at True Up and at Heather's Blog. Apparently she signed a contract with the company that bought her Munki Munki line of sleepwear, that would not allow her to design fabric for any other apparel manufacturer for the duration of her contract. This makes me sad but I also feel that when that contract is up she will put on her wings and fly with new and brilliant designs. I know I will be first in line when that day finally comes.
I have had good luck finding some of her fabrics on eBay and Etsy and just bought some more in brown and plum to help fill out my required gradation of color scheme.
Thank goodness I bought up some gnome yardage a few years ago because it's going for 40 dollars a yard now. Isn't that how you create a demand for something? Put a little bit out there and then make it hard to find and people go into a tizzy trying to get some!
I love her designs so much and wish she would do some prints for framing and dishes- can you imagine having your cake and eating it too, from a plate designed by Heather Ross?
I could.
A nice gnome plate would be wonderful on my mushroom house gnome village table runner.
<smiling ear to ear at the thought>
I have her book, Weekend Sewing, but haven't made anything from it yet, although I will someday, as it does have some delightful projects.
Someday I will learn how to manage on less sleep and I will get all these things made- teehee, one can only hope.
So, I will keep you posted on my Heather Ross Coin quilt quest and as the hunt for fabric continues, I would appreciate any tips or sightings you may have as to where to find her fabrics. I need some yellow, purple, green...oh, I need them all!
A Rainbow of Ross!
Wishing you love, peace and the freedom to pursue fabric!
Happy 4th by the way,
calamity kim
INGREDIENTS
1 Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crust (from 15-oz box), softened as directed on box
1 teaspoon sugar
12 oz (from two 8-oz packages) cream cheese with 1/3 less fat (Neufchâtel), softened
2 containers (6 oz each) Yoplait® Original 99% Fat Free mandarin orange yogurt
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 can (6 oz) frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
1 box (4-serving size) cheesecake-flavor instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 container (8 oz) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oven to 450°F. Remove 1 pie crust from pouch; unroll crust on work surface. Sprinkle with sugar. With rolling pin, roll sugar into crust. Place crust in ungreased 9-inch glass pie plate. Fold edges under; flute. Prick bottom and sides generously with fork.
2. Bake 9 to 11 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely, about 20 minutes.
3. In large bowl, beat cream cheese, yogurt and powdered sugar with electric mixer on medium speed about 3 minutes or until light and fluffy. Add orange juice concentrate; beat until well blended. Sprinkle pie filling mix over top; mix well.
4. Reserve 1 cup of the whipped topping for garnish. Fold remaining whipped topping into cream cheese mixture until well blended.
5. Spread orange filling in cooled baked shell. Refrigerate at least 1 hour until filling is set. Garnish with reserved whipped topping and, if desired, orange peel.
Pillsbury.com added this to my Pie Maker Group at Flickr and it looked so light and refreshing I just had to share! Let me know if you make it and if it's as delicious as it looks!
Happy July 3rd!
Yesterday's plane ride was a lesson in self control.
I maintained a calm and serene composure while wringing the life from the book in my hands as the plane forced its way through the overcast skies.
Being above the clouds, especially gray, storm clouds makes for nerve wracking, eye twitching, foot jiggling, deep breathing, despair. Especially when you know you have absolutely no control over anything that may happen while you are aboard the plane hurtling through the sky.
You just close your eyes, say a prayer and endure it.
You can't stop the babies from crying, the nervous hens from clucking endlessly inane conversations surrounding you or the too tall sullen teenager from pushing his knees into the back of your seat.
It used to be so classy and elegant to fly- the stewardesses wore snappy outfits while serving complimentary cocktails to passengers excited by traveling to a new city.
Now it's like the war torn, weary frequent fliers and folks on vacation dressed in their most casual (one girl was in her bikini top and micro mini jean skirt- ready for the beach) feeling relieved to have made it through the security checkpoints without any physical scrutiny of their personal space and happy to be glued to their i phones or paperbacks.
Planes have gotten smaller too, with everyone turning sideways to walk down the isle for fear of tearing someones arm off and sitting for 2 hours with your elbows tucked in to your sides or crossed over yourself isn't comfortable or luxurious.
Unfortunately, we didn't have our fabulously funny steward named Bob to entertain us or keep us calm as we pitched and rocked in the air.
As we neared Tampa you could feel the humidity increasing and see the ground below, so green and tropical as the clouds parted momentarily before the rain made visibility impossible.
Finally we landed and everyone sighed as they began to unlock their seat belts and reach for luggage and bags stored above.
We don't have wings and as unnatural and as exhilarating as it can be to fly it still feels wrong somehow. It has been so long since I've flown, it may be a long time again, but then again, you never know what opportunity you may have.
I'd like to celebrate my return to sunny (not today- thunder and lightning and rain all day) Sarasota with a charming cupcake recipe from Martha Stewart
I wish you all a lovely day...
I'll be on the couch, resting and regrouping - I'm exhausted!
That's what vacations do- they make you travel far away and wear you out until you crawl home and wish you could sleep for a 100 years!
Love and happy Naptime,
calamity kim
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