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I'm sure this doesn't look like much work (actually, digging the trench wasn't all that bad) but I moved a boatload of rocks to get to this point. Curses to the individual who filled our ENTIRE side yard with a thick layer of golf ball sized rocks. Makes it much harder to put in a garden.
Luckily the weather has been perfect for outdoor work.
In other news, apparently everyone is into book art. Here's another amazing example.
I'm still not sure what the whole Earth Hour thing was about (well, now I am since I looked it up on Wikipedia but at 8 p.m. I didn't really know). Still, I dutifully flipped off the lights and computer for a whole hour. My in laws probably think I'm nuts but it was actually kind of nice chatting over candle light.
And after they headed home I finished my coffee and read my book by candle light. An hour later I still haven't turned on any lights (just the computer :).
Favorite "go-to" cookbooks
Ina Garten, Mollie Katzen and Susan Branch--all excellent!
Trying a new recipe from a new cookbook
Honey Cake from Apples for Jam (unusual combo but tasty)
An old favorite from a well-stained cookbook
'
Vegetable Pot Pie from Barefoot Contessa Parties
I love a Friday off. Time to hang out with Biscuit and still cook dinner for friends. And the weather was even nice. TGIF
These are all taken in one shot with no editing (as if you couldn't tell). But I hope they make sense. My goal was to explain a log cabin quilt and introduce a few basic quilt sewing technique as I would to a friend sitting in my sewing room. In this case my "friend" was a camera precariously attached to my floor lamp. Anyway, have fun with the log cabinning!
I made this birdhouse a few years ago for my mom. 
I still really like this project.
I have been thinking for the past month or so how much I enjoy using cast off books as a medium for other projects. Like book clocks. This one (from an old copy of Horton Hatches an Egg) was my favorite. I may be the only one but I kinda like the embroidered book pages
I've been working on.
I've started a list of projects that could be made using books as the primary (only?) material. I'm kinda excited about it. Who knows, maybe I'll burn out on the idea before it goes anywhere but I could imagine creating a whole line of work to sell online or at a show. If I think big I could even imagine a small gallery installation (where I would have to pretend to be an artist).
As with everything, this is not an entirely original concept. I've seen a lot of work along the lines of this piece on Etsy
But I haven't found anything as amazing as these INCREDIBLE sculptures. This is one link you should really follow. Enjoy
Finally, here's some info about altered books
P.S. Photos in this post are by my dad. Thanks, dad.
P.P.S. YouTube is down tonight so videos tomorrow(not that you're losing sleep over this or anything)
I redid the rotary cutter video tutorial--still a one take deal but I think it's better than my first attempt.
I also videoed the layout of a log cabin quilt square and a sewing tutorial. And a P.S. to the sewing tutorial. Yep, that's FOUR, count 'em FOUR video tutorials. (YouTube is running SO slow I'll post the rest tomorrow)
On a separate note, the lovely Miss Peptogirl gave me a "you made my day" award which totally made my day. That was yesterday, the same day my neighbor dropped off an Easter lily on my doorstep. So nice!
I think I'm supposed to pass on the "you make my day" honor to five other bloggers so here goes (this is hard!):
My dearest friend, Far From CA who's "Monday Musings" from her three year old are priceless
My dad (who let me play with his new D-SLR on Easter)
Jennifer from Craftsanity for the fabulous podcasts (and now she's blogging almost every day!)
Sweet Juniper for this post about his Sacagewea theory
Holly from Decor8 because she answers random email questions from readers and seems to be the sweetest gal in the blogosphere
I consider myself a novice at sewing apparel. I typically avoid anything with collars, sleeves or buttons. In fact, I don't think I've ever sewn a collar.
So this dress was a bit intimidating. I had the mint green striped seersucker in my drawer and yesterday got a bee in my bonnet to make it into an Easter dress. Is there anything cuter than a toddler in seersucker?
I found a pattern that I'd bought at the thrift store ages ago and it was exactly what I had in mind, poufy sleeves, collar, gather at the yoke. Perfect.
I followed the directions very carefully and very closely. I practiced my button holes several times on scrap. And lo and behold, it came together perfectly during ONE (3.5 hour!) nap. Bright green buttons were a little gift from Peptogirl.
In the interest of full disclosure, I had to bribe her with a cookie to get her to try on the dress. This is what she wears when I let her choose her own clothes.
And now for the three Pay it Forward winners:
Jill Swensen (her wall decals are SO cute--check them out)
Deb Troti--a fellow Sacramento Craft Mafia member!
Richelle F (who is a apparently a math geek. I guess I am too, I know what an actuary is)
Turns out the first three commenters won but I did have a random drawing. So, email me your mailing address and a little surprise will arrive soon(ish). And don't forget to pay it forward on your own blog if you've got one. Thanks for playing!
I swear we started with the cards
Better than a tattoo anyway.
It's been a nutty week. Still, I managed to create a few video tutorials (coming soon) and photograph a few squirrels.
Want more spring animals?
A fawn at Turkey Feathers
Birds at SouleMama
Any more?
Tomorrow I'll draw the winners for the Pay it Forward contest. Good luck!
I was soooo lucky I commented quick and got to be a part of CurlyPops' Pay it Forward game! That gal is so on top of things I received a package from her (from Australia!) before I even posted about this on my own blog (as I had promised to do). Now, I'm finally catching up.
adorable apron and headband from CurlyPops. Sorry for the bad photo.
Here's the deal. Comment on this post (be sure your email address is included so I can reach you). On Friday, March 21 I'll draw three names and mail each person a surprise package. In return, each winner has to "pay it forward" on your own blog by doing the same thing and surprising three of your readers. Make sense?
So just tell me, do you prefer cooking or sewing?
P.S. I just spent the last 20 minutes checking out a new blog. I love the quilt in this post. Dang, this woman is a productive quilter!
