Pumpkins

Remember these pumpkins that i made last year? This year, they are gracing the fireplace mantle, along with an adorable felt Mayflower ship that I got at Pottery Barn Kids. (just my luck, I walked in right as they marked it from $49 to $12... it's now back up to $49... Have I ever told you about my shopping luck????)
Anyhow, the pumpkins were pretty simple to make... And they're such a happy use of some favorite fabrics around here. And it's fun to use them to decorate for my favorite holiday...

Growing into her own creative shoes

The design director is really at an amazing place creatively. After her many different projects, she is at the point where her questions as we do a project actually make good sense.... Her creations for her friends and cousins elicit the same comment I often hear, "did you really make that?"... And now she's at the point where I can set her up at the sewing machine and let her fly. No more breathing down her neck and barking, "BE CAREFUL!"... Though I'm never more than a foot away from her sewing at this point, my hands are not running the show. She takes little reminders here and there... "watch your lines. You're getting a little close to the needle..." it's just amazing to see how much she's grown in the past few months when it comes to sewing.
Tonight's project is a book bag for her (lucky!) teacher. We used some of my special stash and made a gorgeous bag with AnnaMaria Horner's Good Folks laminated cotton as the exterior and we lined it with some great orange floral and gave it purple straps - per Mimi's design taste.
It's going to be the kind of bag any adult would use proudly with just a few stitching wobbles as proof that she really did make it herself, though I'm sure no one will believe her.
Good thing we've got proof in photos.
With all these boys around here, I love having a blond little mini-me to create with. And even when I'm wasted tired - almost too tired to stand... I'll drop everything to chase a creative bee in her bonnet...

Fall History Lesson

I've posted a pic of this lovely church in my neighborhood before, but I didn't know what I now know... The other day I was I'm an adjacent building, speaking with some friends of mine who attend and serve at the church itself... And they shares with me that not only is this church a 1/8 replica of a cathedral in England, but it was actually the first church in Los Angeles to integrate and became one of the main stops for Martin Luther King Jr. to visit each time he was in Los Angeles.
I have to say I nearly began crying when I heard this. I also felt so honored to be a part of this special place in LA, an important location in history and the re-integration of our neighborhood... We've had elderly neighbors actually tell us "welcome back" to the neighborhood.
When Z and I got to enter the church to see the inside, we were rewarded with the most lovely views. It was a beautiful moment.
What I love to share is that the inside, history and heart of this church around the corner from my home is as lovely as the architecture.
You just don't picture Los Angeles in this light very often from the outside, you know?

Pumpkin Scones

Oh you are going to love me for this one. I couldn't wait for Halloween to be over so I could make these pumpkin scones.... Hooray!
Tonight we get a double batch, half will get frozen for future fall happiness.

10 years in

  

This Thursday marked our tenth anniversary. 10 years of marriage. Our conclusion as we've talked is that it's not enough. We've asked God for another 40.

 

I am married to my best friend. Through everything we've been through, through the insanity of the past ten years, we've always clung together - constantly reminding each other "I'm your biggest fan!"

J, I love you. You are still my hero, now more than ever. You are an amazing husband and father and the best friend and sweetheart a girl could ask for. Thank you for the past ten years... Ten years is simply not enough time with you.

New collages

I've been invited to have another art show in North Hollywood. (yay!) This time, I will be doing a themed show (solo) based on the Christmas story and will even be able to sell my big prints. (if you're local... It's Dec 17 and 19)
These two collages happened for me the other night and are going to be part of the show. 

Their descriptions:

a close look at the "Star of Bethlehem" one shows that the hills are made of images of war and destruction (there are images of Haiti, Burma and WWII). Basically the idea is that this moment we depict in peace is actually way more revolutionary than we give it power to be. He came to a messed up, broken world as the Prince of Peace, and actually has the power to implement it.

The second one is kind of spun off of the idea of what role an olive branch would have played in the Nativity. I imagined Mary's viewpoint, looking out over the edge of town from the stable, tired from the long journey, but amazed at what was still to come. The olive tree is just a periphery bystander, but it's presence harkens back to the olive branch of mercy and hope after another long journey that God offered to Noah. Olive trees being everywhere in Israel, it's not too much of a stretch to imagine one stretching it's branches into Mary's line of sight as she pondered all she had been through and all yet to be. 

Spare Change Quilt

I want to call this the Spare Change quilt because it's a variation on a Coin Quilt, and it was all scraps that went into it... Even the white is an old tablecloth from my MOPS group.
I also want to keep it, but that would be ridiculous, considering how many quilts we have around here now. Two of them were in my recent art show and I have yet to get them back, but more on that another day....
This one is getting gifted to a friend who would never in a million years expect a quilt from me. I've known her a few years, but we aren't so close that she would ever expect this. I think that's what makes me excited to give it. It's a truly extravagant gift- with no occasion. :) Those are the best kind.

Nest necklaces

I've been itching to make these nest pendants for a long time. Years, maybe? I made a nest necklace a few years ago that was commissioned for an auction and was so wishing I'd made an extra for myself. Last night, Mimi and I both made them (I'll post hers later, it's awesome)

I also have been itching to make this tourmaline tree for a while too. It was inspired by something Mimi and I saw in a catalog a while ago... It took a few hours to make, but it sure is rewarding...

Considering making a few extra nests for the holiday seasons boutiques and upcoming shows. I think they will make nice gifts this season.

Friday night sewing lessons

I spent my evening with the most adorable 6th grader - (Mimi's classmate's big sister)... Teaching her how to sew... In 1.5 hours she had made this adorable lined tote bag all sewn herself. (just in time for Red Ribbon Week at school... She's excited to show it off)
Her mom took one look and said, "you're gonna have a bunch of sixth grade girls begging to come over now"
I can think of worse problems, especially if they're half as cute as Tati.

Spinach Salad

J and I resolved a few years ago that we would not eat regular lettuce salads anymore when spinach is so much better for us. So here is the salad that has become a standard around here. I bring it to every family event and pot luck and if I make a salad at home, this is it - I'm not sick of it yet, so I am pretty sure everyone else isn't either. (then again, who knows?) Either way, my sis in law, Jen, got a pretty picture of it, so I figured I'd post it here.

Ingredients:
(these are the givens)
spinach
cherry or grape tomatoes (halved)
craisins (we like the orange flavored type)
almond slivers or pine nuts
dressing - I use the Italian salad dressing that you mix yourself - only I use balsamic vinegar

these are the optional additions that we also love in it, I wouldn't add them ALL at once, but they are great additions:
cooked orzo
goat  cheese crumbles
canneloni beans (rinsed)
strawberries or blueberries