I'm back today with more stacks.

Stack #4: The Where Y'at? Swap stuff ready to send. "It's only a little late," she says with a nervous giggle. (um, that would be three. yes, three. months. late.) Rachel says y'all are going to add me to a top-secret-crafty-swap blacklist. She's probably right. All of the wonderful photos I received are pinned up in various places around the house, but Dominique made a Flickr set of all of them. Thanks, ladies, if you're reading. I'm soooo sorry.

Stack #5: The fabrics I've picked out for Jennifer's month of the Virtual Quilting Bee. Tonight's the night. I swear, on all that is good in this world, that I WILL finish this on time.

Hopefully. ; )

Posted by Alicia at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)

Nothing like a few days of feeling pretty low to make you appreciate feeling pretty good. Time to say a few thank yous and snap out of the whining.

This lovely little felted bowl came from Grace, along with some fancy tea, handmade lotion and lip balm, and of course the amazingly soft hat for wee N. Thank you, my good friend. How long until we meet in person?

And I find myself this morning enjoying, along with the cooler weather and my coffee, my very first ever Japanese craft magazines which arrived yesterday from the other side of the planet. Thank you, Erin! They're here and I love them! I absolutely must figure out how to decipher some of these patterns.

And that piece of fabric on top of the mags? It's from Sew Mama Sew- I won one of their Free Fabric Friday drawings. Thanks, ladies! You're awfully generous. It was such a hard decision to pick just one.

Lastly, thank you all so much for your well wishes and commiseration regarding the migraines. I do believe it's time to be proactive and start trying a few alternative treatment methods for dealing with them.

Have a wonderful day, k?

Posted by Alicia at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (27)

This inchworm is from Laurie of Old School Acres who makes incredible felt creatures. Isn't he adorable? In person he's even better with the tiniest, most even little hand stitches. Eeeek! She also sent me the little pincushion and beaded pins, which totally make me feel better about giving the inchworm away. I had someone in mind when I asked about him, and she offered to send him to me just out of the kindness of her heart.

And look at this. Gwen made these t-shirts for her friend who studies Mayflies. And she made an extra just for me! Just because she's so super cool like that! I still owe Gwen a postcard of something I snatched up from one of her Great Monday Give-Aways. I think it has been over a year ago that I promised I would send it. I still will- I swear.

Thanks, you lovely creative ladies. The kindness of you artsy bloggy peeps continues to amaze me.

THANK YOU!

Posted by Alicia at 03:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

At the risk of turning this place into the What She Wore Today Show, you HAVE to see what she wore today.

My new friend Jennifer made this sweater. Isn't it amazing?! She made a similar one for her daughter and I raved about it, and her daughter really wanted the Olive and Archie dolls, so we arranged a swap. It really deserves a skirt and some tights, but I couldn't wait that long to show you all. Jennifer is so talented, makes all kinds of things, knits, and her photographs- even the everyday snapshots- are just beautiful. Thank you, dearest. We absolutely love it!




And you'll never believe what Brian did this time. He spent the evening Tuesday switching from garage to laptop, laptop to garage, then after a quick trip to the auto supply place and then back to the garage, he replaced the brakes on his car! And mind you, before this he knew nothing about brakes. I told him to drive slowly the first day, just to be sure. *wink* He told me he had to do it himself because, "Mama needs a new camera." I LOVE THIS MAN.

I'm pretty sure it's either this one or this one.

A little help? Please?

Posted by Alicia at 10:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

I've got nothin' today. We're all still recovering from this virus, so here are a few Valentine surprises that came in the mail last week.

First an adorable patchwork pouch from Beki, that went missing for a few days. I blamed it on my sticky-fingered little girl, but then I cleaned up a few piles in the studio and um, there it was.

Next is a little surprise that Amy sent. I already have plans for these pretty fabrics.

There were also a few candies that came with both of these packages that, let's just say, are not pictured. Ahem. Thanks, girlies! You're the best.

See you all tomorrow. xo

Posted by Alicia at 05:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

We received our Miniswap 2 package yesterday while little N was napping, which was good. I wouldn't have gotten any pictures at all with both of them tearing in at the same time. Our partners were Nily and her two adorable girls, Celine and Baby Derin. She's a graphic designer and jewelry artist, originally from Turkey, but now living in New Jersey. Nily has a weblog (it's in Turkish). Go ahead and visit and see how lovely they all are.

They sent the most gorgeous package. Everything was wrapped so well, all personalized and the kids love every bit. She included handmade pouches to hold notebooks for each of them, little toys, sweet treats, even a tiny knitted sweater for N. Nily, did you knit it yourself? Click here to see it all.

And here's what we sent to them:

Click on the picture to see what's in there.

Thank you, Nily and girlies for a wonderful swap. And thank you for the flower seeds for me. I cannot wait to plant them. I hope you had fun! Also thank you, Molly, for putting this whole thing together. We had a ball!

Posted by Alicia at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Friday: over to a friend's house after school, huge Valentine's Day party in the evening at another friend's house

Saturday: sleep late, play on the computer, bake chocolate cookies with Papa, get a package full of loot in the mail, play with new stuff, watch trains at Union Station, out to dinner at the Choo-Choo Restaurant

What will the rest of the weekend have in store?!

(It's our Miniswap 2 package! Click here to see his share of the gifts. Thank you, Nily!!! It's all wonderful. Tomorrow I'll post N's goodies and the stuff we sent.)

Posted by Alicia at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)

For a swap I'm doing with a new friend:

That Hillary, she's something else! The design is simple and adorable, the pattern and directions are clear and easy to follow, and the whole idea behind selling the pattern instead of the doll- so brilliant. And the freebies get you (or keep you) hooked plus there will be more accessories and friends- oh good grief. Hillary, it's a stroke of crafty genius. Thank you.

If you'd like to flip through a whole slew of these cuties click here.

Wait. One more thing. I really want to thank you all for the kind words about my rant. The bird painting is starting to grow on me just a little and I'm actually considering framing it up and keeping it. (Sorry, Foffie, I'll paint you another.) I'm trying to make some attitude adjustments regarding my own work, so thank you again. I've decided maybe even if I don't adore my own stuff, I'll just lift up my chin and fake it. Then maybe I'll forget the faking-it part and some real confidence will grow.

Posted by Alicia at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

...comes around. It's nice when what's going around is good.

My friend broke her foot last summer, and I helped her out (just a little even) by running a few errands. She's been working on top-secret thank you presents and I got one! Isn't it a beauty of a pincushion? Included also was a little seam ripper and a fancy chocolate bar, which is hidden away. (Hands off, you!) The pin cushion has a new home on an open bookshelf in the sun room, where I often sit and finish up little sewing tasks like embroidering faces and hand stitching hems. Running back and forth from sun room to studio looking for my old cushion or a needle is common, so this is very handy. Thanks, Laura! I love it.

Oh, and she left a little open section on the back, which turns out is very good for stashing things like the seam ripper or even a tiny pair of scissors.

The moral of the story? Be helpful to others- it makes you feel good, and you know, they need the help. But, um, It's also nice to help out talented friends, because you might just get lucky...

Posted by Alicia at 08:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)

First, let me thank you ALL for visiting, for leaving such nice comments, and for sending get-well vibes when I needed it! I'm feeling so much better.

I was among the winners of a drawing Molly had to honor her own birthday. She's sweet like that. In the mail came this wonderful vintage curtain panel. Thanks, Molly. And congratulations, dear.

Angela is one of my first blogging buddies. She's generous and talented and a GREAT mother. She's also been named the Thrifting Queen. So when she ran across these cowboy sheets, she offered them to J. I immediately wanted to cut them up and make something else, but he is just tickled with them. For now, they'll be living out their destiny as... sheets. She also included some lovely little fabric scraps in the package to fuel my patchwork obsession. Thanks, sweet Angela.

I only recently started getting to know the very talented Leslie through her blog. I won another drawing and received these note cards. Aren't they just the cutest?! You've got to visit The Paper Princess and check out all of her stationary. So flippin' good. Thanks, Leslie.

I told you this blogging community is generous!

Posted by Alicia at 07:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

The lake trip was wonderful. We had a crazy and late night Friday, leading to a slow-paced Saturday, and a sleep-late-and-pack-up-leisurely Sunday morning. It was great. My stomach muscles are sore from laughing so much. Also the weather couldn't have been better. Thanks, ladies. Perfect. Really.

But I'm back to reality now. Z. was here today and J has day camp every morning this week, so the day was filled with the usual array of mama activities. Fixing food, cleaning up dishes, dashing to and fro, settling fights, picking up the endless trail of toys. I was feeling a smidge low, but then the mailman brightened my day.

My Apron Swap partner, Flo, sent my apron to me! It's so cute! I think it might be made from a pillow case or bed sheets. It's a nice medium weight and it's the perfect colors. And it's just the sweetest upside-down tulip shape. I love it. Thank you, Flo!!

She included a perfectly understated wrist cuff bracelet and a lovely dainty necklace. Of course she sent three yummy recipes, that I can't wait to fix, but this week is going to be crazy. It might have to wait until next. I've lots to do: websites to update, bank accounts to balance, more projects to complete.

I'm hoping this post finds you well and rested from a fabulous weekend... perhaps even your foot has miraculously healed or your opponent retracts his bid... No? Well, have a good week anyway, dear friends.

P.S. Welcome back and Happy Birthday (yesterday), Kim. We'll see you soon!

Posted by Alicia at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

This little hen perches demurely on a linen hankie because she's much too proper to sit on the dirty, bare picnic table.

She arrived here last weekend from Tracy, and I am just so smitten with her. I won't let the kids even touch her. Remember Tucker? She's his partner in crime, weaseling their way into the bt3 fun. Tracy also sent us a few sweet treats and two tiny little IKEA stuffies, which N promptly smooched and adopted.

We have a thing for chickens around here. My dad has chickens which we love, even if they only love us at feeding time. But this chicken is far too stylish and classy for those dirt scratchers. Sitting and looking pretty is her main pastime.

And pretty she is. Thank you, Tracy! Absolutely adorable. Look at Tracy's pictures of her in her more natural environment here.

Posted by Alicia at 01:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Today is the big day of the Apron Swap party.

The recipient of my apron was Melissa, and she has received her package. First, let me say it was fun secretly getting to know Melissa through her blog. She's smart, and hip, and creative. Several times I wanted to leave a comment, but I felt like I'd reveal myself somehow.

She prefers functional aprons so I made her this no nonsense one out of flour sack tea towels. It will be absorbent, so she can dry her hands on it, but it might require a little ironing after washing to make it look crisp again. I sent her just a few of our family's favorite recipes and a couple of treats for her good friend. Enjoy, Melissa!

I got an email from my other sweet and apologetic apron partner. She's running a little behind (which I completely understand) and will mail my apron soon, so I'll post some pictures when it arrives.

Posted by Alicia at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (10)

Happy Monday, friends!

I'm feeling a little less frazzled. Brian watched the kids most of yesterday and I got a lot done. The apron for the What's Cookin' Apron Swap is completed (and pretty cute) so I just need to put my recipes down on some nice cards and that's it. Off it goes! To where? You'll have to wait until Friday to see. Here's a sneak peak:

I got two other packages all ready to go too. I'll be off to the post office tonight so my new friends Molly and Christine won't have to wait much longer for their goodies. I've made plans to start the other items that have deadlines this evening, so hopefully by the end of the week, I'll feel a little more caught up and I can start some fun projects like the skirt for myself and the little rocker.

Have a great week!

Posted by Alicia at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

When I got back from our trip a little package was waiting for me! A few months ago, I made a smock for Tie One On, and Molly commented and said she wished she had one. So I told her I'd make her one if she'd send me one of her pretty stoneware pendants. It is so perfect for me. Even better in person, it's minimalist modern, a little hippy, very cool. I look good.

She also sent a few little extra bits of fabric and some yummy chocolates. Don't the fabrics looks pretty together? What should they become?

Here is my problem. I've been having that feeling lately, the one where you just can't keep all your thoughts straight. I have lots projects going on at once and I have a few "orders" for specific items with real deadlines. I bet you money I have my anxiety dream soon. I always dream the same dream when I feel a bit frazzled. It goes like this: I'm in high school and I don't know my schedule. I go to ask for a copy, but I can't even remember where the office is. When I find my way to class, I haven't been there in months, so I'm completely unprepared for the test we're about to take. Do you know this dream?

For WIP Friday, here is a picture of a few of the things I'm working on and contemplating working on:

1. The rocker: sand, paint, sew a little cushion
2. The craft apron: box up to mail to ms. vegasandvenice
3. Molly's smock: pack up and mail
4. Girlie fabric: make bonnets for baby and big sis gifts
5. Canvas: paint a little bird for a swap with Foffie
6. Flower fabric: sew a skirt for myself- I deserve it!
7. Pattern from Babybug and fabric: sew a dress for N
8. Cake tin: personalize for my dad, I've been sitting on this forever!
9. Horse and gingham fabric: sew an apron for a horse loving girl
Not pictured: my apron for the Apron Swap, a softie my friend ordered for a shower gift, a stool for a little girl who is potty training.

Huh. I thought writing it all out might make me feel better. It sure didn't.

Posted by Alicia at 02:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)

The winner of my apron give-away is: vegasandvenice!!!

Christine, I'll email later in the week. And thank you ALL for reading and commenting!

Unfortunately we've been delayed. We had a wonderful camping adventure last week, but on the way home we got a call on the cell phone from a dear friend of Brian's. His dad died suddenly so we turned around an went back to St. Louis to see him and attend the funeral. Good man, great family, so sad.

The apron and a few other parcels will have to wait. We'll be home and getting back into the groove Thursday.

If you're here in the states, have fun tomorrow, but STAY SAFE. Please.

Posted by Alicia at 01:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

I really wanted to play the back-tack game this time around, but I was silly and lazy and missed the sign up. So Tracy agreed to do the swap with me anyway. We decided we'd follow the same rules and stick with the same time frame. The best thing about missing the sign up is we could break the rules a bit and be tardy. Absolutely no pressure. Ahhhhh.

So, here's Tucker. He's got a t for Tracy, but all along I kept thinking of him as a boy, hence the name Tucker. He's made from Jenny's scotty dog pattern, as I'm no expert softie maker and don't know how to design the softies on my own very well. Thank you, Jenny! I really like his clean lines and simplicity. I broke the rules by adding more than one accent color on his Posie-esque collar and he only has four buttons. Gasp! But I think he's pretty cute and was fun to make. Click here to see him lookin' all cool sunning himself in California.

Of course I had to make something for Tracy's little bugs. So I stitched up some quick little bags with ribbon handles. I know, white isn't the best choice for two young girls, but they're completely washable. I tucked a couple of pocket book appropriate candies in them. Oh, and I sent Tracy some licorice hard candy that I found at the dollar store. I think licorice is a hit-or-miss sort of candy, either you love it or hate it, so hopefully someone out there will like it. (I love it.) I couldn't resist the black and white package; it went so well with Tucker. I've said it before, you've GOT to coordinate.

Posted by Alicia at 01:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)

I'm still out of town, but I'm one of the last on the list to get this meme done for this swap. Here goes:

1. first apron (that you can remember): My work apron for the printshop in college. My mom made it for me and it is totally covered in etching ink, paint, gunk, etc. I still have it all packed up and put away. I no longer print. (sniff, sniff)

2. last (most recent) apron: I made myself a yellow half apron for Tie One On. Actually, it's my only apron.

3. dream/favorite apron: A full apron, super cute yet functional

4. dream sewing machine: I have no idea.

5. what do you put in your pockets? or what strange thing have you ever found in them? tissues, kid things like rubber lizards and matchbox cars, N's hair clips

6. condiment(s) you can't live without: Vinegar. We have a thing for it at our house, you might even call it a problem. Fat free Italian dressing- the all purpose marinade. Yellow mustard. Ranch dressing- to get the kids to eat their veggies.

7. do you wear more showy aprons or dutiful ones? Dutiful.

8. favorite cooking gadget: Nice metal spatula. Nice metal wisk. A very sharp paring knife from my brother-in-law.

9. cooking gagdet that promised the world but didn't deliver: Hmmm... I don't know. I usually take the simple route, so I never really tried many silly gadgets.

10. a recipe that you know by heart and any stories behind it: That cole slaw stuff with cabbage and ramen noodles. It's a picnic favorite around our house. The kids both love it. It has vinegar in it. See? We have a problem! :)

Posted by Alicia at 02:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I am thinking that since Beki had that baby yesterday, and I'm just today sending her gift, that she might be a little bit busy with important stuff like kissing and cuddling and nursing and gazing and probably won't cruise around online and see this sneak peak. Beki, if you're camped out in bed with a nursing baby and a laptop, STOP READING PLEASE!



I made her a little something that I saw in this book from the library. Most of the stuff in there is a little over the top for me, with all the silk and fancy embroidery and beading, but my simplified version of their little flower bowl with a pincushion in the middle turned out very cute.

I know it's a gift and I made it just for my new, sweet internet friend, but I had a really hard time wrapping it up to mail away. I think I might need one.

And then there's a little something for baby Ava, a little fabric covered sketch book for Lily, and a store bought bubble do-hickey for Alex. I feel bad for the daddies. Don't they always get left out?

Click on these pictures to see more shots on Flickr. Also, notice my new labels. They are simple office supply labels for the little things I make and for gift tags. I set it up so that I could tape them 4 at a time to a sheet of paper to run through the printer. Works like a charm!

Laura tagged me for a Ten Simple Pleasures meme so I'll try to get that up later, but I have Sexercise class tonight! Hee hee- it isn't really called that, I just like it. My friend Tobi started Makin' the Moves, a striptease workout class, and it is going to be featured on the news. She emailed to see if I wanted to attend tonight, partly so some of her regulars wouldn't feel pressured to be strippin' on TV and also just because it is so darn fun. I was in her "guinea pig" class. It was great. So if you don't hear from me tonight, it is because I'm off learning to get my sexy groove on!

Posted by Alicia at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Here is the ensemble, including the cookbook. Click on the images to see them bigger. They'll be making their way to TX now to my little niece who's turning two.

Miss M. has kindly agreed to model when she gets them. I thought about asking one of my little models to do it, but he was sleeping on the job.

Posted by Alicia at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Jennifer- aka Aunt Jenny, do not read this if you don't want a sneak preview of M's cookbook.

(I shouldn't have posted the apron and oven mitt yet; she tells me she likes to be surprised when she sees what I come up with for the girls.)

OK, everyone else, still there? Here's a sample of what I'm working on for Madison's cookbook.

I am making some simple little drawings on paper and then I'm going to laminate them and somehow put them together in a little fabric cover to match the apron. Here's what I need help with: I can't think of enough simple, easy-to-draw food items that a tiny kid might understand. So far I have a pb&j sandwich, lemonade, a bowl of cereal, and a smore. Any more suggestions? I have to get this done tonight so that I can mail it tomorrow. Her birthday party is this weekend.

HELP?!

Posted by Alicia at 01:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)