Nesting In The 21st Century

Summer Party

Every year at the Pool and Racket club there is a Steak and Lobster Party.  It started out as a very picnic like event.  We would all bring our plastic plates and flatware and plastic cups.  In the past few years it has evolved a bit.  Groups who would like to sit together plan a themed table with non-plastic everything.  Last year there were lots of brightly colored "fiesta" tables which were so pretty.  We did a Dr. Seuss theme just for fun.   This year there was a wonderful table with a lobster theme complete with tiny red lobsters sprinkled down the center of the table and bright Gerber daisies in  a very tall vase.

We decided that we wanted an un-picnic theme.  Deep purple table cloths with tiffany blue accents and nectarine orange for punch.  It was a blast to put together and it was fun to work with colors which I don't have in my house.  The centerpiece was loads of nectarines which are so sweet this time of year.  I would have used peaches instead but they weren't as fresh and colorful.  The roses were from the grocery store.  I couldn't believe that I actually had three different shades of orange to choose from.  I didn't  realize that there was such a variety of colors.  At $9.99 for one dozen (in this case they call a dozen 14 stems) it was a bargain. 

The table cloths were fabric which I didn't even hem.  I used two different fabrics.  A shiny purple underneath and a more iridescent purple on top.  The bottom fabric was $2.99 and yard and the top $3.99 a yard at Hobby Lobby.  I bought 3 yards of each and it easily made a cloth for a table for 8.  A couple of purple candles from the Crate & Barrel outlet and dishes, etc. from  home and we were set.

I made little swags for the back of the chairs with wider ribbon and little monogrammed tags I made on the computer.  I did matching (but smaller) tags for the gift boxes.  I wrapped 4 x 4" boxes with Tiffany blue tissue paper and tied them with a bow.  The ribbon was half purple-half blue wired (Offay from the Michaels crafts store.)

Inside the gift boxes I put a cellophane bag with the topping for a nectarine crumble and the recipe.  All the guests had to do was slice the nectarines, mix the topping mix with cold butter, sprinkle on top and bake.  I sent them home with a little white shopping bag filled with nectarines.  The other boxes had gummy bears in them.  Each couple got one of each box.

I really enjoy doing this type of thing.  It is like doing all the fun stuff for a party without having to do the cooking.  It fits into my philosophy of making everyday activities special.  We had a great time and all felt pretty spoiled I think...I know I did.  Sometimes it pays to stop and smell the (orange) roses...and the nectarines.

A Rainbow Connection

I haven't been one to do many swaps.  I guess I always felt that I "wasn't the swap type of girl."  Well that has changed this month.  I signed up Club Little House and this Coloriffic Swap  (on Flickr.)  I was actually looking for gift wrapping ideas and came upon lots and lots of beautifully wrapped gifts, all in blue and brown.  "What?  Is this a new wrapping trend I haven't heard of?"  I thought.  Turns out it is the Coloriffic Swap.  Each month is a different color theme and all the little gifties should be in those colors.  The fun part is that the wrapping is just as incredible.

My mailbox had cobwebs in it and feeling quite lonely and unappreciated and longing for one of those incredible packages I signed up.  This was before the wonderful Jackie sent me something to brighten my day and my mailbox. 

The August theme....Rainbow!  Now as a teenager rainbow was my theme.  My room was light blue with rainbows.  My comforter had the bottom part of the rainbow and the pillowcases were the arch (remember that set?) I had rainbow sun-catchers in the window.  Doing this theme sure brought back a lot of memories.  I don't have many primary colors in my house today but what the heck, it is just for fun.

My package went out on Wednesday and should be to my swap partner early next week.  It was a fun diversion for the summer.  I think I may be a "swap kind of girl" after all.  Now if I could figure out how to get the links on the sidebar...

Club Little House

I just finished up my Club Little House projects and the twelve little bassinets are on their way to the wonderful Amy.  This has been so fun to participate in. 

I must say I got a bit caught up making these little beds along with reversible comforter (dots on one side, creme chenille on the other), polka dot pillow, mattress and a little bear for each.  They took way longer than I thought they would.  I actually started a completely different thing and then thought it might be more appropriate for a future Club Little House (perhaps in the autumn.)

I am so caught up in baby fever with my newest nephew due in September that I had to go with a baby theme.  I made 14 total so that both my daughter and I could have one as well.

Amy has opened up a Dollhouse Gift Swap  where everyone will be matched up with a partner and do a little swap between the two of you.   Sign ups run through August 14 and everyone will have until August 31 to send their goodies out.  Okay, I admit it, I signed up for the swap as well.  It will tide me over until the next round of Club Little House.

Time To Fess Up

It is time to fess up. These little mosaic fruits have been sitting around waiting to be grouted for a YEAR.  It will take me no more than 15 minutes to do it and yet I have not.  Quite frankly it took longer to photograph and upload the photos than it would have taken to finish the darn things. 

All of this is especially ludicrous seeing as they took me way longer than I expected to mosaic in the first place.  I have lots of time invested and they are useless the way they are.  I had visions of a bowl of mosaic fruit but they took so darn long I reconsidered that idea.  Perhaps I am not finishing them because I am not sure what to do with them now that the bowl o' fruit idea is kaput.  It is a waste to not finish them though.

My husband would call this my irrational side.  I guess I agree.  I just can't seem to finish.  There must be some weird psychological reason why I don't.  Either that or it is just a crafters tick.  Is there such a thing?  A little idiosyncrasy which prevents us to now and again just abandon an almost finished project. 

I have put them on my work table to remind me to get them done.   So there it is, my very embarrassing Work In Progress.  Hopefully next Friday I will post the photo of the completed fruit. 

Let Them Eat Cake

Last night we had big birthday celebration.  A big celebration for a big birthday.  The kids spent all day scrambling through the house each on their own mission.  Each had projects they wanted to complete for Daddy's big day. 

My 11 year old took over the decorations.  He used 4 rolls of streamers to cover the sunroom in orange, blue, yellow and green.  He set the table with rainbow everything and the room ended up looking more festive than I can ever remember.  He finished it off by tying balloons to the mailbox so Daddy would be welcomed home.

My 9 year old was the gift wrapper.  Each gift in a different paper.  Frogs on one, black and white toile on another, apple green on the third and a bright plaid on the last.  It took him a long time because he was so careful that each one was just right.  He then got to work on his own gift which he picked up when we were at the craft store.

My daughter was in charge of getting the banner done.  She had each of the kids color different letters so that it would be from all of them and then took care of cutting it out.  She had a secret project she was working also.

The littlest was our cheerleader and constant reminder of how really fun and exciting this was.  He spent the day going from room to room, overseeing the preparations and enjoying the fun and letting us know how great it was.  "That is fantastic!" was his mantra yesterday.

It was a shame really that the object of all this fun and activity didn't get to participate in the process.  I had such fun seeing the kids scurrying around excited and laughing and creating.  Each had such purpose.  It was wonderful to see them have a vision of what they wanted the party to be for their Dad.  Finding joy in making some else's day special.

One note to myself...I need more tape dispensers...lots more.  Everyone needed tape at the same time and I assure you it wasn't pretty.   It even warranted a quick trip (which with four kids is never really quick) to the store to buy more. 

I love the photo of the cake.  It really represents what the party was.  Big, gooey, perfect in its imperfection.  It doesn't look anything like the photo  from the book but that cake was made by a pastry chef somewhere.  This cake was made by four glowing children for their Dad's birthday.  It was the best cake ever.

You Have Got To Be Kidding

These are the materials I have assembled for a sweater from my nephew-to-be.  He is due to arrive in September and I am making a little package for him a la Wee Wonderfuls .  I was going to make the same sweater but decided that this little cardigan would do just fine.  I decided on a chocolate brown sweater with light blue and brown striped ribbon for the ties.  Then I would make a light Blue hat with  brown trim to match.  A little critter from the cutest pattern again from Wee Wonderfuls will round out the package along with other goodies.

Well, I ordered everything from Purl Soho.  It arrived and I was delighted.  I wrapped the yarn into balls and started casting on.  It wasn't until I had cast on about 10 stitches when I suddenly realized that the yarn wasn't chocolate brown...it was a dark green.  Yikes.  I couldn't return the yarn having just wound it into balls.  So...I just kept going.  I couldn't believe that it was the wrong color...but it was.  A few rows into the project I came up with the solution.  I would make the dark green one and incorporate orange into the design somehow.  I'll try to find some ribbon which has a deep green and orange for the ties.  And I will make a hat with those colors as well.  A rather odd combination but I think if I do it right it will look kind of cool. 

I am not giving up on the chocolate brown and light blue combination.  I have picked everything out for that.  I think I'll give that box before he is born and do everything in the blue and brown smaller and the dark olive/orange combination is for when he is born and I'll make everything a bit bigger. 

I had to laugh at myself though. I knew exactly what I wanted and then didn't look closely enough at the color Yakima Heather.  I do think I'll get the Burnt Orange for the shade of orange...I don't think I can go too wrong with that...or can I?

More Apron Love

  It has arrived.  My brand new and hot out of the sewing machine apron from Carrie over at Sommer Designs.  I love it!  I wore it today and have felt happy all day.  It is funny what a difference something like this can make.  I think it comes down to adding beauty and grace  even to the most common objects.  Everyday objects don't necessarily need to look ordinary. 

I was looking at my desk today and wondered why so many of the objects on it are poorly designed.  I don't mean in the functional sense but in the design sense.  I am on a mission to replace each and every ugly (but useful) item on my desk and find something wonderfully designed (and equally useful) to replace it.   Let the search begin.

Applique Garden

Yesterday I pulled out this hydrangea quilt I made a few years ago.  I really loved the pattern when I saw it.  It is called Stars In The Garden  and is from Piece O' Cake Designs. It is actually part of a much larger quilt each block is 20" x 20" and the whole quilt is 70" x 90".  I fell in love with this block but was really nervous about trying to make it...I didn't know how to applique at all.  Eventually the love of the quilt over road the fear and I set out to learn how to hand and reverse applique so I could make it.  It did help that this pattern has super directions, even for a beginner like me.  I sat in the car pool lane waiting for my preschooler stitching each of the blossoms on.  I thought it might take forever before I started but actually it took just a couple of months.

I like this not only for the design but because it reminds me  that sometimes its best to just jump right in...especially when doing things which are creative.  It is funny how often fear of tackling something new stops us.  It is just fabric (or mosaic tile or paper or whatever) for goodness sake.  I guess I could have started with something small and safe, sort of a "starter project" but somehow working on a design that I really loved made doing it easier.  Once I sewed that background together and started stitching all the fear went away and didn't come back.  It isn't perfect...not even close.  But I love it because it represents having fear and going ahead anyway.  I have a couple of projects on the back burner that I would like to try but am hesitating because it is new territory.  I thought that hanging this would encourage me to move forward.

Too Pretty For Pins

I was out of town for a couple of days and when I got back my mailbox was bursting!  It has been mighty quiet out at the old mailbox lately just lots and lots of junk mail.   No I don't want to "meet my mate" I've done that already and I don't need any chemicals to keep my pool scum free...I don't have a pool.

Jackie  sent me the cutest little nest Pin Cushion .  I really am going to have a hard time putting pins in those little eggs.  I think I might just need to find some special pins to put in it.  I love millinery flowers and there was the most adorable little bunch in my favorite spring colors.  I am thinking that I will use those to fill the window boxes when the dollhouse is complete.  Jackie also included little tags with all things birdie...nests, birds and eggs.  So thoughtful Jackie, thanks.

There was another little something in the mail I'll talk about later but for now I have a stack of junk mail to go through, a Star Wars dinner to plan and loads of laundry to tackle.

Fiesta

  Ole!  I tried the Tequila-Lime Strip Steak from Fresh Every Day cookbook.  It was a great excuse to do a little fiesta dinner in the sunroom.  I made the Black Bean Salsa and Guacamole from the same cookbook.  It was all very good although the Black Bean Salsa was as much tomatoes as it was black beans.  I think I would add more beans if I made it again.  My husband is convinced that I cannot leave a recipe alone and that I am almost compelled to do something to it.  I guess that is true...it is one of those things about me that he just doesn't get. I can't complain, he is patient with me although I do know that in his head he must be yelling "Just leave the flank steak alone!"   

The kids just love dining with a theme.  They get so into it.  They even like to dress up. I don't do themed meals often, once every week or two but they are such a hit with the kids.  I love that they look forward to them and that my almost teenager is excited to come and spend time at the table.  The next theme is Spain.  I am doing a whole array of tapas.  It will be fun to do kids food is tapas form...macaroni & cheese in little cups, that sort of thing.

The kids have decided that they want to do a series of dinners based on movies they like.  I am not sure how to build a menu around Star Wars or Napoleon Dynamite but I will have to start getting creative.  If anyone has any ideas please send them my way.