camillecreates

A Pillow

2012-02-15T13:43:00.001-08:00

February 15, 2012

A Pillow

I thought I would take some photos of the layout process I use when I start a project.

First I gather colors and textures I think might work or that I would like to incorporate.

I really like the embroider basket/lady piece and wanted to use it as the focal point of my pillow.
(It didn't work out in the end).

In this photo I'm laying out different textiles for the left side of the pillow.
(I didn't use the pink embroidered dollie piece).

A detailed, idea photo.

A detailed, idea photo.
(The beautiful monogrammed tea towel didn't work out in the end either).

The finished pillow.
You can see a lot of what I planned didn't make it into the final pillow.
It is good to be adaptive when you work on a project.
Sometimes things just don't go together like you wanted.

Pillow detail.

Pillow detail.

Pillow detail.

For the back of the pillow I used a bit of a new chenille bedspread.

I have two more pillow ideas in my brain but before I work them out a need to reorganize my textile stashes.

(Reorganizing is one of my most favorite things in the world)!

Cheers!

A Pillow and A Knit Pattern (By Me)

2012-02-09T14:12:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2012

A Pillow and A Knit Pattern (By Me)

I'm so happy with how the pieces for my pillow came together.
It took forever. I should have used the foundation piecing method like you do to sew a crazy quilt.
Next time.
There are 19 different textiles in this pillow.
It was awesome fun to make.

The back.
The pillow sat on my kitchen table for three days until I found the proper backing fabric. (Thanks Jenn).

Details.

Details.

The pillows look cute on my bed but I'm not fond of throw pillows.

The pillows are looking for a home.

Maybe x-mas gifts.

Maybe I'll try Etsy again. Maybe not. Etsy hurts my brain.

I can' t wait until I finish the other leg warmer to this pair so I can rock them at the gym.

It is my own design. Nobody at my gym wears leg warmers!

Here are the instructions to the best of my writing knitting instruction abilities.

Needles: Clover 9 inch Circular Needle Shorty Size 8
Yarn: 2 skeins (1 skein for each leg warmer); Cascade 220 Heathers; 100% Peruvian Highland Wool; color# 9451

Cast on 45 stitches

Join for knitting in the round

*K15, P5* repeat 9 times

K 5

Cast off.

These instruction will give you a leg warmer about 30" long and 10" round.

Of course you could make them much smaller.

I like my leg warmer to be nearly thigh high

Cheers!

Scrappy Vintage Pillows

2012-02-03T10:13:00.000-08:00

February 4, 2012

Scrappy Vintage Pillows

I've been crazy inspired using my collection of vintage textiles.
It started with a generous gift of old quilt pieces, lace and linen bits given to my by my great friend Jenn.

The quilted hearts were already cut and the idea for a pillow sham came together quickly.
I haven't hand quilted in years and it was great to pick up a needle and thimble again.

The chenille backing was a recent find at my favorite antique store Mormon Trader Antiques.http://utah.citysearch.com/profile/649964940/midvale_ut/mormon_trader_antiques.html
The baby blanket size piece was a deal at $10.

This smaller pillow sham has a down pillow form from Ikea.
They are my favorite.

The back of the pillow is new ticking fabric with fun polka dot ribbon.

The next pillow sham bits are pulled together and I'm waiting for an idea.

The focal point will be the kitty needlepoint.

I love it when people tell me 'I could make that'.

I'm sure they can.

Try to find years worth of textile collecting at reasonable prices and make it.

When the pillow is complete I'll share a photo.

Geocache Photos From Our X-mas Holiday and What I've Been Making

2012-01-21T15:23:00.001-08:00

January 22, 2012

Geocache Photos From Our X-mas Holiday and What I've Been Making

I made Chris stop the car so I could take a photo of this cloud.
It looks like a shell.

Geocaching on x-mas holiday.

We found this cache near Eureka UT at an abandoned mine site.

This foundation was from a school.

At the turn of the century Eureka was a huge mining town.
There are still many remnant's of the mines.
Google Eureka UT if you want to learn more.

(Freya has her dog - vet kit in her hand. It was a x-mas gift and she did not part with it for two weeks).

I was inspired to sew two cuffs.

I copied and cut a bunch of templates from the Cute Stuff book because I like the Bad Guy applique.

I want to sew them all.

Bad Guy

I finished sewing the binding onto Freya's quilt.

It's been nearly done since September.

It was nice to cross it off my list.

It has been nice hearing from all of you.

Thanks, it means a lot.

Cheers to a new week.

Craft Sabbath

2012-01-16T18:31:00.001-08:00

January 16, 2012

I posted about Craft Sabbath in early December.
It was my first craft show.
It was fun and I met two amazing artists. (More on another post).
My mates Andrea and Jacob hung out (and knitted), Chris, Oliver and Freya explored in the library.
Later Chris brought us all lunch from Tony Caputos.
I sold enough to pay for my booth rental, library parking fees, lunch and a coffee.
It was a wash monetarily.
But I made friends and met interesting artists, making one of a kind things.
The best part of the craft show was that I traded with a bunch of people and picked up some some cool x-mas gifts.

I like working on trade.

Craft Sabbath @ the Salt Lake City Library, December 11, 2011

My friend Jacob.

It was a good day.

Green Brick

2012-01-14T17:50:00.001-08:00

January 14, 2012

Green Brick

We took a holiday after the holidays.
We spent three days in Eureka UT, starting on the 26th.
We geocached, took long drives, and did nothing, as a family. (I knitted)!

Photo's from the long drives;

Sky.

Scenery.

I'm fascinated with the grade school in Eureka.

The brick is green and lime and tan and pinkish.

I want a home built out of this brick.

The school was built in the early 1920's.

The Art-Deco architecture adds to my fancy.

Long shadows.

The school will be torn down soon.

Nobody in Eureka knows when. I asked around.

The school is full of asbestos.

I took this photo through the window.

The chalk board, built-in -cabinets and the molding need to be salvaged.

There are also some awesome lighting fixtures but I deleted the photos. (Dumb).

I really wanted to explorer inside but that would have been 'trespassing' and Chris wouldn't let me.

He said it would be a bad example to Oliver and Freya.

Probably.

Bad Guys

2012-01-12T15:47:00.000-08:00

January 12, 2012

I'm going to ease back into my blog.
I'm lazy with my blog, (obliviously).
I do miss documenting the things I make and the adventures my family and I take.

I've been sewing a bunch of these draw string satchels for gifts and such.
The applique pattern is called' Bad Guy' and can be found in the book Cute Stuff by Aranzi Aronzo.
They are fun and fast to make.

For Chris...

X-mas gifts.

I added an over the shoulder strap.

The Frog. A x-mas gift.

For me.

Denim and ready when I need to give a gift.

There is nothing better than having a gift ready for any occasion where you need a gift.

WIP, from an old sweater.

Oliver and Freya after Popsicles.

New (and old) tunes.

Treat yourself to M83's album Hurry Up We're Dreaming.

It's brilliant, really.

The Black Key's El Camino is easily one of the best albums of 2011.

The best of Led Zepplin remastered on Mothership is perfect.

I take long breaks from Zep and when I hear them after I long time it is like making love for the first time.

Too over the top analogy?
I think not.

Cheers!

Knit, Knit and Rabbits

2011-11-28T21:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday November 29, 2011

Knit, Knit and Rabbits.

I'm sure all my readers are brilliant and know what to expect from this post by its title.

I knitted myself a cowl.

I also knitted myself some amazingly long legwarmers (30").

I love them with all my heart.

I made four more rabbits on Sunday.

Anyone interested in a rabbit giveaway?

It's been a long time since I held a giveaway.

Cheers.

Four Rabbits and a Dog Joke

2011-11-17T18:41:00.000-08:00

November 17, 2011 Thursday

Four Rabbits and a Dog Joke

I finished four rabbits for my craft show.

A three legged dog walks into a bar of armless, legless rabbits and says "I'm looking for the rabbit that shot my paw".

Cheers!

Excessive Randomness/Craft Sabbath

2011-11-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Excessive Randomness/Craft Sabbath

Foremost, if I put Ricky Gervais' name in all of my blogs and blog daily telling him I'm his number one fan, will he respond?
I read his blog and know he googles himself often.

Freya is becoming an awesome reader!
I'm so, so proud of her.
We made a deal that if she read independently three times a day (20 minutes) I would post some of her photo's.
As promised, Freya's photo's.

We had an pumpkin, food, beer and knit/crochet party on the 30th of October.

My best mate Andrea and I met in July.

We are two peas in a pod.

She rocks hard.

Her awesome, funny husband Jacob is thirteen years younger than her.

That rocks too!

I wish Chris was twenty four.
But when Oliver was born Chris would have been..... never mind.

Andrea is moving back to Germany in June next year which makes me sad.

We try to spend a lot of time together and it is nice.

Europeans make for good friends.

They don't do a bunch of glittery bullshit talk.

I made Freya be a princess for Halloween.

My mom bought her an $80, yes $80 princess dress at Disneyland.

I made her wear it.

I would not buy her a different costume.

I did let her be a vampire princess for Trick or Treats with fangs and blood and black eyes.

More of Freya's photo's.

(I like the Lego man).

I cleaned out my hall closet.

I guess I buy a lot of glue.

It's much cheaper than Modge Podge, especially at the beginning of school when glue is 25 cents.

Freya reading.

Freya reading again.

Craft Sabbath

I applied for and have been accepted to participate in the Craft Sabbath art show.
These are the photo's I sent in with my application as my products to sell.

Craft Sabbath is held the first Sunday of every month at the main Salt Lake City Library.

It will be held twice in December on the 4th and the 11th.

I will be selling on the 11th.

Please come by and buy and say hi.

If you haven't been to the SLC Library it will be a real treat all around.

I'm going to tell the prices of my stuff and please tell me honestly if you would pay for what I'm asking.

Banner's: $12

Scotties: $8

Plus choice of neck bow ribbon.

Paul's: $25

Baguette Rabbits: $35

Brooches with vintage gems and jewels: $15, others $10-7.

Also sweet friends that comment on my blog, Blogspot is informing me when I try to comment on your blogs that I am not a subscriber.

I get an oliver_freya@yahoo.com is not a subscriber something or another message.

Otherwise I read and enjoy all your blogs and appreciate your comments.

If you have info on how to fix this please let me know.

P.S. I want to send a little something, something to those that commented wittily on my MJ post. If I have mailed to you before, I have your address if not please e-mail me your address to oliver_freya@yahoo.com. Every good joke deserves a around of applause or a treat in the mail.

Cheers

2011-11-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

November 4, 2011

More Disneyland!

Michael Jackson's Skeleton

2011-10-05T21:09:00.001-07:00

Wednesday October 5, 2011

Michael Jackson's Skeleton

Today I took my Grandma Billie grocery shopping.
I bought this paper Halloween decoration for $1.

When Chris came home from work I asked him what he thought of it.

Chris: 'I'm thrilled with it'.

'I think it's really bad'.

'Did you buy that with Billie Jean'? (My Grandma Billie's middle name is Jean).

'There's not another skeleton in the world that can beat it'.

(If you can think of more please tell me. I'll find a good prize for everyone).

Cheers!

Disneyland: Last Day

2011-10-02T17:04:00.000-07:00

Monday October 3, 2011

Disneyland: Last Day

Last week we spent the week at Disneyland with my mama, dad, my sister Katie and her husband Danny and their two kids, Kai (2.5) and Teah (4.5).
It was wonderful.

I love all the vignettes.

Freya and Kai held hands the entire holiday.

My little sister Katie.

Danny and Katie.

Me and Katie.

Getting ready to ride Toy Story Mania.

The best ride ever!

The floors were hexagon tiled and the floor molding was marble, the ceilings were tin.

I love the attention to detail in Disneyland!

Katie and my papa in the Toy Story ride.

Freya dancing.

Katie dancing.

Little Mermaid ride. (one of the newest attractions).

Disneyland was decorated for Halloween.

I have some wonderful ideas for decorating this year.

Inside the Pinocchio restaurant.

Main Street USA.

Ideas.

Ideas.

A disgusting, hairy man trying on tee shirts.

(Yes, I had to take a photo).

Chris with King Arthur's merry-go-round in the background.

Katie getting ready to ride Grizzly River Rapids. (She doesn't want to get her hair wet. I did the same thing).

Jack Skelington was everywhere.

Main Street USA.

Pinocchio restaurant.

More Disney photos soon.

Cheers!

Losing Weight

2011-10-02T16:48:00.001-07:00

Sunday October 2, 2011

Losing Weight

I've been wanting to loose weight for a few years .
I set a goal to get in shape and drop some pounds be for we went to Disneyland.
I've never dieted before but I decided to try the Dukan diet.
I strictly did the diet for 14 days at the beginning of August.
Dieting along with biking 50 minutes four days a week resulted in a weight loss of about 15 pounds and three inches off my waist. (in six weeks)
I'm really proud of myself!
My goal is to loose 15 more.
I think I can do it!

May 5

September 28

I'll be posting more photo's of our awesome Disneyland adventure!

Cheers to a new month.

Stuffed Dogs

2011-09-20T20:00:00.000-07:00

September 20, 2011

Stuffed Dogs

I've mentioned I get a bit obsessive with projects.
I'm sewing and stuffing Scottie dogs.
My friend Andrea has convinced me to sell at the Wheeler Farm Farmers Market.
I'll try it out.
I have a few Scottie dogs to sell.

Scotties. (14)

Scotties.

Scotties.

To stuff. (17)

To sew and stuff. (48)

Freya: "This is how dogs say 'hello' ".

Yes Freya.

Cheers.

Tulle Over the Top

2011-09-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

September 17, 2011

Tulle Over the Top

I sewed my self a skirt .
I was planning on taking it to Disneyland when we go next Saturday but after sitting in it I decided it's only a standing dress. I guess I'll need some leggings with it.

Sewing tulle sucks. This time instead of ruffling it I gathered bunches of strips and sewed them on .

I fell in love with this fabric the first time I saw it.

It's by Alexander Henry : The Ghastlies.

It reminds me of Edward Gorey.

I want to make a softie of the little fat boy in stripes.

And the best is the knitting witches!

The fabric also reminds me of my favorite Halloweeny book.

I've been on a healthy eating kick.

To those that complain they can't eat healthy I present to you The Village Bakery sandwich.

(9000 south a bit east of Redwood).

$5.25
You can't eat both halves in one sitting.

Turkey provolone on sourdough.

Chicken salad on multi grain wheat.

Cheers!

Up To

2011-08-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

August 19, 2011

Up To

Again the summer disappeared into another school year. Oliver and Freya start school on Monday and I'm both happy and sad.

Happy that I'll have time to craft and clean my house but I'll miss the games, walks, impromptu trips to the movies, trips to my grandmas and afternoon book time on my bed.
Freya became a much better reader this summer and Oliver made new friends in the neighborhood.

I've been knitting, knitting, knitting.

Knitting isn't conducive to keeping up a craft blog. Nobody wants to see that I knitted three more inches of a sweater today.

I may start quilting again. I need to sew at the machine and Freya won't wear what I make her anymore. It breaks my heart. Maybe its time to learn how to sew clothing for myself.

The sweater is coming along nicely. It helps that I go to knit circle twice a week and
I can get help when I'm stumped. Knitting instructions are so hard for me to understand. They may as well be in Finnish.

(I'll tell you about the bonneted balloon girl in a bit.)

I came across an estates sale last Sunday and found all the amazing stuff below.

Holly Hobbie flat sheet.

Vintage flannels in perfect colors and patterns.

Birds and cute clowns!

Vintage cottons,

The blue floral polka dot fabric was so long I had to cut it into five 80" sections.

And 28 perfect bonnet Sue's with balloons.
It will be Freya's bed cover as soon as I pick up her bed frame from the antique store.

Last week Freya was a dog for three days. It kind of made me want a dog.

On August 7 the Daybreak Trax line began running. I was important to Oliver to ride the inaugural run. So we did.

Yes it is 2011 and Utah is finally getting an efficient mass transit system together.

We love our SUV's.

Harvest Days festivities. The band looked better in their shadows.

Cheers to a new week.

Freya's Dollhouse

2011-07-26T09:00:00.000-07:00

July 28, 2011

Freya's Dollhouse

I'm having a very busy summer doing nothing.
My poor blog is neglected and it nags at me a lot.

Yesterday I sewed up some super easy drapes for the basement windows.
Until yesterday there had been a piece of cloth tacked across the three basement windows. (For thirteen years).
I need to do a tutorial to make these drapes. They are silly easy.

I'm enjoying knitting.
Knitting is a good summer craft.
I nearly have one leg warmer finished for my sister.

And I've started my first sweater project.

I have to keep detailed notes and instruction translations.
I think I need to make a couple copies of these notes because I've lost them thrice already.

This is the dollhouse my dad made for Freya.

Shingled roof!

Popsicles stick floors. Sanded and stained.

All the little furniture came from Target. $12.99 - $25.99

When my dad started on the dollhouses in the fall he couldn't find dollhouse furniture anywhere sans Pottery Barn. Of course thrift minded people with three dollhouses to furnish don't shop at Pottery Barn.
This spring Target came out with a cute dollhouse collection and it's wood not plastic.

I've had a bit of luck at the thrift store lately.

This vase is chipped in three places. Can you spot where I colored the nicks in?

At the thrift store last week there was a guy sniffing the seat of the recliners and sofas. It took every ounce of self control not to ask him if they smelled like ass.

I normal only collect dishware in my color palette, red, pink, white, cream, but I don't think you can have too many Pyrex bowls.

I hope your summer is happy and lazy like mine.

Freya Is 7

2011-07-09T18:35:00.000-07:00

July 10, 2011

Freya Is 7

We woke yesterday without any plans for Freya's big day.
On a whim we decided to picnic at Copperton park, our favorite park.
It was a perfect day for a picnic not too hot, blue blue skies and just a touch of a breeze.

This park used to seem so big .

By today's safety standers this park would be a city planners nightmare.

Maybe that's why the kids love it so.

It has an element of danger.

Kennecott Copper Mine in the back ground.

Oliver leaping the tires.

I was always afraid to do this.

Modern playground equipment and Freya on the monkey bars, her favorite.

A family playing water balloon volleyball

Can anyone identify what game is played on this court?

My middle school used to be where this field is.

The school was built in 1908.
The bus ride was 45 minutes to and from school everyday.
I have fold memories of Bingham Middle School.

The only photo's I could find are here, don't read the text though, it's a huge waste of time.http://deadplaces.sicksadworld.us/bing1.html

The stairs up to the football field.

All that is left of the concrete bleachers.

The wild flowers in the field.

After our picnic Oliver and I went to buy a few presents for Freya's birthday.

I hadn't planned on doing this because she already got a new bike but Oliver wanted to buy her a gift and Chris wanted her to be able to open something on her actual special day.
And I way, way over did it.

The rest of the photo's are of Freya and her gifts.

She asked my to post every one so she can 'remember them forever'

If you are disgusted by excess stop reading now, please.

Garden and Gloves

2011-07-07T17:43:00.000-07:00

July 8, 2011

Garden and Gloves

For last few days I've been cleaning up my yard.
I'd put it off with such cold temperatures and rainy weather.
Having a birthday party for Freya on Sunday helped me get motivated.

I like buckets - a lot.
I prefer old beaten up buckets to those bright orange Home Depot buckets.

A newly cleaned knitting spot.

Bucket and tool storage corner.

I call it Eeyore Corner because it is so gray.

Old fish trap.

Both of these standing iron pot holders were thrift finds.

In knitting news, I knitted something other than leg warmers.

Gloves.

Long gloves.

Short gloves

(I have zombie arms).

Happy weekend!

Barbie and Ken

2011-07-04T13:18:00.000-07:00

July 4, 2011

Barbie and Ken

Barbie: WOW Ken, that's huge!

Ken: Just wait until it goes off!

Happy July 4!

Music, Yarn, Sewing and Damnation

2011-06-29T19:30:00.001-07:00

June 29, 2011

Music, Yarn, Sewing and Damnation

Remember when I wrote that I wanted to blog four times a week?

That's not happening. My summer is shaping up to be very, very lazy.

Lazy is good. I want to relax and play with Oliver and Freya, my grandma Billie and my sister.

I want to spend a lot of time reading with Oliver, sitting in the cool movie theater, knitting with my friends and visiting with my neighbors.

I haven't posted my music rotation lately but these albums spinning frequently.

From left to right and top to bottom,

the White Stripes
The Best of Buffalo Springfield: Retrospective
Loretta Lynn: Van Lear Rose (A+ album produced by Jack White and the predecessor for the band The Raconteurs.)
Rihanna: Good Girl Gone Bad
Beck: Modern Guilt
The Doors: The Doors

My knitting skills definitely don't justify the amount of yarn I buy but I love yarn and I love supporting my friend Penny's yarn/antique store.
I'm planning to knit my sis Katie a long pair of long leg warmers as soon as I finish up a few pair of leg warmers I have started.

(I've already spent my allowance for July.)

Maybe some fingerless gloves with this variegated gray, white, cream, black yarn.

I love variegated yarn.

For me knitting with the same color over and over gets boring.

I'll need to get over that if I ever want to make a beautiful sweater or a nice pair of socks.

A pair of little leg warmers I'm nearly finished with

(Three more other halves to go.)

I find knitting really hard and hand work usually comes naturally to me but I'm determined to keep with it.

I really want to love knitting.

Right now my favorite part of knitting is the women in my knit circle.

We meet Thursday's and Saturday's and I have a wonderful time listening and participating in the conversations.

The interaction with these wise women is why I will not give up on knitting. (I'll knit leg warmers forever just to spend time with them.)

I worked on a commissioned piece today.

A sweet neighbor asked me to sew a smock for a birthday gift.

Yes! Yes!

Damnation

For the second time this year I shopped at Walmart.

Freya asked for a new bike for her birthday.

Walmart carries a selection of bikes unlike a few other places I looked.

My almost 7 baby girl.

Further damnation, I flipped through a tabloid and actually bought it.

Because of this darling sweater.

I'm excited to embellish a few of Freya's cardigans with these rosettes.

Cheers!

Problem

2011-06-26T09:57:00.000-07:00

June 26, 2011

Problem

I can't comment on any ones blog.
Every time I try it kicks me back to sign in.
When I do manage to get to the scrambled word point and press enter it again kicks me back to sign in.
Suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
P.S. Please know friends I think all your posts are awesome and I want to let you know that by commenting.

Roses In Vases ll

2011-06-23T19:28:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2011

Roses In Vases II

As the title of my post suggest these are photos of more roses in vases.
I really, REALLY love my summer roses and have collected beautiful vases to make them extra beautiful.
It brings me great happiness.

I like to use floral foam which you can buy at any craft store.

It's great because it holds a lot of water and it's very easy to arrange flowers.

I start with tall roses in the middle and work out from there.

I fill in the empty spaces after and I always over, over stuff.

These maybe obvious tips but someone taught them to me so I thought they might be useful instructions to some.

Freya's photos.

Happy Thursday!

Roses In Vases

2011-06-22T16:27:00.001-07:00

June 22, 2011

Roses In Vase

As the title of this post suggest this is a post about roses and vases with bouquets photographed. in different lighting.

Oh I know I'm not a photographer but I love the glowy look of my roses.

Surprises and Books and Fireworks

2011-06-20T21:48:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2011

Surprises and Books and Fireworks

Yes, yes a day late at least I'm not a dollar short.
I don't have a dollar to be short one.
Happy giveaway Jenny - Lake!
Please e-mail me your address to oliver_freya@yahoo.com

Oliver's guitar teacher has open a guitar store and yesterday I noticed the field next to his shop was full of wild flowers.
I wanted to gather a bunch but we had immediate plans afterward and they would have wilted away in the car.
Maybe next Monday.

I think this is Indian Paint Brush.
Correct me if I'm wrong.
The others I have know idea.
If anyone can identify them, please do.

My lovely and generous friend Wendy sent me birthday presents yesterday.

I don't know how she gifted this fabric away but I have big plans for it.

The white motifs are raised and soft also there are about three and a half yards of it!

Vintage trims.

Owls in my favorite colors.
I would love to see Wendy's home as she has brilliant taste.

She also thinks of Freya.
Freya's eyes lit up and she gasped when she saw her name on these books.

(Freya's blurry photo's).

A yellow glass of which I have a set of six pink ones of the same pattern.
Wendy also sent a bright yellow sheet which I forgot to photo.

I haven't been this spoiled since Wendy last parcel.

Thank you, thank you Wendy.

For the last three days I've been obsessed with The Hunger Games trilogy.

Oliver and I pounded through the first in three days.

Reading together on my bed and waiting for one another to catch up so we can discuss a really exciting part is fun.

I don't make time for reading very often (I hadn't read a book in two years.)
Mostly because once I'm into a book very little else gets done and I become a bit inaccessible to my families dismay sans Oliver.

Saturday was South Jordan town days.

My parent live in South Jordan which is a ten minute drive from my house and a twenty minute

drive from Salt Lake City.

The firework display was awesome although I think the tax dollars would've been better spent fixing 9000 south.

That road is a travesty of large proportions.

A few photos from Sat. night.

Fireworks are really hard to photograph so I quit trying.

I didn't want to watch the display through a view finder.

Utah's weather will be at its finest this week.

From Mondays 58 degrees to Thursdays 90.

Look for Utah in the news as we flood along with the rest of US.

Cheers!

Roses and A Giveaway

2011-06-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

June 16, 2011

Roses and A Giveaway

My roses are in full bloom and they are beautiful.
My most beautiful and greatest rose is my lovely Freya.
This is a self photo.

Somewhere in some book I had noted which roses were which, names, climber, mini, bush and such.
I looked in the obvious places the last two days, old note books, my rose books but I didn't find them.
The only rose I know absolutely is this Eden climbing rose.
Lots of people stop by me house and ask after it. It always flatters me.
It is a tea rose which mean its bloom resembles a teacup (flat on top, full on the bottom).

As a surprise this year a bird has sewn a wild rose into the Eden.

I don't know how but I love it!

The climbing roses outside my bedroom window.

In a corner of my garden grows a very fragrant climbing rose (I think it's called Queen Elizabeth) surrounded by three mini rose shrubs and encased in ivy.

It's very lovely.

The mini shrubs anxious to bloom.

For years I primped and pampered my roses with trimming and fertilizing and all other kinds of care.

As I did this I would always notice that the junkiest yards has the most awesome, beautiful roses.

I no longer pamper my roses and they look 100x better.

If you ask about my trimming method I will elaborate, otherwise it's more words than I would like to type tonight.

Today was another lucky day at the thrift store. I found an old white platter trimmed with fading roses.

Please enter my giveaway by leaving a comment and your blog address if you have one.

The Winner will be announced on Monday!

(Blog 2)

Birthday 12.6.1974 = 37

2011-06-13T19:20:00.000-07:00

June 13, 2011

Birthday 12.6.1974 = 37

The last two days have been full of wonderful delights.
Today was the first official day of summer with Oliver and Freya out of school.
I have a lot of plans to continue Freya's schooling and she is enrolled in Salt Lake Community College's reading program.
Oliver has his own summer learning plan.

The month of June is gay awareness month and god smiled on the gays today with a double rainbow.

Both Freya and I photographed it.
Freya's photo is above.

My photo.
Last Sunday was SLC gay pride parade.
Freya and I went and had a great time.
My friend Aaron has a great quote that 'children are not born bigots'.
I agree.
Cultural awareness is important to our family.

Freya's self photo.

Freya enjoys Rolling Stone magazine as much as I do.

She also likes Zach Galifianakis.

We went to the library today.

Our library is 3 blocks from our house so that's really cool.

I am embarrassed to say that I haven't made time to read a book in two years.

Two summers ago Oliver and I read all of Neil Gainman and Kate Dicamillo's novels.

Oliver said it is one of his favorite memories of spending time together ever, so I'm making time to read with him this summer.

The books I checked out from top to bottom.

Children of Men: PD James

Nemesis: Philip Roth

The Suicide Collector: David Oppegaard

Pygmy: Chuck Palahniuk

Stitch & Bitch: Debbie Stoller
Simple Knit With A Twist: Erika Knight

Encyclopedia of Crafts: Martha Stewart

Big Book of Knitting: Katherina Buss

We also went thrifting today.

Oliver loves going through the books looking for Newbery Winners and Honors.

He has a goal to read all of the winner by age 15.

He has read a third of them already.

Freya found a large stack of letter stock paper and envelopes, which you can never have too much of, especially for a budding artist.

Total cost; $3.

I found vintage fabric.

The floral is a yard and the geometric pink and black is eight yards.

Total cost; $4.

Yesterday I turned 37.

We celebrated with a family BBQ at my mom and Dad's house.
I received money for my birthday. In the past it ends up getting spent on groceries and other necessities.

This year I made a conscience effort to spend it on me.

A great knitting book.

I want to make this first.

I want to make this first too.

I also bought two tube of Mac lipstick.

When I go out occasionally I'll fancy up with a bit of lipstick and mascara.

It's very rare.

My greatest cosmetic splurge is on Clinique moisturizer SPF 25 and I'm glad I started using it 10 years ago.

My wrinkles or lack thereof thank me.

Top color; MAC Red, I decided to go bold and I love it.

My perennial favorite; Mac 'O'.

It has been two 'best day ever' days!

Thank you for all the encouraging comments on my last post.

It perked me up and motivated me to blog more.

My goal is to blog four times a week.

(Blog #1)

Alive and Sewing

2011-06-08T17:41:00.000-07:00

Wednesday June 8, 2011

Alive and Sewing

Yeah. I'm still around.
I have a goal for the summer to blog four times a week, I can do it.
I really enjoy blogging and I love your support, I'm just lazy.
( Excuses are like assholes, everyone has one and they all stink).

I've been sewing summer dresses for Freya.
All the vintage patterns I've been using are fun, easy and fast.
I'll photo and give info on them if anyone is interested.

My business/calling cards came today.

This is the second batch I've purchased from The Paper Princess.

You can find her here: http://www.thepaperprincess.com

Knitted some leg warmer's.

New leg warmer's on the needles.

I'm looking forward to my knit circle tomorrow from 11am to 3pm.

Please leave me a comment, if you want.

It motivates me to blog knowing someone out there is reading.

Needy, I know. It's where I am right know.

Grateful all the time for support, Camille

Fun, Easy, Fast Tee Shirt Embellishment!

2011-05-22T15:46:00.000-07:00

May 22, 2011

Fun, Easy, Fast Tee Shirt Embellishment

I don't like plain tees and I try to personalize everything.
I bought some inexpensive tees at Target ($4.99) and gave them a Camille improvement.

First make a template proportionate to the tee.
(I love templates!)

Iron interfacing to the fabric you are using.

Purchase interfacing that you can easily tell the back from the front.

Trace the template backward on the interfacing side.

Cut out.

Slide a book in between the front and back of the tee for easy pinning.
(Awesome tip for a lot of projects.)

Over pin (always) and sew things with cut outs from the inside to the out.

Iron as you go.

Using a big zigzag stitch sew the fabric making sure the outside stitch sews outside of the tee to prevent fraying.

Double zigzag!

Freya's muscles score a ten!

Stupidly I cut a hole in the tee when I was trimming my thread ends.

Mistakes add character I think.

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and if you embellish a tee please leave me a link so I can see them!

Cheers to a new week.

I hope the weather where you live is sunny and I hope the weather were I live is sunny so I can play in the dirt!

Catching Up And A Sewing Tip

2011-05-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

May 20, 2011

I though I'd write a catch up post today.
I was going to wait until Monday but in case the world ends tomorrow I would like to write a few things. (This is a very long post but you will be rewarded with a ruching tutorial at the end.)

My sister Katie had a birthday party for Teah (4) two Saturdays ago.
Kate lucked out as that was the only nice weekend we have had in Utah for months.

Teah with her first big girl bike.
It's one of the momentous gifts of childhood and new phases.

I wanted my dad to make Freya a doll house last Christmas but I asked mid- November and there wasn't enough time.
The girls are getting them for their birthday's this year.
All of the girls in the family have summer birthdays which is fun.
Teah and Freya will have their own doll house and my brother Nicholas' four girls will share a house.

My dads own design.
I get my creativity and confidence to create from my dad.

Kai looking through the window.
It reminds me of Alice In Wonderland.

Me and my grandma Billie.

We had a nice day Tuesday knitting and watching The Fighter. (A+ movie)

Freya has finally shown interest in the sewing machine she wanted so badly for Christmas.

I was impressed that she remembered how to thread it from me teaching her last January.

Monday Oliver watched Teah and Kai.

Chris snapped these photos of Kai and Oliver cuddling.

My friend Joan is having a major antique sale mid June.

They have to empty three storage units and will be selling the contents a little above cost.

She wanted to invite some of her artist friends to set up booths but Midvale City won't let her.

Regardless of the rules she wants me to sell some of my wares!

I'm excited to make some money of my own!

New Paul's (my pattern).

Another original creation.

Baguette rabbits.

Not my pattern.

I love making these baguette rabbits because I have a use for all the funky linens I've collected over the years.

I thought I would do a small tutorial on how to ruche.

Ruched pink linen.

I cut my fabric the length of the rabbit plus 10".

For small projects length plus 10" works well, length will vary on larger projects.

Set your sewing machine stitch length to the very longest.

Sew the length of both sides of fabric leaving very long tails.

I use quilt weight thread when I gather or ruffle any fabric. It's just easier.

Long tails.

Pull the tails to gather. Knot the ends when it is the proper length.
Gather the other side to match the top. Knot the ends.

Knotting the ends keeps your gather when you sew the ruching on to your project.

Change your stitch length to sew the ruching.

Pin the ruching into place.

Always over pin. It's just easier.
Using the gathering stitch line, sew the ruching to project

Fin!

If the world ends tomorrow it was nice knowing you my friends.

P.S. I hope it ends with aliens landing, like War Of The Worlds.

Rabbits and Ian Curtis

2011-05-07T06:50:00.000-07:00

May 7, 2011

Rabbits and Ian Curtis

I finished off an amazingly productive day with Ian Curtis.
If I were to ever get a tattoo (which I would never) it would be this photo of Ian Curtis.

Oliver cleaned out his backpack for the first time this year and casually flops these two certificates on the table as I was sewing last night.
4.0's ? No biggy.

As I was sewing yesterday I made a consciences effort to note the tricks I use to make sewing fast and enjoyable.

When I work with linen I use two pieces to match the weights of the other fabrics and so the stuffing won't stuff out.
I sew seam lines (straight stitch and zigzag) before cutting out the pattern piece to prevent it
from fraying when I handle it, because that's a mess and headache.
I also did this to the weird upholstery fabric because that was a fraying nightmare.

To transfer marking points from a template to fabric poke some guide holes.

You can use a thick pin or small nail.

You don't have to use a fancy antique awl like me but it's cool if you do.

Make guide holes. I used a pencil.

Then I connect the dots with disappearing ink.

Sewing softies became a lot easier when I found these long ass 'doll making' needles.

A random picture to note that I stocked up on my chapstick supply.

Two finished rabbits.

Ian 1 and Ian 2.

A Mothers Day gift and a birthday gift.

I don't plan my embellishment they generally pop up themselves near the end of a project.

Just happens.

My best advice for spontaneous embellishing is collect pretty things you love.

Happy weekend.

Let me know if my sewing tips were helpful and I'll note more again.

Royal Wedding and Such

2011-05-05T19:06:00.000-07:00

May 5, 2011

Royal Wedding and Such

As many of you probably witness the Royal Wedding was unbelievable.
Both Katie and I cried.
I love all the pageantry and the Queen looked amazing.
I especially like when William saluted the guard and Kate bowed her head in respect.

The kids looked adorable in their dress up and that is the extent of their interest in the wedding.

The crowns I made looked really good in my head and turn out like something from a Tim Burton film.

Sometimes the best laid plans turn out beyond funky.

The kids had fun decorating them.

My grandma Billie bought play make-up for Teah and that's all they were interested in for the afternoon.

This week I've been working on making templates for some softies I want to sew.

First up is Blossom Bunny.

The pattern can be found in the book Softies Only A Mother Could Love.

http://www.amazon.com/Softies-Only-Mother-Could-Love/dp/0399534849

I'm planning on using the fabrics above.

From top to bottom

Denim

Linen

Cotton

Weird upholstery fabric

Wool felt

I made a few templates from the book.

Have I mentioned I love templates?
Lot's of softies are on my to do list, it's never to early to start my x-mas sewing.

Slacker and Giveaway Winners

2011-04-25T17:54:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2011

Slacker and Giveaway Winners

First of all, I apologize that my blog is spaced all janky.
My computer skill are nil.
Sometimes writing my blog feels like a tasks when I over think it or get behind.
If Blogger didn't have a spell check I wouldn't write a blog.

Second; Giveaway winners

Giveaway #1 = Betty who writes the blog Imaginary Brushstrokes.
Giveaway #2= Nancey who writes the blog Kite and String.
Giveaway #3= Funky Mommy who writes the blog Little Bird by Funky Mommy.

Please email me your addresses to oliver_freya@yahoo.com

Here are some of the projects I've been working on.

I like knitting.
I started and finished these on our mini holiday last week.
Knitting is truly the best take-along project.

My new favorite book.
Oliver + S are my favorite sewing patterns. I learned to sew using them. They are so simple to understand.

As you may or may not know the Royal Wedding is a big deal around here.
My sister Katie is in charge of decorations and food.
I'm making some fun things for the kids.
These tutu's will be fun and perfect for princess dress up.

Gathering two yards of five colors tulle was not fun.

Of course the first thing Freya checked when she put it on is the 'twirl factor'.

I sewed a few pairs of cozie pants for Oliver using this McCall's patter.

Cozie pants are a great beginners project.

I used thrifted sheets.

$4.

Oliver loves them.

My sister loves that she is getting Oliver's old cozies.

Today I'm making crowns. I'll post them soon!

Eureka! Mini Holiday

2011-04-21T14:19:00.000-07:00

April 21, 2011

Eureka! Mini Holiday

We are on our last day of spring holiday and it has been a fun trip.
Fancy holidays are not our families thing.
We enjoy National Parks and Geocaching are way through them.

Our first stop was to Eureka, UT.
It was once a booming mine town ( late 1800's to 1950's ) but is now a virtual ghost town.
Eureka was mined for gold, copper and lead.
The population of Eureka is 766 people and rises to an elevation of 6430'.

There are still mining sites to explore and fun rock hunting but Kennecott (Rio Tinto) is quietly buying up land.

We spent Tuesday and Thursday at a wonderful new bed and breakfast, Tintic Goldminer's Inn and B&B.

Weekday rates are $65-85 dollars which includes a home cooked breakfast and for a bit more you can have a great home cooked meal for dinner. Otherwise there is a burger cafe in town.

Margaret and her husband Norman our the proprietors of the inn and do an amazing job of welcoming into their home.

I won't go on and on (too late!) but instead refer you to their web site.

http://www.tinticgoldminersinn.com/

Well I'm going to end for the night and finish up this post later.

Banner Tutorial and Three Fabric Giveaways

2011-04-17T21:32:00.000-07:00

Monday April 18, 2011
Banner Tutorial

I've been asked a few times to blog a banner tutorial.
I've tried to make this thorough and simple but if you have a question leave a comment.

1. Gather a pile of music you like and get ready to rock some banners out! YEAH

2. What you need: template plastic (can be purchased at quilt or craft stores) fat quarter's of material (also available precut at quilt and fabric stores) a marker (i like Sharpies) fabric and paper scissors rotary cutter self healing mat long clear ruler pinking shears (if you don't have the last four and plan to sew quite a bit you should invest in them)

3. Make a template A 4 by 4.5 triangle is the perfect size to get the most triangles out of a fat quarter. To make them any size determine the width and length. Find and mark the center of the width. From the middle draw a line to the length size.

Connect the two lines and cut out the template with paper scissors.

4. Iron the fat quarter in half longest sides together. (a fat quarter measures 22 x 18 ") Iron fat quarters in half again.

5. Using your template as a guide draw a line at the top and bottom of the fabric.

6. Trace and flip and trace your template until you come to the end of the fabric. (later you will pink these lines off so don't worry about your marking lines.

7. Cut off the tops and bottoms of the fabric.

8. Cut out the triangles. A fat quarter of fabric yields 18 pairs of triangles so make a bunch of banners.

9. Stack the triangles staggered for easier pick up as you sew them together.

10. Using a 1/4 seam allowance (the width of your presser foot) sew down one side of the triangle, pivot at the bottom and sew up the other side. You do not need to back stitch at the beginning and end nor sew the top as they will be sewn between ribbon in a later step.

Your presser foot is 1/4".

11. Cut your threads. Messy threads mean an unfinished project.

12. Pink the edges. If you don't own a pair of pinking shears you should. I use mine all the time.

Have an inexpensive pair for paper and a nice pair for fabric.

Always marker your scissors 'fabric' or 'paper' and make sure your family knows the difference especially your husband!

13. Cut two lengths of ribbon to your desired length of banner plus 24" for tails.

14. Sew the ribbon tails together using a zigzag stitch then start sewing the triangles between the ribbon using a zigzag stitch.

Before coming to the end of a triangle place another triangle between the ribbon. Continue until all the triangles are sewn.

15. Sew a zigzag stitch along the other side.

A larger template.

Giveaway # 1

I didn't want to throw away the scraps from the large triangles I made because you can use a small template and make another banner.

Fabric scraps and small template Giveaway #1

Giveaway #2

42 10 x 10 squares from Moda's 3 Sisters spring line and big template.

Giveaway #3

12 fat quarter and small template.

Please leave a comment to enter and your giveaway preference.

Also if you link my tutorial on your blog let me know and you'll get double entered.

Thanks everyone.

Cheers to a new week!

Lot's Of Stuff And More

2011-04-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

April 13, 2011 Wednesday Lot's Of Stuff And More I've been busy but I've been a lazy blogger. I'm going to try to catch up. Freya has desperately needed new cozy pants. The cozies she had were three inches too short. I've spent the last two days sewing her five new pair of cozy pants and she couldn't be more happy. Cozy pants are about the only thing Freya will wear that I make without me threatening her. That's not great since I bought three new dress patterns. Vintage, thrifted sheets. More vintage sheets because what's more cozy than worn linens? Aunt Gracie's Little Bo Peep fabric. Sweet fabric sent to me last week from my Wendy friend! Last Tuesday was Bring Your Parent To School Day. I was one of a handful of parents who went. Fortunately Oliver's OK with me being weird because I took my knitting with me.

Also last week Oliver and Freya treated us to a concert.

The set list for The Grasshoppers.

It's was an awesome show and well worth the five kisses for admission.

Also I spent all my April allowance within a week.

Next week is Spring Break and we have a fun mini holiday planned!

Any Spring Break plans?

Music Tuesday On Thursday

2011-04-07T17:21:00.000-07:00

April 7, 2011 Thursday I spent all my April allowance on music today. From left to right, top to bottom, Radiohead: The King of Limbs Wanda Jackson: The Party Ain't Over (with Jack White) Sneaker Pimps: Becoming X PJ Harvey: Let England Shake Nick Cave And The Bad Seed: Murder Ballads Deer Hunter: Halcyon Digest PJ Harvey :Is This Desire The Strokes: Angles In rotation before I bought new music, Franz Ferdinand: You Could Have It So Much Better The Killers: Sam's Town Goldfrapp: Felt Mountain New Order: The Best Of Ella Fitzgerald: Jazz 'Round Midnight Again (Best of) Miles Davis: Porgy And Bess What have you been listening to this week?

Mail, Mail, Mail and Foreign Mail

2011-04-07T15:05:00.001-07:00

April 7, 2011 Thursday Mail, Mail, Mail and Foreign Mail Nearly everyday this week I received a parcel in the mail. Friends surprised me with great things and I'm very grateful and happy. Also it was nice because Chris was really jealous. From Julie in Sweden via London, I'm obsessed with all things Royal Wedding and this was the best present ever. Both Chris and I are Anglophiles. I remember Princess Di's wedding and how magical it was. I was seven and princess are a big deal when you are seven. Freya and I have big plans for the 29th including dress-ups, tea, biscuits, handmade crowns, slippers, and cuddling all day. Painted Lima beans. I want to collect them all.

They are so shiny and I want to lick them.

Chris said I shouldn't put them in my mouth because it sets a bad example for Oliver and Freya.

Julie writes a lovely blog at http://myblogswedishouse.blogspot.com/

.................................................................................................

From Anne in Scotland, My friend Anne in Scotland remembered I had commented on a post about this awesome knit garland she made. She sent it along with a fun summer pattern for Freya and trivets (which I need to ask her if she made.) You should visit her blog at http://nanagogoblogs.blogspot.com/ After I read a few Iris Murdock novels I wanted to sell everything and move to Scotland. Chris said I would have to go alone, so I stayed. .............................................................................................. Wendy from Iowa Oh sweet Wendy is always generous and has great taste in everything. (She has an Olivia, I have an Oliver. Simpatico) I keep asking her to write a blog and she keeps not writing a blog.

I love stamps on parcels.

The postman hates seeing me with a pile of envelopes because I don't want them metered.

It's not as if he has to lick them all, they are self adhesive.

He does have to do a bit of math and the customers behind me grumble.

Stamps are so cool.

Thank You friends.

It would be my wish to meet you all in person one day.

Music Tuesday

2011-03-29T16:10:00.001-07:00

March 29, 2011 Music Tuesday In heavy rotation this week, Top to bottom and left to right: Broken Bells Arcade Fire: Funeral Tom Waits: Blue Valentine The Dead Weathers: Sea of Cowards (Jack White's other other band). Amy Winehouse: Back to Black (I really wish Amy would get her shit together and make another album). The Beatles: Rubber Soul

And finally, I've had some knitting success.

I would really love it if you would share more of your favorite albums.

Nature Love

2011-03-24T19:03:00.001-07:00

March 24, 2011

Nature Love

I spotted a heart in the roots of the next door neighbors tree today.
I've been walking past this tree for 13 years.

I wonder what else I haven't been seeing that's right in front of me.

Music and an Awesome Trip to the Antique Store

2011-03-22T18:19:00.000-07:00

March 22, 2011

Music and an Awesome Trip to the Antique Store

Reading and researching your favorite albums has inspired me to keep up on my,
Tuesday: Music Post Day.
Two music posts counts for dedication, right?

In heavy rotation this week:

Left to right, top to bottom:

The Kills: Run Home Slow (Remixes')

White Lies: Ritual.
- This is my favorite album of the year (so far).
The White Lies are three English lads that make melancholy rock.
Think Joy Division, The Smiths, A-Ha, Portishead, The Cure.

Thom Yorke : The Erasure
(Radioheads frontman).

Eurythmics: Greatest Hits.

The Beatles: Abbey Road

Pulp: His and Hers.
Pulp came with the 1990's brit pop movement along with Oasis, Blur, Massive Attack, Katie Moss, Tony Blair, Princess Di's death and Portishead.
I love Jarvis Cocker. http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cache.clean-cut.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/83_JarvisCocker_L281005.jpg&imgrefurl=http://clean-cut.org/tag/different-class/&usg=__u5zoKBf_OnL81KYqOR7UoKrgOSA=&h=184&w=300&sz=94&hl=en&start=0&sig2=sSxdTDXC2viqcuCBl5zNxg&zoom=1&tbnid=6SKVeiL0R1UY-M:&tbnh=103&tbnw=168&ei=JmuJTYL2G4v6sAODwcmYDA&prev=/search%3Fq%3Djarvis%2Bcocker%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DX%26rls%3Dcom.microsoft:en-us%26rlz%3D1I7ADSA_en%26biw%3D1419%26bih%3D735%26tbm%3Disch%26prmd%3Divnsuolfd&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=933&vpy=147&dur=118&hovh=147&hovw=240&tx=143&ty=88&oei=JmuJTYL2G4v6sAODwcmYDA&page=1&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:6,s:0

I went to Sandy Antique Mall today and found a few great things!

I've been looking for a side table for Freya's new bedroom. (Coming soon).

I love the woodwork on this piece.

Attention to detail makes all the difference.

It was also the right colors and $45.

I picked up the knit, baby pink sweater and Charles/Di plate for an additional $3.50.

My favorite score of the day is this mini white bench.

I rarely pass up small benches because you can use them in so many different ways.

(This one was $10).

I haven't been antiquing for several months and I had a super lucky day!

Please share more of your favorite albums.

It was good fun for all!

A Baby Shower

2011-03-19T18:21:00.000-07:00

March 21, 2011

A Baby Shower

Saturday afternoon I co-hosted a shower.
(Thanks Aunt Elaine and Chelsea).

My cousin Sarah is having her first baby.

I went to Harmons for flowers Saturday morning and came home with these anemone's.
($2.50 ea.)

I quickly pushed them into pots.
There is no sun in Utah so they may be dead in a few days.

Cucumber sandwiches

Peanut butter sandwiches

English biscuits from Pirate O's (in Draper)

Spinach salad with almonds, crasins and like raspberry vinaigrette.

Sun Chips

Tea from The English Pantry (in Sandy), with lemon, sugar and honey.

Elaine and Chelsea put together a yummy luncheon.

I had fun playing with my dishes.

A great time was had by all.

My mama.

The little girls ate a lot of biscuits.

Freya: "Mom they're cookies not biscuits."

Lots of family came together for the first time in awhile.

Love was in my home!

Cookies, chips PB&J and a tea party.

Chelsea and Elaine.

My aunt Elaine has been a nurse for 20+year and I really admire her.

Belly to belly.

My sweet cousin Sarah (pink stripes) and my sister-in-law Marti.

We all fell in love with this knit hat. (My sister Katie has great taste)!

I would love to learn how to make them.

It was a Best Day Ever day.

P.S. Saturday night we had the best family Scrabble game ever.

(Oh,

and I won for the first time ever).

Cheers to a new week

Happy Hair Cut

2011-03-19T09:09:00.000-07:00

March 19, 2011

Happy Hair Cut

My sister Katie came over yesterday afternoon to give us all haircuts.
Kate convinced me to go dark in December and I have really not liked it.

I love my new cut and color.

I told Katie how I wanted it cut and she went from there.

She did a bang up job!

Katie is going to put some pink coloring in Freya's hair next week.

Of course Freya is over the moon.

Chris' Morrissey tee finally made it to the rag bin.

I saved some of him.

I may make a pillow so I can sleep with Morrissey every night.

My sweet husband on St. Paddy's Day!

Thanks to everyone who shared there favorite albums.

I love it and have a lot of new music to listen to.

Please e-mail me your addresses to oliver_freya@yahoo.com

Music

2011-03-15T17:23:00.001-07:00

March 15, 2011

Music

Music is your only friend. - The Doors
My love of music comes from my dad.

He has requested many times for The Door's: When the Music Over, to be played at his funeral minus the line 'Cancel my subscription to the resurrection'.

I can't say how much I have enjoyed looking up and listening to your favorite albums and songs.

Music is a best friend of mine.

(Obviously I'm having spacing issues and I'm a lazy blogger and don't care to fix it).

I am going to commit Tuesdays to listing five albums I really like.

Above: from left to right and top to bottom.

U2: No Line On the Horizon

Cat Power: Jukebox

The Raconteurs: Consoler of the Lonley

Annie Lennox: Songs of Mass Destruction

Neko Case: The Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

Loud music plus chores and sewing while Oliver and Freya are at school = a good day.

I can accept five more comments.,

If you've commented please e-mail me your address and a color preferrance.

oliver_freya@yahoo.com

Cheers everyone!

Somethings Seem Springy

2011-03-14T11:59:00.000-07:00

March 14, 2011

Somethings Seem Springy

Spring banners are springy.
If you would like one leave a comment on this post listing five albums you really like.
I know at least twenty people read my blog so I expect to give away twenty banners.

I need to get over the fact that my voice is baby girlish and post a video of banner making.

It is ridiculously easy and fast.

That's why I can sew up thirty in a weekend.

Bubbles are springy and we go through gallons throughout the warmer months.

Oliver's Birthday is springy.

He turned 13 on March 12.

His mates from school came over for sandwiches and then we went to the Nicklecade.

I laughed all afternoon at the things young teenagers say and think about.

Like "If he teases you again "word up" all in his face"

I asked them if bullying is as predominate as the media makes it out to be and they all said no.
Also they said everybody gets made fun of, it's how you choose to react to it that matters.

"Ya have to through back the heat dude!"

Yesterday we celebrated Oliver's birthday with family at my parents house.

The girls love to pile on Oliver and he loves it too.

Laney, she has an iron will.

Katie and my mama.

My mama knitting.

Cheeky Danny.

Chris made yummy taco soup for everyone and baked a cake.

I'm happy he enjoys cooking.

I don't enjoy it at all.

I don't like touching food I was a waitress for a day.

You have to touch a lot of eaten food to be a waitress.

Chris doesn't like to dig in the dirt and I love dirt.

It's a good trade off.

Actually I love all physical labor.

Chris hates being sweaty and getting his hands dirty.

My mama tells the story of Little Red Ridding Hood.

My family is great and I love them in two hour doses once a week.

Gingerbread Antique/ Yarn Store

2011-03-03T13:20:00.000-08:00

March 3, 2011

Gingerbread Antique/ Yarn Store

I've been cutting and sewing triangles.
Lots of triangles.
Pinking the triangles is next.

I'd like to introduce you to Gingerbread Antiques.
I've know Penny (proprietor) for many years.
A few years back she started selling yarn and offering knit classes.
Penny absolutely has the best selection of yarn and supplies in Salt Lake City.
Her antique collection is awesome too.

I bought both of these trivets for $8 today.

My teacher Nadine is in the background.
Thursdays and Saturdays ( 11-3 ) are knitting bee days.
Everyone is welcome to bring a project and visit.

I love visiting and knitting surrounded by my favorite things.

The company is good too.

Gingerbread Antiques/ Yarn 700 east 8700 south, Sandy UT.

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

2011-03-01T17:55:00.000-08:00

March 1, 2011

Dr. Seuss' Birthday

Tomorrow is Dr. Seuss' Birthday.
Freya's school is celebrating by dressing up as their favorite Seuss characters and eating green eggs and ham for lunch.
I decided to whip up a Seuss smock for Freya to wear.

Lucky for me Quilts Ect. carries a Dr. Seuss line of fabric.

I surprised her with it when she got home from school today!

Thing One and Thing Two.

Hancock's just started caring Burda patterns.
http://www.burdafashion.com/FilterAction.do;jsessionid=49D04A3DE7FEFDD56E906985FB032994?filter=kids&category=kGroesse&item=152&select=true&path=1000003-1129000&cp=1
So many of the patterns are original and fresh.

Also I'm planning to make spring banners!

Cheers to a new month!

Catch Up

2011-02-28T18:47:00.000-08:00

February 28, 2011

Catch Up

I don't like it when I get behind on my blog.
In my defense I did post last week, I just mistakenly posted it here http://vintageswaps.blogspot.com/2011/02/last-few-days.html#comments

The last week was both very busy and very lazy.

But very first, I am so proud of Oliver.
He is Student of the Month for February.
On February 23 we celebrated Oliver and his fellow Students of the Month at a breakfast in his school library.
The breakfast was at at 7:15 am and we all woke at 6:30 to get ready.
Freya said it felt like we were going on vacation because that's the only time we get up early.

Behind Oliver is the school principle Mrs. Logan.

I've been knitting more triangles.

I still need to learn a few basics such as purling.... a big one I know.
I'd like to share the tutorials my friend made that taught me to knit.

Very easy casting on!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RgRzNi_M2A

I'm also sewing a hand bag.

It started with a doily sewn to a feed bag ...

and is finished like this.

I'm still working out the lining and bag shape.
I want to gather it at the top. (Maybe).

My friend Joan (from my new favorite antique store) recently purchased three antique samplers at an estate sale.

One of them sold for $800 dollars.

The other two are not in great condition.

Joan remember how much I love samplers and sold me the pair for $3.

What should I make?

Besides sewing projects, I've been spring cleaning.

These suitcase once houses packing labels downstairs.

I though they would be put to better used holding vintage linens, ribbons doilies and such.

I promise to be a better blogger this week!

P.S. We found a great BBC sitcom recently.

It's super hilarious and streamable on Netflix.

It's called The IT Crowd.

For a good time check it out

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-it-crowd

I Knitted A Triangle

2011-02-15T18:17:00.000-08:00

February 15, 2011

I Knitted A Triangle

I taught myself to knit a triangle.
Yes, I know it's not that difficult for some.
It took me the best part of the day to knit three.
I also spent the day holding a sick Freya on the sofa, and watching Harry Potter.
I loved holding Freya all day but sorry she doesn't feel well. (Common cold).

I'm making a knit banner.
I've seen one on a blog before but can't find it again.
I'm happy my knitting looks so raw, I tend to over finish things.

Have I mentioned I love buying yarn.
I want to Koolaid dye some!
Thanks for everyone's encouragement.

Cheers!

Knitting

2011-02-13T09:52:00.000-08:00

February 13, 2011

Knitting

Tomorrow I will have been knitting for two week.
I have been to see my teacher four times in that short span of time.
Fortunately she lives next door to the antique/yarn store and doesn't mind me ringer her up and popping in for a half hour or so.

I have cast on and blown out over ten times.
I haven't learned how to fix my errors which is a huge problem and why I visit my teacher so often.

Starts and stops.

Messy.
One thing I've learned about knitting is that mistakes can't be embellished over.
It is very exacting.
Exacting and absolute pattern following is difficult for me.

A friend of my has some great tutorials for learning the basic techniques of knitting.
As soon as I can figure out how to link them I will.
They have been a life saver.

My favorite part of knitting is buying yarn.

My first project is a scarf for Freya.

Friday Chelsea came over and we finished up our banners.

A friend asked where I found the paper doilies and old sheet music.

The doilies can be found at any craft store in the cake decorating aisle.

Old Sheet music can be found at antique stores.

Cheers to a new week.

Paper Valentine Banner

2011-02-09T10:29:00.000-08:00

February 9, 2011

Paper Valentine Banner

Last Friday my cousin Chelsea and I got together to make this paper banner.
It's for a baby shower we are hosting for her baby sister and my baby cousin.

Yesterday Chelsea came over with her two little one's and we finished the baby banner.

The banner was so fast and fun we each made a Valentines Day banner.

Chelsea was throwing out ideas fast.

Brilliant ideas!

It's fun to be with someone so creative and happy.

We used old stamps, music sheets, doilies, scrapbook paper, old book paper and glue.

Lots of glue.

It didn't take long until we each had seven different circles for our banners.

Because we decoupaged them (to make them stiff) they curled up quite a bit.

When the circles were completely dry I put them in a huge book to flatten them overnight.

My big huge book has info on how to split an atom if you are interested.

Chelsea and I plan to finish the banners on Friday.

It was a really, really good day.

P.S. The knitting is coming along.

I have photo to share soon.

OOPPS.

2011-02-05T17:41:00.000-08:00

February 5, 2011

OOPS.

I apologize for forgetting to announce the giveaway winners Friday.

I don't know what happen to Friday and Saturday

They disappeared.

(Yesterday I knitted with my mama and watched The Hangover).

Happy winning to my awesome Canadian friend ana of imadeitso. http://imadeitso.com/
Ana won the School Day Jacket & Coat size 4T - 8T.
Ana writes a really smart/witty blog filled with sew projects, brain thoughts, and photos, She also host Friday Archive on her blog, which gathers several different viewpoints from bloggers around the world.
It's fun and easy.

Also to,
Brooke
Peacemama
prinessleai109
fea
And ana

Happy vintage pattern winners
Please choose three patterns each plus an alternative

.

Ana, Fea, Peacemama, Princeeleia109, and Brooke , pick three plus and alt then e-mail them to me.

First come- first pick!

I love giveaways!

oliver_freya@yahoo.com

Knitting 101

2011-02-02T19:14:00.001-08:00

February 2. 2011

Knitting 101

I had my first knitting class this morning.
First, I love my teacher.
Second, I love yarn.
Third, I really want to learn to knit.
Fourth, it's hard.....
it's hard to learn how to work your hands and fingers in a new way.

Doesn't my basket of yarn look like I'm a knitter?

I picked this variegated black, grey, white yarn for my first project I'm learning. A scarf.

My awesome teacher worked with me for two hours.
From noon until 5:30 I practiced.

I casted on nine times and tried a row or two of knitting.
It was googly knitting every time and very frustrating.
I couldn't get my tension right.
Instead of unraveling every time I cut the googly knit off and started again.

After hours of practice I'm beginning to get the hang of it.

I like knitting.

(Two days left on my giveaway).

Oliver + S Pattern Giveaway

2011-02-01T16:27:00.001-08:00

February 1, 2011

Oliver + S Pattern Giveaway

I have two Oliver + S Patterns to giveaway.
There are two sizes of patterns for the School Days Jacket and Coat.
The first is 6 months to 3T.
The second is 4T to 8T.
If you would like one of these please leave a comment that includes your e-mail and size preference.

I've started a dress for Freya.
The pattern is circa 1968 and it far exceeds my sewing abilities.
I like the challenge.

I can't decide which fabric to use for the collar.
Which do you all think looks best?

I popped in to the thrift store today and found this wonderful pink bonnet girl.

I cost 75 cents as you can see.

In 2006 the picture cost $2.00.

A sign of the economic down turn?

Two giveaway winners will be chosen on Friday.

Happy February!

2011-01-30T18:15:00.000-08:00

January 31, 2011

I like the last day of January.
Spring is getting closer.

Yesterday Oliver and I took a bike ride along the Jordan River Parkway.
It was very cold ( 32 F) ,very cloudy, and smoggy, and quite, and interesting.

I love how quickly the river changes.

In the winter the river is low and bare.
You see different things.

You see the nests.

The bog.

A cold desert bog.

Nests.

A bank on the Jordan River.

Tracks.

Nests.

The river bank.

The Jordan River

Nests.

Groundhogs.

Snow runoff.

On the way home I picked this up from the side of the road.

I don't know what it is but it's metal and rusty and I like it.

Two good days.

Thanks friends

Best Day Ever

2011-01-29T19:02:00.001-08:00

January 29, 2011

Best Day Ever

Today we had a binky party for Freya and Teah.
(Freya is 6 and 1/2 that's way too long to have a binky but that's neither here nor there).
(Teah will be four in May).

The party has been planned for two weeks.
So Freya and Teah were prepared.

I bought balloons to send the binky's into space.

Lots of balloons.

Chris made chicken salad served on costco croissants.
Kate and my mom brought fancy, fancy cupcakes from a new shop in Salt Lake (So Cupcake)

Today I fell in love with fancy, fancy cupcakes.

After cup cakes and chicken salad we sent
the binky's into space .

There was lots of cheering, screaming and merriment.

There has been no anxiety nor mention of binky's tonight.

Binky's are happily in space.

Also I finished a cuff.

Freya wants to share the photo's she took and uploaded (with help).

She's a smart and good girl.

It was a very good day.