Curious Bird

keeping it simple

Hello there,

A little while ago I had the pleasure of testing out one of the new patterns about to become available at Betsy Ross (it's available now). Aimee, the pattern guru over there happens to be one of my Philly peeps and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to help her out...getting a new top sweetened the deal a little too. Anyway, sewing this simple raglan sleeve top was so easy,  like really easy, and it's cute -- sometimes something being easy doesn't necessarily mean it's cute, not the case here.

More of these tops are cut out and ready to be sewn up...all I need is some fusible interfacing. When will I learn to stock up on stuff like that? Hopefully soon.

Happy Cinco De Mayo,
Leya

carry all.

I created this reversible tote a while back. You might recognize the fabric from two previous projects (here and here). There is something about warm weather that makes me reach for that green print -- it is definitely a favorite from my stash. Luckily there's a lot of it, so I can continue using it until I change my mind.

I'm hoping to add a few new totes to the shop very soon. I've been a lazy shopkeeper, but that is about to change.  Speaking of the shop, I've decided to put several handmade items and all remaining vintage on sale in honor of the glorious weather happening in Philly this week and a little something called Spring cleaning. Give it a look.

More soon,
l.

just a few degrees warmer

and I can wear my new dress (sewn from one of the built by wendy patterns I mentioned finding on sale a while back) and my new birthday sandals. I can hardly wait.

Happy Spring,
L.

 

there's a first time for everything

After a few days of hunched shoulders (binding can be a little tedious), I finally completed my first quilt. It's really special for several reasons, primarily because it's created from fabric left over from our big day back in September.

As with any first time project, there was a learning curve and some uncertainty at times. This book and this tutorial were both very helpful when it came time to do the binding. There is definitely a bit of wonkiness here and there, but I actually really love those parts.  The best part though is completing a project I've been thinking about since last Fall -- that and knowing we now have a comfy quilt that will always remind us of our wedding day.

More soon,
leya

tea time

Hello and Happy Friday to you,

Today has been full and it's only the early afternoon.
I'm a big fan of days like today -- lots to do and lots being accomplished. A nice way to end the week if you ask me. Oh, before I forget, all Built By Wendy patterns (actually all Simplicity patterns) here are 99 cents. Yep, 99 pennies. *do call before you head out the door because I can't promise every store is running the same sale, I mean, heck, I go to one in Jersey, it could be doing its own thing, who knows?*

On a different subject entirely, I can't resist posting a photo of our new tea set that arrived yesterday -- a lovely handmade wedding gift from our talented friend, Ariel. We love it. The little tea cups are so perfect, I'm positive they will be put to almost daily use.

Hope you have a great weekend.
I'm going to sew and drink tea and make a big salad with pesto toast on the side.
At least those are a few things I hope to do.

Be Well,
Leya

Not much time for words today, but I can show a new(ish) shadowbox and some gratuitous cat photos.

A Good Hiding Place
Mixed Media Shadowbox
6x9
*hand drawn and printed birch tree fabric background.

Snowcat likes to give kisses. It melts my heart.

More soon,
L.

p.s. Thanks so much for all the juicer advice. You guys are a big help. The quest continues...

It was a colorful weekend. We dyed eggs, something I haven't done in at least a few years. A big mess was made. Good times.

The quince is blooming.

Oh, and a small pack of raccoons were created. Yep, that's right. Raccoons. They're cute and soft and full of personality.
Available now in the shop.

Have a good monday.
l.

***update*** A group of Raccoons is called a nursery, not a pack. I learn something new every day.

a day late, but I've got greens

I've been meaning to post some greens after reading about Emily's green week. Better late than never.

First, some nori cut up just in time to be added to my favorite udon noodle soup. I'm going to share the recipe as soon as I can (today has been a bit hectic).

And...my Wing-Stretcher shadowbox happens to be full of the color green. It's a piece I created about a year ago, right before my Imago series. Having just returned from a little adventure, it, along with a few more mixed media pieces are now available in my shop.

Happy Tuesday,

Leya

Update
**Here's the udon soup recipe I promised. It's definitely one of my favorites.

Place 1/4 c. soy sauce, 1 tablespoon each of brown sugar, chopped ginger and chopped garlic, plus 1 c. of water, in a pot over high heat.
Divide 20 shiitake mushrooms into stems and caps. When the mixture boils, add caps and reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove caps and reserve.
Add stems, plus 5 c. water to your pot, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes. Discard stems.

Cook the udon in a pot of salted water for about 3 to 6 minutes. When al dente, drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking.
Divide the noodles into four bowls.

Drain a 1-pound container of silken tofu, scoop out with a tablespoon, dividing among bowls, to form off-center piles. Add the mushroom caps on top of the tofu.  **this recipe says to heat tofu in a microwave before opening and scooping out. I don't have a microwave, so I just use a bowl filled with hot water, which works just fine.

Cut a half sheet of nori (seaweed) into matchstick-sized strips with scissors. Sprinkle over tofu. Slice two green onions, divide among bowls.

Ladle in the broth. Maker sure the broth is still extremely hot and slowly ladle it down the side of each bowl. Serve Immediately. Enjoy.

the year of the leap

Hello there.  Happy Leap Year to you, and happy end of February {arm shoots toward the sky in jubilation). March is almost here and with it comes Spring break (if that applies to you), daylight savings time, St. Patrick's Day, and even Easter this year. Everything is happening a wee bit early, but I'm not complaining, I'm ready for a change of pace.

In case you're curious, the photo above is of a beautiful entrance to a church in Center City Philadelphia. If you live here, you probably know exactly where this is. The doors are hard to miss and even harder to refrain from photographing each and every time I pass by. I love the details...and the red is pretty much my idea of the perfect red.

I wanted to thank each of you for all the sweetness about my newest hat. I checked and  I have enough of this vintage green and yellow fabric for about five or six hats. Also, thanks to the peeps that placed a custom order -- I'm going to begin working on your hat this weekend. 

And lastly, congratulations to a couple of people we love who happen to live very far away in Olympia...you're going to be such amazing parents.

More soon,
Leya

a fan of the layers...and frida

Hey there. Hope your week is going well. Our yoga challenge is moving along swimmingly, and I got to see the new Frida Kahlo exhibit at the PMA last night, so I'm feeling pretty snazzy. I'm a big fan. If you're in the area, I highly recommend seeing the show --it's so beautiful and I learned a great deal more about her very interesting life. What a lady.

A couple of days ago, I mentioned that I may be coming out of a long sewing slump. I wanted to give you further proof: a new reversible apron/top (I'm wearing it as a top for now) from Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter. I have been meaning to make this for ages and finally got around to it last weekend. For some reason I had trouble with the pattern at first, but once I figured out what I was confused about, it was smooth sailing, and very easy overall. I wore it as soon as I could (monday) and predict another one being made in the very near future.

Tomorrow looks a little busy, so I'll probably chime in again on Friday.

Cheers,
Leya