Botched Bag Rescued

Back when the screen printing factory was open (it will reopen soon), I made all those anatomical heart tote bags. But since I'm such a novice, each one turned out a little differently. I made one of them far too light, but I didn't have the heart (pun totally intended) to toss it - and I'm too much a perfectionist to give it away.

And so ... I've embellished it a bit and turned it into something I might actually carry around (or give as a gift).

I was going to make a "pink" and a "blue" side, like a real heart, but I messed up and appliqued the pink fabric on the blue side of the heart. And so both sides just ended up with the same fabric. It's more art than anatomy anyhow.

I love it, I love it, I love it!

Wasabi & Ginger

Remember this quilt top? Well, I actually finished it! (I know, I'm even surprised)


It's somewhere between crib and lap sized and I've backed it with a green with white polka-dotted flannel. Super yummy.



This is the first time I've used the loop-the-loop quilting pattern. I LOVE the way it looks - so crinkly and whimsical. Once I get my new quilting extension table, this will be so much easier!

The patchwork square is 100% composed of scraps that already existed in my scrap bin. It was an exercise in whimsy and spontaneity. Did I succeed? I think so. In fact, everything except the backing was already in my fabric stash. I feel good about it.

Limoncello Update

The limoncello was done after 4 days and resulted in a smooth, refreshing bevvy.

The verdict is still out on the orange/almond liqueur. Too sweet, I think? Maybe a week or two in the fridge will do it right.

All in all, a good little housewarming or holiday gift. Now, if someone has a new home, I have about half a jar left... :)

Reversible Napkins

Sometimes (ok, a lot of times) I get a bee in my bonnet, and this week's "bee" was to make some reversible napkins. Hopped on the bus to Peapod and made me a set.




Instantly, I was drawn to the mustard-on-yellow fabric and had to work with it. Both are Anna Maria Horner fabrics and I need more!

Super easy project for a beginner or a last-minute gift. These measure 17x17.

"Folksy Crack"

I've had a problem the last couple weeks... It looks a little something like this:


My friend called it "folksy crack," and that's exactly what it is. I made 3 batches last week, and probably ate 1.5 batches myself. The other 1.5, I had to give away, for the sake of my weight-loss efforts.

Got the recipe here, and so should you...if you can afford to have a vice.

Makin' Liquor

I have a little factory going right now. I was inspired by the abundance of lemons to make this limoncello recipe. In about 4 days, I'll let you know how it tastes.


I also made a 1/2 batch of this almond/orange liqueur (I only had 1 orange - it's the one on the left).

Oh, how I love jars and putting things in them. I will be complete when I have a pantry full of jars filled with whatnot.

Ohmygoodness, I just found this photo from this blog that I follow. Now, that's what I'm talkin' about!! Dreamy.

Artichoke Tote

There was a LOT of screen printing happening in San Luis this holiday. I made a special run of artichokes for gifts. They turned out awesome (awesomely?)! (this is the last of the holiday screen printing, I promise)


I mean, who wouldn't want an artichoke tea towel or tote bag? Come on!

Of course, the test run would be the best image...Maybe I'll frame it anyhow. :)

*high kick*
That's a good one....

I NEED These

Sometimes "need" and "want" are used interchangeably, but not today, and not in regards to these sweaters.



In fact, I think one of them should be worn over my wedding dress...

(photos & sweaters from Anthropologie....I might have accidentally purchased a yellow purse from there today, too. woops!)

Microscope Tie

Dad loved the octopus tie so much, he wanted in on the action. Since he's a microbiologist, he got a microscope tie & hankies (he's a hankie man).


This is such a great way to spruce up an old tie!


My brother got a couple hankies out of the deal too. What a couple of trendy scientists, no?

French Press Cozy

D loved this fabric, so I made him a cozy for his French press, so it stays nice and roasty toasty.


I made sure the little piggy was featured. High-kicks for this one too! I think he really loves it.

A little velcro closure.

photo credits: DMF

Octopus Tie

This was probably my favorite gift to GIVE this year. This one got 5 (out of 5) high-kicks.

D and I went to the Bazaar Bizarre this year, and apparently octopi are "in" (squid too). D revealed his secret love of octopi and squid, and so there was no question about it, he was getting a tie. So, I took one of his "blemished" ties and gave it new life by screen printing this little critter on it. And I literally did high-kicks, because I was so excited about it.

D is not the high-kicking type, but I know he was high-kicking all over this apartment on the inside. I think the children at the hospital will like it too.

photo credits: DMF

I Love It, I Love It, I Love It

This was probably the greatest gift of the season (and of all time). A big box of pomegranates, persimmons, and jars!!! Oh, and the best part was a written open invitation to pick fruits and vegetables from the Palmers' garden. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?!

This one gets 10 high kicks. Thank you, Palmers!

photo credits: DMF, while I was shelling pomegranates and creatively directing from the kitchen.

Doctor Baskets

Every year, I organize holiday baskets for our doctors and social support staff at the hospital. This year my contribution was screen printed tote bags.

This was the state of our kitchen the other day (D, please look away) - bags everywhere!


The doctors got anatomical heart totes. Non-medical staff got bicycles.

Here they are bundled, and ready to go. I hope they liked them!

Water Go, Spaghetti Stay

When my parents were first married, my dad was still learning English. He loved to cook even back then, but when making spaghetti, he needed a colander but didn't know the word.

"Do you have a, you know, water-go-spaghetti-stay?"

To this day, we still call it that. I commemorated with these tea towels:

They were a hit! ...I shouldda made one for myself!

Is It Too Much?

Well, here it is. I'm basically all done shopping and wrapping. Of course, I will probably come up with a brilliant (involved) gift idea tonight or tomorrow and bust my tail until Christmas morning. But for now, I think I'm done. Tomorrow I schlep them all to San Luis Obispo!


Is it too much?

This years package theme: brown postal wrap, red & white bakers twine, and Avery tags stamped with recipient's initials. Ooh, how I love those Avery tags!

(Monica, this one's for you!)

And could it be Christmas without the high-kicking skeleton angel? Don't think so...



After Christmas, I'll reveal a couple of the projects I had going on this year. Until then, and if I don't post again, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Yo Quiero

In a perfect world, this is what my "fancy" dinner party table looks like. Found on this blog, originally (and photo) by Emersonmade. I want the "EAT" linens and I want all those flowers and maybe I'll wear a flower on my shirt too while I'm serving dinner. I like the wine glasses, that aren't wine glasses at all. And I love the kraft paper table runner.

You know what? This table doesn't even need dinner. I would just leave it set like this to admire and take photos of. Oh, but I would probably drink all the wine and just refill the glasses with my cool carafe.

This is totally me. I want.

p.s. This is my 300th post! Sonofagun...

Tea Towels

I made these little tea towels for the Loosies gift exchange last night.

Una bicicleta...


And who wouldn't want an anatomical heart tea towel?


Oh, my screen printer is going to get some mileage this year!

Team Skywalker

I'm still totally having fun with my screen printing.


For Halloween, the nurses on my shift decided to dress in a Star Wars theme. But I was a little lazy (and not much of a Star Wars fan), so I screen printed a baseball raglan shirt with Team Skywalker instead. A copout, I know, but I stuck with the theme! But I found a Star Wars-esque font and everything!

My friend at work loved the print so much, that she had me print one of her own shirts. She actually MADE this t-shirt! So crafty & courageous! Even I don't attempt to tackle knits! And good thing I didn't mess it up, phew!

I will be so proud when she wears it!

Something Like That

I was so inspired by this post (it's even my computer wallpaper!), I got right up from the sofa and started putting together scraps from my scrap bin. I didn't think too hard, I just tried to stick to a couple colors. I'm still totally in love with the original, but I gave it a shot.

It's become something like this:




Stay tuned for completion (but give me about 2 months or so...).

Thank You Quilt

It's been one month exactly since I last posted...sorry. I know you've heard that before, but... Anyhow, I have been working on something (a couple things, maybe), but I just haven't been able to show you until now :)


D's mom threw us a lovely engagement party in New York this summer, and I wanted to express my appreciation. She loves blue and loves butterflies, so I simply had to build a quilt around this MoMo Wonderland fabric - it was perfect! (You've seen it before in pink)

It didn't start out as a zig-zag quilt, but things seldom end up the way I set out to make them. I love it though, and I hope she does too!



Between about 1:00 and 1:12, we get a tiny bit of sunshine in our apartment. I had to capture it while it lasted.

And yes, I realize I'm an ungrateful wretch as the party was in July and I'm just now giving her this quilt. I know....

Beyond Excited!

I have been wanting to learn how to screenprint for years now. I finally took the class last weekend, gathered all my supplies, and went for it!

Let me point out that immediately upon my first step, I messed up (added too much water). I forged ahead anyhow with fingers crossed.

So, what started as a little doodle:


...was turned into an transparency:


...was developed into a screen:


...and became these!!:


Here's a closeup of my first one on paper:



And by the last one, I must have been pressing too hard or made too many passes with ink:


And it even looked great on fabric (my eventual goal):

(woops, accidentally enhanced this photo)

I am squealing and high-kicking with excitement! YAY!!! Ok, what's next?

I'm A Winner!

And, frankly, this is how I feel about the whole thing...


One of my very favorite blogs, Pink Chalk Studio, had a big giveaway last week. And I won! There were actually several winners, but I think I won the best prize of all - $10 to her fabric shop.

Kathy's blog was one of the very first blogs I ever read, and this project in particular sparked this project of mine...and, well, the rest is history.

By the way, I AM working on something at the moment, I just won't let you see it until it's finished.