MelancholyWings

2011-10-16T11:15:00.000-07:00

Steamy Kitchen...

Waiting for breakfast to finish baking. I am making Egg and Toast cups from Steamy Kitchen (her picture above)

http://steamykitchen.com/16983-bacon-egg-and-toast-cups.html

This is the second time I"ve made them...they are SO good. So simple and so not greasy. I want to try the Egg Nests next:

http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/egg_nests/

I really recommend this site, my skills are basic in the kitchen, but all the things posted are so yummy and easy to make. I'm just in love.

2011-10-09T22:14:00.000-07:00

New dresses...

Did some sewing this weekend. Chai and Marzipan have some halloween dresses. The pattern for it can be found on the Flickr LittleFee group.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/patternsforlittlefee/discuss/72157626346962700/

2011-10-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

LittleFees

I love my girls. Eclair, Marzipan and Chai in their new clothes.

2011-10-05T12:46:00.000-07:00

BJD Headbands:

Here's an easy tutorial I posted on DOA for BJD Headbands back in July of 2011. These are fun and super easy to make:

Supplies:

Small metal bracelets (Marzipan is holding - those are what you want). Mine were a gift from Walmart and came in a long tube of 50 bracelets for $10. You can also find these at the thrift store. They are just cheapie bangles.

Jewelry pieces. I search thrift stores looking for small and sometimes broken costume jewelry. Earings, necklaces, charms and pins all work great. You can also use buttons, really anything that you can imagine so long as the back has enough space for glue.

Styrafoam ball in your doll's head size.

Tin Foil.

E-6000 Glue Clear Transparent.

Wire Cutters

Painter's Tape (I LOVE this stuff for BJD sewing and crafting because it's not super sticky and doesn't leave a residue)

Chop Stick

Not shown glass cup that is not too short but not too tall for support.

Steps:

1. Skewer the bottom of the styrafoam ball with a chopstick.
2. Cover the ball with tinfoil. This is super important as the glue reacts very VERY badly with the styrafoam.

3. Drop the ball on stick into your cup for support. This now free's up your hands.

4. The bracelet will have a section where the metal has been fused together. You want to cut this section out.
5. Using the wire cutters cut out a small section so that the headband is the size you want - I kind of eyeball this. For a Littlfee I usually cut off a 1/4 section, I may leave a little extra for a larger head.

6. Shape the head band so that it's got a smaller curve.

7. Then try on the headband to make sure it's the right fit. If needed clip off more of it or reshape it.

8. Pick the piece of jewelry you want to use.
9. Remove all unwanted stuff off the piece using the wire cutters. Snip off earring posts, pin posts, charm loops. You want a flatish back for glue.

I had to send Marzipan away for this next bit because I am a Klutz and didn't want to get glue on her.

10. Put glue either on the back of the jewelry piece OR on the headband direcly. I usually like putting it on the piece unless it's tiny.
11. Put the piece of jewelry on the headband.

12. Use the painters tape to help hold the piece down then put aside and let dry. I usually leave it 3 to 7 days to dry and cure.
13. Once dry remove the tape and headband from the ball. It's now complete!

Problems: I've had it happen where a piece either doesn't glue to the headband or glue's crooked. With metal pieces the glue can peel off and you can try it again.

2011-10-05T10:30:00.001-07:00

Hello Bloggerverse...

It's been a long time from my last post. Blogging is hard work! But I'm going to revive this blog in order to share tutorials, dolly things and sewing insprations that relate to the pictures I post on Flickr. Because while Flickr is fantastic for hosting the patterns I create, it's not so good for actually writing out the instructions or putting the pictures together in a way that makes sense. And I've shared many of these tutorials on DOA, but they eventually get lost and bumped down.

So thus the need for this Blog. Please feel free to comment or ask any questions if you need to!

2010-07-28T13:24:00.001-07:00

Sewing Tutorials I want to try out:

Toddler shirt - only doll size:
http://www.prudentbaby.com/2010/05/snappy-toddler-top-free-downloadable.html

Fabric Basket:
http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2008/05/tutorial-fabric-basket.html

Messanger Bag:
http://pm-betweenthelines.blogspot.com/2009/11/messenger-bag-tutorial.html

Clock Pillow:
http://www.sillypreciouspiggies.com/2010/07/craft-tutorial-and-guest-post-clock-pillow/

Kitchen Towels:
http://kleiosbelly.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/christmas-prezzies-6-1-for-you/

2010-05-18T11:07:00.000-07:00

It amazes me the things people throw out - especially things that put a lot of work into to creating.

Take this for example:

Someone put a ton of work into that, didn't frame it and dropped it off at the thrift store. I love the colors they used. Though I haven't decided if it fits with my shabby house or will head to etsy.

Then there's this quilt:

It's not perfect; in fact it's quite flawed and weird. But someone worked really hard on it. I imagine they got rid of it in embarrassment as their quilting skills surpassed the quality shown in the quilt - they wanted to hide their shame. I love the vintage fabrics, the colors and how quirky it is. It's going in my car.

2010-03-16T22:48:00.000-07:00

La-la-la the fun of thrifting....

Found a few pretties last week thrifting.

I can't pass up anything with an L or an E. This will go on something - or maybe just my inspiration board.

Pretty vintage trims. Love the yellow zig zag one the most.

More vintage and lace trims for dolly clothes.

Pretty vintage Holt salt and pepper shakers.

This little girl looks so sweet.

2010-01-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

I have not been very consistent with blogging in this blog. I am much better with my T1D blog. This year when packing away Christmas I decided to archive my vintage collection with pictures. These belonged to my grandmother and were my mom's favorite X-mas decoration. She used to play with them a lot as a child and as a result a few of the little candle holders have broken arms. I wish I knew who made them.

2009-11-22T22:48:00.001-08:00

Just a little post. Nothing huge.
I wanted to share a picture of my recent thrift outting:

There's a couple of shiny brites in there, a scary faced Santa from Austria, and a couple of handmade ones from broken jewelry bits. Not bad for $3.
I also picked up some lovely vintage pillowcases for a project, and lucky for me the new dryer arrived this weekend so that I could wash them.

2009-10-21T13:33:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry I haven't been blogging here much in the last two months. A couple of days after my last post Bean was admitted into Children's Hospital and diagonised with T1D. It's life changing. I started a second blog that is devoted to it and our family which is currently where all my energy is going. If you are interested in reading about our life please feel free to check it out here:
http://t1djillybean.blogspot.com/
There will be no dolly pictures over there. There will be dolly pictures here however.

Here's some eye candy from our recent trip to San Fran.

2009-09-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

Charlotte...
My newest doll. She is a Ichigo Heaven who has had her scalp switched out. I rechipped her eyes and now she feels like mine.

The orange mesh wall in the background is all over our front yard. It's been fun for pictures but I'm ready for them to take it down and put in the new fence so that the dogs can play in the yard again.

2009-08-19T23:05:00.000-07:00

Kokeshi

I found these beautiful Kokeshi at my local thrift store in a baggie for $2. I love their hand painted faces and delicate cheerfulness. But my favorite is the pepper shaker. There was no salt shaker in the baggie, and how tragic that the pepper will live out it's live alone with out it's mate. Forever searching, but never finding it's other half.

When I find things at thrift stores I like to google and learn the items history. What it is, who made it, where it came from. At times it's a bit like being a detective. In my googling I ran a crossed this site and it's very touching story:

http://retrorenovation.com/2009/02/03/antique-kokeshi-dolls-kevins-entry/

Beautiful.

2009-08-19T10:42:00.001-07:00

Sunday at the Beach

We went up to see R's Aunt/Uncle/Mom/Stepdad/and little brother again. It was a wonderful relaxing time. And as it was the reunion of my parents death it was exactly what I needed. We had amazing hamburgers on the grill then headed to the beach with the kids to look for sea glass. Bean has started a little collection and I've given her a couple of glass jars to keep them in.

2009-08-18T19:07:00.000-07:00

I discovered a new blog http://ltran.tumblr.com/ that makes me feel good and all warm and fuzzy. It's full of beautiful quotes and pictures including the following link to this video that made me weepy.

My Favourite Things from kidswithcrayons on Vimeo.

2009-08-10T10:11:00.000-07:00

LittleFee Skirt Tutorial & Bodice Pattern

Here's a pattern & tutorial for a simple LittleFee skirt. I've also included a link to the Bodice pattern though I haven't created a tutorial for it.

Patterns can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3807411991/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3807188884/in/set-72157619751176744/

1. Put two pieces of cotton fabric right sides together. You could use two different fabrics to make the skirt reversible.

2. Pin the pieces of fabric together so they don’t slide.

3. Using a Mark-Be-Gone pen trace the pattern onto the fabric.

4. With your machine on a short stitch length (I like 2 or 3) do a straight stitch along the waist and hem of the skirt.

NOTE: On the pattern this is the red lines. I used white thread on the fabric so that it would show up for the tutorial.

5. Cut out your skirt leaving seam allowences along the edges you sewed (The waist and hem).

6. Clip along the curve of the waist and hem.

7. Turn inside out.

8. Press or iron.You should now how a 'tube'.

9. Tuck in the outside open edges so that the raw edges are hidden in the tube.

10. Press again.

12. Stitch up the open edges of the skirt.

13. Attach either a snap or velcro to the ends on opposite sides so they over lap.

14. Embelish or decorate to your hearts content.

2009-08-09T23:24:00.001-07:00

Little Fee Sock Tutorial and Pattern

Spent some time sewing this weekend and wanted to share a simple tutorial and pattern for making LittleFee socks. I like to make doll clothes such as T-Shirts and socks from human shirts. I can never find the correct fabric and scale at the fabric store. But I can easily find stripped shirts on sale at Old Navy. The pink shirt in the tutorial was $2 - far cheaper than what I can find at the fabric store.

Pattern can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3806398259/in/photostream/

This pattern is easy peasy when you use fabric from a shirt as you can use the hemmed edging for the top of the sock. You can adjust the height of the sock to be below or above the knee.
1. Using the hem of a shirt fold over right sides against each other.

2. Pin so that the fabric doesn't slip and the pattern lines up correctly.

3. Using a Mark-Be-Gone pen trace the pattern onto the fabric.

4. With your machine on a short stitch setting (I usually use 2 or 3) stitch on the line you drew.

5. Cut out the sock leaving enough room on the edge for a seam allowence.

6. Repeat all the steps so that you have 2 socks.

7. Run the sock under water so the 'mark be gone' lines disappear.

7. Allow to dry then turn inside out.

2009-08-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Little Fee Sock Tutorial and Pattern

2009-08-04T16:55:00.000-07:00

Our Lazy Sunday Morning

I made baked Brie! It looks a bit like something served at Whooville. The recipe came from a good friend and it's so very yummy.

2009-07-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Summer And Hamming It Up

Bean loves the camera. She'll twirl and jump, make funny faces just to see what kind of pictures I'll take. She adores being the center of attention.
Summer has been flying by fast, I've been working a lot which makes me appreciate every second all the more. We've started to play a new game - One Lie One Truth. Where each person tells two stories or facts about themselves. One must be a lie, the other true and the other players. It's a great way to learn more about each other.

Bean made this candy airplane at the Arlington Fly in and was so proud she wanted me to share a picture of it.

2009-07-21T12:18:00.001-07:00

A few weekends ago

I am behind on blogging as I'm currently working crunch time. But in between the long hours I'm getting a few things done around the house. I cleaned up the top of the china case, and have started work on sorting the linen closet. In an effort to simplify things we are getting rid of all the sheet sets but 2 per bed. It's not neccessary for a family of 3 to have 7 sheet sets. It's an excessive waste of space. So off to the thrift store they'll go. I'm using those vacume bags to hold blankets and fabric bins to organize the remaining items.
Two weekends ago we went to the Highland Festival in Anacortes. We saw family, boffer fighting, cattle dogs, pony riding and rain. Lots and lots of rain. But before we were rained out Bean participated in throwing a stuffed sheep over a pole winning a medal she was very proud of and made a shield and clan flag in the children's art tent. After the festivities we headed over to R's aunt and uncles house for some amazing home made chili and smoked salmon.

2009-07-09T17:21:00.000-07:00

Some Thrifting

I wanted to share some recent thrift store and doll show finds. We went to the doll show a few weeks back and had an absolute blast. Bean and I spent time together digging through boxes of old doll clothing and beanie babies - the later of which was for her. Then we followed it up with dinner at the Rainforest Cafe - and it really sucks. The decor might be fun but the food is just over priced, tasteless and nasty. Even the children's burger was burned so badly that Bean wouldn't eat it. I don't think we'll ever be going back.

Vintage doll dress, the cutest pink vintage jewelry box ever (I really love this find), 2 small watches, a clip, some hand made embrodiered napkins, a pin and my favorite - a vintage goody swan hair clip that I only paid $2 for. The doll show was really empty this time which allowed me some good finds.

My pippos 'Amelia' in a vintage doll dress and a cameo necklace. The quality of the dress is amazing. I almost think someone made it out of their wedding gown.

A vintage Norcrest swan. I want to put pearl necklaces in it.

And finally some vintage pillowcases. They are so soft, light and airy. And their new home is on my sewing room futon.

2009-07-04T19:22:00.000-07:00

Happy 4th of July!

2009-07-03T22:43:00.000-07:00

4th of July Weekend

My lovely 3 day weekend started with this:

Banana Muffins with peanut butter chocolate chips! So very yummy. The recipe comes from this wonderful site that has the greatest music:

http://www.pastrywiz.com/banana1.htm

Then Bean and I headed off to do this:

Berry Picking at Stocker Farms. It's the last weekend for strawberries. We had a race to see who could fill up their bucket the most and Bean beat me by a pound. Such a good price we ended up with almost 6lbs of strawberries for $10. After picking we went to their store and bought a couple of ice creams, lemons, honey and some wonderful honey sticks.

We have so many strawberries. Most are very tiny but oh so sweet. I washed them, sliced them and made a pie, enough strawberry shortcake for 2 desserts, put some in the freezer and saved the large ones to dip in chocolate.

2009-06-27T23:27:00.000-07:00

Some recent thrifting. The vintage train case I'm going to repurpose to hold some craft supplies. I don't know what I'll do with the patterns. But I love the vintage styles. The first has an old black rotary phone, the second is a sack style dress with a tie - I can't imagine it looking all that flattering but love that they are all wearing pearls. The last is a simple Jackie O coat pattern.

Please excuse our poor deck. I had repainted it less than 6 months ago with Behr. And it peeled in the winter cold. It's under warrenty but I've been to busy to pursue it. It'll have to be sanded and repainted again.

2009-06-24T13:37:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Ren!

No matter how old we get - we'll always stay young at heart.

2009-06-22T22:33:00.000-07:00

Portland - father's day, birthdays, cooking and Rock Band

It's R's 40th birthday so we drove down to Portland for the weekend to see our good friends Chad and Bree who were also celebrating Chad's birthday and throwing a party. We took my new picnic basket from Target and stopped along the way at a rest stop for a small picnic and some dog walking. The traffic was absolutely horrid and the goodies in the basket really helped. Although I adore the basket as it's woven with a red check lining the handles are absolute crap and can't support the weight of a full basket.

We started the next day with breakfast at a cute little place called Old Wives Tales. They had a little painted room that the kids could play in and the menu had all kinds of unusual but yummy foods.

Acrossed the street was a cool old building with a retro looking 7-up sign. Portland has some of the best buildings, so much quirk and history.

Later in the day Bree, Bean and I spent time in the kitchen. Bree's kitchen is beautiful, sunny with a vintage style that inspires and comforts. I now understand all those chick flicks about cooking in Tuscany. It was such an amazing experience. I'm not the most skilled person in the kitchen and I learned so much from her. And I watch Bean thrive as she did things she'd never tried. I felt reconnected with things I feel I missed out on when my parents died - skills in the kitchen and a sense of self. I'm now commited to spending more time with Bean in the kitchen. Making food that takes time which rewards us with time to connect to each other.

We made a wonderful salad and Bree made the cake of awsomeness. Her cake was amazing and all the food was a huge hit at the party. We drank, ate and played some Rock Band. Even Bean got in on the action wowing all the adults with her vocals. I think we're going to have to spring for the Beatles Rock Band when it comes out. Bean and I left the party early leaving the adults to continue the merry making. But it was a very enjoyable weekend.

2009-06-14T18:45:00.000-07:00

Petite Ai and Pippos Sundress Pattern & Tutorial

Tools:

1/4 or 1/2 a yard of fabric - depends on the print of the fabric.

Sewing Machine ruffler foot

Mark-B-Gone Pen

One of those tube turner things - I forget it's official name.

1 Snap

Trim

Patterns for Petite AI, Pippos and MSD:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3626430151/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3626430215/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3691248669/in/set-72157619751176744/

Note: The pink edges of the pattern do not have seam allowences. You will do some sewing on the bodice before you cut the pieces out of the fabric. The stitch length should be small - 2 or 3.

Step 1: The skirt

1. There is no pattern for the skirt as it is just a rectangle. You will want to figure out how long you want the skirt to be then add in seam allowences. Take into consideration the length of any trim added to the hem. You will want the rectangle to be as wide as possible. I usually cut it 5 1/2 inches long by 45 inches wide - running it the whole length of a piece of fabric. When using the ruffler foot it is better for it to be to long than to short. You can also hand gather the skirt but the ruffler will give you consistent and neat little pleats - plus it makes it so much easier.

2. Hem the bottom of the skirt. Iron or press the hem. Add any desired trim to the hem. Gather the top of the skirt - either by hand or run it through the ruffler. Iron the top of the skirt so the pleats lie flat. If using the ruffler I would recommend sewing at the top of the skirt again, following the line from the ruffler. This will stop the pleats from sliding when attaching the skirt.

Step 2: The bodice

1. Put two pieces of fabric right sides together. This will be the bodice and the lining.

2. Use the washable end of the Mark B Gone pen, outline the pattern on the fabric. When using prints watch the placement so that the print is straight.

3. Pin the fabric together.

4. Sew the arm holes, neck holes and back seams. On the pattern these are the lines drawn in pink.

Step 3: Cut and Wash

1. Cut out the bodice. On the unsewed lines cut along the Mark-B-Gone pen. On the edges you sewed you will need to leave a seam allowence.

2. Clip the fabric along the curve of the arm holes and neck noles.

3. Wash and let the fabric dry. The Mark-B-Gone pen lines will now have disapeared.

Step 4: Turn the bodice inside out.

1. Insert the tool from the bottom hole of the front and through the bottom of the back.

2. Using the little hook - grasp the fabric and pull the back section in to and through the shoulder and front of the bodice. Turing it inside out. Repeat for the other side.

Step 5: The finish

1. Iron the bodice flat. Don't worry if it wrinkles a bit on the shoulders as this section will be on a curve.

2. Add any trims or decorative elements such as ribbons, buttons, or lace.

3. Sew up the sides under the arm hole. Do a fitting on the doll before attaching skirt. That way you can adjust the side seams if they are to large or small.

4. Attach skirt to bodice. I fold over the edge so the raw hem is not exposed.

5. Trim off the skirt if it's too long and turn over the other edge.

6. Sew up the back of the skirt.

7. Add the snap.

If you'd like some inspiration I have some other dresses in my flickr account using this pattern:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/sets/72157602785774951/

2009-06-14T17:23:00.000-07:00

Bean's Play: Hard Knock Life, Junie B Jones, & Jigsaw Jones

Bean's spring acting and musical theater classes are over. For her final class the kids put on a play for the parents. First they did an act from Junie B Jones and Bean played Junie's friend Herb. Then they did an act they created on their own of Jigsaw Jones and Bean played a kid bouncing a ball. For the final class they sung two songs from Annie. We loved seeing how she interacted with the other kids. She fit in so well with them, and they gave each other hugs good bye. It was everything we could have wanted out of the class.

If only some of the parents showed that same kindness.

Before each class all the parents lined up outside the class studio. For the second class this one family - you can see the old red haired woman in my picture, charged up to the front of the line demanding to get in first. Her second niece was playing one of the 'Annies'. One of the dads stepped up and told them to go back and wait in line. So she went storming to the back giving us all the pig eye. To my families misfortune she sat in front of us. Bean was directly in front of us and we had a perfect view. This woman's kid was on the right side of the room. We were in the back row by choice so that R could stand in the isle and record as they requested. So in the middle of the song this old broad got out of her chair, crossed over a few seats to stand directly in front of R as he's recording and starts taking pictures of her kid. I suspect she was intentionally trying to get in his way as she had a perfect view from her front row seat of her child. I traded places with R so he could continue filming and she completely blocked his camera. After the first song she went back to her seat. But on the second song she got up and did it again this time crowding into my space while I was taking pictures. So I flipped my camera to flash and started timing my pictures to screw up her's. I couldn't make a bigger scene - but man did I want to.

2009-06-07T22:29:00.000-07:00

Lazy Sunday

We're all suffering from some sort of illness today. I suspect the food we ate at the bowling alley did not agree with any of us. So I spent a good chunk of the day in the sewing room. As I sewed Bean was curled up on the futon playing her DS making for a very nice overcast day.

I found this vintage cameo brooch at the thrift store for $1. I don't think it's that old, but the buttery yellow woman is very pretty with the delicate pink painted flowers. My sewing room is full of pretty fabrics, girlie dolls and lovely vintage things.

2009-06-06T23:51:00.000-07:00

Bean's Bully

R picks Bean up from daycare after work. I usually make it home a couple of hours later - although lately i've been in crunch mode and have been getting home late. Friday after he picked her up he noticed she was acting very odd. After a bit he finally got her to open up about what happened. There's a girl named Serena in her daycare that's been bullying her. We've been working with her to deal with the girl who has a very 'Nellie Olsen' attitude. Friday though it escalated. It was Serena's birthday and she had declared that everyone should do what she says as it's her special day. She then asked who wanted to play with her. Bean offered and Serena says 'No. Not YOU.' Bean has another friend in her daycare that she adores named Kyle. He is closer to age to her, they play pokemon together, we've had playdates and he's what she considered one of his best friends. His mom also works there in the classroom.

Kyle tells Bean to come along and play anyways and be a 'spy'. Serena then tells Bean that she can't play with them because she's a cry baby, Bean tells her that she's not that way any more - she has made huge changes to her maturity this year and is better at handling her emotions. I'm proud of her for understanding that.

Serena then takes Kyle aside and shortly after that Kyle and Serena walk up and Kyle slaps Bean a crossed the face. Bean pushes him away then Serena comes up and shoves Bean hard. Bean push her away from her and at this point Kyle's mom notices what is going on. She breaks it up and tries to get Bean to tell her what happened - but she won't talk because she's Kyle's mom. Instead she's absolutely heart broken that the one friend she thought she could trust betrays her and humiliates her in front of her bully. She spends the rest of the day quitely by herself. Later Kyle asks her if she wants to play and she (thank god) tells him no.

It was so hard for her to tell her Daddy what happened. When I came home she couldn't say it again - he told me and I told her how very wrong it was. How it's not her fault. How what they did wasn't acceptable, cruel, heartless and stupid. She opened up and was able to talk to me about it. I took her out for ice cream and we talked - I depowered Serena by comparing her to Nellie Olsen and told her how stupid Kyle was. I got her to laugh. This morning she woke up in tears again, heart breaking sobs that he had betrayed her and hit her.

I'm pissed as all hell. I can barely hide it.

The daycare is closed over the weekend. I'm taking her into school on Monday then going in to the daycare and talking to the director. I don't blame Kyle's mom - we know her and know that she'll do what a good parent will and in a way I feel for her that this affects her job. But there had better be a bully policy in their handbook.

On a lighter side. We took Bean to a birthday party and she had so much fun. It was for a girl from school . It was good to see Bean amoung friends who were kind and fun to each other. The girls even have a secret handshake that they do with a chant they made up. Bean asked me to make her a doll and I made a poppet and small felt fairy doll to go with her that I had to finish in the car. It was a hit at the party and I had another mom ask if I would make one for her. She's a quilter and we might do a swap. I was just relieved to see Bean connect with people who were nice people.

2009-05-26T10:22:00.000-07:00

Weekend: Museum, Bean and Blythe

Hope everyone had a fantastic 3 day weekend. Luckily I didn't have to work it and we spent the three days hanging out as a family.

I started Saturday with a denstist appointment. I go to Bright Now! in Lynnwood because it's the only dentist I can trust. I'm such a big weenie when it comes to going to the dentist, but this current guy is so awsome. He understands my phobia and accomodates it. While Bean had acting class R and I had breakfast together at Barry's in Everett. Their food is so fantastic. I'd highly recommend it. We finished the day at home mowing the lawn, and cleaning.

On Sunday we spent the day doing what Bean wanted. We started with Dutch Babies at Mitzels, then went to the Pacific Science Museum. Grandma M & Grandpa I gifted us with a membership and Bean was excited to see their new Grossology exhibit. It lived up to it's name and was quiet gross. We saw Another Night at the Museum Imax then headed home to let out the dogs.

Monday was 'stay home day'. I cleaned the patio furniture, Bean and Bella sunned themselves out on the deck. I spent some time in my sewing room cleaning and organizing. Then Bean and I played with my dolls together. She redressed all the Blythes while I switched clothing on the Pullips and dusted the doll case. It was fun to hang out with her and paw through all the doll clothing.

2009-05-21T22:19:00.000-07:00

First Sign of Spring

Bean found a furry little caterpillar crawling on the tarp wall in our front yard. She was memorized by it.

The construction on the street is progressing. We now have a curb. No sidewalk yet although the area is flattened. I think I'll miss when they move the cement barriers to the other side of the street and we have to fight our way out of the drive. Currently when we want out the flagger will stop traffic so that we can get in. I'm not sure they'll do it though when the barriers are over. There's no driveways on that side and less reason to flag us in. I also miss our trees. The two we have left look so scraggly and there's less wild life in the area.

2009-05-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

Thrift Store Finds

Recently I've had some rather stellar thrift store finds. The best is an American Girl Kirstin doll that I paid a whooping $2 for. I could resell her on ebay for at least $40 - but Bean is going to keep her as she collects them. Several baggies of My Little Ponies that had a few rare ponies in them, a dressed My Twinn doll that will be traded or ebayed. A pretty milk glass fruit dish to replace the wire one that I love yet is too big.

I also purged several things from the house this last week too. A kitchen garbage bag of stuff to the thrift store, the old TV is in my car is waiting to go some where (where do old TV's go?) and Bean's crib found a new home with my best friend. And I have a pile of stuff to ebay - once I get off my butt and do it.

2009-05-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

Bathing Bella

This picture is from Sunday but is still too cute not to share. A new puppy has really changed the dynamic of the house. This morning Bean got herself up, got dressed took care of both dogs and made herself breakfast with out any involvement from me. She has become considerably more responsible. And to our relief Bella has attached herself to Bean following her around like a little lost duckling.

2009-05-10T21:51:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day in Portland part 2

When visiting Portland we stay at Red Lion Jantzen Beach as it is near our friends and is pet friendly. The hotel is interesting, it's two large buildings seperated by a bridge, it sits on the river with a pier, a beautiful outdoor pool, an indoor restuarant that serves a very pricey Sunday buffet and they host a lot of weddings. But one of the two hotel buildings is closed and fenced in. They've done some restoration on the inside of the open building but it still feels old, our hotel room had also been updated new TV and pretty beds, except the bathroom had cracked and broken fixtures. Still it's affordable and clean even if it's quirky.

Chair storage.

A 'wall' made from chairs and couches. It seperates a walk way from the buffet area and coffee bar.

After eating at Voodoo Doughnuts we said good-bye to our friends and met up with the puppy seller to pick up the newest member of our family. Bean has begged for several years and we finally caved and bought her a puppy. A pretty petite 'shorkie' which is 1/2 Shitzu and 1/2 Yorkie. She was a beautiful little girl but got car sick and had to ride home in her crate. Leaving Bean to cuddle with Remy.

Bean has named her puppy Bella and she's such a little cuddle bug. She likes to bound over the grass like a rabbit, then drops down and hides in the green like a ninja puppy. We'll have to enroll her in puppy classes. But right now she just wants to sleep with us on the couch. Remy is not completely amused.

2009-05-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day Weekend in Portland

On Friday Bean spoiled me with my mother's day gifts. In class she had made a flower from a wooden spoon and a potted plant. I love class project gifts. So much inovation and creativity.

Saturday after Bean's acting classes we hit the road and headed to Portland. For lunch I wanted to eat some where that had personality. So we pulled off the road at Tumwater. A little sign caught our eye and in the distance the restuarant looked like a darling blue coastal building with white pillars and a wrap around porch. Cute! But then we pulled into the parking lot and R noticed the bar attached to the side of the restuarant and a large motorcycle gang parked out front. The blue paint was peeling off a building that looked more shabby than chic. So we stopped at a sub shop instead. We walked the dog and watched a nicely dressed man pee in the bushes outside of Costco. Tumwater has quite the personality.

We then arrived in Portland and after checking into our hotel we headed to the pool. Only too bad for us the pool was closed and we could only use the Hot Tub. Hot Tubs are not as fun as pools.

We wrapped up Saturday with some sushi and Rock Band with some friends. On Sunday we met up with the same friends for breakfast at Elmers. It's such good food! Bean had a dutch baby and now I have to find a recipie for it as it was pure yummy. After breakfast we headed to Voodoo Doughnuts which was featured on the Food Channel. They have two locations in Portland. The first one was full of bums so we went to the second location which is very quirky but has 100% less bumage. Bean and I had voodoo doll doughuts, complete with raspberry filling and prentzle stuck in the heart.

Continued tomorrow....

2009-05-08T22:18:00.000-07:00

I have a love-hate realationship with our local Value Village. There are some days that I'll scoure the store then leave empty handed. Normally because everything is so very over priced. But sometimes I can be lucky. This last week my nearest store gave me a slew of hand made dollies for a very good price, and this beautiful tablecloth. I'm not sure if it's vintage but it's stamped 'Brown' and it matches my kitchen well.

I've also been collecting dishes that I find interesting. Such as this china bowel:

And I also have a thing for saucers. So petite and tiny.

Another pretty saucer and vintage plastic teacups in a cheery blue.

And all together.

2009-05-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

One nice thing about being an adult is that you can go to Disneyland as many times as you want, it's like having chocolate cake for breakfast.

It's not the rides, smiley characters or fake buildings that we love so much. It's that at Disney there is so little to worry about. We go during value season, I'm great at preplanning, R is great at keeping us organized the final days up to our trip. It can be cheaper than a trip to the beach or camping. So the minute we step into the airport the only thing we need to do is relax and spend time as a family. Our families must think we're nuts as we've gone to Disneyland and Disneyworld twice in a very short period. But we're all so busy at home, with work and school - that it recharges our little family and helps us get to know each other better. We've had some great arguments on our trips. I miss it already, though we are planning on taking a little Disney break and focus on other vacations for the next few years. We want Bean to experience other things.

2009-05-04T11:55:00.000-07:00

Bean handed me a tiny yellow post it note yesterday while I was bent over my sewing machine. It was an invitation to her Pokemon Club. I headed downstairs to discover her bedroom door was covered in more tiny post it notes with various signs such as 'We have Turtwig, Picachu and Zubat', 'No Team Galactic' and 'Train your Pokemon Here'.

She had her room set up as a battle arena and after I picked my pokemon (Pikachu) we battled it out. Her pokemon of course won, mine kept attacking me and she was some what tolerant of the moves I made up - although she kept looking up moves on the little Pokedex she got from Grandma Mary to check if I was doing it right.

After playing pokemon we dressed up her build-a-bears. I wish the clothing was better organized in her room. Right now it's all shoved in a plastic drawer, or hanging on paper hangers in her closet. It's not an ideal storage solution. I thought about purchasing this until I saw it in person at the store:

It's almost $40 and the inside drawers and compartments are cardboard. For that price I expect it to be better made - as is I didn't feel it was worth more than $20. It also didn't look like it would hold much.

If she had the floor space I would just purchase a short bookcase and glue a rod inside it to hang clothes.

2009-05-03T22:35:00.000-07:00

May 1st was our ten year anniversery. In celebration the three of us went to dinner at The Melting Pot. I love fondue, the tiny forks and gooey dips are right up my alley. R enjoys it but it's not his favorite food, and Bean had never had it before. We arrived early and killed time by walking around the streets of Bellevue. It was a beautiful evening and the spring flowers were out.

Bean is wearing a dress from the children's resell shop. She picked out the socks herself. And her dog Pudding insisted on joining us.