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Strawberry Fields Quilt

September 1, 2010 in Making by Colleen | 3 comments

Here it is, my friends, quilt number two, aptly named Strawberry Fields.

I am so very, very pleased with the way this turned out.  I love the combination of colors – the deep red paired with the acid green is so darn cheery, a sunny country morning in a field of strawberries, not to mention all the cute polka dots.  Have I ever shared my love for the polka dot with you?  Zowie!  It is ever so true.  I fretted a bit over the arrangement of the squares, wondering if I should try for random or the highly organized fashion that is the end result.  I just don’t think I have that in my genes.  I am an ordered person, so I’m glad I did it this way.  It’s very pleasing to follow lines of strawberries, dots, and greens.   The fact that I got the binding right this time (many thanks to the Connecting Threads tutorial on YouTube) is the juicy sweet strawberry on top!

If you’re wondering, I didn’t use a pattern.  I had a particular size of batting left over from my first quilt, so the size was determined.  When I looked through my stash, I loved the combination of the mixed greens, polka dots, and strawberries, but it wasn’t nearly enough fabric.  So I went to Fabric Depot, samples in hand, and found the right combination to tie it all together.  Rather than have the back be entirely polka dotted, I decided to really tie it in with the front, so it’s almost a continuation.  I like it!

Speaking of liking, sweet Paris likes it too, so much so that I think she believes it is HERS.  As I was tying it, she tried to get up on my lap, not once, but four times, eventually lying on a corner on the floor, not budging.  I got up to turn the music down, and she immediately took her place upon it, growling when I moved her back to her little spot.  See that menacing look up there?  Very real!  Once I finished, we shared it, me happily, Paris somewhat grudgingly.

It should come as no surprise that I think I am a quilter now and kind of wish I had discovered it sooner.  It is such pleasing work!

First Quilt and a Pretty Breakfast

July 12, 2010 in Cooking and Baking, Making by Colleen | 4 comments

Last week was pretty hot here.  Super, retreat to the basement kind of hot.  And what does one do in the basement besides row on the machine or watch the old television, the one with the screen that occasionally turns bright red?  Why make a quilt, of course!

I had never made one before, and I, like many other people I know, have what seems to be a giant stash of fabric begging for just such a project to be made with it.  In particular, this beautiful Japanese cotton (running down the center of the quilt)  that Sarah bought me on one of her trips there.  I’d been contemplating what to do with it for ages.  A dress?  A blouse?  A bag?  When I started putting pieces of fabric together to decide what to quilt, I knew this was just the right use for it.

It was pretty simple, a total of ten pieces, including the batting, as I had no intention of drawing it out or starting something I would not finish because I bit off more than I could chew.  I am very pleased with the looks of it (the hubster likes it, too).  Not to mention, it’s just the right size for cozying up on the living room sofa on cooler days.

Now that I have the confidence, along with much more fabric in my stash and a piece of batting, don’t be surprised if you see another quilt here soon.  It is summer, after all, and there are bound to be more hot days requiring time in the cool basement.

Oh, and the beautiful baked good up there?  That’s a clafoutis, made from the recipe I posted here.  I used the Raven’s Heart plums that are in season now.  Aren’t they gorgeous?  They taste delicious, too.  I might add.

Have a lovely week!

Something New

February 23, 2010 in Celebrating, Making by Colleen | 5 comments

Hello friends!

I’ve made a few changes around here, as of late, and thought I’d share them with you.  First, and most obvious, the watercolors.  I’ve been wanting to get back to them for quite some time now but always found a reason not to, like sitting around on my duff (as my Grandpa used to tease me), watching senseless television (LOST is on tonight!), or surfing the web, looking at other people’s sketches.  This last one is the most silly, really.  I can’t tell you how many hours I’ve spent (on my duff) in front of the computer looking at other people’s creations then lost all motivation to make anything of my own.  What kind of sense does that make?  Exactly.  So, here we go.  I thought of making a pledge to post a photo of something I’ve painted at least once a week (even if it is a bit lopsided), but a tight knot of “accountability panic” formed in my belly.  I am not as evolved as I would like to think – so hopefully I will, but maybe I won’t.  Darn Geminis.

As for the other something new, I have taken a job with my naturopath.  I went in for my well woman exam about a month ago, and she asked if I would like to help out a couple days a week.  Not only was I extremely flattered that she asked, but really excited.  How wonderful to have the privilege of working in an environment about which I am very passionate and making a little money, too.  Something I haven’t done for three years!  As well, the hubster is happy that it will get me out of the house a bit more.  This may surprise you, especially since I am such a social gal here on the interwebs, but I am quite the loner, and interacting with others will save me a lot of one-sided conversations and needless worry in my head.  Truth be told, I often prefer being alone to the company of other people.  When I was a kid, I arranged the furniture in my room so I could be in it, with the door open (closed doors meant mischief to my mom – and with good reason – I’ll tell you below), yet hidden from view.  I would lie on the floor, thoroughly engrossed in a book, while eating dry cereal from a brown paper sack (there’s probably a deeper meaning to this last bit).  At those times, I would delight at being in a Little House on the Prairie, a Secret Garden, or with the Girls of Canby Hall for the whole of an afternoon.  I am not exaggerating when I say that was the height of splendor – still is, though I no longer need to hide.

Two stories that lead to no closed doors for Sohn children – my brothers and I, in some wild fit of boredom one summer afternoon after swim lessons, devised a game.  We tightly rolled our beach towels and put rubber bands at the ends, to keep them together.  Then, we blocked out any bit of light in their room, stuffing a pillow in the window and another towel under the crack of the door.  Once we had the desired amount of darkness, we chose one of us to be “it” and then blindfolded and whipped said person (all the while shouting wu-tang!) until they grasped the towel from the offender, and that person was it.  It was all fun and games until we broke the light fixture a second time and could no longer lie and say that we had no idea how it happened.

In another wild fit of boredom, we decided that my brother’s Little Tikes football toy box resembled a space ship.  One of us would get inside and the other two would smack things on the side (asteroids!), rock it violently back and forth (turbulence!), and spin it on the floor (a black hole!).  When we decided that this wasn’t enough, we sneaked a roll of duct tape and sealed the lid shut before pushing our brave astronaut down the stairs (crash landing!).  Here, we were, rather unfortunately, interrupted by my mom hearing the crash (she must have been out back hanging up the laundry?) and the duct tape being hidden somewhere.  Ahh, childhood.  It’s a wonder we made it out alive, being such geniuses and all.

Nocino

July 14, 2009 in Drinking, Making by Colleen | 1 comment

A few weeks ago, while noshing on a salad at the New Season’s deli, I read an article in MIX magazine about a couple who throw a Nocino making party every summer.  I felt a pang of envy as they described it – bringing friends together to have a barbecue and shake the backyard walnut tree to gather the green pods before mixing it all together to make the beginnings of a delicious liqueur.

Frankly, it made me wish we had kept looking for a country home, one where we would have enough room for a walnut, hazelnut, another apple, another cherry, as well as more blueberries, raspberries, and whatever else my heart wants to grow.  I know I like city life too much for that, but if I could find a way to squeeze in a couple of nut trees, I’d be one happy camper, and not just so I could make booze.  As much as I’ve written about it lately, I’m no lush.  Maybe there are dwarf varieties?  I need to do some research.

Anyhoo, to the nocino.   It sounds like it is right up my alley – highly flavorful, a little sweet, always good, like the  tawny port, sherry, Galliano, and Absinthe I adore.  I enjoy having a very small glass (the hubster teases me about this), sipping it over the course of an hour.  I let the liquid sit on my tongue, imbuing my mouth with goodness before it warms by throat and belly.  I am also big on making Kir, a white wine (or the Royale with champagne) and liqueur mixture very popular in France.  Practically every restaurant and bar serves it, and we’ve had many varieties – the typical black currant, as well as raspberry, peach, and chestnut.  Oh so delicious and summery.

So when we had the rather good fortune of coming upon a walnut tree at a park on our adventure this weekend, I was tickled pink.  I wouldn’t be able to have a party on such short notice, but at least I could give the liqueur a try.  We picked what we needed and bought the necessary supplies on the way home.

40 green walnuts, picked early enough so they are easily cut with a knife

2 cinnamon sticks

6 whole cloves

zest of one and a half lemons

2 1/2 cups sugar

1.75 liter bottle of vodka

Rinse and pat dry the walnuts.  Apparently the juice of the walnut makes a permanent dark stain, even though the juice is clear initially.  I wore gloves and grubby clothes and used the underside of my cutting board, just in case.  Cut the walnuts into quarters with a sharp knife or cleaver.  Be careful, especially if you picked them a tad late, like me, as some of them will be a little hard and shoot across the cutting board.  The Italians recommend picking the nuts on June 24th – a magic night before San Giovanni when medicinals are at their peak.

Put walnuts, spices, zest, sugar, and vodka into a large glass container, covering the walnuts.  Cover and shake well.  Store for six to eight weeks, shaking every few days.  It will get darker as the days go by.  Mine is already much darker than when I started on Saturday (it was almost clear).

When you are ready to bottle, remove the walnuts and solids with a slotted spoon, remembering that the liquid will stain.  Strain through cheese cloth or coffee filters into glass bottles.  Cap or cork tightly, and allow to sit for another month or two.  Apparently, if you’ve got the patience to let it sit another year, or two, or even three, it is something quite special.  I think I’ll make my batch to have now and later.

Variations – some call for the combination of orange and lemon zest, orange on its own, the addition of star anise, and vanilla.  The amount of sugar also varies.  I didn’t want mine too syrupy, so I used half a cup less than the average recipe and a little more vodka.  Finally, some recipes say the mixture should be left in a sunny spot, others a cool, dark one.  I opted for cool and dark, so the cats can’t knock it over.  I think it is as diverse and special as the people who make it.  I sure hope so…

Green Dress

June 30, 2009 in Making by Colleen | 4 comments

I made this.

Sunny Weekend

May 25, 2009 in Exploring, Gardening and Nature, Making by Colleen | 2 comments

Hello friends!

I hope everyone has had as wonderful a weekend as I have.  Goodness gracious the weather is lovely, especially for this time of year.  Normally, we’d be experiencing a bit of rain with occasional sunny days, but it looks like we’re being spoiled and quite royally – sun is expected through next weekend.

As we are no fools, we’ve done all we can to take full advantage.  The first photo is of yesterday’s adventure, biking and walking our fair city.  After seeing Portland City Walks recommended on one of my favorite blogs, Posie Gets Cosy, we thought we’d try it, too.  We’ve ventured out on two of the twenty walks (I’ll post photos of the first one later) and have really enjoyed them.  Normally this would not be our thing, as it seems silly to walk around like a tourist in our own city, but the author, Laura O. Foster, writes a lot about local history and has interesting little tidbits and “secrets” unknown to us, even though we’ve lived here for eleven years.  The book also inspires us to venture outside our usual zone of influence, taking the bikes, parking them, and walking less traveled destinations, all good.

These first two photos are of the Rose City Golf Course.  Now I am not a golfer by any stretch of the imagination, but it looks like a nice place to play.  The hill in the second photo is Mount Tabor.  It is nice to have a different perspective of it.

A neat garden structure we encountered along the way.

The view from the stairs descending Alameda Ridge.  We actually stumbled upon these last summer.  “Buddy, look!  It seems like this is a public path between the houses.  Let’s see where it goes!”  It is a marvelous treat to discover.

We’re back on the home turf now.  These are two of the peonies I planted last summer.  I am over the moon at how pretty they are.  This first photo is Coral Charm opening on Sunday.

How she looks today…

Buckeye Belle – apparently she is a bit more shy, as she hasn’t opened all the way.  No matter, she’s still quite lovely!

Another little project out of the way.  Greg put this bench together yesterday evening.  I bought the backless variety so we can have the option of lying prostrate, looking at the little vegetable plot (tomatoes and cucumbers, and a volunteer rose), or the cutting garden.  I love variety!

I’m sitting on the bench looking toward where I sat for the photos on this post.  I know I’ve said this before, but I just love to see clothes hanging on the line.  This peony is doing quite well, too.  I don’t know what its name is, however, as it was inherited from someone else’s garden.

Looking from the bench to the cutting garden.  I love having a new perspective on the yard.

If you’re wondering what the funny looking structure against the house is – here is a close up.  Still funny looking, isn’t it?  This was our final project of the weekend, a house for our bee friends.  I’ve learned that most bees are quite solitary and make their homes either in the ground or in holes made by borers or woodpeckers.  We’ve done the job for them and included our old license plate from Colorado as the roof.  It’s good I kept it in the garage for the last eleven years.  Hey Bridget, sometimes I do hold on to things!

As soon as I’m finished with this post, I’m joining the cats.  They’ve got the right idea…

Welcome

April 20, 2009 in Decorating, Making by Colleen | 1 comment

I believe it is the Shakers that have the saying, “Own nothing that is neither beautiful nor useful.”  I would like to make an addendum to that: Or doesn’t have a wonderful story behind it.   I love how nearly every object in my home has a story.  Walk around each room and I will tell you about when we took a photograph, or the fun day we had when I bought a particular trinket, painting, or piece of furniture.

Take this glass.  Isn’t it pretty?  Many of you have already seen it as it adorns our front door, and for those of you who haven’t, welcome!  As you can see, the opening is rather large, and I never liked the idea of total strangers, or even people I do know being able to look right into the house when I have the door closed.

So, for many years, I had some maple leaves I collected ironed between two sheets of wax paper and scotch taped to the glass.  Oh yes, very classy!  Finally, after knowing there had to be a better way, my friend Sarah took me to Kurumi’s, a local glass artist, and I made this, as well as some sun catchers and necklaces, in her studio.  Then the hubster installed it to perfection.

I love it!  The flowers are like poppies, one of my favorites!  As well, it lets in light rather gorgeously and has the little cutout for a peep hole, so I can eye you before deciding whether or not to open the door.  I usually do; stop by and see for yourself…

Pucker-Up! A DIY Update

December 29, 2008 in Making by Colleen | 1 comment

Yes, I am a crazy person.  I’ve got that look in my eye.  However, I am not crazy with junk sticking out of my head.  That is just the door hinge in my very unprofessional office/photo studio.  Anyhoo.  Back when it was sunny and warm outside, I wrote this Concoctions post that told you about my DIY proclivities.  Well, I’ve got an update for you, along with a couple recipes for new goodness you can try at home.

To start, the Queen of Hungary water is awesome.  It really does make my skin feel super tight and smooth as a baby’s bum, with one caveat.  It smells like vinegar, so I have to dilute it with water or I smell as crazy as I look in the above photo.

Angry Chicken’s deodorant has been terrific for the hubster, but after about a month, it made my pits get a rash, so I stopped using it.  I am now deodorant free, and it isn’t as scary as I thought it would be, even Gregory agrees.  I am guessing the fact that I shave is the reason for the rash.  So, if you don’t shave, I think you are golden with this stuff.  Maybe try it without the baking soda, too.  Just a thought.  Also, I did use her suggestion for glycerin to make it softer.  I used a couple tablespoons, and the consistency is quite nice.

Kombucha – still going strong!  I love it!  If you are a local yokel and want to try it, give me a holler and we’ll hook you up with a SCOBY.

Birch Water – my original intention with this was to replace shampoo.  Initially this was great, but then, even though I had just washed my hair, it looked, well, dirty, mostly oily.  So now I use it as a body wash and am super happy with it.  You can’t beat the smell of rum in the shower.

So you might be wondering if I returned to the shampoo.  Nope.  I have, since September, been cleaning up with baking soda and Queen of Hungary Water.  Here’s the “recipe”:

Mix about a teaspoon of baking soda in about a quarter cup of hot water.  Swirl around until the water is clear.  Pour the water over your head, concentrating on the scalp.  Close your eyes, too.  This stuff burns a little.  Once you’ve gotten all of it on, give yourself a nice scalp massage.  Let it sit for a minute or two, or comb through it.  Rinse very well.  Seriously, very well.  Even though you’ve only used a little, it will dull your hair if you don’t get it all out.

Next, take about a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, or even better, Queen of Hungary Water, and mix it with about a quart of water.  Pour this over your head, comb through, and rinse, rinse, rinse!  Nobody wants to smell a vinegary head, nobody.  I am speaking from experience.

Finally, the reason for the title and the kooky photo above.  I recently made lip balm and it turned out really well – like well enough to surprise everyone who’s used it, including me.  I got the ingredients from a few places, but this awesome website (Mountain Rose Herbs) has it all, and most of it is certified organic.  Yippee!

Pucker-Up!

12 teaspoons castor oil

9 teaspoons grated beeswax (pack this and the cocoa butter into the measuring spoon)

9 teaspoons grated cocoa butter

9 teaspoons sweet almond oil

9 teaspoons jojoba oil

9 teaspoons glycerin

1 teaspoon vitamin e oil

Essentail oils – I used spearmint (10 drops), rosemary (8 drops), and peppermint (6 drops).

15-20 1/2 ounce metal tins – I used 20 but didn’t fill them all the way.  I didn’t know how much the mix would expand as it cools – not very much, so I’d use 15 next time.

Place all ingredients in a heat proof glass measuring cup.  Place that in a pot of hot water over low heat, and stir, stir, stir, until melted.  It takes a while, but I read that melting it too quickly could cause everything to be grainy.  Nobody wants grainy lip balm.

This turned out medium firm, I’d say.  If you like it really soft, more like lip gloss, change the ratio of castor oil (more) to beeswax and cocoa butter (less).  Do the reverse if you like it a bit more firm.  You can also use any combination of essential oils.  Lavender, orange, or lemon would be nice, too!  Finally, if you want it tinted, add some lipstick or food coloring at the end.  It will look much darker in the tin than it does on your lips.

**I forgot to tell you that I filled my tins with a turkey baster.  Just be sure to get it really clean because it will smell like your lip balm or get a baster to dedicate to unusual home projects.

Have fun, and if you do try something, let me know how it goes.  I’d be eager to hear.

A Day Late…

October 24, 2008 in Making by Colleen | No comments

But not a dollar short!

I had intended to show you some of this yesterday, but my camera batteries were dead, and by the time I got them recharged I wasn’t fond of the light.  Hence the title, but, as everything has a lovely way of working out in these parts, I got to paint a little more whilst sitting in the gorgeous light you see above.

I love when the light looks like that, shining through the apple tree.  Judging by the shape of the fruits, we think it is a Red Delicious. It didn’t bear as many as usual this year, which is a bit of a blessing.  Trying to keep up with the fruit can be a little crazy – applesauce, cider, chutney, butter, sliced and dried, piles to give away.  You get the idea.

Anyway, you will also notice a little watercolor station on my jammied lap.  Yep, jammies.  It is 3:11p.m. and I have yet to get properly dressed.  I have, however, worked out, gotten two loads of laundry out on the line, and painted in the shade of the aforementioned apple tree.  I’m not a total slacker.

As for the painting, I took some classes in college, but hadn’t really touched a brush since.  When I worked at Clark College, I attended a conference in the Seattle area.  We stayed in a kind of icky dormitory, but man-oh-man, did it have lovely grounds that were right on the Sound.  In the early mornings, I spied my colleague out sketching, and envied his air of peace and contemplation, really seeing his surroundings. It got me thinking that I’d like to to that someday.

Then, when we were in New Mexico this past summer, admiring the landscape, I wished for watercolors to magically appear, so I could capture my interpretation on paper.  It’s popped in my head a few more times since, so yesterday, after dropping a package off at the post office, I walked to the art supply store and hooked myself up.  In addition to what is on my lap, I bought another pad of paper.  A good start.

I’m already having a grand time, which is certainly helped by my willingness to let go.  When I painted before, I was so wrapped up in getting it right that I didn’t have a whole lot of fun.  Now I can let it be play.  What happens when I do this?  Neat!  And that?  Ooh, not what I was expecting.  As the kids say, “It’s all good.”

Is there anything you’d like to get back to doing or just try someday?

Purple Paint

September 22, 2008 in Making by Colleen | 2 comments

Hi there!  I’m giving you a little preview of our updated guest bedroom.  I need to make some watercolors for a couple of empty frames before it is ready for viewing, so, in the meantime, I’m showing you two of my favorite features.  The first is the billowing curtain.  I find few sights in a home more pleasing.  I can’t really say why.  I guess there is something peaceful about it, carefree.  The other photo is the top corner of the door, illustrating the paint colors.  Both pretty and soothing, I love them.

This was the first room we painted after we bought the house ten years ago, and though I didn’t know it at the time, we were quite lucky with the paint selection.  Despite Gregory’s initial raising of eyebrows, “A purple room?”  It was just right.  There was no dread as we applied the first roll of color on the wall, as was the case in the living room, bathroom, and hallway.  Oy vay, what a hassle to spend all of that time poring over chip after chip, getting excited at how lovely they will look to being in utter shock that it just isn’t right.  How can that be?  It’s too mustard, too nursery room, too Amityville Horror!

Since we had to paint the newly installed window, we decided we might as well do the whole room again.  After all, it had been ten years, and it looked it – a bit dirty where the cats jumped from the window and quite faded, save where there had previously been pictures (though that did look kind of neat – like something out of an old mansion).  Since I really did like the color, I saw no reason to change it, with the exception of buying an eggshell instead of a matte finish.

So there you have it – a little peek.  I promise to show you the rest very soon.

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