The Hairless Mexican

A new character is born.

The Hairless Mexican.

I had so much fun doing him,

and all of a sudden my father showed up...

More pictures in

The Vintage Fairy Tales

Love

Becky

FUN!

Today, I did a little stamping on some fabric and stitched up a few little lavender sachets.

L O O K at them!

These are little red feet underneath a skirt that has "trees" printed on it..and a little bird in the "tree!"
And, of course, a few little toadstools encircled with evergreen twigs....xoxo

The lavender is so yummy inside each little "pillow" - wonderful!

I have more orders for little ladies on boxes, so here are a few figures before they get their "real" personalities... they almost look like they are dancing, don't they?

It was a pretty productive day. I am hoping for more of the same tomorrow.....

Sausalito

Here is the view from the bedroom where Mom and I stayed in Sausalito the night before her hand surgery. We stayed with our friends, Ronzie and Keith (he is Mom's doctor) and what a spectacular place it is. Ronzie has an amazing eye for extraordinary things and, as you can see, they also have an amazing view of San Francisco Bay (whew!)

Above is Mom petting Zoe, the wonderful Standard Poodle who has adopted Ronzie and Keith as parents. She is a super-cool dog

Below, Mom and Ronzie just as we were about to leave.
We really had a wonderful time and thank Ronzie for the incredible hospitality she showed us.

We felt like princesses all cozied up under the comforters......and, man! You can't beat that view!

Oolie is back!!!!!!!

Dear Pantry Violets-

Sorry that it has taken me 5 months to post something.......life and travels have gotten in the way! Plus, I had to find my written instructions on how to post something and then actually DO IT!!!!!!!! My extended family is enroute to Tucson, Arizona to share Thanksgiving dinner and then celebrate my Mom's 90th birthday....WhoooHooo! Quite an accomplishment this day in age!

I bought this raw silk fabric on a recent trip to NYC and decided to make a Julie Arkell inspired "puff flower" broach for my Mom's gift. It took forever and I learned a few tricks along the way, but I know she will be thrilled! My biggest challenge was to not bleed all over the fabric.....with winter definitely here in Colorado and the heat turned on, my hands are all dry and cracked...... not ideal conditions for hand sewing!!!!! I also found some great Liberty fabric in Danielle's "miserable colors" which I hope to make more puff flower broaches from......get ready for an onslaught from me after laying dormant for a bit!!!!! LOVE to all- Oolie

Once Upon A Time

Once upon a time there was a little girl

and she had a doll....

Have a great weekend all of you

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka

Please Santa......

Please Santa,

I have been pretty good this year.

This dress is on my wish list!

Enjoy the day

Becky

THE GREATER CRESTED SHOCKER

Here for your further amusement is a previously unspotted bird!

Made from felt this time; the belly of the bird and some of the feathers taken from a small scrap of needle felt I made in the 'Wild Women' workshop ages ago - combined with angelina - fusable fibres - for the remaining feathers. A bit of angelina cut 'a la danielle' for the crest together with some crochet cotton and sewing thread - a black felt beak and a couple of vintage bead caps for eyes and 'voila'. Its remarkable what you can make in an evening with the scraps left from other projects - its more satisfying than therapy and a much cheaper alternative! I'm hooked. My sister has machine sewed some bodies for me so my flock is set to increase - be prepared!

Love to All

xx

DI

Toadstools!

Toadstools in da room!

Have a nice weekend all of you!

Becky

American Cousins

Now, I know you American ladies do not need this recipe, but thought us cookerettes from the other side of the Big Pond might like to get in the mood with this recipe from The Jewels of New York (the young couple who will be leading a cooking workshop for us in April next year). Thought I might substitute Butternut Squash for the Pumpkin.... and leave out the bacon, of course - is that a big mistake?

Roasted-Pumpkin Soup with Apples and Bacon

serves 2

2 pound pumpkin, such as cheese pumpkin

1/4 onion, cut into small dice

1/4 carrot, cut into small dice

1/4 rib celery, cut into small dice

1/4 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored and cut into small dice

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

2 bacon strips, cut into lardons

1/3 cup dry white wine

2 cups canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock

1 teaspoon dried sage

2 bay leafs

1 tablespoons butter, softened

salt

fresh-ground black pepper

Cut out a lid around the stem-end of the pumpkin and set aside. Scrape out and discard the seeds and strings. Put pumpkin on a baking sheet along with the lid. Rub the pumpkin flesh with butter, salt, pepper and garlic. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large oiled pot over moderate heat, add the bacon and cook until crisp and browned. Then add in the onion, carrot, celery, and apple and cook, stirring occasionally until vegetables have softened, about 10 minutes.

Stir in wine, broth, sage, and bay leafs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fill the pumpkin with the broth mixture. Roast until flesh is soft when pierced about 30-45 minutes.

To serve, top pumpkin with the lid. As you serve scrape the flesh from the sides into the broth and ladling it into bowls.

Ooo.... hope you all have a great Thanksgiving, by the way!

tOaDsTooLs

When Oolie was here, toadstools began sprouting up everywhere....

Here are the ones that I whipped up to sell at Doodlet's Shop in downtown Santa Fe:

And these, below, are the charming groups that Oolie made with beautiful old German ones.
They are the spun cotton and are delightful! Aren't they soooo cheerful?

By the way, check out: inspireco.blogspot.com

I was invited to be a part of a sweet online magazine and the Winter/Holiday Issue is out!

Ask Oolie how much work I did to get the directions drawn out (!)

but it's worth it to see it online now......fun ideas.....

BiRtHdAy gIRLS

How appropriate that the November Birthday Girls are here

together in this photo!

We ALL laughed so much that night!!!

Joanna - Happy November 17th! Sue - Happy November 19th!

Hope the entire month is great for BOTH of you......

xo