Alabama Chanin Walking Cape

I've been interested in the Alabama Chanin Walking Cape ever since I saw it in the store and admired its secret inside pocket. And outside pockets! Last year the AC website offered the pattern as a pdf purchase, and this week I bought it and made it up . . . but in a woven, not a jersey.

I chose a light gray wool woven because 1. I didn't have four yards of jersey to use and 2. I had this free wool. I fully lined the cape with a second layer of the wool, machine stitched it, and (as you see) put rounded pockets on the outside. There's a square inside pocket that's perfect for phone and keys if you are, in fact, walking. Or use the pocket for a tissue if you're going to wear this cape to the movies with your husband to see Lion.

A super-simple project and one I look forward to sewing up in jersey.

A Bright Sunset

Inside and out.

Daisy's New Ice Cream Parlor

Daisy's bedroom has always been known as the Mango Lounge, but Clara and I have been re-doing it in the softest, creamiest pink. It will hereafter be known as the Ice Cream Parlor.

(Benjamin Moore. Walls: Melted Ice Cream in Pearl Finish. Floors: Pure White Latex Floor Enamel)

What We Put Up With

This is what we have to put up with all day.

At the Greenhouse with Clara

Saturday morning errands with a little recreation thrown in.

I've been wanting a maidenhair fern--they didn't have any, but I got a little rabbit's foot fern.

Someone Else's Needlepoint

Needlepoint pillow from the thrift store, perfect condition, just a dollar. The back is velvet!

Sunday Table with Tulips and a Menu

For Sunday's lunch crowd I used a very large pan, and laid two whole chickens on a bed of vegetables--several pounds of chopped potatoes, and three leeks (white parts sliced thin). All of it drizzled with olive oil, salted and peppered. A celery stalk in the chicken, and the uncovered pan in the oven on 350 for three hours.

Also a side dish of green beans (from frozen, in the Crock-Pot), and a big batch of biscuits made before church, and a green salad.

Eleven Paintings in the Shop

I've posted eleven more paintings in my etsy shop. The pricing to some extend depends on size (there are big pieces and smaller ones) and also on how successful I think the painting was. So you will see a variety of Price Points (such a genteel phrase!).

Crocheting: Jersey Rug

Last week I cracked open the two large boxes of jersey scraps to see what was going on (besides Too Much). Lots of long, skinny scraps of not-cotton: pretty much worthless for sewing. Awkward skinny  shapes and mishmash of fibres.

So, jersey rug time. When I had pulled out everything I wanted to use, I had a pile that was knee-high. Fortunately Clara was on board, so for the last couple of days I've been cutting strips (free-hand, about two inches wide), and she's been crocheting.

This is clearly the right division of labor, since her stitches and rounds are far more beautiful and even than mine have ever been.

Jersey Table Runner + Oranges

I started this appliqued table runner almost a year ago for the sole purpose of having a hand-stitching project on a trip to New York.

It's appliqued, with each design element cut out as needed from the applique fabric. Not the best method, since it's possible to mix things up accidentally (don't ask).

Still, I love the process and the end result.

Alabama Chanin jersey in Natural, and one of the pale grays for the applique. Blanket stitching around the outside edge.

Log Cabin Quilt: Red Coral Red

Morning + Fog + Camera

This morning I ran on the road rather than driving to the trail. My cool-down was the long walk up the driveway. So foggy!

Everything misty and mysterious.

Except for Fitz. No mystery there, just affection.

Abstract: Catfish Ponds

If you've ever flown over the Mississippi delta you've seen these catfish farms from the airplane window.

That Third Quilt Top

This wild thing is the third top Clara and I pieced in our fit of madness last week. It's the first one to be quilted. We turn the lights down so it doesn't burn our eyes.

Rara Avis

We seldom bake cakes around here anymore, but when we have a weekend houseful, we bake two.

Scenes from the Stone House

Felix and Molly left the stone house this weekend to get back to real life. I stopped by Sunday afternoon to air things out (they had both had the flu, so sad), collect the linens, and polish things up.

I still don't have Real Pictures of the house but here are a couple of lovely spots. Fireplace above, bedroom dressing table below.

This Is Why We Can't Have . . .

 . . . pain-free necks. Three quilt tops in ten days.

It's out of my system now, and my neck will get back to normal.

(This one is about using up all my green scraps.)

Everyone Is Getting Bigger

Hospitality: Yes, You Should

Two years ago we instituted Young Adults Dinner once a month after church. On this day, any young adults we can find at church, and anyone the girls have invited from their networks of school friends, are encouraged to come for Sunday dinner.

I've really grown to love this time. I gave up on trying to present Interesting and Varied meals, and instead just go for really tasty, and plenty of food. Generally featuring chicken. But the best part, of course, is the young adults gathered around our table.

You know, you could do this too. Or you could do something really small. Just once. Or more. You could, and you should.

New Orchid

Several of mine are coming into bloom, but they're still weeks away. So I shortcutted and brought home a new plant from Wal-Mart.