answers with unrelated pictures
i've been getting quite a few questions from you kind readers, and i love them and i have wanted to get back to all of you. but there are two things you should know about me: 1. i am crazy forgetful and, 2. i'm sometimes kind of a slacker. so, if you are one of the people who have sent a question my way without a response, this post is for you.. and for me, because i like looking at these pictures of my little boy wonder and his sisters on his very first birthday.
six inch single layer ice cream cake with whipped cream frosting. charlie is not a fan of the cake-y texture, but is a huge proponent of strawberry ice cream. and whipped cream. and blueberries. after freezing cake, frosted, i made a stencil, placed on cake, filled stencil with new layer of fresh whipped cream, put sprinkles all over that, removed stencil and had a perfect c for the boy.
QUESTION: "what pattern did you use?"
ANSWER: unless i have noted otherwise in the post, the pattern i am using is my own.
QUESTION: "do you sell your patterns? where can i get them?"
ANSWER: i do not produce or sell them.. yet! but plans are in the works, my friends. if all goes well, or well enough, i am hopeful to have a small line of patterns available in the fall. i will certainly keep you updated and maybe take a poll or two along the way.
QUESTION: "how do you do freezer paper transfers?"
ANSWER: first off, let me say how impressed i am with many of you scouring the archives and tolerating the slightly wonky photo formatting that was a result of importing from my old blog space. freezer paper transfers were all the rage when i was first introduced to this craft blog world, and they are good fun. i have sent a tutorial to many of you, but am too lazy to take decent pictures to post here when there are several tutorials out there that do a lovely job. like this one.
QUESTION: "how do you get such vibrant play dough colors?"
ANSWER: i use a no-cook playdough recipe using powdered alum and boiling water, which usually results in less bold colors.. enter: gel food coloring. i was not stingy with the stuff and when used in combination with some regular liquid drops, i got some really atomic colors (i will add this information to the "kids zone" post shortly). i bet the paste food coloring that you can get at cake decorating/ candy making stores would be awesome too.
ruth is always fancy. and a little crazy. the funny, good-natured kind of crazy.
QUESTION: "where do you find your fabric?"
ANSWER: all over the place, but consistently: purl and recently, denver fabrics. a beast of a collection to get through but i have been really happy with what i've bought- and at pretty decent prices. there are also a few places in the garment district i visit, but rarely since i've got the kids to tote around and trying to keep track of them among all the rows of giant bolts is no fun. lastly, i haunt all the really run down thrift shops when i visit family in oregon each summer and usually score some pretty sweet stuff.. the smell goes away after a few washes..
QUESTION: "how do you like squarespace?"
ANSWER: love it. really love it. took some adjusting to, but that was quick and i can't imagine going back now. the support people are amazing and so friendly when dealing with my idiot questions.
she's asleep here. and no matter how many times you close them all the way, eve's eyes always go back to being open just enough to make everyone uncomfortable.
QUESTION: "do you bleach your daughters' hair?
ANSWER: no! who do you think i am? ok, fine, this was never asked by a reader here, but somebody on the street asked me recently.. and despite the craziness that would have to be deep inside me to consistently bleach my three-year-old's hair, i liked the question. it made me feel like my mom. i have clear memories people asking my mother if she bleached my hair when i was little. i don't know why, exactly.. maybe they thought it the only possibility when compared to my two sisters- one brunette, the other red-head?.. i didn't pay much attention to that when little. instead i spent all my emotional energy being outraged and frustrated by the fact that i was, on several occasions, mistaken for a boy.. once while wearing my favorite dress..
did i forget any? probably. if so, ask again. if it is a popular question, i'll post the answer here. otherwise i'll do my best to get back to you as soon as i can. of course, if there is anymore crazy sickness in our house like the last couple days, all promises go out the window.. hooray for the (not swine) flu!
Friday, June 5, 2009 at 12:54AM
Reader Comments (62)
precious precious pictures!! charlie is adorable and so fun to see pictures of the girls too.
kristen
How did you ever get your 1 year-old to keep his hat on long enough for pictures? I love your blog and your creativity. You've inspired me!
YAY!!! You're going to sell your patterns! That is such good news. Thanks for the inspiration.
Award for you on my blog.
I really can't wait to see some of your patterns come up for sale. I love the cut of so many of your summer dresses0 they are so simple, stylish and cute. And can I make a request? PLEASE do a special one for the boys! I have a son and a daughter and my poor little boy misses out too much. I try to draft patterns to make clothes for him but I don't have the gift, so given your talent I am sure you will manage it!!!
I love your blog.
Cherry
Katie- you're awesome!! That's about all I have to say- and your family is lucky :) AND, my husband and I CAN'T WAIT for your patterns to come out this fall :)
Hello, you've got an award at my blog, I wish you will happily accept it :) as I adore your blog so much!
thank you so much for all the lovely answers. one question left... what kind of camera do you use? your pictures are beautiful! would love to hear any photography tips...
I love, love, love your little family and admire your many talents. Thanks for the little quilt how-to you posted not too long ago, I've put a link to your how-to on my little blog. Your life seems so beautiful and fun. Right out of a magazine. How do you keep your children looking so imaculate? My children always seem so disheveled.
YAY about the patterns (possibly) becoming available! Please, please, please! Especially the reversible wrap pinafore dress. And all of the red white and blue separates.
I can't wait for your patterns! You should make sure they come in adult sizes too. I would love to dress as well as your too-cute-for-words daughters.
I'm a new fan after clicking through most of your site! I LOVE IT. You make beautiful clothes for your beautiful children. Thank you for sharing. I hope one day I can make such beautiful things for my babies.
I LOVE your blog and relish the idea of patterns, just like all your other adoring fans! Here-here to more boy items (I have two...) My only question is, "When do you find time to sew?" =-)
I am so excited about the patterns that you are producing! I hope all goes well!
and the winner is...YOU! Thanks so much for inspiring me.
http://yarroville.blogspot.com/2009/06/im-winner.html
Hilarious about Eve's eyes! Lucy almost does the same but not to that impressive extent. And Eve's a very beautiful girl.
I stumbled across your blog and it's absolutely lovely.I wish I was your kid! You design the prettiest children's clothes. The colours are so vibrant and the styling is awesome. Your little girl is sooo lucky! :)
PS: I love that huge bubble and all that play doh!
I love your style.. and am really excited about your patterns.
I thought I would write just in case you ever wanted to estimate the # of fans you have.
Maeve
hi! i love your blog- your children are SO adorable! happy birthday to the birthday boy! i will enthusiastically look forward to seeing some of your patterns! i always admire your designs!!
you are my inspiration! i just found your blog on simply lovely.
and funny, you answered my questions in your first post! you are incredibly talented. i just got a sewing machine for mother's day and WISH i had your ability. i have yet to learn a straight stitch. how did you learn to sew?
i also just took a trip to coney island with my 2 girls. gretchen (3 1/2) and stella (8mo) it was a birthday trip for my dad's 80th. such a great place!
your post "this girl" about your ruthie made me teary! it made me think about my gretchen.
amazing.
I can't wait to see your patterns!!!! I love what you do. But I'd better learn how to sew soon...
I am absolutely horrified that someone asked if you bleach your kids' hair!! Of course, I did have a perm in 6th grade, which has to be just a bad--but I hated it and was against the idea from the beginning.
Patterns: whoo! Let me know the instant they're back from the printers and I'll order the whole lot for the shop. My customers and students will LOSE THEIR MINDS with happiness!
ahahahha lol I am laughing so hard at the question "do you bleach your daughters hair?" ahahahaha lol OF COURSE YOU DO KATIE!!! Seriously... come on..come out with it already!! :[) ahahaha lol too funny!
Hey I just wanted to tell you how much I LOVE your website. I generally shy away from gushing, but in thiscase I just can't help it!! You're totally humble about how amazingly talented you are - it is so refreshing to read your posts and come away feeling ultra-inspired but also like I want to be your very best friend. I know I'm not the only one to feel this way. So keep it up!!
oh, and your children are perfection and reading your writing about them makes me realize that having children is going to be awesome.
Hi - love you, love your blog, love your family, love your creations, love what you do!
Have recommended you in my blog here: http://skippedydoodah.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/hedgehogs-and-hayfever/
Hope you don't mind.
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