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)
Hey, I just discovered you thanks to Bloesem. OMG, your clothes and children are completely and totally beautiful and your words for the previous post actually made me cry and I'm not even hormonal at the moment. I shall be returning often xxx
I used your super easy to understand (thank you!) fabric flower making tutorial on a tank top, it worked like I charm! thank you thank you thank you!
I just found your blog and LOVE it! You are too funny. I have a Charlie that turned 1 in March, and I used to live in NYC in a precious 400 square feet (though without baby) so find your experiences so interesting. Keep up the good work on all fronts =)
i would LOVE to see you produce patterns...
your clothes are precious.
HAH! Looking at this entry again, I noticed that Charlie is wearing the jumper/pagajamas his great-uncle wore when he was that age (about 39 years ago)! It was also worn by 2 of Charlie's uncles. Vintage is good.
Oops - spell correction on above: Pajamas!
I just had to say... OMG! My daughter does the same thing when she sleeps. It so freaks me out! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. :-D So glad i found your site. Beautiful kids...beautiful clothes! Inspires me to bust out my sewing machine! :-)
Patterns!? Did you say patterns!? Yes, please! I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog and this is my first time commenting -- with the express purpose of encouraging you wholeheartedly to produce your patterns! You make *such* fab clothes -- I love how modern and chic they are. Not super cutesie or old fashioned like a lot of commercial patterns. I'm sure you can look at most patterns and see how to tweak them to your liking, but some of us are just not so talented!
Ok, so can I make some suggestions for your first patterns....? :)
1. the e/r dress -- my 3 year old (I also have a 3 month old, both girls) and I both *love* this dress! Upon seeing it, she said 'mommy makes that one for me?' hmmm, I wish girl, I wish....
2. the 'Caps for Sale' dresses and separates -- ALL of them, we want ALL of them!
3. the Easter dresses! I've loved the last two years...
4. all of the American Summer separates -- I especially love your creative, creative, creative use of stripes!
5. the ‘Prep Work’ school clothes and twirly skirt – I love the little black and white checked jacket.
I could go on and on…really, just about everything on your blog is a-mazing. Just wanted to give my encouragement and praise from the other side of the country here in Calif. (On an unrelated note: I live on the coast, but we have family in Greenwood (beyond Cool…haha) where we would go visit some summers. I most love the photos of myself up there in ’79 (two years old) in which I’m wearing, what else, home sewn clothes and red saltwater sandals :)
Goodness, now I really am going on and on… If you ever need an impartial pattern tester (I’m clearly a fan, but its not like I know you or anything… :), please keep this avid reader in mind!
Best of luck with everything, and thank you for sharing your world on the blog,
xoxo,
Nicole
Also, I’m apologize for this is getting to you three weeks after your post…I have a tough time getting to the computer with two little ones, and frankly I’d rather be creating something than sitting in front of a screen when I have a spare moment. (Although, since you have three small kids and find the time to keep up this blog, among all of your other activities, you probably have no idea what I am talking about… :)
*I apologize
oh please make the patterns I would love to make them up for my little girl :)
(LOVE the site by the way)
Awesome Blog! Continue the awesome work!
Thank you for sharing, and thank you for all the answers. I am so excited about the prospect of being able to buy your patterns in the fall. I think your kids' clothes are just awesome.