MyLuckyChicken

Literature for $200 please.

I was a french literature major but now I have precious little time for reading and some of that I admit to squandering away here in cyberspace. Yes, I could be working out at the gym, a paperback propped up on the treadmill, but that isn't likely to happen in the near future. So in the mean time I've found DailyLit  (thanks to Amy at Angry Chicken).

It's a great site that will send you installments of some really wonderful literature in little 5 min emails. How fun is that? Now I can reread the classics I read when I was too young to be appreciating such things and not feel guilty for spending 45 min leafing through the latest Every Day Food .

I'm rereading Proust. I got the first installment, loved it.

Now when people ask what I'm reading I don't have to go pale and stammer, I'll simply say...

Proust darling, Proust.

Got it!

I've got my new sewing machine. Let's cross our fingers that this one works. I am going to set up a sewing space downstairs tomorrow. This should leave room on the dining room table for um, dining. 

I originally wanted to post many pictures of my hand sewing/ embroidery but I have been forgetting to take pictures during the day and the night time light is very yellow.  But here is one project I've been working on.

I traced Bubba's drawing on to muslin and used his colors...

I did not include the dust in the attic, which is what the black scribbles are.

At first I thought this might be super cheesy, but I really like the simple drawings on a simple fabric.

I am going to make this into a lunch bag for me and use some of my vintage sheet fabric to line it. Now that I have my machine I can put the pieces together.

I did another one of three houses and I must say I enjoy my boy's sense of composition.

And now a gratuitously cute shot of a boy and his dog...

 

Puppy Love

Because too much is never enough and projects be damned...

We got a PUPPY!!!

We foolishly told Bubba when he was about 2 1/2 that he could have a puppy when he was 6. The thinking was, he'll never remember and 6 is so far away. Well remember he did, that kid has the proverbial mind like a steel trap and he was holding us to it.

So I of course had to do much research checking out breeds and how to adopt from a rescue or go to the pound. Many many hours of research. Also, I have never raised a dog so I needed to look into all of that. a lot.

Then one night on Petfinder I saw a picture of this little guy. He was going to be at a fair for adoptable dogs that weekend. We went and met him, put in an application, and after a home visit (and much ribbing from the neighbors about having to have a home visit to adopt a dog)  we were approved!

We picked him up last night.

His name is Buddy.

We LOVE him.

He is the perfect little puppy for us, small, calm, loves the kids, fears the cat, and loves Gloucester the neighbor dog.

I predict a few puppy pictures in the posts for a while. Especially since I haven't gotten my sewing machine replaced yet. It will happen soon though, then I will have sewing to post about. I've got some great ideas for Christmas presents, and a baby blanket I owe a friend before her little one goes off to college. oh, and the kitchen, and the hand sewing, and the knitting, and... and... and...

unexpected blog break, vintage finds, new project

Ugh.  Well that was an unexpected little blog break.

I wish I could say it was because I threw caution and good sense to the wind and hopped a flight to Paris to finish out the summer. But alas this is not the case. It was just life with kids and a house. The craziness (which I will not go into detail about here because it's exhausting thinking about reliving it all) consisted of getting a dog, realizing that the dog HATED other dogs, giving back the dog, breaking a little boy's heart, mending said heart with build-a-bears and promises of a puppy, then some yucky stuff backing up into the basement, night time calls to a plumber...you get the picture.

But now all is right with the world and things have fallen back into place, as they usually do.

So after the plumber left we said "let's leave this mess and go to Todd's Farm!" Which we did. And I am so glad because I was a great bargain shopper and had wonderful luck! Here are my treasures...

3 Vintage tablecloths

the one in the middle is pretty stained but that's ok, because I plan on using it on my  table.

some pretty dish towels and napkins

The last one has some beautiful hand embroidery and applique.

a sweet vintage apron

There is some staining where you would wipe your hands, but I love that. I love thinking about who wore it and that she was making dinner wearing this, or maybe baking cookies. Wondering what her life was like. This was in a bunch of stuff from an estate sale in South Boston. I wonder if she liked living there or wished for more room for a garden. I love that sense of history and these little threads being passed on connecting us.

and maybe this is her sewing box

this is what is inside, I love the sequined heart!

some vintage yardage

just to add to my stash

And the little chair? I found 3 of them on the street, for free. They are super heavy and school quality. The boys love 'em!

and a summer weight quilt that is just big enough for your lap, or maybe a crib. There is no batting in it so it is just right for this time of year.

So that's the whole day's take all for about $15. I don't like to talk about money usually but getting it for a bargain price makes it even better!

As for new projects, I've been inspired here (thanks to Jessie for the tip) and here to do a little embroidery. I am working with Bubba's drawings and I am pretty happy with the results. I'll post some here when I've got a few.