Paint splatters and all

That was fun! Honestly! I just love it when my kids paint. (I am not referring to the clean up or the set up) The sheer delight of small children, radiating from their sweet souls, being transformed onto a simple piece of paper.

Children's art.

I love it.

Pure,
undefiled,
full of warmth.



There I was, standing there.... coaching, blabbing my big mouth off, and telling them to ask mommy for help if they needed it, and ESPECIALLY OPENING AND SQUEEZING THE PAINTS, PLEASE. I told them, that I did NOT WANT THEM to get paint on themselves, etc....etc.....

and then WHOOOOOMMPPPP.....
....I did it!
A BIG, juicy, cadmium red blob of Windsor and Newton Acrylic paint, blobbed all down my front! Beware of squeezing paint from the metal tubes.....the bottom came undone/unrolled and came blasting from the tube and ONTO ME! I stood there speechless for fifteen whole seconds, and then the girls let out a loud laugh! I just had to join in.......there was nothing else I could do, really. No naughty words coming from the mommy's mouth, no shrieks, no nothing......just a comical moment in time. What a blast!!!!

Reminds me of a Jackson Pollock!



I did, however have certain thoughts like, "Ohhhh, why was I wearing my favorite, comfy denim skirt......
and
"what on earth was I wearing my favorite new summery top?!"

So, you'll never believe me, but.......every last bit of paint came out! I mean, totally, completely, no red paint in sight. I rushed the clothes under the running water of my kitchen sink and it all sloughed off. Just soap and water! Then I threw them in the wash and hoped for the best. It all turned out ok! Wheweeeee~



And here is the finished birthday cupcake. It's a gift for uncle's birthday! Don't you love the hand painted frame to go with!!!!!!

Making me smile

I am so happy to have this quilt back from my good quilting buddies, in Turlock, California. These ladies are a lifesaver, and do the most beautiful quilting jobs, EVER!
Thank you Pat and Dea!!!!



This quilt is going to be a gift for someone special, so I can't do the full reveal, just yet! I'm just basking in these luscious colors.



What do you think? It is so summery and gorgeous.
I hope I can part with it~



Reminds me of spearmint, raspberries, watermelon and cantelope melon, along with a little Asian influence.
I think I will call it Xlang Xlang Spice!

Time to go work on the binding.
Looking forward to a relaxing weekend. Temperatures are heating up out here! It's 102 F. today! Yowzers!!!!

Update: it's now 108 F. *ugh*

Copyrights and such

Okay, I hate to do this, but there is a little something that has been bothering me for quite some time, now. I know most of you understand blogging etiquite, so just bear with me here. I have noticed several of my photographs posted on OTHER BLOGS! I find this very disturbing. If you have any of my photographs posted on your blog, would you kindly remove them.

THANKS~ I don't mind if you make reference to my blog in any polite way, or link to my blog, etc....but please, refrain from taking my photography and posting it on your blog. Anyhow, you know who you are. I would NEVER take another blogger's photograph or flickr photo and post it on my blog! *argh* Isn't it fun to post things that we have made ourselves?! Then our friends come along and pat us on the back for our handiwork. I think it works something like that?

Thanks for understanding.
Next post will be more inspiring...I promise......
toodles,
Laurie~

Thought I'd try out my new apron

I've been wanting to try out this new recipe from Tessa's cookbook, for the longest time. If you haven't picked up the colorful "Apples for Jam" cookbook, it is truly worth reading through. The photography alone is mouthwatering!



So, today I put on my new apron, and whipped up these cakes to take to Momma's lunch party, tomorrow. In case you are wondering which recipe I used, you can find it on page 100 of Tessa Kiros: "Apples for Jam" cookbook.
Orange Juice and olive oil cake with pine nuts

Okay my friends, this is so mouth watering and spongy, with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on top!

Summery skirt seaon

Feeling like Spring!



Alas, tis the time to pull out this spring skirt I made way back when! I laugh at myself today, as I realize I made this way back in January! I must have been dreaming of Spring!

In case you are wondering what fabric I used, it is: Alexander Henry, Ava. This print also comes in black and white, pink, & orange sherbet.
I spied some over here, and here.

Time to mow the lawn out back. Ohhh, I hear my honey mowing right now as I type! Thanks~

Happy Mother's Day weekend, to all you momma's out there!

May...busy birthday month

I don't think I have ever seen a dryer May, for California!
We certainly have not had the rain we've had in season's past.
Driving along the back roads the other weekend, I was reminded of just how dry it is already! I mean we haven't even got to the *hot* season yet!



I suppose it is not like this along the coastal regions, yet.......



But I must admit I love the billowing waves of grass, that blow in the wind.

We've been busy these days........



Some have seen glimpses of the ice cream man, early in the season!



And some have enjoyed prancing around in their new skirts~

Can't complain about the idyllic weather we've
been having.
No coats required, thats for sure.
Birds chirping, sewing machine whirring, my studio
floor littered with fabric confetti and threads.

More projects to share soon. Sorry for the lack of posts
lately. I've been busy welcoming in new babies,
throwing birthday parties, celebrating an early Mother's Day,
and lots of other little sewing projects in the works.