Pasta Night!

Several weeks ago, I braved the inevitable mess, and brought out the pasta machine. I had written "fresh pasta" on the menu, and I wasn't in the mood to back down from my inked commitment. Since I'm a messy pasta maker and drop a lot of it, the first step is cleaning the kitchen floor. I swept it thoroughly.

I managed to sneak the mixing of the dough past the boys, but Helen caught me right away and dragged a chair squeaky-screechy across the floor to help. Flour, salt and eggs. Maybe a little EVOO? Can't remember.

By the time I was ready to roll out the first quarter of the dough, Owen was keenly aware of what was happening. He and Helen were to swap roller duties off and on, but to Owen's great delight, Helen lost interest after her first turn.

It really is tricky to make noodles by yourself anyway, so I embraced the mess. We whooped and made up silly songs. All three kids ate as much pasta as they could get their fingers on. It was an extremely happy occasion in the life of a young child.

The finished product is always satisfying to behold. The kids agree.

Jack was content on the floor with some heavy duty equipment.

And everyone helped clean up! I may have turned on a TV program so I could finish properly, but who knows, it's such a fuzzy memory.

Lots of fun, but I probably won't do it again for a little while!

Oogly Boogly

My sister in law recently redecorated her boys' room, and called me in for a special project. She sent me some links to what she wanted, and I got busy. Both boys loved the pillows, and each claimed two right away. My kids enjoyed the making of the monsters, but didn't request their own, though I did save the patterns....

And now for some successful sewing

Oooookay. After that last post, I think I need to remind myself of projects that have turned out better. After winning an apron I made for a Dirty Santa exchange,

a friend of mine hired me to make a similar one for her daughter. The pleasure was all mine! I think her fabric choice was really cute.

Another friend asked me to sew something sweet for her little darling out of fabric swatches that were sentimental to her. I came up with this cute lovey for the Little Miss. Her mama was happy with it, and so was I.

And what would I do without my helper? She loves to watch me make stuff. Someday in the future I'll be watching her try her hand at the sewing machine. I hope she loves it as much as I do.

I might have made a mistake...

You know that feeling of inspiration? When a project idea comes to you, and you're in love with it already? You may not know how it's all going to come together, but you had a vision, and you're sold!
Or not.

For a long while, I was collecting scraps of vintage doubleknit fabric. I liked the individual pieces somewhat, and I pictured them melding into an extremely hip creation. Instead, I got this:
Which looks like the 70s threw up on my kitchen floor. I tried to like it, but the only emotion it grabs is sympathy for my lost time and energy. Now I have a scrap rug that will never wear off its ugliness. It's currently in the garage, but if someone wants to make an offer.....