Saturday, June 25, 2011

Colour My World

Pin It After the Pink Polka Dot Bonanza (here), I took a weekend to clean up my studio.  Boy, did it need it!  There were pink polka dots everywhere!  Hanging from the ceiling lamp.  Draped over the peek-a-boo cabinet.  Stuffed into drawers.  Even swinging from Maggie's tail.  Eloise loved her Big Box of Treasures.  We were able to Skype with her (I love Skype) while she opened the package.  The look on her face with each item - simply priceless! She carries around her Eloise doll and I hear the ruffled knapsack was a lifesaver on the plane.  She moves into her new room in about two weeks.  Can't wait to see pictures of her with all of her goodies.

The past few weeks have been filled with more sewing projects for my mother's birthday and father's day.  Thankfully, my sewing machine has been a sweet dream - not fussing at all (all you sewers out there know what I mean). I hope to post some photos and a couple of tutorials this coming week.  This weekend, I'm taking a little time away from my sewing machine to join in on all of the fun over at Papertrey Ink


CHALLENGE #1: Create something drawing inspiration from this photo.



Here's my interpretation of the picture.  The vibrant gradient colours had the biggest impact on me. Using colours from my ink stash as closely matched as possible to the photo, I inked a simple Papertrey Ink white card using Flower Fusions stamp set.  Each flower was finished with a simple button.  A butterfly was added as a detail just as the butterfly coat hooks are in the photo. 



Challenge #2:  Make-It-Monday Reverse Masking

A colorful and whimsical potpouri of flowers with a small wishful sentiment tag.
Papertrey Ink Stamp Sets:  Flower Fusion #1 and #4 and Tag-Its

Reverse masking was applied to the large "Flower" and one of the smaller flowers.

A few extras for the Operations Write Home basket.

Now - back to my sewing machine!  Hope your world is colored with bright cheery fun this weekend.
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P.S.  Check back later in the week.  More new things coming to my Etsy store Otter Hill Designs.  Shop for charity - all profit is donated to World Vision to support women across the world.


Monday, June 6, 2011

A Pink Polka Dot Bonanza

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It's been a busy, busy week in my studio!  A few postings ago, I shared with you my grand-daughter's request for lots of pillows for her new big girl bed.  Maggie and I camped out in my studio and kept my sewing machine humming. 
Pillow #1 is a simple square pillow made with the yummiest, butter-soft chenille fabric and pom-pom trim.  I think it may just replace Eloise's "bah" (security blanket that she carries to bed).
Inspired by the ruffles in the Gussy Sews collection, pillow #2 was made with baby-soft flannel with a ruffle inset.  It was trimmed off with pink daisy chain and a few buttons.


During our visit to see Eloise, my husband took her on a discovery walk where she found a pretty pink camellia that had just fallen from its bush.  She brought it home and her Zeke showed her how to keep it fresh in a bowl of water.  When she asked for pillows, I immediately knew that I had to make a pillow with a big pink camellia flower on it.  I have been waiting for a reason to make it ever since I saw the original tutorial posted by Allison of Cluck Cluck Sew.




I couldn't stop with just pillows for Eloise's bed.  She asked for "other things" to put on it too.  What could be better than a doll made in Eloise's image?  Using the pattern from my new Fleecie Dolls book (see this posting), Maggie and I stitched up a Little Miss Eloise doll.  I wonder what she'll call her?

Maggie (middle) spread out across the floor. 
She's claiming the left-over fleece for her own pillow.



There was one other specific item on Eloise's wish list - a little light.  She explained to me that her room is very dark at night and she doesn't like it (Daddy, if you're reading this - take note.)  I just happened to have a night light that would fit the bill.  From the left-over fabric from the camellia pillow and the pom-pom trim came a pretty pink polka-dot night light and a  matching lamp shade too!


I thought her new room is going to need a few personal touches - like a banner for above her bed and a special photo of Eloise with her Zeke and Daddy, and a whimsical wreath for her door.  No mistaking whose room it belongs to! 


One last thing for the little princess.  She will be heading soon across the country to a new home on the East Coast.  What would be better than to have a special goodie bag to make the airplane ride more fun?!  I fell in love with the little ruffled knapsack made by Marie at Not Very Domestic.  I really loved the ruffles, but wanted a bag with a lining so I modified the Beach Bag pattern by Martha Stewart.  I took the liberty of filling the ruffled bag with tons of toys, activities and treats for the plane.  Didn't this turn out so cute?



My mother has put in her order for a ruffled ditty bag too!  In fact, upon seeing the pink polka-dot bonanza, my mom said she was changing her name to "Eloise" - too funny!



As Eloise's pile of loot continued to grow, I became more and more excited - the simple thought of the expression on her face when she opens her box of treasure.  My creativity was running amuck sparking the flame for the next project.  My husband commented on how this experience is the perfect analogy to describe how Our Lord must delight in fulfilling our requests. 

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you;
seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you.
- Luke 11:9

And so I say to you, be like a little 3-year old and ask Our Lord for pillows, lots of pillows, or whatever you are desiring.  You may be surprised one day to see that He has fulfilled your requests beyond your wildest expectations.  Don't be afraid to ask.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Remembering Our Brave Warriors

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Operation Write Home

In honor of Memorial Day and all of the brave soldiers who have so unselfishly sacrificed their lives so that Our Great Nation and its citizens can live in freedom, I spent most of the weekend making cards for Operation Write Home.  If you are not familiar with OWH, it is a nationwide charitable organization that helps our military heroes stay in touch with their families.  Homemade cards are crafted and sent to various military units throughout the world.  As of May 13th over one million cards have been shipped overseas!!! 

OWH had put out a special request for additional creative "miss you" cards - cards with no particular holiday theme.  Over the weekend I crafted twelve cards for our heroes, plus a few more birthday cards for the family and another weekly card for my Send Love Today assignment.

Here's a peek at what kept me busy this weekend.


Happy Little Cards - ready to for OWH

A couple of my favorites.
Stamp Set: Papertrey Ink Love Lives Here

Birthday cards for some sweet darlings.
Stamp Sets from Papertrey Ink:  Make A Wish and Little Bitty Bird


A card for my oldest step-son who turns 35 this coming week.
I wonder if he is still able to swing from the monkey bars like in the photo.
Sentiment from Papertrey Ink: Make A Wish

A thank you card made at the special request of my mom for a dear friend.
My mom is the bridesmaid in blue.
Thanks tag from Papertrey Ink: Tiny Tags

A simple weekly card for my Send Love Today assignment.
Stamp Set from Papertrey Ink: Tiny Treats Birthday

A sympathy card for this week's Papertrey Ink Make-It-Monday challenge.
I find making sympathy cards so difficult.
Stamp Sets from Papertrey Ink: Daily Design Senttiments and Love Lives Here

Now, onto some sewing projects for Miss Eloise!  Have a wonderful holiday and don't forget to keep our military families in your thoughts and prayers.

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Saturday, May 28, 2011

Pretty In Pink

Pin It You might remember in my last post (here) that our grand-daughter, Eloise, shared her wish list with me for decorating her new room and big girl bed that is soon coming.  Nothing could have delighted me more than a little three year old asking for pillows - pink polka dot pillows!  Ideas have been swirling in my head ever since.  Her timing was perfect as JoAnn was having a HUGE sale for Memorial Day Weekend.  Thought I'd share some eye candy with you of the stash that filled my cart.  It seemed like every pink polka dot fabric in the store was singing - Miss Eloise, Miss Eloise, make me yours tonight!! 


PINK

Salmon Pink...Coral Pink

So Soft Baby Pink

Little Girl Pink



Pink Polka Dots

Little Pink Flowers

Pink Plaid

 

Pink Buttons

Pink Ribbon

Pink Paper


Pink Flowers

Pink Boxes


Pink Smiles

Pink Hugs


Do you have any idea what I'll be making?

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Friday, May 20, 2011

Let them eat quiche!

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Just getting back from visiting our grand-daughter in San Francisco.  It was a long weekend filled with ice cream, playgrounds, story books, baking, tea parties and puzzles.  All of the wonderful things a 3 year old delights in.  She will soon be getting a big girl bed and has put in her requests - lots of pillows, a cover, a banner with her name on it, a night light and more toys for on her new bed - all in pink polka dots.  Looks like I'll be busy in my studio over the next weeks!


Today, I thought I'd share with you a recipe for a super easy and very tasty quiche.  The main vegetable is zucchini but you could easily substitute say asparagus or such.  This is a crustless recipe which uses bisquick.  I make my own bisquick (always trying to save a penny); the recipe is posted below.  Today I'm serving it with Tomato Basil soup and sweet watermelon.  In the summer when the zucchini is out of the garden, I usually serve it with something from the bay like salmon or shrimp cocktail and some fresh fruit on the side.  I've also served it for breakfast and brunch when entertaining along with a make-ahead french toast (recipe coming in another post). 


Left:  Before baking     Right:  After baking

Zucchini Quiche           

3 cups zucchini, sliced thin
1 cup bisquick
1 teaspoon grated parm cheese
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup oil
4 beaten eggs

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.  Pour into a 10-inch pie dish.  Bake 30 minutes at 350 degF until golden brown.  Be sure center of quiche is firm.



Homemade Bisquick

6 cups flour
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1 cup Crisco

Sift dry ingredients.  Cut in Crisco until mix resembles fine crumbs.  Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to four months.


Enjoy the weekend! 

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Monday, May 9, 2011

My Sweet Mama

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A glimpse into Mother's Day on Otter Hill ...



As my mom's senses are heightened as a result of chemotherapy,
she now finds fragrant flowers unpleasant. 
A crepe-paper nosegay was made as a substitute for real roses

Mom's favorite cupcake - Devils Food
(Recipe here)

A colorful surprise awaits her at the breakfast table!

The lady of the day!  Love her smile!
Breakfast lovingly made by my husband -
Poached eggs, buttermilk pancakes, bacon,
sweet cherry tomatoes with olive oil and navel oranges.
Dinner:  Seared Scallops with Lemon Pastina and Shrimp (recipe below),
Fresh asparagus from the garden (to die for!)
Cupcakes served with strawberries and kiwi with honey glaze.


Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo
(Recipe here from myrecipes.com)


Cooking spray
1/2 cup prechopped onion
1 cup uncooked orzo (rice-shaped pasta)
1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 pounds sea scallops (I used a mix of 1 pound of scallops and 1 pound of shrimp)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper


Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in pasta, broth, wine, and thyme; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente. Stir in chopped chives and lemon juice. Keep warm.


Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle scallops evenly with salt and pepper. Add scallops to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness. Serve with pasta mixture.



Her children rise up and call her blessed
(Proverbs 31:2)
To all of the women who have blessed my life, I wish you all a Happy Mother's Day!
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