I spent an enjoyable afternoon baking sugar cookies while I conversed over the phone with my dear friend, Summer. The children were happy with their afternoon treats. I think that children's hands are so sweet. I love when B grabs my face and turns my eyes to look at hers...magic!

I printed these up yesterday in the studio. I think she's adorable and, of course, a bit mysterious...the perfect card for a secret admirer. This set is in the shop.

Birds of the Sandwich Islands
Frederick W. Frohawk
Watercolour

Isn't this postcard divine? My lovely cousin mailed this to me from Europe during her recent travels. How sweet~

I just snagged a Wanderings Coat Pattern from Sugar City...it's on sale for only $10!
You must, must go get one before they are gone.

I found these beautiful cocktail napkins at a local flea market. The color combination reminded me of the Valentine candy hearts I used to get from schoolmates.

I selected 4 phrases:
1. Be Mine ( me le mein )
2. Charm Me ( me charmer )
3. Kiss Me ( m'embrasser )
and
4. My Love ( mon amour )

I translated the phrases into French and got busy embroidering. They turned out just as I imagined~
You can see my Embroidered Valentine Napkin Tutorial here.

Sunday list about me:

1. I like dragging out ALL of my art supplies and then organize them back into neat little piles and containers.

2. I eat raw brownie batter when no one is looking

3. I purposefully killed my child's goldfish (and still feel guilty)

4. I shaved my head once to prove to myself that beauty is on the inside

5. I married my high school sweetheart

6. I want to learn French

7. I talk to myself in the car

8. I have a goal to read all of the Newberry Honor Award books

9. I could stay home for weeks without leaving

10. I experience hallucinogenic sleep paralysis (hypnagogia)

11. Middle Eastern food is my favorite

12. My best friend lives 1873.29 miles away

13. I snuggle with my children when they are asleep

14. I don't have any tattoos, although I am desperate for some sparrows on my forearm

15. I've had my hair cut by Lorraine Massey

16. I traveled Europe for a month at age 12

17. I'm a black coffee drinking machine

18. I've owned my own business for 8 years

19. I completed high school early

20. I still wear my hot pink butterfly retainer

21. Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 - I keep these words close to my heart

22. Getting lost in a book is the best

23. I want my family to live abroad for at least one year

24. The sea calls to me from afar...I am part mermaid you know

25. There is nothing more delightful than opening the mail box and discovering a hand written letter or small parcel addressed to oneself

Hand bound books I completed this past weekend. One is a journal and one is a watercolor sketch book.

Books, Books, Books....

Today's project: Finish binding this journal.
The front is hand painted 'prive' (French for 'private'). I am in love with the color of this journal. Mix it with the waxed linen thread in chocolate brown and I can't stop looking at it.
I love how constructing these books allows be to use my hands, paintbrushes, paper, needle and thread and sometimes even fabric. I can really mesh lots of my interests into one project!

...................................................................................

I'd like to share some of my favorite children's books with you. Each of these series holds a special place in my heart and it has been delightful to reread these as an adult and mother. These books are timeless. Wisdom, humor, and truth are woven into these stories. I recommend purchasing these books for your child's library. Your family will cherish them forever.


Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka series by Maj Lindman
If you did not have the privilege of reading these books as a child, you simply have to read them now...to yourself and your children. My mother read these books as a child...so special. The original hardcover books are collector's items and cost a pretty penny. However, this delightful series has been released in paperback and you can find them at most online bookstores. There is also a series about 3 brothers called Snip, Snap, and Snur so your son can also join in on these adventures.


Frances series by Russell Hoban. Illustrated by Lillian Hoban
Have you met Frances? She is the cutest little girl badger you will ever read about. Her stories are well written and classic. Frances lives with her parents and little sister. She is often getting herself into little situations and has to figure out how to deal with her decisions. I love Bread and Jam for Frances and must warn you about Bedtime for Frances - You will be fighting off invisible tigers and laundry giants if you read this right before your kids settle down (but you still should read it!)


Ramona series by Beverly Cleary
You probably read Ramona in grade school or some of Beverly Cleary's other works. We are reading this very book (Beezus and Ramona) at night to our children and I am just captivated by the way Beverly Cleary writes. She uses detailed descriptions and everyday situations to paint a lively and humorous world. It is a totally different experience reading these as an adult now - all moms will smile with understanding while reading these aloud~ Also look for the Henry Huggen's series for boys. He makes appearances in the Ramona books.

....................................................................................

Embroidered Valentine Napkin Tutorial

Supplies:
A. Four cocktail napkins in assorted colors
B. Scissors
C. Embroidery needle
D. Disappearing fabric pen
E. 1 skein of embroidery floss in cream
F. small embroidery hoop (not pictured)

Step 1:

Using your fabric pen, transfer your phrases onto the napkins. I wrote my phrases in pretty script with a Sharpie on white paper. I lightly taped my written phrases onto the back of the napkin and then held them both up to a window. A light table works well to. Or, if you would rather use transfer paper, follow the transfer instructions from the manufacturer.

Step 2:

Cut a generous amount of embroidery floss. I cut 4 pieces (2 feet long each).

Step 3:

Position your embroidery hoop over the words. Begin embroidering with your preferred stitch. I used a simple back stitch. Click here to see my back stitch tutorial.

Step 4:

When you reach the end, knot and cut thread. You are finished!

Felt Barrette Tutorial

Inspired by Angry Chicken. I tried my best to sew them on my machine, but I could NOT sew on the lines very straight. So, I improvised and hand stitched some barrettes instead.
.....................................................................................

Supplies

A- Felt (I love wool felt, but the craft felt works well to)!
B- Fabric pen
C- Embroidery or Craft Thread
D- Scissors
E- Needle
F- Snap Barrettes (I found them for a good price at a beauty supply store)

Step 1

Trace barrette twice onto your felt using your fabric pen.
Step 2

On one of your traced felt barrettes, mark in-between the back snap as shown in picture (in red).
Step 3

Cut out your barrettes about 1/8" from the trace lines.
Step 4

Cut a slit from red dot to red dot.
Step 5

Thread your needle and knot your thread on one end.
Step 6

Sandwich the two felt barrette pieces together and bring thread up through the skinny end of the top felt piece (this will hide your knot).
Step 7

Blanket-stitch up to the wide end of the felt sandwich and stop stitching.
Step 8


Slide the metal barrette into the sandwich sliding the skinny snap through the slit in the back felt piece. See the pictures. Now snap the metal barrette shut.
Step 9

Continue to blanket-stitch back to the starting point, enclosing the metal barrette as you go. Turn barrette over (as shown in picture), knot and cut your thread.
Finished Barrette:





Don't forget to visit the rest of my blog! I also have a forest fawn stuffie pattern for sale here. My instructions are accompanied by full color photographs and I give permission for you to sale your fawn creations!