Latest Projects: Flippers Summer Slippers

 Loving my latest "flippers" summer slippers (flip flops + slippers = flippers. Clever, eh? 100% my momma. Thanks mom!) This is the 4th pair of flippers I've made and certainly not my last. The fabric shown is a repurposed thrift store fabric...I wish I had bolts of the stuff!

Owly Owls

I'm loving creating these cute little owls for the Great Owl Crochet-Along. Here are my first three...one happy little owl family :) Want more? Check out all the owls in the Great Owl Crochet-Along Flickr group!

list twenty-two: agenda this week

 {linea carta}

Happy Monday, my darlings. How was your weekend? Ours was...interesting. We had planned a mini getaway weekend, but a poor forecast kept us home. That meant, however, that we hit the London Strawberry Festival (where, much akin to many small Ohio festivals, had a gross lack of said host fruit.) We made up for it with a butterscotch sundae and taco cart. Not in that order. In fact, not on the same day, but I love them both so much I had to mention it. Oh, and we went to Comfest. Which was just bonkers. So many people, it almost wasn't fun. I didn't get a chance to hit vendor lane OR get fun carnival sweets. WTF. Just had lots of great conversation, got rained on, a few skeeter bites, and a bizarre, somewhat unpleasant nightcap with friends of friends (don't ask.) I'm over it already beacuse Sunday was blissful and utterly lazy. I wouldn't have traded it for the world!

So, that leaves me with this week. I used to despise Mondays, but I'm learning to love them. The whole week blossoming before me? What's not to love?! Here's what my week looks like, aside from the obvious work and housework-related stuffs...hows about yours?

- Mock up 4 new patterns (3 sewn and 1 crochet - can't wait for my linen order to arrive.)
- Drop off a custom "flippers" (aka summer slippers) order
- Sort through my summer clothes and pare down (I have waaaay too much stuff. Time to get ruthless!)
- Recaulk the bathtub (truth be told, it's been on my agenda for weeks now. I really, really don't wanna.)
- Yoga on Tuesday (went for the first time last week and loved every challenging second!)
- Take photos of everything I've been too lazy to photograph recently
- If I find any time to sew for myself, I'm going to tackle a yoga mat bag pattern by Amy Butler
- And the biggie...

- On Tuesday, Mom + I are off to a triple feature Twilight Experience Extravaganza! Oh yes...all three movies, right in a row with Eclipse as the finale at midnight. We're getting serious and packing sandwiches, folks. I can't wait!!! Is anyone else going?

Good Morning Ohio: Little Alouette + Handmade Toy Alliance

{images via little alouette}

I'm excited to share a special edition of Good Morning Ohio this week...because this is the Handmade Toy Alliance's Blog Week, where supporters of the artisans and handmade toy crafters in America, get to spread the word and show some love to these amazing folks. I get to talk about one of my big favie Ohio companies Little Alouette!

·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  · 

Not only is Little Alouette a member of the Handmade Toy Alliance, Little Alouette is run by Amy and Joe Sharp in Columbus, Ohio. Amy is amazingly sweet and, together with her husband, they create the most amazing natural wood toys, teethers, and rattles.

Let me talk about the first time I found Little Alouette on Etsy...

I had been shuffling through my local Etsy listings when I spied a darling Ohio Maple Tree Teether. Of course, even though I don't have babies, I was smitten with the simple, clean, organic design and wanted to learn more about the folks behind so many darling creations. Having been featured on Etsy's Featured Seller, Etsy's The Stork Quit Your Day Job series, and all over the blogosphere, I also came across Amy's own blog Doobleh-vay and, a little later, discovered she's a contributor on Scoutie Girl! (What can I say? We Ohioans dig craftsy types.) Little Alouette represents to me the best in finding balance between work - home - life. Cheers to the Sharps for keeping at it :)

So. My first (and lasting) impression upon discovering Little Alouette? These are the kinds of toys I want to buy for my kids one day. These are the toys we ALL should want for our little ones. Simple, natural, local, organic, and above all...safe. No toxins. No plastics. No huge carbon cost to ship it from a factory in China. This is the real deal. Made by hand, with love.


Want to know how to get involved in supporting folks like Amy + Joe? Want to find HTA business members in your area? Visit the Handmade Toy Alliance website for more information.

About the Handmade Toy Alliance: The HTA is a non-profit organization made up of crafters, manufacturers, and importers of small batch children’s products.  In 2008, Congress passed the CPSIA to regulate the children’s product industry, but the over reaching law has unintended consequence requiring all children’s products to be tested at a third party testing lab.  The testing costs are expensive and often require the destruction of several pieces for a result.  The HTA is urging Congress to amend the CPSIA in a way that keeps safe products in the market place and maintains safety standards that protect our children.  Do your part by going to www.handmadetoyalliance.com and contacting your member congress.

list twenty-one: favorite unexpected design obsessions

{source}

1. foreign food packets...especially candy! I love most candy...especially when I can only pretend to decipher what the contents of foreign-candy wrappers may contain. Japanese candy is always a fun food roulette.

2. beer labels. Boutique and indie beer labels can be seriously genius.

3. ditto for wine labels.

4. skateboard art. You're never too old to love skateboard art.

5. vintage advertisements. From shoe polish to absinthe, chocolate to trips to Tanzania, I love, love, love vintage advertisements.

6. Japanese craft books. Seriously cute kawaii amigurimi or clean, aesthetically-calming clothing patterns, I'm a big fan. Perhaps it stems from my 5th grade obsession with origami? Who knows.

7. huge boxes of crayons. The smell alone is enough to obsess over (surely, I can't be the only one who loves the smell of crayons?), but the tidy rows of brilliant colors...it's almost enough to make me not want to use them, to keep all my crayons perfectly pointy...but only almost.

8. Bolts of fabric. Oh the joy of wandering around a fabric shop. I want to touch everything, but especially the wool felt. If I could make my entire wardrobe out of wool felt, I would. I'd be sweaty and gross all summer, but part of me thinks it's worth it. It's almost impossible for me not to want to buy just a yard...just one more yard.

9. Paint chip displays at home improvement centers. Without fail, every time I go into a store with a paint chip display, I make a bee-line for it and dream about painting every surface of my home in fresh color. I can't resist taking a few...just to stick on walls at home and pretend I can afford to repaint. Again.

10. European homes. Whether it's Galway, Ireland or Cinque Terre, Italy, brightly-colored homes, weathered cottages, cobbled footpaths, and thatched anything always tug at my heartstrings. There is something magical about certain places and old European homes do it for me.

Freebie Friday: The Necktie (Father's Day edition)

{img}

I got the nicest email the other day from Matt over at Tiepedia. Gotta give props to a guy doing his blogging thing, especially when it's not a tech or sports blog! It's all about the quintessential man essential: the necktie. Now, call me crazy, but I freaking love the look of a man in a necktie. It just seems right somehow. Maybe that's old-fashioned, but hey, I've been known to like all things old-fashioned.

So, as I was saying. Matt has a great post on necktie cakes, which I completely love. Definitely check it out! (Thanks for the link, Matt!)

It also got me thinking...Father's Day is Sunday. Do you want to make an extra-special gift for Pops this year? Why not make him his very own, custom-made necktie? Even dads who don't like ties would like it if you made it with your own two hands! Need a pattern? Check out Andy Gilchrist's man-friendly blog Ask Andy About Clothes for a great DIY necktie tutorial.

Happy (early) Father's Day to all the dads out there + have a great weekend!

What's Cookin? Wednesday: Peach + Blueberry Cobbler

 {Could use some crème fraîche and mint, but pretty darn good alone!}

OK. I must admit. It's not from scratch...I cheated a little and used a cobbler mix by Calhoun Bend Mill (this mix became the "Official Peach Cobbler of The Louisiana Peach Festival" a decade ago.)

Cobbler mix + milk + butter + peaches + blueberries = summertime happiness.

I picked up my mix at Huffman's, but Calhoun Bend Mill has an online store, too...lots of dessert mixes, bread mixes, fry mixes, and a cookbook called "Taste Southern Goodness" -- wouldn't mind adding that to my collection!

On the subject of flip flips...

Can I get a moment here? See those two flip flops? See how they don't match whatsoever, as one is brown leather and the other navy blue foam with white polka dots? Yep.  That's what I wore to the post office yesterday. I wish I were kidding. I wish it were on purpose. I'm fairly certain I'm losing my mind. For what it's worth, I laughed so hard I cried about it with Mom, who may or may not have done something very similar once.

Good times. That's all I can say.

list twenty-one: GreenSpot commitments

I posted on the Hello Magpie facebook page last week some exciting news... Our home (and thus, Hello Magpie) have been approved as a Columbus GreenSpot! As a local "green" initiative established by our Mayor Coleman, GreenSpot allows Columbus homes and businesses to commit to changes which will create a more ecologically responsible environment. Once approved, GreenSpot encourages each of us to share our lists -- to reconfirm our intentions and educate others on our actions to be eco-aware.

This is my GreenSpot pledge. Many of these, we already do; others will be gradually introduced.

Here's how I will conserve energy

• I will replace my regular incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency compact fluorescent ones.
  
• I will drive 10 fewer miles per week.
  
• I will purchase foods, goods, and services that are grown or produced close to home.
  
• I will turn my thermostat up in the summer, and down in the winter, or I will install a programmable thermostat.
  
• Other ways we will conserve energy. Please tell us what you will be doing in the space at the end of the form.
• We will line dry our laundry the majority of the time, rather than using a clothes dryer.

Here's how I will conserve & protect water

• I will water my yard only once a week, keeping in mind that 1 inch of rain/water is enough to keep most lawns healthy.
  
• I will install a rain barrel in my yard to collect rainwater, and use it to water my plants.
  
• I will install a low-flush toilet, or put a bottle of water or a displacement bag in my tank so I use less water with each flush.
  
• I will plant a tree on my property.
  
• Other ways we will conserve & protect water. Please tell us what you will be doing in the space at the end of the form.
• We no longer use our dishwasher. Instead, we use eco-friendly cleaning products and hand-wash our dishes, controlling the amount of water used.
• We no longer take excessively long showers.
• We no longer let the water run when brushing our teeth.

Here's how I will reduce, recycle and reuse

• I will carry reusable bags when I shop.
  
• I will choose products that use less packaging and less harmful material.
  
• I will request to be taken off junk mailing lists, stop catalog orders, and pay my bills online.
  
• I will avoid one-use items such as paper plates.
  
• I will buy small amounts of items that have a short shelf life and bulk amounts of items that do not go bad quickly.
  
• I will donate unused or unwanted items instead of throwing them away-and explore thrift stores instead of always buying something new.
  
• I will recycle paper, steel, glass, and plastic by using my local curbside subscription program.
  
• I will separate my yard waste (like grass clippings and leaves) from other trash, and leave it by the curb on my assigned day or I will compost it.
  
• We avoid buying petro-based plastics as often as possible.
• We are mending older clothes, making new clothes from vintage/thrift store fabrics, supporting handmade artisans, and committing to giving handmade gifts.
• My home business philosophy is that of eco-awareness and conscious consumerism, providing eco-friendly goods, functional, long-lasting products, and vintage items -- all of which support reducing waste by extending product lifecycle, reducing waste, and encouraging reusable items. All of my shipping materials are 100% recycled, repurposed, or reused.

Want to be a GreenSpot, too? If you're in Central Ohio, visit the Green Spot website to apply. If you're elsewhere, check out the application for great ideas on how to go beyond recycling!

Freebie Friday: Summer Flip Flop Slippers

Remember how I mentioned on Monday that, before summer was over, I'd like to make these completely darling flip flop-style slippers using Liz @ Lady Harvatine's pattern? Well, I made some that very evening. And I want to make gobs more. They are so great for shuffling around the house! When it's hot outside, I'm a barefoot kinda gal, but my feet get Dirty with a capital D! Ew! These little fellas fix that right up. Of course, I have lots of plans to tweak the pattern, but this is my version of said slippers. Which I call 'slippies' and usually scoot around and do a little dance, wiggling my arms like a goon. What can I say? It's what I do.

Happy weekend, peeps. I'm meeting a new friend for coffee later. Yippee! Can't wait!

Good Morning Ohio: Wayward Seed Farm

{images via wayward seed farm}

·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  · 

Good morning to Central Ohio's own

Wayward Seed Farm!

The Wayward Seed Farm is a bio-intensive, organic method farm specializing in heirloom vegetables.

Found in Marysville, Ohio, Wayward Seed Farm not only provides many central Ohio farmer's markets and restaurants with fresh, organic, and unique varieties of heirloom and heritage vegetables, they have pioneered the successful creation of a CSA (or Community Supported Agriculture) program which serves as a direct link between local consumers like you and me. To date, the Wayward Seed Farm CSA program is one of Central Ohio's largest, further demonstrating their commitment to our community through honest farming, education, and support. Though this year's CSA spots are all filled, the fruit and veggie shares are very competitive. I encourage everyone to consider participating next season! For much more information, including farmer's market lists, what they grow, CSA information, and more, please visit www.waywardseed.com.

What's Cookin? Handmade Granola

 Truth be told, I am not one to eat breakfast in the mornings. At lunch or even for dinner, count me in, but I just don't have a taste for anything early on. This, of course, is much to the chagrin of my acupuncturist and health coach (both of which I have now, and it's glorious!)

This brings me to granola. Thanks to the Schlabach Amish Bakery Grand-ola I was introduced to just a short while ago, I can say I'm a fan of granola in general. When I ran out of my Grand-ola, and then moved on to finish off the last of some Special K vanilla almond, I thought I'd give making my own Granola a go.

Of course, out of the encouraging pages of my beloved Martha Stewart Body + Soul magazine (aka Whole Living), comes this April 2010 recipe for granola. The best part? I had every, single ingredient!

I made half a batch, since I didn't know if I'd like it or not. My changes are noted:

{click here to be taken to the original recipe}

- 6 cups old-fashioned oats (3 cups)
- 1 1/4 cups nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc) coarsely chopped (2/3 c. peanuts, 2/3 c. almonds)
- 1/4 cup seeds, such as sunflower, pepitas, etc. (1/4 c. flax seed)
- 1/3 cup flaxseed meal, wheat germ, or a mixture of the two (none)
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (1/4 tsp.)
- 3 large egg whites (3 egg whites)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (1/4 tsp.-ish groud sea salt)
- 3/4 cup sweetener, such as honey, agave syrup, or molasses (about 1/2 c. honey)
- 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil (about 1/4 c. EVOO)
- 1 cup dried fruit (sour cherries, cranberries, raisins, etc) coarsely chopped (about 1c., raisins)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Combine the oats, nuts, seeds, flax and/or wheat germ, and cinnamon in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites and the salt until frothy. Whisk in the sweetener and the olive oil. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, and stir until the oats are evenly coated.
3. Transfer mixture to two rimmed baking sheets and spread flat. (I used one massive sheet and a baking mat. One less dish to clean!)
4. Bake for 20 minutes, then gently flip with a spatula, moving granola from the outer edges to the center of the sheet. Continue to cook until golden, about 10 minutes more. (If the granola starts to brown too much at the edges, gently stir those parts into the middle.) (Way easier said than done, with the moving to the middle. I think 10 more minutes is excessive. 5-6 additional minutes would be better. Next time, I'll do 15 and 5 mins.)
5. Cool completely on pan, then transfer to a bowl and gently stir in the dried fruit. (Don't bake your fruit or it will get hard!) 
6. *I'm storing mine in a large glass mason jar. This half-batch filled about 1.25 jars. I think a full batch would fit several decently-sized jars well for gifts or as a processed cereal alternative to keep on hand! 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Congratulations + hats off to Pam Frost Gorder! 

She's the lucky winner of the Good Morning Ohio Giveaway!

A very big, heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated in making this giveaway a humongous success. Without all the companies, artisans, commenters, bloggers, tweeters, and new Facebook friends, this giveaway wouldn't have nearly been as fun. You guys never cease to amaze me. I heart you mucho :)

I simply cannot wait to have another giveaway! This was entirely too much fun :) So, if you're a crafter, Etsian, business owner, artist, or the like, and you'd like to participate in your own giveaway on Oh My Word! please let me know because I would love to host you (and I bet I know a few folks who would love to learn more about you in the process!) Just send me an email at reevetobe {at} gmail {dot} com.

list twenty: Crochet, Sewing, and Stuffing, oh my!

 {vintage dress form via See Change Design}

I feel like my life is cracking along at a nice pace lately, though I feel something big tugging at the corners of my mind just ever so slightly. (Do you ever get that feeling?) I do have quite a few projects coming along nicely, which always brings me to smiles.

Here's a list of fun projects I've been working on lately...note the gross lack of home improvement projects. What can I say? Creating little owly friends is way more fun than scraping mouldering caulk.

1. Working on owl #2 #3 for the Great Owl Crochet-along. They are cute! I want to make a bajillion! (Pics coming soon!) *Finished #2 owly last night!

2. Finished a darling chambray wrap skirt, recycled from a Ralph Lauren king-sized pillow case bought for $1 at the thrift store. (pics coming soon!)

3. Finished the perfect sleeveless summer top from a vintage pattern I bought at an estate sale last year -- bright white with Battenburg lace details at the straps (entirely constructed from a white cotton bedskirt bought for $1 at the thrift store...I was on a roll!) (pics coming soon!)

4. Finished two hand-crocheted cotton market totes - 1 for the giveaway and 1 for my store. Loving the pattern! (Keep your peepers open for the Wakefield Market tote...it's coming soon!)

5. Nearly finished with an all jute crocheted tote from an original pattern. Just need to sew a lining and find some leather straps. I like it, but I'd like it better if it were bigger! Next time...

6. I really should get around to hanging my inspiration bulletin board.

7. Grand plans for a sewing machine cover from the great fat quarter bundle from Spool that Bubs bought me for Christmas.

8. I have yet another fantastic heap of fabric -- this is a pretty vintage floral in lime greens and yellows -- of which to fashion this darling wrap dress from Butterick.

9. Working on some new soft goods + sewn items for Hello Magpie Etsy.

10. Before summer's over, I'd like to make I have made these flip-flop slippers :) *Done! Made my first pair last night. Love 'em but going to modify the pattern a bit I think. Best part? I didn't need to buy a thing...I had every material required!

How are your projects coming along?

*sorry for the gross lack of photos. I'm just being lazy. I'll take a bunch and share very soon! I promise! And I also promise my fingers weren't crossed when I promised just then...it will happen...eventually...)

Oh! And don't forget to check back tomorrow...Good Morning Ohio Giveaway winner will be announced!

Freebie Friday: Summer Pudding Recipe

{recipe + illustration by Johnathan Hawker via They Draw and Cook}

 The first time I had a traditional English summer pudding, I was visiting my husband's aunts, uncles, and cousins for the very first time. I was 20 and it was my first trip to England. This simple, fresh, and amazing dessert has lingered in my mind for the last ten years. This will be the summer I make one. I hope you'll try it yourself!

{recipe and photo courtesy BBC Good Food}

Here's the BBC Good Food recipe, with some changes, courtesy moi.
Ingredients:

• 300g (10.5oz) strawberries
• 250g (9oz) blackberries
• 100g (3.5oz) redcurrants (if you can't find them, blueberries would be a good replacement)
• 500g (1lb 2oz) raspberries
• OR 2lb 12oz mixed berries and currants of your choice
• 175g (6oz) golden caster sugar (replacements: caster sugar or regular white sugar)
• 7 slices day-old white bread 

Directions: 

1. Bring out the juices: Wash fruit and gently dry on paper towel - keep strawberries separate. Put sugar and 3 tbsp water into a large pan. Gently heat until sugar dissolves - stir a few times. Bring to a boil for 1 min, then tip in the fruit (not strawberries). Cook for 3 mins over a low heat, stirring 2-3 times. The fruit will be softened, mostly intact and surrounded by dark red juice. Put a sieve over a bowl and tip in the fruit and juice.

2. Prepare the bread: Line the basin with cling film (plastic wrap) as this will help you to turn out the pudding. overlap two pieces in the middle of the bowl as it's easier than trying to get one sheet to stick to all of the curves. Let the edges overhang by about 15cm (6 in). Cut the crusts off the bread. Cut 4 pieces of bread in half, a little on an angle, to give 2 lopsided rectangles per piece. Cut 2 slices into 4 triangles each and leave the final piece whole.

3. Build the pudding: Dip the whole piece of bread into the juice for a few secondss just to coat. Push this into the bottom of the basin. Now dip the wonky (I swear it really says 'wonky' in the recipe) rectangular pieces one at a time and press around the basin's sides so that they fit together neatly, alternately placing wide and narrow ends up. If you can't quite fit the last piece of bread in it doesn't matter, just trim into a triangle, dip in juice and slot in. Now spoon in the softened fruit, adding the strawberries here and there as you go.

4. Let flavours mingle then serve: Dip the bread triangles in juice and place on top - trim off overhang with scissors. Keep leftover juice for later. Bring cling film up and loosely seal. Put a side plate on top and weight down with cans. Chill for 6 hrs or overnight. To serve, open out cling film then put a serving plate upside-down on top and flip over. serve with leftover juice, any extra berries and cream.

Tips:

Berries over cooked or white patches?
The best thing to do is add more berries, strawberries are best. If your bread is patchy, take the spare juice and spoon it over - people will never know.

The sugar in the pan won't dissolve?
It takes a lot longer than you might think to dissolve caster sugar. Be patient and keep the heat low. It's ready when there's no grittiness at the bottom when you stir.

 

I spy a butterfly...

This little butterfly was God's gentle reminder that every choice I make, as simple as line drying my laundry, has an impact. That's the real butterfly effect, folks.

Self-Discovery and My Path to Living Creatively...Today at Scoutie Girl

{follow the wind by Naoko Kumano}

You'll find me elsewhere today...guest posting on Scoutie Girl my personal take on what it means to live creatively. I do hope you'll pop over and give it a read. I'd love (as would the entire SG community) to know  what you think & share what it means to you to love creatively. Does it mean thinking out of the box? Consuming less? Connecting with community? Challenging the status quo? I'm all ears.

Until then, keep it real + keep it creative.
xo,
Eve