Along those lines I recently inherited this beautiful fabric from Grandma's sewing scraps. Trouble is, and you may have already guessed this, it's polyester. Not the thinner, drapy kind of polyester, the thick, real, from-the-70s kind of polyester. But, other than that, it really is lovely and I'm dying to use it for something. So, I'm asking...any ideas friends?
This came together in what feels like seconds and I'm so excited about it. It's a roll-up mat with chalk cloth on one side and oilcloth on the other. Elsie Marley made one for the entire table, which is totally amazing. But, I couldn't resist the on-the-go-ness of the rollup version. I should mention it is for the kiddos, though, it may be hard to discern who likes it more. I was just thinking...sometimes we just need a little extra time to enjoy our pancakes at the diner or a sip of coffee that is enjoyed rather than gulped. Maybe this will buy me that luxury. And, we are always on the lookout for things to bring a bit more quiet time at home. I was intending to roll it out (ha!) at Christmas but we might have to bust it out earlier than that.
I forgot to add, I got the whole kit from TaDaa Studio on etsy, oh brilliant etsy.
I have this bag with a style I really like, it's from Target. And, I take this bag everywhere...the library, to work for my lunch (I'm a big eater), to the store for small shopping trips. Anyway, I started examining the bag and realized it was going to be really easy to make my own pattern and imitate the bag but with my own twist on it. So, I did that and used this scrumptious japanese fabric in a heavy-weight cotton to make a bag just right for my son. This propelled me into making them for other little people I know. I mean I made the pattern and all, I might as well make good use of it. Can't quite share the other bags just yet (or the things that might just be tucked inside). 
But, I had to proudly display this simple little bag I made on my very own. The inside is shot cotton, which I need to discuss at great length another time (love it? hate it?) and, of course, the cat who seems to always be around when the camera strap emerges.
It is just great fun. Marcel Proust apparently developed this parlor game of questions he felt revealed people's innermost self. So, Vanity Fair has been asking iconic figures these same questions and recently pulled them into a book. Their online quiz matches you with your most similar luminary. (My third match-up was James Brown. I'm not going to dwell on what this reveals about me.) Go on, who are you? And, tell me. I have to know!
Photo from NYTimes of The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett
A Better World Cafe serves local, organic food most of it grown within a 50 mile radius with fair trade coffees and teas. None of the food is served in or on anything disposable and in order to reduce food waste you pick your own portions. The cafe also hopes to bring good, environmentally-friendly, healthy food to as many people as possible by offering a free meal option and the possibility to work for one hour in the cafe in exchange for a meal. As if all of that weren't enough, it is run by a non-profit organization that runs a culinary school and job training program for low-income folks. I know, a million great things at once. It is currently operating, lunch-only, out of the quilt room in our church but the hope is to spin it off to its own location when it builds support. The social justice mission at our church is really strong, we've built housing for foster kids, supported the development of a Ten Thousand Villages store, and have lots of other ideas brewing. It's the kind of stuff that makes someone ambivalent about organized religion (like me) start getting active in a church. Another thing I never dreamt of saying.
Finally got around to trying my hand at carving a beet. Not only are beets beautiful in color and shape (very feminine, I think) but they are so good tasting. I could eat lots of beets, funny thing is I go crazy for them when I'm pregnant but my kids don't like them at all. Go figure that one. The poppies up top were just for fun and really didn't turn out that great, when it's stamped they look alot more like alien people, which is fun, but not exactly what I was going for, ya know? 
Our city-wide yard sale was very nearly a bust. First it was rained out and then the rain date was pretty rainy. (It is awfully wet here.) There seemed to be a bit of city-wide confusion about when it was all happening so it was just a trickle of slow sales and I was getting nervous I wasn't going to find anything. But, sigh, just around the corner from us was a good sale with these two fabric shower curtains. They have stains but I'm using them for the fabric so I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw them. Oh, I've got plans for these guys! 
Then, I found this book. How fantasticly kitch is that? And, for 10 cents! Plus, it has some great kid-friendly projects including how to make "kooky clay", I can't wait. I mean who wouldn't trust this guy below? Ah, that is right pointdexter.
I didn't find a toddler bed and bedroom dresser but that might have been a little much to expect anyway.
