nanaCompany

a little bit of this and that

What a blast we had this weekend, hope you did too.  There was a ton of family stuff, some sewing, some cleaning (gasp, yes!) but with the music on loud, and a whole lotta eating.  First, Nicholas got a new library book bag...

Linen, ikea red stripes, and a little bit of "Thomas the Tank Engine."  It's simple and uninspired, there it is.  

Friday, we didn't make it to Disneyland (going today instead), so we made our first trip to one of those classic golf 'n'stuff places for mini-golf, kiddie rides, and arcade games.  Let me just say, my family is seriously cute.  We all stink at golf and Olivia thought it was her job to run around picking up our golf balls off the green.  Good times.  Needless to say, we didn't keep score.

(whee! Yet not quite Disneyland)

Saturday, we took the kids and their friends to Expo park, to the California Science Center and to the Imax theatre, which was also good times.

(view of Expo Park from the California Science Center)

For any of you who live near Los Angeles, I'd like to point out that the California Science Center is free.  Mmmhmm.  FREE.  Bring the kiddos for hands-on exhibits that will keep them entertained for hours.

Sunday was a bit lazy, but I did manage to sew up one more set of these cocktail napkins...

(In the shop)

Memorial Day, we did some much needed house cleaning while Anne was in the kitchen for hours, whipping up a Banoffee pie (banana + toffee) that tastes a lot like dreams come true...

It starts off with a graham cracker crust, then a pudding similar to dulce de leche (it involved sweetened condensed milk, a water bath, and stirring every 15 minutes for an hour and a half), fresh banana slices, and homemade whipped cream.  Need I say more?

Diet: officially ruined.  Thank you, Anne!

In the afternoon, we took the little ones to the park near our house and ran ourselves ragged...

Finished the day with chinese food and then went home and passed out!  Honestly, I think we've been having a little too much fun lately, but I promised the kids Disneyland today ~ and I like it as much as they do.

xo amy

:: slightly obsessed

I kinda had a goal of finishing the hand-quilting of my new quilt by Memorial Day but it's not to be.  There are 238 squares and each 4" square gets about 44 tiny stitches... can you say ouch?  I'm giving myself a few more weeks.  Besides... I'm sooo easily distracted.

See that bunch of loveliness up there?  What a smile it put on my face.  Seriously.  Well, in return, the talented gal who sent me this is getting some coveted Lecien that is literally impossible to find (the Old New collection, why oh why is it so hard to find?)

So after wrapping up her package, I ran to my computer to search for more, and what do I find?  Nada, nothing.  But then, (and my heart started beating really fast) I found a brand new line from Lecien with the same name "Old New"... and it's beautiful.  I was up into the wee hours of the night with a fever to find this stuff and of course, no.  It's in the UK for a pretty penny and there's some in Australia. 

Now I'm desperate and I am weak.  Please let me know if you find out anything about how I can get my hands on some here in the US?  Any of the new or the old collections... Please?  I promise to stop blubbering if you do.   And then I can get off my computer and get back to sewing!  xo amy

(image is from Quilter's Cloth)

:: delicious

Made another "strawberry picnic" bib...

Definitely a favorite out of all the bibs I've made.  And now I can make another check on my to-do list... (which is like a drop in the bucket).

Thursday, at the farmer's market, I smelled the most fragrant basil and had to bring it home... it inspired a perfect dinner of chicken parmesan and pasta with my own homemade chopped tomato sauce.  The greatest part is that you don't cook it.  Just add...

4 tomatoes, discard seeds, diced

1 onion, grate about two tablespoons

1/4 cup chopped basil

2 cloves garlic  (I put them through the garlic press, or just mince)

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

liberal salt, pepper

Combine in bowl and let it sit on the counter for a few hours to let the flavors mix.  Pour it on your breaded chicken, sprinkle with parmesan and bake.  I sprinkled the rest on some buttered pasta... so simple and so delicious. 

If you can get these fresh ingredients, get to it!  So good.  xo amy

:: the list

Wow!  Those little cocktail napkin sets went fast, so yes, I'll be making a few more... check back here if you're interested, I'll let you know when they're done.  Yesterday, while I was packaging them up I realized I'm out of paper hangtags so I quickly threw these together.  Simple, pretty, and effective...

So I'm adding more cocktail napkin sets to the "list".  Just like everyone else my to-do list is fairly ginormous and this week, so far, nothing has been done.  The truth is, I'm sore.  14 mile runs are kicking my rear-end and hand-quilting is poking so many holes into the pads of my fingers, one of them is bruised.  I've tried several different kinds of thimbles in the past, including hard stickers, but they all feel so awkward in the end.  Have you found any finger protection that's worked really well for you?  Please do tell...

Well, besides being sore, my camera is sick, today we'll be doing the library/farmer's market thing, and tomorrow we're going to Disneyland.  Then there's the evil clutches of Pinterest, Flickr, Ebay, Etsy, and Blogland ~ you know, you love 'em but they're just so distracting.

1. ISBN4824764427 detail1, 2. Miki the beautiful fawn, 3. "House" Japanese Book, 4. Party Dress, 5. Winter cushions, 6. Lattice Quilt, 7. Little white bear_in the cup, 8. royere rex8H, 9. Vintage Handkerchiefs, 10. DSCN0812 copy, 11. Vintage Style ~ a la Grand-mère, 12. vintage strawberry pincushion, 13. strawberry picnic patchwork...

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Alright, shutting off the computer.  See you later, girls!

xo amy

:: drink pretty

Those "near and dear" know that I am never one to pass up a cold drink, especially on a warm summer night ~ and I am so gearing up for a nice long beachy friend-food-and-fun-filled summer.  Check out the pretty drinks I spotted on pinterest today...

Source: benignobjects.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

Source: isleofview-facesoflove.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

Source: love-luck-kisses-cake.blogspot.com via Amy on Pinterest

So many ways to make a drink look extra special, right?  Well, if you're thirsty, c'mon over... we've got cocktail napkins worthy of those stylish drinks...

Aren't they lovely?  Two sets of these ric-rac fabric coasters, or cocktail napkins (which is what I'm calling them, because it sounds so very fancy even though my "cocktail" at the moment is a ginger ale), are going in the shop...

What's your favorite summer cocktail?

Cheers! xo amy

sand castles

We went to the beach on Friday.  It's a two minute trip down the hill to the beach and we stayed only a few hours but it was really nice.   We built a sand castle and then...

... my little guy destroyed it.  That's his favorite part.

What's your favorite part about going to the beach? xo amy

a summer of pretty dresses

It's funny how being sick (and totally engrossing oneself in making a quilt) changes one's focus.  Eating healthy goes out the window... as does cooking dinner, doing laundry, or even taking a shower.  Well, I know one person who's over the moon that I'm feeling much better now (husband).   Showered and everything.

 

 

 

 

This was me just before taking the kids to the farmer's market, Thursday.  Check out my fancy new dress from Target.  Love it.  I got it in two different colors because I decided this will be the "summer of pretty dresses".  Hey, they make me feel lighter and younger.  Two things that aren't so bad, I tell ya.

 

(this week's purchases from the market)

Well besides showering, I also did a bit of sewing.  I've got to sort these fabric ric-rac coasters into sets and they'll be in the shop soon.  But if you could help me out, I'm wondering how many do you think would make the perfect set?  4 or 6?...

Well, now that I'm healthy, I'm off and running.  I'll leave you with a bit of inspiration.  The colors in this plate I see in a future quilt...

1. thrifty spoils..., 2. Balloons!, 3. Apple Cosies, 4. Countryside Wedding, 5. munki starburst quilt, 6. honey & jam tarts, 7. Poppy, 8. Untitled, 9. new clothes, 10. Untitled, 11. Earth day today - Happy Birthday, Earth!, 12. Pink rainbow cake, 13. You Can Fly

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

Hope you all had a lovely Friday!  xo amy

a quilt for me

The past several days I've been making a quilt.  A quilt for me (really, it's just for me!), and I've been trying to make it fast, which is funny because I work at a glacial pace.  I took one day for choosing fabric, one day for cutting over 225 squares, one day for piecing, and now it is pinned together with batting and backing and I am hand-quilting this baby!

It's about 56" x 68" so it might take a while, but I do love a monumental task.  (Also, I love the look of handquilting.)  Wish me luck and perseverance...

xo amy

:: we have a winner on this lazy Sunday...

Yay Isa from Germany... whose favorite candies are pralines and chocolate from Lindt... you've got great taste and you're the winner of the Sweet Cottage Giveaway!  Throw the confetti! 

Oh, how I loved reading about your favorite candies ~ and as most of my readers are from around the globe I learned of many different candies I'd never heard of before.  Maltesers?  Musk sticks, Peta Zetas?  A lot of you love Fererro Rocher, just like me, and many of you are still crazy about Reese's peanut butter cups (what's not to love?) but some of you brought me right back to childhood with favorites like Laffy Taffy, Nerds, and Charleston Chews... oh the memories.

Well, I'm off to a quiet Sunday.  We are all under the weather here, so my 14 mile run was scrapped and no church either ~ who wants to sit next to the drippy, leaky, sneezy, boogery family?  Ewww... that's us.

Days like this are perfect for gathering flickr faves like these... 

1. Last Summer's Beach Blanket, 2. beanie belle pixies, 3. à espera!, 4. close up, 5. easter skirt, 6. Vintage-Inspired Apron #14 - Back, 7. demure folk, 8. reading nook, 9. Untitled, 10. Calendar 2011, 11. Add it Up Quilt Front, 12. From old Little Golden Books, 13. Words

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

And throwing one's diet out the window for these...

(http://delishmouthfull.tumblr.com/post/4051153426/ferrero-rocher-cupcakes)

So, meet me in the kitchen and pull up a chair to the table ...

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

Or join me in the garden if the weather is nice...

Source: gypsypurplehome.tumblr.com via Amy on Pinterest

I promise not to sneeze on you!  xo amy

:: a Thursday in pictures...

Yesterday I had the camera clicking all day long, and for no particularly good reason.  In the morning I was tickled by Olivia sitting in her new little chair from Pottery Barn (obviously in need of a cute patchwork seat cushion).  And although she looks as if she's in time-out, she's not... that came later, when she threw a horrific tantrum.

Next, I took some photos of these childrens illustrations from books I found at the library.  The books are called, "Cowboy's Secret Life" and "Cowboy and His Friend."  Do you remember Joan Walsh Anglund?  I used to cut out her "Children's Page" from my mom's magazines when I was a kid.  I haven't seen her work since then but I was delighted to see that her illustrations are so much more charming than I remember...

The photo below reminds me of a custom pillow I did for a little boy last year.  His mother told me he likes bears so I did this, but I love Anglund's bear best.  He's adorable.

Next, I went downstairs to my sewing corner and I thought I'd show you how Livi's party decorations are now brightening up my work space...

... and then here's a glimpse of my inspiration board, which is just a jumble of stuff at the moment.  While cutting fabric yesterday, I couldn't bear to throw away those thin strips of my floral prints, so I hung them up there ~ I'm going to try making flowers with those little strips.  You see, I waste nothing!  Um, and don't ask why there's a picture of Rosamund Pike in my sewing corner ~ I absentmindedly taped her up one day and there she's stayed (loved her in "Pride and Prejudice" with Kiera Knightly).   Someday I'll better organize my space... it's a disaster now, especially the fabric shelves, but when I organize it again, I'll show you.

I did a teensy bit of sewing, and in the afternoon we went for a walk to the farmer's market...

We sampled every food imaginable ~ olives, hummus, tamales, kettle corn, strawberries, apples ~ my kids think the market is their own personal salad bar and they run from stand to stand stuffing their mouths.  Then we stopped to listen to some music and do a little hula hooping, yes, hula hooping, before heading home with our spoils.  I got the artichokes I'd wanted last week, and a ton of strawberries, which are mouth-watering delicious right now...

That white sprig is something I pulled off a tree on the way home 'cause I thought it was pretty.  Does anyone know what it is? 

Well that rounds up my Thursday.  It was lovely, but what a difference a day makes... now the hubby and I are sick and laying miserably in bed.  The kids are running the house and spreading their toys all over because they know we're too weak to complain.  Happy Friday, sniffle sniffle. 

xo amy

Enter the new Sweet Cottage Giveaway!!!

Yes, it's giveaway time again here at nanaCompany... The sweet cottage placemat that I made a week ago has been waiting patiently, but now I've finally made a few things and gathered a few things from my stash just for you!

I found these wooden spools a few weeks ago at the craft store and thought I could pretty them up with some scrapbook paper and mod podge... well, that's exactly what I did, and I love 'em.  There are 48" of "Marie Antoinette" trim on one, 48" of vintage cotton aqua ric-rac on another, and 5 yards of dove grey twine on the last.  I also made a little strawberry pin cushion...

I filled it with batting because I thought that would make it firmer, but then I had the hardest time sticking pins in it.  Good luck to you, but I guess these things are better for decoration anyway ;)  (I've put in five pretty leaf pins to get you started.)

There's a package of letter tags, 52 pieces, that are fun for all sorts of crafting.

And one small pink suitcase filled with fabric.  Yes, there is fabric inside that little cutie, and it's a surprise but I think you'll be happy.  Some of the pieces are fat quarter size and some are scraps... I hope you have fun looking through the pile, piece by piece, to see what's inside.

Lastly ~ and the reason for this giveaway ~ you'll be getting my Sweet Cottage No.1 Placemat.

I looove this placemat.  It'll be a little hard to let it go, but I'll be making more, I'm sure, as I'm writing the pattern for it now and that will be sold in the shop quite soon.  Look out for the pattern if you don't win!

Sooo, all you have to do to enter this giveaway is leave a comment here on this post telling me 1, your favorite candy when you were a kid, and 2, your favorite candy now.  For instance, when I was a kid I loved strawberry licorice but now I think I love Ferrero Rocher (those gold foil-wrapped hazelnut chocolates) best.  I won't be mad if you send me a box at Christmas time ;)

I'll accept comments until Saturday, May 14th, at midnight and the winner will be chosen at random.  International friends are welcome to enter.  Thank you and good luck!

xo! amy

this Mother's day

My Mother's Day started off with a dreaded 6am alarm, waking me for a 12 mile run before church.  Strangely, all the stars were aligned and the run went perfectly, swiftly, and with very little pain.  It was awesome.  And upon my return, the house smelled of apples and pastry because Anne baked us an Apple Custard Tart...

Oh, it was heavenly.  Delicate and delicious.  Go ahead and be jealous because just a few hours later, Anne broke my heart by declaring that she did not want to come with us to the beach or out for dinner, nevermind that it was Mother's Day.  She is 15 and she simply didn't want to.  I wanted to force her to join us, but my better half told me that wasn't a good idea.  Unhappy teenagers don't make very good company.  'Nuff said.

We took the two young ones to the beach with one brand new scooter and one pink "princess" bicycle.  Nicholas zipped all around and Olivia pedaled ever so slowly by our sides along the Strand.  This is the Manhattan Beach Pier (about the halfway point on most of my runs)...

There's a little cafe at the end and we stopped for ice cream and coffee. 

By the way, that look on Nicholas' face above is not a "stop Mom I can't breath and you're strangling me" look, but actually a content "thank you for keeping me warm at the end of this windy pier" look.  fyi.

Diet-wise, the whole day was an indulgence ~ I ate tart for breakfast, huevos rancheros with sour cream and guacamole for brunch, crab drenched in butter for dinner, and a couple of beers.  Plus there was a rather large slice of tart with whipped cream eaten just before I went to bed... (thank you, Anne).  It was, afterall, my day.  I hope you enjoyed your day, too.

xo amy

:: happy mother's day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you awesome mommas out there! 

And, most importantly, Happy Mother's Day to my awesome mom! 

Right now I'm putting my feet up for a few minutes before I head out with the kids to the beach and the antique barn... later we're going for beer and seafood!!!  My day started bright and early ~ I ran 12 blissful miles in perfectly cool weather, then we went to church, then we had breakfast at the cafe and it feels so good to sit down now. 

First I wanted to show you the pouch I made for my mom.  It was my first time making one from this pattern and I tried so hard to make it wonderful, but I have to admit this is an awfully flattering picture...

Everytime I make something for my mom I feel like a kid again ~ drawing a picture, trying my best to make it beautiful and biting my lip.  She called me to tell me she received the pouch and that she likes it, so I'm happy.  She also mentioned during our phone call how my sister had called her earlier in the week complaining about her sore knee (my sister is training for a relay race), and how her two daughters always call when there's something to complain about.  Um, duh ~ that's what I was thinking.  That's what moms are for right???  I may be in my mid 30's, but when I get sick or something is wrong the first person I want to call is my mom.  It's comforting.  Just like blankets and soup.  I tried to tell her she should take it as a compliment but I don't know if she was buying it.  Then I saw this...

Source: mixandchic.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

Yes.  You see, Mom.  You've always put up with a lot from us... I guess the Mom-job is never-ending.  Thanks for picking up the phone when I call.  I love you.  Happy Mother's Day!

xo amy 

 

:: strawberry picnic

hello friends!  How 'bout a strawberry picnic?

I took the kids to our local farmer's market Thursday and we got the most delicious strawberries.  (And quiche, from a nice lady who also had a beautiful spread of homemade desserts that I would normally have scooped right up, but I had to stop myself.)  Next week I want to get some artichokes, they looked so beautiful.  But for today's picnic I think we'll have BLT's and strawberry shortcake and strawberry lemonade.  Wanna come?

Source: google.com via Amy on Pinterest

 

I'll be in the kitchen getting things ready.  See ya soon!

xo amy

not really vintage but pretty dang cute

Not that long ago, the top of Nicholas' bookcase looked like this...

I was definitely trying for the vintage children's look, which is not the easiest thing to do when none of your stuff is actually vintage and all of it is brand new.  Well that bookcase isn't there anymore and my big boy is turning 6 (!) at the end of this year.  So I have no idea what's come over me, but I was dying to make a vintage-y looking baby boy's bib...

Again, just a bit too bright, not really vintage looking but pretty dang cute.  There's a whole lotta American Jane in there ~ fabrics I've always wanted to make a quilt with, though now I feel I'm losing my opportunity.  I can't explain the urge to make baby bibs all of a sudden.  None of my children need bibs and my "babies" aren't babies anymore.  (Waaah!!!)  I think what I like is the tremendous feeling of accomplishment when you actually get to start and finish a project in the same day.  In case you haven't noticed, I am a sloooow worker.  Ask anybody I've ever made something for... they'll tell you how I torture them with my slowness. 

So, I think I'll go through a bib phase...

I've always made my bibs with snaps before, but I wanted to try out this trim I just got.  Less practical, but more vintage-looking.  I backed the bib with chenille and handquilted it, though there is no batting in there.  After you wash it, the chenille gets fluffier and nicer and I loved it on Olivia's bibs when she was younger.  Now she is truly offended by the idea of a bib getting anywhere near her (like when I tried holding this up against her, just to see).  She rolled her eyes at me and said, "Mo-o-om.  I'm not a baby."

Well, since everyone around here is so grown up, this bib is either going in the shop or maybe I'll do another giveaway...  And I think I'll make a few more of these not-vintage-but-pretty-dang-cute patchwork bibs while I've got the urge.  I hope you mama's out there like them...

xo amy

a sweet cottage placemat tour

Hello!  Welcome to my new sweet cottage...  I really like this one, what do you think?  I made one awhile ago and didn't love the design but I plan to make a pattern for this one, and then three more cottage placemats in different styles (coming soon).  As promised, I'll be giving this cottage placemat away in a giveaway as soon as I gather up a few lovely things to go with it, so stay tuned.  But first, a little house tour for you...

It is a quaint (that means small) cottage with white-washed clapboard shutters, pale blue flower boxes, and by looking through the windows you can see the interior walls are painted a pale pale pink with white polka dots.

The cottage has one working fireplace, and the roof is decorated with tasteful gingerbread trim.  The upstairs attic is completely finished and the walls are covered in a grey floral wallpaper.

No one can explain the button coming out the side of the house, but hey, it looks cute!

This tiny house sits on a hill of perfectly manicured grass and there are strawberry fields below.  Thanks for coming to see my new sweet cottage!

xo amy