What Would You Make with This?

I purchased this sumptuous plant-dyed wool felt from A Child's Dream Come True a couple of months ago on a whim when I was reordering some their other more traditionally dyed wool felts.   The plant-dyed colors just caught my eye and when I slipped them out of their mailing envelope, I think my pulse quickened.  I really am at a loss to describe it, but there is something about the colors of these felts that is so much more extraordinarily gorgeous than other wool felts.  

So, they have been sitting right on top of my work table all this time, awaiting the right inspiration, the right project, the thing to evolve into...and I've got nothing.  Every time I look at them, I am still as in love with them as the day they arrived, but I just cannot work out what the right project is for this lovely felt, in all these rich, natural colors.    I know--this should not be hard.  And I really am eager to cut into the pieces and make something...but what?  

So I ask, what would you make with these pieces of felt if they were yours?

Read This: Little Blue and Little Yellow

Leo Lionni is one of my absolute favorite authors of children's books--and this book, Little Blue and Little Yellow, is my favorite of his books.  But I have this thing about stories that involve abstract shapes as their main characters ( you too?  you should read about Little Smudge then...).  

The story is about our two heros--who just happen to be ragged edged circles in blue and yellow--and follows them through a colorful afternoon of simple, but beautifully illustrated games, and then their surprise afternoon when they hug and find themselves merged into an all new color...and the confusion that ensues from there.

Apparently, Leo Lionni conceived this book when he was with his grandkids on a train and they were making a bit too much mischief, so he created a story right then and there with what he had--a magazine.  He tore some ads into pieces and began to tell them them this story about little blue and little yellow...and this classic was born.

Just goes to show you what we all know, the best things come from some of the simplest means--and also, necessity is the mother of invention...any other cliche's I should be hitting on here?  Whatever the case, go find a copy of this at your library if you have not read it before--I promise you will enjoy it.

London

(Westminster Abby and Medevial Fresco)

(Westminster Abbey Floor)

 

(Admiralty Arch)

(British Museum Pillars and Indoor Covered Plaza)

(Ceiling in the King's Library)

(Middle-eastern Sphinx and Cupid in King's Library)

(Borough Market)

(Truffles at Borough Market)

(Big Ben and Trafalgar Square)

(Buckingham Palace from Saint Jame's Park)

(London Street)

(Westminster Underground Station)

(Hampton Court Palace)

 

(Tudor Rose on Ceiling)

(Fresco at Hampton Court Palace)

(Hampton Court Passageway and Mr Beeper Looking out window)

(Topiary at Hampton Court)

(Palace Back Door and Orangerie)

  

(Urn in Hampton Court Garden and Window in Banquet Hall)

(London Bridge)

(Tower of London Green)

       

(Tower of London Guard)

Quite belated, but thought I would still share some of the photos from our recent London trip.  We visited many of the usual iconic sites since Mr Beeper had never been to London before, but we also managed a few places I had never been before (this was my 3rd trip to London & I lived there for a summer...).  And if you must have my recommendations for what to see when in London town, here are a few of my own favorites...

• The British Museum (one of the best museum of antiquities in the world, & do not miss the King's Library--one of the least visited but best parts)
• Hampton Court Palace (former home of Henry the 8th and Ann Boleyn--if you watch The Tudors--and yes, I do--you must see this site)
• Porters for a traditional english pie and a pint
• Tate Modern (if you like modern art, this is the place to be--go there via the Millenium Bridge--their gift shops are some of the best shopping in all of London)
• Hyde Park (pack a picnic from a local market and enjoy)
• Borough Market (honestly, the best meal we had on this trip came from takeaway stalls here)
• The Underground (perhaps my very favorite part of London)
• Westminster Abby (if you only choose one church-y site--make it this one, chock full of history and British poets)
• Highgate Cemetary (take the tour--the commentary is well worth your time)
• Just walk the city...get off the underground and take some time to walk from one place to another, stopping in at pub for a pint as necessary...

And if you are looking for a very traditional boutique hotel, you cannot beat The Rookery (posh, located in the heart of London, great breakfasts in bed & a claw foot tub in every room)
And also, you can see more photos here.

In My Shop: Two-Faced Friend Dolls & Counting Bean Bags

I've managed to whip out a few sets of counting bean bags and a little gang of two-faced friend dolls.  Two of the sets of bean bags are made with some of those reproduction feed sack fabrics I so love--they have quite a lovely washed-out vintage-y look.   And the dolls are all made with real, authentic vintage feed sack and vintage trims and other recycled materials.  If you'd like to have a look, you find them here, in my little shop. 

Enjoy: Some Projects to Share

Here are a few projects found out and about that I love right now.  Love those bloomers--and the clever sharpie drawings on the plastic bags--so cool.  And those scavenger hunt cards are a must-make since Beeper would lovelovelove them (and I am thinking about what sort of accompanying scavenger hunt bag into which he might deposit his finds I might make...).  And it is raspberry season and the notion of bottling those with some of the mint spilling out of our planters as we speak and some prosecco...well, you know what I will be drinking all of 4th of July weekend...You can find the links to all of the above over in my sidebar, or just go here...enjoy.

What I Bought in London: Tana Lawn

This is Liberty.  Much like Tiffany's, it feels like nothing bad could ever happen to you in place like this.  That is, until you rashly blow your son's college fund on Tana Lawn.  But have a look at this some of the fabric and you will understand how all common sense evaporates...

Tres joli, non?   There was a quilt there that was made from nothing but Tana Lawn and merely touching it I was immediately lost in a reverie of what it would be like to sleep under it, at once silky and crisp, pretty as spring, certain to keep nightmares at bay.  Even with your husband waiting patiently for time without end as you walk up and down the aisles, again, and again, and again, trying to decide which of these little pretties will come with you--even if it does mean a trade school education for your son-- am pretty sure at least some of you can understand why I could not leave London without several yards tucked safely in my suitcase. (and did I mention that you need not even visit London to buy your own?  Find their full selection of fabrics right here...)

Eat This: World's Best Ever Chicken Cheeseburger

These chicken burgers may not look all that impressive, but they are one of the best burgers EVER.  I ate something similar last summer at the Longfellow Grill--but it was a special and they never reappeared on the menu...so I decided I had to try to work the recipe out for my self.

The additions of bacon, and sauteed apples and onions to the ground chicken keep it moist and extra flavorful--and then the smoked cheddar AND the herby-mayo just put it over the top.  I double-dog dare you not love them.

And here's the recipe:

DOWNLOAD CHICKEN CHEESEBURGER RECIPE