Happy Town, USA

On my list of favorite things in the world, vintage Fisher Price Little People rank high.   I played with these when I was growing up, bought several sets for Beeper (okay, for me, really) over the years as gifts, and could easily name my favorite sets today (the A-Frame, the pop-up camper, Sesame Street, and the hospital, if you must know).  So, of course, when I first saw these prints by Happy Town, USA, it was all immediate adoration.  I love the bright acid-colored photography, and how the messages are either sweetly positive, or discordantly modern--but also just plain funny.  

They offer 4x5, 5x7, or 8x10 sizes of all of the prints.  They also offer prints customized with your own message, or a name.  Sweet.  You can find all the designs above, and many more, here.

Have Yourself a Lovely Crafternoon with the Kids...

I am smiling as a write this--see:  :-)   

I have some very happy news to share with you--I am in my very first book!   It is one of two books recently published--Kids' Crafternoon Sewing and Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft.  Both books were curated and edited by the lovely Kathreen Ricketson of Whip Up and each contains 25 projects designed and created from many talented crafters around the world.  Let me tell you a little bit more about the books...

{Pet Pillows designed by Karen Jester}

{Limby the Button-Eyed Dude designed by Lizette Greco + Grecolaborativo}

Each book features projects that can be completed in an afternoon by kids--most of which are designed to be completed largely independently with limited on-the-scene support from parents or other big people.  While the projects are aimed at the 7-12-year-old set, there are many, many projects in here I know a 14 or 15 or even 16 year old would be interested in making for him or herself.  Oh, and that is the other good bit--the projects are aimed to appeal to both boys and girls.  Nice.

{Illustrated Softy Badges designed by Lisa Tilse}

The books are actually part of a series of craft books, all aimed at kids, of course, that Kathreen put together with Hardie Grant.  Books with projects based around beading and felt will also be released at some point in the future (and I also have projects in each of those, thank you for asking).  

{iPod Creature Cosy by me!}

{Sassy the Sock Softy also designed by me!}
Oh, and here are my two projects in the sewing book: the iPod Creature Cosy (2nd above--made from recycled sweaters and customizable to the size of your own MP3 player needs), and Sassy the Sock Creature with its tongue sticking out of its mouth all sweet and snotty-like (above--made from a stripey sock, can be handsewn too!).

It is a really thoughtfully put together book--clearly designed to make the projects as accessible as possible to kids. Above are the illustrated instructions in the books, just to walk a kid step by step through how to make the projects (Kathreen's husband did the illustrations--personally, I like that--a family effort gives it all more heart). And there is a pocket at the front of the books with the template pieces for easy access.  

Here are just a few of the projects I love in the Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft book...

{Book Invaders Bookmark designed by Elod Beregszaszi}

{Pet Menagerie designed Nancy W Hall}

{Home Sweet Home designed by Cate Holst}

{Sewn Cards designed by Alison Hudson}

Do you like them?  Want to make some of these projects with your own kids?  Curious about the other fantastic projects in the books?  Good--because I have a copy of the Kids' Crafternoon Sewing book and the Kids' Crafternoon Papercraft book to give away--one to each of my readers.  All I ask is that you leave a comment by end of day Tuesday (July 26th) telling me what you like most about these books, or which project you can't wait to make with your kids or just for you (no shame there), or why you think it is awesome Kathreen put together these books in the first place, or whatever comment you choose to leave related to the books--and I will announce the two lucky winners on Wednesday, July 27th right here.  

And if you are not so fortunate as to be one of the lucky winners, there are other options so listen up, people: you can either crash the blog party Kathreen has arranged around blogland (find the sites and dates here), or you can order your very own copies either through Booktopia or Amazon UK.  

Imagine me dancing around all joyful-like with the books in my arms right now, elated as hell to be part of the crafty group represented in the book--because that is what I am doing (or let's be honest--maybe I am just folding some laundry right now but, well, you know what I  mean...)

Someone Lost a Tooth...

Not the first one he had lost, but he is pretty proud about losing a front tooth.  Me?  I am a little sad.  You know, just that usual stuff about life going by so quickly.  

Sharing: Mid-Summer's Projects to Check Out

These are all the mid-summer projects I want to make--most of which I probably won't--but I think I can manage a few like those sponge bombs, and I MUST make some friendship bracelets because I have been obsessing about them for some time now.  But maybe you can manage to be more industrious than I can in the summer when all I want to do involves a cold drink and a lake and a book...

Clockwise, from top left the projects are: friendship bracelets by Honestly WTF, painted mason jars by Joy's Hope, sponge bombs by A Little Tipsy, rustic pencil holder by Strawberry Chic, A-frame tent by Cakies, corn starch sidewalk chalk by Pink and Green Mama, hanging day bed by Ana White, and the stripey socialite skirt by Elle Apparel.

If I get my butt in gear, maybe I can even get around to the little A-frame pup tent--and one of those stripey skirts for me because I love all things stripey.   But I still want to make our picnic quilt, and am in the midst of popsicle making (new recipes to come soon!), and there is our garden to tend, and grass to be laid upon, and sun tea to be drunk while sitting in the shade of a tree and reading Keith Richard's autobiography...

20/20 by Lucas Mongiello

These are by Lucas Mongiello and are part of a series called 20/20.  I cannot explain it but I love these precariously stacked assemblages of toys under glass cloches.  Perhaps because they are like little bits and pieces of my childhood trapped under glass?  So curious and wonderful.  

Drink This: Vanilla Vodka Lemonade

My friend, Chellie, introduced me to this drink last summer and I have been a dedicated maker and drinker of this beverage ever since.  For me it has become the drink for summer gatherings with friends.  Served over a glass of ice with an extra sprig of mint, it is the perfect refreshment for the backyard, the cabin, the deck, a picnic, or wherever you can manage to hold one in your hand without spilling it (which may become a challenge if you drink too many in one evening). 

Chellie made this originally with a can of frozen lemonade--and while I do offer that version of the recipe as a variation in my download for those who want the quick and dirty method, the recipe on the card tells you how to make these from scratch--meaning, you make your own lemonade with freshly squeezed lemons (not that you make your own vanilla vodka though--I'm not freakin' Martha over here--vanilla Stolis works fine where I come from).  

 Just take care not to drink too many--it is easy to do.  Um, speaking from experience (like last weekend's experience at a friend's when I returned with a splitting sugar and alcohol headache after downing these all afternoon).  You know, drink in moderation is all I am saying--for your own good.

DOWNLOAD VANILLA VODKA LEMONADE RECIPE

July 4th

grilled and listened to records with friends

made vanilla vodka lemonades (recipe later)

went to the beach when it got too damn hot

ate drippy ice cream

visited an organic strawberry farm and picked 9 pints

made some strawberry-rhubarb jam

spent a lot of time at the vet with Socrates who broke his paw

That's what we did over our July 4th weekend.  What about yours?