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Seasonal fingertip towels are pretty easy to come by in fabric stores and sometimes even at the dollar stores. They are perfect for making baby bibs. I originally made them for my babies 25 years ago. They only take about 15 minutes from start to finish. I'll post a tutorial soon when I make some Thanksgiving-themed bibs. Here are some pics of the Halloween versions. 
And a little guy celebrating his very first Halloween:
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| I have been on pins and needles, as have many in the blogosphere, waiting for the resurrection of my beloved Victoria Magazine.It did not disappoint. The premier issue seemed to be very deliberately designed to really echo the first version. The articles were well written and interesting. The photography was evocative and dreamy. The cover is printed on extra heavy stock which makes the issue feel special in your hand. My favorite story was on Tasha Tudor's antique clothing collection. The "Calling Cards" feature also made an appearance. I'm thrilled. Using my cuppa rating system I'd say find your largest teacup and fill it to the rim! |
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I really like to browse magazines for holiday ideas. The Thanksgiving-themed Country Living is only lukewarm. No new ideas here. Loads more advertising than articles. There was an extensive advertizing supplement for some sort of yoga retreat. The craft ideas were neither special or elegant. One particularly odd suggestion was to create candle wraps made of felt to spell out "Give Thanks" across the table. The effect was odd - kind of Kindergarten, kind of commercial. Your guests would certainly be left in suspense during dinner waiting for the felt to ignite as the candles burned down. The recipes looked pretty good, but nothing out of the ordinary. Rate this one half a cup of warmed over tea.
Last March I had my nails done. I am, as it turns out, an unstoppable nail biter. Try as I might, I've never in my life had pretty hands until I had them done. The upkeep is completely manageable. Every three weeks or so I go to the nail salon and have one of the very pleasant folks there take care of me. The only downside is the chemical smell. I feel awful that the salon workers have to work with it all day. But I digress. Every once in a while, usually when it was time for a fill, I would consider having the acrylic removed and start growing them out. A couple of days ago, one nail just kind of fell off. The real nail underneath looked a little roughed up, but not too awful. So I set to work and pried them all off. Big mistake. The effect of all ten uncovered nails was only slightly less unpleasant than the pictures of MERSA infection which are currently splashed all over the media. So...Get thee to the nail salon. Less than twenty hours later, I had the whole set done. Now they look great.
I spent a fabulous day in Toronto at a seven hour "Dollmaker's Choice" workshop with the ever-facinating, uber-talented elinor peace bailey. It was one of those classes that just fly by. I was the only non-Canadian in the group of 25. It was pleasant to listen to the lilt of the conversation as we sat in front of our sewing machines and put elinor's good advice into practice. We were provided with top-of-the-line sewing machines. Believe me, you would recognize the name. BUT... I yearned for my own 27-year old work horse. I'm working on a pattern called "Nurse Nasty". I got it more than half finished, pictures later.
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I spent the weekend in the one of the most beautiful regions of America - the Hudson River Valley. The New York State Sheep and Wool Festival gets better every year. This year, I felt there were a good number of new things. Fresh new colors, innovative knitting patterns and a few new vendors really added to the expeience. I think the one suggestion I would make to next year's organizers is to have an event for bloggers to meet and greet each other.
This is a sweet set of stacking dishes I picked up this weekend in Woodstock, New York. There is a weekend flea market there that I get to once a year. I always find a treasure there. The lower bowl (body) would be filled with the main course. The top (head) would be filled with rice. The hat has vents to release the steam. I love his little face.
Coincidentally, the New York Times Sunday Magazine had a story written by a mother of teens who got Alice Waters (the woman who really started the "eating locally produced" food movement) to come to her house and do a nutrition make-over. There are pics of the family's refrigerator before and after the change. Oh Alice, how I need you!! There's a carrot soup recipe with the article which looks super.
Friend Allison over at Brocante Home Chronicles is doing her level best to help us have a fabulous, organized Christmas season with her Brocante Christmas organizer. For about $10.00 US, you download a great guide to managing all the details of the holiday season. I've already started a gift list, an order-tracking list and recipe ideas. (It's only ten weeks away ya know)
Take a peek at Fuzzy Flowers. Lots of crafty fun and witty writing.
It seems to me that MSL generally hits its stride around the holidays. This is a good issue. It's a nice balance of Thanksgiving decorating, recipes and crafts. I'm liking the new-ish health column. I particularly like the section on making candles. The one weird thing was a macrame scarf made with super bulky yarn. I enjoy sipping tea when I have a new magazine, and this issue rates a full cup.
