Snape Snape Dumbledore

Patterns So Hot They're Smokin'...

Right before I left for the Vineyard, two sewing patterns that I ordered from Hot Patterns arrived and I am giddy about them!

First, there is the pencil skirt pattern that I plan to use for my fabulous plaid with silver fabric.



And then there is the 3 Graces T-shirt pattern. I was not looking for a t-shirt pattern, but when I saw this, I immediately knew that I would love it in all three styles and want to make them for myself in every color.

Where I am going to find the time to do any sewing for myself is anyone's guess, but here's to hoping!

Cooking on Vacation

This article, about what to bring with you on vacation when you know you will be cooking, could not have come at a better time.

Right now, Phin and I are in Martha's Vineyard, sharing a small house with my sister, Calliope, and her two sons, Orpheus and Linus. Calliope is a fish-eating vegetarian. Orpheus, who is six, is an avowed carnivore; he burst in to tears the first time he tried carrots. His brother Linus, who is 3, is basically an air plant. All he needs is a little humidity to thrive, although he has occasionally been known to eat pizza and goldfish crackers as well.

So, as we were planning the trip, Phin and I spent no small amount of time talking about what to cook and what to bring. In addition to trying to come up with meals that everyone would like, you never quite know how well outfitted a rental kitchen will be - will there be a coffee pot? A chopping board? What is the pot and pan situ? Anyway, here are the items we decided we could not live without: coffee, salt, pepper, sugar, parmalat (for the coffee), a sharp knife, peanut butter and jelly, and - to ease any tensions - a case of wine to marinade the chefs!

Wish us luck as we try to cook for this gang in a strange and potentially under-outfitted kitchen. I hope your week has some adventures, too.

Crafting to go...

I am packed and ready to go to Martha's Vineyard for a week's vacation with some of my favorite people - Phineas, my older sister Calliope, and her two boys, Orpheus (6) and Linus (3).

As it was getting closer to the trip - and closer to Polyhymnia's baby shower - I decided to take some crafting with me. So, I spent an evening this week prepping a whole mess of bibs and onesies for embroidering. Since they are so stretchy, I applied some iron-on, tear-away stabilizer.

And now I am getting ready to hit the road, with my embroidery in tow. But be sure to check the blog anyway, I have planned a few posts which will go up automatically in my absence.

Another Domestic Goddess in Training: Erato learns to Sew

Erato, the youngest Muse, recently expressed an interest in sewing. Her statuesque proportions - 6' tall and willowy - make it hard for her to find RTW pants that fit, an issue that you know is near and dear to my heart. So, for her birthday, the other Muses and I chipped in to buy her a sewing machine and the basic tools she will need to get started.

For her first project, she and I are going to do a pajama bottom sew along using Kwik Sew 3602.

In addition to learning basic garment/pants construction techniques, I thought this would be a good project because she will have to learn how to alter the pants for length. She is going to have to make it her standard alteration, so why not start now?

Last night we met up for her first "lesson" - how to read a pattern envelope and shop for the fabric and notions. We hit Mood for our fabric, Pacific Trimming for our notions and walked around the Garment District. I brought my camera to take some pictures of us, but naturally forgot all about it. So typical.

Anyway, the homework I assigned is to wash and press her fabric. Then we will meet up again to alter/cut the pattern and our fabric. I promise to take pictures then!

More Baby Love

Spoiler Alert: Moms-to-be, you know the drill.

I am finally making some tangible progress on the diaper bag! All the pieces were cut and interfaced by Friday, and sewing commenced on Sunday.

Cut, interfaced with hair canvas and ready to go.

Right now, the bag isn't looking very much like a bag. In sewing, it is best to keep your bag or garment flat for as long as possible. It's much easier to work that way. So, I am currently making the front, back, sides and inside of the bag - attaching the straps, pockets and zippers. Once that is done, the various pieces will be attached to each other and to the bottom, and will start looking much more bag-like. Here are some of the pieces in progress.

Left and right outside sides of the bag with pockets.

Front outside piece with pocket - see how well the design lined up? can you even tell there is a pocket there?

Inside lining with pocket - lined up well again!

And here is the entire inside lining with zipper.

Anyway, I know this looks pretty indecipherable at the moment. But as soon as I get to stitch the pieces together, it will go from looking like a lot of odd parts to looking like a bag rather quickly.

I am really liking this pattern. I thought that the last Butterick diaper bag I made had some good features and construction techniques, and this one does, too. I just hope my sister likes it and that it holds up to the wear and tear of mommy-hood.

Peachy-keen

Peaches and my stash of coffee cake, in 4 containers

Last September, after a peach and apple picking adventure with my niece and nephews, I used some of the bounty to make a peach coffee cake, which was mentioned on this blog, but not done justice. The recipe comes from King Arthur Flour's Whole Grain Baking cookbook. But the results are so moist and tender that you wouldn't realize that it is whole wheat at all. (No one knew until I told.)

Happily, peaches are back in season - and it is a particularly good year for them! So, I am a happy baker. One tip - courtesy of MarMar - which has made all the difference in my baking in the last year is to measure ingredients by weight rather than volume. It is much more exact. So break out the food scale from your last diet and put it to use. P.S. - Cut into 24 servings, a slice of this luscious cake has a mere 145 calories.

Peach Coffee Cake
2 cups (8 oz) white whole wheat flour
1/2c (2 1/8 oz) all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 c (7 oz) sugar (I used less - 5 oz)
1/2 c (1 stick) butter, softened
1 egg
1 c buttermilk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
2 c (12 oz) peaches, diced

For the topping: 2 tbsp (1oz) softened butter, 1 tbsp flour, 1/2 c (3.5 oz) sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon

Combine first 4 (dry) ingredients. Cream butter and sugar. Add egg and beat to incorporate. Scrape bowl. Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk in thirds. Stir in vanilla and peaches and scrape into greased 9x13 pan. Mix topping together in a separate bowl. Sprinkle on top of cake and bake for 30 min at 350. Cool and serve.


Enjoy for breakfast, brunch or dessert.