Down Freshcut Memory Lane

I was looking through some pictures I took a while back of my yarn to put on Ravelry and guess what I found? Pictures of Heather Bailey's Freshcut fabrics. I forgot I used them as a beautiful backdrop for my yarn inventory. Look at all that Freshcut fabric deliciousness! These were the first fabrics I ever bought for my sewing adventures. I'm so glad they are being re-printed. They are so gorgeous, they deserve to be re-printed over and over again. One can only hope.

If you're a tea drinker...

One of the fondest memories I have of being a child was going to the local Chinese food restaurant called Imperial Gardens with my mother. It was a beautiful place with wonderful atmosphere and the waitresses knew us by name. It wasn't like the buffet style places these days. You took your time there and enjoyed every taste and flavor. I loved the art on the walls of dragons and cranes. I was in a trance when I gazed up at  the beautiful lighting fixtures that looked like lanterns and had silky red tassels. I think we went once a week. It was a bonding experience. We would always get a cup of hot tea along with the meal. It was really something special to drink the hot, golden liquid from a cup with no handles. The tea would warm your hands.  I can remember the taste of the tea like it was yesterday.

I've longed for the taste of that tea for years. I searched high and low for something comparable. So, when I tried the Iron Goddess of Mercy oolong tea that Rishi Tea sells, I was taken back to those afternoon visits to the Imperial Gardens with mom. The flavor is so delicate and floral. It's light on the tongue and has such a lovely bouquet. I recommend this to anyone who loves tea. This is liquid gold. If you normally drink black tea (the kind most people make iced tea from) I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. What's better than a hot cup of tea, a snuggly quilt and curling up on the couch to read a book or watch TV? Not much. I think I'm going to have some now...in my beautiful, new Asian style cup. Isn't it pretty?

Special Shout Out to The Warm Company!

I just wanted to give a special thanks to Dawn Pereira at The Warm Company for being super nice and generous too! They truly are about the customer there. Did you know you can request samples of their batting? Yes, it's true! Just click the link on my sidebar on the right. It will take you directly to the page. In the drop-down menu is the option to request the samples. She literally replied within seconds of my emailing them. Amazing customer service. Anyway, be on the lookout for a special post in the very near future!
I can't wait!

K's Funky Handmade Apron

I love cooking and baking, my KitchenAid, aprons and all things handmade. So, a while ago I had a beautiful halter-style apron with ruffles made especially for me. My niece saw it and she desperately wanted one for herself. She loves to help in the kitchen. Being the aunt with the sewing machine, I desperately wanted to make one for her. I looked everywhere for a child's apron pattern that looked like I imagined in my mind. However, there were none--at least none that I could find. So, what did I do? I just decided to wing it! No pattern...I didn't even take her measurements! Why, you ask? Well, it was Christmas Eve when I decided with conviction that I wanted an apron to be her Christmas present because I couldn't wait 4 more months for her birthday. Why do I punish myself? Anyway, I worked all through the night and had it ready for her on Christmas morning. Thankfully, it all worked out with only a few minutes to spare. It may not be glamorous or made with the best fabrics (there's no way I was going to chance wasting my $9/yd fabrics!) but she loved it. I wish I had better pictures. My camera is old and sucky. If I find more pictures, I'll add them. I know they are around somewhere. Sorry, my computer's a mess.

P.S. The apron has asymmetrical ruffles...yes, that was on purpose!! I was trying to make it funky.