:: a happy nest ::

figs.

Since having my first taste while honeymooning in Provence, fig preserves have been an especially yummy treat.

At the farmer's market, we were lucky to find a few pints of super-ripe figs from our favorite organic farmer. But before I knew it, they were a bit past their prime. So that we could enjoy every last bit of them, I decided to make some preserves.

It was the first time I've made something like this. I found a recipe that was really simple. I cleaned and chopped the figs and Thea sorted the figs - putting the good parts in the pot and the "ikcy" parts in a bowl for the trash (I'm working on a new compost set-up).

I didn't do any sort of sealing (except for twisting the top on tightly!), as we only got about a cup of preserves, and I'm pretty sure they will be gone within a week.

What are your favorite summertime treats?

the warhol dress.

Thea, off to the market wearing her new dress

Sometime last year, someone sent me a link to this amazing blog - MADE - and I've been swooning over Dana's fun and colorful designs ever since. Lucky for us, she offers a number of free tutorials and patterns. After I finished a couple of market skirts, I felt brave enough to try sewing with knits. So, I started working on a Warhol dress.

The pattern and tutorial were super-easy to work with - Dana gives seriously amazing instructions and great photos to help you along.

It took me a bit to figure out how to actually get my machine to sew knit fabric. I finally got my walking foot working properly, and then I had to fiddle with the tension quite a bit to get it just right. But after that, it was {pretty} smooth sailing.

This version is actually the second one that I put together. Since Thea is very tall, I went ahead and used the pattern for 3-4 years. But it was way too big! The length was okay, but the body of the dress swallowed Thea right up. I took it apart, measured Thea again, adjusted the pattern a bit (I guessed on this, and I think I did pretty well!), and resewed the dress. I think it probably took me a bit over an hour to do it the second time.

 

Thea loves the dress, and that makes my heart so happy. She asked to wear it again today, and she went crazy dancing and twirling around when I asked if I could take pictures.

I tell you, that girl gets me every single time.

Sigh.

gratitude.

frog melon, fresh from the farmer's market

Yesterday evening, while I prepared our evening meal, John took Thea to our neighborhood farmer's market. She came home with her market bag full of cucumbers and onions, and was bursting to tell me about the new melon she had tried at the market - a frog melon - and then she showed me how it made her ribbit like a frog. Oh, that girl of mine.

I could hardly wait to cut open the melon they brought home, as it was unlike any other I had seen. And let me tell you, it was good. Really, really good.

I am so grateful for my girl, for all the brightness she brings to my world, how she reminds me pretty much every other minute that joy is most often found in the smallest of things.

My heart is feeling so full.

Today, I'm feeling grateful...

For my niece taking care of Thea this morning, giving me a few quiet hours. 

For yumminess from the farmer's market.

For the satisfaction of finishing a fun sewing project.

For naps.

For text messages from my mama while she is away.

For my man bringing me chocolate at just the right time.

For a {somewhat} clean studio.

For the best nurse in the whole entire world.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

grateful monday.

a sweet little zinnia from our garden

The past few weeks have been a bit of a whirlwind - with John being extra busy at work, me being sick, and Thea fighting a lingering and perplexing infection following her mid-July surgery. In all honesty, I've been feeling frazzled and anxious and plain old worn out. In times like these, for me, it is especially important to focus on all of the sweet and good things that surround me. There are so many.

So, today, I'm feeling grateful...

For good friends finally meeting their son, and seeing the love and wonder of new parenthood in their eyes.

For my love making us our evening meal every single night.

For sweet blooms that survived the summer's brutal heat.

For finally figuring out how to sew knit fabrics on my sewing machine.

For yummy sweet treats from a new neighborhood ice cream spot - and for an afternoon outing with our lovely neighbors.

For my mother.

For my wee girl - for every little thing about her.

For all of the little moments that make up a life.

What are you feeling grateful for today?

around here.

Around here, we've been trying to shake off the sick that has been lingering for the past several weeks. We've been spending a lot of time at home, and I've been doing a bit of sewing (and getting things ready for my new etsy shops!).

Over the next week, I hope to share some details about my recent projects, but for now, here's a little peek:

Thea's sweet little market skirt

and another for one of my favorite little girls

a banner for Thea's room

a dress for Thea made with fabric from a sweet vintage sheet

I hope you are having a wonderful week, and that it's cool where you are!

grateful monday.

Thea, her bear, and a basket of ducks

Feeling grateful...

That the germs we've been swapping for the past few weeks seem to be almost gone.

For my wee girl's little personality quirks that keep me smiling all day long.

For creative ideas swirling around in my head.

For thrift store finds.

For lots of rest this weekend.

For cool days to play outside.

What are you feeling grateful for today?