Cookies, books, turkeys . . .

Good morning!

One of my favorite places to go on Tuesdays!

I've been busy lately! E was in the middle school production of Mean Girls (Jr) -- a lead role, Janis! -- so there was a lot of energy expenditure around that, both with her and with me. I went to all 4 performances because that's what I like to do. :) She was AWESOME!!

I've begun some initial gardening, which I'll describe in the next post!

I've been fiddling around testing recipes to try and recreate Osmania biscuits! They're a shortbread cookie that I really enjoy, and I buy a box or two every time I'm at the Indian grocery. (They're made by Karachi Bakery and apparently are a Hyderabad specialty!) I figured I could make them myself, so I've been trying!

December, Part Two!

(Did you read Part One? Go back to the previous post!)

More life updates! It's been a busy couple months!

I made these cookies (World Peace Cookies) for a cookie exchange. They're really good -- a chocolate shortbread with chocolate chunks! Pro tip: sprinkle kosher salt on top of each one when they come out of the oven. YUM!

We had a FEAST at the December book club. Seafood cioppino* with optional lobster and shrimp (that would be a giant YES to that option!!), stuffies, yummy salad, bread with roasted garlic, then desserts . . . I had seconds of every single item.

On Christmas Eve . . .

Sewing a reversible patchwork girl's wrap dress! Process and finished!

Hello hello! It's been a busy, sidetracking summer as usual, and I'll be back soon with more updates. But look! I made this super-fun reversible patchwork dress for C! Come see how I did it!

The first step was "making fabric" by piecing together charm squares (and other prints I cut to 5"x5" squares -- thank you, 5"x5" sewing ruler!! So handy!). I made the pieces juuust to the size of my pattern, for less waste! (Pattern is Violette Field Threads Olive wrap dress) 

Child's Apron with Charm Squares: process, and finished! Finally made this food fun apron for C!

I've had this idea for a kid's apron made from charm pack squares for a very long time, and I finally made it for C!

I had a charm pack of Robert Kaufman's Farm to Table, from which C had selected her favorite prints for this project. This was maybe . . . a year ago? Fast forward to last-ish week, when I decided it was time to DO IT!

I designed the pattern myself, which I had initially traced off an anonymous handmade toddler apron that both E and she outgrew. I enlarged it to fit her, and to play nicely with charm squares. ;) I like this design a lot, so I plan to (eventually) offer the pattern in three sizes in the Dorybird shop! THAT will take more work, so it's not happening just yet!

Let's look at how this apron came together!

Lots of nature, including a Girl Scout campout!

So, I've been busy with a bunch of things lately. One of those was a secret project I just finished, and in a couple weeks I'll be able to tell you about that!

A fun iris in my yard

Otherwise, I've been GARDENING because it's that time of year, AND the weather has been lovely!

Book Character Costume

Claire had a special costume day at school, dress up as your favorite book character! I was unaware of this, so we didn't plan anything ahead. The morning of, C announced that she needed a costume. She pulled this one together!

She decided to be Orson Abbot, from one of my favorite books, The Paintbrush Bunny by Adrienne Adams!