Kitsch in the Kitchen

Spitting out my New Years Resolution

2012-01-02T10:27:00.000-08:00

Maybe if I talk about my resolutions here I can finally spit them out. I have been having a hard time articulating them and though I have already set in motion January 1st 2012 of my new resolution. I don't know how to share it. I want to be accountable and I feel sharing it with the world will help me have that sense of accountability.

I can not be the only one struggling with this. Maybe I have succumbed to New Year-itis. A phobia brought on by pressure of having to do better than what we did last year. Isn't that the aim of a new year's resolution, To be/do better?

In no particular order:

Keep a killer sketch book- work on it daily and share it.

Find opportunities that I don't see right now- by participating in shows (one in September 2012), workshops, classes etc.

Work on writing a Book- I love making aprons, and reconnecting with my sewing self has made be want to take a leap with it: Loosely defined as a collection of apron patterns that I create, stories & histories of the apron and recipes to go along with occasions. Large picture Photo book.

But most, from this year I want to be building on a career. Notice how I didn't say HAVE a career. I am only just coming out of a long hiatus. I have had babies, help my husband achieve his career goals, moved several times to help said hubs career. Stayed at home to raise a family and put many of my needs and wants on the back burner.

I am also going to find a way to do this despite new obstacles.

I will share my Personal Practice on My Studio blog.

Photo reminded me of fireworks!

Tie-ing one One On: A vintage inspired Sewing Class

2011-11-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

by My Studio Bellingham

Just in time for the holidays, make a vintage inspired apron to show off at your next family feast, wear at home to make mundane chores fun or give as a hostess gift.

Never sewn before or have minimal experience? No problem, this class will cover pinning & cutting a pattern, straight stitch and bias tape (not as scary as one would think). I’ll talk about basic machine maintenance, fabric care and general sewing inquiries.

This is my own pattern. I based it on a vintage apron that I owned, and though I loved it, I thought there were ways that it could be improved. You will get instruction and pattern plus an awesome an apron to wear this holiday season.

You will need approximately 1.5 yrds of fabric, either one piece of one pattern or half each of coordinating fabrics. Coordinating bias tape, and matching thread. Don’t worry, I will email a detailed supplies list.

You don’t have to have your own sewing machine but if you do and want to, you can bring it. This would be a great opportunity to get comfortable using it.

Class will be November 20th, at 10 am until completed- so no rush (Approximately 3-4 hrs) at my studio in Bellingham WA.

Class cost will be $55*.

Class size will be limited.

Email Megan at mystudiobellingham@gmail.com for purchase I will send you the payment options.

* I will accept pay pal, cash or cheque.

Beautiful Talented Friends...

2011-09-06T05:43:00.000-07:00

This Post is about shout outs, in no particular order.

Victoria over at Ribbons Undone sent me these...

Aren't they spectacular? She was having a Pay It Forward contest on her blog a while back and I was the winner. I love her work, crocheting is not at all what I thought it was.

Amy who does wonderful photography gave away a family christmas card package over on her blog... Yay I won, however she stipulated that I would have to let someone take my photo... I will think about it, but let's be realistic, I have two adorable kids and that is who everyone wants to see, HA!

photo by Amy...

Jen at the Itty Bitty Bag Company, because she (and her family) took time off of creating her very precious bags to show my children and I around this week on a spontaneous Connecticut /NewYork trip this past week... We went to Central Park Zoo! We didn't see the polar bear but this snow leopard was pretty impressive.

We had a fabulous time, in the park eating hotdogs and getting soaked to the bone...

More shout outs to come later...

& I am starting a new blog, you can find me at my studio

Back Yard Dreaming

2011-08-23T06:52:00.000-07:00

We do not have a backyard [yet], we are still in our tiny apartment with two tiny decks thats do not fit the whole family at one time... Soon we will have one, we are moving again. We found a home to rent that has a backyard with a creek, some swings, a tree fort all tucked into a clearing within an evergreen rainforest. Knowing that I am going to have open space to let my little ones romp while I kick back and read, write, draw etc has gotten me a little giddy with excitement and possibility. So much so that my husband had to gently steer me away and use the distraction technique to stop me from buying an outdoor chair.

Pin It

How cool is this little number?

There is another reason why I was immediately drawn to the chair. As a young girl we had lawn chairs with a similar pattern, I remember their texture and frayed bits, their vinyl-esque plastic quality. The sound one made as they were sat upon. Last year the same visceral memories prompted me to buy heavy cotton canvas to make lunch bags with. I even called them my Lawn Chair Reusable lunch bags.

Lawn Chair Reusable Lunch Bag

on etsy

Pin It

Even now I am thinking about the excuses to use that would justify me driving back to the little town in Vermont that I saw it in... just a quick drive, my husband won't even notice I am gone...."hey what's that over there?" as he turns to look I will sneak out the back door.

*tiny heads up, I am going to have a sale in my shop, the details will be on my FB pg

photos by me, bag by me, and I really wish I had this chair!

Winner Winner Winner!

2011-08-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

It is Tuesday and that means I select the winner for The Apron Giveaway that Velva held on her blog... I really enjoy all the comments from the new readers and I invite you back for more recipes, DIY projects and musings about life.

Yay, congratulations Mary.... I will email and give you the details...

The Pink Post... this was suppose to be about Gin & Rhubarb.

2011-08-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

(but I lost the photos & drank all the evidence) so here are some others & details of a giveaway for one of my aprons.

dogwood

dogwood tree

my daughter birthday dress a.k.a. the ice-cream dress

Come on I know you like the colour pink, with all its rosy hues. Think about it, the slight blush from a lover's kiss, a baby's bottom, the subtle glow of a sun set, champagne bubbles in your glass. It is everywhere... Not convinced? I wasn't much of a pink person either but then I had a daughter. She will set her sights on anything pink, I mean anything... So there you have it, once I swore I hated the colour but then I started looking around and there it was...

Just for the record here are the method for the rhubarb gin.

Cold method 1:2 rhubarb to gin (250g to 500ml) let sit until a deep rosy pink colour about 2 days in a cool dark place. Strain rhubarb & the gin through a colander keep in the refrigerator or freezer until all gone...

Warm Method, same proportions. Heat in a small pot until just barely warm and you have the first hint of alcohol vapours. Remove from heat immediately strain rhubarb allow to cool then store in a cool place for and additional few hours or day.

contrary to popular belief it is not a baby bottle.

I preferred the the cold method, it was brighter and more acidic, but if your preference is for a jammy caramelized rhubarb pie the warm method may work for you..

For a nice cocktail Pour a serving of rhubarb gin into a shaker filled with ice, a splash of simple syrup and grated lemon rind. Shake and pour into a martini glass then garnish with a twist of lemon.

This post was very late in coming, I apologize just remember to to keep it around for next spring and if you want more update cocktail visit Tomatoes On The Vine, she has a repertoire of sophisticated drinks for all occasions and seasons... and if you go over there right now, she is having a giveaway for one of my aprons...and yes it has some pink in it.

enjoy,

photos by me, even the lost the ones.

Tissue pack tutorial

2011-08-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here is a simple Do it Yourself kinda project. Great for the beginner sewer or those that are a bit rusty and just want to practice the basic skills. It can be adapted to do by hand and embellished with buttons, sequins, with a glue gun or embroidery.

Not only does it add a little fun and whimsy to your purse, diaper bag, child's lunch box it is also serves a function, no more crumpled up wads of kleenex at the bottom of a bag in your car center console or your jeans. Keep your packs of tissue contained and attractive.

If you decide sewing is just not your thing you can buy them in my shop on etsy.

Tissue Pack Cozy

cut one piece of fabric 6"x7"

fold right sides together

press and open, crease is your centre line. If you want faintly mark the line

as the crease may come out

fold both sides length wise 1/4" and press.

top stitch both sides

fold in one side and then the other

over lap at the centre line by the 1/4" seam allowance,

this creates a bit of an envelope

straight stitch short end by 1/4" back tack on either end of the stitch

pink the edges to finish the seam and prevent unravelling

if you do not have pinking shears you can zig zag stitch,

making sure to back tack again

fold right side out, push out corners, using the blunt edge of closed scissors,

(i like to use a chopstick)

And viola, you have a neat little package for your tissues.... If you think bigger you can start to imagine how pillows are made and pocket organizers, the possibilities are endless.

photos by me

Cleaning out my fridge...

2011-08-07T18:23:00.000-07:00

I probably say this a lot... I probably move a lot... but I am cleaning out my fridge, which means eating what we have.... Pretty soon we'll be onto macaroni dinners with the dregs of white sauce and rinds of remaining cheese but for now, it is luxury eating...

My husband just bought me a new book, something I asked for, for my birthday, christmas, valentines day, and or mother's day... Maybe I have been working too hard or looked stressed from packing, cleaning and move related stuff but he decided to buy it for me today... A Random non descriptive day..

Super Natural Every Day by Heidi Swanson

Talk about seductive I want to make and eat everything in the book type meals. But sadly I am moving and restocking my fridge and cupboards I am not doing, so I used what I had, Quinoa.

Little Quinoa Patties

recipe by Heidi Swanson

super natural every day

2 1/2 cups cooked Quinoa room temperature
4 large eggs, beaten
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/3 chopped fresh chives
1 yellow onion finely chopped
1/2 cup grated cheese such as parmesan or gruyere
3 cloves of finely chopped garlic
1 cup of bread crumbs more if needed
water if needed
1 tbsp olive oil or clarified butter

I followed the recipe almost as is, just changing the proportions to match what I had... at this point I don't want to be going out to buy special ingredients for one dish.

Combine Quinoa, beaten eggs and salt in a bowl. Add chives, onion, garlic, and cheese. Then add bread crumbs, mix well and let sit so the moisture is absorbed into the crumbs.

Cook in a non stick skillet with a small amount of the oil or clarified butter 4, 5 or 6 at a time by forming small 1 1/2" about 3/4" thick, patties in your hand. Cook about 5-7 mins on each side until crisp and brown.

She suggests that they can be eaten hot or at room temperature, as a snack or with a meal... top with hot sauce, mayonnaise-e type sauces, or chop in other ingredients into the patty such as cauliflower, brocoli or whatever else you may have left over... Basically this is a gateway recipe.

Two was ample, I enjoyed mine with Sriracha and a potato and beet salad on the side.

Thank You, husband...

Photos by me, Heidi's photographs are so appetizing and seductive that I just can not do her recipe justice... pick it up at a local book store, browse and enjoy...

Cheers,

Megan
Pin It

West Coast, East Coast and back...

2011-08-03T05:55:00.000-07:00

Remember at the beginning of the year I moved from Vancouver BC Canada to Salem MA United States? Well now I am moving again (8 1/2 months later) to Bellingham WA... Insert slightly crazy laugh here...

Because of this man (my husband) who got a job that he can not refuse, we are moving back.

Here is me (July 3), before we even had this job on our radar, enjoying a beautiful day island hopping right off the coast of Bellingham.

Lets see if I have the same smile in a few short weeks. The job starts September 1 and I have 28 days to pack up the house, move the family back and set up another home and re-establish us yet again.

Oh Good times...

Re:A Kitschy Kitchen, I will not be taking on custom orders for the next month or so, and not adding any new aprons. I may add a few things that I have on the go. I learned from the last move that I need to have small things to do that keep my creative juices flowing and my sanity in check (insert another crazy laugh). Cheers (soft whimper).

Photos by my husband and I, of my husband and I because just about every other photo in my album is of my children.

Monday Morning pep talk.

2011-07-25T06:17:00.000-07:00

Mondays are the day of the week you can look forward to doing anything.... Like the first day of the year it is the first day of the week. Sunday gives you a chance to look at the past week and look forward to your TO DO LIST for the coming coming week and Monday good or bad is the Ready Set Go day.

Two Custom Orders, fabrics are on the way.
Prep my free gifts to be included in my orders
Pay bills a necessary ugly- but must be done this week!
Make a appointments for the tots, last of the pre-school vaccinations- ouch
MAKE, MAKE, MAKE stuff

OK so there is a lot more to do than that, but we just got back from out vacation and things need to sort themselves out before I know what I really need to do.

What is on your TO DO LIST this week?

This Place....

2011-07-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

This post is not about food, sewing or crafty things. It is about home and place.

On our first full day in the Pacific North West my husband and I were doing an early morning walk of the streets of Seattle. We were still on East Coast time and very much awake at the crack of dawn. The good thing about this was we had most of the city to ourselves, mind the last few stragglers from the Pride Parties the night before.

On this walk we buzzed with excitement about being home and the word PLACE occupied my mind. I was taking photographs of everything and anything that caught my eye. When this phrase stopped me...

"This Place"

This Place, which is actually the Pacific Northwest from Seattle to Vancouver and all the little islands in between are Home to us.

Place has continued to be a theme for much of our visit and the little things we Love about here.

The next assortment of Photographs are a combination of Seattle, Pender Island and Vancouver.

Waiting for the Orcas to go by.

Love your City

Though we call The East Coast home right now, This Place will always be our Home.

Photographs by myself and my husband.

My New Love

2011-06-21T04:54:00.000-07:00

I love mark making, I love text, I love craftsmanship and I also love my husband so I put my heart and soul into a gift for anniversary.

I had never embroidered anything before, not even as a child. When I went to my local thread arts shop and told the proprietor what I wanted to do I got a dubious look, then another as I explained my experience level. For the next four days I kept giving myself the same dubious look.... What was I thinking?

My husband was away on a conference for our anniversary and I first got the idea of him carrying my heart with him from an ee cummings poem that we have exchanged back and forth for the past 13 yrs... Then I found this miniature glass blown heart on By Kiva Ford on etsy. My husband is a scientist and I knew he would appreciate the scientific glass and the craftsmanship that it took to create something so delicate.

From there my vision grew. I needed something to wrap this tiny glass heart in, something that he could carry with him... And that is where the idea to embroider a piece a fabric with a sigle line of our favourite poem came in. [i carry your heart with me(i carry it in] but of course I got carried away, if I was going to do one line, why not one stanza, but then which one do I choose? So then it became the whole poem. And if you are familiar with ee cummnings you know he has a particular way of using punctuation and lower case letters... Again, What was I thinking?!.... I was a single parent for a week! Then again I could have only done this without him here... I embroidered out with friends, in cafes, on the train, while my kids ate, after they went to bed, first thing in the morning... etc and so on... I gave myself tiny blisters on my finger tips...

Here is the finished project.

I now have tonnes more projects planned including another one for him... He has decided that he does not want to carry this with him, but instead frame it. I am going to make him another more simple single lined one that with be the mate to this one.

glass heart by kiva,

embroidery by me,

photos by me...

Crazy Busy again....

2011-06-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

The twins are turning five and we are on birthday count down.... Hope to catch you all up in a short while.... We have a pretty interesting month. Besides I want to share my Rhubarb Gin results...

ONE DAY SALE

2011-06-05T06:11:00.000-07:00

Hi all,

Last year my husband and I sat under the stars at a resort for a family wedding. It was a rare occasion that our children from all the excitement had fallen asleep before we did and we were able to escape to the veranda to enjoy the ocean breeze. We were going on our 12th year anniversary and we were contemplating what our 13th year would look like.

Instead of us both travelling, he is away and I am celebrating on my own. I thought I would kick off the party with a one day sale in my shop A Kitschy Kitchen to honour this occasion. I know that seems like forever to some and a short while to others but it is our anniversary. I not only run this shop because I am a stay at home mother, but I feel doing this makes me a better wife. I am happier and far more content when I am making and sharing my goods with others.

Please enjoy a 13% discount at check out. Use the code JUNE13.

Cheers, and remember to have a glass of bubbly for me!

Megan

Photo by my, a moon drawing on a warm breezy night in Mexico.

photo by me, moon drawing.

Beachy days

2011-06-01T05:47:00.000-07:00

There will be many more days like this on the East Coast and the West Coast alike.

Enjoy the summer and pop by every now and a then, there will be more Aprons, Recipes, Tips and a pretty picture or two.

cool water

shells

pirate ship

photos by me.

A Scandal

2011-05-28T12:49:00.000-07:00

When I read the article by i make shiny things I was appalled and kind of angry. She alleged* (if you haven't read the article yet) that Urban Outfitters directly riffed her design. This is disappointing because as individual makers I am not sure of what our recourse is. How do we protect ourselves from large retail (or other designers) taking our designs and mass producing them to sell them for less and often time inferior quality? I see designs that I like all the time, I often times try to incorporate some of those elements into my own work, but ultimately I make it my own, that is what being an artist is about. It is an exchange of ideas, influences and exposure to many different things. I am glad that enough people banded together and the jewelry in question was removed from the Urban Outfitters website.

*Read the follow up here: http://www.szsu.com/2011/05/27/indie-designers-take-on-urban-outfitters-via-twitter/ , by removing the offending jewelry I am inclined to believe their guilt & hopefully remorse.

I will not be shopping at Urban Outfitters or any of their affiliated stores.

Apron by me, influenced by one that I had already owned but changed to better suit my needs and vision.

Crunchy or Smooth?

2011-05-22T16:11:00.000-07:00

I wanted to take some photos of my new rubber gloves today, and needed a prop. What I wanted to use was a bottle of dish soap but it had the manufacturers label on it and I did not want their brand in my shot. No offence just didn't want a whole lot of of product placement (when really I am I trying to show off my product). I took off the persistant label but the icky residue from the glue hung on. Since my move I have not replenished my household cleaners and concoctions. So I got creative and pulled out a jar of Peanut Butter, crunchy or smooth it doesn't matter. I used crunchy that's all we ever have in my house. Spread it over the offending goo and rinsed off with warm soapy water, then polished. You may have to do this a couple times but it really gets rid of it fast.

Photos by me, Gloves by me.

Bread Salad

2011-05-20T04:46:00.000-07:00

I was being cheeky when I posted my Bread Salad pic on facebook, my husband was getting home late from work and I was forced to eat it alone. Forced isn't really the right word, one could never forced me to eat it... In fact I am lucky to have the salad ready for the table at all.... it is one of those dishes that I taste test along the way... Once the oil and vinegar are added I have to test for acidity, saltiness and and general yumminess. This is one of my favourite things to do with day old bread and I love the contrast of crunchy toasted bits with saucy saltiness.

Bread Salad

A loosely Adapted Recipe from Several sources.

Half a loaf of day old crusty artisan Bread (the good stuff, regular white "Safeway" bread will fall apart), grilled and 1/2" cubed
1 clove of raw Garlic lightly mashed
1/2- 1 whole Tomato, cored & cubbed
a scant 1/4 cup Olive oil
a scant 1/8 cup Sherry vinegar
about 2 tbsp Capers
1/2 cup torn fresh Mozzarella cheese
handful fresh Basil leaves, torn at time of serving.
freshly ground Salt & Pepper to taste

Rubbed the inside of a bowl with the garlic, add your tomatoes and gently mash against with a wooden spoon. Add your bread cubes, salt & pepper, olive oil, sherry vinegar,capers, and mix. Let Marinate. If the bread is quite dry do this earlier in the day, sometimes the longer the better.

When ready to serve, add the mozzarella and torn basil leaves. Give a good mix and serve immediately otherwise the basil leaves will get too black. Check for salt & pepper before eating.

Can turn into a meal by adding a can of whole tuna (use North American line caught albacore), or use olives instead of capers, or pretty much anything you want. This is a tasting recipe, find what works for you. Fresh lemon juice is nice too.

Directed by me, filmed by me.

Staring me.

Apron by me.

Music by New Orleans Jazz Vipers "Bread and Butter".

Almost Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-18T05:18:00.000-07:00

Celebrating artists and makers from my new home.

Since moving to Salem MA I have had a hard time finding Place. I miss my hometown of Vancouver BC, I miss the familiarity and sense of belonging I had there. Though it is a struggle being so far from friends and family, meeting others artists and makers makes it easier.

Small foods for small mouths.

2011-05-11T13:28:00.000-07:00

I love making things kid sized and my kids like anything kid sized, why not deconstruct their food and reassemble in kid proportions?

So often their meals both at home and in restaurants are too large for their little bellies. I know we have come to expect more but more is not always better. I much prefer see them eat the food on their plate than waste another belly full that some one else could have eaten. They can always ask for more.

We bought some beef that was destined for a stew but the sun came out and burgers sounded like a much better idea. Why not grind the meat ourselves and make kidlet sized all beef patties with no filler. Besides what is that filler?

Photos by me, placemats by me.... look for them in my shop soon, I am doing a little trial and error as well as field studies on them... Will they survive meal time? So far yes....

Winner(s)! Yes there are Two.

2011-05-09T05:02:00.000-07:00

This week was so busy and went by so fast. Thank You for all of your support and interest. I have two Winners. First up is Maris from In Good Taste and Second is Velva from Tomatoes on the Vine both have the choice of one half apron or a $30 gift certificate from my shop.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

I can not tell a lie, photo by my husband.

Changes & a Giveaway

2011-05-01T06:40:00.000-07:00

First let me tell you what is up for grabs, One Half Apron of your choice or A Gift Certificate of $30 towards something else in the shop.

We all go through changes, life is just like that, it is a discovery process. I set out with an intention this past year to be a better mother, wife and individual by tapping into what I do best, making stuff.

I thought hey no problem, I will make some aprons on the side for other women, mothers, sisters, and lifers that want to feel as beautiful in the home doing what they do every day as I want to feel. A little sewing here, whip up a meal there, put the laundry away, dress my children etc and so on. Easy Peasy right? Umm not so. I love making stuff and keep trying other things such as lunch bags, pot holders, recipe card holders- watch for eye masks now that the sun is rising just a little bit earlier and I love my beauty rest.

One of my first, using upcycled fabric.

A Spring Inspired Theme.

But with all this making going on I find I am shorting myself. Time and money. To keep bringing you beautiful things this needs to be sustainable. My year long experiment has been working in my favour and teaching me things about running a business. It has also reenforced my conviction that I want to do this and I want to be successful. I am not just another stay at home mum (and neither are you), I have something to offer, my style, my experience, and my friendship all things that I put into each one of my creations. They are not massed produced, I do spend copious amounts of energy on each apron making it unique and the best product that they/it can be. Thus making them more than just aprons, they are extensions of personality yours and mine, they do double duty as functional works of art, by offering protection and making statements.

Making a Statement at Christmas Time.

My 4yr Old twins.

All along I wanted to bring my aprons to the world by making them affordable and accesible to others. I have wanted to make my prices fair and reasonable but also be a viable business... So many things to balance... I am going to raise my prices, not by much and I am going to keep my free domestic shipping (yes I consider Canada domestic- I am Canadian). I have several options to fit an array of styles and price points and am constantly trying out new ones. Now onto what you have been waiting for.

The Giveaway!

First off Thank you for your support & reading this far. Second I would like to give a gift away to say thank you. On Mother's Day (3pm EST) I will announce a winner for the choice of a half apron or a $30 gift certificate. Multiple chances to enter, please leave one comment for each entry.

To enter leave a comment on this blog post.
Like me on Facebook.
Suggest to friends on either facebook (1 entry) or twitter (1 each).
Follow me on twitter.
Go to my shop and tell me what style you like the best.

That is 6 chances to win a gift for yourself or someone that you love!

PS... I didn't think so many people would enter... crazy and it is only the second day, if you would like to follow me on my blog please do... Some of the comments I am getting are amazing and I want all of you to win.

Good luck and once again thank you!

Megan.

0ne Year Etsyversary....

2011-04-29T05:20:00.000-07:00

About a year and a half ago I started blogging in hopes that through writing out thoughts, recipes, happenings I would start to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life (HA, getting closer).

My life had been put on temporary hold as I stayed home with our infant children and was the backbone and support to my husband as he got his Phd.

Through this process I have discovered I am not the strongest writer, but I try. I have a hard time staying on task but have learned to set goals and make schedules (something that I am constantly working on) and what I thought and know I love food, has manifested into something else, a Kitschy Kitchen Business where I get to play with ideas, learn and grow from them and influence my children to do the same. Here's to another year of sharing recipes, eating good food, having fun in the kitchen and making a positive home.

I have met some wonderful people and been reacquainted with others. As part of that celebration and my one year Etsyversay I will be announcing a giveaway in the next couple of days. Thank you for your support I would not have been able to do it without all of you.

Megan

Megan Carroll

2011-04-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

Trying something new, does anybody else use sites like flavors.me where it puts all of your information in one place, do you find it useful. What is your experience?

"Bringing you handmade one of a kind goods for you, your loved ones and your home. Sharing information and exchanging ideas about being a mother, a wife and woman.

http://kitschinthekitchen.blogspot.com

www.akitschykitchen.com

I know I am on the mend when.

2011-04-17T15:42:00.000-07:00

I have spent most of my day in bed, which was alright when it was gray and rainy, but now that the weather appears sunny (not sure how long that will last)- I have decided to leave my infirmary.

Partly thanks to the decongestants and partly because I really wanted to make crackers I bopped (ha, more like lumbered)around my kitchen. The real reason was- I needed an excuse to use my black sea salt! Also if I wasn't trying to sell it, I would have been wearing my newest apron.. I very much want to keep this one for myself.

I am very excited about this apron because I made the pattern! I based it on one that I own but had a few problems. Other than being super cute and totally retro, the original pockets were kinda useless and the waistband lacking. I extended and widened it a bit to cover the splash zone (that area where the waist and counter meet above plates, stoves and sinks)and well the fabric was thin and hasn't taken well to either wash or wear, mine boasts something a bit heavier but still light and feminine.... and a very springy pattern to boot.

I hope you enjoy the apron and if you get a chance, make the crackers- seriously five minutes to get it all ready and 10 mins to bake.

You can find this apron in my shop...

Cheers.

A Little Bit About Me.

2011-04-14T11:17:00.000-07:00

Todays post brought to you from my bed.

I am a stay at home mum, with TWO four yr olds, double the fun huh? I am a card (not really there are no cards) carrying member of etsyprenuer, should check out how hard these people work! And a wife, so my life is go go go. But today I need to stop, my kids are sick and I am falling under the weather. Today is break day. At first I resisted, got up made some futile attempts to organize my day, prioritized, made lists ex-cetera but here I am back in bed taking it 'easy'. Rather than feel guilty about taking it easy (pretty big custom order on the go) I have decided to utilize my time else where. Catch up on reading, organize my shop, make phone calls and re-set myself. What good to myself am I if I can't give it my best?

So let me lounge in my new 'Stylish' Housecoat, recoup and tell you a bit about myself.

More ( a lot, more ) than a few weeks ago a friend of mine and the author of a wicked good food blog Island Vittles gave me a Stylish Blogger award. And, as I was mid production on my latest aprons I decided to wait to award it my my favourite blogs. Here is how it goes, I tell you 7 things about me and then I award it to 10 more deserving (food-ish) blogs and then they do the same.

1.) I just moved to Salem Massachusetts a.k.a Witch City- This title does not thrill me, one I don't believe in occult things and two what happened to the women (men & children too) of 1692 is NOT something to brag about.

2.) I have not made pizza for over six months and I love Pizza!

3.) I live in attic and I find this hard, I am an artist and I need light.

4. I love colour & pattern- despite my mostly black wardrobe- no I myself am not a witch, but I am sure others have called me names that rhyme with that.

5. I am short, so as much as I can I where heels, even though New England cobble stones have it in for women like me.

6. My favourite restaurant is Vij's- if you ever go to Vancouver eat there! It is required.

7. My favourite place is the ocean... Its so Big.

So because I also write about food- another favourite thing of mine and something that is talked about, prepared and eaten daily in my household, here is a recipe- the award was originally given to me because I am a FOOD blogger.

Inspired by a Boston restaurant Meyers & Chang (if you come to Boston, eat here, also required) my take on Spicy Cucumber Salad.

2-3 cucumbers*
Corse Seasalt
2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 Tbsp toasted sesame seed oil
4 Tbsp roasted sesame seeds
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp or to taste chili pepper flakes
2 Tbsp roasted peanuts
Siracha sauce to taste, optional.

Peel and chop cucumbers, salt and let drain for half an hour or longer if you have the time.

Combine rice wine vinegar, sesame seed oil, sugar and chili flakes in a bowl.

Roast & toast seeds and nuts if they are aren't already, then shake, bash, crush by what ever means possible.

Rinse and dry cucumbers.

Put cucumbers in a serving bowl, pour dressing over and sprinkle a heavy helping of the crushed topping. Drizzle Siracha sauce across the top if you are using.

*remove seeds if the are field cukes

Now for my 10 blogs- some I haven't been visiting enough but when I do they have always inspired me, some are food blogs and some are not, but all have something special.

1. http://inspiredmamadesigns.blogspot.com/ because I am a mum too.

2.http://heywhatsfordinnermom.blogspot.com/ will give you great recipes with her own view.

3.http://www.chowandchatter.com/ a great support .

4.http://abbysprouts.blogspot.com/ taking on the world to make it better.

5.http://tomatoesonthevine-velva.blogspot.com/ a loyal friend.

6.http://andrea-thekitchenwitch.blogspot.com/ loves to play along and is always trying new things.

7.http://rawadventuresarmywife.blogspot.com/ a great partner in crime to have.

8.http://sewdetermined.blogspot.com/ this is a new favourite.

9.http://withribbonsundone.blogspot.com/ always has kind things to say.

10.http://3hungrytummies.blogspot.com/ when even I see a recipe that makes me go WOW, it is usually this site....

PS 8.) I love Hot Spicy things!

So there you go.... A little bit about me.

What do you buy someone that already has a lot?

2011-04-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

You Get Creative.

I love the Kitchen, I love cooking and I think my husband and I have some pretty terrific recipes. So I thought I would take one of the recipe card savers that I have been making and fill it with a collection of my favorite.

The Fun thing is that they can be used for other things, such as coupons- think mommy day gift. Imagine getting hand printed coupons from your little one. Or as a recipe exchange, fill them with your favorite recipes take them to a party and exchange away or post card holder or a gift topping with recipes and a wooden spoon...

I have added one to the shop to match an apron already for sale, I am going to add the others- they all coordinate and am going to include some of my favorite recipes in each.

So Speaking of gifts, I want to give away the Liebster Blog award to Five Blogs that I just love.

Ravenous Rowie

Coastal Chick and her other blog- The Saucy Bits

Confessions of a Super Mommy and her other blog Wild Mustard Seeds

18 Years to Life

oops, can't count, will add the 5th tomorrow- I have to go put laundry away, clean the kitchen and bathe the children.

Great blogs with great tips, recipes and good laughs.

Thank you Victoria for giving me the award- check out her blog at Ribbons Undone- I am so returning the favor- because she also gave me this wonderful gift!

I'll get better day time photos of it and share it with the world. In the meantime check out her etsy store of the same name.

Cheers and enjoy!

PS I still have another award to share and will do that sometime over the next week... I am de-funking from a fundraiser show that I did this week and am just now catching up on all the stuff I held off on for the last month... Phew.

Super Quick Update!

2011-03-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

I have been so busy getting ready for a fundraiser I am doing tomorrow night in Wayland MA for their family association WCPA. It will be a night of wine, raffles, massages and shopping- if you are in the area you should check it out. Here are some of the aprons I will will have for sale.... Modeled on my new dress form Cindy Lou. She is rather skinny waisted, big hipped and no boobs, but really most or all of my aprons will fit a range of sizes.

Now back to work, I have to finish getting ready.

Awards...

2011-03-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

Over the past month of me becoming too busy to keep with others blogs, watch Desperate Housewives or eat Bon Bons I've gotten two awards for my very own blog. The First one from Island Vittles for one Stylish Blogger... gasp!!! that requires me to dance around my living room naked. And the second from Ribbons on Done, sharing the Liebster Blog award. Where I have to wrap myself up in bows.

Ahem... First I want to thank the Academy... ah um, wait wrong speech.

I would truly like to Thank both of you for thinking of me during this time. I have had very hard transition and it is so sweet (even though I haven't been a very good blogger of late) to think of me. I am now going into a very busy time and I will remember your support and encouragement. I also want to pass this award on to those of whom I feel are stylish and loved. I will consider and weigh all of my favorite blogs, options, come up with witty things about myself to share and make the announcement at the end of the month...

2011-03-20T13:46:00.000-07:00

I didn't know how busy I was. Last month at this time I was complaining about being bored and depressed, stuck in the house with only domestic chores and kidlet duty... So much has turn around and I am busy in all capitals BUSY... I got my remaining long awaited household goods, I set some goals and I got Busy.

Here is my wall of Aprons...

Most of these are destined for a fundraiser (more on that later), but there are tonnes more in the works.

Setting Goals

2011-03-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

I need to go back and re-watch episode 4 of a Food Revolution to get the exact wording but to paraphrase Jamie Oliver, if you don't set goals then you don't get anything done... So true, this week I set some goals for my shop and by setting them I became determined and focused to see them through. I made sales, reached a minor but still a milestone none the less, shipped, cut sewed and started securing future orders. I am going to be one busy girl...

Shipping

Gift Wrapping

I love how light makes a colour pop.

Pink Polka Dot should be in the shop come the weekend!

photos by me.

the art of practice and letting go

2011-02-24T09:43:00.000-08:00

As I said last week I took up a new hobby. The Boredom and the Cold drove me to it... really it was just a matter of time before I took up knitting. I have always been a maker, a seamstress, a potter, a painter, a sculptor this really is not all that surprising.

As I knit, then purled I was amazed that I could make such a beautiful piece of fabric. What flowed between my hands and through my needles was a piece of fabric that had not been there before. Well that first fabric was not so beautiful, dropped stitches, picked up stitches, holes and bulges. I didn't care it was beautiful to me. Kinda like my first pots, cups and bowl, I had a singular love for my creations.

Also like ceramics, I was able to love those first few attempts then Just Let It Go. Just let it go, was my frequent mantra in art school... Pick up a lump of clay, throw it down on a wheel, cone it up, push it down, open it up and and pull.... Very rhythmic, and meditative- you can see why knitting was only a matter of time. Not every pot, bowl, cup or plate to touch my wheel made it into this world as a fully formed object, many where destined for the slop bucket to be reformed into something new. I just had to let them go.

Now I am finding the same thing with my knitting. The art of practice and letting go. All three of my completed projects have been worked, reworked unfurled and re-knitted a number of times. They are still not without mistakes but sometimes we have to know when to let go of the mistakes as well... They sometimes become the happiest of accidents and make each work an original.

Photos by me, art by me, bowls by me, and kerchief by me,

now it is time to pull my hair back and get to work!

Brrr and Boredom

2011-02-20T15:07:00.000-08:00

Since re-locating my family to the east coast I have had to make a few adjustments. One of them being the cold. Day in and day out most days are cold... Beautiful but cold, snowy but cold and even sometimes rainy but still cold. We have had a lot of snow days so what can one do? A) Be bored, B) Go stir crazy or C) take up a new hobby.

Admittedly my first choice was A thinking that my household goods and personal effects where right around the corner and the wait for normalcy would not be long. However with snow day after snow day piling up the like the snowbanks, no shipments in sight and a fourth floor walk up with 4 yr old twins my next option was B. We all went stir crazy. Our household goods finally arrived but minus my personal effects. Great for everyone else but not me...

It wasn't until the novelty of having my pots and pans back wore off that I figured out what I was missing most. It is great to have our stuff here and do family things but what I need is MY stuff. The things that make me feel like me. I felt like without them- my clothes, my sewing machines, my art supplies et al I was in limbo. Still waiting for MY stuff to get here and to combat the boredom, stir craziness and looming depression of displacement I decided to take up a new hobby.

Inspired by the cold I went to the local yarn shop Seed Stich Fine Yarn and signed up for a knitting 101 class. I have only had one class and I am learning to knit before I purl but my new hobby has come in handy, I already have 2 chunky soft wool scarves for the next snow day.

As Simple as That....

2011-02-02T17:56:00.000-08:00

First things first, my husband bought tahini, which means hummus. It is freakin' awesome. Don't ask for the recipe, I don't know it, what I do know is that family and friends have tried to recreate it but have not been successful. So today being a a snow day and he stayed home from work this morning he decided he should make his awesome hummus... The problem being we had no crackers or bread to dip it in. I guess a healthy alternative would have been to use veggies but what fun would that be? Instead he decided that 'we' should make crackers, we being you, being me... He was going to brave the snow, sleet, rain, the MBTA and go to work.

But before he left he nicely suggested which recipe(s) to use. Thanks babe but I got one that is fast, doesn't require a whole bunch of ingredients and is good. My only quip with it is once the crackers have baked, unless rolled thin enough, will get soft in the centre when cooled.... And I like my crackers crisp. So I took an idea from one of the recipes that he suggested- a flat bread recipe from Thomas Keller in his book Ad Hoc at Home-don't be fooled by the name, yes you can make these recipes at home, but not everyday.

Any way Keller's style is very involved, ingredient and technique heavy- great results if you have the time. I have 2 four year olds, I do not have the time. Enter Mark Bittman and How to Cook Everyhing- one of my favourite cookbooks- my goto bible for just about everything. Flour, Butter, salt & water. 5 minutes of making time, a few minutes for rolling, into the oven for 10 minutes and done. Lets back up for a second- rolling time? I can't get them a uniformed 1/4" thick, mister french food guy had a brilliant suggestion. Keller rolls out his flatbread dough with a pasta machine. As awesome as my husband's hummus is, this is pure genius (no offence Jeff you are still pretty smart). Only thing is Keller being the purist he is, uses a hand turned italian machine- Like I said I don't have the time, I used a Kitchenaid mixer with pasta attachent. Badda bing badda boom- Done. Uniformed- thinner than 1/4" and nicely straight too.

Perfect for scooping up hummus with- now the problem is I have to make more.

Mark Bittman's Simple Crackers

1 cup Flour plus more for dusting.
2 Tbsps unsalted Butter
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 cup Water plus more as needed.
Coarse Sea Salt optional

Preheat oven to 400 degrees, flour two small baking sheets or one large.

Now you could do this by hand in a bowl with a fork , but I prefer the food processor- the goal is to be quick. Put Flour, Butter and Salt in the food processor with metal blade. Pulse until combine 10-15 secs if that. Add the water and process until comes together but not sticky, you may need additional water.*

Turn out onto a floured work surface knead once or twice to bring together.

With a pasta sheet attachement separate and pass dough through the largest setting, then subsequently smaller settings- I used the fourth setting and got a pretty thin cracker.

Place the cracker ribbons on the baking sheets, perforate if you choose and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

Bake for 10 mins- seriously longest part of the whole operation, remove to cooling rack and enjoy!

For a little extra time have a 4yr old help you out- adds entertainment value.

* don't worry if the dough looks a little too wet in places, when you turn out onto the flour surface it will be absorbed.

photos by me...

I like you.

2011-01-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

I was randomly poking around Facebook & Blogs today and came across a plea to enter this contest. I am not a huge contest person. I feel that mostly they are popularity contests ( ok ok this one is too ), but this one spoke to me. I have a camera. I love my camera, a lot of the time I adopt the role of family documenter. I photo doc everything-a habit that was formed in art school. So I am never without some sort of image capturing media, be it my DSLR, my point & shoot or my phone.

More and more I am using my iphone, especially when my DSLR is too cumbersome- grocery shopping, walking with the tots in 3 feet of snow, running for a train. I like the immediacy of the iphone. It's job is to capture a moment, to document. I like the fact that it has very few settings, apertures, iso's ect. I like the edit-lessness of it. If the picture looks crappy I just don't use it. I have a 'good' camera for the more thoughtful shots and sometimes I use both at the same time for a different effect, but mostly the photos I like are the ones about the eye, this is what I saw or this is what I wanted to convey. I will use fun apps to get more artful pictures but they are still not staged or set up, they are just what I saw, enhanced.

This photo contest is just for that very thing, for your favourite app and mobile device. Please enjoy my photos, and if you like them go to the website and vote. Or, easier yet just click on the photo that you like.

Thank you for voting!
photos by me!

What A Kitchen Table Means.

2011-01-10T12:03:00.000-08:00

Kitchen Table

a place to gather

savouring the moments of

our daily feast

Food is very important in our household and the role of sitting down to a family meal together to discuss our day and spend time together is paramount. So often if this does not happen days are lost as there is nothing to bind them together. It is very difficult to do this without a Kitchen Table.

Our first shared meals in the new house were picnic style, though while fun at first quickly become a nightmare after the millionth spill of beverage, soup or pasta due to knees and elbows meeting on the same plane. As I do not have a KT in my soon to be arriving household goods (old one was way to ratty to even considering paying for the shipping) I thought what better time than now to buy one.

I almost bought one from Target online out of desperation, but decided to wait- I did not want a generic table with no history or character I wanted to find something that would reflect my family and stimulate conversation as much as the food we brought to it did. As it so happened after my morning coffee run (no espresso machine either) on the way home my tots and I wondered into a cute home boutique: Roost. And there I discovered a Kitchen Table worthy of a meal.

Made in 1942 by The National Chair Company of (Roxbury) Boston MA. It has an enameled top with a wooden base and chairs. The shop had not yet set it up when I viewed it, they had just bought it from an estate sale but would have it set up the next day. I almost bought it on the spot but thought I should wait until my husband and had a chance to see it as a set. I called him and excitedly told him about it and then the tots and I went home.

It was during a picnic lunch on the floor and a spilled plastic tumbler of orange juice that made me call back the store and buy it. I could not wait another day or sit through one more meal on the floor. It was then that I knew that this table was special in more than one way. This little boutique run by less than a handful of employees offered to bring it by that afternoon and help me set it up. They knew that I had young children, no car and lived on the top floor of a house without an elevator.

By Dinner time we were eating at the table as a family telling tales of the day and dreaming about tomorrow. Many more meals will be eaten here and each time part of the telling of the table will be shared in one way or another. Now if the Espresso machine would just get here!

photos & haiku by me.

Been Away for While.

2011-01-07T12:21:00.000-08:00

A New Year and a New Start. Here we go!

My family has just moved to a new country and from one coast to another. This is a move that has taken a long time to execute for all sorts of reasons, Good, Bad and the less than convenient.

Though they missed the big east coast storm there is still plenty of evidence.

Love the way the paint was peeling, reminds me of our west coast rain forests.

Little tiny homes that seem impossible to live in.

Here marks the historical district.

Many homes tell you who built and lived there.

One of the local bakeries AJ Kings, look at that levain!

Gorgeous.

A confectioners shop.

While I am still waiting for my official welcome my family is finding their way around just nicely. This is a walk around their new town. Isn't it adorable?

Photos by me.

Salt & Vinegar Chips...

2010-12-30T19:32:00.000-08:00

Today I was in the grocery store, I wanted vegetables for a nice healthy hearty salad- Christmas eating is starting to take it toll.

Nestled in with all the usual suspects, romaine, iceberg, fancy spring mixes were several varieties of winter greens. Possibly my favourite of these is curly kale. When I looked at the goodness and greenness of the furrowed curled leaves I could not resist adding them to my shopping cart. I knew instantly what I would do with them.

It is always my intention to add kale to soups or make some wilted garlicky greens but not these, these leaves were destined for crispy chips. Chips you say? More holiday eating? No not really, but if you are a fan of Salt and Vinegar chips this may be an alternative for you.

Crispy Kale Salt and Vinegar Chips

1-3 heads of Kale (I ate most of one head to myself)
Olive oil
Sherry Vinegar (or another flavourful type)
Sea Salt

Preheat oven to 425f, line a large cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper.

Clean leaves from stalks, tearing into bite sized pieces, wash and dry. In a large bowl combine a generous amount of leaves, olive oil, vinegar toss and fully coat. It is advisable to use your hands and work the oil into leaves. Spread out the leaves on the parchment paper in a thin layer and generously sprinkle with sea salt.

Bake in the oven for about 15 mins turning every 5 minutes or so until they look done. They can be drier or not. I like them when they are a both green and chewing and brown and crunchy.

I made a version of these last winter and was mostly underwhelmed, though I ate them to prove that they were good for me, I did not enjoy them. These ones are so much better, adding the acid and not skimping on the salt made the flavour enjoyable and slightly addicting. So the next time some one says 'eat your greens', I know what I am reaching for.

Photos by me.

Happy Holidays.

2010-12-19T10:09:00.000-08:00

I was kinda hoping that the craft fair was going to be my last one big sale before the Holidays. I knew my sewing time was coming to an end so I crammed as many aprons and little things in as I could- The Sale wasn't all the hot but it was a good learning experience and an excellent chance to talk to other artists, makers and bakers (lots of food, love my little island- am going to miss it). Here is what some of my stuff looked like. A few of these items will be making it to my shop in January!

This was my first sale- a little half apron that I designed!

Sitting on Santa's lap

Potholders to Match some of the aprons

(gift bags and potholders in shop in January)

Full Lucy Apron in Red

Half Apron in Red

Gift Bags with nearly 3 ft of ribbon!

And Again the full Lucy apron in red! Modeled and purchased by Rowie.

Check out her blog Ravenous Rowie, its all about great food and Pender Island.

My next adventure is moving my husband and family... He is taking on a new Job on the other side of the continent!

Cheers and if I don't get to blog before then, Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

I will be back in the New Year with more aprons, family stories, food- can't wait to have my own kitchen again and ramblings of a 30 something year old.

Musings of a 30 something yr old....

2010-12-18T10:09:00.000-08:00

I heard something interesting on CBC radio a few day about our growing aging population world wide and that got me thinking (my birthday is now-ish) about "not growing old but growing vibrant". I like to think I am more interesting than my 23 yr old self and in fact probably more interesting than most 23 yr olds today. It may be because of this particular milestone (I can no longer say I am in my early 30's) but I fear being outshone by a younger generation.

I use to think that I would grow old with grace, but as I was sitting in my hairdressers chair (getting my grays covered) I realized that I do go to extraordinary lengths to deny my age- and quite frankly my age is not that old. So why the change? Is it because in my youth I believed that this would not happen to me? Is it because I see partners and peers aging around me and their extraordinary lengths to deny their age? As a wife and a mother my role has changed and with that change has come more experience and war wounds. Do those war wounds expose my age?

These thoughts are by no means a midlife crisis I am just musing about my role as woman and this fear of aging is just one part of the equation. My birthday wish this year is to be comfortable in my skin. I will keep asking these questions and exploring my own reactions to what life throws at me and with that I will grow "vibrant"instead of old.

A photo of a much younger self staring at the sea.

A child like mum, telling Santa what she wants for Christmas.

Problem solving...

2010-11-30T23:56:00.000-08:00

I have been trying to find a nice simple, elegant yet fun apron. There is a trend in the handmade apron biz to price compete with one another by keeping prices low. Regardless, I have been charging more. With the amount of fabric that I use, the time that I spend, my particular style/expertise/skill etc I feel like they are more than a fair price. In fact often times ~~nearly always~~ I under pay myself. I usually start off with a design that I like, then play with it, alter it, make it my own. Just like a recipe that one has developed, taste tested, learnt from, many of my aprons have become my own.

But I think I have found a compromise. I found a cute little pattern that uses less fabric, that works with my style, I can play around with and tweak as I get to know it better and it takes me half the time to make. Thus making a fun and still very sexy apron that I can sell for less than my other more involved designs and custom orders. I can pass on some savings and still feel like I am not selling myself short.

What do you think? How should things be priced? What compromises do you make, that we should or shouldn't make?

www.akitschykitchen.com

photos by me, modeled by me....

What Thanksgiving looks like for us!

2010-11-27T19:16:00.000-08:00

Holiday One down. My husband has a relatively large close family so it goes with out saying that if there is a holiday WE ARE THERE. And now with the tots I appreciate that even more. They Love Their Aunties, Uncles and Gramma!

But it is always crazy times We did a 12 hr and over 225 miles... Yes it took us nearly twelve hours to travel 225 miles but we had two major cities to hit up (used it as an excuse to run errands in Victoria- silly computer and pick up my husband from work in Vancouver, who knew living on an island would be this hard?), and cross an international border- our route looked like this:

View Larger Map

Next year we'll be in Salem/Boston and our trip if we can make it will look a lot different... For now we will enjoy our ferry rides, pit stops in cool cafes, funky stores and delicious restaurants.

Hope everybody else had a good American Thanksgiving...

Cheers.

Holiday CYBERSALE

2010-11-25T13:42:00.000-08:00

Here is my holiday sale on a kitschy kitchen... Starting 8am Friday Morning... I was going to start it the night before but really, won't I be full and tired from turkey dinner? and then I was going to start it early the next morning, but then it occurred to me that I would be sleeping in from said dinner.... Until 8 am Tuesday Morning I will be having a CYBERSALE 25% off of your purchase*

You have to use the code all caps CYBERSALE in the coupon code section at check out to save 25% off of your purchase .

*excluding special orders and special shipping rates, please contact me about these requests and I can create a separate listing just for you.

If you have any questions leave me a comment, here, facebook or on a kitschy kitchen.

Cheers & Happy Holidays.

Megan

Coming home relaxed....

2010-10-25T23:43:00.000-07:00

I got to spend a very nice day just walking and being inspired.

I have never really explored Victoria, these days it is the closest city to me but my trips there are just the in out errand variety... It was nice to have some time to myself.

Victoria Harbour Johnson Street Draw Bridge.

Historic China Town, almost every city has one.

I also got to do Yoga at the MokSana studio located down this funky alley way.

A Random Collection of things.

And art on a boarded up window... I couldn't tell if it was intentionally there or if it was a Gorilla art

installation.

These are just some of the images from my mini mommy retreat. Not Bad for a weekend forecast of rain.. That would have been alright too... my room did have a fireplace and a bottle of Champagne waiting for me.

photos by me.

Away.... Sigh...

2010-10-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

I thought I would be breathing a sigh of relief. A couple weekends ago feeling over stressed and under appreciated I bought (using my husband's credit card of course) myself a two night stay at a cute little boutique hotel in Victoria BC... if you are ever here you have to check this place out The English Inn!

I was looking forward to a quiet getaway from full time mummy and wife duty, a place where I could crawl up onto a chaise lounge and do some of my favourite things, instead I felt an overwhelming intense sadness and I literally had to choke back the tears. I did not want to say good bye and was left scrambling for the ferry that was threatening to leave without me...

I am here now, my room is amazing the grounds are amazing and I promise I will have an amazing time.

BC Ferries... How can one be mad at them? Oh yes Now I remember,

My family had considered driving me into Victoria and having a family outing before dropping me off at my hotel, we sat in line for 45 mins waiting to load and without warning the ferry filled up, and I had to run for the dock on foot leaving husband and tots behind.

But the ride was still beautiful even if I was feeling a sense loneliness.

I went to Rebar for lunch- I love this mirror

window from my room

champagne, chocolates and fire place

( & rubber boots, yes I have worn them more than once)

King Sized bed.... with canopy!

ground shots

Outside far right is my room.

English Rose.

Just incase one is naughty.

Courtyard beneath my room.

Photos by me... still with my point and shoot... mummies digital slr is coming home to her next week.

Who Cares About Pot Holders?

2010-10-20T15:12:00.000-07:00

I do! I am still looking for those small successes and a perfect little stocking stuffer... I got to combine some of my favourite things, polka dots, black, red and rickrack. I was going to add a ribbon but thought that might be over kill. I think this turned out OK but still needs a little work to make shop worthy...

Success

2010-10-06T14:03:00.000-07:00

Spare fabric....

Kitschy Kitchen Themed

Introducing the Sexy pot holder,

an awesome accessory to a cute apron.

More to Come.

I still have more of this fabric!

I am in a place right now where I need some successes to pull me out of this funk. So thought I would make something simple with scraps of fabric I am using to make an apron for a friend..... It turned out OK .... This just a prototype that I can learn from and improve to make better product.

Cheers,

Megan

Just another Notch in the Bedpost...

2010-10-04T03:55:00.000-07:00

this who we were,

my guess is new years 93, De De is not in the picture.

I am the one leaning into Carla with the wild crazy red trestles.

Then Dave, Liz Bachinsky and John Paul Burbank

What doesn't kills us makes us stronger, and this is my journey. I have arrive to a place where I am doing something to stay positive, despite road bumps, set backs, disappointments, poopy bums, lunches, play-dates, preschool, accident (I will probably explain more later) and incurable desease (I'll let my husband explain that one) . I will keep plugging along despite a lack of support and understanding (just try to understand why I need this) . Some times it is slowly, I have to pace myself less I become over whelmed, some times it is quick and frantic, creating great gusts of wind in my wake. Sometimes it is with great love and others with indifference. Such as now, should I be sleeping?- no I am indifferent to that. There are too many notches to be carved tonight if I want to be stronger again tomorrow. Sadly right now I am lonely and lonely makes one reflective

My Journey has taken me through some pretty crazy shit, yes drugs, but not so crazy "out there" type I would have ever thought they would kill me. Until the driver who had been up all night before high as a kite and driving us on a cross country tour to see Lalapalooza 92 fell asleep at the wheel. Killing my best friend and maiming me so badly, had an off duty police officer not found us I would have died too. I can't even begin to imagine the scene. Me face down choking on my own vomit with a deep clean cut mm away from a major artery and massive wounds to my head. I spent days in a coma (I speculate 5, that is what I have been told), bandaged up, around my thigh to stop the bleeding, another around my knee to keep the mysterious gouged out flesh from becoming infected. I tell people the coyotes got it.. sometimes they believe me.

I had tubes everywhere, unable to breathe on my own as my left lung had collapsed, control any of my own bodily functions. I was in an induced coma so that they could control it. I even had a big heavy duty screw in my skull to release pressure. When they tried to revive me, they couldn't so back to sleep I went. When I woke up I remember my mother who flew immediately to my side telling me that I was in an accident and that I was in Saskatchewan. My last memories were of a 7/11 outside of Calgary somewhere, a bag of black licorice, some people literally staring jaws slack at our jeep (duck tape, skull & cross bone bandanas tied on as flags) chewing stalks of hay. After that nothing... apparently that is normal one could loose minutes, hours, or the days prior to a traumatic brain injury. Mine was only about 9-12 hours... some time in the night/early morning we made it to a cross road and a railway track in Moosejaw Saskatchewan.

And that is when The driver fell asleep, hitting the railroad pole jumping some sort of ditch and expelling the passegers as it went. One guess was I flew 80f and landed mostly on my head.

And life changes. When I woke up from my coma I could not talk and I was angry (also very common with head injuries- some stay that way, some get worse ad others such as myself it lessens and you learn to deal with it). I couldn't walk, I had lost a lot of muscle function, also the ability and know how. In some ways I was an enfant in a young woman's body. I had to re-learn everything. I thought I could write, I was always proud of my penmanship but they were the scribbles you see a young child imitating his mothers cursive, it. I was always a great draftsman and pen and paper became repulsive to me, trying to draw made me angry. I first had to pee through a catheter, then bed pans then a camode. I had to do humiliating physical therapy exercises.... what I can't ride that bike... how do you want me to stretch? You mean I can stand with out supporting the wall?

17 still made me a minor so I was in the children's ward. One vivid night I remember the quilted bunny blanket that hung on the was a decoration talk to me... The Bunnies had decided it was time for me to leave and that they would wave the blanket when the coast was clear or burn the blanket when it wasn't the forest warden came and scolded the bunnies and that plan was foiled. That was probably the last night I was delusional but one never knows I could be delusional right now.

So once I could tentatively walk I had some outings and saw some friends, they were all so happy to see me... even if my hair was orange, and I was emaciated. it was there I tried desperately to call the one person who should have been there... I tried and tried to dial her number, one the the first in daily operations that I found frustrating because I suddenly didn't know how. I think they, friends & family distracted me enough to return me to the hospital and that is when I found out my best friend died. This girl was amazing fearless, funny sarcastic, dramatic and a tad on the crazy side.... See De De had been a terrible car accident over a year before and she fought her way back into the system and into the world. Part of that was her highly creative and talented sister Sook -Yin Lee of CBC's DNTO, back then it was a band Bob's Your Uncle who was just a constant strength for her. I have no doubt that De De would have grown up gotten her shit together and become a creative force such as her sister was.

Back in hospital and that is where I live for 6 months, between Maple Ridge hospital and GF strong and an even short stint in the Abbotsford hospital because they moved me onto the Royal Columbian... those days were a blur, more MRI'S more bleeding and possible brain surgery. After that it was home rest. I tried school, I was too angry I dropped out, I move from community to community trying to find what was right for.

I this is the first half of my story in an abbreviated version, and i want clean this one up too,

comments and suggestion, even questions. Feel free to say anything even if think it dumb.

Crafty Afternoon...

2010-10-02T16:20:00.000-07:00

I would normally post this under my tomatotots blog as it has to do with food and the tots but really, this craft was more about me then them. I had fun... and well I don't want to brag but mine was better than theirs... Can you brag when they are 4 and I am thirty something? Sure...

I bought a plate from the local thrift store for 10 cents, some ceramic paint (this is not the same as glaze- as a potter I want to clarify this!), including ceramic chalkboard paint, used some stamps for the lettering and hand painted my little sandwich. Baked in the oven at 300 degrees for 35 minutes and it is suppose to be permanent & dish washer safe... Which is where mine is post cheese and onion relish (make sure you check out this recipe- it is sooo good) spread.

photo by me.

I am honoured....

2010-09-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

It is so nice that other people are thinking of me even if to be absolutely truthful I have been too busy to think of others.... Oh of course I have been trying and I will continue to try but this is a nice reminder to try even harder. There is a wonderful community of bloggers all of whom support one another through posting on one another's blogs, participating in giveaways and having honest conversations, thoughts and opinions. I am honoured to receive this award from Oh So Savvy Mom. She has wonderful giveaways and find cool things to keep mums savvy. Be sure to check her blog out for a deal on a baby sling. As a winner I get to pick my favourite blogs and pass on the award to them. See you soon.

Thank you,

Cheers.

How MUCH is that?!

2010-09-25T20:45:00.000-07:00

We are always looking for good deals... I am always looking for deals.... but at what cost? How much does an item really cost and is it worth it, who is making it, what is the quality? All these questions go through my mind when I am spending my money... Ever more we are seeing "buy local" "locavore" "100 mile diet" when it comes to our food but what about our goods? What about the maker? Should we be extending local, organic, sustainable etc and so on to our handmade goods? I think yes as much as we can. But what does that mean? I would love to buy organic fabric, there are a lot of very cool, good qualities fabrics on the market but they cost more and that would mean charging more for my products and if I charge more would people buy them knowing that they can go to another shop and get a similar product for less?

I went to a very popular fabric store known for inexpensive fabrics today and spent a good 2 hrs wondering around and pursuing the endless selections of notions, embellishments and fabrics, but left with very little, a couple packets of velcro, some ribbon and thread....but no fabric. No matter what the selection was I just couldn't do it. Of the 'great deal' fabrics not one of them I would feel good about passing those savings onto my customers.

So I am still on the look out for a great deal but that great deal not only includes cost and quantity but also quality.

Some things I have been doing.

2010-09-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

Other than running around like a chook with it's head cut off I have been hard at work building my empire (cough cough) I mean, stay at home housewife and mother or twins Business. Last week when my husband and I were actually having a few days of rest at gramma's house and I was able to get caught up on my facebook and twitter, I ended up chatting with another Stay at Home mother working on her own empire (business), Abby Sprouts. Turns out she was/is based in Victoria BC and liked the idea supporting a local maker of things.. ie me & my re-usable lunch bags. Yes Pender Island my most recent home though surrounded by water is more local to Victoria than Vancouver that my husband commutes regularly from. After a week of various twitter, facebook and email conversations I made an additional 11 lunch bags for her shop that she will be selling online and at The Vancouver Island's Baby Fair this weekend.

You can still find a limited number in my own etsy store Kitsch in the Kitchen and now at Abby Sprouts.

photos by me.

Changing Season

2010-09-11T09:03:00.001-07:00

Over a week ago my husband and I went to Prague, when we left the days were warm and the sun high in the sky and though there was talk of a long weekend and back to school I didn't quite believe it. Even in Prague we had unbelievable sunshine and though there was a slight chill in the air, the army of tourists suggested that it was still mid summer. There is something about vacation mode that makes you hyperaware of some things, incredible architecture, culture and history but completely oblivious to others, such as what is going on in the world. While were were lounging in cafes and strolling through medieval streets, legions of school busses carried children off to the first day of school, garden chairs were clean off and stacked and the first leaves started to fall.

linn photography

As our vacation experiences turn into softly edged memories, I am now hyperaware of the changing season and the smattering of leaves beneath the trees is a reminder to me that all things change.

As always this time of year we yearn for strength, warmth and security. I collected some of my favourite things this week to curl up with in another etsy treasury.

first two photos by me, tree & fallen leaves by Linn Photography, and the last a collage of cozy things.

Please feel free to link up what you love this week, what you want to share and most of all what you remember.

Follow Friday Treasury Got debunked...

2010-08-27T23:52:00.000-07:00

I had created a beautiful Etsy treasury last night and was going to share it with you all today, however none of my images, or shops loaded (the theme was Back to School)... Strange... Anyway, I was going to redo it today but my life got away on me (check out tomato tots the blog)... I will be on vacation for the next two fridays (starting Sunday) so I am signing off until I get back (hopefully I will throw an update or two in for good measure).

For back to school, reusable lunch bags!

ok ok.. those ones are mine and not in the treasury

at all.

photos by me.

New profile for Etsy

2010-08-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

I am a stay at home mum that has been looking for something more. I make things, I love food and cooking, I raise young children and I have to clean. My life is domestic. But before it became that I was a full time student at Emily carr University in the ceramics department. I got my BFA from my hospital bed as I was waiting 3 months to deliver my twins.

So I went from hospital to full time on call care of preemie twins and slowly but surely forgot about my dreams and aspirations to do more. I plugged along for a few years (yes every one says that raising children is the hardest and most fulfilling job you can have) but I was not happy, I needed more.

My search to do more brought me back into the home, I was always trying to get out, and finding a way for me to embrace my domestic duties. Thus Kitsch in the Kitchen was born...

It is continually growing and developing, so please visit every now and then to see what is new, or if you have any suggestions for a new direction please feel free to let me know.

Cheers,

Megan

photo by my husband

Pins & Needles

2010-08-23T18:11:00.000-07:00

I should be walking on cloud nine but instead I am walking on pins and needles... Side stepping this and that. Trying to get everything done and still be on top. I should be celebrating my successes but I am feeling guilty about wanting success for myself out side of my family. And honestly I am feeling resentful that I should be feeling this way at all.

nuf said

Things that I am loving this week...

2010-08-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

Living on an island gives me plenty of opportunities to think and fantasize about what I would love to have in my home (when I finally get one)...

This week's etsy treasury love reflects island living.

Follow along and add what you love be it a blog, a photo, a shop... what ever your favourite is.

An important update - Rebecca from Rapunzels Gold (she made the lovely bracelet with the single pearl) is offering a %15 discount on anything in her store. Just mention 'tomatotos' in the comments section of the shop... she will reimburse you through paypal.

Cheers.

weekend wrap up....

2010-08-21T16:19:00.000-07:00

the market apron...

Another Farmer's market down... Today was phenomenal, maybe because the summer is drawing to a close and people are getting ready to head home. Perhaps because the weather is changing and there was a certain buzz in the air, people were out in droves. As a vendor that was good news for me. I sold 5 aprons and one reusable lunch bag (new product). Two of the aprons I didn't even have time to list on my etsy store, they were out the door so fast, one I didn't even get a photo of before it was gone... so sad. It was a 1940's vintage pattern that I had done up in a black and white gingam with a floral motif lining...

The one pictured is the market apron. As I was making it I had a vision in my head of how I wanted it to look but in order to do that I had to do some fancy cutting and dubious arranging... It was in my sewing room half completed last market day and by the time I finished it I had a haunch of where it would be going this market. I had spied another vendor wearing a similar *vintage* apron and her's was falling apart, so as I completed it I had her in mind. Sure enough as I was setting up my table for the day she had it on and was off and running all the way back to her stall!

Thank you all so much for the support and encouragement that you have given me, this has been one hell of a journey and I am glad to say it is just beginning... I have many more aprons to make and am excited to meet more great people.

Cheers,

Megan

photos by me,

Another week, another Love....

2010-08-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Michelle the fabulous bead lady donning the pretty in Pink apron

and myself with the new upcycled Gypsy Rose.

I spent another mad week creating more aprons.... I am totally getting into this Farmer's market thing. Not only do I get a chance to show off my aprons and perhaps sell a few (two) I get to meet all sorts of people. This week I stood next to a very lovely lady who summers here each year just to work in her glass studio. She makes the most interesting and diverse beads and then arranges them in stunning combinations. People flocked to her table in throngs. I am happy to say she is the owner of sexy little apron.

If you are ever on Pender Island in the summer she works in her studio most days, giving demos using her torch and kiln! I will be taking my own tots down to South Pender one of these days.

Also better late than never- A little Love to this weeks favorites.

I made another Etsy Treasury for Follow Friday inspired by the word Love and this is what I am came up with.... you can find out more about these items and the makers by going to the treasury.

If you had something that you just Loved this week and you want others to follow, join the link up and meet new people.

Pender Island Farmer's Market

2010-08-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Last night at 8pm my dad convinced me that I should go to the Farmer's Market and peddle my wares.... In a panic I spent all night making two more children's aprons... I was worried about having enough variety. When my dad and I hatched this plan the evening sky was pretty clear even though the forecast called for light rain the next day. I was not surprised that it was lightly drizzling when I woke up... No worries light rain was the forecast and it was still warm out. Off to the market I went. I don't know who made that forecast or what it was even about because the rain that followed was not light. Nonetheless I had a good experience, I had an awesome fresh falafel by Theresa who writes a blog about island food and met lots of locals. And despite the rain and low attendance I sold two aprons making more than enough to cover my $8 table fee (which they collect at the end of the day-giving you time to sell enough wares to pay) ....

The first one was my very popular but un-sold half pink and green polka dot apron. The woman who scooped this up for herself was one fierce little lady who remembered when aprons were worn everyday by everybody and who as a little girl was told to always wear her apron before she did anything! The second apron was a full 1940's inspired pink and green polka dot, eyed across a downpour of rain by a husband who sent his wife over to check it out. Her plan was to go straight home and make cocktails!

With luck and a very busy sewing machine I will be at next week's market. The forecast is for Sun!

photos by me (my husband took ours swimming in the pacific ocean so I am using the old one for now).

Follow Fridays!

2010-08-06T12:16:00.000-07:00

I have so many shoes! These would be so practical

from Mini McGhee.

As we all know I have been moving and that means my Kitsch in the Kitchen shop has suffered... I thought to kick start my productivity I would create a treasury on Etsy highlighting some things that I love. This has multiple functions, to meet other sellers, to create followers and to show off some awesome finds. I would like to make an Etsy Treasury as a feature on Fridays, to get people sharing. So if you have a treasury that you want to share with others, or anything else that is a favorite find (blog, shop, musing, the possibilities are endless) tag along!

Here are some of my favorites this week!

Beautiful Drop earrings by Canadian Rockies Art

maybe I should start wearing long earrings again, these are gorgeous.

I love this, my daughter would love this. Check out all of

Jenni Foof Foo's other critters.

And of course one can not go wrong with a nice warm scarf

by Tehlia over at the Shop of Lovelies & Dirty Joe Soaps,

fall is coming you know!

Now it is your turn to share your favorites this week!

Tradition.

2010-07-25T19:24:00.000-07:00

cheesing for daddy

I don't know this for sure (my experience is with a birthday that falls way too close to a major holiday- Christmas), but it must suck to share a birthday with someone, especially if that some one is a sibling. I come from a two kid family, my husband from a six kid family so we, especially him have done our share of sharing. My sister and I were close in age so generally my parents bought one of most things to share. But imagine if you shared a bed from infancy as mine do, shared bath time, shared all of your milestones with one person? Where is the individuality? I have boy/girl twins so clothes are almost always one or the others, though there have been times when he has had to wear the pink polka dot PJ's and her the dump truck shorts. Such is life. That is why this year for their birthday I thought I would start a new tradition. Making PJ's for each, and letting them pick out a general style (they still have to share a unisex pattern, with several combinations), their own fabric & buttons.
He picked a short sleeve shirt and shorts and she picked a short sleeve shirt and pants. His blue with frog buttons and and hers pink with small vintage buttons. I seriously did not influence their pattern picking and fabric choices as the ladies at the local Fabric Land will attest to. Yes those were my children knocking over the displays and rearranging the spools of threads.

Currently I am helping out Coryanne over at Housewife Bliss with a sewing 101 tutorial for beginners. I thought I would remake the short/pants as part of that tutorial, so that he has a pair of pants and she has a pair of shorts. Last weeks 101 was the a run down on tools.... I will be getting to the pattern this week. Make sure you follow along over at Housewife Bliss.

Thank you all for your patience while I have been moving... I will be cooking and sewing up a storm once I get settled again (first week of August) and hope to post more regularly when I do!

Cheers.

Photo by me, funny I still don't have the full PJ picture yet even though they have been done for a whole month now. Yes I know... Slacker, I will get on that.

What is going on in my world.

2010-07-19T09:51:00.000-07:00

pender island bc

I usually have so much to blog about and I still do but my thoughts reflect my unorganized home. We are moving. First to Pender Island where my dad lives and then onto Boston MA where my husband will be taking his first Post doctoral positon at Harvard MGH. We will go from being West coasters (both of us born and raised) to East coasters. So much transition. The first move to my dad's is pretty minor- we will basically be moving in our clothes, some kitchen stuff, espresso machine, knives and my sewing stuff. In the meantime I am packing up all of our worldly possessions (yes even the kitchen aid, food processor and all) and saying good bye to them for several months, possibly half a year or longer.

I will occasionally post about my updates, progress and special going ons so stay tuned and forgive my tardiness.

You can find my first Guest post Over at the Housewife Bliss.

pins pins and more pins

Happy a Happy Summer and I'll be seing you around on your blogs, with less sewing and cooking I will have more time to read and comment on yours!

cheers,

Megan

Special Order.

2010-07-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

I had my first special order this past week...

A couple of months ago a woman who had seen one of my posts on twitter about my Etsy shop said that she wanted an apron for her business. Over the past couple of months we exchanged more emails and eventually settled on a plan a couple of weeks ago. Two aprons, one for her and one for her sister.

I just completed and listed the aprons on Etsy last night and by morning they had been scooped up by their intended buyer, Marisa of Organic Fair, farm, kitchen and shop on Vancouver Island. She will be using them in a business photo shoot, be giving me credit and passing on referrals to my shop. Double Yay, and then a bonus triple yay, she also bought a Little Helper smock.

Make sure you check out her shop full of delicious delectables as well as the article in Eat Magazine about her ice cream pg 21. I am so glad my aprons will have a new home.

Right now I am riding on the high of being an accomplished maker, tomorrow I will feel all of those other emotions that come with creating.

For now here is a sample of what I made.

photos by me.

We Have a Winner!

2010-07-11T10:06:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to make this quick announcement before the day runs away on me.... Congratulations to Living on Love and Cents for winning the Rick Rack Little Help Smock. Her blog is full of other giveaways, deal, reviews and an awesome source of tips.

A big Thank You to everyone that participated, tweeted, reposted and shared with their friends my first (but not last) Giveaway. Make sure to check out these other great blogs!

Stacey from Confessions of a Super Mommy

Lara from Momma Drama

Debra from Vintage Paper Parade (another super cool shop on Etsy)

Italian Mama Chef

Rebecca from Chow and Chatter (this girl knows how to travel)

Lotus Carroll (no relation)

Andrea the Kitchen Witch

A blissful and ever encouraging Housewife Bliss

The Queen of all things good, Laura at Hey Whats for Dinner Mom?

Kelly from FoodServiceWarehouse.com

Velva from Tomatoes on the Vine (check out her most recent bicycle adventure through France)

Amanda Hendrix Clay (ps send me a link I will add it)

DSwifey2010

Jafabrit's Art (who did a blog post an aprons this past week)

Cheers and have a great day... The Sun is shining where I am so after I spend some time sewing more fabulous apron's I am going to spend time with the family OUTSIDE and away from a hot iron!

Give your Dog a Bone!

2010-07-08T12:06:00.000-07:00

Finally, you asked and now you shall receive. I am adding a boy's version of the Little Helper smock. Plain and simple. This smock is part of the New Direction Giveaway and to find out more about how you can win this for your little helper click on the word giveaway anywhere in this post! It will take you a few posts down and explain everything!

Let me tell you about the young man's version (3/4yr) of the Little Helper smock. It features a large front pocket good for holding all sorts of things! Frogs, crayons, trucks, cars, trains, surprises or just about anything that will fit. It is a navy blue and cream plaid with a brown cotton lining. The dark blues and browns are good for hiding the toils of a boy or girl that likes to get dirty. You don't have to worry about lost buttons, as it ties in a criss cross pattern across the back.

So please let me know if you want to see more boy/unisex versions of the Little Helper and do not forget to enter my giveaway even if you don't have a little helper of your own this handmade item will make a great gift.

For more smocks and vintage inspired aprons,

I would love it if you visited my shop on etsy!

Thank You Every Thing Etsy for hosting a fabulous blog party.

Cheers all and have a Good day.

Extensions?

2010-07-06T15:27:00.001-07:00

Here is what I am thinking, several people have asked about a little boy version of the Little Helper smock and as I love to accommodate I am doing it. By the end of the week I will have a little boy 3-5 version available for the giveaway.

What does that mean to you! I am extending the giveaway until the end of the week July 10, it also means that you get to choose one of two styles for boy or girl. If you have not entered or would like to add additional comments to win click on anywhere it says GIVEAWAY.

Remember to win leave a comment about the giveaway on the original giveaway post, and for additional chances to win mention that you follow the blog, like my facebook page, tweet about the giveaway, there is a link at the bottom and or follow me on twitter (you can follow on the side bar)! The more seperate comments you leave the more chances you have to win.

image by me.

A new direction & Giveaway Gift!

2010-06-22T20:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All!

Welcome to the Kitsch in the Kitchen Blog if this is your first time here and to all those that follow, Welcome I would not have been able to do this with out you!

When I started the blogging journey many months ago I never knew how good of a fit it was going to be and not once did I stop to think about what it meant... I just let the momentum take over. There has been some hiccups, slow times and the usual life detours, but never once have I considered throwing in the towel. Much to the contrary in fact. I have taken on bigger and more ambitious projects and challenged myself to do things that I would never have done.

I have two blogs, sometimes one or the other of them gets more attention than the other (for those that don't follow me on both, Tomato Tots is about food and family but mostly food). It is here in the kitschy kitchen (less about food) I am a bit more expressive and and have found my voice.

I first started Kitsch in the Kitchen to celebrate my art. The previous four years to the twins being born I went to Emily Carr University to get an art education. One month before I was suppose to graduate and three months before they were to be born I ended up in hospital on bedrest, missing my graduation and what seamed like the last opportunity for me to practice my craft. I was in the ceramics department. I loved pots, making objects, and was seduced by clay.

For several years post their birth I struggled with what I could do. As a stay at home mum I thought my options were pretty limited. I never consider the options I could make for myself until one month before my 35 birthday I opened my computer and started writing a blog. I figured I loved food, I could write about that.... I couldn't make the art I wanted to make but I could cook. So I wrote about that. That wasn't enough I also wanted to MAKE. But what, ceramics was out of the question for several reasons... so why not paint? Well if truth be told I am a draftsman not a painter... so that didn't work... I thought long and hard about what I really could do and I decided above everything else I am a maker. I make food, I make babies, I make a home.... How Could/Can I combine that? After brainstorming and talking it out with my family/husband and Tehlia I came up with a plan.

And Kitsch in the Kitchen took a slightly new direction.

To celebrate that direction I am having a giveaway.... I will give away one of my special Little Helper Smock's. This smock and the others are for getting dirty! Because they are upcycled (all upcycle means is that the fabric chosen has had another life) they are made to be used by children in all sorts of activities... cooking, art, playing et al. Can we say mud pies? Either for your little helper or as a gift for someone else's little helper it is ever the fun fashion accessory.

To enter leave a comment- my favourite are haikus, on my blog...

For additional entries,

1)Follow Kitsch in the Kitchen
2)Become a fan on my facebook page, (I update about both blogs)
3)Follow me on twitter and...
4)Retweet this post, there is link on the bottom!

Please leave a comment for each and good luck... I look forward to meeting each of you!
***giveaway ends July 7 10, 2010!

Summer is coming! Summer is coming.

2010-06-20T09:49:00.000-07:00

Summer officially starts tomorrow, how are you going to spend the summer? What memories will you be creating?

A preview of my Summer Memories Treasury on Etsy that I dedicated to this fun and fashionable time of year!

How about a summer dress, to wear to an outdoor party?

From Popettes on Etsy

And to keep track of your wine while you are sipping it,

how about these lovely coasters?

By Dimmalimm Home.

Finally to keep track of those memories, how about a beautiful hand-bound journal

made by Night Owl Craftworks?

These are just some of the items in my treasury... I had a lot of fun making it, picking out beautiful items and conversing with some wonderful people.

And don't forget while you are having a fabulous time add a little sunshine at Kitsch in the Kitchen

by tomato tots

first 3 images by the respective etsy shop owners

last photo by my husband.

Patterns, Basting tape & Fit!

2010-06-16T13:44:00.000-07:00

What I am working on! I believe in a good solid product and am really taking the time to refine my skills. Thus I am slowly adding new Vintage Inspired Aprons to my Etsy store.

While I get ready to put my money where my mouth is, take a look at this preview and demo of how to sew double folded basting tape.

Making double folded basting tape with single fold!

Fold in half and press, then open. There will be 3 fold lines.

With wrong side of the fabric pin an open edge of the basting tape

flush with the edge edge of the fabric. Pin.

Sew basting tape in the crease of the first fold line.

Flip basting tape up along seam and the edge of the fabric. On the right side

of the fabric press.

You should now have both outside edges of the

basting tape facing the center fold line of the basting tape.

Fold the basting tape over the outside of the right side of the fabric.

Using the outer edge of the fabric and the center fold line of the basting tape as a guide.

Press.

Sew along edge of the basting tape.

Now you have an enclosed seam and a fancy edge.

I am not a professional seamstress but this is the way I was taught how to do it. If you have other tips, please feel free to share. I always want to do things better!

For more tips, inspiration and a little fun go to I Made It thursday's over at Everything Etsy!

photos by me.

The Cobbler Adventure

2010-06-11T14:01:00.000-07:00

Ok It has been over a week since I have been back from Vacation (remind me to never do that again with two four year olds). So what have I've been doing with my time? I decided to include a new apron into my repertoire which included brushing up on some old skills: such as darts, flat-fell seams, button holes and double fold binding tape. Stuff I thought I knew how to do, but theory and practice are two different things. Still I am fast learner!

Let me introduce the Cobbler Apron and its humble beginning.

My first attempt at this apron style turned out pretty good but . I used some fabric that had seen better days. In its former life it had been a gorgeous piece of heavy linen, but then it met with an unsavoury fellow: a piece of red faux silk that tarnished its reputation and left crimson stains as the two rested together in wait. Sadly it was destined to be thrown out of its cozy little nest and discarded with out much thought. Then it occurred to me I may be able to utilize its best assest- Its strength. With that in mind I set to work prettying it up and doing my best to return it to it's former glory. I washed it, ironed it and have to say- it is a bit of a diamond in the rough, but now it has a happy new job.

I have been fascinated by the cobbler style apron for some time. It has a more practical application, and as the name suggests it may have been originally used by cobblers. It covers both front and back and can vary in length. Mid thigh is most common. Its telling features are the large pockets in the front of the apron for all sorts of tools, such as wooden spoons, shovels, spades, paintbrushes and pencils. Because of its extreme common sense application the Cobbler can be seen as a bit dowdy. However, I am sure with the right colour combinations and creative flare it can be a sexy as well as functional addition to the home.

I will be adding this style to my Kitsch in the Kitchen shop on Etsy soon and even debating about adding this one. I am liking it too much & am worried that some of the unsavouriness of the red silk may rub some people the wrong way!

photos by me.

Goals and Such

2010-05-16T10:44:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I have opened a store on Etsy, if you don't go check it out now, I'll wait! Kitsch in The Kitchen by tomato tots is selling handmade one of a kind aprons made by me of course. It keeps me busy, very busy, sewing, creating, thinking up new combinations and variations but I have to ask myself why am I doing this? It is not to off load all of my unsold crap. I am making things just for this forum, so why? What are my goals?

I have been a stay at home mum for nearly four years, more if you consider I had to leave school (I was in art school getting my BFA and blissfully playing with mud in the ceramics department) in the last and probably most important month (graduation, shows, industry nights etc) for 12 weeks of bed redrest. My twins were born preterm and then had to spend 10 more weeks in the hospital NICU to become full term. Luckily for us they were healthy but just needed to grow, our daughter was born without eyelashes, and neither of their earlobes had developed fully. Some of the cosmetic development that happens in the last 2 months of gestation happened in an isolette. I was at the hospital everyday from about 8 am until 8 pm, pumping, feeding, changing diapers, weighing and cleaning babies. My husband who had returned to work would join me in the evenings for the bath time, a feeding, then we would go for dinner, go home and collapse into bed. Once we got the tots home our routine was pretty much set and we have been running ever since.

So my art practice fell away. All through four yeas of school I had been dreaming of my own studio where I could make pots, plates, mugs and bowls as well as more conceptual hand built work. My husband and I had even looked into buying property on a gulf island in British Columbia where we would have room to build such a place. How things have changed (to steel a phrase from another blog, kangacoo dreams). And none of that has transpired. So what ever happend to those dreams? Well life happened, we had no idea what we were getting into when we had children and how our, mine especially, lives would change.

Flash forward to the present: I have been struggling with finding a place for me. My husband has a career path carved out for himself and within the year we'll be transposed to the next phase of that (from beautiful Vancouver BC we're off to Boston MA- a far cry from our tranquil dream of the coastline islands)... When am I going to get to my goals? How about now? Our departure has been delayed which gives me some serious time to figure out what I want to do with my life next. I do not want to go back to work, retail is pretty much my only option, maybe a gallery but I have been out of my degree now for four years and have not made any headway there, so that puts me back in retail. Retail it is, but I can not leave the house just yet... Retail at home, selling something that I believe in (me) and that combines all of my passions, creativity, home/family, cooking, sewing (I will get to the ceramics at a later date). Two weeks a ago I blindly took the plunge and opened my etsy store. So now what? Set some goals and make it real. This is not a hobby, this is something I want to do and something that I am taking very seriously. I have yet to work out the specifics and this is mostly a trial by error. My long term goal is to create a small income for myself and not have to go back to work in the conventional 9-5 setting.

There finally I said it. I have not confessed this desire to anyone, including myself.
if you want to check out my wears you can find them at http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomatotots.

photos by me, my husband and some delightful nurses!

Trying to work out my feelings.

2010-05-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

My time is running out... simple as that. I do not have time to go to the grocery store, make dinner clean the house, sew, make "me" time, mediate fights, entertain children, etc and so on, it is the usual banter of motherhood. Now to add to that, it appears it cost too much for me to have a babysitter once a week so I can run weekly errands (the type that is easier to do without toddlers in tow) and go to yoga. I am feeling slightly perplexed. On one hand I agree it is expensive. I know that, I am usually the one to fork out $60 a week for 4 hours of childcare- yes 4 hours- thats it... Until the weekend that is all the "me" time I get. The type of time where you do not have anyone hanging off of you, demanding every ounce of attention be lavished on them, pulling you in opposing directions and constantly asking for stuff.

Last year we had the twins in a daycare two mornings a week, I got 8hrs a week. But we decided that was too expensive and it was. It worked out to be $20 an hour and a lot of back and forth time making the eight hours essentially 6 driving the cost upward. That brings me to the "on the other hand", how come every time it looks like we are spending too much money I am the one that has to make cut backs? I know it is expensive, but why are my feelings so hurt?

photo by me. This was a dried out crab clinging to a pole, maybe he got stuck as the tide went out and had been there for a few days unobserved?

Time to make another apron... http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomatotots

Wordless Wednesday, a tribute to our up coming vacation!

2010-05-05T08:40:00.000-07:00

photo by me.

Getting my groove...

2010-05-04T19:53:00.000-07:00

I am trying to balance work at home, raise a family and be creative. I thought the best way to do that was to combine all three into one passion. Hence the aprons, I have to cook and clean any way....I get to use my brain for things other than wiping bums, mediating fights (twins- they either get along famously or are spitting fire at one another- I never know which) and translating tot demands. I get to be home with my children; I have decided I am OK with them destroying the house, it means they are using their imaginations, not bugging me and not watching TV. And I am being forced to organize, plan my time and strategize my activities... If I am making one dinner, why not make two? But most of all I get to use my creative thinking skills and make things. I love making things.

The new fabrics for full aprons! Going Pink to match my rubber gloves.... you remember those don't you?

They're coming!

2010-04-30T09:19:00.000-07:00

I have been working hard this week, not having too much time to write blogs, go to yoga, clean the house, feed my family- really the house has turned to kaos and my children have become ferrel!

I have been making aprons, sewing has been a long life long passion of mine, but something that I gave up when I got married (not cool) and had all but forgotten about because of children. But a very curious movement has been going on and I have jumped on the band wagon of do it your selfers and the homemade life, why not try to make a little cash on the side to boot? Here is my contribution!

photos by my husband, handmade goods by me!!!!!

A philosophy that makes sense to me.

2010-04-26T21:09:00.000-07:00

An Organic farmer (though I suspect he doesn't think of himself as one) explaining why he does what he does and why he does it.

"...if you can't do it right, don't do it. It's that simple. And a I'll tell you another thing: if consumers don't want to pay the farmer to do the right thing, they shouldn't eat meat".Frank Reese, Poultry Framer.

This is so much more about meat, but lifestyle choice. It is why I try to support individual farmers, products and handmade. It is why I am a maker.

photos by me.

A Darling Vacation

2010-04-19T16:22:00.000-07:00

So I am not going on vacation yet, but I really, really want the bag being given away by Designing Dna.... It will go so well with my new swimsuit as modelled by my sister in law in my last post!

Check out it out an come along!

Holy Kneez Productions

2010-04-17T09:28:00.000-07:00

This is what my sisters in law do when bored...

I did it!

2010-04-16T20:18:00.000-07:00

It has been years since I have sewn. Other then the occasional mending, I would guess 9, closer 10 years. I have all the fancy hardware, I use to make my own simple patterns.... I even decided at age 4, I was going to be fashion designer! So what took me so long to get back on the horse, why did I get back on?

First what took me so long: I have been a stay at home mum for the last four years, since the birth of my children (twins) I have been full time on the clock busy. If I did have time I almost always was passed out in exhaustion, later it was cleaning up after them and then it was mediating between them. And then last fall I started blogging about food. I needed an outlet, but something related to my role as a domestic diva. So Tomato Tots was born, a family adventure and food. I was cooking all the time, why not talk about it?

Then a strange thing started to happen, my creative juices started flowing again...and I started searching for an outlet and that is when Kitsch in the Kitchen was born. A blog about me to document my personal creative endeavors. It started with a simple project to create paintings based on iconic childhood toys and vintage recipes.... I set an intention and gave myself a deadline (OK OK, I know where is it?) a process I practiced in art school but it hasn't been working out so well . I want to finish it (and I will, just not on the time line I originally gave myself). I am two paintings in and I still love the concept but as much I love drawing I am not a painter (or at least not a very good one). I have reconciled that with, I am a maker. In high school I was sewer. In art school I fell in love with ceramics. Ceramics to me is the perfect embodiment of art, craft and a celebration of food, festival and history and it meshed perfectly with my need to make functional things.

So here I am figuring out my life again. For the past four years my head has been down and I have been surviving one day to the next but lately I have been getting frustrated at my lack of involvement in the world and my greater contribution. My husband on the other hand has spent the last 10 years at school and will this summer have the long awaited PhD. By the end of the year he will be working as a researcher for a very noble cause. I on the other hand will be starting from scratch... again. In year my babies will be school age and I will be re-entering the work force. My years of a stay at home mum have pretty much negated my BFA, so where does that put me? Working retail? Going back to school?

So that is where sewing comes in and why I took out my dusty machines, greased the grommets and threaded the needles. I have a good friend that has been through some similar experiences, though she doesn't have children she knows what it is like to put her personal goals on hold to support her loved ones. We have been domestically tearing apart our houses and lives in tandem and earlier this year she sent me a gift as a thank you... A beautiful hand made scarf (you should check out Tehlia's scarves on etsy!)... Finally here is my thank you first for the scarf and for all of her support, a 1952's inspired apron! And just maybe with a little bit more practice I will open my own etsy shop. I almost forgot... I am good at this....

self portrait photobooth photos & outdoor photos by my begrudgingly (but still plays along) accommodating husband.

Silly me....

2010-04-15T20:32:00.000-07:00

Like I need more to do.... Just thinking about making stuff.... accommodating my tiny space.

Really it is about my stuff and how I fight daily for my things. I know selfish, but hey we all need our space.

A no joke conversation.

2010-04-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

This is my face book conversation with my family.

(check out random red guy)

The set up: two four year olds in their bedroom, the throwing of objects at the closed bedroom door has stopped. E: I gotta go pooh-Let him out to use the potty (this is new trick to be let out of naps- but I can't risk it), B comes to the kitchen where I am ironing. E: I poohed. B: Let me check, runs of to the bathroom- B exclaims: That is the biggest pooh I have seen in my terrible life!- I am hoping she meant entire life!

Wordless Wednesday

2010-04-07T19:05:00.000-07:00

Awards

2010-03-31T17:57:00.000-07:00

Hi it's Me again... Just updating a bit of goodies and saying a couple of things to maybe make your day a bit better, put a smile on your face and give you something to talk about.

Last week Ashleigh from the blog Pregnant gave me an award for my blog. I was really excited and honoured and all that jazz and then I saw I had to bestow it on others. Gasp what?! I have to choose? I hate choices, they suck. I read so many blogs about food and art and all things in between and most of them are written by women of whom this award is for.

I don't want to mince words and string together my sentences to summarize the Stiletto award, the author and creator does it best. Please follow the sound of legions of strong confident women walking down the hall, click clack, click clack and allow one to tell you about it The Husailey Bunch. (Also she has a picture of Mr Potatohead that I love!)

My Nominees are:

Laura at Hey Mom What's 4 Dinner! Thank you for having gonads to speak your mind, do what you do and share all of your yummy recipes, tidbits and advice.

Little T for Raw Adventures of an Army Wife. My partner in crime. It may surprise some but I use to be an Army wife and my husband and her husband joined together and though mine is now a metro (man pri-lovin) hippy living in Canada, I still can identify with some of her adventures.

Victoria of Ribbons Undone Thank you for your kind words, this blog isn't that old but already you have reached out!

JafaBrit of Jafabrit's Art Who I have no idea how she does the things that she does as it is never seems to end!

Jennifer at You had me at Bacon, because you're funny and I am a vegetarian!

Finally for now, as I am sure there will be more opportunites to share, Andrea of Andrea the Kitchen Witch who has been playing along with the silliness!

Some of you have already received this award from other's, I thought that this was OK as I have my own reason for sharing it with you!

photos by me....

You are defined by your Actions.

2010-03-27T10:15:00.000-07:00

It is not necessarily what you say (with a few exceptions- they [words] were always followed up by action) but what you do, that people remember you for. This isn't a revolutionary idea (or maybe it is, many revolutions were started that way), but is one that is hitting home for me. As my words grace these pages it is my actions at home that lead my family.

Thank you, Ashleigh of the blog Pregnant for nominating me for the Stiletto award. I will pass it on to those that inspire me to take action.

For more about the award click on the heel. I will select some inspiring blogs from both Kitsch in the Kitchen and Tomato Tots to pass it on to.

art by me: my first response to pregnancy.

Action

2010-03-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

This is my new word... it's not one that I hadn't known previously but it is one that I haven't thought about in any particular context, to me was just a verb. But I have started to think about it differently. Such as Take action, creating an action, acting out your beliefs. Willful intention. I haven't fully explored this train of thought yet but I see something more there and really the only way I can work it out is to take action....

image by me.