tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49089781256465951272024-03-05T08:01:24.752-06:00Peanut BlossomPeanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-41667645507816429932009-09-09T06:59:00.005-05:002009-09-09T07:05:12.407-05:00Come visit my new home: www.peanutblossom.comThis is my last post at this location. Peanut Blossom has officially moved:<br><br>
<a href="http://www.peanutblossom.com/">www.peanutblossom.com</a><br><br>
To celebrate, I'm having a <a href="http://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/2009/09/lets-celebrate.html">big giveaway</a> over there so you'll want to come check things out and join the fun.<br><br>
Please update your bookmarks, readers, email subscription, etc. etc. I'd hate to miss chatting with you!<br>
<br>
Cheers!<br>
TiffanyPeanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-38495276314524239732009-09-08T13:02:00.001-05:002009-09-08T13:03:58.923-05:00I've Moved!: www.peanutblossom.comOh Happy Day! I'm thrilled to announce that Peanut Blossom has officially moved on over to it's new and permanent home: </p>
<a href="http://www.peanutblossom.com/">www.peanutblossom.com</a> </p>
I still have a few new features up my sleeve that will be added in the coming weeks but I just couldn't wait to get the change started. I also have a fantabulous giveaway planned to celebrate the move. All the details come tomorrow so stay tuned. Go ahead and get a jumpstart on your entries by following me over at my new home and updating any subscriptions you might have to reflect my new address. </p>
One last reminder, my "name my serger" contest is still going strong. I think I might have a winner but I'm going to leave it open until the end of the week so that the big move doesn't cause someone to miss their chance. You can still <a href="http://www.peanutblossom.com/blog/2009/09/my-first-contest-come-and-get-em.html">enter here</a>Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-42786570044173698062009-09-04T08:00:00.001-05:002009-09-04T08:00:03.207-05:00A tiny Etsy findAfter seeing several photos of the world's cutest little pins, I was elated when <a href="http://lavieenrosie.typepad.com/lavieenrosie/2009/08/something-fun.html" target="blank">La Vie en Rosie</a> uncovered the genius responsible. Gigi from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5595552" target="blank">Pinks and Needles</a> has one of the sweetest stores on Etsy that I've come across.
I placed a little order to see her handiwork in person and look what arrived:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3476/3878344833_7b4d62bb37_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Gigi's pins" />
Of course I didn't want these little beauties to disappear in my sewing box, so I needed a new pin cushion to go along with them. A quick search later and I <a href="http://paperstringcloth.blogspot.com/2007/07/pincushion-tutorial.html" target="blank">set to work</a> on using up some of the little scraps accumulating in my studio.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2514/3879140374_5652582d4c_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Pin cushion" />
One thing lead to another and the pin cushions started multiplying.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2560/3882043126_7dd8c42370_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Pin cushion" />
I guess I'm just going to have to add something sweet and tiny to my ever growing giveaway pile. . .
Speaking of which, still not too late to enter my "Name my serger" contest! Leave your <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-first-contest-come-and-get-em.html" target="blank">entries here</a>.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-5212047238258670142009-09-03T08:00:00.000-05:002009-09-03T08:00:08.337-05:00The finishing touchMy sister has a nickname for my kind of personality: "Small Pumpkins." That's a story for another post, but basically it infers that I obsess over little details. So it's only fitting that the thing I was most excited about including in my <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/08/big-reveal.html" target="blank">two quilt presents</a> this summer was the <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/06/answered-prayers.html" target="blank">personal quilt labels</a> I ordered from <a href="http://www.sweetwaterstreet.com/custom_labels.html" target="blank">Sweetwater</a>.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3479/3882043204_3b04e0161b_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Quilt label" />
All I had to do was iron this little beauty on the back of the quilt. Voila'. The perfect finishing touch.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3512/3882043338_6432cdc26c_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Quilt label" />
Next time I think I'll plan ahead a little better and sew around the edge just for looks, but I'm still super pleased with how they turned out. The service was super quick and so very tailored. Once I submitted my order, the ladies over at Sweetwater gave me a couple layouts to choose from to ensure my label was set just right.
I will definitely be ordering these again, I just loved them!!
Now don't forget, you still have time to enter my "Name my serger" contest! Leave your <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-first-contest-come-and-get-em.html" target="blank">entries here</a>.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-41238084393832885752009-09-02T08:00:00.002-05:002009-09-02T08:00:04.750-05:00Mommy and Me Market BagsLast week was my birthday. I have to admit, I was spoiled pretty rotten by loved ones with random packages arriving on my doorstep. One such package that definitely deserves a little bragging about included these:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/3875683154_f239532c67_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Matching market bags" />
Mommy and Me Market bags! Aren't they darling? Want to know what makes them even better? They are the First Completed Sewing project my friend Colet has ever done. Included with her sweet gift was an even more thoughtful note about how seeing my completed projects here inspired her to finish one of her own.
And I'm the lucky lady to get them! She did an awesome job. I would never have known they were her first. My first completed projects are usually found hiding in closets around the house.
Seriously, look at those handles! She even trimmed the fabric so the lemons would run up the handles just so. Very impressive.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3447/3874893685_d6e9f88a8c_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Kid's market bag" />
I've found so much inspiration from the blogs I read, it feels wonderful to be paying that feeling forward. Thanks so much, Colet! You made my day! These will be getting a workout this afternoon at our local Farmer's Market.
And, a reminder to everyone else: Keep imagining up names for my serger! Leave your <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/09/my-first-contest-come-and-get-em.html" target="blank">entries here</a>.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-80240660590023794862009-09-01T08:00:00.001-05:002009-09-01T08:00:05.850-05:00My first contest! Come and get 'em!I've been hinting. I've been teasing. Now I think its time to start having a little real fun around here. Are you in the mood?
What would you say if I waved this under your nose:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2666/3875682814_fb1faa21b0_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Fabric from the Quilt Shoppe" />
Would you say, "Yes, please!!"??
How about if I said you had to be patient a little longer for the big payout, but that I would love to share one of these to tide you over?:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2501/3875682924_77eee2c987_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Mill House Inn charm pack" />
It just so happens that someone around here had a birthday last week. Someone who has a mother that happily supports a hobby that has begun to clothe her granddaughter in <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/08/most-perfect-twirling-uniform.html" target="blank">exceptionally cute outfits</a>.
The crowning gift in said birthday celebration just happened to be one of these:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3874893367_4b90fa8ab8_b.jpg" width="400" height="350" alt="Serger" />
Oh yes. It is my first serger. I don't have a clue where to even start with this darn thing, but I'm giddy at the prospect of learning. I mean really, look at these dials! They must hold the keys to sewing magic. I'm sure of it.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2637/3874893265_51b12dbb45_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Serger closeup" />
So here's the deal. I think my serger needs a name. I've never been one to name my cars or computers or gadgets, but for some reason I think it is time to break that rule. My quandary is that I'm horrible at the naming game.
In comes that beautiful little charm pack featured above. Let's have a contest!! The rules are insanely easy:
Name my serger! I have a sewing machine, too. If you feel it needs a companion name feel free to add that in your entry. Or just name the serger, no pressure. Tell your friends, spread the word, enter as often as you like! I guarantee to leave this contest open for at least 1 week. If I haven't chosen a winner by the end of 7 days, I'll extend the contest until the right name comes up. The gifted writer that offers up the winning name will be the recipient of the charm pack.
Is that easy enough?
Let the christening begin!Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-23724203609435631572009-08-31T10:16:00.003-05:002009-08-31T10:34:15.644-05:00The big revealI spent the majority of my summer secretly working on a pair of quilts that I couldn't share with you until today! I'm so excited to finally have them finished and given to the happy recipients.
Maybe you remember a <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-husband-quilter.html" target="blank">certain stack of fabric</a> that arrived in June.
While we were planning for our 8th anniversary, my dear friend Michelle was spending 3 long weeks in labor with her second little boy. Yes, you read that right--3 LONG weeks in labor.
I ordered enough of this fabric to make Tim's anniversary gift along with a second matching quilt for Michelle and her boys. First up was Tim's quilt to meet our July 21 celebration and with little Oliver's arrival on July 9th there was no time for resting before jumping into the second quilt.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3874927314_7673ee44d5_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Tim's quilt, Front" />
Tim requested this fabric collection, but I chose <a href="http://www.thimbleblossoms.com/Thimble_Blossoms/Thimble_Blossoms_Home/Entries/2007/12/3_sweet_cheeks.html" target="blank">the pattern</a>. I knew the blue, white, and red theme would be just right for Michelle since their family all has birthdays within 2 weeks of the 4th of July. It's a big time of year for them!
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3533/3874927184_434f7800b2_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Tim's quilt, Applique Details" />
I think this is the perfect couch blanket. Tim is tall so I extended the pattern in length and just a smidge in the width. It's perfect for sitting in his arm chair or for someone laying down on a couch. Or, for a certain mommy who has two little boys to snuggle with.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2467/3874927490_cf210da9b5_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Tim's quilt, Back" />
Had to piece the back with Tim's favorite "red racing stripe" because I haven't quite figured out my quilt math and ordered just a few inches too little for the backing.
In any case, I'm really pleased with how both quilts turned out. I'm even more pleased to be moving on to entirely different projects. I need to mix things up a little bit for my own sanity. Now I know never to do two identical projects back to back! But they were both made with tons of love.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-56263050687049977372009-08-27T12:17:00.004-05:002009-08-27T12:27:17.315-05:00Wear sunscreenEvery graduation season brings that song back to the radio. You know the one, with the guy kind of chanting life lessons? I think it's titled "Wear Sunscreen". Anywho, there's a line in there that always sticks with me. Don't waste time worrying about big things when really its the things that blind side you on a random Tuesday that you need to watch out for.
I'm having a week filled of those random Tuesdays.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3423/3840557896_e283704cc9_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Hydrangea" />
<span style="font-style:italic;">A little eye candy to hold you over.</span>
The short end of the story is that my mom is fine. We think. The longer end of the story involves several 3 hour round trip treks between her house and mine to help out while she visited some doctors and had some testing done.
Needless to say in a situation like this, everything else gets dropped. My frivolous crafting plans for the week were thrust aside and I'm left with nothing to blog about till I get my bearings again.
I'm taking a couple days off, but I'll be back next Monday with a series of FANTASTIC posts. Ok, I brag just a little and set your expectations way too high I'm sure. But I'll finally be able to share some photos I've been dying to share and get back to the business of having a little fabric fun.
I can't wait.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-87617917674796170492009-08-25T08:30:00.004-05:002009-08-25T08:52:06.348-05:00Picture of a soulI recently read <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/05/season-for-photo-ops.html" target="blank">Nick Kelsh's</a> parting column in the final issue of "Lasting Moments" magazine and I'm so sorry to see his series end. He's always shared such wonderful "pick it up and use it right now" kinds of tips for improving your photography and I feel I've learned so much from him.
One quote from his article really struck home with me:
"If you photograph someone in color, it's a fashion shoot. If you photograph them in black and white, <span style="font-weight:bold;">it's a picture of a soul</span>."
He credits a "famous photographer" for that quote. But no matter who said it, how those words ring true.
His overall article was on simplifying your photos to make them stronger. But his most important point was if nothing else try a little black and white. Today I thought I'd share one of the photos from my new <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/08/5-minute-wall-gallery.html" target="blank">wall gallery</a> in it's before and after state. I've always enjoyed the color version, but was blown away by the change to black and white.
Before:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2533/3856120964_3de8c6cd21_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Before" />
I still love the color version. My little peanut is all rosy and pink and I love the sweet angle of my "first baby's" neck as he gives the peanut a little kiss. But I notice my eye is drawn to her little pink bow on her dress or to Gino's red collar. I notice the pattern of the chair, and her pink curtains, and my eye just jumps around a lot.
After:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/3856120908_2e5cf81f56_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="After" />
With the black and white, all I see is that sweet little kiss, a face full of innocence, and the world's gentlest dog.
How I love this moment between two little souls.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-90424510917751450352009-08-24T12:26:00.006-05:002009-08-24T12:49:57.529-05:00Lightning strikes twice!Oh my gosh, I'm so excited! How lucky can one lady be in a month? I just found out that I won Rachel from <a href="http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/" target="blank">P.S. I Quilt's</a> <a href="http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-celebrate-with-giveaway.html" target="blank">giveaway</a> celebrating the <a href="http://www.thequiltshoppe.net/dynamic/?page=6" target="blank">Quilt Shoppe's</a> 2nd birthday.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3493/3852451747_ef4df614e3_b.jpg" width="400" height="600" alt="2nd Birthday" />
<span style="font-style:italic;">The peanut's 2nd birthday. Yeah, I'm cheesy like that.</span>
Thanks to these lovely ladies, I am now the proud owner of a $50 gift certificate and it is already burning a hole in my pocket! I have a little <span style="font-style:italic;">secret</span> to share though. I've been busy gearing up for a big move from Blogger on over to a more permanent home at Typepad. To celebrate the big switch, I'm making plans for my very first giveaway. I've got some ideas on how I want to celebrate with you and this $50 gift card is really going to help that effort.
So, my question is. . . What kind of giveaways are your favorites? If I were to share a special treat, <span style="font-weight:bold;">what would you be most excited to win?</span> Post a comment here for me and know that you'll be influencing my purchasing decisions for the next couple weeks. Best kind of living vicariously there is! Don't you love telling other people how to spend their money??
Then be sure to stay tuned for your chance to win it!Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-60808374791409762812009-08-21T09:00:00.000-05:002009-08-21T09:00:05.204-05:00Tomato TreesOh the sad state of my tomato plants. The two cherry tomatoes bit the dust a couple weeks ago but my large tomato bush was holding on by a thin thread. I had to cut away the majority of the diseased and dying branches leaving just a sad looking tree where a nice full bushy plant should have been.
Despite the miserable failure of growing tomato plants on the deck this year, my lone standing plant did bear a bit of fruit.
Behold, my entire tomato harvest:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3459/3839768881_f00d4947f9_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Tomatoes" />
These three tomatoes were the juiciest, sweetest, most delicious of their kind I've ever had. It was worth killing 3 plants to get these.
Next year I'm hoping for a better survival rate. I guess we'll see.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-3606588483065104582009-08-20T12:59:00.004-05:002009-08-20T13:02:57.157-05:00Up to no goodI've been busy this week. I'm up to no good.
The problem is, I just can't show you what I'm up to. Yet.
But I can tease a little bit. Just a really little bit.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3839769041_3493eae9e7_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Up to no good" />
So yes, I've been feeding you a little bit of filler lately. You'll know why soon enough. Expect more filler till then.
But hopefully it will be pretty filler and you won't mind so very much.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-89465456628054720182009-08-19T14:01:00.003-05:002009-08-19T14:15:02.671-05:00Strawberry scented memoriesI recently requested storybook suggestions from my friends so I could expand the peanut's reading list. I've been overwhelmed with the response and have a wonderful list of titles to keep in my pocket for future library trips. But as I pored over the titles and filled in missing author names, one certain book popped out of nowhere into my mind after laying dormant for oh I don't know, 28 years??
One thing led to another and I find myself spending my afternoon digging up crazy images of things long forgotten from childhood days in my search to find it. Does anyone else remember this?:
<a href="http://strawberry.sdb-gallery.com/Books.htm" target="blank"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3837769840_108bce0768_o.jpg" width="217" height="300" alt="red strawberry" /></a>
Oh how I loved Strawberry Shortcake. <a href="http://strawberry.sdb-gallery.com/Books.htm" target="blank">Many of these</a> were part of my own collection once upon a time. Childhood is a crazy thing. How is it that I haven't thought of this book in almost three decades and yet once I remembered it I can still clearly see some of the pictures in my mind?
There's a copy available on Ebay right now and it's taking all my willpower not to order it. I think part of me worries the reality of the book won't live up to the memory in my head.
I've never felt more pressure to expose the peanut to great books than now. "Impressionable" has a whole new meaning for me this afternoon.
I wonder if Miss Shortcake still smells the same, too. . .Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-2350258306790763352009-08-17T13:17:00.003-05:002009-08-17T14:09:22.950-05:00Giveaway Time!Another chance at $50 in free fabric! This time it is Rachel from <a href="http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-celebrate-with-giveaway.html" target="blank">P.S. I Quilt</a> giving away a certificate to the <a href="http://www.thequiltshoppe.net/dynamic/?page=6" target="blank">Quilt Shoppe</a>.
<a href="http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/2009/08/lets-celebrate-with-giveaway.html" target="blank"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2518/3831041836_73ea814625_o.jpg" width="400" height="367" alt="bdaybash" /></a>
The Quilt Shoppe is celebrating their 2nd birthday with 25% off your order. Imagine just how much further your $50 gift card could go with that kind of deal! They have <a href="http://www.thequiltshoppe.net/store/products/details/?product=20110AB" target="blank">Fig Tree's Mill House Inn</a> in stock and I just might have to grab some precuts. I've had my eye on that line for months!!
Unless you beat me to the punch and win the card instead. Darn you.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-54419228402535768122009-08-14T09:00:00.000-05:002009-08-14T09:00:00.963-05:00I know summer's not over, but. . .I went to my favorite quilt store (a big pilgrimage of an hour and a half away) with the purpose of picking up fabric to try another dress for the peanut.
I got sidetracked like a moth to the flame with this:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3817655225_4a46848948_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Moda Cotton Blossoms" />
I'm thinking fall. Pumpkins. Turkey. Apple cider.
And one very cute table runner.
What are you thinking?Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-55547061074256976642009-08-13T13:10:00.003-05:002009-08-13T13:27:14.854-05:00Are you a baker or a cook?Quick quiz. . .
You have 30 minutes to be in the kitchen, which would you prefer?
A. Whipping up a batch of grandma's best cookies.
B. Tossing in a bit of this or that to the tomato sauce and creating a new dish.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3466/3817655195_a4e029347a_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="My tools" />
Your answer says volumes about you in your life outside the kitchen.
My choice will almost always be A. I'm a baker, in the kitchen and out. Nothing soothes my soul more than following a recipe to the T knowing that my outcome will be nearly perfect after reading the instructions.
Some of my dearest friends can't bake a batch of cookies to save their life. They prefer letting their creative flag fly as they raid the pantry for random ingredients to highlight that night's dish. I always enjoy eating dinner at their table.
I've been known to cry in the face of my pantry. I look at shelf after shelf of ingredients and just get stumped unless I have a good cookbook within arm's reach to gently walk me through it.
And so it is with my sewing. I love to follow patterns. There's enough room for flexibility in which fabric I choose and adding little embellishments. I love the comfort of knowing that my time will be well spent and my project will turn out.
It wasn't until I sent a link to <a href="http://blog.betzwhite.com/" target="blank">Betz Green's</a> "Sewing Green" to Zina who only responded "I think you over estimate my ability to sew and follow directions. Love the concept of reusable material though." that I finally realized how my preferences in the kitchen carry over. Zina is a cook, through and through.
So which are you? Baker or cook? I'd love to hear. . .Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-46015284248502818482009-08-12T07:45:00.000-05:002009-08-12T07:45:00.293-05:00Julie & JuliaI confess, I own Julia Child's masterpiece and yet I have never cooked a single recipe from it. Blasphemy, I'm sure. The quantities of butter and cream and wine and sugar just never seem to mesh with my nutritional needs at the time.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3573/3812325892_3236ae5e76_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Julia Child" />
But my lack of first-hand knowledge of Julia did not keep me from running to the theater to see "<a href="http://www.julieandjulia.com/" target="blank">Julie and Julia</a>" when it hit the movie screens last weekend.
For anyone unfamiliar with the plot, Amy Adams plays Julie Powell who decides to blog about a yearlong adventure of cooking her way through all 500+ recipes in Julia Child's tome. Interspersed with her tale is Meryl Streep brilliantly as Julia Child during the early years of her marriage and the development of her famous cookbook.
If you're looking for a little inspiration on how to live life to the fullest, if you'd like a sweet romantic tale times two, and if you'd like to enjoy several wonderful chuckles, this is definitely the film for you. I think any bloggers out there especially will find plenty of entertaining bits, but really, do you need that much of an excuse to see Meryl and Stanley Tucci together on screen again??
I'm keeping my fingers crossed it hits DVD before next Valentine's Day. I think it will be just the right excuse to blow the dust off this book and finally cook my sweetie a Julia-inspired heart-stopping meal and we'll have our own home based "Dinner and a Movie" date. I can't think of a more perfect fit.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-1835884476159306332009-08-11T12:57:00.002-05:002009-08-11T13:05:15.235-05:005 minute wall galleryI've had a few questions about how our final <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/08/wall-galleries-for-design-impaired.html" target="blank">family wall gallery</a> turned out. After much thought, I went with all black and white prints. They arrived over the weekend and within moments everything was filled and remounted on the wall. I love curling up on the couch at the end of the day with these in the room, they would definitely make my happy list today.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/3811510077_e2d1f1f500_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Finished frames" />
I've always been a sucker for black and white photography but have never displayed it in my home until now. More surprising is the fact that Tim loves it, too. Funny how such a small change has completely altered the feel of our home. Next up on my redecorating list is painting our bedroom. Stay tuned. . .Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-421857940694230442009-08-10T12:40:00.005-05:002009-08-10T13:54:18.038-05:00I'm "It"!Carrie from <a href="http://littleruffledfeathers.blogspot.com/2009/08/tag-im-it.html" target="blank">Ruffled Feathers</a> has tagged me, which means it's my turn to show you six things that make me smile.
Here are the official rules:
Link back to the person who tagged you.
List six little things that make you happy.
Tag six bloggers and let them know they’re “it”.
It would be easy to cheat and list 6 very obvious things that make me smile (my husband, the peanut, etc.) but I'm choosing to believe that the point of this "exercise" is to find 6 <span style="font-weight:bold;">small</span> things that bring me happiness to give you a tiny peek into the more frivolous corners of my mind.
1. Nailpolish color names:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2520/3808108421_083febfece_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="nailipolish" />
I'm a sucker for the <a href="http://www.opi.com">OPI</a> color names in particular. In my next life I'd love to come back as an official namer of cosmetics in general. I still remember wearing "Rockapulco Red" on a trip to Vegas.
2. Audrey Hepburn in general, "Roman Holiday" in specific:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2489/3808868516_e9b04cb2c2_o.jpg" width="400" height="281" alt="Roman Holiday" />
This is by far her best movie, in my opinion. I've never wanted to be a princess on the run more in my life.
3. Pink things that probably shouldn't be pink:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3490/3808108299_4dae8d0d03_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="pink" />
In my little pile you see my wallet, a photo brag book, my GPS, my iPod, and a water bottle. I swear pink is not my favorite color but you'd never guess by this sample of my belongings. It's the GPS and iPod that really make me smile. There's just something so sweetly fantastic about a techie gadget in baby pink. I've always had this obsession, just ask my dad. I insisted he bring home a pink radio when I was about 12. It was my first tape deck and I had to have the pink one despite there being much more "advanced" models available for the same price. But they weren't pink. Enough said.
4. Traveling in general, Italy in specific:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3808053771_e10b253dd7_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Tuscany" />
Italy is the one place I could return to endlessly and be perfectly happy. Just digging through my albums to find this from our trip to Florence made me get that travel bug all over again.
5. Shabby chic mixed china:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2574/3808868402_264a32f73a_o.jpg" width="360" height="460" alt="china" />
Someday I will have enough time on my hands to endlessly scour flea markets for mix and match "shabby" china. I love the thought of filling my dishwasher with mismatched but coordinated items in one specific color palette.
6. Zina's Happy List:
No image can do this one justice. Whenever we're having a really bad or stressful day, we drop everything for two minutes to draft a "Happy List" email to one another. The point is to be short and sweet and force yourself to think of something better than what you're going through. It's brought me hope on some very dark days. A tradition you definitely might want to consider with a good pal of your own.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-4079665241809834102009-08-06T16:10:00.004-05:002009-08-06T16:28:14.428-05:00A most perfect twirling uniformI have wanted to try my hand at dressmaking ever since the peanut arrived. Until now, I've always been a little petrified of the curves naturally involved in such a project. The very thought of sleeves and necklines put me into a cold sweat. I took one look at <a href="http://portabellopixie.typepad.com/portabellopixie/" target="blank">Portobello Pixie's</a> <a href="http://sandihendersondesign.com/item_20/Claire-Sewing-Pattern.htm" target="blank">Claire</a> dress and knew I had found the project worth trying out this adventure.
Lucky lady that I am, I happened to <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/07/i-won-i-won.html" target="blank">win this pattern</a> from a giveaway over at the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com" target="blank">Fat Quarter Shop</a>. The timing and prize could not have been more perfect. I just managed to put the final touches on the dress this afternoon and we gave it a spin in the front yard:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2457/3795615039_65750d8e51_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Summer dress" />
I love the bow in the back and that sweet little apron. The skirt is so full and made perfect for twirling.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3795615103_ac75d0402f_o.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Summer dress" />
The peanut has referred to this as her "Pretty Princess Dress" and lit up the room when she was finally allowed to put it on.
Now that I've finished my first dress, I can honestly say this was way easier than I ever imagined! I hit a few little stumbling blocks but managed to figure things out in the end. I can safely recommend this pattern for anyone out there interested in trying clothing that hasn't before.
I'll be making other versions of this dress in the coming months, this was more of my "practice" model. Now I think I need to get my hands on the <a href="http://sandihendersondesign.com/item_22/Ruffle-Pants-Sewing-Pattern.htm" target="blank">ruffle pants</a> she offers, too!
This was the perfect little mental break between quilting projects in my opinion. It was fast enough to not get me off schedule and has fantastic payoff. Can't wait to plan out another outfit soon.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-70959503369262225342009-08-05T08:49:00.001-05:002009-08-05T08:50:10.615-05:00Fabric stash: Fact or fiction?<div style="text-align: left; padding: 3px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47582661@N00/3311930962/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3311930962_a850d77eab.jpg" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" alt="" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.8em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47582661@N00/3311930962/">My fabric buffet</a>, originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/47582661@N00/">*jenny b allsorts</a>.</span></div><p>One thing that continues to perplex me as I read through all my favorite quilting blogs is this infamous and somehow mysterious "stash" everyone is always talking about. I'll be the first to admit that I am a type A control freak in most areas of my life. Quilting appeals to me because of the symmetry of the patterns, the balance of colors, and the ability to have something beautiful come out of a distinct set of precise instructions.<br /><br />Every project I've made so far was entered into with purpose. A specific color pattern was chosen, a design selected, and materials purchased thusly. The few scraps I have in my studio are remnants from previous projects. I definitely don't have enough scraps to create something fresh and new out of the leftovers, yet. I suppose that will change over time.<br /><br />But blogger after blogger refers to the ever-growing stash of fabric in her collection. I'm stumped! Are you actually buying fabric for the sake of buying fabric with no purposeful intent?! If so, how do you decide what to collect? Do you stick to general color palettes? Do you have future projects in mind? How much yardage do you allow yourself to purchase of any given piece? <br /><br />This is a completely unsettling train of thought for me. I'm imagining my next trip to my favorite quilting store. Aisle after aisle of cottony goodness. I have enough trouble narrowing down selections when I have a purpose, what on earth would I do with free reign?? I'd be worse than a kid in a candy shop. I'd have the fabric equivalent of the most horrendous gut ache of all time.<br /><br />I'd love some feedback here. How would you describe your fabric shopping habits? I'm thinking I need to be going at this an entirely different way and would love a little hand holding. Teach me, oh wise ones.</p>Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-63283309456114697742009-08-04T12:16:00.003-05:002009-08-04T12:25:16.821-05:00Reader or Rockstar?Last week I mentioned <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/07/cat-in-hat-does-diaper-duty.html" target="blank">I made</a> Diary of a Quilter's <a href="http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/01/diaper-clutch-tutorial.html" target="blank">diaper clutch</a> from her handy tutorial. The other fantastic tutorial I've gleaned from her site is for an adorable peanut-sized <a href="http://thequiltingdiaries.blogspot.com/2009/04/32-minute-messenger-bag-tutorial.html" target="blank">messenger bag</a>.
With the very best of intentions, I sewed up a library book toting version for the peanut. Comes complete with its own library card pocket right on the front:
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2570/3788683327_7afa915983_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Messenger Bag" />
But as you can see, my peanut had other ideas of what to store within her tote bag. Seems it is just the right size to carry her <a href="http://mypeanutblossom.blogspot.com/2009/07/christmas-in-july.html" target="blank">new guitar</a>:
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3547/3788683219_1fdee96588_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Guitar Bag" />
Maybe we'll put the bookworm fantasies aside for today and play rockstar instead. Don't all musicians need coordinated tote bags for their instruments?!Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-6314930473506929452009-08-03T12:27:00.005-05:002009-08-03T18:18:54.212-05:00Wall galleries for the design impairedI pour over design blogs, I love Better Homes and Gardens magazine, I watch HGTV when given the chance. Despite trying to absorb the numerous tips and tricks that these fantastic resources hold, I am practically inept at designing anything for my own home. I love how things look in the pictures, but I can never seem to execute it for myself.
For the 3 years we've lived in our house I've been stumped as to how to decorate the space above our fireplace. Because of the layout of our house, it is the first thing you see as you come into our home. I've tried a handful of different arrangements of pictures but nothing felt right for the space. First we had art that was too small. Then I copied a Pottery Barn mantle but bought frames that were forever hanging off kilter. I've rotated countless decorative objects but it always felt cluttered and mismatched.
This weekend I discovered the <a href="http://www.5second.com/">5 Second Frame</a> and I'm a total convert. I'm guessing that the design superstars reading this are shaking their heads in pity, but this could quite possibly be the best photo invention I've come across, ever.
<img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3496/3785076151_fa2ff2b52a_b.jpg" width="400" height="550" alt="Fireplace Display" />
Look at how perfectly straight they are hanging! Notice the nice even spaces between frames?! This would have been a nearly impossible feat for me without the awesome hanging templates these frames come with. I can't believe I'm devoting an entire blog post to picture frames but this has seriously been the deepest source of aggravation for me design-wise for so many years! I totally covet those wall galleries found in Pottery Barn catalogs and I was finally able to hang one single-handedly within minutes.
Now the big question is which photos to put in the frames. I'm debating all color, all black and white, or some kind of mix. Knowing me, this is the step where I'll screw it up. If only I could find my own personal designer to follow me around. . .Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-35468999973693230722009-07-30T13:35:00.004-05:002009-07-30T13:40:48.647-05:00The siren song of stitchingThere are other things I'm supposed to be doing right now but I just can't ignore the calling from this pile of fabric any longer.
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2644/3772963148_ae16092533_b.jpg" width="400" height="300" alt="Dress Project" />
I've washed it. I've ironed it. I've smoothed out all the nasty wrinkles. I assured myself it was just to save time later.
Today is for cleaning. For cooking. For bill paying.
Alas, that's just not going to happen.
I'm worried for my family. Once I dig in to this project, there's no telling when I might surface.
Please send pizza or they may starve tonight.Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4908978125646595127.post-17487378956264663352009-07-29T18:26:00.002-05:002009-07-29T18:31:00.507-05:00Free Fabric, a dream come trueOh to win this one. Rachel from <a href="http://www.rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/" target="blank">P.S. I Quilt</a> is giving away a <a href="http://rachel-griffith.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-about-giveaway.html" target="blank">$50 gift certificate</a> to the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com" target="blank">Fat Quarter Shop</a>. I can think of a million ways I'd spend that card, what would you do with it? You'll never know unless you enter. . .
<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2672/3770661236_d73c456b7e_o.jpg" width="400" height="269" alt="moda8giveaway" />Peanut Blossomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11553141366399694882noreply@blogger.com1