casapinka

Polka Dot Mailbox

We were driving around some small coastal towns a while back and I saw this gorgeous mailbox. This is why I love Rhode Island. That, and if you wear an enormous crimson flower in your hair or a chapeau a la Isabella Blow, people just get it, pretend to get it or plain ol' don't give a toss. Don't you want a polka dot mailbox?

Permanent Magenta

 Can you even stand it? I've posted about my friend Margaret before, but I was at her house yesterday and saw her latest painting and just had to post it. I love the idea of having a painting of the RAR chair, either behind the real deal or on its own. With a 36X36 of this behind your couch, what more would you need in the room? Lights, true enough. 

 We were at Margaret's and our kids were playing earlier in the week. Juniorette was quite upset at Junior after he called her a dum dum head and kicked her out of the fort.  She's a sensitive kid and before you suggest it, telling her to pants him outside his preschool class just won't make her feel better (I've tried.)  Taking teary eyed Juniorette by the hand (while I schooled Junior), Margaret marched downstairs to her studio and said, "Here you go. Hang this in your room for a while and when it sells you can trade it for something else." Needless to say, a pink dress to hang in one's room is the holy grail of the 7 year old girl set (see the other one here but don't tell her about Junior's antics)  and snapped her right out of her pouting episode. Aren't I so lucky to have a friend like that? 

Tin Can Stilts

 Last night at Casapinka was loud. Loud and glorious in a way. I think we chased the neighbors inside with all the clanging of four little feet determined to get the hang of tin can stilts. Amazing how entertaining the detritus from Progresso soup can be and how excited they are to try again tonight. It was just lovely and somehow perfect to sit  in a chair in the front yard, knitting and sipping a Diet Coke with one's small people all around, constant calls of "Look mommy, I did it!" and "Watch me, mommy!" It seemed nostalgic,  perhaps how life might have been fifty years ago.  I was particularly appreciative of Juniorette's footwear choice after I ordered her inside to get out of flip flops and into sneakers. She probably couldn't have gotten away with such disobedience fifty years ago, however. That's my girl...pushing the envelope with every clanging step! 

(And the skirt - found at Savers for $3.50 last year - not bad, eh?)

Pretty Emulsion

I Love this ad for a UK paint company (the name has slipped my mind but I'll find out);  It just gives me way more ideas than my brain can process. Implosion imminent. We are enjoying our final day of summer as the kiddles go back to school tomorrow. I guess that means we have to make bread (love your other suggestions, by the way.) I'm not sure where this determination to make bread has come from but I'm going to do it soon - I am.  Then, I'll take a super pretty picture that makes Martha's yeast and flour creations look like she busted out Wonder Bread from her local 7-11 in Maine and styled it with rooster stencils while blindfolded. How's that for self imposed pressure? 

(As an aside, did you realize there are 157 options for buying bongs on Etsy? I found this out while researching spoons, I swear.)

New Bag

 

  Feeling the desire for a new bag, I actually made one this weekend. I loooooove the pink and red gingham liner and considered using it for the outside but alas, the fear of dirt got the better of me. A little bit of sewing goes well with hot dog picnics, knitting in the park, and a shortened visit to the Children's Museum (nearly trampled in the bottom of a pirate ship - not fun.) Juniorette and I worked on inspiration journals last night while Junior played with his trains - such a peaceful and creative end to the weekend. We also cleared out and gave away all outgrown clothes. The rigors of season changes - so tedious. Oh, and I must mention Juniorette's leg tats which I should really photograph before this morning's shower. We spent some time on Poisson Rouge, too, which I find charming and sometimes melodic. Other times, I want to drop kick Frere Jacques - play and you'll see what I mean. And the bread...I really want to make bread - can she do it? Can she get her nose out of her knitting to knead and bake and chop apples and pour honey? 

It ain't Tiffany's, but...

 In the middle of writing this post Juniorette presented herself to me with the above addition to today's wardrobe. Gawd, the kid has style. For your edification, her left arm houses the Silly Bandz that garner a huge payoff when traded (she got fifteen Bandz for a phoenix), whereas the right arm has the more mundane bands that form the backbone of the Silly Bandz business. I know a lot of parents are against them but honestly, if they're going to learn negotiation, insider trading, and market manipulation at this age (and trust me, the schoolyard Silly Bandz microcosm is rife with all of it), it might as well be on something bright and happy that you can match to your underwear.

Anyway, it's a gorgeous day here;  the sky reminds me of my years living in Albuquerque, which I just loved. Today we are going to plunk ourselves at the park with enough supplies to last for hours (i.e yarn, magazines, food, drinks.) I love to spread out a blanket and chat to the various parents that I've come to know over the past couple of years. 

Potential weekend plans: 

1. Bake bread (didn't I say that earlier this week? Totally hasn't happened.)

2. Ditto Junior's quilt. Sorry kiddo, I do love you and you will have a quilt by the time Buzz Lightyear is a washed up loser in your little mind. 

3. Finish up a knitting bag I'm making from this and this. Great combo, huh? Aren't you just DYING for one? 

4. A road trip with the kids to here on Sunday when Husband is working.

5. A free moment to read my current book (like, maybe when I'm peeing?)

6. And hopefully to the beach as a family tomorrow! 

Color and pattern and looking for inspiration

It is dark and rainy here in Rhode Island today and I can certainly use some color inspiration. Sometimes I find myself a little dull in the colors department, especially when my current knitting design is in gray (ok, it will have a bright red trim but that's next week!) So, today I bring you some Amy Butler love along with this video that will inject anyone with a nice, bright shot of pattern and color today. 

I'm trying to think what would be a fun, day-long series of indoor activities for restless children and I think I may try something with fabric. Yesterday, we had a Hot Chocolate Bar and Make your own English Muffin Pizzas. Juniorette burned her tongue quite badly on the hot chocolate -nothing like good intentions gone awry. Anyway, hopefully today will be better. Also on my list of possible activities today are:

1. Try to make bread. 

2. Get started on a quilt for Junior which never seems to happen

3. Organize a study corner in the apartment for Juniorette

4. Road trip to Ikea 

Will any of the above happen or will we just plunk ourselves in the Children's Museum followed by McDonald's playland?  (hey, there's super good knitting time there!)

Paradise

 This is our last day in paradise. The green waters and shells will be a distant memory soon but my latest knitting design will remain, I hope.  It's such an act of sheer will to knit with wool in 95 degree weather, poolside, as little people cannonball around me. It's slow going, to be sure, since I quickly succumb to to Marco Polo and returning cannonballs. We've spent evenings collecting shells and soaking in the warm bathwater of the Southeast Gulf of Mexico (no oil, whatsover) and I, for one, would do this again in a heartbeat. Happy weekend to all of you and enjoy the remaining couple of weeks of summer.

Outdoor room

This month's Livingetc. is full of wonderful eye candy. I can't wait to make an outdoor room when we finally have a back yard again. I have a vision of a couple of beds for sleeping under the stars and a makeshift frame draped with beautiful linens. Think of all the leisurely hours knitting, reading books, playing fort and camping with the kiddles. I also think that this swing is very clever, with planters in the seat  so you can train your vines to grow straight up!

Drawstring Bags

Juniorette and I made these project bags a couple of weeks ago. Hers is full of all sorts of treasures - shells, thread, feathers and sequins she finds on the floor of Joann's ( that's not shoplifting is it?), a few fairies and, oddly, a piece of dried cheese which I promptly 86'd. Surprisingly, mine has this gorgeous cashmere/silk/merino yarn tucked away inside along with another knitting design. Yikes, you can see where the seam has come undone so note to self to double seam next time! I'd love to make a bunch of these in different sizes and hang them from the wall to hold toys, stuffed animals various important pieces of trash that the kiddles insist are imperative for life. Or make a wall of "knitting bags" - wouldn't that be just gorgeous?

My first knitting design

 This is my first official knitting design, a little cape made from Madelinetosh merino wool. It's been test knit and the pattern is almost ready to be put up for sale! (am I really typing this?!) I have a number of other designs in various stages of completion or testing, which is both exhilarating and scary, but mainly I'm delighted to have a reason to feed my yarn sickness! It's funny how stuff like this happens...I had a dream about designing something and then - boom! - all of a sudden I couldn't get the designs down on paper fast enough. I did a market test at a local yarn store and many people bought the yarn to do this, which gave me an extra push to think about selling my patterns. It's such a  fun path to explore - who knows where it will lead?

 

Colossal fort

 
 Ingredients:

1. Rainy day

2. Coil of laundry line

3. As many quilts, blankets, and sheets as you can find

4. Windows, picture nails (just take the pictures down), dresser knobs - for attaching rope

5. A good book, earphones, knitting, DVD player, lockable door

6. One happy woman (ha! you thought this fort was for the kids, didn't you?) 

(Picture #1 taken while lying down inside the fort.)

Bright Fun Weekend

 

I hope your weekend is as bright and fun as:  Pretty pink glasses from Such Pretty Things.
 

This colorful kitchen

Linen and red hearts anniversary art from aewilder's Etsy store. 

 These plant containers

 

This yarn. Can you guess which one I chose? (Hint - not the thyme green color.) The yarn was gone in an hour during the Etsy sale so I was very glad I let myself think with my heart instead of my brain. Works every time. I am making the sojourn to the mecca of all yarn stores tomorrow - WEBS. On a bus with 50 other knitting women - pure heaven for me! Then, probably a baseball game tomorrow night and some low-key family time. I hope you enjoy your weekend, wherever you are.

Guava Smoothie

Recently we had strawberry guava smoothies for dessert. I remember trying my first guava juice in Kaua'i when I was a kid and it is the most wonderful taste in the world, fruit-wise. (I have to keep chocolate, French truffles, good cognac, wonderful coffee etc. in different categories.) So, here's to summer, and don't forget the marshmallow!

Guava Strawberry Smoothies (no exact measurements - just throw it all in the blender)

Half a can of guava nectar

1/3 bag of frozen strawberries - fresh if you have them

2 handfuls of ice cubes

Some milk (maybe a cup - I just sloshed it in)

Tablespoon of honey from the farmer's market (makes me feel so totally virtuous and makes up for the frozen strawberries which were probably imported from New Zealand, expending immense amount of fossil fuels and ripping giant holes in the ozone over Rhode Island, just so my rugrats weren't forced to have a squishy brown banana or - God forbid - deep fried Twinkies - for dessert .)

Brinner

Last night we had what Juniorette calls a Brinner - breakfast for dinner. We had eggs, bacon, and toast - all on the front lawn by the street since we are sans a real backyard. They simply didn't do this in Ireland when Husband was growing up and I think he was kind of mortified, but a good sport. He probably thought people would think we didn't own a table.

We must have looked pretty funny, too, since Junior insisted on wearing his red star glasses for the entire meal and kept putting scrambled egg in his Scooby Doo Mystery Machine and eating it. I mean, if you want to sound like really bitchy parents, simply state firmly, if a bit loudly, " STOP eating egg out of your Mystery Machine! RIGHT NOW!" (Brief nod and smile to the nice family walking by, none of whose twelve children in tow eats egg off out of a Mystery Machine.) In fact, they probably all enjoy a nice natural unflavored yogurt for dessert every night. Like, out of bowls and with spoons. 

 It was hot, uncomfortable and not at all relaxing but somehow fun. One simply cannot underestimate bacon's ability to elevate a meal to a new level.

Blue summer porch

This Summer porch caught my eye on this hot July day. The glossy blue room looks like it's waiting for me to relax with a nice guava smoothie and some knitting or a book. I'm currently reading this and designing a cardigan for fall, but not in a pretty periwinkle room with oodles of cushions on the floor. Perhaps it's time to start painting, although I'd really like to save serious changes for our permanent abode. 

A wonderful gift

 When I got home yesterday, sweaty-ravenous-squabbling kids in tow, there was a beautiful package waiting for me in the mailbox behind all the bills and announcements of boring meetings that have nothing to do with knitting or wallpapering stuff.  It was wrapped in fuchsia paper with a picture of pink roses! What a good feeling to have a surprise like that, completely unexpected, finding it's way into my hands when I most could use it.

  I opened it up and there was the painting of the vintage Fisher Price little person that I had posted last week from artist friend Margaret. I was so surprised and touched as I really loved this painting and she knew it. I'll have to find a special place to put it, where I can see it every day and be reminded of my sweet and uber-talented friend. Thank you so much, Margaret. XxOO.

Orange Squirrels

 Here we are back with the second installment of Junior Complains that there are no Decent Pants for Three Year Olds if You're a Guy. Everything is brown and navy with occasional orange. Khaki, lost of khaki. Camouflage is big, but polka dots (what he requested) are not.  I just can't take the complaining any longer. I decided to do orange squirrels as knee patches on striped fabric. Have you ever used this stuff? It's great. Draw something on it, stick it to fabric, cut it out, then iron it on and it's permanently affixed. 

 I just couldn't do the polka dots even though he begged (seriously, he begged and almost threw a temper tantrum because his sister gets polka dots.) Anyway, he seems pretty happy, doesn't he? Who knew a pair of orange knee squirrels would make the kid so psyched?! Husband, what do you think about a father/son pair of trous - okay, sorry. I'll drop it.  ; )

A Sweet Sunday

This is Juniorette's sandwich for camp tomorrow. I thought it looked so pretty in its container that I had to take a picture. I can't wait to hear what she thinks when she opens her lunchbox.

 Do you ever have those days where you feel like you've done nothing, but not a good, relaxing nothing? That's how I felt today: Slow and stagnant like the hot and stuffy weather. Yet, when I list out the things that I did, I see that it really was a quality day, albeit low key, spent with family. Husband and I had a leisurely coffee in bed after waking up. I took Juniorette to the flea market where we drank large frozen lemonades in the hot sun. Later, we made drawstring bags with Junior and read to him.  They played school and Barbies (remember Junior's Ken doll that he named Jesus, or did I not mention that?)  and Husband and I hung out. We made a curry for dinner and then cut up a bunch of strawberries and sprinkled sugar on top, the perfect dessert for a hot summer night. I sent Husband out to play golf for the evening. Did some knitting, and some tidying up. 

I'll omit the part where Junior phoned four people on my cell phone, peed on the floor by my fabric, refused to brush his teeth, dismantled my ear buds and threw his sister's favorite stuffed animal into the garbage. He had a really hard night after Husband busted him for sneaking a lollipop and then lying about it. Try teaching a three year old the difference between lying and telling the truth over a Tootsie Pop. Cut your losses, Honey - I'm sure five minutes in the Naughty Chair was worth every last lick of that confection. 

Before bed I read  Betsy and Tacey to Juniorette, which I also loved when I was young. The sounds of crickets and the ceiling fan were a pleasant backdrop to the  summer night but Junior couldn't sleep and asked me to come snuggle with him. We both fell asleep in the sticky hot air, his head in the crook of my arm, the Buzz Lightyear reading light still on and attached to Goodnight Moon.  A quality day, as much for its banality as its small joys. 

Happy colors

  This photograph is from the website of Rosehip who does the most beautiful quilting, crocheting and sewing. Have a look at her work - I'm sure you, too, will be inspired.  I would love to have such yarn collection, wouldn't you? All that red and pink is so pretty to my eye.  Enjoy your weekend, everyone!

 

Purple Damson Shawl

Just a little shawl I recently knitted. I love the deep color with the bits of dark pink thrown in. Cashmere and merino wool - not great for taking photos in 100 degree heat but in a few months I'm sure I'll be wrapped up next to the fire, holding a snifter of Courvoisier as I gaze at my perfectly behaved children taking turns turns at the backgammon table. 

Red polka dot shoes

These are Juniorette's new shoes, to accompany dresses and skirts. A girl always needs a pair of "go to" shoes that are neutral, practical and will match most everything in her closet.  I'm trying to instill this philosophy in her and I was quite proud of the versatile and classic selection she made. She actually asked if I'd put them up on Casapinka which delighted me to no end. Now, if we could just get Husband/Daddy to agree to a matching couch...

 

 

 

 Look at the adorable beach cottage in this month's House Beautiful. I will pointedly not mention the refrigerator since it's never fun to be overly predictable. I will, however, point out the scalloped countertop which is oh so cute. This house really inspires me to do something for my apartment this week, such as find a hanging spot for Junior's train table downstairs, rehang all the paintings that Junior has pulled down, or finish my new hacked aqua polka dotted with a pink back and red rickrack knitting chair  from Ikea. Oh yeah, you read that right: A 50% off impulse purchase as a tired mom sank into aforementioned chair to close her eyes for a minute in the Ikea bargain basement, and just couldn't tear herself away.

Permanent Magenta Painting Giveaway

 Margaret Owen is my very talented and dear friend who happens to be having a giveaway on her daily painting site, Permanent Magenta. You can choose any painting that has been featured - just leave a comment and she will randomly choose one of you. Above are some of my favorites; I love her use of color and how her paintings make me feel - so alive and joyful, like life really is a lot of fun. Her Etsy store is here and you can buy a painting, handbag or commission a portrait even if you don't win.  While at Renegade in Brooklyn, I got asked about my own bag (which she made) constantly!

 

  

Dark Brown Sweater

 When people who are familiar with my aesthetic see me knitting a dark brown sweater they don't really comment. They become quiet and just nod a bit. I know what they're thinking, "She's going to hate it. She'll never wear a brown sweater." If only they could see the future in the same way I can...

Worse still are the people I don't know who comment on the sweater. "What a gorgeous sweater you're knitting - such a lovely brown!" I want to just shake my head vigorously and say, "Are you kidding me? It's going to look nothing like this when I'm finished!" And if I try and convey my vision..." it's going to have pink buttons here, and pink grosgrain ribbon here, and then I'm going to cut it down the middle and tack it back"...well, the eyes glaze over and my sentence just peters out. So, instead I smile politely and say thank you, just like Emily Post taught me. 

I do, however, harbor a secret wish for the person who screeches to a halt and says, "That sweater is going to ROCK when you're done with it Are you thinking pink or maybe bright orange? Lime green? Or huge flowers - I can see that brown sweater with enormous red flowers on the shoulders - was that what you were thinking, dear?"

Red in the Kitchen

 Lately, I'm inspired by kitchens with red in them. I need a bit of extra energy in the morning and red is such an uplifting and energetic color to see with that first cup of coffee. I love this sweet child's kitchen playhouse. 

And the pretty strawberry cabinet covers. Husband loves stainless steel appliances but - surprise, surprise - I don't. When we buy a house it's going to take some negotiation since I don't think he's going to allow the Orla fridge to come with us. 

I love the polka dots! Can you believe this kitchen is 5X7 feet? 

 And does one ever tire of chalkboard paint when there are small hands around? Or Smeg fridges? Even though this is darker than I like for a kitchen I appreciate the elements in it and the whitewashed door livens it up.

 

 After dropping Juniorette at camp, Junior and I decided to do "Mom Camp" for the day. It was sweltering hot and humid so we put on the AC and gleefully ate chocolate cake for breakfast. We then moved onto painting and sewing, side by side. It was so much fun, except for the part where Junior stands in paint and then on the fabric while I'm cutting out the pattern. Yes, he did this on purpose, repeatedly, until I stuck a pin in his left buttock - just kidding, just kidding. He helped me sew by pressing on the foot pedal with his hand. We have this down to an art now: "Hit it! ....Stop!" He was sooo proud of himself for helping sew Sister this dress. 

I bought this glorious fabric at Purl Soho. I love Japanese Kokka fabric and this pink and red flower pattern is quite hard to come by, but they had a couple of yards left. It was such a mature moment for me when I decided to make something for my daughter out of it because I just love it, like as much as I love my kitty platforms that I got in Ireland a few years ago. Sorry honey, but had this fabric been around in 1999 I would have made my wedding dress out of it! This was the first time I used interfacing and I definitely need some practice but the huge smile and hug from Juniorette when she saw the dress...it was such a great moment. 

Junior's Japanese Surfing Trousers

 Last night we got home from a barbecue around 9pm. Junior was insanely wired (thanks to contraband Diet Coke the hostess secretly served him on the balcony.) I was valiantly trying to avoid a repeat of this, which Husband endured yesterday while I was in Boston. So, since my mojo has been returning of late, and I'm feeling all sorts of creativity just shooting through my veins, I decided to sit down with Junior and make him some pants. 

To make the pattern, I just folded some favorite pants in half and traced them onto this paper bag, then followed the directions I found here.  

 I don't have much in the way of manly fabric but I've had this fabric for a while now and I thought it could pass for a three year old's surfer shorts. True, as Husband pointed out, there is quite a bit of pink in it but considering some of the alternatives I felt good about it. 

I think that, when paired with his fancy Irish sneakers, they are manly in that "I'm three and a free spirit." kind of way. We sewed the cuffs up for some extra panache and I overrode the bright yellow buttons he had planned to have me sew all over his tush. 

 True, there is a more "pink" angle but if he keeps his left side away from everyone, he'll be just fine.  Not bad for an hour of work, followed by an exhausted but jubilant Junior (it's hard work slamming your hand on the sewing pedal with Mommy constantly yelling, NOT YET!!!") who couldn't wait to wear his new trousers today!

 Whoaaaaaaaaa...if I'd known this is what pre-school graduation meant I'd have graduated when I was one. This is, like, as good as a trip to Chuck E. Cheese except mommy doesn't complain.

Well, of course I don't. I can be a good sport when I really, really try. 

Rainbow Felt

 I bought this roll of felt at the Renegade Craft Fair in Brooklyn. Isn't it delectable? 

 I've also got some nice linen so I might just let certain children go to town with cutting shapes from the felt. Then I can stitch the results on the linen and just see what we come up with. I'm thinking of some nice wall art or cushions.