Sewing School 2: Book Review and Give-away

I was so happy to receive a copy of Amie Petronis Plumley and Andria Lisle's latest book, Sewing School 2  (Storey Publishing) in the mail, but before I could even peek at the pages, Leah (my eight-year-old) rushed off to her bedroom with it where she quickly flopped onto her bed and perused each page and project. Amie and Andria's first book, Sewing School , is one of my girl's favorites, so it came as no surprise that she would be beyond thrilled to lay eyes on the new book with exciting new projects.  Plus, its focus is teaching children to use the sewing machine, which is always an exciting prospect around these parts.

While I knew that Leah would be super excited to dig into this book, I almost forgot that my Hazel (five-years-old) is in a perfect place to begin learning to use a machine.  She loves fabric, prints, wrapping fabric around her dolls, and hand stitching, so when I showed her the book and asked if she'd like to do a project with me, she was bouncing in anticipation.

She chose the Tag Along project where you make a little stuffy with a loop for hanging.

She went right for a piece of punchy daisy fabric!

She was tentative about using the machine, but after some practice stitching, she was fired up and ready to go.  I love how the act of sewing with the machine teaches lessons in self-control and moderation.  There was a part of her that wanted to ZOOM!, but she took it slow because she was invested in her creation.

Stuffing!

Here she is, so proud of her creation!  After much consideration, this beauty will hang in her doll's bedroom.  We already have plans to make more to give away for the holidays -- we're thinking of stuffing them with herbs and flowers!
 
Sewing School 2 is a wonderful way to introduce children to sewing with a machine because it encourages them to be confident in themselves while inspiring them to be creative in ways that feel fun and productive. Plus, the projects pictured in the book are made by other children, which leaves my kids feeling inspired and connected to all of the creative possibilities within.

Visit the Sewing School blog or Storey Publishing for more information about the book and the tour.  

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Storey Publishing has generously offered to give away one copy of Sewing School 2 to a reader.  Just leave a comment on this post by 8/2 at midnight (Eastern Time) and I will announce the winner on 8/4.  Storey has requested that it be US only, please.

xo emily

left hand leaves

 

So, anyway, about left handed drawing (or drawing with your non-dominant hand).   I find the process magical and super satisfying because it allows me to draw with intention, and it frees my mind enough so that I am drawing what I see rather than what I think I should be seeing.  It ends up feeling like a form of meditation: a time to just see, to just be, and to let my hands and mind create from a peaceful, uncluttered place. It always feels like a bonus because I end feeling calm and clear, and I get to keep little souvenirs from my meditative journey.  Zen Seeing, Zen Drawing by Frederick Franck is my most favorite resource for this artistic process.  He offers examples of his own inspiring work, and suggests ways to allow your mind to empty a bit.

 The practice always ends with imperfection and wobbly lines, which I really love. 

This seemed like a nice way to capture the natural world right now because isn't the beginning of spring perfectly imperfect? 

 

I typically draw with a thin Sharpie marker and then paint with watercolors because I like my imperfect lines to remain visible.  I tested out acrylics with some of the paintings above (like with the daffodil shoots), and I definitely liked using watercolors more.  And, p.s., I paint with my dominant hand.

If you do some non-dominant handed drawing, will you share?

xo e

p r i n t i n g

In the midst of the darkest days of the year, I surprised myself and created a little bit of spring. This botanical stamp was made using an acrylic block and some $0.75 adhesive back craft foam. I drew my design onto the foam, cut out the stem and leaves, peeled the paper of the back of each piece, and fixed them onto the acrylic block. I had been thinking about this technique, and then read about it in Lena Corwin's beautiful book, "Printing by Hand." Oh boy , I love that book!

It was a simple process, which produced a beautiful print. In general, while printing with stamps, it is always a good idea to work on a solid, hard surface, but it is especially important when working with foam stamps. If the printing surface is at all raised, the excess ink on the acrylic will get all over the printing material (paper, fabric, etc.). I worked on my wood floors since it doesn't get any more solid and spacious than that. A kitchen table or desk would work just as well.

Here are some note cards that I plan to bundle into sets of 6 with envelopes.

I made a repetitive pattern at the bottom of these cotton dish towels. Perfect for last minute gift giving!


xo e

I read The Story of the Root-Children, by Sibylle Von Olfers, to Chick on the first day of autumn as a way to welcome the change in seasons. It is so sweet and enchanted in that elfin kind of way. It tells a short tale of the root children who live under the earth waiting for spring to arrive so that they can decorate the earth with their colors and spirits. We both decided that these shy, spritely little children are probably more than ready for a good long rest after all of their dancing and prancing and swimming (not to mention all of those curmudgeonly beetles that hog the swimming hole).

I find the pictures and earthy color pallet inspiring. It added to the sense of peace and tranquility that autumn often brings to our home.

xo e

eat & look book

This pumpkin, oatmeal, applesauce muffin is my new favorite muffin. You can sprinkle sugar in the raw on the top before baking or an oatmeal, butter, brown sugar topping.


Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins
based loosely on Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious recipe for "applesauce muffins"

Ingredients:
3/4 cup of white flour
3/4 cup of wheat flour
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 T of ground flax seed (optional)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup nonfat milk
1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 large egg


1. Preheat the oven to 400˚. Line or coat a 12 cup muffin tin.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and flax in a bowl. In a second bowl, mix the applesauce with the milk, vegetable puree, sugar, oil, and egg with a wooden spoon. Add the flour mixture slowly, stirring until just moistened. Careful not to over mix.
3. Divide batter evenly into each muffin cup and sprinkle sugar in the raw or a butter, oat, brown sugar blend on the top. Bake for about 20 minutes or until wooden toothpick comes out clean.

Lately, by the time I crawl into bed I am too exhausted to do any serious reading, but I like to have a book open during the few minutes before I turn off the light. It dawned on me the other day that I need a grown-up picture book. You know - Goodnight Gorilla for the adult set. So, this is my new favorite 'I'm too tired to really read' book that I peruse just before I drop off. It is a little too modern for my taste, and it seems to be mostly for the 20-something who just got a new apartment, but it has some clever small space solution ideas.