Dixie's Dragon

I'm backkkk

Spring is springing. My daffodils are blooming copiously,two grape hyacinths are peaking up in my front garden, and my lenten roses are glorious. My cats stay outside longer and longer and come inside at night (or the morning after) completely exhausted. All my pregnancy tests came out wonderfully, which was very reassuring especially since I am an older mother. The best news of all is that I am having another GIRL! Yay.

I bought the most wonderful new Japanese craft book with directions in English. I have a thing for Japanese craft books (well, don't we all?) but the directions some times leave me perplexed. It has tons and tons of fabulous flowers and little hand bags that have me drooling. Not only are the directions in English, but they are extremely easy to follow.

Besides wonderful projects the book itself is a design inspiration. Sprinkled throughout are lovely watercolors, like this one inside the front cover:

Some of the projects:

kara lily caddy:

Apple Pocket:

Acorn:

Cherry Booklet:

Dragonfly Cache:

I made a couple of posies to be included in care packages going far far away... That is my Swell ironing board cover in the background.

Last week my sweet little girl sat down and earnestly made this little collage for her best friend with no parental help or interference. Could anything be sweeter? It is my current inspiration.

BLOG SLOG

I have the late winter doldrums and haven't been much of a blogger of late. Plus, I have been working alot. So, I am going to take a blogging break for a few days. Back soon, refreshed.

craving

Ooohh, look at this book...

Healthy Granola

Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, but since I don't eat eggs or bacon (well, I try not to eat bacon) I am constantly looking for a healthy breakfast alternative which provides lots of protein. Soy isn't my bag either so tofurkey and the like don't work for me. Cereal for breakfast necessitates a hobbit-like need for a second breakfast around 9 or so. So, I came up with this granola recipe which when served with Stonyfield non-fat yogurt was delish and kept my pregnant tummy full until noon.

Healthy Granola

Raw oats, flax meal, chopped almonds, and wheat or oat bran in a mix you like to equal 4 cups or so

Frozen orange juice concentrate 2/3 cup or so

brown sugar 1/2 cup or so

vegetable oil -about 1/2 cup or so

Mix the liquids up in a measuring cup and slowly drizzle over the dry ingredients in a sheet pan until the mixture is crumbly, but not sticky.

Back at around 300 degrees for 30-45 minutes. After it cools add dried fruit (I added cranberries, yum)

 

beady eyes

I thought a spied a little face when I looked at and the email advertisement for a sale at Happy Mango beads and I did, I did,
you can get them here

French Kissing: Explained

My sweet little six year old and I were reading peacefully on Sunday when for some reason she told me she knew all about French kissing. Hmmm, I said, tell me about it. "well, you stick your tongues out and lick each other", hmm, I say, who told you that?  "Keira, told me" and she continues,"but I am not going to listen to her because she doesn't know anything about French people, but my daddy does, so next time he comes to school to have lunch with me, I am going to have him talk to her." Hmmm, I say, no, don't listen to Kiera.

Happy Valentines day everyone. Treat yourself to a visit to Cute Overload to celebrate.

dirty dishes

Cynthia Rowley's new line of plates, available at FishsEddy, aptly named dirty dishes. This will make your husband pay attention to your cooking.

And if your mind has totally gone blank on what to give your male significant other for the impending Valentines Day, you can get this at the same place.

 

My house is a shambles waiting for the floors in our downstairs to be elevated to a condition such that they are usable. They are concrete, so this is going to be an interesting project. Ivan is coming to diamond grind the glue and other ick left after removing scads of carpet which was more than a tad past its prime. Now, I am planning, the epoxy color and  pattern upon which will rest an Interface Flor area rug which is also under design. Next furniture, I am scoping out WestElm and Todd Oldham's furniture collection. Would show a before, but the floor is simply too hideous. For now, there is a sea of nasty glue covered floor between me and my craft closets. This is my current excuse for the lack of original craft projects. (but I did make soup and scones today)

hmmmm - interesting project?

I found this via Make  - it's a purse, made from, ahem, a bra. Instructions available at Craftbits:

I guess that your own anatomy will determine whether you make an evening or hobo bag???

I poked around Craftbits a bit and found these Fortune Cookie Gift Pockets that I thought were worth consideration.

I know you are probably wondering, "what the heck have you been making?". I haven't finished anything in what seems like ages. I have however, been cooking lots (mainly to satisfy my cravings) and working lots (lawyering is admittedly scads more lucrative than crafting, though not as fun). My craft room is totally under construction and I cannot get to anything without a hassle that is just not surmountable.

I am so inspired by Toni at Simple Sparrow. She is a crafting machine (and mother of five which blows my current excuse for paltry crafty due to pregnancy with #2). Not only is she a wonderful crafter, but a sweetheart. I received the most delightful birthday package today. A precious lime green (my fave color)Japanese handbag, some buttons, tea and book of needles (desperately needed). Thank you Toni! (picture is lame, sorry for the exposure)

A collage of goat cheese rounds at harley farms.  Yum.

Was anyone as appalled as I with the knee highs Madonna was sporting on the Grammys last night? I am awaiting for their encore appearance on Go Fug Yourself

I love love love these poppies and chickens via Grenouille Plus:

 

Valentines coming up...

Thanks to MeggieCat for this link to TheToyMaker which includes many lovely downloadable foldable toys for Valentines, like this one:

It's rainy and dreary and this about sums up the attitude in my house:

I detest football, so much so that I am actually physically incapable of watching a game without my eyes glazing over. If a guy has to wear a plastic protector over his manly equipment, then something is wrong with the nature of the game. I do watch the Superbowl for two very good reasons: 1. the commercials are innovative and hilarious and 2. it's  perfect excuse to eat foods normally unwelcome in this home. For example, Rotelle dip. Rotelle dip, yes, with Velveeta cheese -the most unnatural food product ever created, Rotelle tomatoes and chilis, jalapenos, cilantro (something healthy must be added) and corn chips. I can't wait.