Making
I've spent little time in the green room lately. Really little. The weather has been beautiful, so why would I want to spend my time in a tiny, dark room with no fresh air? But a couple of weeks ago I finished another design for the shop. This morning was the first time I actually got a picture of it in action. It's a long style "bolero" jacket that is perfect for spring and on chilly summer nights. It's reversible too. I still have some kinks to work out in the sleeves, as well as making the pattern in a couple of other sizes (these will be available in 6 mo.-2T), and I need to drastically reduce the number of hours I worked on this to make them available for the shop. But hopefully in the next month the listing will be up. I also plan on making one more suited for the boys out of a navy linen/cotton blend. I am having such a difficult time finding a good boyish cotton print. Any ideas?
I learned how to needle felt this morning. A big thanks to my friend for teaching me. I made this "spring fairy" doll for our nature table. I still have to work on her face and I'm making an apron to go over her dress. It was a very fun process and quite easy to do! I think my next project will be a bird mobile. The little one would like that...
We also made our first batch of ice cream today. We purchased an electric ice cream maker yesterday so we could regularly make ice cream. The little one and I can't do dairy or sugar, so store-bought ice cream is out. We made our first batch using half almond milk and rice milk, sliced almonds, crushed dark chocolate bits, and maple syrup instead of sugar. It was marvelous!
I hope your days are filled with warmth and sunshine! Until next time...
Another dairy free momma (and nursling) here. Can you post a recipe for the ice cream?
And how do you learn to needle felt? That doll is adorable. My two year old is just getting the hang of the nature table and she loves it.
Posted by: Kelly | April 23, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Just checking in to say hi. :) I haven't commented in a while, but I've been reading. I'm glad your enjoying the beautiful spring weather. Have a great day.
Posted by: Dawn | April 23, 2008 at 05:49 PM
I second the request for the ice cream recipe. I am diary-free also and that looks soooo yummy :)
Posted by: Lauren | April 23, 2008 at 06:10 PM
that icecream looks good!
Posted by: Bobbi | April 23, 2008 at 06:18 PM
oh the weather has been beyond perfect hasn't it??? I'm catching up on emails tonight...I haven't been ignoring you! :)
Posted by: Heather W. | April 23, 2008 at 07:28 PM
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Okay...here is the recipe for all who are wondering :)
We use a Cuisinart ice cream maker. I just kind of made the recipe up.
1 cp. rice milk
1 cp. almond milk
1/2 cp. maple syrup (I felt this was too sweet for me though)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cp. sliced almonds
1/4-1/2 cp. chopped dark chocolate
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Posted by: Bluebirdbaby | April 23, 2008 at 07:38 PM
I would love it if you give some directions on needle felting. I have desperately wanted to do it, but do not where to learn how. Your first attempt at it is looking good so far!!!
Posted by: Hope | April 23, 2008 at 11:34 PM
ice cream and needle felting and cute kids clothes? man your life is good, eh? And btw, I can have store bought ice cream but yours sounds so much better, so yum!!
I need to get one of those ice cream makers, what a great summer that'd make... and I need to learn to needle felt too, although I did a sample once at a craft trade show and kept stabbing my finger so hopefully next time it'll go better.
take care!!
Posted by: kate | April 24, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I bought coconut milk ice cream at our whole foods store the other day. Was made from coconut milk and delicious! I will try to find the brand if you're interested. Why can't you have sugar?
Posted by: Shelley | April 24, 2008 at 02:27 PM
Great job on your needle felted fairy! I'm doing my first needle felting prject too, it's a jingle ball from the Living Crafts magazine. A felted bird mobile sounds awesome... maybe you can do a tutorial?
Posted by: Anna | April 24, 2008 at 04:37 PM
A great book for non-dairy recipes is "Vice Cream", I have made a bunch of the basic recipes with success.
Posted by: Katie | April 24, 2008 at 11:15 PM
The bolero is adorable! I also think your needle felted girl is beautiful as can be. What lovely weather!!!! :)
Posted by: Ravenhill | April 25, 2008 at 10:23 AM
Great job with the needle-felting especially for your first attempt!
I LOVE the little jacket,how could anyone not? ;)
Posted by: Carrie | April 25, 2008 at 01:09 PM
How cute does she look in that jacket, bless her.Lovely fabric too
Lisa x
Posted by: periwinkle | April 26, 2008 at 04:38 PM