Monday, July 4, 2011

July Kickoff

Hello, Rosie!  I hope you don't mind me calling you Rosie.  Do you add parsley to your bouquets?  I didn't think so.  I thought this little lemon curd jar was the perfect vase.  More about lemon curd coming right up.

Well, Mollie Makes IS fun.  It's coming to the USA at the end of July.  I thought if I showed you the beginnings of my apple cozy, I would be more motivated to finish it.  My crochet skills are not great.  Stay tuned.

So, I attempted the Victoria Sponge.  It looked nice just out of the oven.  I put the lemon curd and juicy strawberries in the middle.

I popped the next half on top.

I whipped the cream a bit too long and smeared it all over the cake.  Not bad, huh?  When we sliced it, it revealed its shortcomings.  Birdie LOVED it and asked for more.  I thought it tasted like a muffin.  I used too many eggs.  Next time, I'll try harder.

I should have had cherries for dessert.  Aren't they pretty?

We had a gorgeous "blue so blue" sky day today.  Happy Birthday, America!

Oh, and off on another tangent (if you don't mind) I dug through the linen closet yesterday and found a few things I was hunting for.  Isn't this a sweet poster?  It's called "Love is Blind" and I always have heart smiles when girls choose their old doll, rich with experience, over their new doll.  It just seems so very right, doesn't it?

Speaking of dolls, Annie had a good soak in the washing machine and a long sunbath.

I had to go out and flip her over so she'd dry evenly.

Her dress needed a wash and now it needs a mend.

Another thing I found in the closet!  A sweet bird book!  Sadly, it is missing its cover. 






I made it a new cover.  I sewed a white paper bag to the book.  I love sewing on paper.  The bag had handles, so now the bird book has handles, too.


Great colors and great price!  Three pots for five dollars.  I'll buy more tomorrow and put them in the tomato bed.

Are you tired of me yet?  I found liquid embroidery paint at the fabric store.  Have you ever tried it?  It's FUN!  I made a softie (that smells very much like paint).

I had this "great" idea to make Ann's bloomers out of a cute dishtowel.  I'm the type of seamstress that needs a pattern.  This Ann used to be an Andy, but the bloomers and another old dress fit.  I hope he doesn't mind.  The reason I went to the fabric store was to get a pattern for Ann's bloomers (much needed) and for her apron.  Soon she'll be all spruced up, ready to go to her new home.  
Do you ever get that fuzzy feeling when you don't want to lug the vacuum cleaner around or get down on your hands and knees and really scrub the floor?  Isn't it a bummer when that feeling lasts a long time?  I'm hoping I wake up tomorrow all limber and ready to sweep, shine, and arrange this mouse house.  We have a house guest coming soon.  It's a good thing I am almost finished with all the Anne of Green Gables books.  I can't stop reading them.  Anne. She is so happy and good.  Have you read them lately?  I found some other stuff in the closet that I think you'll like looking at.  I have been doodling in my Bible, too.  Yes, and drawing weird little people to my heart's content.  Thank you for all your compliments on my lazy horse!  It's July for a whole month.  Aren't we blessed?  Let's live it up, okay?  (red, white, and blue kisses!)  Bye!

24 comments:

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Hi there. I have had a little bloggy break because I got caught up doing other things...so I haven't had time to visit in a while.
I think your cake looks so delicious! I bought cherries at the market and they are so good this year. I have been munching and munching on them. Yum. seeing your little raggedy ann doll reminds me that I have two of them that could use a washing also.
Hope you had a very happy fourth of july.

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

You should see my kitchen floor...I'm suffering the same malaise regarding housework! I keep saying, tomorrow I'll do it....

And I don't have a good excuse...not being involved in all these amazing and creative projects you are cranking out these days.

Perhaps tomorrow we'll both awake all limber and ready to do some scrubbing!

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

PS: I think I would like muffins with whipped cream and strawberries. Oh, and I just saw another Victoria sponge over on Lines from Linderhoff...somehow I missed tasting a Victoria sponge when we were in England...and now suddenly they are popping up all over.

Lisa Richards said...

I almost laughed out loud at the sight of Ann, drying on both sides, lol!
I really enjoyed the bird book. I have a soft spot in my heart for that particular era of books. Must have been close to my childhood. I love the cute book cover you made. What a creative idea! And a handle to boot!!
I look forward to your next artwork. I have a little something for you, but want to make something else to add to it before mailing. We'll see how it goes.
I'm having fun seeing all of the fun you're having!
There's a storm on the way. I should probably unplug the 'puter to be safe. God bless! :D

Elderberry-Rob said...

It's lovely to see all the things you are doing. The Victoria Sponge is not as I know it! must be the American version. we just put strawberry jam and cream inside and a dust of icing suger outside! Molly Makes has a childlike element to it and is refreshinglhy different isn't it. Yesterday I had the springclean buzz and my house is sparkling, hope it finds you soon. It is so good to declutter and move everything round for fun, Bettyx

Lynn said...

Have you stopped for a tea break? LOL - you have been so creative! You put me to shame. Wish you could see my kitchen floor - dreadful - hee hee!
L.x.

magsmcc said...

Your sponge layers were very impressively deep- mine end up invariably flat and hard! Well done! I love the name Irma- it strikes me as so American and free and strong. I made another apple cosy last night; like my first attempt it was in DK from what real crafters refer to as The Stash, but chez moi is simply whatever is lying around! But I have found that ordinary DK knits up into orange cosies- the cotton DK is fine enough to stay apple small. So I'll have to buy two oranges for our travelling day picnic on Friday, and squeeze an apple version from the remaining shreds of apple fest! Happy 5th July!

Kari of Writing Up A Storm said...

I love getting lost in your posts. It is like stepping into the pages of a fairytale, the cozy kind of fairytale. I love your apron, by the way, and your wonderful horse, and your blessed enthusiasm for all that is good and wonderful, bright and beautiful. Thank you for helping me to escape into your world. xoxo Kari

melanie said...

Oh My!!! Give me a piece of that cake please, it looks delicious!!!! :) xxx

Denise said...

Pom Pom,I enjoyed your blog this morning.Your Raggidy Ann sun bathing was so cute.Great to hear from you. Denise

Leslie said...

Pom Pom,
You are overflowing with creative energy and it inspires me! I hope you have the cleaning energy you need today. For that matter, *I* need some cleaning energy, too. (We start moving tomorrow and I must clean, clean, clean.) Thanks for the grins over Raggedy Ann sunbathing in the buff. She is so cute! :D

Bonnie said...

Love your Raggedy Anns and andys. I made all of my girls a country raggedy ann (and one also got an Andy) when they were small. One of them even still keeps them on her bed.

libbyquilter said...

love love LOVE the way that you've fixed up that book~!!~
a book with handles is a fabulous idea~!!~

:-)
libbyQ

btw: Raggedy Ann is looking just a bit pink from all of that sun . . . maybe a light application of sunscreen next time . . .

Catherine said...

A very impressive cake I must say! Your Raggedy Ann is just lovely....I do have rather a soft spot for all things"Ann"...a few years ago Amy's dolly got a Raggedy Ann quilt for her cot. Cx

M.K. said...

What a fun post! Anna and I both adore your new book binding idea -- how great for the child to carry the book around by the handles! You should market that :) Dolly is looking so good. I bet she's thankful for you!

Gigi said...

Look at you -- just making up a storm! Love it all. Such cute photos of Annie sunbathing (in the nude I might add ;). And what a cute idea for a book cover. No wonder you don't want to clean -- you've got too many wonderful ideas and projects going -- how are you supposed to find time to clean for Pete's sake ;)?
Have fun Pom, and keep showing us all your fun, pretty, & sweet projects.

Hearts,

GG

p.s. I haven't read the Anne books -- travesty! I've watched the series over and over, but I must read the books. Maybe I'll listen on Audible while I'm knitting and/or crocheting -- multitask, you think? Oh, and did you see the link to the little gnome embroidery pattern on my last post (I went back and added it later)? It made think of you -- not because it looks like you of course ;), but because you like gnomes (me too).

Anonymous said...

You bring such joy & gladness Pom Pom! Your flower bouquet is so so sweet ~ some parsley may just find it's way into a future bouquet here too ~ I am so loving the flowers right now. And your Victoria Sponge...now that looks delish!

I hope you had a wonderful 4th!
Sharon

Gumbo Lily said...

You've had so many busy projects going on, Pom Pom! I would WAY rather draw, paint, crochet (if I crocheted) or plant flowers than clean the house.

Love JEnny Wren's new book cover with handles. How clever!

I thought washed up Annie looks like she's suntanning. Funny dolly!

About the sponge cake....I really don't do them well ever. I choose not to bake them. But that's me. Still, your cake looked very delish, and why not with all that whipped cream and berries? Yum.

Happy July!
Jody

no spring chicken said...

You covered so much ground here, and I have wonderful thoughts on all of the great things that you do... but the bird book! Oh my goodness, once again, you are so clever!! It's adorable. And now it just happens to have handles, who else would have thought of that? I will never shy away from a coverless cutie book at a yard sale again!

Blessings, Debbie

Farm Girl said...

I love reading about your day and I like your book cover. Yes, when I go to visit Anne in Avonlea, I never want to go home.
When my daughter was 16 I read them outloud to her every afternoon. Still to this day she gets choked up about Matthew. We had a lovely time together.
I love lots of authors but none that I have been reading over and over since I was 11
Well, maybe the Little Britches series by Ralph Moody.
I am glad you like July.
It makes me happy,
Your blog makes me happy. I am so glad to have the joy of making your acquaintance.
Hugs,
Kim
My word to type in is verse.
so I will leave one.
Roses are red
violets are blue,
The world is better since I met you.
:)

The Provincial Homemaker said...

My goodness, what a coincidence - my friend just sent me an email about Molly Makes and I have been drooling over their blog. Then I come over here and see you have a copy. Can't wait to see your completed crochet apple cover.

ann said...

Ah, (long deep sigh). You make me smile.

Aura said...

I could almost taste your cake........scrumptious. Would you share the recipe if it's not too much trouble. Your photographs are fantastic. I have made apple cozies before, both knitted and crochet. I have a thing for cozies. I have also made mug cozies. Let me know if you'd like to see my Flickr album. I'll send you the link.

The dB family said...

You have made me wonder if my Raggedy Ann is in storage somewhere. I think I'm going to have to go on an Ann hunt when school starts here again in September. You crochet very well, I think!

Blessings!
Deborah

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