Kawaii Cooking ^..^

"Kawaii" means "cute" in Japanese.

One thing that is interesting when I am sick is that I sometimes make purchases in a NyQuil-induced haze. This past week I've had the most horrific cold (thanks to my boss John, who kindly passed it on!), and one night when I was hopped up on NyQuil I purchased the following items:

• 1 bento lunchbox in the shape of a geisha
• 1 copy of The Just Bento Cookbook
• 1 set of bento hard boiled egg molds
• 1 set of  bento vegetable cutters
• 1 set of bento onigiri molds

When I lived in Japan back in the early 1980s I noticed their adoration of whimsical characters (such as Hello Kitty!). They found a way to make even the most mundane things whimsical, including the common lunchbox.

The "bento" (or sometimes "obento") is a traditional Japanese lunchbox, usually with compartments and tiers, in which one packs a variety of edibles, most notably some form of rice. I've had a really cool bento box (Mr. Bento by Zojirushi) for years and use it nearly every day. The new geisha bento box (not yet received) is going to be a fun addition.

Here are some attempts at making cool items for my new bento box. At left are two hard boiled eggs in the shapes of a bunny and a panda. In the middle are some cool onigiri shapes (simply seasoned rice pressed into a mold -- one is wrapped with seaweed, and the topping is black sesame seeds). Top right are little slices of celery. (Sadly my husband used all of the carrots in a batch of chicken soup he made for me, otherwise my meal would be more colorful!) Not shown are tiny plastic bottles that contain soy sauce. (Forgot to add them to the photo!)

I absolutely love the idea of having something so cute and whimsical to brighten up a stressful workday. Can't wait to do some more kawaii cooking next week so I can take fun lunches to work!

'thann

Free Audubon Redwork Pattern - Snow Bird

Felicitous salutations!

It's been far too long, and I'm yearning to get back to creative blogging and podcasting. While this isn't a podcast, it IS a creative blog entry.

As most of you know, I began the Audubon redwork series two years ago or so, and here is another free downloadable pattern. This is for one of my favorite winter birds, the Snow Bird. I love how the snow bird hops about in the snow digging for seeds. He is gray above and white below, so it appears he has snow on his chest.

Here is the finished redwork, and you can download the free pattern by CLICKING HERE.

I hope to get back to podcasting soon. Meanwhile, I will begin posting free projects for you!

Ruthann

Eggs!

My fellow choir member Mary runs a farm, and she regularly offers eggs to fellow choir members. Today I brought home two dozen. She has a variety of chickens, hence the variety of egg colors.

Did you know that the color of egg depends on the variety of hen that lays it? My absolute favorite is the pretty blue-green egg laid by the Ameraucana. (There is no difference in taste, though!)

 Today she brought me a rainbow of eggs -- blue, blue/green, white, brown, pinkish-brown.

Thanks, Mary!

Dia de los Animales

I couldn't wait to post this photo. I bought the fabric for this quilt two years ago or so, and "discovered" it in my stash a year ago. I designed and made the quilt top and sent it to my sister Pat, who quilted it for me "freestyle" using her neighbor Deb's longarm machine. I am so very thrilled with how it turned out!

The fabric is from a line called "Folklorica" by children's book illustrator Julie Paschkis. Unfortunately the fabric is no longer available (unless you're fortunate enough to find it on eBay or elsewhere).

I named the quilt "Dia de los Animales," or "Day of the Animals," because the fabric reminds me of the wonderful textiles celebrating the Mexican holiday "Dia de los Muertos," or "Day of the Dead."

This isn't the best photo, but at least you can see the way I used the fabrics. There was a large panel which I cut into different elements, a really lovely border, and several blenders. I love the result! Thanks, Patsy!

Simplicity!

I had a long talk with Ted recently, seriously discussing my concern with my lack of creativity. He suggested that I follow my own advice and take one small step. So last night I rummaged through my UFOs (unfinished quilting objects) and discovered a pretty quilt that I pieced sometime last year, and it was already basted. Last night I quilted it, and today I bound, labeled, and washed it.

It is an incredibly simple four-patch on white using 30s fabrics. The size is just smaller than twin. For obvious reasons I've called it "Simplicity."

I particularly like the binding, a pastel stripe with which I made bias strips. It perfectly complements the 30s fabrics.

At this moment I am washing yet a second completed quilt that I call "Dia de los Animales." It is a fabulous quilt that I designed and pieced, and my sister Pat quilted. I finally found time (and the creative spirit!) to bind, label, and wash it today. I will take a photo within the next day or two to share. It's incredibly beautiful, and the complete opposite of "Simplicity" in its style and color.

So Ted was right -- I took a single step that led me to yet another, and within a 24 hour period I have TWO quilts completed! YAY ME!

'thann

Housewarming Gifts

Yes, I know it's been ages, but my job has sapped me of my creative energy. (insert frowny face)

Ironically, it was my job (in a way, at least) that spurred a flurry of creativity this week. One of my bosses has moved into a new house and tonight is his housewarming party. I can't go empty handed, so I thought up a clever gift to present to him and his wife.

One of my favorite films is "It's a Wonderful Life." I'm sure you recall the scene where Mary Baily presents the Martini family three gifts. (I'm paraphrasing) " Bread that you may never know hunger; salt that your life may always have flavor; and wine that you may always have joy."

I created a card with those words:

 

The image is from Dover Publications and I used one of my favorite fonts, Albermarle, by Fontcraft. I printed the image onto watercolor paper and colored it in with watercolor pencils and then used a wet brush to activate the watercolor pencils. It turned out quite well, I think.

Then I assembled a gift basket with those three things. I baked a loaf of white sandwich bread, hand-mixed exotic salts (Pacific black and red sea salt, Atlantic white sea salt) in a nice crockery container, and added a bottle of Vineyard Tears white wine from my favorite Michigan winery, Round Barn in Baroda.

I know that Bryon and Jenn will appreciate not only the contents of the basket, but also the effort that went into making the gift!

Meanwhile, I still hope to get back to podcasting. If nothing else, I'll post projects here on my blog so you don't forget me!

Oh -- and excitement of excitements! Today when I was at my market buying the wine, I discovered that Honey Crisp apples are in season! Callooh callay!

'Til later (I hope not much later!),

'thann

Teddy's Knitting Has Far Surpassed Mine!

Teddy was home this past week on "spring" break, and while home he finished this scarf for a female friend of his. He was inspired by a scarf he saw somewhere, but this is his own design. The scarf is about six feet in length.Yarn is a super chunky wool in cerulean (the iPhone photo doesn't do it justice).

Good job, Teddy! I'm putting my order in for fingerless gloves in avocado green!

'thann