Giveaway Tote

From this - a skirt I haven't worn since three jobs, eight years, and two toddlers ago.

To this: a giveaway! A stylish linen print market tote, fully lined with a blue print cotton, and embellished with some fussy-cut flowers.
'

Happy 105th post, Sycamore Corner Crafts! I started out with a bag, and here is another bag. It is yours if you are the randomly drawn name from a comment posted here before 8pm Sunday, I'll announce the winner then.

Please be sure to include your email in your post if it is not in your profile, so I can contact you to get your address! Good luck!

Camping, and a Cookbook

Our home away from home last week

Late nights around the fire

Days filled with exploring - and spending time with Grammy and Gramp

Amish farm from the car, lots of exploring the countryside. I'd never been to Pennsylvania Dutch country before, we spent a lot of time on Wikipedia looking up the Amish, Mennonite, and Brethren practices and beliefs. *I should mention this was Wikipedia on the phone. It was absolutely lovely and very peaceful to have no computer for a week.

When we got home, I was happy to see the garden not entirely dead, and my new curtains still up which I forgot to show before leaving. They mainly block the light from the sunny side of the kitchen, and are just cheap matchstick blinds lined with black denim and a black and white print. Functional and pretty.

Gramp picked out this cookbook - I can guarantee that nothing in it is low fat. But I'm looking forward to trying some dumplings and other intriguing dishes. And the desserts look delish. Thanks Gramp!

I haven't forgotten the giveaway - update ahead. It will be something crafted by me, which means I can't give it away until I craft it. Ahem. Be right back...

Raspberries

Are our favorite. Thanks Grammy and Gramp! May they take over everything and give us lots and lots for years to come.

Fix-it Friday - Painted Cafe Table

Once again I have forgotten to take the "before" photo - believe me when I say this table had seen many summers and a couple of winters outside, and was a dry and distressed weathered dark brown. I think this caribbean aqua is just the ticket. The toddlers helped with priming (we used brushes) but were distressed themselves not to be allowed to spray on the color. After they sniffed the stinkiness of spray paint they reconsidered and retreated indoors. Better for their brain cells anyway!

Now, if it will only cool down enough in the evenings for an actual glass of wine outside watching fireflies (not as many as last year, it has been so dry and hot) swatting mozzies (many many more than last year)

Summer Top

Remember my crush on the schoolhouse tunic in black and white check back in spring top week? Well, here is my attempt. My fabric (from Joann's) is not so drapey - the trapeze-type body isn't working for my mama body, so I plan to do some darts in the back to gather it in a bit. But Mr. Sycamore declared it does not look maternity-esque, so it is a start. Used the Market Shirt pattern (meant for a much lighter voile) from Weekend Sewing - had to lower the neckline considerably and in retrospect I would have made the sleeves shorter and the body longer, but overall I like it!

WIP - Free Fleece!

And I love free! Thanks to my friend Diana who scored it for me and taught me how to wash it, and to Felicia for loaning me the carders. What will it become? Felt? A sweater? It is lovely grey and white and very long. I've been longing to a) plant a dye garden b) try dyeing with plants ... this may have to wait until next summer. But oh, I dream of sheep.

A Very Green Post

Check out the pumpkin! I swear it looks like this vine grows a couple of feet a day and has taken over its patch by the house. Saw a three foot black snake last week - but that's good, right? Fewer rodents? Right?

Okra is cool! Seriously, we love gumbo here, and growing up northern I only discovered okra as an adult. Yum.

What is that hiding? This watermelon also seems to grow several feet a day - in several directions.

I can see we need more official stakes than just rotten branches jammed in the ground and groaning under the tomato load. They sure do love hot weather.