I enjoyed a rare Sunday alone as my parents took Buddy to the museum and Mr. T was at work. I slept in late and woke up excited about the possibilities the day might hold. I've been dying to see Pride and Prejudice, so maybe a trip to the video store and some take out? But I haven't been to the fabric store in months and the 40% coupon from the craft store expires today. Decisions, decisions. Then I walked into the kitchen and the dirty dishes from Friday were staring back at me, as were the piles of laundry overflowing from the hampers. So I spent my Sunday doing six loads of laundry, tackling my messy kitchen and vacuuming the house. Not exactly a perfect day, but it always feels so much better once the house is clean again.
But all was not lost. I did get some craft time in between loads, and almost finished an embroidered patch I've been working on. Which coincidentally, has a housework vibe to it and features the March Project Spectrum colors, pink and red.
I also had time to enjoy my ebay win which came in the mail on Saturday. I think I mentioned a couple posts back that I finally won a vintage children's book that I had bid on a bunch of times, but kept losing. It's called "Fun to Cook Book" but its actually more of a pamphlet and it was published by Carnation Foods in 1955. I spotted a copy of it on a Japanese antiques website and was drawn to the cute illustrations. You can see more of it here.
And thank you everyone for all the wonderful comments about Buddy's intrepid Space Travelers. Hopefully Biff and Suzie will survive the hands of a 4-year old and carry on for more adventures.
Happy Monday!
I'm proud of you (cleaning) I know I always need lots of pats on the back for cleaning but hey it feels good when you're done! Plus I love the embroidery and the book caught me eye right off-you scored on that one!
Posted by: brenda | March 13, 2006 at 02:00 AM
It may not have been a day at the fabric store, but at least you got a clean house out of it. That's worth a lot! And it's so much easier to do without, um, help. That pamphlet looks adorable, as does your embroidery.
Posted by: Amanda | March 13, 2006 at 02:33 AM
Sometimes getting the house cleaned results in more creative energy, at least for me.
Your embroidery is not only charming, but exquisitely done!
Posted by: Jan | March 13, 2006 at 04:16 AM
Your day alone sounds very familiar. A lot of my time alone is spent wandering around frantically trying to decide what to do, I want to do everything! I love that piece of embroidery, love it. Her dress looks like little french knots, I have the hardest time with those.
Posted by: Blair | March 13, 2006 at 04:50 AM
you're embroidery is really beautiful! and i love the cover of that book! how sweet.
Posted by: risa | March 13, 2006 at 05:58 AM
Ohmygod that embroidery is the cutest stinkin' thing! Didn't you hear the squeal I let out when I saw it? I can't even stand it! What stitch did you use to fill it in? It's so... so... well-filled in. So professional. And the illustrations in that cookbook totally remind me of some of your work. Very "you," I'm glad you won the auction.
Posted by: Michelle | March 13, 2006 at 07:18 AM
i just read that you live in honolulu! i just moved away to texas from ewa beach. so sad we never met :( this embroidered piece is so adorable and cute! <33
Posted by: dawbis | March 13, 2006 at 09:46 AM
I'm in love with your blog and your creations are so cute !! You're a amazing source of inspiration and it's like a "freshy happy visit" each time I read it ! Thanks for all and sorry for my english ! Smooches from Belgium !
Posted by: Sandrine (alias Didine!) | March 13, 2006 at 10:30 AM
Well done for taking the selfless path (ie housework). I think the lure of 40% off would have been my downfall!
Love the embroidery. I must buy myself a hoop like that. I should imagine it makes life much easier.
Posted by: Samantha | March 13, 2006 at 11:19 AM
I love what's in the hoop but honey, housework on a free day???!!!! I'd have hit that movie theatre in no time flat!!!
We don't believe in housework here btw.
Posted by: Snowbear | March 13, 2006 at 12:53 PM
The patch is Adorrrable! Little socks, heehee! And I can SEE why you fell in love with that cookbook!
Posted by: megan | March 13, 2006 at 01:13 PM
way to go you for doing the housework. i would have picked p&p for sure! i love that pamphlet. i have been kinda collecting those vintage cooking pamphlets because the b&w illos are great for gocco. just scan them in and then arrange a screen!
Posted by: hannah | March 13, 2006 at 02:29 PM
Great stitch work, SO cute. Are those just straight stitches? They look alomst like tiny knots. Please show it completed!!
Posted by: Frizz | March 13, 2006 at 03:54 PM
did you design that little woman? so cute!
Posted by: carolyn | March 13, 2006 at 04:39 PM
What a sweet book, and I love your embroidery (design and execution)!
Posted by: Rose | March 13, 2006 at 05:06 PM
i had plans to clean and declutter on sunday but it actually turned out to be a lazy day...i let my son's toys lay scattered all over the house and just sit on the couch - the only productive thing i did was my nephews taxes.
that's a cute book and nice work on the patch!
Posted by: joyce | March 13, 2006 at 05:36 PM
looks like you had a nice sunday alone to catch up - i love your embroidery work - is it your own design? this sunday i did get to see pride and prejudice, but now i think i need to read the book (i must be one of very few who hasn't read the book...)to get the full flavor...the movie was good though...enough for my 17 yr old daughter who loves action movies to actually sit through!
Posted by: debbie | March 13, 2006 at 05:58 PM
Your embroidered patch is so cute!! I love the different textures and pinks and reds. That Fun to Cook book is adorable, too! I really like the vintage illustrations. You're so good about the housework... I tend to procrastinate until the Health Dep't starts sending me Notice Of Condemnation papers. ;-) I bet Buddy had an awesome time at the museum- we spent our whole day off today exploring the new science center and Sesame Street exhibit, too. So fun! Take care, Myra! :-)
Posted by: chris | March 13, 2006 at 07:38 PM
By the way, it cracks me up how your needle is a little bent. Mine always do that. Once, I even snapped one in half! Cheap needle? Or am I just *way* too stressed?
Posted by: Michelle | March 14, 2006 at 10:04 AM
oooh! I have the Fun to Cook Book! It was my mom's when she was a girl... So many memories of cooking things with her from it in my little apron on the stepstool...
Posted by: Tracy | March 14, 2006 at 11:52 AM
saw some mochi at the market this morning and started telling my friend all about your designs and faboo blog!
Posted by: jennifer | March 15, 2006 at 09:32 AM
You are such an inspiration! I love the embroidery! Is it all french knots? I have tried embroidering portraits but I add to much detail and they end up looking very strange.
Well well done! Just wonderful!
Posted by: vegasandvenice | March 15, 2006 at 10:55 AM
good job on the housework! i'm like that too, i get motivated when i'm alone. i just don't feel like cleaning when there are other people in the house--guess hanging out with them is more fun.
she's cute! the texture of the filled in areas remind me of bunka shishu...brings back memories of japanese school :)
are there any interesting recipes in the cookbook?
Posted by: susanne | March 15, 2006 at 05:30 PM
Excellent embroidery!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 18, 2006 at 10:03 PM
Oh...that book brought back memories!! I used to have one like it. My Mom finally threw it out because I had spilled on it so much trying to make the recipes!
Posted by: Claudia | March 19, 2006 at 09:47 AM