Blog Carnival - Scary Recipes

I didn't plan it this way. I couldn't decide - something spooky (wonderful foggy morning with dewy cobwebs) or something delicious (hot apple cider toddy with a pear cobbler).


But I knew the moment I saw these recipes I had to use them for my carnival entry. For BOTH topics. I mean seriously, would you eat any of this? I know my grandmother probably did (these are from the 1950's) but there's no way you'll get it near me!


Kidneys are kinda yucky. Devilled Kidneys are REALLY yucky.



"Prepare brains the usual way"...?

I cut the recipe short but I think you get the idea. "Remove skin, cartilage and small bones..." *shudder*

No thanks!

Tongue AND calf's foot. What a treat!

Hungry anyone?

Skillet Mitt Madness

These things really do drive me mad. Well, they definitely put me (here's the pun) on pins and needles. They are essentially mini oven mitts to put over the handles of hot pans. There's a lot of thicknesses to sew through on the little guys. Six, to be exact. Then when I get to the part where there is binding, it's even thicker. That little half inch causes me much anxiety as I often break needles there. On the batch shown here I only broke 3 and that's pretty good! Then I trim everything closely and turn them inside-out.

But aren't they darling! I was especially pleased with myself for thinking of displaying them on the mini skillet with clothes pins!

This is just the tip of the iceberg as I prep for this weekend's show, and for the holiday season. I've finally finished my retro packaging and it's just too darn cute. I'm so proud! But I'll wait to share that with you tomorrow :)

Worth 1000 Words

Sign of the Times Past

bowling alley, Anacortes WA
Originally uploaded by Chandolfo

I I love this sign. I love all retro/vintage 1950's signage. It's in my town but my sister snapped this shot on her visit last week.

Cluttered Space, Cluttered Mind

People are always asking to see artists and crafters work spaces. I'm one of them too. I love to see the magic behind the scenes and the inspiring spaces different artists work in. It also says a lot about a person. The eyes are windows to the soul and the studio is the window into the personality of the artist.

I was thinking about this last night as I surveyed the mess I made of the house. My sweetie is out of town a lot and I generally make a bigger mess while he's away since it's just me in the house. This time I truly let it get out of hand. I have a show coming up at the end of the month and I usually get panicky as the date draws near as I try to complete all that needs to be done.

But how could anyone think straight with all this mess!? I mean really, do you think this might have just a little effect on my time management problems? Even I don't know how I can work like this. Every room is a mess; my studio, my "show room", the dining table (and chairs) and even the coffee table are a mess.

My sweetie is coming home tonight so most of the mess will be gone but not organised. It will just end up a pile in my sewing room and I will panic every time I can't find something and have to dig through the mess again. Our house is always generally a little cluttered but this is mayhem! I can't think! I look at it, get overwhelmed, and pick an uncluttered room to go work in, cluttering it in the process.

I think about this last night and I don't like what it says about me. I am not a slob but I am very disorganized and a great procrastinator. I don't like what this mess says about me as a craftsperson or a business person. I used to think that my mess was a reflection of how stressed I was getting but I'm realizing it's the other way around. It's the mess and disorganization that's most of the problem and by cleaning and organizing the physical clutter the metal clutter should clear a little too.

I know this seems a bit obvious and everyone knows that you can't work properly in a dump but I couldn't see the forest through the piles! So I'm taking a stand! I need a slogan, like "The key to success is cleanliness!" I vow to clean up my toys when I'm done like a good girl and not start another project until I've finished with the first one. I vow one day we will actually eat at the dining table!
Who's with me! Who else needs to conquer the clutter?