Month: January 2013

2013 To Do List

I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions because once I label them as such I don’t keep them, but I do like to maintain lists at all times and get a thrill every time I cross something off. I’ve mentioned some inspirational words I plan to abide by, but to keep myself accountable, I’m posting the short version of my 2013 To Do list today.

But before I launch into my list, I want to share a little story that’s been on my mind if you’ll indulge me…

In late 2011, I was tentatively diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. Doesn’t that sound awful? As if I am already embalmed, doomed to an immediate burial. It sounds so…ominous. It is, in fact, named after an Irish doctor and is an autoimmune disorder that commonly affects the thyroid, and hyperthyroidism is one of the telling symptoms. I was referred to a specialist and the endocrinologist told me that my levels seemed a tad “hyper” (hence the tentative diagnosis) and wanted to monitor them. I didn’t take it seriously since I felt fine, and half-joked to friends and family to let me know if my eyes started bugging out. Clearly, denial was playing a strong role.

I was working on a very stressful project at the time, and was absolutely consumed by work. I hardly saw my family, barely ate anything that resembled food, slept an average of three hours a night. I was immersed in the kind of office politics I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I was on conference calls at midnight, only to wake up at 7am for another one.

Three months rolled around, and my next set of test results showed an alarming spike in my thyroid hormone levels and the doctor confirmed that I most certainly have Graves’ disease and that I needed to take medication and possibly discuss surgery to remove my thyroid if things keep going at this rate. It’s crazy, but I was so wrapped up in my job I kept forgetting to take my pills. The next set of test results three months later were just as worrisome.

And then things fell apart within and outside of work, and my health was a mess. I aged about 15 years in six months and I’m no spring chicken, so this was horrifying on top of everything else (“Who is that crone?” I would wonder every morning as I stared at the mirror). I quietly whimpered about wanting to quit but my type-A, “I can make this work no matter what” attitude made me stubborn. In the end, I was taken off the project. It was my biggest career failure, and it was, quite simply, the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Once I stopped working, I focused on restoring my health. I slept. I ate salads. I read books. I took daily walks. I spent a lot of time with family and friends. As I regained strength, I painted the upstairs bedrooms and built a shelf in the basement with a neighbor’s help. Then I dusted off my gouache paints and threaded my sewing machine. I reflected for hours and hours, trying to figure out what I was good at, or at the very least what I loved, because that job wasn’t it. You see, I used to have another blog. From 2005 to 2010, I used to chronicle much of the same topics I’m posting these days though not nearly as regularly and I got a comment once in a blue moon. I realized that the little blog had made me so happy. Creating and sharing my creations and writing about them regardless of whether anyone read what I yammered on about – that felt right. The old blog went kaput in a server transfer accident, but that was okay. I would start a new one. And here we are.

The reason I’m telling you all this is that I received some great news and wanted to document this because it’s so significant to me. I got the results of my most recent blood test last week, and my levels are nearly normal. So very very close to normal. It’s still a touch high, but lower than when I was first tentatively diagnosed. The improvement has been dramatic. I feel a million times better and just two days ago, a friend told me I looked very healthy. I confessed to my doctor that I hadn’t been taking my pills at all and just tried to change my lifestyle. Amazed, she told me how rare it is for hyperthyroidism to normalize like this without medical intervention. She was so curious and asked, “How did you do it? What lifestyle changes did you make?” And you know what? I really think it was reducing the stress and focusing on doing things that I love to do. “Keep doing what you’re doing!” she encouraged me.

Now, I don’t recommend that anyone not take their medication. My point is that I listened to my instincts (finally and truly) and made changes that made sense to me. I am a huge believer in doing things every day that energize us to wake up in the morning, things that delight and inspire us, even if it’s something tiny and perhaps insignificant-seeming. And for me, this blog is one of those things. So thank you to the folks who continue to be so supportive — I feel so honored whenever I get a lovely comment in my small corner of the blogosphere and you help me stay extra energized, delighted and inspired (and thank you if you’ve read this far. I guess this wasn’t such a little story after all). You’re helping me kick Graves’ disease to the curb!

I think this is going to be a great year. And my 2013 to do list? To keep doing what I’ve been doing these past few months:

1. Create
2. Share my creations here
3. Take care of my family and myself
4. Connect with friends (and that includes you!)

I have an extensive breakdown of each of those categories, but I won’t make you suffer through that. Oh, and I love that little chalkboard jar up there. I’m thinking of adding a quarter every time I complete a task and maybe treat myself to something special at the end of the year. My to-do list is very long so I might be able to buy something substantial. Maybe some Liberty fabric….

Pre-Valentine Chocolate Pots

Valentine’s Day is still a few weeks away, but I’m starting to think about all the heart-themed goodies I’d like to make. After elementary school and before I got married, Valentine’s was rife with charged emotions, and awkward didn’t even begin to describe those years. Oh sure, there were a few romantic dates here and there, and yes, I may have had a secret admirer or two. But more often than not, I was plagued with unrequited love, and that super cute boy in middle school did not notice me, especially on V-day.

It’s a relief that I don’t have to worry about this formerly angst-filled day anymore (M doesn’t demand a whole lot) and K is at that age when everyone in her life gets a Valentine’s treat and assumes that the world adores her back.

This past weekend, to test out a recipe, we decided to make chocolate pots. Specifically, they’re called “Be-Mine Chocolate Pots” from this cookbook. I got this book at a school fundraiser, where it was resting next to a cake pops recipe book that I really wanted. But common sense won out, and I was sold on the “quick and easy kid-friendly” part of the title. Anyway, I wasn’t expecting much from the recipe, but you know what? These are amazing.

They are described as brownies, but they turned out to be so much more. The top layer is crisp and delicate, snapping like a thin candy shell. Then you sink into the velvety depths of rich ch0colate flavor. And yet the texture is surprisingly light. Delicious and decadent.

I wasn’t very professional with my stencil and it’s a bit off-center, but it got the job done. I used a sheet from the Rifle Paper notepad (love love love – have you heard they’ve created iphone cases too?) that I keep in the kitchen. That little zebra makes me smile.

We’ve been eating one every night for the last three nights and they still taste fantastic. These will definitely have to get baked again come February 14th.

Be-Mine Chocolate Pots
Adapted from here; yields approximately 8 pots (I made 4 ramekins and 6 with cupcake liners)

8 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
3/4 cup butter, sliced
3 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
Confectioners’ sugar

 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease eight 6-ounce ramekins and place on a baking pan.

2. In a microwave-proof bowl, melt butter and chocolate in short, 20-second bursts. Mine took 60 seconds. Alternatively, use a double boiler.

2. Whisk eggs, granulated sugar, salt and vanilla using an electric mixer on high speed for about two minutes. Mixture should become frothy and thick.

3. Reduce speed and whisk in the chocolate mixture. Then fold in flour until just combined.

4. Divide mixture among prepared ramekins. Place ramekins on baking sheet in the oven and bake 18 to 22 minutes, or until sides are firm and center is slightly soft. Let cool completely.

5. Place a small heart-shaped stencil or paper with a heart cutout on top of each ramekin. Sprinkle with cofectioners’ sugar. Carefully remove stencil.

With a generous serving of whipped cream, these are to die for. Enjoy!

 

 

A little wine, some art, beautiful fabric

I had such a wonderful time at the Art Walk! Located in a historically preserved area in Ballard, Drygoods Design is tucked behind a tiny coffee shop and is so very charming. They change their window display frequently and I am loving these clouds with raindrops.

I haven’t figured out how to take indoor nighttime shots, so please bear with these photos…I’m still practicing.

With a lot of vintage and salvaged wood pieces, I’ve said many times that if I ever had a coffee shop/fabric shop + sewing studio combo, this is exactly the kind of place I’d own. The two are actually separate establishments, but work really well together.

A bunch of my friends came to support the show (thank you!!) and there was quite a steady stream of Art Walkers flowing through the space. And though I get minor stage fright being the center of attention, the whole experience was great. Two of the pieces sold in the first hour, which was amazing. I’m so appreciative that I’ll be able to donate something to the Sandy Hook Support Fund! The owner and I are talking about offering up the option of an online sale, but the show will be up for another three weeks so we’ll keep you posted!

I wasn’t able to get decent shots of the sewing studio where I had a couple papercuts since there was a class going on, but I got some okay photos of my textile/painted embroidery canvases and framed watercolor prints. I realize this is still sneak peek-ish, but I want to leave a little bit of a surprise for folks who haven’t checked it out yet…

(I have a mind to sneak in at night and steal that Chesterfield sofa – it’s so cool and comfy.)

The response has been overwhelmingly positive, but to be honest, I was quite distracted by all the amazing fabric that Drygoods has available. I mean, Liberty Tana Lawn!! I am salivating…

Again, if you’re in the Seattle area, I hope you’ll be able to take a peek at my art, and I’ll post any information on making the pieces available for online sale as soon as I can. Special thanks to owner Keli, who was the consummate Art Walk party planner (extra extra thanks since it was her birthday that night!) – she’s a dynamic mover and shaker, and her shop and studio are AWESOME.

Monday Outfit: A Touch of Midas + Winter Shorts

Good morning! How was your weekend? Mine was great, and I will write a bit more about the Art Walk tomorrow (with some pix!), but today is Monday so I have an outfit to share.

I’ve always admired chic women who can pull off the wool shorts look in the winter. Due to aforementioned stunted legs, I am not an ideal candidate for this fashion trend.

K, however, with her slim physique and long legs, is rocking the cold-weather shorts. I had just enough of this grey/black wool to sew the shorts and not an inch extra. The pattern is from this book, which I love. The pocket flaps and tabs are lovely, and these details step up the stylishness of the shorts. I used mother-of-pearl buttons and I think their opalescent sheen works well with the dark wool.

And I tried my second Figgy’s pattern. The Ayashe blouse is simple and comfortable, and quite sophisticated. I wanted to try the version with the ties instead of the stand-up collar, and the shirt came together pretty easily. I don’t know why, but I always want to use gold with Figgy’s patterns. When I made the Sunki dress, I used a stunning fabric with gold tulips and this time, the cream linen is dotted with embroidered gold floss. A touch of Midas.

I liked the ties loose, rather than in a bow:

And my mom got K this shrug/vest/thing. I think it adds some hilarity to the outfit. Or maybe it looks high fashion?

Yo yo yo, what up?

Here’s the texture of the wool and a close-up of the button – I love them so much.

And K’s second top front tooth is coming out! She’s rocking it back and forth in the most grotesque manner and deriving a lot of pleasure from my groans of disgust.

I’m off to find our tooth fairy pillow…

 

 

Happy Friday + More Art Walk Sneak Peeks

Happy Friday! A few more sneak peeks…I’ve hung all the artwork at Drygoods Design, and I really like how they look in the space. It was too dark to get photos of them in situ, but I will try to snag some pix in the next couple of days. There are 12 pieces in total and I took some pictures of them before taking them to the studio/shop.

This one is my absolute favorite. It’s called “wabi-sabi“. It took a million years to stitch, and the metallic linen is amazing – I love the textures of all the elements together. It’s not big (the fabric portion is about 7 inches x 7 inches), and so the stitches are minuscule. Here’s a straight on shot:

All proceeds will be donated to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. I realize my little art show is not going to raise very much, but I wanted to contribute in some way. “Sashiko” means “little stabs” and was traditionally used to repair worn fabric. I wanted my creations to reflect a sense of mending, of stitching together, of reinforcing strength through small measures.

Have a lovely weekend, friends! The Art Walk is from 6-9pm this Saturday, January 12th. I will be there from about 6-7pm. If you are in the Seattle area, or know of people who might want to check out my stuff, please spread the word.

**Update: I just found out that owner Keli at Drygoods Design posted a very sweet promo for the show and my blog here. You can also see another little sneak peek.**