Wee Wonderfuls Paper Dolls

Hillary Lang's Wee Wonderfuls doll and toy patterns are always a treat. Clearly written without that weird pattern-speak, even a novice sewer such as myself can get good results. I recommend the Big Footed Bunny and Olive and Oliver doll patterns. And now, she offers paper dolls with three outfits each "a saturday afternoon", "kicking' around" and "cousin cindy's wedding".

Make a Box Kite

This fine flyer was made in one evening with the family. We used materials that we had on hand: drawing paper from a scroll, packing tape, cast off wood scraps near the saw, and markers to decorate. Eric bought the string.

The construction was surprisingly easy. It's not rocket science, but we looked for guidance from some rocket scientists at NASA.


The winds were fierce at Ventura's Emma Wood State Beach, but the kite sailed high.


In the end, the dirt was most compelling.

Happy Camper Shirt

The youngest got a cool hand-me-down shirt from a fashionable friend. The eldest loved how the tent flaps opened up to reveal two feet. Inspiration hit to create our own happy camper shirt for the eldest.

The inspiration:


Materials were procured. One t-shirt, Jacquard fabric paint, paint brush, linen scraps:


A volunteer was enlisted/conscripted. "He's a real pro," the eldest said of the youngest's footprint contributions:


The result..."This shirt makes me happy," said the eldest. Spy the feet down below.



No babies were harmed in the making of this shirt.

Planting Seeds

Camp Ramshackle had a bountiful oak acorn season this year. Eric harvested bags of them, shelled, ground, and leached out the tanic acid from them. His hard work yielded a delicious pancake breakfast. We hope for another one soon.


Even with the copious acorn harvest, many volunteers found a spot, shot out roots and set to grow up. Perhaps to become like their parent tree, which can grow up to 85 feet in height. Quercus agrifolia is beautiful.

We start so small, like the majestic oak, we grow bit by bit.

With small steps, stitch by stitch.

Birthday Bib

A special friend celebrated a 2nd birthday. What to give? What to make? I turned to Mr. Monkeysuit and a wonderful pattern so generously sent in mail many moons ago (thank you!) and made a bib...with modifications.


Material: Thrifted pillowcase, frogs and letters from Superbuzzy and linen scraps. It's sure to look fantastic stained with pureed baby food. Mr. Mateo is fortunate to have two gifted gourmands for parents.

Hedgehog Art from a Manroot Seedpod

Marah fabaceus (a.k.a. mountain cucumber or manroot) is a pernicious California native vine which grows like kudzu here in the winter and spring. It smothers nearby plants, then produces potato sized thorny seed pods. If it is not removed promptly, it dies back when the weather warms up, creating a tangled, tinder-box-like fire hazard which breaks apart at the slightest tug, making it a royal pain to clean up. You cannot kill the plant; the only way to remove it permanently is to dig up the root which can weigh up to 100 lbs (hence the name manroot).

Imagine my surprise to see my garden nemesis transformed by my son (with help from my wife) into an ephemeral hedgehog tribute to Mrs. Tiggy-winkle. Media: manroot seedpod, pepper corns, salt, pasta o's

Two books arrived today

The youngest kid (seven months) is talking to his feet. The eldest is playing with a door stop. For the moment all is well. But the feet are starting to cause some trouble. The door stop twang has mysteriously stopped. So, I'll be brief.

Two new books hit the ramshackle porch today: Amanda Blake Soule's The Creative Family and Natalie Chanin's Alabama Stitch Book.

After the feet are tended to, the door stop checked, food on the table, dishes done, I look forward to browsing.