Last week when we visited Chicago for a couple of lovely sunny days we stopped at Chinatown just south of the main downtown and here are a couple of photos taken there. The Nine Dragon Wall is like one in Bejing and the ceramic tile were very cool.
We went into a bakery, while in Chinatown and bought a couple of cookies, some juice and a cake--which I forget the name of. I kinda knew I wasn't going to dig the cake---I am downright picky--but I love the impressed top and had to get it just for that reason alone. It looks like a coin on top doesn't it? Well.....guess what we found when we opened it?
A beancurd, seafood mixture--which to some would be a delightful yummy thing. Not my thing however so, I threw it away....sorry. We did all have a very good time---even if I didn't like the food. The street was busy with shoppers going into the local groceries, bakeries :-), and seafood markets. We went into a little store fairly busting with paper lanterns and umbrellas, silk slippers, and all kinds of nic-nacs from China. (no photos please) The small woman running the store spent the whole time convincing my husband that everything would bring him prosperity and good luck. She was just right and it makes me smile to remember her--a good memory. :-)
Isn't this a sweet design that she wanted.
We are making some progress on the packing thing and also the having fun on spring break thing. We visited Chicago for two days and had a whooping good time. Now, while most of the time we seemed to be going from one ethnic enclave to the next, we visited the Oriental Institute on the Univ. of Chicago campus first. Chock full of artwork from Babylon, Persia, etc., it was just perfect for us. Loved all of it.
As you can see I have gotten a little further on the babushkas. On the first babushka doll back in January, I put round cheeks of pink felt and this time I've opted for a small amount of blush rubbed into the fabric. Does this stay on very long--does anyone know?
Working on a couple more babushka dollies for my girls. Ever since I put one together in Jan. they have wanted one for themselves. I'm glad for such appreciation around here! 
Forgot to show the hats I made for two dollies around here. It was fun and pretty fast. I followed a pattern by Jessica that I found on her blog Zakka Life and zip,zip,zip I made two of them. One out of blue wool and one of red. The only difference from the pattern was a larger needle size. I think she calls for a size six and I only have tiny sizes and a size 8 so I went with that size 8. I have a tight gauge usually so I measured what I had knit after a few rows and measured the dolls head. It seemed that I was knitting about the right size and it worked out. Viola!Looking at the photo, I guess dolls get redeye, too. :-) Isn't that weird?
A beauty of a fabric don't you think? I have this teeny tiny scrap of it and I just love it to death. Love the people, flowers, birdies and HEARTS. One of my favorite scraps right now, what are yours?
Lucky girl, I am today. Look at this beautiful fabric from Lakehouse Drygoods, by Holly Holderman. Yikes! It is the most beautiful fabric I've seen recently. The 100% cotton has the most wonderful "hand". It is lovely, soft and scrumptious.
Both prints come from Holly's Doll Dresses line, one is called Posy Pretties-Robin and the other Cherry Toss-Pearl.
I found the fabric at BessieMary and it came all packaged up so sweetly, with a checked ribbon and a fabric swatch packet. In the swatch packet there was even a little bundle of hot pink baby ric-rac. Woo-hoo!
We are all happy hearts this weekend. A fun little trip to add buoyancy to our step.
This Scottish fellow's arm moves, which makes his eyes roll in his head. Funny!
I like this one because it looks like a brownie/elf mix. His heart-shaped blushing cheeks and big ears are adorable. 
Little ringlets, mary jane shoes and knobby knees......need I say anything else.
Loving all the red and brown surrounding me. I made some pretzel button cookies on Monday after reviewing all the Crafty Crow posts that I have missed recently and finding lots of valentine projects, including the pretzel buttons. Check out the recipe here.
My matryoshka wallhanging quilt is done! And it only took me a year....... ;-)
I just went through some of my grandmother's memorabilia the other day. In a description of her wedding for the newspaper it mentioned an heirloom bridal veil. I have never heard of this veil, let alone seen it. I wish I had asked about the old lace-covered clothing and scrap bag fabrics that were passed down from my grandmother.
The original idea for this quilt came from my love of the matryoshka, babushka form and a storybook of Em's "The Littlest Matryoshka" about matryoshka sisters. I have two sisters, so it seemed natural to work with three dolls, all lined up.
Some of the fabrics are from my "old" scrap bag. The large polka dot fabric used for the "shelf" that the dolls sit on, is from some fabric toadstool seats that I made for my older daughter out of milk crates and plywood when she was 2. The tan fabric of the sister's faces scraps from a stuffed rabbit.
So, here are the sisters, similar to each other in lots of ways, yet each with their own pattern, their own tilt of the head, their own smile. 
Little Miss Muffet sits on her tuffet. Meg, my charming daughter, crocheted this wee Miss Muffet pin cushion to sit atop my felt pin cushion to hold my needles. She found that our yarn needles with their dull points have trouble going into the felt top, yet easily slide into the stuffed top of this crocheted cupcake. When she stuffed little Miss Muffet she placed a smooth pebble in the bottom part so the whole thing doesn't roll over.
This is the third knit doll that I've made. I like the tubular shape--kinda reminds me of babushka dolls--of course. The first of these dolls (several posts ago) was knit using an old McCall's pattern, but this one I made up on my own to get a smaller doll and the added pieces, like her hair, skirt and mary janes.
I have almost finished my small quilt--3 sisters. I have been adding the borders which need a little quilting and a rod case on the back so I can hang it. Maybe by the weekend I will be able to share. :-) The rest of this week we are supposed to be having a warm-up outside and sun, so it is off for a walk and some of that cleaning up the spring-like temps always inspire.
I looked around my den of crafts and spotted lots of green--makes me dream of spring.
An early spring is not in the forecast but a person can wish can't they?
Happy Groundhog's Day to all. 
Not much in the way of chicken scratch embroidering but I like just a little around the border of my little quilt project. I like the name "chicken scratch" too. I've always thought that I wanted chickens as well, running around my yard, but for the book "Still Life with Chickens: Starting Over in a House by the Sea" by Catherine Goldhammer. In the book, the author describes, nights of keeping the chickens from freezing and other chicken requirements that convinced me that I'm not a potential poultry farmer. :-) Good book though, about making do with less. I'd like to read it again, come to think of it but I can't seem to find my copy in the house...hmmmm, could be time for a bookshelf go-over/clearing out.
I started working on this small quilt sometime last year. I have pulled it out to work on in the evenings and some of the quiet mornings that I have been enjoying lately. I had a heck of a time finding the red/white gingham that I wanted in a border. I had not noticed that gingham is now mostly polyester-ick, printed on one side of the fabric instead of woven and all the various sizes are not available. I say we bring back all-cotton woven gingham in lots of colors and while we are at it we can bring back dotted swiss (as seen in the apron above). :-) By the way, I am extremely happy with all the other fabric with dots that is available now--stocking up for when it is no longer in vogue.
Stripes and changing colors, I can do--but switching colors mid-row--uh, uh--I haven't gotten the hang of twisting the yarn when I switch colors.
I had to go back after this doll was done and sew the apron's holes along the sides.
Fooling around with a little canvas and markers can be a dangerous thing.
