Embroidery with Whimsy: Have Your Cake

A work in progress from this summer: Have Your Cake and Eat It Too embroidered dishtowel. A great project for a hazy day by the lake. Stay tuned. I'm in Seattle now and I forgot the finished product in Michigan! It'll be back with me next month and I'll show it (and how I did it) to you then.

Food Truck Dish Towels: Modern Art

I have a weakness for dishtowels. My collection is full of French brands and unusual color palates. They are often too beautiful to use and I save them, folded in a drawer, as if I'm waiting for the Queen to come.  I am a proponent of using the beautiful things we have, don't get me wrong, but I have bought so many over the year I can't help but keep a few pristine.

And then I walked into a kitchen store in Ballard, Washington and saw these Food Truck dishtowels. Lighthearted and timely (I was on a mission to eat from food trucks when I was in the Pacific Northwest), these are the ones I chose to hang on the wall as art.

My studio is in transition right now, I've been organizing and planning for a grand new space to create.  Furniture has been moved, storage containers for buttons and ribbon and zippers (oh my!) have been purchased and I am on the hunt for wallpaper.  In the meantime, I knew that these dishtowels would give my studio a touch of whimsy.  

I needed a long pocket along the top of each dishtowel to thread a wooden dowel through. I decided that sturdy grosgrain ribbon (1.5 "wide) would make a perfect "pocket" and I cut a piece the width of each dishtowel. I sewed along the length of the ribbon, at the top and bottom and it created a long smooth pocket. I cut a dowel just wider than each dishtowel, threaded it through the pocket and then cut a length of embroidery floss and tied it to each end. I pushed a thumbtack into the wall and hung the embroidery floss "hanger" over the pin. Voila! 

Simple, inexpensive and FUN artwork for my studio walls. If you'd like to order a set for yourself or a friend, you can find them here.

Heather Bailey Dishtowels

I was so very fortunate to run across some Heather Bailey dishtowels at Homegoods. I had no idea that she had expanded from fabric design into housewares, but I am so glad that she did! The colors of these dishtowels were so beautiful and bright (same pattern in a different colorway) that they fairly leapt off the shelves and into my cart. Can you see that each one has a ruffle trim? I intend to use them as large napkins in my aqua and white kitchen. Can't wait!

Heather is a fabric and embroidery designer, as well as a blogger with an enormous following at HelloMyNameIsHeather. I met her back in 2008 at the Country Living magazine Women Entrepreneur conference in Chicago. She is a delight. Warm, interesting and wholly supportive of women expressing their creativity. I found her blog tips and tricks to be very helpful and thought that she was a great addition to the panel.

I was returning as a Country Living Pitch Your Product winner for my subscription gift service and Heather was on the Women Entrepreneur panel discussing her tips and philosophy for writing a successful blog. You can see Heather on the Country Living stage (below), she is second from the left.

This must be Heather Bailey week. I came across some of her embroidery patterns at another shop here in Seattle. I bought them on the spot - I can't wait to show you.

Dishtowels: Preserving and Canning Jars Print

It was love at first sight when I found these canning and preserving inspired dishtowels.  I was at my home-away-from-home, TJ Maxx, when I spotted them in the kitchen linen department. Each set includes 2 dishtowels for $4.99.  It may seem ridiculous, but I bought 2 packs of each pattern and I intend to give each friend that comes to cans/pickles/preserves with me a commemorative dishtowel.  

Why? Because it is fun, unnecessary and I think if you like to can/preserve/pickle, you need this towel in your kitchen. It's as simple as that. 

This summer I was given the Ball FreshTECH Automatic Home Canning System and it is awesome. I made peach jam with my friend Liz (she's coming back to make tart cherry jam so she'll get her dishtowel then) and it could not have been easier. Angie is coming over on Friday to make Sweet Bread and Butter Pickles.

Am I having fun? You bet I am.  

Seattle: Martha E. Harris Gift Shop in Madison Park: A Visual Gold Mine

I give my highest "must see" rating to Martha E. Harris Flowers and Gifts in Madison Park, Seattle.  If you love what I love (entertaining, color, ribbon, china, flowers, tablescapes), then you must figure out a way to visit this beautiful shop.  In my photograph above you can see the shelves (yes, shelves) of Emma Bridgewater took my breath away.  It is very difficult to find Emma Bridgewater pottery and accessories for sale in the United States. I simply couldn't believe my eyes.  I'm under strict instructions from my mom to return to this store when I get back to Seattle in June and get her some of the "bird mugs." Fun!  Do you remember when I visited the Emma Bridgewater Factory in Stoke-on-Trent, England?   

I have shopped all over the country (Houston, Palm Beach, Chicago, New York) and I can easily tout Martha E. Harris Flowers & Gifts as being one of the prettiest merchandised shops with the best selections of all the things I love. It is a visual gold mine.

When is the last time you saw a selection of ribbon this extensive? I need to make a game plan and return (ribbon for fresh lavender bundles, ribbon for my Honey Dijon rose bouquets, ribbon to create a monogram with on a pillow).  

When I was reflecting on my visit and preparing to write this post, I realized how broad the phrase "gift shop" is.  There are 3 gift shops on every main street in every town in America.  The quality of goods varies greatly and more often than not, they sell whimsy, not beauty.  Martha E. Harris offers beauty through color-based vignettes and colorful displays.  Lovely pieces to buy for your home or give to a friend.  If only I could register for my wedding all over again!

I have been passionate about linens for years.  I have amassed quite a collection of dishtowels, runners and napkins and lately I have been pushing myself to use them around the house.  I love how the usual color combinations can add interest to a clean and classic kitchen.

I also really appreciated the variety of fine gifts at Martha E. Harris.  In the photo above you can see apple-shaped candles, beautiful yarn scarves, pretty gift wrap rolls and paper flowers.  I couldn't wait to show you.

The shopgirl called a new collection of spice jar dolls to my attention. They are a great example of how the store brings in a few art pieces to enhance the mix. 

What surprised me was that Martha E. Harris is also a floral design service. The retail marriage of floral arrangements and fine gifts makes so much sense - purchase beautiful serving pieces, fresh linens and order a bouquet for the table.  Look at the masterpiece they had made up just minutes before I arrived.  And notice the variety of glass vases on the shelves...this florist isn't kidding around!

As I travel around the country, I try to highlight the shops, sweets and treats that I think will bring delight to my readers - I call it a "City Series." In the sidebar of the blog, you can find other cities and when you click the name, you will see a list of all my blog posts from that city.

When you visit Seattle, make your way to Madison Park and I know you will find delight at Martha E. Harris Flowers & Gifts.

City Series: Dallas: Rise No.1 Souffle

My friend, Carol, was full of good ideas for how to spend our day together in Dallas.  When we were standing in a recreation of the Bush Oval Office, she mentioned that she hoped we'd have time to get souffles later that afternoon. I always have time for a souffle!

We walked into Rise No.1 on a quiet afternoon intending to catch up over a coffee and dessert souffle.  We ended up ordering a light meal, which became the culinary highlight of my trip to Dallas.

It started when the waitress mentioned their Rise No.1's famous "Marshmallow Soup."  Carol urged me to be hungry because she thought I would really like this creamy tomato and carrot soup with 3 perfect goat cheese souffles floating on top.  

When it came, I was struck by how much they really do look like marshmallows.  The soup was creamy, but not rich and had a depth of flavor that still has me puzzling, how did they do it?  I am the salt police and often find dishes to be heavy handed.  No, this soup was perfect - probably the best I have had in the cream category.  Rise No.1's Marshmallow Soup comes with a tiny pitcher of pesto oil to drizzle on top.  I tried it, but found the spongy goat cheese souffles were just the right complement to the soup - it didn't need anything else. It was magnifique. 

We rounded out our meal with a small "Rise No.1 Salad" (baby greens, roasted pecans, matchstick-cut Granny Smith apples and blue cheese - optional) dressed with a Pecan Vinaigrette in which I detected notes of vanilla.  I ate every bite.

Near the entrance (and within view of our table) was a beautiful display of French dishtowels for sale.  Aren't they lovely?  My favorite thing about French dishtowels is the imaginative and happy color combinations.  Orange, aqua and plum.  Red and bright pink.  Taupe, apricot and purple.  If I hadn't "organized" my dish towel collection lately and seen for myself just how many I have (forty? I might actually have 40), I would have bought myself one on the spot. They were gorgeous.

The restaurant has a very French-feeling sink area just outside the restrooms that is surprisingly beautiful.  The dim lighting, lavender-scented soap and basket of French linens to dry your hands gives a charming farmhouse feel to the area.  Never underestimate the power of a linen hand towel to make an impression.

Yes, we had dessert too.  Carol had a Tarte au Fruit (apple) and I sat cross-legged in the middle of this Chocolate Souffle, complete with chocolate sauce to pour inside.  Yum yum yum.

Linger is a good word to sum up our afternoon at Rise No.1 souffle and wine bar in Dallas, Texas.  Carol and I talked and talked and talked.  It was wonderful to reconnect - how can it be 5 years since we first met in a cooking class in Paris?  We picked up right where we left off and it was so much fun.  I must get back to Dallas...and quick!

Todd & Holland Tea Merchants: Forest Park, Illinois

If you love tea, you only have to visit Todd & Holland once to know that you'll be back.  It is a tea-lovers paradise. 

In my adult life, I have sought out tea moments. I've visited tea farms, been to tea tastings, had high tea in England and sipped blends in the tea salons of Paris.  If you think of life as college, I sometimes I feel like I've minored in Tea.  Not a bad way to live, I say.  I'm probably the only one of my friends that longs for a temperature-specific tea kettle that lets you select the perfect temperature for brewing "Green Tea", "Black Tea" etc. 

*sigh*

Anyhoo, I say all of this because I know about or have tried just about everything in this shop and I approve!  What a selection.  The variety of tea they offer is mind-boggling.  Pretty teapots and mugs are everywhere - displayed in a way that gives them the attention they deserve.

The photo (above) is of their tea station.  You are to help yourself to one of several different hot or iced teas (in pretty glass mugs) that you can enjoy while you shop.  Love it!

You can also see in the background that they have a gorgeous selection of dish towels too.  Their dishtowel choices were lively, interesting and fun - a far cry from the dismal choices I have seen lately in other home stores.  I liked everything about Todd & Holland. Bravo, Aberdeen, for insisting we stop and shop.  

When you click the link to visit their website, I encourage you to watch the video tour of the store.  It is informative and can give you a true sense of their tea selection. I particularly enjoyed trying the "sniffing jars" in person.  They have a small jar of each tea displayed with the packaged tea for sale.  You can shake the jar and then open it and take in the aroma of that particular blend. It is a great idea and gives customers a better sense of what each tea is like.

I found what I was looking for: Japanese Matcha (powdered tea leaves) that I like to add to smoothies.  The powder is loaded with antioxidants. And I bought a mesh tea strainer with a bamboo handle (there were at least five sizes to choose from!).  I brought it home and it fits perfectly inside my glass teapot.  Score.

If you are ever in the Forest Park area of Chicago, you must treat yourself to a cup of tea and a wander through Todd & Holland.  I guarantee that you'll find something you need.  

Pink Dishtowels

I am pulling out my pink dish towels!  The September issue of House Beautiful magazine has a photo of plaid dish towels that has inspired me to rummage through my cupboards.

The page is meant to send us out shopping for the latest super cute plaid dish towels.  And I agree, they look beautiful.  But what about the pretty ones we already own?

I realized that I have been in the wash/fold/use/repeat mode with my dish towels and while the mint and green ones I have been using are nice, I know that changing to this collection of pink towels will feel wonderful.  Do you know what I mean? 

It is time to use what I have and enjoy it all the while.  I'm sure that you have some beautiful linens tucked away at your place.  You bought them (or they were a gift to you) to use and enjoy.  It's time.



Monogrammed Towels

Does your kitchen need a lift now that all of the holiday touches are gone?  My kitchen looks very bare and in need of a touch of color.  I think a few monogrammed dishtowels draped at the sink will do the trick.

All you need is some inexpensive flour sack towels, a plastic alphabet stencil sheet (from the craft store), a bottle of fabric paint, a plastic baggie (to pour your paint onto and throw away after!), a small stenciling dauber tool, masking tape (to keep the stencil in place) and a paper grocery bag (to protect the counter top). 

Follow the directions on the paint bottle - most air dry and then can be "set" with an iron on a low setting.  Then you can wash them without loosing your design.  Super cute and super easy.

Twelve Days of Valentines Day: Day Two

I'm "Blue For You!"

Remember, everything that represents Valentine's Day doesn't have to be pink. I found this beautiful stencil at a scrap booking store, chose a Folk Art fabric paint that complimented my kitchen (#4422 Azure Blue) and went to town with a foam stencil brush. I will let this air dry for 24 hours and then "heat set" it with a pressing cloth and hot iron. Voila!

I love the Swedish influence in the design and can't wait to see this (once humble)dishtowel draped by my kitchen sink. Love it!

Day 2: Highlight beautiful colors in your heart-shaped world.

Paris: French Dishtowels

One of my favorite shops for linens in Paris is La Maison Ivre. It is filled with the prettiest linen imaginable - dishtowels, placemats and all the fabric touches that make a kitchen really beautiful.

The last time I was here I bought a series of seven dishtowels: Lundi, Mardi, Mercredi, Jeudi, Vendredi, Samedi and Dimanche. The days of the week! Cute, eh? But I as I took this photo I realized that I had not used them yet! I had been "saving" them for the last 5 years. Not anymore...starting tomorrow I am drying the dishes with Mardi. Why starting tomorrow? Lundi looks so pretty with my new family room wallpaper that I have decided to have it stretched and framed as art. Love it!

Valentine Dishtowels

I bought three white & red dishtowels at IKEA ($.49 cents each!) and my first thought was to embroider my monogram on them with red thread. It would be really cute, right?

Then I realized that if I marked my plans with a red fabric pen it would look like hand-work, but be much more modern. Voila! Two minutes later I have a set of personalized Valentines dishtowels.

The Twelve Days of Valentines Day
Day 4: Get out your red, pink and heart-related dishtowels to brighten up the kitchen. Or better yet, make some of your own!

Darling Dishcloths

Want to turn something simple into something lovely? Trim it! Look how white eyelet, little pom poms and cotton lace can elevate a plain white dishcloth into something you want out on the kitchen counter. I plan to use and wash them with abandon. Then when they start to look "tired," I'll use them as rags, but for now...Oh, Honey!

Flower Power

I wanted to give my friend a stack of super cute Martha Stewart dishtowels from Kmart as part of her bridal shower gift. Big bright cotton check towels with rick-rack trim - totally adorable. 

 But they looked like a stack of dishtowels, not a glorious topper to her gift ...until I shaped them into a rose! I like to make people say "Ohhhhh....."