Bitter Betty Blogs

Fashion Friday: Buy Me Indy Gifts...

2009-11-06T18:25:00.000-08:00

Personal Advent: Day 6

click on the pictures to go right to these shops.

Okay, it is more blessed to give than receive...Especially if you are receiving mass produced goods from China because your loving family isn't as crafty as you are (Not talking about anyone in my family...of course.).

So, sometimes taking a few minutes to decide what you'd like to get can be practically altruistic. I mean, it will save the loved ones stress, better for our fabulous craft community, and 90% of the time these come with Far Less Packaging. So Go On.. Update your Etsy Favorites, email them to "Those Who Need Hints". They will be grateful and in one more small way,

You'll be a better person.

Thursday Tutorial: The Banner of Thankfulness.

2009-11-05T16:41:00.000-08:00

please feel free to click on the pictures to make them Much Bigger.

Here's a little tutorial and downloadable free banner for Day 5 of My Personal Advent.

Why so early? Well because by the time it seems more apropos, I expect that we all will be up to our eyeballs with far more urgent stuff to do.

So I suggest, that if you have kids that craft, maybe you could make this together. And then way ahead of the game you can talk about what You Are Thankful For. And then by the time the big day rolls around and the family and friends are there and there is so much cooking and stuff to do...

you and your kids will have already reflected and that will feel great.

And if you don't have kids, make it by yourself and get done twice as fast!

Fold the pages of a small (no longer read) paperback book

back and forth in half inch creases, fan style. You'll need 11.

Staple in the very center.

Trim the ends like in the picture, both curving in the same way.

Open the fan and glue the straight side together to make a star shape.

click below:

Free Thanksgiving Banner Download

Then print and cut out or use a big punch (mine was 2 inches, scalloped).

I used tacky glue to put the letters on the front of the stars

I used a punch to put hole through one of the points of the star.

Then I threaded it all together with a large needle, threaded with old seam binding.

straighten and hang...

Happy Day 5.

I'll be off for the next 3 days I think.

Catch up on Monday!

Wisdom on Wednesday: Still, The Meters are Running

2009-11-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

Bring your desires down to your present means.

Increase them only when your increased means permit.

-Aristotle

Advent Day 4:

Laundry and leftovers.

Every day can't be amazing.

OH- and that book?

Here's a site the publisher set up:

Show Off!

Thrift Tuesday: Made In Japan and Made by Hand

2009-11-03T19:15:00.000-08:00

Here is what I have been thrifting up lately.

Vintage ornaments and baubles and gee gaws. Lord, where is my hot glue gun?

These are begging for up-cycling. Re-glittering. Joy to the world.

Soon.
I just need to work on the housekeeping end a few more days. Then I'll get out the gift wrap and bits to make better bits. Gift-worthy bits. Inspirational bits.

Oh, Change of Subject!
Hey... Anyone want to come to my book signing in Tuolumne County?
It's Saturday, at Lunchtime at the Mountain Bookshop in East Sonora.
There's nothing like signing books in the town you grew up in...( She says like she even knows when this is her first- EVER!)
I wonder if I'll see any long lost pals?

Hmmmm.

Advent day 3:
Go Ahead and Stock Up.
Buying gift and thrift puts us ahead of the game.

Made It Myself Monday: Lists and Wishes

2009-11-02T12:59:00.000-08:00

I worked on my calendar and my "To Do List" yesterday.
I scheduled my annual "Sisters In The City" shopping day with my sistyuglers.
I scheduled The Annual Tree Hunt.
I scheduled the pre-tree cleaning spree.

Tiny felt tea set.. a finished gift. The buns are the size of a pencil eraser.

I still want to schedule a Holiday Ladies Potluck Champagne Brunch and Glitter Soiree. (A day of making tiny gifts, tags, doing some wrapping... But Very Sociably.)
and, of course, Teen Dude Gift Creation Weekend.

But those are all I need to feel happy celebratory and chock full o' good cheer.

I made my "what needs finishing" list (3 items)
and "still to make" list. (5 items)
I compared it to my "folks who need gifts" list.
Any Folks not represented on the first two lists are being put on
the "local-indy-etsy shopping list". And there we are.
Less mess, less stress.

And I celebrate Day 2 of My Personal Advent by Putting The Halloween Away and making green tomato chutney which can make a lovely hostess gift, gets rid of those tomatoes, and is awesome on a grilled cheese sandwich.

Green Tomato Chutney

12 cups chopped green tomatoes
1 and 1/2 diced white onions
4 granny smith apples chopped/ peeled
2 cups raisins or currants
2 1/2 cups brown sugar
2 tsp salt
1 stick cinnamon
1Tbsp ground ginger
2 1/2 cups cider vinegar

Place all items in large heavy bottomed pot and bring to a boil. lower heat and simmer uncovered for
over an hour until thickened. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
Can be canned in sterilized jars with a 10 minute water bath process.

Use my Labels for cuteness.

Welcome, November

2009-11-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Well, here we are.
November.

There is so much to do. I still need to scrub the zombie blood off the bathroom floor. There are 3 weeks until Thanksgiving, 8 until Christmas, and our family celebrates Hanukkah in there too.
But wait!
I want these weeks to be filled with fun and warmth and creativity.
I want to make sure I spend great time with my friends and family, and I want to be present, in the moment, not just rushing through the motions of togetherness. My intention of finishing all the handmade gifts by now has NOT materialized, but I do have several started and a few really close to finished. Handmade Holidays and supporting local and independent merchants is still a top priority for me. As is creative reuse, and all that jazz.

It occurs to me, That This Will Take Some Planning. So, today I start my Personal Holiday Advent.

Today is Day 1.
List and Calendar Day.
Itemize, Prioritize, and Realize:
It's time to pick the best, and chuck the rest.

Inhale. Exhale.
Go forward in that right frame of mind.

Sugar Skull Party

2009-10-30T08:02:00.000-07:00

Last weekend I had a lovely afternoon decorating Mexican Sugar Skulls with some crafty ladies.

Sugar Skull are treats that are offered to the returning spirits on Dia De Los Muertos, which is November 1st.

The week leading up to The Day of The Dead is celebrated by creating alters in the home with photos of the departed, and special food. Candy and toys are offed to the spirits of lost children and adult spirits even get mescal and cigarettes.

We celebrated with champagne and chocolate fondue for the living.

The sugar skulls were easy to make with a mold I got as a gift from this site. They have many more molds and I may need to add to my collection. Because easily I can see this becoming an Annual Tradition.

Blogger is breaking my heart and not letting me upload all my pictures today... So Go to my Flickr to see more!

Fashion Friday: The Well Dressed Witch

2009-10-23T22:53:00.000-07:00

I spent a really lovely day at The Castle in The Air yesterday.

I took The Witch Box class from John McRae, with my sister Lassen, and a delightful lady named Sally.

It was a great, fast paced, fun and engaging class.

John was a great teacher. Funny, and informative and just a delight to spend the day with.

And as you can see, the results of a good teacher, with a fun project, and beautiful supplies is delightfully frightful witch with a secret hiding place inside.

I highly recommend taking a class at the Castle. I have made friends, made things I'll always treasure and picked up a crazy list of mad crafty skills. A Very Worthy Indulgence.

Tutorial Tuesday Revisited: The Lace Crowns

2009-10-21T13:05:00.000-07:00

I got a lovely email from Jennie Alvernaz of The Rose of Athens Theater Company, who was excited to share these amazing crowns she made using my Lace Crown Tutorial from about a year ago.
She did an amazing job adding jewels and making the bases more durable with a ribbon or fabric ring adhered to the lace.

Fen is going to use the tutorial to make crowns for herself and her flowergirls for her wedding. I sure hope she send pictures too. She had a question about whether a liquid leaf will work as well as the powered leaf I used.

I think that it will. It is basically the same thing that you make by adding the powdered leaf to the medium ( Glossy ModPodge, in my case). But my best advise is to use a scrap of lace to test it out.
All Laces are not going to react exactly the same so a short scrap of the lace you intend to use for your finished project is probably your safest bet.

Congratulation Fen!

And I really appreciate hearing from anyone who has enjoyed a tutorial or even anyone who has tips I should pass along. Thanks to all you Bloglandeers for your encouragement. I'm looking forward to hanging out here more often.

Thrift Thursday: Storybookland

2009-10-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Well... Here we are in October. That means the Birthday Season has officially Begun. I am going to the city Today with Julia from Mariquita Farms to deliver fresh organic veggies to hungry foodies and then out to eat. Hurray. I am very excited. I like food and people and good physical labor. A fun adventure to be sure.

I decided there will be an over arching yet lax theme for the BBI for the month of October. That is Storybookland. My little light yellow red ridinghood ceramic bell is my thrifty storybook example for day one. I love storybooks. I love all books. Right now I am reading 4.

Here is a quick craft I did a few weeks ago. I dried my late summer hydrangeas and then stuck them to a straw wreath form with T pins. The wreath and the tpins? Thrift Store. Thrifty Homegrown Fast Craft...You gotta love it. Total spent 1.50.

I also need to clean out those closets and get ready for the rain. I'm even uploading a picture of every single vintage pattern I own to flickr to make myself a reference and get ready to send some away.
But now I gotta run.. The veggies need me.

That's how we roll here at Chez Betty: We bite off more than we can chew.

Let's Hear it For October!
Betty

Tutorial Tuesday: Vintage Fall Fashion How To's

2009-09-29T16:23:00.000-07:00

click on the photos to enlarge

It is windy and chillier here today, so the BBI wants to share a quick vintage sweater washing tutorial to celebrate.

YEAH! Sweater weather!

But before you go out in your smashing fall ensembles be sure you print out and carry our handy door check diagram and put your best fall fashion foot forward.

Don't you just love the Fall?

Actually we have been pretty Busy here at the BBI factory, making handmade holiday stuff and some pretty serious holiday decorations, and while I doubt I'll actually get everything finished by my original goal.. I'm still holding out hope for Finished By Halloween.

Raking Up Leaves For You to Jump Into,

Betty

Tuesday Thought for the Day

2009-09-15T13:33:00.000-07:00

I prefer the folly of enthusiasm to the indifference of wisdom.

-Anatole France

Made It Myself Monday: Canning Labels for YOU!

2009-09-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have to admit... I looked around for something cheap and cheerful but, I didn't find canning labels that I loved. So I made my son teach me some Photoshop. And I designed these "not quite perfect but way better than any other freebies I was able to locate" jar lid labels. And now I want
to make them available to you!

DOWNLOAD VEGGIE LABEL FILE

DOWNLOAD JAM LABEL FILE

Edit: I did it! I made the labels into downloadable PDFs! Now these are sized for the wide mouth jar lids. If you scale them down by about 25% they are good for the smaller jar lids. I may find time to create those too... But with a flu-ish kid and all... maybe not.

If you need these labels:

Just click on the tabs under the picture!
Open file after it downloads
print onto full sheet adhesive labels... ( I got mine from one of those Giant Office Supply Stores)
Cut Out,
Peel Off and
Label Away.

Damn, your Jam is cute.

We Be Jammin',
Betty

(Not for Commercial Use... Please.)

Tutorial Tuesday: The Right Fabric for Your Pattern

2009-09-08T15:36:00.000-07:00

Oh, do please click pics for legibility and possible print out.

Well, This is a quick cribbed checklist from The Complete Book Of Sewing by Constance Talbot, Published in 1943. The name says it all... this volume is a great reference resource.

You have to admire her correct, yet stilted, grammar.

I'm cutting out a casual fall jacket from a light weight woolen myself. And a cape from a coat weight boucle, a gypsy skirt from a striped rayon and a huge hole in my housekeeping standards.

( Oh, Balanced Life where are you?)

What Happened to Wednesday: The Cone

2009-09-03T14:17:00.000-07:00

I know... a double post! Which I usually wouldn't do, but I am in the middle of a pet crisis, so naturally I am taking pictures and well, I feel really bad for the dog. (Oh, the suffering baby, he suffers! from allergies... And from a paw that allergies made him lick until it got really nasty.)

But the pictures came out great so I have to share.

the offending foot

I'm Sorry, Cooper. The Cone Of Shame just looks good on you. Because you're handsome.

And Pathetic.

And I had to get up 5 times last night to check on you, because you can't wear it and lie down, and I had to make sure you hadn't chewed off the bandage,
so I'm exploiting you.

But you'll get a cookie in a minute. 'Cause I feel guilty about it.

Poor, sad, baby.

Thrift Store Thursday: New Pony For The Stable

2009-09-03T13:47:00.000-07:00

Meet The Singer 15-91.
She was born in 1948, in New Jersey.

I met her at the thrift store and the General said she could be mine for 20.00. A man had brought her in the day before and she had belonged to his grandma, and the machine was working great the last he knew. And she seems to work just fine.

There are some online reviews that call this machine "The Workhorse" or the "Farmer's Wife's Machine". I find sewing with her delightful. It is her sturdiness that I find so appealing.

And she cleans up real nice too.
But I have wasted quite a bit of time on the E-Bay trying to get her all outfitted with accessories.
Still looking for a buttonholer, and a piping or braiding foot, if anyone wants to trade for one.
I have loads of neat vintage supplies and even all the plates for a dresden plate quilt all in original depression era flour sack cloth.

Oh and there were other goodies at the thrift store too, that made it into my basket. But there usually are, and they usually do.

What Have I Been Doing While I Wasn't Blogging

2009-08-31T11:48:00.000-07:00

Well, The first week of high school is over and the second week began today. I was moody but I'm going to be okay.

get smart alack kid back in school... check.

I think it is always catching me by surprise that back to school comes the same couple of weeks that canning gets into full swing.

make pickles the old fashioned way...soaked in brine at room temp for 3 weeks...
work still in progress... pungently so.

On top of that Back To School time makes me want to get organized ( Is it that several hours of uninterrupted thought?), and it reminds me with a stinging swat that I probably won't get all the holiday gifts done before October. Harumph.
It usually makes me think of all the practical stuff that I need to do, like really build a reasonable emergency kit, catch up on my paperwork and get shots for all the pets. I expect this year will be like the past years... I'll get shots for the pets and just worry about the rest of it.

visit the ranch in inappropriate attire... check.
(The boots, aquired at the thrift store the day before, were indeed, made for walking.
the minidress-Amy Butler- not so much...)

I did make a binder to keep all the recipes and gardening tips and crafts projects I have gleaned recently. I hope it works out. Sometimes these organizational tools work out and sometimes I find them years later and think, "I only vaguely remember doing this. It made a huge mess though, and took forever. And all these articles and stuff look awful now. Yipes!"

pick garden b-day flowers for best neighbor ever... Check.

And now for one of the crafty projects that happened in the whirlwind "Last Week Of Summer/First Week of School" Blog Break:

Happy Trailers to you- Til we meet again

The old travel trailer in my back yard got facepaint. A Jacob and Betty collaboration.

It needs a whole face lift , but we could only perk it up a little.

Now we have to tackle the inside. Yes another crazy WIP to last a lifetime. Or maybe, if we get it all buttoned up and cleaned out...The Future Craft Cave. One Never Knows.

shiny thrift fabric... oooh ahhhh.

I do Know I could use the room, because the fabric fairy won't stop dropping off yardage. I am a lucky girl. Must Sew More!

Fashion Friday: Making It Up As I Go Along

2009-08-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

you can click on the photos if you need a close up

This is a pattern free self designed top made entirely from thrift store fabric and buttons. Did you catch that folks? Entirely thrift-begotten supplies and designed by Me!

I did use new thread. But, hey, that's like 95% green. Super economic at 3.00 in fabric and MAYBE another 50 cents in thread and buttons, and it only took a day, plus hemming and attaching buttons. So it was also quick like a bunny.

this was supposed to show that it buttons up the back but ...oh well

And Voila. I am doing something that helps me define myself the way I have long aspired to.
"She is the kind on woman who designs her own clothes."

Yeah. That is definitely the kind of person I long to be. It does have more sophistication than
"She is the kind of woman who dries tomatoes in the back seat of her car."

And look how great it goes with the earrings that Susan made. I wore this when I had dinner with her on our trip to Portland... and she liked them so much she put more of these in her shop.
Must be said that she was as delightful IRL as she is on her blog... and I think Jacob was a bit smitten because he talked as much during our dinner together as he did the rest of the trip.

(You know you want to buy them.. Then we can be like twins, or sisters or something. And you can even be the younger sister with less gray hair, because I like you that much!)

See You Next Week,
Betty

Thrift Thursday: Road Trip and Local Thrift

2009-08-13T17:39:00.000-07:00

The Thrift Haul this week comes from the Gualala Pay and Take, and my own local fave, The Abbott's. Total spent? $12.50. A steal!!! A farmers market shopping basket, metal film canisters, sewing anvil, great huge length of vintage blue lace on the bolt, vintage Artware fabric and resin bowl and enough old ribbon for all the holiday presents this year.

Are you kidding me? This is pure gold! Is it just me or did folks in the "olden days" have more fun that we did? There is a Night Sledding Photo lighting how to in here. And sing along after flippin' sing along! The kids and the dogs are adorable!!!

I sense a vintage photo tutorial coming on.

Picture Me Yours,
Betty

Tutorial (Almost) Tuesday: Lovely Lace Jellyfish

2009-08-11T20:12:00.000-07:00

You will need:

supplies

doilies. I trimmed mine from an old crocheted lace place mat.
Lace of several widths for jelly underskirting and tentacles!
(Man, do I love a craft with tentacles!)
Mod Podge or slightly thinned white glue
36 gauge wire ( Thinnest available.)
doily colored thread.

tools

Cutting instruments for wire and thread and lace.
Paint brush
Curved circular containers to use for molds.

1) Trim doilies for the jelly domes to the ideal size for you. Mine are small. 2-3 inches. But I think this would work to make much larger Jellies. Just select your lacy underbits to match the scale of your doily.

2)Find molds for your doilies that will give you the curvature you prefer. I used an old jelly mold and a margarita glass.

3) Generously coat one side of your doily with Mod Podge or thinned glue.

4) Place in molds and allow to dry.

5) Make a rosette (gather lace and sew into a spiral). Stitch into place in the center of the doily.
You may want a thimble for this part.

6) Cut lace and wire to double the length that you would like to use for your tentacles. I cut 2 of each, both the same length.

7) Weave the wire into the lace using a "running stitch". To finish fold the wire end and end of lace over and pinch to crimp the wire.

8) I folded the wired tentacles in half, but unevenly, so they would be staggered, and stitched
into the center of the rosette.

9) Fluff up your jelly and string him up for hanging.

additional note: I used two different widths for the tentacle lace to make the 4 tentacles feel like more. Also.. if you were clever and used only cotton lace these could be dyed! I'd love to see someone try that!
Please let me know if you make some. I'd love to check them out!

And for Inspirado?

Welcome to Team Jelly... No Hearts. No Brains. No Blood.

Squishily Yours,
Betty

Made It Myself Monday: Our Book Is Coming Out in A Month!

2009-08-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Well, all last summer, I wasn't blogging much because I was writing this book with my sister and Now it is coming out in just a few weeks! That would be September 22nd to be exact!

it's US! aren't we cute without features?

Show Off is a fun graphic how to book for 8-15 year olds, or anyone who might want to see how to dye their hair with kool-aid, build a jello city, or do the "Angus Spin".

Now my sister has written 60 kids books, but this is my first! I am so excited, I could plotz.

Think of the Holiday gift possibilities!

seriously...I am so full of myself right now!

Now I know what you are thinking... How can I get my hands on that book?

Well, you could pre-order it here. And if you live in the middle of nowhere, or in a strip mall laden suburb, with no local bookshop... Please, do!

But if you are Super Cool you will contact your local independent bookshop and ask them to order it for you. Because local independent bookstores are the BEST. And, let's face it, they could use the biz.

Oh and by the way? Auto Sundried tomatoes? ROCK!!!
Good for the prostate and the karma.
These took 1.75 days!

Hoping to Autograph your Copy,
Betty

Silly Sunday: Back Seat Sun Dried Tomatoes

2009-08-09T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hang on to your hats, Ladies and Gents... You are about to see why I am the unchallenged captain and mascot of the US Olympic Rationalization team.

Well, I had to get a new used car.
My old Honda Accord had lasted as long as it could. 225,000 miles was the tipping point where we had to decide if we loved it enough to pour money into it, or whether it needed to be donated to charity. We opted out.

I feel a little guilty. I know that the greener idea would have been to spend a few thousand to repair it and just keep driving it until pieces were literally falling off. When we took a close look it seemed environmentally responsible but fiscally irresponsible to keep repairing it.

I can lean that way: Planet>pocketbook. I pay more for organic, or handmade, or local small batch products... Eagerly.
But this time I made a different choice. I threw in the towel on that car because I really hate being broken down and that was what the next few years would likely entail. Me, stranded here and there. Irritable, late and likely as not with a dead cell phone and a smelly dog or cranky teenager. I am not that good of a person.
Being a libra, and always seeking a balance in all things, I decided to make adjustments to green up my choice. I picked a more efficient car. It isn't a hybrid... But it rates above average on MPG and emissions. I bought used and will keep it for many years...Until My electric plug in is ready and my solar panels installed

So, what else could I do?
The same inclination to do good by the environment had me planting veggies last spring and now my tomatoes are producing in spades. Too few to can and too many to eat fresh. I wanted to sun-dry them but wasn't too sure about my local humidity and how fast I could dry them without bacteria taking over. We are in the redwood forest and half a block from a rather large river. Hauling the tomatoes around on an old window screen for 4-10 days, praying for them to not mold? Hmmm... There are a couple of oven options... 8 hours of slow roasting (hot out already, thanks), or microwaving for 1/2 hour. Nuked tomatoes anyone?

1)Tomatoes are quartered, seeded, and drizzled with olive oil,
placed on a rack over a metal baking tray.

2) Season to taste with sea salt and herbs.

Or a recipe I found here that calls for Putting Them In Your Car. Using my car as a passive solar food dehydrator? That is just the kind of thing that would help me rationalize my luxurious new/used auto as being just a teeny bit greener. And of course it also indulges my infatuation with the sublimely ridiculous masquerading as the practical. Good thing I like the smell of tomatoes!

3)Put in hot sunny car window for 1-2 days. Remove at night.
Finished tomatoes should be similar in consistency to raisins (dry and leathery-chewy)
and stored in a plastic bag in the fridge.

Using My Powers For Good Whenever I Can,
Betty

Fashion Friday: Burda One Day-Day Dress: Green Edition

2009-08-07T13:10:00.000-07:00

please click photos to enlarge and decrease odd blurring sensation

Here is a sweet green shift I made from Burda. Vintage fabric with green peacocks has made this little dress one that has come out of the closet time and again this summer. It's green and green becase all the supplies used were thrifted by me and my talented thrift fairy step-mother, Diana.

I think my favorite thing about this shift is the neckline in the back which is kind of a sexy little surprise.

The Burda magazine patterns are very simplistic but pretty wearable. They are also fairly easy to alter, which is good because they seem to be naturally on the boxy side.
Using the vintage fabric, this really seems to fit with the New Vintage Wardrobe stuff... But being a modern pattern it doesn't quite qualify as NVW.

I have several other summer garments to share... And I better do it quickly too because I am already itching to make new yummy stuff for fall.

What are you guys going to make?

Comically Yours,
Betty

Home Again... and Buried in Laundry.

2009-08-06T12:57:00.000-07:00

Hi Bloglandeers!

Had a great road trip with Jacob and I have a lot to share. Just Unpacking and Re-acclimating today though.

I plan to post some fun stuff from the trip tomorrow...

And I will have a Big Announcement on Monday!

I will post the Jellyfish tutorial on Tuesday,
(and I thank you for letting me know that you want to make these little cuties.)

Love to Travel...
Good to Go and Good to Come Back Home,
Betty

Lace Jelly Fish ...Would you like a tutorial?

2009-07-28T13:50:00.000-07:00

I made these litte snippets for a really lovely project that is being made by a very creative person that I discovered because she left me a comment. I think I failed to reach out to her earlier, but from the moment i followed her profile to her beautiful blog...I not only was fascinated by her project, I actually wanted to be her.

Shelley Noble is making a movie. A beautiful looking, intensely rich picture poem and it is going to move. Like it is alive. It's called Halfland and and it has captured my imagination entirely.

Happily, Shelley was looking for contributors for her underwater scene.. So in a very small way I did get to play at being her. The detailed puppeteer without strings.

I'll be mailing these to her as soon as I get back from careening across states with my wild teenage artist. We will be leaving guerrilla art souvenirs and sampling as many kinds of pies as we can find. Documenting our progress in polaroid and fisheye lomo along the way.

But should these be a tutorial? Does everyone need some fancy tiny jelly fish and a few less doilies?