Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from the land of antibiotics and inhalers. I've been sick over the holidays but it hasn't completely stopped me from enjoying visiting relatives. My mom, brother, and aunt are here and it's been nice to have them here.

I've been watching and reading about the year in review in the news and in magazines. Lots of milestones in the world and it is no different for me personally. This year was forgettable and yet unforgettable. I lost four special people in my life within a six month period - my dad, my grandmother, my father-in-law and his brother, Uncle Joe. I've missed them all especially over the holidays but I've been blessed to have had them in my life.

From a design perspective, it has been the best year for me. I worked hard last year so that much of the work could come to fruition this year. I've had four and a half [contributed to the latter] books published, lots of magazine and fabric work. I thank all of the wonderful people in our industry for supporting my visiion and I especially thank all of you for coming along for the ride! Here's to a great new year.

xo, Linda

Happy Holidays!

While some of you are experiencing a magical White Christmas, we are enjoying a decidedly tropical one. And although I'm sure I would love to be walking in a winter wonderland, all furry collars and earmuffs, I am quite content with these sunny skies, strappy tops, and a particular pair of bronze-y Brazilian flip-flops that made their way to my Christmas loot.


In keeping with the season (climate-wise), here in my corner of the world, I decided to forgo tradition and nix the pine tree this year. Instead, I bought a fabulous palm at our local market, draped it with these cool weaved-twine-ball lights I found in Bangkok, and decorated it with shells I found on an island in Bicol that we visited last month. It looks like a Christmas tree from some shipwrecked island and I love it. I scattered shells and Christmas balls around the house and used halved coconut husks for candle holders.


Most of my free time saw me stirring a big pot of bubbling Spiced Apple Chutney -- my Christmas gift this year. Though the flat smelled of it for days, it was well worth it to be able to hand over something homemade this year. And the hours it took to peel kilos of apples and coax them into chutney made for a lot of reflection time.


Though this season had its share of tough times, it was also all the more special for it. Moments with family seemed more precious, rituals more meaningful, and old squabbles put aside.


Now to make up for the absence of a white Christmas, we will be off to the beach to celebrate the New Year. I'll be back in January of a shiny new 2008 to open the next round of Hay Hay it's Donna Day! Until then, from my tropical islands to your home, wherever you hail, I hope you are having a memorable and meaningful holiday season full of love and hope!

Merry Christmas!

I wish you a very Merry Christmas! Thank you to all for your support this past year. It has been one with some major ups and downs but all of the friendship has meant a lot to me and my family. All the best to you and your families. xo, Linda

To market, to market...and a big Thank You

First of all, I would like to thank every one of you who has left such warm and kind comments on my last post, and who sent me emails full of virtual hugs and comforting words. Every comment and every email was greatly appreciated…and helped tremendously. I am stunned and amazed and touched and grateful that I have connected with such and incredible bunch of people…all because of this little blog. This cyber world we inhabit is truly a miracle.

Here is another thing that brings me comfort…

Going to the market is something I find therapeutic and soothing. Walking among cheery looking fruits and vegetables, peaceably lying together and patiently waiting for some shrewd marketer to snatch them up, is my idea (well, one of them at least) of perfect, cathartic, "me-time" (well, when I’m alone at least). Which is probably why I find myself, many a Saturday, crawling out of bed while C is still fast asleep, tossing on something decent (perhaps a big pair of sunglasses if Friday night was extra brisk), and making my way to our neighboring village market.

I have a whole routine which I take simple, almost childlike, pleasure in. I take my ratty pink market bag, which is really just a freebie I got from a bookstore. It’s the perfect size and water-proof and I love it (more so since it was freefreefree). I also take a small cooler which I leave in the car, just in case some interesting crustacean catches my eye. Or I am moved to buy some Wagyu beef. Or I need to replenish our longanisa stash – this market has a great variety of local sausages and I love trying them all. Or I get tempted by the fresh local cheeses. When I arrive, I stop by the stall selling freshly made piyaya first to get my breakfast. This flat, tart-like snack has a sticky-sweet filling of muscovado sugar inside a thin flaky crust. Hot of the griddle it is amazing, and a great way to start the day.


My own neighborhood’s market, albeit smaller, has just moved even closer to my flat. So that was a whole other excursion and another reason to put a smile on my face. They seem to have more purveyors now too.

As you can imagine, this season is beyond busy and these little escapes are very much welcome…and needed. No cooking to share, but here are some small bits of happiness that I picked up at my neighborhood markets.

I spotted the little carrots still with their stalks from a mile away. The photo doesn’t really capture it, but their stalks were lush beyond belief. Like the veggie version of those old-time shampoo commercials where the models swing impossibly luxuriant manes like matadors. I couldn’t take my eyes off them. I snagged them without a second thought. I roasted them with onions and garlic and some Zamboanga sausage that we got on our trip there. I just tossed them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper, added a bunch of parsley, and that was that.


My favorite herb/veg farmer pressed a bunch of greens in my hand while I was poking around his stall…"Wild arugula", he said. Oh yes. I am a huge arugula/rocket fan, and the arrival of wild arugula is always greeted with delight. He tore of a piece for me to taste (as he always does) and I was sold…it was everything I loved about arugula, but brighter and more pronounced, with more of a kick, “wilder” I suppose you could say, to make a bad pun of it what the hey. Unfortunately, although the leaves were bright green and sprightly, they had those holes in them veggies sometimes get (when attacked by little critters?). They tasted fantastic though so I threw caution to the wind and got myself a bunch. Aside from salads, this was surprisingly good in a chili con carne wrap that I had for days on end.

The peppers are from the same stall and something I have grown to love since being introduced to them. Of the capsicum family, they are smaller and have thinner skin then the regular red and green variety you see around. They also have a pleasant sweetness. The purveyor said they were "lipstick peppers", although I'm certain the cute name had anything to do with my attraction to them...oh no, not me. I’m sure they would be fabulous stuffed and baked, but I have yet to move on from having them in my scrambled eggs…which I am unabashedly loving. Another thing I am unabashedly loving are these plastic bowls and utensils (I’ve got plates and glasses too!) that I got from IKEA during a recent trip to Hong Kong. A good excuse to have a picnic I say.

I guess I am lucky that such simple things, like finding a nice bunch of carrots, make me happy…because it’s that much easier to get my thrills :) Alone time at the market has definitely been a solace over the past month. As has spending time with my family. As has all of your beautiful messages. As has the gentle, steady rhythm of stirring away at batch after batch of this year’s Christmas presents…but that’s for another post.

To everything and everyone who has made me smile…Thank you!

Hi...

Hi. I know I have been silent for a while. I wish I could tell you that it’s because of a mountain of work that I have to get through (although that is true – this is always a busy time for me because of year-end reviews). I wish I could tell you that the holidays are filling all my free time with errands (although, this too, is true…especially since I decided to make my gifts this year). I even wish I could tell you that I have blogging burn-out (this friends, is absolutely not true – my blog in my happy place, and it is here that I escape when I’m burnt out).

But I have some sad news. My cousin passed away. I guess, there is no graceful, lyrical way to say that…and if there is, I don’t feel like searching for it just now. I debated even posting about it. But to come back here with just another post, gabbing about this or that going into my market basket or coming out of my oven…it just didn’t sit right with me.

As this left its mark on me, it will also leave its mark on this blog. Fancy words escape me now. It was a car accident. He had just turned 18. He was an artist. He liked to wear black. He had a sunny smile and the cheeriest voice. He saw the extraordinary in the ordinary…in things, and as I am only starting to realize in retrospect, in people too. He had curly hair…the blessing/curse of many in my family. He had a twinkle in his eye. He marched to the beat of his own drummer. He had more talent then I ever knew.

He is in a better place now…hopefully with lots of spray paint and unlimited canvases. We, meanwhile, remain, to hold each other tight this Christmas. This Christmas, my longing to be close to family is stronger then ever. They are my comfort. We are our comfort.

I find comfort too in doing what I like doing…cooking and going to the market. So that has not stopped. And I hope to tell you all about that soon enough.

Until then…

Please give someone in your family a hug today. They may need it. And it is the holidays after all…

And M, if this post finds its way through to the divine radar…your manang joey sends you a big hug and wishes you a Merry Christmas!

Winter Sparklers & Holiday Winners!

There's a shop in the town where I live that is so inspiring. Heartstrings is a wonderful shop full of vintage gifts and their window display just sparkles! I took this the other night during our Christmas Parade. It was so magical with all of the holiday lights in the town and in the parade.

I've been having fun shopping with Little A. He loves to walk down the street and sing Jingle Bells. So off-key and yet oh so cute. Adults walking by often join in and start singing [off-key as well] with him. Thankfully I did my shopping in November. It is crazy out there.

Speaking of gifts, you didn't think that I forgot about our little contest did you? First, the technicalities. Two little judges drew slips of paper from the e-mails that were received. Then they continued to draw some more so I am including few mini-bundles for three other contestants. Drum roll please.

The winners are:

Ursula Anvil - Cool Girls Quilt book

Mary Zilg - Large bundle of fabric

Kelly Willis - Large bundle of fabric

Michelle Benton [?], sugar creek stuff - Mini-bundle of fabric

Karen Weir -Mini-bundle of fabric

Monique Harris - Mini-bundle of fabric

Please e-mail me your snail mail and I will post the items to you. Thanks so much for reading and entering the contest.

I'm In A Holiday Mood & Giveaways Too!

Yippee! Today is publication day for Sew Sentimental. It's not just a scrapbooking book. There are some great projects for you to make as gifts. For the book, I designed one large quilt and one little quilt, some pillows, a growth chart and a fabric envelope. Check it out!

Presenting, the Here, Birdie, Birdie Tote Bag. Yes, I finally got around to finishing it. I have the template posted on my website. Just click the link on the right. Now, the pattern itself is another story. It may be the end of the week before I get to it. I used some fabric from my new fabric line, Gardenia. Sorry for the poor photo. It is ugly outside and my model, Little A, won't cooperate. He thinks that it is funny that Mommy wants him to pose. Little does he know that that's him on the cover of Sew Sentimental!

Plus, we had a minor castrophe last Thursday. My very expensive and very relatively new Maytag washer had one very major hissy fit. There had been problems with this machine and they've discontinued it. I think that is what made Maytag, Maytag no more. So we decided to buy a new one. We now have one wonderful [keep my fingers crossed] Whirlpool machine. Please don't tell me that you've had problems with yours. I don't think that my hubby can handle it!
I suddenly find myself in a holiday mood! Let's have a little giveaway. I have two bundles of my newest line, Gardenia. Plus, I have one copy of Cool Girls Quilt to give away too. Gee, I feel like Santa! E-mail me all through Sunday and I will draw three names Sunday night. Good luck!

I made this tree skirt for a book and for once, I have used a design for myself. I bought the sparkly reindeer ornament when I was in Toronto a couple of months ago. I'm in love with it! As you can see, I don't really decorate in "traditional" colors. Then again, what is traditional? I don't eat turkey at holidays either. For some reason, I am really turned off by turkey. This year, when my family came for a visit, they ate turkey and I ate scallops.

Here's another freebie. I was playing around with the dots from my Funky Fabrics line and ended up making this fun little holiday pillow. It is so easy that no real pattern is required. Just cut a 15" x 16" piece of fabric for the front and back. Then make 15 - 2 1/4" yo-yos. I used the highly addictive Clover yo-yo makers. Arrange and pin them onto the pillow front. Cut out a stump, fuse in place and zigzag around with coordinating thread. With right sides together, sew the pillow front and pillow back together. Leave an opening for turning along the bottom of the pillow. Voila!

Special Gifts

This year has had many ups and downs but overall I have felt blessed. It is a gift to be able to design and I am grateful for your passion for all that I do! Thank you! I hope that you enjoy making this stocking! Click here for the pattern.


Speaking of special gifts, I received this beautiful handmade pincushion and label a little while ago from Lucy Locket. Isn't this gorgeous? It came in a plastic bag and I haven't removed it because I am afraid of getting it dirty. It sits right in my work area and I look at it whenever I am there. Thank you, Lucy Locket!

OMG! It's December!

Where does the time go? I can't get over the fact that Christmas is only a few weeks away. I had so much to do for business this weekend but since I had visitors, nothing was accomplished. Not a problem. I took our cousins, Helen and Angie, from Australia shopping at Short Hills Mall. It's nice to watch other people shop. If you have ever been to this mall, you'd understand. Let's just say that Tiffany's, Anthropologie and Jimmy Choo were the stops along the way. We had loads of fun and it was great getting to know them. Of course, they think that it is cold here. Oh, yes, it is veeeery cold here in the good ol' USA. I won't tell them that there was a foot of snow in Canada. They'll have to see it for themselves when they go up there in January.

We sat down on Sunday afternoon and made these sparkly little gems. It was all fun and messy and I suppose that I should have let them use washable paint. Instead, I gave them shimmery-really-tough-to-remove-even-with-nail-polish-remover ink. Hey, no pain, no gain. The ink along with using Martha Stewart's fabulous glitter, gave us sparkly and colorful ornaments.

It's so easy. Buy some plain glass ornaments and drop some ink into them. Add a load of glitter and swirl around. Place a cotton ball at the open end while you are swishing the ink around inside so that it minimalizes the leakage of the ink and prevents it from getting all over you. Let them dry and there you have some oh so sparkly tree ornaments!