Modern mini quilt and Mac and Cheese

Mini quilts are my new obsession.

Think about it:

• finish a quilt in a reasonable amount of time-check!
• Try a new technique on a small scale-check!
• Have a piece of art that has a many uses around the house-double check!

I love making little quilts into individualized placemats, toy-spot placers {i.e. fabric parking lots for Match Box cars!}, and oversized trivets. My newest creation is this sweet {and beyond easy} mini place mat that is also lined with insulated batting so it also doubles as a large potholder.

{Seriously-how are the large lasagna-sized pans supposed to fit on a fit square pot holder?}

My little man calls it his "birthday" snack mat {because I made him fabric bunting for his birthday} and it is perfect for a little bowl of his favorite mac and cheese for lunch.

I based the idea of the fabric bunting on Cheryl at A Pretty Cool Life's rainbow bunting quilt.

The 1.5 pt Pyrex mixing bowls are perfect for hearty stews, pastas and snacky treats...and turquoise is my favorite color...

He gives it the cheesy grin of approval!

Pyrex: a confession...

I am doing a little confessing over on The Pyrex Collective today... I am so excited about being part of a group of folks who share the same lil' love I do!

Everyday Vintage: Fast Food and the Good China

Do you eat on your heirloom {or, "the good"} china?

If you don't, why not?

Tonight's dinner consisted of a pantry container of creamy butternut squash soup {compliments of Pacific Natural Foods-it's vegan, y'all!} and a little bagged romaine lettuce salad...Super simple, minimal prep work but healthy and delicious. It is one of those quick supers that doesn't make you drag the rest of the night, like grabbing junk food can.

Despite not being "my style" of antique or vintage, I treasure the antique china I inherited from my great grandmother {her name was Easter and I was born on her birthday!} We eat every single meal on it, despite that it could be pricey to replace some of the specialty pieces.

I read once in a book about clutter by organizer-extraordinaire, Peter Walsh, that keeping items that you don't use for the sake of memories does not honor the person or person with whom you associate the items. In other words, keeping grandma's china in a box or even a china cabinet does a disservice to you and to the memory of your grandmother...

So, we keep the good stuff in the kitchen cabinet and every PB&J and "easy" meal gets served up in style. We want to remember the Thanksgiving dinners that have been eaten on these plates before us and we want to create new memories.

These plates are both rare and common...and I wouldn't want it any other way!

June loves school

I mentioned yesterday that I was in the midst of midterms this week, so I took a little break after finishing one big computer lab assignment to search through Etsy for all things vintage collegiate...Here are some of my favorites that I found:

Perfect for note-taking: re-purposed vintage album journal from Photographic Amy

Is this semester over, yet? Industrial school wall clock from AMRadio

School-marm charm: 1960s Mod Mary Jane's from Raleigh Vintage

What I would rather be studying: Art of Sewing vintage texts 4-set from Retro Reading

After I learn to sew, I could knit up one of these collegiate sweaters: Bernat "School and College Look" pattern book from Tiki Room Merch

How cute is this pendant? It has "Kitch-iti-ki-pi Big Spring" written on it! 1950's tourism pendant from Elizabeth Wren Vintage

And to help occupy my little lab assistant while I study: Vintage 1960's Disneyland alphabet blocks from My Attic's Treasures

Are you in school? Working on my master's degree now {as a mom, wife and working on my lil' business} is very different than doing college the traditional route...do you have any hints or secrets to making that work? Please share!

Monday Shop Update: Election Mania

I am knee deep in midterms and some (very good!) personal changes so I am posting just a quick preview of some of one of the items that is heading over from the Big Cartel store to Etsy.

Elections are coming up...no matter your views, your voice should be heard...rock the vote!

Everyday Vintage: Calendars and Corningware

My morning has been spent with some of my favorite cookbooks for a long overdue menu-planning session...complete with some rick dark chocolate mocha in my everyday Corning coffee cup (in the Pyrex Butterfly Gold pattern...) I searched through some of my favorite cookbooks for some yummy treats and cool weather tummy fillers. I have been inspired by the cool Elycia and her Veg out with Elycia project to share a couple of short thoughts on making the transition...

My short and sweet rules for going veg (for a short time or with the goal of long term):

• Go slow. While I know many that categorize eating animal products as severely unethical but making this change can be tough both mentally and socially and your body will need to adjust to a plant-based diet. Don't categorize food as "good" or "bad", educate yourself with the issues around what you eat, and make changes and choices based on your belief system.
• Keep it simple. While some of my favorite food blogs are vegan, you don't have to cook like a chef or have a gourmet health food store nearby. You can cook healthy, good tasting food without complicated methods or difficult-to-find ingredients.

P.S. Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk is my new favorite...Warm it up in your favorite coffee mug and add an instant coffee packet or a shot of espresso...yum! Head over to Elycia's blog to read some great personal stories and some yummy recipes!