The Getty Villa

May 15, 2013 by mymateriallife

We were back in LA again last weekend, this time to attend a nephew’s college graduation.  We had one day for sightseeing and this place was first on my list.  Have you been to either of the Getty museums?  There are two:  the Villa features antiquities from Greece, Rome and Etruria, while the Los Angeles Center features European and American works.  They are the best deal in town.  All you pay for is the parking – $15.  The inspiring architecture, […]

Categories: Architecture, Places • Tags: california, getty museums, getty villa, malibu, travel

May Day, May Day

May 1, 2013 by mymateriallife

It’s May Day again.  Is there someone whose day you can brighten with a little basket of flowers to hang on their door?  A small child, an elderly neighbor, or one of those in between young child and elderhood who would delight in a little touch of beauty and thoughtfulness when they return home from school or work?  All you need is a paper cup and a pipe cleaner or something similar that you can string through holes you can […]

Categories: Celebrations • Tags: may day, paper cup may baskets

More Krazy Kool Wool Kolors

April 27, 2013 by mymateriallife

You’ve just got to try this; it’s so much fun!  I just started to teach beginning knitting at my daughter’s school with our school librarian again and this time we decided to use wool yarn.  The great thing about that, of course, is that wool can be dyed using Kool-Aid.  (Also, we were thinking that the wool, being springier than cotton, would be a little easier to learn to knit with.)  I sun-dyed these brilliant colors (blue raspberry, peach mango, […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Knitting • Tags: dying yarn, knitting, kool-aid, kool-aid dye

Cotton Voile Curtain Blouse … From A Free Pattern!

April 24, 2013 by mymateriallife

I recently finished sewing this blouse, and I wore it for the first time on Monday when the temperature hit 90°.  I wish I could tell you that I looked fantastic in it, but the truth is, it looks better on the hanger.  I was certainly very comfortable in it, though.  And I’m still excited to share it with you for a couple of reasons:  one – the fabric source (Cost Plus World Market; it’s a $19.99 curtain panel) and […]

Categories: Clothing & Accessories, Sewing • Tags: fashion, free pattern, peasant blouse, sewing

The Paper Doll Post, Part 2

April 20, 2013 by mymateriallife

If you like paper dolls and/or fashion, I think you’re going to like the links I have to share with you in this post.  Let’s start with a few favorites from my collection … Top row from left: Andrea from Tom Tierney’s Brides from Around the World collection wearing the traditional Danish bridal costume. Die-cut dolls (the set also comes with a doll named Claire; each doll has six costumes), published by B. Shackman & Co., Inc., 1995. Another B. […]

Categories: Kid Stuff, Paper • Tags: art, display, doll collecting, fashion, illustration, paper dolls

Madonna Inn-spiration

April 11, 2013 by mymateriallife

I could never be someone who makes disparaging remarks about the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo.  Some people find it garish or kitsch, but I find it original, unique, a special treat.  All the rooms are different and decorated with things your eccentric aunt might have picked up on her travels years ago.  Like that beautiful, probably silk lampshade shown above.  I love how it’s lined with that checked fabric.  It’s so uplifting to find an object – a […]

Categories: Architecture, Places • Tags: california, madonna inn, san luis obispo, travel

Painted Plastic Figure Jar Lids

April 1, 2013 by mymateriallife

Until I discovered this beautiful blog post from Torie Jayne that led me to this image, I thought the best thing you could hope to make with a glass jar and a plastic figure would be a snow globe.  Now I’m not so sure.  This was a last minute Easter project for me, but you could make these lids/jars for just about any occasion or storage purpose throughout the year.  I tried making three lids, but this is the only […]

Categories: Easter, Kid Stuff, Miniatures • Tags: candy jars, easter, glass jar lids, glass jars, plastic animals

What We Ate On Easter Sunday

April 1, 2013 by mymateriallife

Clockwise from upper left: Marion Cunningham’s Featherbed Eggs for brunch with chicken apple sausage and strawberries.  This time I made the dish with a heartier country type bread.  I love that you put this together the night before, so in the morning all you have to do is put it in the oven.  Then make yourself a mimosa and relax.  Good the next morning too! Used these eggs to make an after nap (mine) snack of deviled eggs.  Nothing fancy […]

Categories: Celebrations, Easter, Savories • Tags: buttermilk biscuits, dinner, featherbed eggs, food, honey roasted chicken, jean-georges salad, marion cunningham

Nice Things for Easter

March 28, 2013 by mymateriallife

For other Easter ideas (crafts and recipes mostly), please click here.

Categories: Easter • Tags: arts, design, easter, illustration