AfricanKelli

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I’m buying the Dixie Chicks new album today, and I hope to encourage you to do the same.
The Dixie Chicks made a silly misstep that angered many simply by voicing their opinions. They said something that offended 80% of Americans when we were huddled in a corner shaking after 9-11. Worse yet, they did so on foreign soil, making even some liberal Americans wince.
I get it.
I also get that being able to speak your mind is fundamentally American — often to the distain of the rest of the world. If we cannot criticize our president, you might as well begin the burka distribution line. I am proud to be American, while there are things about our culture and policies I would gladly change. I am proud to have rights that many developed successful nations do not provide to their citizens. I am proud of the Dixie Chicks for fighting back with their new album, rather than pretending this all just didn’t happen.
My point: we should support this group today because radio isn’t. We should support them because they are smart, talented women who represent many Americans proudly. We should support them because we do not believe in an America where secret commissions record phone calls, track email and plant evidence to preemptively kill thousands of people.
I do not believe in supreme presidential power, the confederate flag or punishing an American for voicing his or her opinion, no matter how much I may disagree with it. Let’s make this record one of the all time best-selling hits to send a message to Washington — we remember the Bill of Rights, and we believe in them. Vote with your dollar.

It was an exciting weekend of mail at casa Africankelli.

First came a surprise from Lyn of Mollychicken. She sent me stenciled squares of fabric, an awesome crocheted creature and a tiny bag of tiny ribbons. I am thrilled!

I plan on adding these to the next batch of wristlets. They are so sweet! I’m not sure how she stenciled these — perhaps Grocco?

And meet Paco, my new traveling companion. Lyn’s daughter Molly is very interested in world affairs. As I travel this summer for work, I plan on bringing Paco along and photographing his adventures. Molly will be receiving updates as we conquer Central and South America.

Catrina, of Bumblefunck emailed me last week. As if redesigning her site wasn’t enough, she’d also made time to put together some incredible craft packages. She’s cleaning out some of her fabric stash and sent me a very generous portion.

Holy moley. This was so fun to go through and imagine how I am going to put this stash to use.

My favorite was certainly this dainty white eyelet fabric. I just love it.

Thank you Lyn and Catrina! You made my day!
~K

My first attempt at freehand embroidery. I checked out Kid’s Embroidery from the library, after a thoughtful recommendation from Blair at Wise Craft. (Of course, she actually got this book for her children, but it is perfect for someone learning the basics of embroidery stitches.)

Another wristlet/pouch. This one was a gift to Mini, who celebrated a birthday this week.

~K

Here’s a sneak peek at my BackTack III softie. She’ll be dropped in the mail Monday, along with a few other goodies. Once received by Kerry, I’ll post more details!
As always, these sewing challenges are such fun. They stretch my creativity and push me to learn new techniques. I look at domestic art a good bit differently since last year when I entered the first Backtack project. The once unconquerable (double pointed needles, sewing zippers, embroidery) are now small hurdles I can get over with enough patience. I realized how crafty/nerdy I’m becoming when recently shopping for a basic protective cover for my digital camera. After going from one specialty shop, to eBay, to catalogs, I finally decided this week, “Hell! I can make that!” So, camera bag has been included to the craft queue.

Speaking of domestic nerdiness, did anyone else hear the special Thursday morning on NPR about American sewing machine sales? The reporter spoke about how sewing machines used to be standard in each American home, but now manufacturers are making “super” machines that embroider and thread your needle automatically and cost $5,000. Oy. While my $100 Singer works just fine for the time being, I’ve seen what the gamut of machines can do. My mother owns several — one of which she’s never used. (Hello, Mom. Hint Hintaroo. Send your serger to me! I promise to use it! Love you.) The report was enjoyable to listen to, although I’m happy to still be doing my embroidery by hand.

In other sewing news, remember when I found Nappy bags to be a complete and total pain? Well, I’ve gotten to the point to where I can build these babies without looking at the instructions, modifying in my own strange ways here and there. I’ve finally gotten the hang of this thing.
The latest nappy:

The happy recipient. She’s due with her first baby mid-July.

Happy weekend y’all,
Kelli

My third and final entry for the Nordicware Bundt Cake Contest. See the other two here.

Prickly Pistachio Bundt Cake combines the nutty sweetness of pistachios with the creamy deliciousness of butter cream frosting. Top this with a hearty handful of white chocolate chips and the bloom of an aloe vera plant, or another favorite wildly-colored spring flower. Together, the cake represents the two main colors of an Arizona desert spring — sage and coral.

Ingredients for cake:
1 package of Betty Crocker White Cake Mix
1 package of pistachio instant pudding
3 eggs
1/2 cup of vegetable oil
1 cup of water

Directions:
Pour yourself a glass of wine. Put on a cute apron. Turn on NPR or your favorite Fiona Apple CD. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Take one stick of butter out of the fridge and set it aside. Thoroughly mix the aforementioned cake ingredients, making sure to work in the pudding evenly. This will create a lovely sage green batter. Mix the batter for at least one minute, being sure to work in plenty of air. Grease bundt pan generously with PAM or another favorite baking spray. Slowly pour batter into the pan and even it out with a spatula. Tap the pan gently on the side. Cook for 30 minutes or until the top of the cake bounces back.

While the cake is baking, help yourself to a handful of white chocolate chips and fee free to pour another glass of wine. All that mixing by hand is hard work! It can make a girl thirsty. Now get started on the frosting.

Frosting ingredients:
1 stick of butter at room temperature (The best is Challenge brand unsalted butter. This stuff is like baking gold.)
3 cups of confectioner’s sugar
1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 package of pistachio instant pudding.

In a small bowl, mix this with an electric mixer on slow speed. Be careful or you’ll send teeny tiny globs of sugary butter all over your kitchen. If this happens, smile and turn up the music and move on. You’ll get to it later after the wine is gone.

When the cake is out of the oven, let it sit in the pan to cool for 10 minutes. Then run a sharp knife around the outer edge and flip the cake on to your serving platter. Let the cake cool on this platter at least 30 minutes before icing. Slowly add your creamy pistachio icing. Sprinkle the cake with a handful of white chocolate chips. Garnish the platter with your desert bloom. Best when served with a cold lime margarita and eaten in the shade.

Voila, Prickly Pistachio Bundt Cake.